Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/64

62 it at this period to keep her alive and tolerable, I would by no means render it a whit more buoyant. If she was allowed to build upon it and cherish it, she would be in a terrible situation when he is drowned, and, probably, lose both health and beauty for life: remember what an object Mary is become." "When he is drowned, is a very strong term, sister. We all hope he will not be drowned, but run a happy and glorious career." "How can he be killed off but by drowning, now we are at peace? and how can she get a pension till he dies? not but he must be promoted considerably to make it good for any thing? I wonder, as you are in the upper house, brother, you don't stir them up to make a war, and give young men of fashion a chance for preferment. Formerly wars were made when they were wanted on any pretext. I have read about one being made with Spain, on no other occasion than their having cut off a man's ears, quite a low man, but the whole nation bawled out for war, high and low. We are, I fear, a degenerate race." "Fear no such thing; a little island, commanding somewhat round the whole surface of the globe, must have stirring pulses in her frame." Lady Anne had begun to think for some time of the propriety of Lord Rotheles tendering a consideration for her agreement not to do that she had resolved not to do already.