A NOBLE SCAMP. 81 



becoming a Benedict ; but you know I cannot marry without 

 money, although I would never tie myself to a plain, disagree- 

 able woman, were she as rich as Croesus." 



" Well," said Conyers, " there is something more manly ip 

 that confession than we meet with in most fortune-hunters ; 

 but you will find more impediments to your suit than you 

 imagine, as her guardian, Mr. Harcourt, who is here to-night, 

 has set his mind on having a coronet for his ward, in the person 

 of her cousin, expected down every day." 



" That is bad news, indeed, Bob ; but still I'll have a trial 

 for her, if she suits my fancy." 



"By-the-bye, Melville, have you seen anything of Lord 

 Vancoui't lately ?" 



"Not since the season closed in town, and I don't wish to 

 Bee any more of him." 



"Why so?" 



"Because he is an ill-tempered, imperious fellow, disliked 

 by every man in the club, and a confounded blackguard also." 



" Indeed," said Conyers, affecting surprise. 



"He is as poor as a church mouse, gambles and cheats at 

 cards, like the devil, to keep up appearances, and keeps an 

 Italian singer, to whom, report says, he is completely com- 

 mitted, or positively married, so that he cannot get rid of her. 

 In fact, he has tried to palm her off on some of his friends, but 

 the woman won't budge, and sticks to him like a leech." 



" Egad ! I did not expect to hear all this of Lord Yancourt ; 

 for a friend of mine asked me something about him, a short 

 time ago, and I wrote to you, the other day, to inquire if you 

 knew him." 



"Too well," replied Melville; "but your letter was, I con- 

 clude, directed to my club, and has not reached me ; and now, 

 Bob, show me the heiress." 



" There she is, dressed in white, with pearls twisted in her 

 hair, leaning on her aunt's arm, at the upper end of the room." 



"What, that rather tall beautiful girl, now speaking to 

 Mrs. Rollestonr' 



" The same, Melville." 



* Then, by Jov© 1 she is, to my mind, the prettiest womam 

 in the room, and I am off for an introduction." 



In a few minutes after, Melville was presented by Mrs. 

 RoUeston to Mrs. Hai'^ourt and her niece ; and his first words 

 were addressed to the latter, requesting the honour of dancing 

 with her. " I believe." replied Blanche, " that I am already 



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