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22 BLANCHE OF BROOMSIDE. titled cousin; he was the second son of a beneficed clergyman, and intended for the sacred profession in fact, he had just taken orders, and was one who did so för conscience sake. please his mother, who was naturally anxious that, if possible, some of his lordship's worldly goods might hereafter become the property of her son, he joined the noble on a shooting excursion. Few could have been more powerfully contrasted the Earl of Dunmeade was verging on his fiftieth birth day, diminutive in stature, and every feature of his face telling of dissipation; the full, gloating eye the satyr like mouth and the sallow spotted skin; his manners however, were courtly and insinuating — and to this he owed the popularity he undoubtedly possessed in certain circles.

Mr. Eversham was in the first bloom of manhood; his boyish days had been spent at his father's vicarage; and at college his time was devoted to the attainment of literary distinction. When, therefore, he launched into the world, he was in the full possession of a vigorous and untainted mind. His expressive countenance was as a beautiful title page to a virtuous and learned book; and his whole bearing was that of a scholar and a gentleman. A country event occasioned a meeting between the trio, namely, Blanche Seabright, and the cousins a passing shower caused both parties to take shelter in a small cottage between Broomside and the hill lodge; the maiden's beauty attracted the gentlemen's attention, and they soon discovered who she was. With what different feelings were their inquiries made; what man would exchange the first beatings of affection such love as might dwell in the lily's bosom, without contaminating its purity for the sordid, cold calculation with which in after life he heaps gold and marries? “She is a fine girl,” said his lordship. “Wants an air -a manner a style in short; which fashionable society would soon give. Bringing out such a creature would create the most difficult thing in the world to achieve in polished society a sensation eh, Eversham?”

Eversham bowed.

“Good family domestic, doubtless,” continued the noble, musingly.”Make an attentive nurse getting gouty at times (rubbing his leg). Eversham, what do you think, ought I to bind myself again in matrimonial chains?”

Eversham started, and looked at his cousin.”My dear lord, what are you thinking of?”

“Why, of that rustic beauty that oriental pearl Miss Seabright. Should you like her for a relative?”

“Very much,” was the young gentleman's laconic reply, as he darted a look of defiance at the noble, which must have annihilated him had he seen it.

The when and the where of the next meeting of Blanche and Eversham is of little consequence. An aged oak a shady dell or, sweetest of all, rippling brook, have been lovers' land marks time out of mind; and though their first, second, perhaps even their third rencontres were of course accidental, Eversham was too honourable Blanche too candid to carry on clandestine courtship. And after the necessary inquiries, which every parent finds it right to make, when the happiness of a beloved child is concerned, Mr. Eversham was received by Mr. Seabright as his daughter's suitor.

“The course of true love never did run smooth.” Lord Dunmeade discovered the proceeding, and was enraged. To be foiled by a boy was too bad not to be forgiven. His power in town was on the decline; but could he have produced such a wife as Blanche, his house would again have been the resort of all the rank and fashion of the time; he knew and felt this, and his bitterness increased when not only his lady love but her father also rejected his addresses with cold and firm civility. It was now the latter end of November, and the wise ones were convinced that they were wrong, for the wedding-day was fixed, and the bride in constant consultation with the village milliner.

“It is a bright and glorious moonlight, dearest,” whispered Eversham to his betrothed; “you have not been out for many days. Do, Sir,” he continued, turning to Mr. Seabright, “prevail upon Blanche to walk once, only once round the lawn.”

Mr. Seabright seconded the request, and the happy three issued from the folding doors, which opened on the glittering grass. When they reached the bottom of the green, Mr. Seabright wished to extend his walk to the meadow, and prevailed upon Eversham to accompany him. “Blanche can remain in the green house until our return, as I fear the dampness of the long herbage for her. We will not be absent ten minutes,” said the old gentleman. Blanche leaned her head against the door, and watched their figures recede amongst the trees. How perfectly did she feel the change which a few weeks had wrought in her mind and feelings. She was no longer the thoughtless, light hearted maiden of Broomside. Love, that pure and holy passion, when it throbs in the bosom of a young and virtuous woman, elevates and refines even while it subdues; the heart, as it were, turning back upon itself, wonders at its former triflings, and owns but one all guiding influence devotion to the being it has singled from the crowd for ever. Of such a nature was Blanche Seabright's affections and although the forms of the two beings dearest to her upon earth had disappeared, her eye still rested on the path they had taken. Suddenly she started, and uttered a faint scream, for a hand rested upon her arm. She turned, and beheld, almost breathing upon her's, the face of an old crone, known by the name of Madge Willis. This creature enjoyed the double reputation of knave and fool, and from her infancy had been an object of terror to Blanche. Her figure was short and square her fingers and arms of unnatural length and size and as she clutched the maiden's arm, and peered into her face, the young lady trembled beneath her eye. “I cannot harm ye', Blanche Seabright,” she