SEASONABLE COUNSEL. 87 



would never consent to such an arrangement as you propose, 

 and it would then be your duty to conform to his wishes — I 

 would not say commands — as every wife should obey her 

 husband." 



' " Then, dear Mrs. Barratt, I will never marry till I can find 

 one who will love me for myself alone, and love all those I love 

 — kind-hearted and affectionate like yourself — who will yield 

 to all my reasonable desires, and endeavour to make me, as I 

 should him, truly happy." 



"Marriage is a great lottery, dear Blanche, and I would 

 earnestly caution you against accepting any man, however 

 handsome or agreeable — however rich, or talented, or titled — 

 unless you have an opportunity of thoroughly ascertaining his 

 true character. ' Never marry in haste, and repent at leisure.' 

 Your large fortune will attract many pretended admirers, men 

 of the world, to whom love, in its true meaning, is utterly un- 

 known ; and when once in possession of your fortune, they 

 might treat you with indifference and neglect. Indeed, my 

 dear, dear child, a young girl with a large fortune stands in a 

 much worse position, in regard to her prospects of happiness in 

 the married state, than one who has nothing beyond her own 

 mental and personal attractions. Among all your neighbours, 

 there is not any gentleman I know in the least degree 

 calculated to make you happy, except one, and he, I fear, is too 

 high-minded and fastidious in his ideas about money, ever to 

 aspire to the hand of the heiress ; that person, my dear child, 

 is William Beauchamp. He is fond of hunting, because it is 

 a bold, manly amusement, in many respects resembling war ; 

 and had he adopted the army as a profession, the name of 

 William Beauchamp would have stood conspicuous in his 

 country's defence. With the most chivalrous feelings of 

 honour, a deep sense of religion, a firm and unshaken resolu- 

 tion, and one of the most kind and loving hearts that ever beat 

 in human breast, the woman who shall marry William Beau- 

 champ will draw a prize indeed." 



" Dear Mrs. Barratt," replied Blanche, " I believe William 

 to be all you represent him, and you know I consider him and 

 Constance as my brother and sister." 



" Yes, dear child, glad am I to leave you with two siich 

 friends, to whom I can safely entrust your happiness; prize 

 them, love them, dearest Blanche, as I know they love you, 

 and never keep a secret from your sister Constance, who will 

 ever direct and guide you in the path of duty and religion ; 



