BEAUCHAMP "OUT OF SORTS." 105 



" I perceive Lord Yancourt is a great admirer of yours, my 

 fair cousin, and first favourite on the list, I should think, from 

 your tell-tale blushes and downcast eyes, when he was addressing 

 you." 



" Indeed, Charles, he is no favourite of mine ; and although 

 extremely pleasing, yet I feel quite frightened in his company." 



" Oh, that feeling may wear off on more intimate acquaint- 

 ance," rejoined Malcolm ; "but first impressions with me are 

 not easily effaced ; and I tell you candidly, dear Blanche, I fear 

 he will make a bad husband ; so don't decide in his favour until 

 you have seen more of the world, and a great deal more of Lord 

 Yan court. You will have plenty to pick and choose from, with 

 your large fortune ; so take my advice — don't be in a hurry to 

 marry yet." 



"Indeed I shall not, Charles; and I am quite sure Lord 

 Yancourt would never be my choice." 



" Yery well, Blanche, wait till next spring, when you come 

 out in town, and I will introduce you to two or three of our 

 young nobility, equally good-looking, with better connections 

 than Lord Yancourt, and really good fellows into the bargain." 



At breakfast, next morning, Malcokn expressed his intention 

 of taking Blanche with him to call at Bampton, to which no 

 objection was raised, as Mrs. Harcourt wished to throw no 

 obstacles in the way of the two cousins being together. Lord 

 Malcolm was rejoiced to find his friend Beauchamp at home, 

 and the meeting between his lordship and Constance was what 

 might be expected from two affianced lovers, in which relation 

 they stood to each other, although it was not generally known. 

 Leaving the two girls together, Beauchamp and his friend, who 

 was very fond of hunting, walked off to inspect the kennels and 

 stables, and Lord Malcolm could not help remarking on Beau- 

 champ's altered manner and grave looks. 



"What's the matter with you?" inquired his friend ; "all 

 your buoyancy of spirits is gone ; are you in love, Beauchamp, 

 or what is it?" 



" Oh, I'm only a little out of sorts to-day." 



" Come, come, Beauchamp, that will not pass with me — I 

 know you too well ; surely you can trust your own brother elect 

 with anything that lies heavy at your heart. Many a secret 

 have I confided to your keeping, and now, my dear fellow, I 

 expect the same confidence from you. No evasion, if you love 

 me as I do you." 



Beauchamp, thus pressed, confessed his long-growing attach- 



