Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/188

186 the way, that ring, with the chain, would be the very thing for my hands); but governments are seldom generous in countries they call free. I can't see the reason of it, for I think we are sufficiently taxed, but that is the advantage of a despotic government. Heigho! I hope Glentworth will invent something new." Of late, whenever Lady Anne had either talked or thought beyond her strength, exhausted nature found refuge in short but refreshing snatches of sleep, and she was thus situated when Georgiana sought to bid her farewell, which she could only do by touching her thin, withered fingers with her lips, affording a strong contrast to the blighted yet still fine outline of her mother's wasted features. Habit had, however, so inured the daughters constantly about her to the change in her person, that they by no means saw it in the same point of view with others, and the young know little of death besides the name. Lady Anne, by closely adhering to the advice of her physician, had so far subdued her disease, and kept herself at what might be called a "stand still," that she firmly believed she could, on the same terms, live as long as she pleased. By breathing air of the same temperature, she avoided the sufferings induced by cough, and her extreme temperance and light food had delivered her from the