Page:Lady Anne Granard 2.pdf/184

182 "Not a word, not a word, will I hear against them; they have sent you materials for a stand, that will cut down every bodyseverybody's [sic], and it is plain, poor things, they have impoverished themselves to obey your wishes. We must look up some pretty young women to assist you, or really, Lady Anne, with this stock of goods, and your own fine person, you might take a plain one or two off our hands. What do you say? the charity is our grand object, of course, you know?" Lady Anne thought for a moment, and then said: "Provided they are ugly enough, not by possibility to be mistaken for daughters of mine, I have no objection. Nor would I dislike them for being smart and witty on such an occasion as this, though I never allow any l'esprit at home." "You are charmingly accommodating, dear Lady Anne, and we will drive out together, call on Lady Linlithgow, and secure her youngest May-pole, Lady Jemima; she retains the pure Doric in phraseology as well as accent, and her 'a weals,' and 'ye kens,' will be sure to tell, besides, her complexion is as pure as the snows of her native mountains. Then, suppose we get for a pendant that little dowdy round about Mrs. Montmaitre, she is a bride, and an honourable, you know?" "But she is rich, and would do better to buy than to sell." "I expect her to buy, certainly, and, by putting her into the midst of your beautiful collection, place