THE lovers' meeting. 275 



air to what lie called his sister's conservatory, and I am sur- 

 prised and mortified to hear such a trifle magnified into a serious 

 offence. For the future, however, I will take care no one shall 

 again accuse me of being a flirt." 



"That's right, my love — spoken like a Douglas," replied 

 Malcolm ; " so now, good night ;" but on opening the door he 

 whispered, " What will Beauchamp think of this story, which 

 he certainly will hear as soon as he arrives ? " 



" I will tell him myself," she replied, "the moment I see him." 

 "The best thing you can do, dear girl; so now think no 

 more about it." 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



Blanche, however, did think a great deal more about it, and it 

 worried her so incessantly, that sleep was courted in vain that 

 night, or rather morning ; and feeling restless, she rose early, and 

 went down into the breakfast-room for a cup of tea. Beau- 

 champ had arrived in London the previous night, and having 

 breakfasted early, walked to Grosvenor Square, to give his 

 friends a surprise. 



" Any one up yet in the house 1 " he inquired, on gaining 

 admittance. 



" Only Miss Douglas, I believe, sir, in the breakfast-room. 

 What name shall I say, sir 1 " 



" Beauchamp ;" with which he was ushered into Blanche's 

 presence, who, springing from her chair, rushed to meet him, 

 exclaiming, "Oh, William! what a joyful surprise," holding 

 out her hand ; but the moment the door was closed she was 

 pressed to his heart in a long and fervent embrace. 



" You look flushed and excited, my dearest girl, this morn- 

 ing," Beauchamp remarked, after he had been sitting with her 

 a few minutes. " What is the cause of it % " 



" A sleepless night and Jbad headache, from an overcrowded 

 party at Lady Arnmore's." 



" And nothing more 1 " inquired Beauchamp, noticing her 

 heightened colour and averted looks. 



" Yes, dear William, there is something more ; I have been 

 excessively annoyed and mortified by a trifling occurrence 

 which took place there ;" and she then frankly related what had 

 happened, with Malcolm's remarks, and her own deep regret for 



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