BEAUCHAMp's EXPLANATION. 285 



conferred upon liim by the visit, and was entering on other 

 subjects, when Mrs. Gordon interrupted him. 



" To whom are you addressing the letter you were in such 

 haste to conceal, William 1 " 



" What a question, dear aunt ! Must I tell you the names 

 of all my numerous correspondents ? " 



" No, William ; but I am particularly curious about that 

 individual letter." 



Beauchamp hesitated, and endeavoured to evade giving a 

 reply; but Mrs. Gordon, keeping to her point, and feeling 

 annoyed at his refusal to answer her inquiry, at last rose, saying, 

 " It is time for me to go, having lost your confidence, William." 



" No, dear aunt, that you never have ; here is the letter," 

 placing it in her hand. 



" Thank you, William, I see it is intended for myself, which 

 I from the first suspected ;" and having read the contents, she 

 said — "So you purposed punishing poor me and Blanche by 

 leaving us so abruptly, merely on account of your difference 

 with Malcolm yesterday 1 " 



" I will tell you all that passed between us, dear aunt, and 

 then you will judge whether I could feel quite at home with 

 Lady Malcolm or himself, unless I submit to be considered a 

 nonentity." 



After hearing his recital, Mrs. Gordon said, " Charles has 

 expressed his deep regret at having offended you by his un- 

 guarded expression ; and as I and Blanche have been looking 

 forward to your arrival in town with so much delight, you will 

 not, I hope, allow this trifling affair to deprive us of the plea- 

 sure of your company. In short, my dear boy, our chief enjoy- 

 ment will be at an end, if you leave us." 



" There needs no other inducement for me to remain, dear 

 aunt, if I can contribute in any way to your happiness ; but I 

 shall not avail myself of Lady Malcolm's general invitation to 

 her house." 



" As you please, William ; but I wish you to call on my 

 sister this morning, as she is not a little vexed with Charles 

 because you did not dine with her yesterday ; so put away your 

 writing materials, and come with me." 



Lady Malcolm received Beauchamp rather formally at first, 

 saying she had expected him at dinner the evening before. 



" I was not honoured with an invitation to your ladyship's 

 table yesterday, that I am aware of," replied Beauchamp, very 

 quietly. 



