AUNTS AND NIECES. 29 



and our mutual friend, Conyers, declares he dreads his influence 

 over your niece, which is becoming very apparent." 



" Does Robert Conyers say so 1 " inquired Mrs. Gordon, 

 anxiously. 



" Yes ; indeed he told me so only yesterday morning." 



" Then there may be some cause for alarm, and I must have 

 a tete-d-tete with him on the subject. Now, "William, as the 

 company is pairing off, I will take your arm, and be envied by 

 half, if not all the young ladies of the room, for carrying off 

 their preux chevalier.'" As they were entering the dining-room, 

 Mrs. Gordon whispered, " The other side of the table, William 

 — I must judge for myself; " and they were soon seated nearly 

 ojDposite Yernon and Miss Douglas. 



" This will just do," said Mrs. Gordon ; " aunts are pro- 

 A^erbially lynx-eyed." 



"And nieces self-willed," added Beauchamp, " if subject to 

 much supervision ; interference is hazardous, and will often 

 produce the contrary effect to that desired." 



" I know it well, William, and you need not doubt my 

 discretion." 



In so large a company the conversation became more par- 

 ticular than general, and drowned by the hum of so many 

 voices, Yernon had an opportunity of dropping his soft, honeyed 

 speeches into the ear of Blanche Douglas, unheard by others, 

 the nature of which the mounting colour of her cheek alone 

 betrayed ; the pleasure derived from his witty remarks and 

 flattering attentions being too conspicuous in her happy looks 

 and bright sparkling eye, to admit of much doubt as to her 

 enjoyment of his society. 



After hazarding something more piquant and expressive of 

 softer emotions than usual, Yernon happened to cast his eyes 

 across the table, and then observed Mrs. Gordon's stern look 

 full upon them. 



" Ah ! ' : he remarked, " your aunt appears to take a deep 

 interest in our conversation, with that stupid fellow Beauchamp 

 by her side, who has only language for hounds ; but aunts are 

 always troublesome, meddling old ladies, ever interfering and 

 dictating to their unhappy nieces and nephews. I met Harry 

 Scarsdale in town the other day (who is dependent on two 

 tabbies of that genus), driving furiously towards the Regent's 

 Park. ' Where now, Harry ? ' I inquired, ' in such hot haste ? ' 

 - — ' To the Zoological Gardens.' ' What for ? a bear or a tiger % * 

 — ' Not the latter, there is one of that class up behind ; but 



