AN EAELDOM IN PROSPECTIVE. 217 



been confined to my own breast, and known only to one besides, 

 my own father, that he is the nearest relation of the Earl of 

 Annandale, who is now in his eighty-ninth year, and heir to his 

 title and estates, the next in succession having died only a few 

 years since ; but as the aged peer is still hale and hearty, not- 

 withstanding his advanced age, my father has never alluded to 

 the subject, and you, my own dear Blanclie, are the only other 

 person who has been made acquainted with this secret, which 

 I trust implicitly to your keeping. But after your generous, 

 confiding love, it is right you should know that the object of 

 your choice is not, even in a worldly point of view, undeserving 

 your preference." 



Blanche being too much lost in thought to make any reply, 

 Beauchamp said, " Why, Blanche, is not this very agreeable 

 news ? " 



" I scarcely know, William; for although I ought to rejoice 

 at your bright prospect, my ideas of perfect happiness are so 

 identified with the name of William Beauchamp and a quiet 

 country life, that I dread entering on a higher sphere, where, 

 as you say, we may be so much separated." 



" Dear, dear Blanche, do not conjure up such improbabilities 

 in our case ; I am not Lord Beauchamp yet, and may not be for 

 some years ; but, as I have before told you, a man's disposition 

 does not change; you have the best security in my jealous feel- 

 ings against our ever becoming a fashionable couple, and my 

 chief happiness, as you very well know, will be derived, like 

 yours, from a country life ; so now, dear girl, don't anticipate 

 evil, and you may tell Aunt Gordon our secret, with injunctions 

 not to betray it ; you will then hear what she says to the pros^ 

 pect of her two pets becoming Lord and Lady Beauchamp." 



The first dance being concluded, Beauchamp resigned Blanche 

 to Mrs. Gordon's care, and sought another partner in the person 

 fif Miss Honoria Winterbottom, to the delight of her mamma, 

 and disgust of Selina, who had taken a decided antipathy to the 

 whole family. 



"Well, I declare," exclaimed Mrs. Winterbottom, as her 

 daughter was led away, " young Squire Beauchamp is the hand- 

 somest, best-mannered man in the room j don't you think so, 

 Miss Douglas ? " 



"He is considered rather good-looking," replied Blanche, 

 with a slight blush, and arch expression towards her aunt. 



" Rather good-looking, indeed — hoity, toity ! he is down- 

 right handsome^ miss, and carries himself like a lord, I only 



