A LOVE TOKEN. 83 



" Do not say that, William, for I trust such will never be 

 the case." 



" Oh, that your words may be realised," he replied ; " but 

 will you accept my little offering, a basket of flowers?" as he 

 placed the trinket in her hand. 



" Oh, William ! what a pretty little ornament ! intended for 

 a brooch, I suppose?" 



" Yes, dear Blanche, the design was my own ; the flowers 

 in stones, emblematical of those feelings I shall ever entertain 

 towards you. Will you keep it, and wear it for my sake?" 



"Yes, indeed I will, William, though I require no such 

 remembrancer of my regard for you." 



" Thanks, dearest Blanche, for that admission, which I shall 

 treasure up in the deepest recesses of my heart ; but I must 

 now lose your too dearly-prized society, as Captain Markham 

 is approaching to claim your hand— that dear little hand " he 

 added in a low tone, "which I would give worlds to call my 

 own !" 



Blanche blushed deeply, casting her eyes on the ground; 

 but the Captain's near advance prevented her making any 

 reply. 



"Shall I keep the brooch for you, dear Blanche," he 

 whispered, "until the ball is over?" 



" Oh, yes," she replied, " pray do." 



"The last dance, remember," he added, "you have promised 

 me. 



" I shall not forget it, William," looking in his face with an 

 expression that made Beauchamp's heart throb and beat most 

 joyfully, as she turned to accept the Captain's arm. 



" Eh ? pon honour, Miss Douglas," exclaimed Markham, 

 " I have been searching for you in every corner ; couldn't think 

 where you had gone; the quadrille has begun already; but really 

 this is a delightful place, don't wonder at your loitering here, 

 with Will Beauchamp, too — giving you an account of his last 

 run, I suppose : good sort of fellow enough, but a little too fond 

 of hunting — not quite a ladies' man, eh ! Miss Douglas ? " 



"No," she replied, gaily, "if by a ladies' man you mean one 

 who is always making fine, flattering speeches, and paying 

 compliments he does not feel." 



" Eh? — no — not exactly; a true ladies' man devotes himself 

 entirely to the fair sex, lives and exists only in their smiles." 



" Then he must be, by your account, quite an ethereal being, 

 and never thinks of eating supper at a ball, I conclude." 



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