THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER. 415 



stiff-necked families, who would not visit his vulgar wife ; and 

 she felt most acutely the change (having no resources in herself) 

 from the gossip and prattle of London to the dull monotony oi 

 a country life. At last she told her husband — to use her own 

 expression — " she wouldn't put up, no longer, with the hoity- 

 toity airs of these proud dames." The country house, therefore, 

 was handed over to the young couple, with the reservation of 

 spending a month there in the summer, and a week or two at 

 Christmas. 



The young widow, after another month's deliberation, 

 accepted Fred Beauchamp, with the Grange, who being of a 

 domestic turn and good temper, rather surpassed her expectations, 

 from his apparently thoughtless demeanour, which really pro- 

 ceeded from good humour and cheerfulness of disposition. 

 * * * * 



The 1st of November has again arrived; again is the 

 breakfast-table at Bampton House thronged with guests in 

 hunting costume. Sir Francis Burnett, Gwynne, with every 

 member of the hunt, are there, in compliment to the Earl and 

 his son, on their opening day, and a greater assemblage of 

 farmers than ever before attended the lawn meet. Sir Francis 

 whispered Beauchamp, " So, my boy, you have changed your 

 opinion about the heiress since this time twelvemonth 1 ' 



" No, Sir Francis, of her I have ever entertained one and 

 the same opinion ; out I have followed your advice in dis- 

 regarding that of the world." 



" Bight, my boy, quite right ; the world and his wife have 

 nothing to do with you and your wife." 



After breakfast, the Ladies Beauchamp and Malcolm were 

 vaulted into their saddles by their respective lords, to see the 

 hounds thrown into covert, attended by a large party of gentle- 

 men — the Earl taking charge of his daughter-in-law when 

 Beauchamp began drawing for a fox. The horse provided for 

 Blanche was such as a child could ride, of the most gentle and 

 docile disposition, although quite thorough-bred, and a perfect 

 hunter ; yet withal, Beauchamp, disliking to see ladies riding 

 over fences, and in dread of any accident occurring to his beloved 

 wife, had exacted a promise from her to return home with the 

 groom as soon as the hounds should leave Park Wood. Selina 

 Conyers, in no wise sobered by marriage, ridiculed Beauchamp 

 for his timidity about Blanche, to as much purpose as heretofore ; 

 and Blanche, wishing Selina a good day's sport and a safe 

 return to Bampton, turned her horse's head homewards. 



The Park Wood foxes, being proverbially stout, and long 



