Poor Lady Anne, although her fever ran high, and she suffered much from rheumatic pains, as well as her ulcerated throat, was not subject to delirium; and she, therefore, could not fail to rejoice in the presence of her daughters—undoubtedly, she. had pleasure in seeing them, and must justly estimate the love which brought them so speedily to her, after they had given proof that pleasure could not draw them; but we fear the most sensible gratification derived from their attendance was the certainty that she might be cross with impunity; that even Louisa, unprotected by the presence of her husband, might be dealt with accord ing to the law of her former tenure.
Nothing could exceed the grief and pity her deplorable situation excited in them both, on their arrival; and, both night and day, did they watch her couch, and seek, by every medium, to allay her pain and mitigate her fever, discovering, by the happy intuition of affection, her wants by the slightest sign, her wishes by the faintest murmur; but the young mother was not equal to bear this fatigue long, for she could not suffer alone, and the plaintive wailings of her little one compelled her to leave poor Helen to her duties unaided.
The kind-hearted Count was as valuable to the sisters in England as he had been to those in Italy; he watched her little one so kindly that Louisa could, in a short time, go twice a day, with a heart at ease, to visit her mother; and, at such periods, send Helen
