Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/128

126 Although many, many things occupied the mind, and could have moved the tongue of poor Helen, there was not one which she dared to utter, for her mother was hedged round with observances, which, from one cause or another, must not be broken in upon. "She must not be made angry, that would be death to her; she must not be made sorry, that would be a thing to regret hereafter." The poor girl's fears and tenderness operated so far to Lady Anne's encouragement and comfort, that she felt quite certain the great wish of her heart would be accomplished, and that she should see Ellen Marchioness of Wentworthdale—we do not say the last great wish of her heart, for that was not the case. If Lady Anne had believed she should die, her cares for Helen might have existed, because they would have contributed to the aggrandisement of her epitaph, but they would have been comparatively small. She had discovered, within a short time, that doctors were not the cormorants (often ignorant, but always insatiable) she had supposed them to be, and that certain causes produced certain effects; therefore she firmly believed that, by prudence, she should overcome the complaint which troubled her, and for many years enjoy the proud distinction of being the mother of three peeresses, who had not a shilling of dowry. When Georgiana was ordered to sit down and