SMALL-TALK- 107 



"I hear," he said, "you have been staying at Marston 

 Castle; were you pleased with your visit?" 



" Oh, no," she replied ; " Lord and Lady Mervyn are, in my 

 opinion, very stiff, formal, disagreeable people." 



"Did you meet no pleasant persons there?" he inquired; 

 "I heard the house was full of company." 



" Yes, there was a Lord Vaucourt, very agreeable and good- 

 looking, resembling much in manners Mr. Vernon, who was 

 there also ; but I must confess I was delighted when our visit 

 was over." 



" Then you did not admire this Lord Vancourt, of whom 

 report speaks so highly as a perfect ladies' man ?" 



"Oh, no," replied Blanche; "he is the counterpart of Mr. 

 Vernon, whom, you know, I dislike exceedingly." 



Beauchamp breathed more freely after this confession from 

 Blanche, and some of his usual frank gaiety of looks and man- 

 ners returned. 



" You, of course, mean to attend our grand ball on the last 

 of this month V he asked. 



"Oh, yes," she replied; "you know I make my debut in 

 public on that occasion." 



" Then will you allow me the pleasure of being your first 

 partner on that eventful night, unless you have already pro- 

 mised that favour to another?" 



" Indeed, William, I shall not only be delighted, but shall 

 feel less nervous, in having the support of an old friend on my 

 first introduction to the beau monde.'^ 



" Thank you, dear Blanche," he replied, with his accustomed 

 warmth ; " and may you never find a friend less staunch and 

 true than William Beauchamp." 



" I neither wish nor expect to find another friend like you ; 

 but now 1 see Constance and Charles are halting for us." 



"Well, Beauchamp," he exclaimed, as they rode up, "we 

 must now change partners, as Constance wishes to return ; but 

 mind you both ride over, and repay our visit the day after to- 

 morrow." 



"I can't promise that exactly," was Beauchamp*s answer, 

 in a very grave tone. 



" Oh, indeed ! then Constance must ride by herself, I sup- 

 pose," retorted Malcolm, angrily, "unless you think she ought 

 not to have ])romised me to come at all ?" 



" No, Malcolm ; I shall certainly accompany her. if that is so.* 



" And be in a better humour next time we meet," continued 



