Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/165

Rh say dear—son-in-law, Mr. Glentworth (it is necessary to say that, for in past times they may remember I was not over and above civil to him); you may say what you please in the way of praise—as to integrity, honour, knowledge of trade, and that kind of thing; but be particular to begin and end as I tell you, exactly." There was a postman's knock at the end of the street; but being at the end, Georgiana most magnanimously dipped her pen in the ink, and began, as her mamma commanded; but, as the knocks drew nearer and nearer, so did her poor heart "beat high against her breast," and, utterly unable to command its movements, she sank back in her chair, literally as pale as her mother, who, putting out her arm, took the paper, observing, "You are soon at a stand still; but one can scarcely wonder, the subject is quite new, and you are dreadfully ignorant of most things. Um, um." "Dear and much valued Friend—The election for the borough of B having at length happily arrived, after a most tempestuous and distressing voyage—" "Tempestuous and distressing! why the old lord was found dead in his bed, and never knew what a tempest was, for his wife was as dull as a tortoise. You have fairly spoilt the paper, and must take another sheet."