THE LOVERS RECONCILED. 217 



"The air will revive you, Beauchamp, so come along 

 directly ; " and taking his friend's arm, Malcolm led him down- 

 stairs, and having forced him to drink a glass of wine, they 

 mounted their horses. Beauchamp rode by his friend's side, 

 and was like a man in a trance, from which Malcolm could 

 not rouse him ; but when they reached the Priory, seeing 

 Blanche at the little morning-room window, with her handker- 

 chief in her hand, Malcolm exclaimed, " There is that dear girl 

 still crying ; can you doubt her now 1 " 



In an instant Beauchamp rushed into the room, and fold- 

 ing her in his arms, burst into tears. " Thank Heaven for those 

 tears," said Malcolm ; " now, dear Blanche, they will relieve 

 him." 



Leaving the lovers together, Malcolm took his aunt into the 

 drawing-room, and told her the state in which he found Beau- 

 champ. " In short, dear aunt, he has received a dreadful shock, 

 and I feared at first his brain was seriously affected. We must 

 do all now to soothe and comfort him." The interview between 

 Blanche and Beauchamp was most affecting ; but she, seeing 

 his prostrate state of mind, was the first to rouse herself, and 

 rally him on his want of faith in her attachment. 



" My own dearest treasure," replied Beauchamp, " I deserve 

 every reproach you can heap upon my head ; but if you knew 

 only half what I have suffered since the ball and dinner party 

 at Sir Lionel's, and hearing the frequent remarks made by 

 others, you would indeed pity, rather than condemn me, for 

 believing you had mistaken the true nature of your feelings 

 towards me ; but forgive all my jealous, unjust suspicions — I 

 will never again listen to such false reports." 



Aunt Gordon, thinking too much excitement might be 

 injurious, now made her appearance, saying in a cheerful voice, 

 "Well, Blanche, I hope you have given William a thorough 

 good scolding ; but the luncheon is on the table, and after that 

 you must really take a walk this fine day, having been sitting 

 in the house all the morning." 



Beauchamp was unable to eat anything, which Mrs. Gordon 

 remarking, poured him out a glass of wine. " Why, my dear 

 boy, you look quite wretched, with that pale, wan face ; pray 

 take something, if only a biscuit • and mind, my love, you have 

 a good long walk afterwards, to give him an appetite for his 

 dinner." 



" I fear, dear aunt, I cannot dine with you to-day." 



" I fear, dear William, you must," was the playful reply ; 



