The allusion to the scarlet fever requires a little explanation. In that fever originated the acquaintance of the Granards with Mrs. Palmer. It was part of Lady Anne's domestic policy to secure, if possible, an invitation for herself and two of her daughters from some friend who had a country house. This passed away six weeks or so before they went to Brighton. If nothing better offered, they paid a visit to Rotheles Castle, for the earl, though brought to something very like the entire submission of military discipline, yet stood firm on what he considered the family duty of asking his sister down every year. This invitation Lady Rotheles gave; and Lady Anne accepted, with reluctant civility; still, a pleasing and elegant looking woman like herself, fond of ecarté, which she played with great skill, whose daughters were both pretty and musical, rarely found herself at a loss what to do with her autumn.
It was about three years previous to the present evening that Lady Anne had gone, with her two eldest daughters, on a visit to a very intimate friend, Lady Penrhyn. The three younger ones were left under the care of the French governess; and their sole attendant, the kitchen-maid. Mademoiselle Virginie de Montmorenci (the French revolution seems rather to have increased than lessened the number of the descendants from the haute noblesse) was a fit governess for Lady Anne; she had a perfect Parisian accent, was musical—all French women sing—had a great deal of
