Her ladyship's little knot of associates and scandal-bearers--elderly
roues and ladies of the world, whose business it was to know all sorts of
noble intrigues and exalted tittle-tattle; what was happening among the
devotees of the exiled court at Frobsdorf; what among the citizen princes
of the Tuileries; who was the reigning favourite of the Queen Mother at
Aranjuez; who was smitten with whom at Vienna or Naples; and the last
particulars of the chroniques scandaleuses of Paris and London;--Lady
Kew, I say, must have been perfectly aware of my Lord Farintosh's
amusements, associates, and manner of life, and yet she never, for one
moment, exhibited any anger or dislike towards that nobleman. Her amiable
heart was so full of kindness and forgiveness towards the young prodigal
that, even without any repentance on his part, she was ready to take him
to her old arms, and give him her venerable benediction. Pathetic
sweetness of nature! Charming tenderness of disposition! With all his
faults and wickednesses, his follies and his selfishness, there was no
moment when Lady Kew would not have received the young lord, and endowed
him with the hand of her darling Ethel.
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