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254 rumoured in the country that he was coming for the last time, and would be accompanied by his heir, the young Lord Meersbrook; and the earl hoped that the presence of his niece might induce them at length to accept his invitation, especially as there was on the spot nothing suitable as a residence for the young lord, though the old baronet had put up with poor accommodation from an old tenant whom he valued. Under these circumstances, in Lord Rotheles' opinion, nothing could be more mal-à-propos than Lady Anne's conduct; therefore, he felt every putting off of the Brighton fancy fair as a kind of reprieve, and instead of having the papers burned or kept out of his sight, he soon eagerly examined every one, in hopes to find that the whole affair was quashed; but this satisfaction did not occur. Despite of himself, he felt a degree of pleasure when Lady Anne was admired, or pitied for being overcome with the heat, and carried out by an Italian nobleman and Lord Meersbrook: but above all things did he rejoice to find that "her ladyship's lovely and accomplished daughters were, from unforeseen circumstances, not present." "God bless them all! They know nothing of their uncle's mishap, which, perhaps, in the eternal whirl of fashionable life, is really obliterated from its annals; but they have the good sense and delicacy to refrain from what is, in fact, a matrimonial market I am quite certain Georgiana had not a single wish to join them, and it is plain Helen had none. How strange