Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/196

194 not weak; and, instead of going into his own sitting-room, he entered that of his grandfather, and, to his brother's exceeding joy, related the incident as one that had given him the most delightful emotion he ever experienced, dwelling with the humour of former days on the horror of the housemaid, who beheld Alonza and the fair Imogene by the blue gleam of a farthing candle, and, being turned into a Leonora by the terrific vision, would henceforward go tramp, tramp, tramp, and splash, splash, splash, over all the regions of York House, for ever and ever, like the Dutchman's leg that was wound up and running to this day. The voice, the touch of Georgiana, proved, indeed, a restorative talisman, but he did not the less adhere to his resolution of avoiding her for a time; and the next day set out as proposed, with his brother and Mr. Palmer, for town; a decision not regretted by their venerable friends, because it enabled Georgiana to be entirely with them, and assist in their arrangements for their journey, this devotion of herself being particularly pleasing to Lord Rotheles, who was gratified with every circumstance which connected him with the family.

Many were the inquiries he made respecting his sister, but he could not judge of her actual state from poor Georgiana's account, so utterly