Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/252

250 the former looked more like "the statue that enchants the world" than any living lady of her acquaintance. Lady Anne read it carefully through, then turned the fly-leaf, but seeing nothing on the other side, read it through again, and next asked for the envelope; having examined the seal and the post-mark, she put it into Georgiana's hand, saying, "Do you know that handwriting?" "It is Lord Meersbrook's, mamma. I saw him write often at Bath." "You are sure it is not your sailor hoaxing me?" "Arthur Hales would not do such a thing for both the Indies; besides, his handwriting is a great deal better than this, I assure you, dear mamma." "Most likely—it is always the case with younger brothers." Lady Anne was perfectly silent, and seemed plunged in deep thought. May we hope that her heart was ascending to Heaven in thankfulness that this only remaining object of her solicitude was so happily (and what in her eyes was better), so magnificently disposed of? Alas! it could only be of