Blanche's new partner. 271 



-this night, when, with glass to eye, he was taking a survey 

 of the dancers, his attention was arrested by the modest looks, 

 handsome features, and graceful movements of Blanche Douglas; 

 and Lord Malcolm happening at that moment to be passing 

 him, he asked, "Can you tell me, Malcolm, who that pretty, 

 interesting young girl is, dancing with Danby ? she is evidently 

 new to London life." 



"Yes," replied Malcolm, "she is my cousin, and this is her 

 first appearance on the London boards." 



"Well, I thought so, Malcolm, and all the better, in my 

 opinion, on that account. Will you introduce me ? " 



" With pleasure, if we can work our way round to where 

 she stands." 



This being effected after some trouble, Malcolm presented 

 Lord Ayrshire to Blanche, and he at once begged the honour of 

 her hand for the next dance. This being granted, he remained 

 standing near her until the quadrille was finished, when his 

 arm was offered and accepted. Great was the dismay of 

 Blanche when a waltz tune struck her ear, and her partner 

 was proceeding to take up his position in the circle now quickly 

 forming. 



" I beg your pardon," she said ; " but, instead of the next 

 dance, I ought to have said the next quadrille, as I do not 

 waltz." 



" Surely you will not decline one or two turns to this en- 

 chanting air, Miss Douglas ? " 



"'Yes, my lord," Blanche replied, firmly ; " indeed I must, 

 and shall be obliged if you will conduct me to my aunt, Lady 

 Malcolm — or, as I see my cousin opposite, I can take his 

 arm." 



" Indeed, Miss Douglas, I will with great pleasure conduct 

 you to Lady Malcolm, whom I have the honour of knowing." 



On finding her aunt, she expressed her surprise at Blanche 

 not joining in the dance, exclaiming, "Why, my dear, your 

 country notions on this and some other points are rather too 

 particular, and you really must give up these old-fashioned 

 fancies." 



" I hope not, dear aunt," was the quiet reply, as she sat down 

 by her side. 



" I am sorry to differ with your ladyship upon such an im- 

 portant point," added Lord Ayrshire, good-humour edly ; " but 

 I must applaud Miss Douglas's resolution to act as her own 

 feelings dictate." 



