MRS. PORTESCUE's CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 315 



"Don't speak so loud, Fred," she whispered, "he is just 

 behind us." 



" So much the better, Blanche — I hope he heard me ; but — . 

 I beg pardon — perhaps he is in favour again with yourself ? " 



"Oh, no, Fred, that is certainly not the case; nor likely 

 to be." 



" Glad to hear it, for I hate fellows who know men only in 

 the country. But, to judge by appearances, you seem to have 

 a good many strings to your bow — or in other words, a rather 

 long list of admirers." 



"And yet, Fred, I would much rather be at Bamp , I 



ttiean the Priory, than joining in this gaiety." 



" Why not have said Bampton, Blanche, at once ? '* 



"Well, I might have said so," she replied, "as I never 

 enjoy anything more than a visit to the old squire." 



" Except, Blanche, a visit to the young one." 



"Don't be impertinent, Master Fred," was the rejoinder; 

 "or I shall cut you, like Lord Danby." 



" Oh, very v/ell ; but I wonder of whom poor Will, in his 

 solitary den, is thinking at this moment ? " 



A shadow passed over the features of Blanche Douglas at 

 these words, which was broken by Fred's saying — 



"Don't distrust me, dear Blanche, for Fred Beauchamp 

 can jump over or see through a stone wall as quickly as most 

 people ; although neither Will nor yourself will honour me 

 with your confidence ; but there — perhaps you are right, as T 

 am a giddy, thoughtless fellow, and might let the cat's head 

 peep out of the bag." 



"I do not doubt your sincerity, Fred — but this is forbidden 

 ground." 



" I know it, Blanche ; and my sincere hope is, it may not 

 be so much longer." 



The dance over, Constance introduced her cousin to Mrs. 

 Fortescue, with whom he seemed much struck ; and they were 

 soon seen dancing together in high good humour. The widow 

 endeavoured, inefiectually, to ascertain the c-jiuse of his 

 cousin's abrupt departure from London. "It is rumoured," 

 she remarked, "he had left in consequence of being rejected 

 by a certain young lady, with whom you were dancing this 

 evening." 



" That, you may take my word," replied Fred, " is a deli- 

 berate falsehood. Will Beauchamp never has been, and never 

 will be, rejected by any woman." 



