Page:Lady Anne Granard, or Keeping up Appearances Volume 2.pdf/18

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LADY ANNE GRANARD.

think of applying to, Helen? old Palmer, Charles Penrhyn, or who? You must see clearly that I cannot do it in either case."

"It is very difficult for me, mamma, because I have no fortune, and cannot repay it, you know."

"So much the better; you are free from deception, which is the worst part of every difficult transaction, and one nearly always attached to money matters."

"But surely it will be a strange thing and a bold thing for a young woman, without the means of returning it, to say 'pray, sir——'"

"Amuse yourself as long as you please, Miss Helen Granard, by making rueful faces and awkward speeches, but get me the money or a check for the money tonight. You had better go to Penrhyn's, in the first place, and find out whether Charles has got it, for those city people, at times, are pinched as much as people of fashion, and, of course, his wife has been troubling him, of late, for baby linen; if you think you can't get it, don't ask for it; go to old Palmer."

"But he is—he must be so offended that really—"

Lady Anne arose, and, with true Siddonian majesty, stalked out of the room; but her latest look at the bewildered Helen told her that "she would be obeyed," and there was so much pleasure in the prospect of spending a few hours with Louisa (about whose health and welfare they were in great anxiety), that they endeavoured to balance the pain with the pleasure, and set out to walk, attended by the page. In a short