MRS. FORTESCUE's CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 315 



"Don't speak so loud, Fred," she whispered, "he is just 

 behind us." 



" So much the better, Blanche — I hope he heard me ; but — 

 I beg pardon — perhaps he is in favour again with yourself? " 



" Oh, no, Fred, that is certainly not the case ; nor likely 

 to be." 



" Glad to hear it, for I hate fellows who know men only in 

 the country. But, to judge by appearances, you seem to have 

 a good many strings to your bow — or in other words, a rather 

 Ions: list of admirers." 



" And yet, Fred, I would much rather be at Bamp , I 



mean the Priory, than joining in this gaiety."" 



" Why not have said Bampton, Blanche, at once ? " 



"Well, I might have said so," she replied, "as I never 

 enjoy anything more than a visit to the old squire." 



" Except, Blanche, a visit to the young one." 



" Don't be impertinent, Master Fred," was the rejoinder ; 

 " or I shall cut you, like Lord Danby." 



" Oh, very well ; but I wonder of whom poor Will, in his 

 solitary den, is thinking at this moment 1 " 



A shadow passed over the features of Blanche Douglas at 

 these words, which was broken by Fred's saying — 



" Don't distrust me, dear Blanche, for Fred Beauchamp 

 can junip over or see through a stone wall as quickly as most 

 people ; although neither Will nor yourself will honour me 

 with your confidence ; but there — perhaps you are right, as I 

 am a giddy, thoughtless fellow, and might let the cat's head 

 peep out of the bag." 



" I do not doubt your sincerity, Fred — but this is forbidden 

 ground." 



" I know it, Blanche ; and my sincere hope is, it may not 

 be so much longer." 



The dance over, Constance introduced her cousin to Mrs. 

 Fortescue, with whom he seemed much struck ; and they were 

 soon seen dancing together in high good humour. The widow 

 endeavoured, ineffectually, to ascertain the cause of his 

 cousin's abrupt departure from London. "It is rumoured," 

 she remarked, "he had left in consequence of being rejected 

 by a certain young lady, with whom you were dancing this 

 evening." 



" That, you may take my word," replied Fred, " is a deli- 

 berate falsehood. Will Beauchamp never has been, and never 

 will be, rejected by any woman." 



