Page:Lady Anne Granard 2.pdf/252

250, who could scarcely refrain from weeping for joy. Her auditor was quite surprised at the sensibility she displayed by warmly kissing her, and declaring "she had given her new life in the immeasurable relief afforded, and that she should henceforward consider her as her dearest and best loved niece, the one who must supply to her love the worthless Henrietta." After these protestations, Georgiana trusted that some day, when her mother was named, Lady Rotheles would take the opportunity of saying something in her behalf, which might, at least, have the effect of softening her uncle's feelings towards her; but time passed, and nothing of the kind taking place, she ventured to beg the countess would have the goodness to say "something which would enable her to follow and explain circumstances which would show that mamma was little if at all to blame." "My dear girl! you cannot suppose I have neglected to speak of your mamma when alone with Rotheles, which is indeed the only time that a wife can properly speak of family affairs with her husband. At this time, I grieve to tell you, he is so extremely angry with her, that all which you or I can do with good effect is not to mention her name, or start any subject likely to lead to it. You made me happy one day by a paragraph in a newspaper, and I am sorry to make you unhappy through the same medium; but, the fact is, Lady Anne's name is mentioned in the Morning Post in a way which has disturbed Lord Rotheles exceedingly,"