MOURNFUL NEWS. 327 



back an answer by myself; as I shall be on the road again to- 

 morrow morning by four o'clock." 



" I am the person," replied Malcolm, " so sit down a 

 moment in that chair, and here's something to wash the cob- 

 webs out of your throat," placing a bottle of wine and a glass 

 in his hands. 



Tearing open the parcel, three letters appeared, all in Beau- 

 champ's handwriting. "Here, aunt, and Blanche, one apiece 

 for you, and the other for myself," the contents of which he 

 hastily ran through, and then handing it to his mother, 

 observed, "No ball-going to-night, my dear mother, as Con 

 must be off." 



" Who gave you the parcel, my man 1 " enquired Malcolm. 



" A young gentleman at the Lodge gate gave it to my fellow- 

 guard, my lord, and I think they called him Mr. or Lord Beau- 

 champ, I won't be sure which ; so if your lordship will be kind 

 enough to send a receipt of the contents inside that same paper, 

 I shall be glad, as I've got a cab waiting to go back into the 

 City." 



This was soon done by Malcolm writing a few lines and 

 sealing up the parcel as before, which he handed to the guard, 

 with a couple of sovereigns. " You will be sure this is delivered 

 safe ? " 



" No fear of that, my lord, when sent by such paymasters — 

 salve like this suits my complaint exactly, my lord ; " with 

 which, and a low bow to the ladies, the guard disappeared. 



The purport of Beauchamp's three letters was the same — 

 that the Earl of Annandale, having heard from him about his 

 sister, was very desirous of seeing her, and had, to defray her 

 expenses, insisted on sending her a draft on London for two 

 hundred pounds. A postscript was added, in which Beauchamp 

 advised her setting off immediately, as the poor old Earl was 

 evidently declining very fast. 



" Well, Con," exclaimed Malcolm, " we must leave at day- 

 break to-morrow, if dear aunty will go with us 1 " 



"Indeed I will, Charles, most gladly ; so now, my dears, 

 we had better at once prepare for our journey." 



Beauchamp's letter to Blanche was very long and very 

 affectionate, which caused her eyes to fill with tears as she 

 handed it to Lady Malcolm, saying, " Dear aunt, you may judge 

 now whether I ought to love him as I do." 



Lady Malcolm took the letter with her to the drawing-room 

 to read, whilst the two girls went up-stairs to make the necessary 



