EEJOICINGS AT EAMPTON. 399 



made nephew, both of whom she loved as her own children. 

 Her sister, Lady Malcolm, also, was now staying at the Priory, 

 with Mrs. Forteseue, who accompanied her from town, where 

 she intended to remain until the first week in September, by 

 which time Beauchamp and Blanche were expected home 

 again. 



Bob Conyers, with his usual disinterestedness, to prevent 

 his old friend feeling solitary after his children's departure, had 

 invited himself to spend a week at Bampton ; and for the pre- 

 sent there was no lack of guests, Lord Henry Bayntun, Sir 

 William Burnet, Gywnne, and Melville having come expressly 

 for the occasion. Fred Beauchamp was there also, who, in his 

 son's absence, was of great service, as well as comfort, to the 

 old earl. Lady Malcolm and Mrs. Gordon, with the gay widow, 

 having been invited to spend the day at Bampton, took a lively 

 interest in all the proceedings in honour of their niece's mar- 

 riage ; and, accompanied by the earl, Bob Conyers, and Fred 

 Beauchamp, visited all the tents in succession at the dinner 

 hour, to see the arrangements made to regale so large a com- 

 pany, and were not less amused than gratified by the cordial 

 meeting between the founder of the feast and some of his aged 

 parishioners. 



" Ah, squire," said an old man, nearly bent double by years 

 and infirmities, " I never thought as how I should live to see 

 the loike of this, but there — what's the dame want ? " — (as an 

 elderly female whispered in his ear) — "she do say, squire, as I 

 be to call you my lord — but it don't seem natural loike. I've 

 ha' know'd ye as Squire Beauchamp handy sixty years, and I 

 be used to the name — so doant ye take it amiss, as I do love 

 the old squire, and the young un too. God bless un, and 

 prosper un, with that angel, Miss Blanche." 



" Hark ye, Job," replied the earl, " if you ever dare to ' my 

 lord me,' I shall think you an arrant old hypocrite; so sit down 

 and go to work with your knife and fork." 



Mrs. Gordon, who was known to all the neighbouring poor 

 for her benevolent and charitable disposition, was deservedly 

 beloved by them, entering into their joys and sorrows with the 

 most unaffected and truly Christian feeling, and she had ever a 

 kind word to say, as well as a kind look to bestow, on the poor 

 and humble, in addition to more substantial proofs of sym- 

 pathy. In their drives about the country, Mrs. Gordon's and 

 Blanche's visits were not restricted to their rich acquaintances ; 

 and in their rambles near home, their footsteps were constantly 



