MRS. GORDON RECEIVES MARGARET. 387 



" Dear William," she replied, " how can I blame you ? 

 Perhaps this poor girl is very miserable with such a mother, 

 and I will consult with Aunt Gordon what we can do with 

 her ; so pray bring her here at any rate, and we can see her in 

 this room, without Aunt Malcolm knowing anything about her." 



Whatever Beauchamp said or did being almost certain to 

 obtain Mrs. Gordon's approval, she expressed great sympathy 

 in the cause of this unhappy girl, and agreed to take her as 

 companion, if she realised Beauchamp's expectations, and really 

 wished to leave her home. 



"There, aunty dear," said Beauchamp, "you are more soft- 

 hearted than myself j but she has such a look of Blanche, that 

 I am sure you will take a fancy to her directly." 



"Well, my dear boy, when you take Blanche from me, 

 which I suppose will be the case very soon, I shall be left quite 

 alone, and this poor girl may be some comfort to me, as well as 

 a help in my old age." 



" My dearest, kindest friend," replied Beauchamp, pressing 

 her hand in his, " you will never be left long alone by your 

 dear children, as you call us ; for you must either be with us, or we 

 with you ; so don't, my dear aunt, think of taking this girl on 

 that account." 



" Well, well, William, then I can have her for a month or 

 two occasionally ; so let me see her to-morrow morning." 



It is almost needless to add that, from Mrs. Gordon being 

 already prepossessed in her favour, Margaret was received very 

 kindly by that lady and Blanche ; and after a long conversation 

 about family matters, in which, with good taste and feeling, 

 she spoke as little as necessary of her mother's character and 

 conduct, sufficient transpired to induce Mrs. Gordon to take 

 her as companion ; and she accordingly gave her directions how 

 to reach the Priory, with money to pay her expenses by coacL, 

 the beginning of the following week. Nothing could exceed 

 the delight of the poor girl at this arrangement, who, it ap- 

 peared, was very unhappy with her mother and sister, from 

 causes which it is unnecessary to mention. Beauchamp, after 

 her interview with Mrs. Gordon, escorted Margaret to a cab ; 

 and having received her grateful thanks for his extreme kind- 

 ness, gave directions to the driver where to go, and returned, 

 according to his promise, to take Blanche for a walk. The 

 first shop they entered was Turner's, the jeweller, where Beau- 

 champ had ordered a pair of bracelets, set with precious stones, 

 of great value, with a beautiful necklace to correspond. 



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