one more word respecting mamma, after Helen has told me the simple, unvarnished reason of their being sent hither."
"It is, sir—it is, in plain truth, the want of a hundred pounds."
"Yes, sir," added Georgiana, "to borrow a hundred pounds."
Mrs. Palmer saw that the previously pale faces of the pleaders were absolutely crimson; but her husband saw nothing, for so completely were his risible faculties aroused by what he inwardly termed "Lady Anne's impudence," that peal after peal of uncontrollable laughter burst from him, in which it was at times evident that his wife was nearly joining. Though extremely disconcerted in the first instance, yet the sisters soon became comforted; they very naturally thought that laughter and anger were incompatible, and that presently Mr. Palmer would come to himself, and hear what poor Helen had got to say on the subject. At the proper time she begun with, "It is I who would borrow the money, not mamma, in order that Georgiana may go to Brighton, which is necessary for her health."
"Very good, my dear; but, in reply, I have to say, I will not lend you a hundred pounds—you may marry, or you may die, and in either case I shall not be paid at all. It won't do, Helen; you are a good girl—you don't mean to cheat me, but you might do so, and sadly would you grieve to have done it."
