60 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



" Dear Aunt Gordon, I will not deny that her happiness is 

 dearer, far dearer to me than mj life ; but there is a barrier 

 between us which cannot be passed. Her guardian expects she 

 will marry a person either of high rank, or, at least, of fortune 

 equal to her own, which is but reasonable • and there can be 

 little doubt, that on her entrance into the world, her beauty 

 and attractions, joined with that far greater recommendation, 

 money, will immediately cause even coronets to be laid at her 

 feet. What, then ! should I selfishly endeavour (by gaining 

 this dear girl's early affections) to debar her from all those 

 glittering, lofty prosj^ects in life, to which she is so justly 

 entitled? No, my dear madam, it cannot, and shall not be 

 said of Will Beauchamp, that he ever stood in the path of 

 Blanche Douglas (even had he the power to do so), to prevent 

 her promotion to a higher sphere, in which she is so eminently 

 qualified to shine." 



" Then it is the opinion of Mr. William Beauchamp, that 

 honours and riches are the only things which can confer hap- 

 piness 1 " 



"One would think so," he replied, "by the avidity with 

 which they are so universally sought after. But surely the 

 fortunate possessors of great talents or endowments may law- 

 fully aspire to, and accept, any further preferment offered them, 

 as a just tribute to their deserts." 



"Then, in your opinion, Blanche, being a very worldly- 

 minded young lady, aspires to the rank of a duchess, or 

 marchioness, at least 1 " 



"Far be it frcru me," replied Beauchamp; "to impute 

 worldly considerations to a mind so pure, unselfish, and artless, 

 as that of your dear, kind-hearted, unaffected niece ; but my 

 meaning was simply this : among the aristocracy, there are 

 to be found more men of refined ideas, gentlemanly conduct, 

 and high character (and you must admit of much more polished 

 manners), than in any other class of gentlemen, taking an 

 equal number from either. And such being the case, which I 

 do not think will be disputed, there can be no just cause, why 

 Blanche should refuse the offer of any young nobleman who 

 might render himself agreeable to her. She is herself of very 

 old family, already connected with some of the highest rank, 

 and, with the addition of a large landed property, she may, 

 without being accused of worldly-mindedness, or ambition r 

 compete with any duke's daughter in the land." 



"This may be all true, my dear William," replied Mrs. 



