A CHANGE OF TACTICS. 123 



had some good reason for this refusal. More than that, it is 

 unnecessary for me to add." 



Melville then changed the subject ; and, being witty, 

 pleasing, and friendly in his address, Blanche soon felt more at 

 ease with him than with any stranger she had yet been intro- 

 duced to. Her natural reserve gradually wore oif ; and she 

 looked so pleased and happy from the music and excitement of 

 dancing, that JMelville presumed on her evident favourable 

 feeliug towards himself to ask for a second dance. 



"That, I fear, is impossible, Captain Melville, as I am 

 already engaged to more partners, than, I believe, there will be 

 dances." 



"I feared as much," he replied; "but ajn not the least 

 surprised to find such is the case, although I must express my 

 great 'lisappointment ; and, with many thanks for the most 

 delightful dance it has ever been my good fortune to enjoy, 

 I must now most reluctantly resign you to Mrs. Harcourt 

 ajgain." 



" Oh, no," she said, " not to her. My aunt Gordon is ex- 

 pecting me on the other side of the room." 



" Will you be kind enough to introduce me to her ? " he 

 asked. 



" With pleasure," replied Blanche, " for I am sure you will 

 like her." 



The introduction being made, Melville remained talking to 

 Mrs. Gordon until Markham approached to claim Miss Douglas, 

 to whom he was engaged. Lord Vancourt had been watching 

 Blanche's pleased expression of countenance when dancing with 

 Captain Melville, and wreaked his vengeance by base in- 

 sinuations against his character, which Mrs. Harcourt readily 

 believed, and the more so, because he was represented as pos- 

 sessing nothing in the world but his pay. But Vancourt 

 determined in his own mind that moments were now of precious 

 importance to himself; and that he must win as much favour 

 as possible with Mrs. Harcourt, who was his chief supporter ; 

 and he played his part accordingly, being with her the greatest 

 part of the evening, handing her into the supper-room, and 

 paying her every possible attention, which gratified her vanity 

 to the greatest possible degree. 



William Beauchamp, being a great favourite with the young 

 ladies, contrived to join in almost every set with his beloved 

 Blanche, and sat next to her and Mrs. Gordon at the supper- 

 table, with Lord Malcolm and Constance opposite ; so that they 



