beautiful Marchioness of Wentworthdale, who had succeeded in winning the heart of the richest bachelor peer in Great Britain.
This exultation was a little checked, in consequence of hearing a portion of the conversation passing be tween two gentlemen, who, like herself, had been guests at the Duke of C's table, but had departed before her, and were walking on the broad pathway leading to her hotel, at the time the duke's servant was attending her home, which was but a step, as we have already said.
"I have been told so; but I don't believe a word of it," said one. "Lady Anne appeared to me a sensible, amiable woman; and to suppose she would refuse the very finest young fellow in the service—a man of family and of competence, and whom her daughter, in my opinion, must love, if she is not an idiot, is a reflection on her understanding I cannot allow."
"Why, it does seem madness, I grant; but I have reason to say it is so. We all know it is very different to the conduct of the duchess, in a case by no means parallel, so far as love is concerned. Both you and I know the duchess, a year ago, would have given her loveliest daughter to"
The parties had passed beyond hearing, and Lady Anne was left to ask herself, "how far she had been a wise mother?" How far she had been a kind one, we are all aware.
