THE SUPPER AT BAMPTON HOUSE. 405 



" Thus let it be, tlien," slie added. " But mind you are not 

 too sanguine in your liopes — I see the Earl approaching." 



" Well, IMrs. Fortescue," he inquired, " what do you think 

 of our country lasses 1 " 



"Indeed," she replied, "many of them are exceedingly 

 pretty, genteel-looking girls ; and so nicely dressed, with their 

 hair arranged quite ct la mode, that I should have thought some 

 London milliner and hair-dresser had been engaged preparing 

 them for the occasion." 



" Oh ! " he exclaimed, " you are not far from the truth, as 

 Blanche and Constance's maids have been giving them some 

 lessons on these matters, to set them off to the best advantage ; 

 but still, there is a natural gracefulness about some which art 

 cannot much improve — for instance, Fred's first partner, Miss 

 Fairacre,- who might pass muster even at Almack's — a crafty 

 young scamp he is — always picking out the prettiest girl in the 

 room. Take care of him, Mrs. Fortescue — he is a dangerous 

 fellow, with those glossy curls — but not a bad boy at heart — 

 (patting him on the back) — and I don't know what I could 

 well do without him, sometimes. "Well, Fred," addressing him, 

 " I conclude you will be following Will's example pretty soon ; 

 and, mind, when you can find one like Blanche, in heart and 

 disposition — fond of the country, and likely to make me a duti- 

 ful, affectionate niece, you shall have the Grange, and all the 

 appurtenances belonging thereto, for your home, and something, 

 in addition to your own property, to help to keep house — on 

 these conditions, you may marry ^vith my consent, but I don't 

 intend to trust you out of the parish." 



"Many thanks, my dear uncle, for your generous offer. 

 You have ever been to me as a father, and I hope never to be 

 far distant from dear old Bampton, where I have spent so many 

 happy years." 



" It will be your own fault if you are, my boy — and don't 

 forget your duties to-night, in seeing that our guests are well 

 cared for." 



" No fear of that, uncle. Bob and myself don't intend to be 

 idle." 



Neither were they, either before, at, or after supper. At 

 twelve precisely, the large dining-room and library, joined 

 together by wide folding doors, were thrown open, disi^laying 

 a long table, reaching do-s\Ti the centre, and two cross tables at 

 each end, on which a profusion of good things was spread out, 

 with wines of every description ; and it were needless to remark 

 that, the evening being very sultry, Conyers and Fred caused 



