WHAT A GAilE OF FIVES IS. 121 



right then to interrupt us or claim your hand, which I could 

 not submit to." 



" But, William, promise me it shall go no nirther — promise 

 me not to quarrel with him — for my sake, William, will you do 

 this ? " she inquired, beseechingly, as he seemed to hesitate. 



" Yes, dearest Blanche," in a low tone, " for your dear sake 

 will I do anything." 



" Thank you," she replied, with one of her sweet smiles, 

 " and remember, if you forget your promise, you will make me 

 wretched," as she relinquished his arm, and sat down by her 

 aunt. 



" Why, Beauchamp," said Lord Malcolm, who had been 

 following close behind him, " that hot-headed Ii'ish lord seemed 

 disposed to pick a quarrel with you, did he not 1 " 



"I rather suspected something of the kind from Vernon's 

 tutoring, as I saw those worthies in deep consultation together 

 whilst we were dancing, and casting ominous looks towards me ; 

 and but for dear Blanche, I would have knocked that insolent 

 lord across the room for daring to stand in her way." 



" Egad, I believe you, Beauchamp," replied Malcolm ; " but 

 it won't do to talk of these things now." 



" No, no, it is all over and past, and, as I have promised Mrs. 

 Gordon never to fight a duel, we must say no more about it." 



" William," said jMrs. Gordon, " you know your promise, and 

 the penalty of breaking it 1 " 



" Indeed I do, dear aunt, which I will never incur ; and 

 therefore, Malcolm," said Beauchamp, laughing, " I am restricted 

 to a game of fives or cudgels, with the choice of which I will 

 favour any man who purposely insults me." 



"And I for one," added Malcolm, jocosely, "would not be 

 in the skin of your opponent, in a ten-foot ling, for a hundred 

 pounds, although we Scots are known to be unco fond of the 

 siUer." 



" What does a game of fives mean, William ? " inquired 

 Blanche. 



" This," said Beauchamp, good-humouredly, placing his 

 clenched hand in hers ; '• four fingers and a thumb make a 

 bunch of five or a fist, which is man's natural weapon of 

 defence ; but don't be alarmed, dear Blanche," he said, lower- 

 ing his voice. " / will promise not to fight, if you will promise 

 not to flirt with him, or let him make love to you." 



" That he shall not do, if I can prevent it, William, rest 

 assui-ed." 



