THE LOVERS MEET. 347 



Mrs. Gordon was silent. 



" Does she refuse to see me at all, then ? " he exclaimed, in 

 amazement. 



" It is even so, dear William ; but come with me into the 

 other room, and I will tell you what I am commissioned to say." 



In vain Mrs. Gordon urged all her niece's arguments to 

 avoid an interview which would be so painful to both ; in vain 

 she spoke of their altered position, and Blanche's resolution to 

 break off her engagement, unless she was restored to her rightful 

 inheritance. 



Beauchamp paced up and down the room, in a state of mind 

 bordering on distraction, for some few moments, then confront- 

 ing Mrs. Gordon, said, in a firm tone, " Cease, cease, dear aunt, 

 this mockery of my woe, and go tell Blanche Douglas from me, 

 that I will not quit this roof until I have a refusal from her 

 own lips, see her, I must and will, this very night." 



Mrs. Gordon still attempting to dissuade him from his 

 purpose, he frantically exclaimed : " Go, dear aunt, this moment, 

 and tell Blanche, if she will not see me now, we shall never 

 in this world meet again." 



" Well, then, if I bring her down with me, promise to be 

 more calm, for she is in a dreadfully nervous state." 



" Yes, aunt, I will be calm ; but, mind, see her I will once 



more." 



Mrs. Gordon having explained the state in which she had 

 left her lover, and telling Blanche what she dreaded from his 

 words, prevailed on her to see him, and she entered the room in 

 which he was still pacing to and fro, leaning on her aunt's arm, 

 trembling and almost fainting from agitation and exhaustion. 



Beauchamp advanced to meet her, and seeing her almost 

 sinking, caught her in his arms, saying, " Come, dear Blanche, 

 come to my heart once more, even if it be for the last time ; " 

 and she fell nearly senseless on his breast, sobbing convulsively. 



" Hush, hush ! my own dear girl," he murmured ; " still that 

 beating heart — you are mine once more — mine now and for ever I" 



" Oh, no, dear Wilham, it cannot be — pray release me." 



" No, Blanche, never until you promise to become my wife, 

 or you will never see me alive again ; my arm shall hold you 

 till you tear it from your side ; so now, my love, let me lead you 

 to the sofa, and listen calmly to what I have to say. Do you 

 see that ring on my finger, dear girl, placed there by your own 

 hand, with the vow that by that symbol you would be mine for 



ever." 



