This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
98
NOTABLE IRISHWOMEN.

hardly able to ascend the marble staircase, with its gilt balustrades. She was now taken up by the Marchioness of Abercorn, who insisted on her staying with her as an amusing companion. Meanwhile, pretty Olivia Owenson had married Dr. Clarke, afterwards knighted by the Lord Lieutenant. As her father lived with the Clarkes, Sydney had no home ties. Lady Abercorn had a clever house physician, Dr. Morgan, who was soon head over ears in love with the Wild Irish Girl. She liked flirting with him, but she did not want to settle down, she wanted to shake her black curls, to sing, flirt and dance. But destiny was too strong, Lady Abercorn insisted that she must come upstairs, and be married by the chaplain. This was done, and never did a marriage turn out more happily. Sir Charles (for Dr. Morgan had been knighted shortly before) was unceasing in his love and admiration for "the dear, bewitching, deludering siren"; he had patience with her oddities, and she had great respect and affection for him. They spent the first year of their married life at Baronscourt, and then migrated to a house of their own at Kildare Street. Here Lady Morgan wrote her best-known novels—"O'Donnel" and "Florence MacCarthy"—both stories of Irish life. Her Irish servants are always good, and her fine ladies of fashion—taken from her aristocratic friends and patronesses—are most amusing. Her