226 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



their fans, and such deserve no mercy ; but I am perfectly satis- 

 fied my dear Blanche will never encourage flirtations with men 

 of this description." 



" So you really can repose some little confidence in me 

 after all your lecturing, Mr. William 1 " 



" Yes, Blanche, I do, indeed, believe you incapable of wil- 

 fully misleading any one ; and as you know the happiness or 

 misery of my future life now rests in your keeping, you will 

 not, I am convinced, think lightly of that trust which from this 

 hour is so implicitly confided in you; and if I am a little 

 jealous sometimes, set it clown to the right account — my sole, 

 undivided love and anxious solicitude about one who is, and ever 

 must be, far dearer to me than my own life. And now, dear 

 girl, let us return to Aunt Gordon, who, I dare say, begins to 

 think we have been a most unreasonable time love-making this 

 morning." 



"Well, children," remarked that lady, "your delightful 

 little topic appears quite inexhaustible." 



" My dear aunt," replied Blanche, laughing, " you are greatly 

 deceived in thinking William has been talking love to me all 

 this time, whereas he has been giving me a most severe lecture 

 on flirtation; in fact, dear aunt, his speeches are often the 

 reverse of romantic, pathetic, or even complimentary." 



" So much the better, my love ; it is the greatest proof that 

 he has formed a high and true estimate of your own good sense. 

 The silly trash talked by most lovers is perfectly sickening, and 

 I never thought William would pour into your ears such ful- 

 some, unmeaning stuff, which even a child of twelve years old 

 might feel ashamed of listening to." 



" There is no fear of that, dear aunt ; only just give him a 

 hint not to lecture me quite so much for the future." 



" Return the compliment, my love v as he requires some sharp 

 admonitions on his weak point — jealousy. And now, I want 

 you both to assist me in the conservatory." 



