Blanche's decision. 345 



released him from his engagement, which I felt bound in 

 honour to do." 



" And when, my dear girl, did you write to tell Will Beau- 

 champ that Blanche Douglas was no longer worthy of his love, 

 because a rascally impostor had claimed her property ? " 



" This afternoon, Charles." 



" Is the letter posted, my sensitive little cousin ? " 

 . " Yes, I gave it to Alice, to post herself" 



" Well, my love, then you have saved me the trouble of 

 using pen and ink ; for if Beauchamp, on the receipt of that 

 little billet doux, does not post up to London as fast as four 

 horses can convey him, without stopping day or night, then, my 

 ^ove, I know nothing of his true character. I only trust he 

 may not be thrown over by too much haste, and meet with 

 some accident. Oh, Blanche, Blanche, how could you think so 

 meanly of your noble-minded lover ? Would you have released 

 him, had he been so unfortunate as to lose all his propei-ty ? 

 Could you have ceased to love him 1 " 



" Oh no, Charles — never ; but as Lord Beauchamp, he will 

 be expected to marry his equal in rank ; at least, not a portion- 

 less girl Hke myself." 



" Stuff and nonsense, Blanche ! you are not a portionless 

 girl, and never shall be, if I can prevent it, even if that old 

 croaker Harcourt's prognostications are verified ; as Constance 

 and myself have resolved to place a hundred thousand pounds 

 at your disposal, over which no person shall have any control 

 but yourself" 



" Indeed, Charles, although most grateful for your and dear 

 Constance's kindness, it would degrade me in my own eyes to 

 be the recipient of another's bounty, on which I have no 

 claim." 



"My dear girl, do not talk so inconsistently. Constance 

 had no greater claim by affinity on the old peer than you have 

 on me — not so great, and yet we do not feel degraded by accept- 

 ing his legacy ; what is the use of relations, if they do not love 

 and help each other ? They are bound to do so, my dear girl, 

 by the law of God and the law of Nature ; and you can no 

 more turn me and Constance from our purpose, than you can 

 turn this house upside down with those little hands. I have 

 teased and tormented you, dear Blanche, in prosperity, and it is 

 now my duty to comfort and support you in adversity ; and if 

 you should lose your patrimony, of which, in my opinion, there 

 ia not the least chance, Beauchamp shall not receive in my 



