PREPAEATlOi^S FOR THE LONDON SEASON. 253 



Where we may leave the company to the enjoyment of the good 

 things provided for them, and jump at once to the conclusion of 

 the ball, when the old Squire of Bampton was joining with 

 Mrs. Gordon in the last dance of the night — "Sir Koger de 

 Coverley," as it has been generally called, though by some 

 considered a misnomer. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



The month of May, with its balmy breezes, had arrived, and 

 Mrs. Gordon, with Blanche and Constance, were preparing to 

 change their quiet, rational, rural enjoyments for the bustle 

 and fever of London life, Lady Malcolm having insisted on all 

 three taking up their abode with her, for the season, in her old 

 family mansion in Grosvenor Square. The streets of London 

 were not wholly unknown to Blanche Douglas, who had spent 

 the two previous summers with Mrs. Harcourt, for the benefit 

 of the first masters, to complete her education ; but the gaieties, 

 festivities, and places of amusement in the mighty Babylon had 

 hitherto remained as a sealed picture-book, which was now to 

 be opened to her expectant view, and already excited imagi- 

 nation. 



A first season in London, to young girls generally, is, like 

 the " Open Sesame " in the Arabian Nights, looked forward to 

 with as much curious avidity as the opening of a Pandorean 

 box, which is to display to view a perfect fairy scene, for enjoy- 

 ment of the most exalted description ; and it must be admitted 

 that Blanche Douglas was not devoid of pleasurable anticipa- 

 tions from a visit to the gay metropolis, that pleasure being 

 greatly enhanced by having her friend Constance as a partici- 

 pator in all her contemplated gaieties and amusements. There 

 was one great drawback, however, acting as a drag on the 

 wheels of her fancy, which otherwise might have run on without 

 a check — the thought of leaving William Beauchamp (who had 

 now become her second self) alone in the country. There was 

 also another unpleasant reflection which would sometimes 

 obtrude. Constance had invited Miss Honoria, at the ball, to 

 stay a few days at Bampton ; and that romantic young person 

 having taken it into her head or heart to fall desperately in 

 love with her brother (as a grateful return, I suppose, for his 



