Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/239

Rh "For what possible reason? I have no notion that honest people should be imposed upon by the deceptious and selfish, the malicious and cold-hearted." "You may not, but I have, when the innocent and amiable will alone bear the reproach and punishment. I can't bear the idea of these two young men throwing Lady Anne's faults in the teeth of Helen and Georgiana, dear, affectionate children, who love both you and me, Palmer, so dearly." "God bless the woman! what nonsense she does talk! neither of 'em would think of such a thing." "No, they would not think of such a thing, I grant (noble-hearted creatures as we know them to be); but they might do it in their pets, you know. Does not every man (and woman, too) say things, in their anger, they never intended to say?" "But those girls, whom I certainly do love, are not passionate, and won't provoke their husbands to retaliate." "That they will not; they are sweet-tempered by nature, and obedience has been the habit of their whole lives; but still husbands will be husbands; the best of men are but men, and I would spare"