Blanche's avowal of love. 211 



amiable disposition soon won upon all the family ; so much so, 

 that even Mrs. Gordon felt very much pleased with his com- 

 pany, although never failing in her loyalty to Beauchamp, of 

 whom she now saw so little as to excite great misgivings in her 

 mind. Lord Danby was at first generally accompanied by 

 Markham or his sister, but now often rode over there alone, 

 and sometimes on hunting days, which at last excited Mrs. 

 Gordon's suspicions that he entertained serious intentions 

 towards her niece. 



" Blanche," she said, one day, after finding on her return to 

 the house that he had been sitting with her some time in the 

 drawing-room while she was occupied in the garden, "Lord 

 Danby has paid a long visit. I hear he has been here more 

 than an hour, and I begin to think with Charles, his attentions 

 to you, my dear girl, can admit of only one interpretation. 

 But seriously, Blanche, what do you think of him ? " 



"He is very agreeable, dear aunt, pleasing, and good- 

 humoured, and I like him very much ; Charles also appears to 

 be on very friendly terms with him, and speaks highly in his 

 praise." 



" Yes, my dear, he is certainly, as far as I can judge from 

 our short acquaintance, a very unaffected, excellent young man ; 

 but it is quite clear now that his visits here are unquestionably 

 on your account, and William, from his unusual absence, has 

 evidently heard and believes the same. Are you prepared, 

 therefore, my dear girl (as I will never influence you in the 

 choice of a husband), to receive him as a suitor for your hand, 

 to the exclusion of Beauchamp, whom, after due reflection, you 

 may only love as a brother ? If so, dear Blanche, knowing 

 William's deep, disinterested regard for you, pray be candid 

 with me, as your true welfare is my first consideration ; so do 

 not hesitate in telling me if you prefer Lord Danby, that I may 

 break to William that his hopes are at an end." 



" Oh, no, my dearest aunt," exclaimed Blanche, throwing 

 her arms round her neck ; " I never did, never can love any 

 other than dear William ; but he has been so distant lately 

 that I almost fear he has ceased to love me." 



"Then had he ceased to love you, dear girl, would you 

 accept Lord Danby ? " 



" No, dear aunt, that is impossible ; I could not love again 

 so soon, if ever." 



" My own dear child, then rest assured you are as secure of 

 William's affection as of my own, which neither time nor 



N 2 



