Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/312

310 of his son, rather than his own, was uppermost, for, throwing his arms round Lord Meersbrook, he said, in a faltering voice, "Only be like him, Frederic—like him, and you must be happy!" The wedding party strolled in the park, bidding all welcome, and charming all, by their beauty and their smiles; five such handsome sisters, in such handsome dresses, gave room for diversity of opinions; but not one couple excited so many comments as Mr. and Mrs. Glentworth, it being pretty generally agreed that Isabella had been compelled to marry by her mother, "who was a very austere lady, and ruled her children with a rod of iron." That she was younger than the two brides, was not, however, allowed to be possible; and, in truth, she did not look so, for, with the tact of affection and well-judging propriety, she always contrived to dress to her husband's age, yet, so decidedly with out the parade of doing it, that he was insensible of the compliment, though gratified by the effect, until it was pointed out, on this day, as one of her good qualities, by the Count, who added, "She have more of the abilities of her mothere than any of her sistere; they are all good, I love them moche; but, as say the Bibel, she 'excelleth them all.'"