SOB CONYERS A PROPHET. 99 



"Well, then, let me ask, are you not going to-morrow to 

 spend a few days at Marston ? " 



" Yes, I believe so." 



" Has such an invitation ever been sent before to Mr. and 

 Mrs. Harcourt and yourself?" 



"jN"o, I think not." 



« Ah," replied Bob, " I see it all." 



« "Wliat do you see, Mr. Conyers 1 " 



" I will tell you, dear Blanche, on one condition — ^that you do 

 not reveal what I say to any human being." 



" I should never think of doing so," replied Blanche. 



" Yery well ; you \vill find at Marston Castle a certain 

 nobleman, called Lord Yancourt, who will pay you great atten- 

 tion, and whom your aunt will try and persuade you to marry." 



Blanche blushed scarlet at this information, and said, " This 

 is very improbable, Mr. Conyers ! " 



" Is Bob Conyers a false prophet. Miss Douglas 1 But now 

 mark me, if you do not meet this lord, if he does not pay you 

 the greatest attentions, and within a very short time propose for 

 you, you may then call me one. They have laid a trap to catch 

 you, my dear girl ; and Captain Melville told me at Compton's 

 ball the other night, that a more unprincipled scoundrel (those 

 were his exj)ressions) than this same Lord Yancourt does not 

 exist ; and now your old friend and master having done his duty 

 in warning you of the net set to catch you, he has only one word 

 more to say on the subject, and that one word is — beware I " 



" Oh, Mr. Conyers," said the young girl, almost in tears, 

 " how can I repay you for your ever kind interest in my wel- 

 fare?" 



"It would be strange indeed," replied he, "if I did not 

 take an interest, and a deep one too, in that sweet girl I have 

 so often nursed when a child, who has neither father nor 

 brother to watch over and protect her ; and I am fearful your 

 guardian is too worldly-minded to consult your true happiness 

 (which ought to be his chief consideration) in settling you in 

 life ; in fact, I know well that both he and Mrs. Harcourt are 

 resolved on forming some brilliant matrimonial alliance for you 

 amongst the nobility, to which rank they think you have ^ 

 right to aspire. Perceiving that such are their intentions, as 

 your sincere friend, I wish to caution you to consult your own 

 inclinations before their wishes, and never to be persuaded to 

 marry any man, however high in rank, unless his character and 

 disposition are such as to ensure your happiness. Now, dear 



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