OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 ^SSS&r QV^\D ^£§£^'' 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LI 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 5 / 
 
 C/3 ^ 
 
 I 
 
QJJ M£) ^£^" 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 QJJ ^D ^££££ 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIF 
 
 t ^)#H< g 
 
 ^£illl 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIF 
 
 
 '^^y^P^ 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFI 
 

 • ' **w ^H^Kc®- 
 
 "maw'.-'!' 
 
 m 
 
 
THE 
 
 MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 BY " scrutator;' 
 
 AUTHOR OF "THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN," "RECOLLECTIONS OF A FOX HUNTER, 
 " HORSE AND THE HOUNDS," ETC. 
 
 ^ kirn 
 
 LONDON: 
 CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY 
 
 1803. 
 
 
H-^/a 
 
 TO 
 
 THE EIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 THE EAKL OF STAMFOED AND WAKBIMTON, 
 
 ETC. ETC, 
 
 My dear L6ed, 
 
 By the following Tale, in which the characters are 
 depicted from real life, I have endeavoured to show that Fox- 
 hunters are not men of one idea only, or of one pursuit ; and 
 that Masters of Fox-hounds do not, as they have been grossly 
 misrepresented, live for Fox-hunting alone. As an exemplifica- 
 tion of the contrary being the fact, I could adduce numerous 
 instances ; but need go no further than point to your Lordship, 
 now occupying the first position in the hunting world, as Master 
 of the Quorn Country, and may affirm, without flattery, that 
 the encomium bestowed on your great predecessor, the celebrated 
 Hugo Meynell, may with equal truth be applied to yourself : — 
 " He was, indeed, as much the rqxmdu of the elite of Grosvenor 
 Square — as much at home at St. James's — as he was at Quorndon 
 or at Ashby pastures." However bold and adventurous in the 
 
 A 
 
 M3140S6 
 
11 DEDICATION. 
 
 field, Fox-hunters of the present day, like the knights of old, 
 are distinguished for their chivalrous devotion to the fair sex, 
 fully appreciating the agrements of polished society, with due 
 attention to the other duties of social life ; of which the sceptic 
 may be satisfied, who will follow the gay Meltonian from the 
 field to the fireside, when 
 
 fifxa tcuq iravo7r\iaig OpaavicapSiav aypevrriQ tKOverai. 
 In the hope that your Lordship may not consider your kind 
 patronage ill conferred on this unpretending work, 
 
 I have the honour to remain, 
 
 Very faithfully yours, 
 
 The Author. 
 
THE 
 
 MASTER OF THE HOUNDS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 It was on the morning of the 1st of November, 18 — (the fox- 
 hunter's opening day for the season), that a gay party of sports- 
 men, in their bright scarlet costume, were gathered round the 
 breakfast table of Mr. Beauchamp, of Bampton House, a 
 gentleman of high descent, and large landed property, in one of 
 the midland counties. Bampton House being of large dimen- 
 sions, many friends were invited the previous evening to dine 
 and sleep there, in readiness for the ensuing gala day ; accord- 
 ingly, about half-past nine on that auspicious morning (for 
 so it proved, although not exactly with " a southerly wind and 
 a cloudy sky"), a goodly assemblage of choice and daring spirits 
 thronged the hospitable board of Mr. Beauchamp, all eager to 
 dispatch their morning meal, and prepare themselves for the 
 coming fray. 
 
 On the sideboard, besides the usual dishes on such occa- 
 sions, of ham, beef, cold fowls, game, &c, divers bottles of 
 cherry brandy, Curascoa, and Maraschino, stood invitingly 
 displayed. 
 
 Of this goodly company, whilst so engaged, we may take 
 this opportunity of noticing a few of the most distinguished 
 characters ; and first of all, as standing by fox-hunting etiquette 
 at the head of his brothers in pink, the Master of the Hounds, 
 William Beauchamp, now in his twenty- fourth year (living 
 with his father), to whom the management of the pack was 
 now entrusted. He was tall in stature, though rather slightly 
 formed, yet of great activity and strength, and a fearless though 
 careful rider. He possessed a frank and manly countenance, by 
 
 A 2 
 
4 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 many called handsome, with a fine curly head of dark hair, 
 which, of course, in the eyes of the fair sex passed for some- 
 thing ; and withal, not to dwell too long on a description of his 
 personal or mental qualities, he was a general favourite with all 
 classes, high and low, rich and poor ; and to his decided popu- 
 larity the cause of fox-hunting in that district was undoubtedly 
 indebted for its progressive influence. 
 
 Although young to occupy the position of master of fox- 
 hounds, he had been brought up from boyhood to the profession, 
 and initiated by his father into the mysteries of the noble 
 science, which, truth to say, proved a far more attractive study 
 than Latin or Greek ; and yet William Beauchamp had made 
 such progress in the dead languages at the university, that he 
 took his degree with flying colours, and, as his friend Bob 
 Conyers used to affirm, he would have been in the first flight, 
 but for a prolonged liver attack, which at last became so serious, 
 that he was recommended by his doctor and tutor also to give 
 up reading, and take again to the saddle ; " and a deuced good 
 change, too," said Bob, "or there had been a capital fellow 
 spoilt/' 
 
 Mr. Beauchamp, the father, was one of the old school — 
 cheerful, generous, kind-hearted, and much given to hospitality. 
 In personal appearance he was about the middle height, well 
 formed, and of a fresh complexion ; he had been one of the 
 handsomest men of his time ; but when this tale commences, 
 having nearly reached the age of man, he had become less 
 elegant in form, and feeling his years, handed over all authority 
 in the hunting establishment to his only son, between whom 
 and his father the most affectionate cordiality existed, proceed- 
 ing from a similarity of disposition and pursuits. One daughter, 
 Constance, a pretty girl of nineteen, completed the family circle, 
 Mrs. Beauchamp having been dead some years. 
 
 Constance, although highly accomplished in arts and sciences 
 feminine, was a superior horsewoman, possessing, with a beau- 
 tiful seat and hand on horseback, nerve sufficient to mount and 
 manage the most refractory animal of the genus equine. Her 
 figure, rather under than over the general standard of women, 
 was cast in Nature's most perfect mould ; her features regular, 
 and of the Grecian order, with a profusion of dark, glossy hair, 
 and finely-arched eyebrows. In society she was rather reserved, 
 although of deep and affectionate feelings ; but with her friends 
 and relations joyous and communicative. Utterly devoid of 
 affectation, she was generally beloved by her neighbours, and 
 
BOB CONYERS, AND HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 5 
 
 the most particular pet of her father and brother, as well as of 
 Bob Conyers, to whom I must next introduce my readers. 
 
 Bob (as he was usually called) was a bachelor, aged about 
 forty, tall, stout, of a merry countenance and goodly mien, pas- 
 sionately devoted to his favourite amusement of fox-hunting : 
 and it may suffice to say of the individual man, that he had 
 the entree of nearly every gentleman's house in the county, in 
 which he was ever greeted with a most welcome reception from 
 the seniors, and with rapturous glee by the junior members of 
 the numerous families ; in short, no dinner party was considered 
 quite complete without the presence of this highly- favoured 
 son of ISTimrod. He was also greatly patronised by the ladies, 
 having a good voice and tolerable ear for music, being also a 
 graceful dancer and cheerful partner in a ball-room ; and in lack 
 of other occupation during the dead months, that is (in Bob's 
 vocabulary) the summer season, he was occasionally seen patiently 
 sitting down at a lady's work-table, with a piece of worsted- 
 work in hand ! Bob possessed a most versatile genius. He 
 could discuss • politics with the members of parliament, quote 
 Latin and Greek with the scholar, divinity with the clergyman, 
 small talk with the young ladies ; and drink tea and play cards 
 with the old ones. Shakespeare, Byron, and Moore, his favourite 
 poets, were ready at his beck and call ; — yet he was a first-rate 
 sportsman and rider notwithstanding, a capital shot, good 
 cricketer and billiard player, a formidable opponent with the 
 gloves, and perfect master of the broad-sword exercise. With 
 these and a few other accomplishments and embellishments of 
 mind and person, it was a matter of wonder to all his friends 
 that Bob remained still in single blessedness, particularly as 
 his penchant for women and children was so notorious. But 
 the secret lay here ; — Bob was too poor and considerate to 
 marry any woman without money, and too proud to marry any 
 one with. 
 
 Opposite to Bob at the breakfast table (and opposite to him 
 in almost every particular) sat Richard Vernon, the eldest 
 son of Mr. Vernon, of Leighton Hall, the nearest neighbour, 
 although not the most agreeable one, to Mr. feeauchamp. 
 Richard, although at school and college with his son, was the 
 reverse of William in disposition and feelings ; and the two 
 young men, although from early acquaintance long and inti- 
 mately known to each other, could never be considered friends. 
 Richard was a man of the world — gay and dissipated ; insinu- 
 ating in manners, agreeable in conversation, and strikingly 
 
6 MANY INVENTIONS. 
 
 from the sea, and the sharp tap of reckless night- 
 birds that flung themselves at the glasses. It con- 
 cerned a man called Dowse, once an intimate friend 
 of Fenwick, now a waterman at Portsmouth, believ- 
 ing that the guilt of blood is on his head, and find- 
 ing no rest either at Portsmouth or Gosport Hard. 
 
 . . . ( And if anybody was to come to you and 
 say, " I know the Javva currents/' don't you listen 
 to him; for those currents is never yet known to 
 mortal man. Sometimes they're here, sometimes 
 they're there, but they never runs less than five 
 knots an hour through and among those islands of 
 the Eastern Archipelagus. There's reverse currents 
 in the Gulf of Boni— and that's up north in Celebes 
 — that no man can explain ; and through all those 
 Javva passages from the Bali Narrows, Dutch Gut, 
 and Ombay, which I take it is the safest, they chop 
 and they change, and they banks the tides fust on 
 one shore and then on another, till your ship's tore 
 in two. I've come through the Bali Narrows, stern 
 first, in the heart o' the south-east monsoon, with a 
 sou'-sou'-west wind blowing atop of the northerly 
 flood, and our skipper said he wouldn't do it again, 
 not for all Jamrach's. You've heard o' Jamrach's, 
 sir?' 
 
 ' Yes ; and was Dowse stationed in the Bali Nar- 
 rows ? ' I said. 
 
 ' No, he was not at Bali, but much more east o' 
 
THE DISTUEBEE OF TEAFFIC. 7 
 
 them passages, aiid that's Flores Strait, at the east 
 end o' Flores. It's all on the way south to Australia 
 when you're running through that Eastern Archi- 
 pelagus. Sometimes you go through Bali Narrows 
 if you're full-powered, and sometimes through Flores 
 Strait, so as to stand south at once, and fetch round 
 Timor, keeping well clear o' the Sahul Bank. Else- 
 ways, if you aren't full-powered, why it stands to 
 reason you go round by the Ombay Passage, keeping 
 careful to the north side. You understand that, sir ? ' 
 
 I was not full-powered, and judged it safer to keep 
 to the north side — of Silence. 
 
 ' And on Flores Strait, in the fairway between 
 Adonare Island and the mainland, they put Dowse 
 in charge of a screw-pile Light called the Wurlee 
 Light. It's less than a mile across the head of 
 Flores Strait. Then it opens out to ten or twelve 
 mile for Solor Strait, and then it narrows again to 
 a three-mile gut, with a topplin' flamin' volcano by 
 it. That's old Loby Toby by Loby Toby Strait, and 
 if you keep his Light and the Wurlee Light in a line 
 you won't take much harm, not on the darkest night. 
 That's what Dowse told me, and I can well believe 
 him, knowing these seas myself ; but you must ever 
 be mindful of the currents. And there they put 
 Dowse, since he was the only man that that Dutch 
 government which owns Flores could find that 
 would go to Wurlee and tend a fixed Light. 
 Mostly they uses Dutch and Italians; Englishmen 
 
8 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 of the other "beauties, threatening to kick Dick out of the 
 room. 
 
 " ' Harkee, Markham .' ' said Dick ; ' that you can't do — so 
 don't try that game ; but as breakfast is half over, and we have 
 ten miles to covert, I will give you twenty minutes to dress 
 and finish your breakfast, and not a minute beyond that time 
 will I wait.' The Captain, relieved of his difficulties, soon, 
 made his appearance down stairs ; and here he comes, with his 
 well-curled locks and white scented handkerchief in hand, as if 
 he were entering a ball-room. Confound the fellow ! say I, 
 and all such nondescripts ; begad, if a fox smelt half as strong 
 as he does, hounds would never be off the line. There, now he 
 is in his element, making fine speeches about nothing to Con- 
 stance. How charming — how bewitching she looks in her 
 riding costume ! a perfect Diana ! and all that sort of trash ; 
 but there is one comfort, Will, Con has too much good sense to 
 be taken now with such confounded flummery. A year ago 
 she thought differently, until I took the liberty of opening her 
 eyes a little to the Captain's true character \ but, saving his 
 epaulettes, and being heir-expectant to a baronetcy, Yernon is 
 a much more dangerous man with young girls than the life- 
 guardsman, for both are playing the same game. Dick is a 
 devilish handsome fellow, with lots of small talk and soft sawder, 
 and such winning, flattering ways with women, that, by Jove ! 
 Will, he is a dangerous fellow, and not to be sneezed at ! " 
 
 " Perhaps not, Bob ; but what is he to me ? Constance, I 
 know, views him in his proper light, and has known him now 
 too many years to fall in love with him \ moreover, her pen- 
 chant lies in another direction." 
 
 "It was not of Constance I was then thinking," replied 
 Bob, " but of another young pet of mine, Blanche Douglas." 
 
 " Well, Bob, and what of her I " 
 
 " Only that Markham and Yernon, both being hard up for 
 cash, are laying pretty close siege to the heiress already ; and 
 she is so young, artless, and warm-hearted, that I am terribly 
 afraid — and it keeps me awake some nights in thinking — that 
 Yernon bids fair to win the prize, if a certain shy, diffident 
 voung fellow, called Will Beauchamp, does not come to the 
 rescue." 
 
 " Pshaw, Bob ! you know I am not a ladies' man, and, like 
 yourself, will never marry any girl for her money. Besides, I 
 should be obliged to plead my cause in a parody on the words 
 of the ' Pirate's Serenade ' — 
 
BLANCHE DOUGLAS, THE HEIRESS. 
 
 ' Forgive my rough mode, unaccustomed to sue, 
 I woo not, perhaps, as your soft dandies do ; 
 My voice has been tuned to the cry of the hounds, 
 When vriih shrill notes and screeches the coppice resounds.'' " 
 
 "Well, Will Beauchamp — and yet I'll warrant that any 
 woman of sense would prefer an honest, plain-sailing, plain- 
 spoken fellow, like yourself, to all the dandies in Christendom." 
 
 " No, no, Bob — women like and value all those little atten- 
 tions and soft whisperings, which Will Beauchamp has neither 
 the time nor the inclination to bestow ; for a false tongue, in 
 man or hound, is my abomination, and I will never condescend 
 to natter man, woman, or child." 
 
 " And who ever thought you would, Mr. Will 1 none of 
 your friends, I'll engage ; aud least of all Bob Conyers : and 
 that's the reason I want you to tell Blanche Douglas that she 
 must not think of marrying either Markham or "Vernon ; a 
 hint from you, Beauchamp, will be enough ; she will take your 
 advice ; for, to my knowledge, your opinions are highly 
 regarded by the heiress." 
 
 " There you are mistaken, Bob ; women in affairs of that 
 kind will run riot and have their own way ; and the more I 
 were to disparage Markham or Yernon, the more should I be 
 favouring their cause, and be looked upon as an impertinent 
 puppy into the bargain, for presuming to dictate to the young 
 lady in the choice of a husband." 
 
 " Well, Beauchamp, perhaps you are right ; for young 
 ladies, like young fillies, are ticklish animals to handle, and will 
 bolt sometimes in the contrary direction you wish them to go. 
 It will not do, perhaps, for you to touch on this subject ; but as 
 I have dandled her on my knee when a child, she shall know a 
 bit of my mind at all events." 
 
 " Only with one proviso, Bob — that you never allude to me 
 in any way, direct or indirect, or I will never forgive you." 
 
 " Yery well, Beauchamp ; that you are a confounded sensi- 
 tive fellow, I know full well ; but I know this also, which you 
 don't seem to know yourself, that you think deeply sometimes 
 of Blanche, and there is a peculiar expression about your eyes, 
 and hers also, when talking together, which has struck me more 
 than once." 
 
 " Fancy, Bob, fancy ! only a rather wide stretch of your 
 discursive imagination ; but I am wedded already, and here 
 comes Charley with my family." 
 
 " Ay, and as handsome a lot as ever the sun shone on ; so 
 
10 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 now to horse, Will ; but I shall meet you to-morrow, at Har- 
 court's, I hope 1 " 
 
 " Perhaps you may, as Constance goes, and has accepted for 
 two, which means, I believe, herself and me." 
 
 While William Beauchamp and Conyers had been discussing 
 these matters, sotto voce, in a bay window at the extreme end of 
 the room, other visitors had been thronging in, to pay their 
 respects to the old squire and the ladies ; and sherry, with fine 
 sparkling October, was freely circulated amongst the strangers 
 and farmers on the lawn j when, on the appearance of the 
 hounds, all eyes were at once directed towards them. 
 
 " Ah, Beauchamp ! " exclaimed Sir Francis ; " there is a 
 sight worth riding a hundred miles to view ; a splendid pack 
 indeed ! we can't beat you in Leicestershire at that game. 
 Magnificent animals ! but I should think a trifle too big for 
 our fences, where a smaller hound can creep through." 
 
 " Well, perhaps it may be as you say," replied Mr. Beau- 
 champ, " although our hounds go at their fences like greyhounds ; 
 they are too highly bred for creeping where they can jump ; 
 and in our stiff vale country, with high banks and double 
 ditches, and the lands, after heavy rain, half under water, I 
 think small hounds would never do the work ours do — at least, 
 not in their style ; and with fox-hounds, style, in my opinion, 
 is everything." 
 
 " Right, my old friend, you are quite right ; style is the thing 
 with fox-hounds. Harriers may hunt a fox to death, but they 
 can't finish him off in the same style as fox-hounds." 
 
 "Well, then there is another reason why I prefer large 
 hounds (not heavy, lumbering, throaty brutes, whose heads are 
 so heavy that, when once down, they can't get them up again), 
 but with clean heads and necks, and straight, muscular limbs, 
 active and lightsome as tigers ; they have power and strength 
 to work over our heavy country, and come cheerfully home 
 after the hardest day, with courage unabated, and sterns well 
 up. Besides, every man has not the brains to breed a big, 
 clever hound ; and I dislike little men, little women, little 
 horses, and little hounds, although they are all very well in 
 their way, but? not to my taste." 
 
 "Well, Beauchamp," replied Sir Francis, "you have suc- 
 ceeded to the utmost of your wishes, for I never yet saw so fine 
 and handsome a pack of fox-hounds as that now before me, and 
 if they can go the pace, they are quite perfection." 
 
PREPARATIONS FOR THE FOX-HUNT. 11 
 
 " That you will see also by-and-by, Burnett, if the scent 
 holds." 
 
 " Come, then, let us mount and away, for I see your son is 
 already in the saddle, and anxious to begin." 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The breakfast-room was cleared in a trice, and many polite 
 offers made by Fred Beauchamp, Yernon, and Markham, to lift 
 Miss Constance on her beautiful bay, which stood' at the hall 
 door, with Bob Conyers carefully examining the girths and 
 bridle. 
 
 " Thank you," she said, " for your kind attentions ; but my 
 friend Mr. Conyers would be highly offended were I to accept 
 any other hand than his, which was the first to place me on 
 horseback." 
 
 "Well, Con," said Bob, as he adjusted her habit, after 
 vaulting her into the saddle, " you look like your father's own 
 child this morning, and I'll back your seat and management 
 on horseback against all the riding-school-taught misses in 
 England." 
 
 " Ah, Mr. Conyers," she exclaimed, laughing ; " that is a 
 little vanity on your part, because you were my instructor." 
 
 "Well, Miss Beauchamp," interposed Yernon, "Conyers 
 may be justly proud of such a highly-finished and graceful 
 pupil." 
 
 " Thank you, Mr. Yernon, for your compliment ; but fine 
 speeches are thrown away upon a fox-hunter's daughter, which 
 I told you once before this morning ; " and lightly touching her 
 horse with the whip, he sprang instantly away, capering and 
 kicking, to the consternation of Markham and those near ; but 
 Constance never moved an inch from her seat, and bounded off, 
 with Bob at her side, laughing and patting her horse on the 
 neck, delighted with his gambols. 
 
 " By gad, Yernon ! " exclaimed the Captain, " that's a 
 deuced fine horsewoman, sits like a jockey ; but her horse's 
 heels were devilish near finding out whether I had any brains 
 in my head." 
 
 * Not many there, I'll answer for," replied Yernon, " and 
 none to spare ; " saying which, he galloped away to overtake 
 
12 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Miss Beauchamp. The whole cavalcade were now on the move. 
 Will Beauchamp with the pack, and his two whippers-in, taking 
 the lead, and close behind them Mr. Beauchamp, Sir Francis 
 Burnett, and old Sir Lionel Markham, who had only just 
 arrived. 
 
 "Why, Markham," exclaimed the squire, "we gave you up 
 as not intending to honour us this morning, and Constance said 
 she was sure you must be very ill, not to patronise her breakfast 
 table on our gala day." 
 
 " No, Beauchamp ; thank goodness I am hearty and well, but 
 had some confounded long-winded business letters to write and 
 post to-day ; and thinking it very doubtful where our Parkwood 
 fox might lead us, I sat down and answered them at once ; but 
 they spoilt my appetite for breakfast. However, here we are, 
 just in the nick of time to see Will's darlings before they dash 
 into covert. By Jove ! Beauchamp, they are beauties, indeed ; 
 their coats like satin, and the very acme of condition, ribs well 
 denned, flanks light, and how gingerly too they step along, like 
 dandies in cork-heeled boots, heads here, heads there ; by Jove ! 
 sir, there'll be a scent to-day." 
 
 " So say I, Markham ; and when once away, they will bid 
 you and me good bye." 
 
 " Never mind, my old friend ; knowledge of country is half 
 the battle, and we shall, I hope, be there or thereabouts at the 
 finish. Now then, away they go, slap dash into covert ; one 
 wave of Will's hand, and not a hound is to be seen outside. 
 Beautifully done ! Yoic over, my lads, that's all — and away goes 
 Charley, sneaking along like his namesake, quickly but silently, 
 to the further end of the covert. Quick, open the gate into the 
 drive, and now see how they dash, and fly over the stuff — heads 
 up, too, by Jove ! they wind him — there's a fox on foot, I'll 
 swear. Hark ! Bounty has found him." 
 
 " Hoic ! hoic ! " cries Will. In a minute the chorus is 
 complete, every tongue proclaiming the glad tidings that a fox 
 is found. 
 
 " By Jove, what a crash ! they are close to his brush — and 
 now Will's scream, he is over the drive, mark how they dash, 
 and fling across into the high wood, in their wide-spreading 
 column, carrying everything before them. Go he must, or die." 
 
 "Now, Burnett," cried Mr. Beauchamp, "put in the spurs, 
 and away to the opposite gate, at the further end of the drive ; 
 we old fellows will follow." 
 
 The Leicestershire man was gone in a moment, and had just 
 
THE SQUIRE AND BARONET FORGET THEIR AGE. 13 
 
 left the wood, when Mr. Beauchamp suddenly exclaimed, " Stop, 
 Markham, the hounds are at fault, and I hear Charley's holloa 
 and rate, hark back again. Just as I feared — those coffee- 
 housing cigar fellows have headed the fox back into covert. 
 Ay, ay, now they are at him again ; he is still holding to the 
 outskirts of the wood, but the horsemen prevent his breaking. 
 Now, Markham, steady a moment, they are turning, and we 
 shall see them cross the drive before us. Look, yonder he 
 goes," as at a couple of bounds the fox cleared the drive ; and 
 with a scream which made the welkin ring, the old squire 
 rushed to the spot, and, cap in hand, cheered his darlings on 
 the scent. 
 
 "Now, Markham, we must forget Our age, and stick to 
 him ; this fox means mischief, and will break at the lower end ; 
 come on, now is our time, we have them all to ourselves, and 
 there is a capital line of gates up to the furze hills, which is his 
 point." Clapping -spurs to their horses, the two old sportsmen 
 bustled along down the nearest drive, which led to the bottom 
 of the covert, and when they reached the gate, the pack was 
 streaming away over the second large grass field, with heads up 
 and sterns down, running as if they could see him. 
 
 " By Jove, what a pace, Beauchamp ! we shall never catch 
 them." 
 
 " Come along," roared the squire, and bang he went over 
 the first bullfinch. " Now for the gates — here we are, it's plain 
 sailing now, and turf all the way. Give Hotspur his head, I 
 say ; put him along ; " and fast and furious went the old 
 squire, screaming and spurring as if in the hey-day of his 
 youth. 
 
 " Hah ! hah ! " laughed Sir Lionel, " this is glorious fun ! 
 the dandies won't sneer at the old fogies to-day, nor the Leices- 
 tershire men override the hounds. But here comes Will, I 
 declare, with half a dozen fellows striving for the lead ; but it 
 won't do — Battler holds his own, and has the speed of them all. 
 Bang, bang, over the gates, here he comes. Ah ! Will, you've 
 caught us at last, my boy." 
 
 " Glad to see you, sir, riding so well to-day ; you gave us 
 the slip at starting with the governor ; but keep up the ball, 
 Sir Lionel, now you have set it going. You won't be over- 
 ridden yet awhile." 
 
 " Go along, Will, never mind me ; Beauchamp and I will 
 fight on as long as we can." 
 
 " Well done, my dear dad," cried his son, as he rode by his 
 
14 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 side for a few seconds ; " you handed them cheerily over the 
 drive ; now, good-bye, and beware of those helter-skelter fellows 
 behind." 
 
 The hounds had now gained the furze hills, where a large 
 patch of thick gorse gave the fox an opportunity of recovering 
 second wind, the nature of the covert preventing his foes press- 
 ing him so closely as in the more open copse wood \ and here 
 they remained dodging about until the whole field, consisting of 
 a hundred and fifty horsemen, or thereabouts, joined them. 
 
 " Well, Burnett," exclaimed Mr. Beauchamp, "was that fast 
 enough for you 1 " 
 
 " Can't say exactly, my friend, as a man is not expected to 
 ride through a hundred acres of underwood as he would over a 
 stubble field ; but this patch of gorse is more to my taste, from 
 which they won't give me the slip quite so easily. By gad, 
 this puts one in mind of Leicestershire — fine open pastures all 
 around — hounds cannot run away from us here." 
 
 " Don't make too sure of that, Burnett," replied Mr. Beau- 
 champ ; " you will find it stiff work across that vale, with 
 ditches deep enough to hold a horse, with only his head above 
 water ; but look, Charley's cap is held up, the fox is away, and 
 now comes the tug of war." In a second, Will's scream brought 
 the pack all round him, and settling down to the scent, they 
 flashed away like lightning. 
 
 " Now, Master Will," cried Sir Francis, taking his place by 
 his side, " I mean to keep you company, and see if your para- 
 gons can run away from me." 
 
 " Come on then, Sir Francis, here's something to begin with," 
 as a stiff ox fence, about six feet high, stood across the com- 
 mon, right before them, over which the hounds had just dashed. 
 Sir Francis put on the steam, going at the leap full speed, which 
 prevented his horse measuring his distance, and his stride 
 bringing him too near the fence for a good take off, he swerved 
 suddenly aside, and threw his rider. William Beauchamp, by 
 pulling up a little, enabled his horse to take it in his own style, 
 and clearing it, he rode quickly away on the other side. As 
 Sir Francis fell, two stout, hard-riding young farmers came 
 down together at the fence, which being broken by their 
 weight, made a gap for others to pass easily over ; and the 
 baronet never having quitted his hold of the reins, was soon in 
 his saddle again, going fast and furiously, to make up for lost 
 time. Charley remarked to his master, "The Leicestershire 
 baronet won't ride over them to-day, sir, I think." 
 
THE BARONET GETS SOME FALLS. 15 
 
 " Not if we can hold on at this pace," was the reply • " but 
 if we come to a check, he will be in upon us directly." 
 
 About a score of the first flight were now with Sir Francis, 
 all striving for the lead ; and the baronet, to escape them, sent 
 his horse flying at a stiff double fence, landing him with his 
 heels in the ditch on the other side, the shock again dislodging 
 the rider from his seat. 
 
 " Eh ! Burnett," exclaimed Captain Markham, who had 
 landed by his side, " that was a nasty one, old boy ! Much 
 damaged, old fellow ? " 
 
 " Pray mind your own business, sir," retorted the baronet, 
 angrily ; " I don't want your assistance." 
 
 " Oh ! ah ! peppery old boy ! — soon get cooled a little — fine 
 piece of water just below." 
 
 " In which I hope you'll be drowned, you conceited fool ! " 
 muttered the baronet, as he sprang on his horse's back. 
 
 Bob Conyers (having left Constance on the furze hills to 
 return home with her groom) now rode up, and joined Sir 
 Francis. " It won't do, sir," said he, good-humouredly, " going 
 at our banks and double ditches in that fashion, or you will get 
 a fall in every field ; just let your horse see how mine takes 
 them on and off the bank, and he will soon catch the trick." 
 
 " Thank you, Mr. Conyers ; I see no horse can clear these 
 ready-made graves at a fly, and I must now follow your exam- 
 ple ; but it can't be done in a minute, with this rushing brute, 
 who will go in his accustomed style." 
 
 " Then take my horse, and I will ride yours," said Bob. 
 
 " Oh, no, my good friend, there is no time for changing, so 
 come along ; " and another pip was the result, man and horse 
 rolling into the next field. 
 
 " You're not hurt, I hope ? " said Conyers. 
 
 " No," replied Sir Francis ; " I'm used to this sort of thing ; 
 often ride for a fall to get the other side." 
 
 "That's more than I should like to do," remarked Bob ; "a 
 fall ain't so pleasant, that I should ride for it." 
 
 " Must be done in Leicestershire sometimes, to keep with 
 hounds, sir." 
 
 " Oh, very likely," replied Bob ; " but in this country it's 
 not the fashion to do things in that way ; we stick to the pig's 
 skin." 
 
 " Hah ! hah ! " quoth Jack Tyler to his neighbour, Sir 
 Lucius, who was riding with him, and looking back on the 
 prostrate baronet ; "we sha'n't be troubled much more with 
 
16 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 his company. Now for the brook, Gwynne. A sovereign, 
 Markham is in it for one, and Coventry for another; they 
 never can go at water." 
 
 Sir Francis here passed them at a furious pace, going at the 
 brook forty miles an hour, and, with a cheer, landed safely 
 over. " Now Captain Markham," he cried, " come along ! " and 
 souse went the guardsman into the stream. 
 
 " Hah ! hah ! my boy ! " shouted the baronet ; u pleasant 
 and cool, I hope, and all that sort of thing ! Good bye, Cap- 
 tain, and mind you don't drink too hard." 
 
 " Demn that old crack-jawed fallow ! " chattered the Cap- 
 tain, with drawn breath, and teeth rattling like castanets ; " but 
 I'll be the death of that fire-eater, if ever I get on his track 
 again." 
 
 Fred Beauchamp, although laughing ready to split his sides, 
 gave the Captain's horse a lifting hand, and they were soon 
 again on terra firma. " Thank' e, Fred," said Markham ; " I'll 
 do the same for you another time ; but demmit all, I'll ride in 
 the wake of that Leicestershire hero, and knock him over the 
 very first fence we meet together." 
 
 " Easier said than done, Markham, for he's going at a trim- 
 ming pace now." 
 
 " Then here goes to catch him." And away they rattled. 
 
 It is needless to relate the various casualties that occurred 
 over four miles of stiff enclosures, which the hounds traversed 
 at such a pace that none but their huntsmen and two whippers- 
 in were ever near them, till they reached a large woodland 
 called the Holt, where all hoped for some little respite to their 
 blown horses ; but in vain ; the gallant fox held on his course, 
 going straight through this line of coverts, reaching nearly 
 three miles in extent, and again bravely faced the open. The 
 heavy, sticky nature of the soil in the drives (being a yellow 
 cla}^) told fearful tales on the already distressed horses, whose 
 riders still pushed them along, there being no fences to impede 
 their progress. 
 
 " Holloa, Bob ! " cried Yernon, who was riding behind him, 
 " you've lost a shoe." 
 
 " Nothing more likely, Dick ; but if I had lost all four, in- 
 stead of one, there's no time for repairs, for I hear the horn 
 again to the left, and the hounds are away." 
 
 "And where now, Conyers?" inquired the Captain; "not 
 across another brook, I hope ? " 
 
 "Even so, Markham — the forest is his point, some six 
 
a huntsman's surgery. 17 
 
 miles a-head, if Will and Charley don't handle him before he 
 reaches it. Forward, away ! come along, you thrusting scoun- 
 drels!" 
 
 Having cleared the wood, about fifty horsemen showed on 
 the other side, the Leicestershire baronet taking up the run- 
 ning at a determined pace, to retrieve his lost laurels ; and the 
 fences being now lighter, he kept the lead, for about three 
 miles, to the top of a rising ground, from whence the forest 
 might be seen in the distance ; but the pace to the hill told 
 tales on his gallant horse, which staggered and fell at the last 
 gate, rolling over him. The next four leading men left the 
 baronet as he lay ; but Bob Conyers, seeing the accident, went 
 directly to his assistance, and, jumping from his saddle, helped 
 him to rise. 
 
 " You are hurt now, Burnett," he said, " or, at least, ought 
 to be." 
 
 " I feel queer and giddy," replied Sir Francis, in a choking 
 voice ; " but help me on the saddle, I shall be all right agaiD." 
 
 " No, you won't just yet, and if I put you up one side, you 
 would tumble over the other ; it won't do, Burnett, so just sit 
 down where you are ; take a pull at my flask, and let's see if 
 you have any ribs smashed." 
 
 "Oh, nothing of that sort, I believe," said Sir Francis, 
 faintly; "but my left shoulder pains me uncommonly.'"' 
 
 " And no wonder ! " exclaimed Bob, examining his arm ; 
 " it's out of the socket. Here, Stubbins," cried Bob, to a young- 
 farmer just riding up, " lend a hand ; catch hold of Sir Francis, 
 and hold him tight and strong, as you would a bullock by the 
 horns, whilst I put his shoulder to rights;" — when, taking 
 him by the hand, with his knee under the baronet's armpit, 
 Bob pulled with all his might, and snap went the bone into its 
 proper place again ; but Sir Francis fainted from the pain. 
 
 " Ah, never mind, Stubbins, leave him now, and you go on, 
 my good fellow, with many thanks for your ready help." 
 
 Whilst Bob was attending his friend, many were brought to 
 grief in the vale below. Markham, Vernon, and three others 
 came down together to the second brook, at which (company 
 giving courage) they charged nearly abreast ; but Markham' s 
 horse, being a little in advance, and swerving aside at the 
 brink (having no relish for a second dipping), Vernon and the 
 rest, not being able to pull up, knocked him over, and them- 
 selves, too, pell-mell, into the water, where the Captain, from 
 being undermost, was in a fair way of being drowned, had not 
 
 B 
 
18 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 a sporting yeoman jumped into the brook and dragged him 
 from his horse. As it was, when placed on the bank, the 
 Captain looked more like dead than alive, until relieved of 
 nearly a bucket of fluid. 
 
 " Eh ! aw ! demmit, Yernon ! " was his first exclamation. 
 " I feel demned uncomfortable, old fellow." 
 
 "That's not unlikely, my boy, after swallowing mud and 
 water enough to choke an alligator. Confound these brooks, 
 with their rotten banks ! I'll not ride another inch after that 
 fellow, Will Beauchamp ; so get up, Markham, and let us have a 
 glass of hot brandy and water at the nearest public, and then 
 home as hard as we can gallop." 
 
 Many others, some from funking the brook, some from 
 seeing no prospect of again catching the hounds, followed 
 Yernon' s example, trotting off home \ and of the whole field, 
 not half a score went on to the finish. 
 
 As Conyers was assisting the baronet on his horse, he ex- 
 claimed — " Hark ! by Jove they have him ! That's Will Beau- 
 champ's whoo-hoop ! for a thousand. Ay, there it is again ; no 
 doubt about it now ; and as I live, the old squire's scream as 
 well ! But how the dickens he got there puzzles me ! Now, 
 Burnett, it's all over; and we will walk our horses quietly 
 down into that lane yonder, to meet them." In about twenty 
 minutes the pack was seen leisurely jogging towards them, with 
 Charley and the fox's head at his saddle. 
 
 " Well done, my darlings ! " shouted Bob ; " but where did 
 you handle him, Charley % " 
 
 " Pulled him down, sir," replied the whipper-in, touching 
 his cap ; "just two fields this side the forest." 
 " By gad, Charley, that was cleverly done ! " 
 " Yes, sir, a bit of luck on our side to-day, but he had it 
 twice before on his." 
 
 " Why, Beauchamp, my old friend," exclaimed Sir Francis, 
 as the worthy squire approached, " how in the world could you 
 manage to be where you are % " 
 
 " Easily enough, Burnett ; you ride straight ; / ride cun- 
 ning, and craft wins this time ; but what's the matter % with 
 your arm in a sling 1 no broken bones, I hope ? " 
 
 " Shoulder put out, and in again ; now it's all right, thanks 
 to your friend Conyers, who gave up his sport to assist me." 
 
 " No merit in the case," replied Conyers ; " old Plowman 
 was dead beat, and I was glad of an excuse to pull up." 
 
 " Don't believe him fo* once, Beauchamp," said Sir Francis. 
 
DINNER AFTER THE HUNT. 19 
 
 " Ay, ay, Bob ! " exclaimed the squire ; " we know Plow- 
 man and yourself quite well enough to swallow no more of that 
 story than we think proper." 
 
 " Well, Beauchamp, what now ? " inquired Sir Francis ; 
 " where's the next draw 1 " 
 
 " Home, so says Will ; and there are few to say nay to 
 that. What think you, Coventry 1 " 
 
 " The only thing to be done, in my opinion, Beauchamp. 
 We have had a capital run of at least twelve miles in an hour 
 and twenty minutes, and I am more than satisfied. Enough, 
 sir, is as good as a feast, to any but a glutton ; and I like, for 
 the sake of the hounds, to leave well alone." 
 
 " And you, Gwynne and Tyler, what are your ideas ? " 
 
 " Quantum suff." replied Sir Lucius ; " and I'll answer for 
 Tyler's being of the same opinion, to say nothing of two lost 
 shoes, for which he must fork out at the next smithy." 
 
 " Eh, Gwynne, you don't mean that 1 " 
 
 "Then dismount and see; 'tis true enough." 
 
 "We don't ask your opinion, Burnett, and will save you 
 the trouble of expressing it — a warm bath and bed being 
 ordered by your physician." 
 
 "Another twenty minutes would suit me quite as well," 
 replied Sir Francis. 
 
 "Very likely, and another fracture perhaps," added the 
 squire ; " but I don't want my house turned into a hospital 
 for my friends ; so home is the word." 
 
 With the exception of Tyler and Conyers, the dinner-party 
 that evening at Bampton House might be termed a family one, 
 — the squire never inviting much company on hunting days, it 
 being so uncertain at what hour they might sit down to table. 
 The only ladies were Constance and her friend Miss Baymond, 
 a lively, cheerful person, in age somewhat Constance's senior, who 
 was then on a visit at Bampton. Sir Francis, notwithstanding 
 his hurts and bruises, entered an appearance at the dinner 
 table, and made a tolerable fight with soup and fish, and a 
 savoury dish of minced venison, which the squire had ordered 
 to be prepared expressly for him, seeing he had only one hand 
 comfortably at command ; and after the ladies had retired, 
 he was cozily ensconced in a large arm-chair, with a little 
 table at his side, close to the fireplace, and a jug of mulled 
 claret, hot and spicy, for his particular discussion, placed 
 thereon. 
 
 " Ah, Beauchamp, my kind old friend, you know how to 
 
20 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 make your guests feel happy and at home, and now I'm just in 
 the humour to hear how you managed to be in at the finish to- 
 day ; it's a mystery to me." 
 
 " But easily solved," replied the squire, " as thus : — Having 
 viewed the fox across the drive in Parkwood, I knew his long 
 white tag to be the same we had followed twice last season to 
 the forest, when the owner thereof beat us ; and from his trying 
 at first to break at top of the covert, where the cigar men 
 headed him, I knew very well he would make good his point — 
 at least, if able to do so." 
 
 " But why did he run to the furze-hills then ? " 
 
 " To turn up another of his family connections, perhaps, in 
 place of his own precious carcass, or to take second wind by dodg- 
 ing his pursuers in the thick gorse there. But when he broke the 
 second time, in a line for the Holt, thinks I to myself, he now 
 means the forest ; and turning into an old lane, I and Mark- 
 ham, having seen you go to the left, bore straight away for the 
 forest, as hard as we could go, and as it so happened, we were 
 not far out in our reckoning. The fox entering the other side 
 of the Holt, threaded the whole length of those coverts, and 
 being down wind, we could hear the hounds turning towards us, 
 still we slackened not our pace until we reached a hard road, 
 which leads straight through the forest. Here we pulled up 
 for a few seconds, when hearing the horn outside the covert, 
 we again rode fast for a couple of miles to rising ground, from 
 which I caught sight of the hounds, running almost mute, with 
 the fox only two fields before them. My old blood boiled up 
 at the sight, and Highflier pricking up his ears, impatient to be 
 with them again, we bundled through the forest fence, and 
 forgetful of our years, stuck to them, as Charley said, 'like 
 good 'uns ; ' in fact, my horse's mettle was up, and go he would 
 at everything, until we pulled him down in the open. Will, 
 Charley, and myself screaming in chorus, for the last two fields, 
 when they had him in view, as if the fiend possessed us ; and 
 whether a six-barred gate or a river had come in our way just 
 then, it would have been of little consequence. There, 
 Burnett, is the history of my adventures to-day ; now, what 
 were yours 1 ?" 
 
 " My tale is soon told, Beauchamp. By being thrown out at 
 the first fence, my chance was over, barring checks ; but trying 
 to make up for lost ground, I pumped the wind out of Sky- 
 scraper, who in revenge gave me six falls in the first four miles, 
 and after leaving the Holt, a couple more ; in the last of which, 
 
AFTEE-DINNEK TALK. 21 
 
 to settle the business, he fell and lay upon me. For the rest, I 
 must refer you to that good Samaritan Conyers." 
 
 "Who, I am happy to say," chimed in Bob, "arrived just in 
 time to prevent Skyscraper rolling you out for a pancake, on 
 which agreeable occupation he appeared to be most industriously 
 intent, when your humble servant reached the scene of action. 
 Those who have seen a donkey on his back, pertinaciously bent 
 on turning himself over on the highest side of the ground, 
 may form some idea of your comfortable position, with Sky- 
 scraper trying to play the same trick, and act as a rolling-pin 
 on your prostrate body." 
 
 "Well, well, Burnett," said the squire, "it is well, indeed, 
 you are able to sit in that arm-chair, after such a pounding, and 
 sip your claret so satisfactorily. Such a process would have 
 played old gooseberry with my victualling department." 
 
 " Never mind, Sir Francis," said Fred Beauchamp ; " you 
 won't be the only man with sore bones to-night, if I may 
 judge by the glimpse I had of our friends in the rear, when 
 looking back from Craig-hill. Horses without riders going in 
 all directions, and such a lot of craners at the brook ! Mark- 
 ham, I suspect, had a second cold bath there, but we shall hear 
 all about it to-morrow evening at Harcourt's, who sent me an 
 especial invite ; and I am told all the world and his wife are to 
 be there." 
 
 " Ah ! I suppose to parade the heiress," remarked Mr. 
 Beauchamp. 
 
 " She don't want parading, Squire, I'll engage," put in Bob 
 Conyers. 
 
 " Oh ! I see — I beg pardon, Bob ; forgot she is a pet of 
 yours." 
 
 " And isn't that enough, my worthy old friend, to convince. 
 you she is no forward, affected miss, but one of the right sort, 
 although she is an heiress ? That can't be helped, yet she will 
 make a thorough good foxhunter's wife, notwithstanding, and 
 a huntsman's too," in a low voice, audible only to his next 
 neighbour, Will Beauchamp. 
 
 " I wish your words may prove true, Bob,''" said Mr. Beau- 
 champ. 
 
 " And that you may have an opportunity of judging 
 whether I am a true prophet or not," added Conyers. "Now, 
 Will, pass the bottle, and I'll give you a toast, and as a preface, 
 a stanza from Moore," which he sang in a rich melodious 
 voice — 
 
22 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Fill the bumpers fair; 
 Every drop we sprinkle, 
 From the brow of care, 
 Smooths away a wrinkle." 
 
 " Bravo ! Bob," shouted Sir Lucius. " We are warming up 
 a little now — go a-head ! " 
 
 " Now, gentlemen, are you ready ? — bumpers all round ? " 
 inquired Bob, without noticing Sir Lucius' remarks. 
 
 " Ay, ay," was the general response. 
 
 Then said he, rising, " Here's to the health of Blanche 
 Douglas ; and may she have a fox-hunter for her husband." 
 Every glass was emptied in a second. "Thank you, my 
 friends ; and now, Sir Lucius, I'll give you one more verse 
 from Tommy Moore, with the chorus. 
 
 " Wit's electric flame 
 
 Ne'er so swiftly passes, 
 As when through the frame 
 
 It shoots from brimming glasses. 
 
 (" Now the chorus," aside.) 
 
 " Fill the bumpers fair, 
 Every drop, &c." 
 
 In which all joined most heartily, not excepting the squire 
 and Sir Francis. 
 
 " Couldn't you favour us with another stanza ? " . said the 
 latter. 
 
 "Not to-night, Burnett, although you know c Dulce est 
 desipere in loco ; ' but the other verses are not much to my 
 taste ; and besides that, I must reserve my sweet voice for Miss 
 Constance, with whom I have promised to warble a stave or 
 two." 
 
 Soon after, coffee was introduced, and an adjournment made 
 to the drawing-room, where music and singing brought the 
 evening to a happy conclusion, with this select and cheerful 
 party of friends ; the gentlemen not being sorry to retire rather 
 early to their rooms, after the fatigues of the day. Sir Francis 
 was obliged to take the lead up-stairs about eleven o'clock, es- 
 corted by his considerate friend, who insisted on seeing he had 
 everything comfortable. 
 
 Whilst the family are locked in the arms of Morpheus, we 
 may take the liberty of an author, who has the privilege of 
 burning the midnight oil, to give a short description of the 
 
BAMPTON HOUSE. 23 
 
 edifice under whose roof the family of Beauchamp and their 
 guests were now reposing. 
 
 Bampton House was a large, long building, with gable 
 ends, situated at the extreme end of a fine avenue of magni- 
 ficent beech and elm trees of immense proportions ; showing 
 the excellence of the soil from which they sprang, not only by 
 their large dimensions, but the altitude of their stems, which 
 can only be attained on superior land. Over the entrance was 
 an old-fashioned portico, reached by a flight of steps on either 
 side, and closed in the front. The hall was lofty and spacious, 
 with an old carved oak staircase, leading up from the centre, 
 and branching off on either side, and a huge fire-place, with old 
 iron dogs, on which large logs of wood were piled, reflecting 
 sufficient heat almost to roast an ox. An antiquated brass 
 chandelier, shining like gold, was suspended from the centre of 
 the ceiling ; and from the oak panels were suspended the 
 portraits of many generations past, long since mingled into 
 dust. The heads and antlers of stags and fallow deer (the 
 park containing both species) were tastefully arranged over the 
 fire-place and doors, with old-fashioned guns, cross-bows, and 
 armour disposed in the intervals between the family pictures. 
 
 The drawing-room, with its painted glass windows, was 
 upwards of forty feet in length, thirty wide, and lofty in pro- 
 portion, with a high massive stone chimney-piece, elaborately 
 carved, on which were emblazoned the family arms, with their 
 numerous quarterings. 
 
 Old oak cabinets, with curiously carved and worked high- 
 backed chairs of the same material, inlaid tables, and a motley 
 assemblage of other furniture of very ancient date, with a 
 splendid display of old china, helped to fill up the vacant places 
 in this finely-proportioned apartment, giving it an air of 
 comfort and sociability, not often found in rooms of this size. 
 The dining-room was of longer dimensions, though not so wide, 
 and being an older part of the house, not so lofty, but the 
 ceiling was divided into compartments by elaborately-carved 
 oak beams. At the lower end stood a sideboard, extending 
 nearly from wall to wall, of the same old dark wood. 
 
 The library was of smaller size, containing a fine collection 
 of books, and the favourite resort of Mr. Beauchamp and his 
 family, when there were no visitors staying at Bampton. The 
 building which comprised the stables, coach-house, &c, was a 
 splendid structure, faced with finely polished stone, having 
 stalls and loose boxes for thirty horses ; and over the centre 
 
24 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 was erected a large cupola, with a clock, which relieved the 
 structure from the monotony of its rather extreme length. 
 
 The kennels were large enough to hold easily a hundred 
 couple of hounds^ although the pack seldom amounted to that 
 number, except when the young hounds were brought home in 
 the spring of the year from their walks. The kitchen-garden 
 extended over two acres of ground, laid out in various divisions, 
 with wide walks of grass and gravel ; producing fruit and 
 vegetables sufficient to supply several families all the year 
 round, but the old squire liked a profusion of every kind, and 
 all at Bampton was on a large scale. 
 
 There was also what may be considered in these days a 
 curiosity — an apiary, or bee-yard, consisting of about a hundred 
 hives, the greater portion of the honey being devoted to the con- 
 coction of metheglin or mead, for which delicious compound (the 
 very old wine being equal to Frontignac) Bampton Manor had 
 long been celebrated. It were almost needless to say that the 
 old squire took great pride in having everything of the best, 
 both in and out of the house ; and the cellars contained, besides 
 wines of the best vintages, the finest beer and the best pressed 
 cider in the whole county, as well as a large supply of brown 
 stout (resembling porter), made from an old family receipt. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 On the following morning, William Beauchamp was the first 
 to enter the sleeping-chamber of Sir Francis Burnett, to 
 inquire how he had passed the night. 
 
 " Very indifferently," was the reply ; " my arm has pained 
 me greatly, and I feel fevered and restless." 
 
 " I am sorry indeed to hear it, Sir Francis, and hope you will 
 follow my advice in keeping to your bed ; there is nothing like 
 warmth and rest in such cases ; and my father, who is a good 
 doctor, will make you a composing draught, unless you prefer 
 seeing our country ^Esculapius." 
 
 " No, no, Beauchamp ; I don't want the contents of an apothe- 
 cary's shop poured down my throat ; a seidlitz-powder will do 
 quite as well as any of their stuff." 
 
 "That you can have directly," said Beauchamp, ringing 
 the bell ; " and if you will put yourself under the governor's 
 
THE HARCOURTS. 25 
 
 care for a couple of days, he will soon bring you round 
 again." 
 
 " Well, I hope so, Will ; but old bones won't stand bruising 
 like young ones ; and you know I am old enough to be your 
 father, although still strong and heart-whole." 
 
 "You went like a man of five-and-twenty yesterday," 
 observed Beauchamp. 
 
 " Yes, yes, when hounds run, I must be with them ; but now 
 sit down a moment, and tell me about these Har courts, where 
 you are going this evening. Your father does not seem to 
 fancy them, I see ; and the heiress, who is she 1 " 
 
 "Mr. Harcourt is no fox-hunter," replied Beauchamp, 
 "but of good family — very fond of money — in short, a bit of a 
 Nabob ; and, being of different politics, he and my father don't 
 quite suit each other." 
 
 " I should be surprised if they did," remarked Sir Francis. 
 
 "Mrs. Harcourt is rather a fine lady too — fond of dress, 
 fond of company, very agreeable, and still handsome — younger 
 by ten years than her husband, who owns to fifty." 
 
 " Any family ? " inquired Sir Francis. 
 
 " None whatever." 
 
 " Now the heiress, what of her ? " 
 
 " She is in her seventeenth year, or thereabout, rather tall, 
 but of a well-proportioned figure, of most pleasing and expres- 
 sive, though not strikingly handsome, features, yet a very lovely 
 girl, affectionate and lively in disposition, not in the least 
 affected or conceited, and, should she live to the age of twenty- 
 one, will inherit all her father's property in Scotland, at least 
 ten thousand a-year, besides what her uncle and guardian, Mr. 
 Harcourt, may choose to leave her. She has also an aunt on 
 her father's side, Mrs. Gordon, living at the priory, whose late 
 husband, dying in India, left her all his property ; and she has 
 neither chick nor child." 
 
 " Upon my word, Beauchamp," replied Sir Francis, " this 
 Miss Douglas won't want suitors by the dozen. Why, William, 
 that ten thousand per annum would help to keep the pack going." 
 
 Beauchamp shook his head, saying, "It won't do, Sir 
 Francis." 
 
 " And why not, sir 1 " 
 
 " Because, of the many bad names the world may give me, a 
 fortune-hunter sha'n't be one." 
 
 " Pshaw, Beauchamp ! all that is trash ; what is the world 
 to you 1 " 
 
26 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Not much ; yet, the insinuation that I had married a girl 
 for her money would not be very agreeable." 
 
 " But as a man of sense, knowing it to be false, you ought 
 not to care a rush about it." 
 
 " Appearances would be against me, Sir Francis, and they 
 are everything in the eyes of the world ; irrespective of which, 
 I am not in love with Blanche Douglas." 
 
 " Then take my advice, Beauchamp, and fall in love with 
 her as soon as you conveniently can. So now go to your 
 breakfast, and send me up a cup of coffee." 
 
 Preparations were made on a grand scale at Throseby Hall 
 (Mr. Harcourt's seat) for the company expected to grace the 
 dinner-table that evening, about five-and-twenty guests being 
 invited, including Sir Lionel and Lady Markham, with their 
 two eldest daughters, Selina and Caroline, and the Captain ; 
 Lord and Lady Mervyn and daughter, from Marston Castle ; 
 Colonel and Mrs. Rolleston, of Warley, and two daughters ; Mr. 
 and Mrs. Thornhill, of the Down House, with their daughter 
 Isabella ; Sir Lucius Gwynne, Bob Conyers, Vernon, Tyler, and 
 Fred Beauchamp, with his two cousins, William and Con- 
 stance. Mrs. Gordon, of the Priory, was also expected to make 
 one of the party. 
 
 At a quarter before seven, the hour of dinner in fashionable 
 circles at that time (the greater part of the company having 
 assembled in the saloon), the door was thrown open, and Mr. 
 William and Miss Beauchamp were announced ; and many a 
 jealous glance was directed towards them, to scrutinise the 
 deportment of this fondly-attached brother and sister, who 
 quietly approached the mistress of the house, by whom they 
 were most courteously received, and then, turning to other 
 acquaintances, mixed among the company. 
 
 Constance was most warmly greeted by her friend Blanche, 
 accepting a seat by her side on the sofa, from which she had 
 just risen. They were soon joined by the Captain and Vernon, 
 who were both striving for the honour of handing the heiress 
 to the dinner-table. 
 
 "Keally, Miss Beauchamp," lisped the Captain, "you rode 
 quite bootifully yesterday — suppose you will take the lead 
 soon across country — quite a divinity, Miss Douglas, on horse- 
 back — I assure you, 'pon honour — hand and seat quite per- 
 fection. When shall I have the honour of charging a gate in 
 such delightful company ? " 
 
 " I never ride at gates, Captain Markham, and seldom over 
 
ANIMALS CONSIGNED TO THE WATER. 27 
 
 any fence ; but at brooks, I think, we should soon part company, 
 as I am told Captain Markham prefers swimming through to' 
 jumping over." 
 
 " Eh — aw — why, yaas, I did get a ducking yesterday, and 
 was nearly drowned by Pegasus rolling in upon me — a near 
 thing, Vernon, eh ! " 
 
 " Not much danger, Markham, with half a dozen fellows all 
 round you, in only four feet water ; but next time, my boy, 
 we can make a nearer thing of it, by keeping your head under 
 water a little longer." 
 
 " Much obliged, Vernon, but hope I sha'n't need your kind 
 services." 
 
 " Perhaps not, although young animals of a certain class are 
 often consigned to the water, to which you seem to have an 
 instinctive partiality." 
 
 " Don't take, Vernon ; what description of animal 1 " 
 
 " Guess, Markham." 
 
 Constance, turning to Blanche, whispered something in her 
 ear, at which both enjoyed a hearty laugh, much to the Captain's 
 annoyance. 
 
 " Eh, Miss Constance, you know what Vernon means 1 " 
 
 " How should I, Captain Markham 1 I can only guess." 
 
 " Well, what do you guess, then ? " 
 
 " I do not feel quite at liberty to say what I think." 
 
 "Not far out, I suspect," added Vernon, with a cynical 
 smile at the ladies. 
 
 " Demmit, Vernon, then what do you mean, if you know 
 your own meaning ; what animals are consigned to the water ?" 
 
 " Young puppies." 
 
 " Eh ! 'pon honour can't see the wit of the thing." 
 
 " Didn't suppose you would," replied Vernon, as the dis- 
 comfited life -guardsman walked away in high dudgeon. 
 
 When the dinner was announced, Vernon's arm was imme- 
 diately offered and accepted by the heiress, and, at the same 
 moment, Bob Conyers coming up, claimed Constance. Whilst 
 this conversation had been carried on, William Beauchamp was 
 sitting next to Mrs. Gordon, with whom he was a favourite. 
 
 "So I hear," she said, "you were out hunting yesterday, 
 and had a capital run." 
 
 " Yes, pretty good," was the reply ; " but you know, my dear 
 Mrs. Gordon, fox-hunting is a forbidden topic in the drawing- 
 room, and I generally avoid entering into any conversation of 
 that kind with ladies." 
 
28 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " And why so, Mr. "William ? " 
 
 "Because it cannot be very agreeable to them, I should 
 think." 
 
 "Just as agreeable, ]Derhaps, as our talking about worsted 
 work, silks and satins, muslins and flounces, is to you." 
 
 " Well, I am rather particular on this point, because, being 
 now the Master of the Foxhounds, ill-natured people will say 
 I am leading to my own praises." 
 
 " And what will not ill-natured people say ? " replied Mrs. 
 Gordon ; " anything and everything but what they ought to 
 say. However, as you forbid the subject, I must talk to you 
 now about my own affairs, and that's selfish enough." 
 
 " But always interesting to me," added Beauchamp. 
 
 " No flattery, William — that I dislike, especially from you ; 
 but now tell me what day you will be disengaged next week, as 
 I wish to consult you about some alterations I jmrpose making 
 in my grounds and flower-garden." 
 
 " Any day most suitable to yourself (barring our hunting- 
 days), I will with pleasure ride over to the Priory." 
 
 " And stay and dine with me, mind, that's the condition," 
 said Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " And not a very irksome one, either," replied Beauchamp. 
 
 "Well, then, will Tuesday suit you?" inquired Mrs. 
 Gordon. 
 
 " Exactly," was his reply. 
 
 " So let it be then, but don't expect to meet company, as I 
 must have you entirely to myself, to talk over other matters, 
 when we can draw our chairs round the fire, and enjoy a cosy 
 chat." 
 
 A movement was now making to the dining-room, when 
 Beauchamp said, " Allow me the honour of offering you my 
 arm." 
 
 " No, William, you must do the attentive to some younger 
 lady. Where is Blanche ? " 
 
 " Already pounced upon by Vernon." 
 
 " Ah ! I dislike that man ; his attentions to my niece are 
 too particular to have escaped my notice ; but Blanche, 
 although young and unsuspicious, has too much good sense to 
 be taken with a handsome face and fine speeches only." 
 
 "I hope so," said Beauchamp, seriously; "but " and 
 
 lie paused. 
 
 "What, William?" 
 
 " Vernon is considered almost irresistible with the fair sex, 
 
AUNTS AND NIECES. 29 
 
 and our mutual friend, Conyers, declares he dreads his influence 
 over your niece, which is becoming very apparent." 
 
 " Does Robert Conyers say so 1 " inquired Mrs. Gordon, 
 anxiously. 
 
 " Yes ; indeed he told me so only yesterday morning." 
 
 " Then there may be some cause for alarm, and I must have 
 a tete-d-tete with him on the subject. Now, William, as the 
 company is pairing off, I will take your arm, and be envied by 
 half, if not all the young ladies of the room, for carrying off 
 their prevac chevalier.'''' As they were entering the dining-room, 
 Mrs. Gordon whispered, " The other side of the table, William 
 — I must judge for myself; " and they were soon seated nearly 
 opposite Vernon and Miss Douglas. 
 
 " This will just do," said Mrs. Gordon ; " aunts are pro- 
 verbially lynx-eyed." 
 
 "And nieces self-willed," added Beauchamp, "if subject to 
 much supervision ; interference is hazardous, and will often 
 produce the contrary effect to that desired." 
 
 "I know it well, William, and you need not doubt my 
 discretion." 
 
 In so large a company the conversation became more par- 
 ticular than general, and drowned by the hum of so many 
 voices, Vernon had an opportunity of dropping his soft, honeyed 
 speeches into the ear of Blanche Douglas, unheard by others, 
 the nature of which the mounting colour of her cheek alone 
 betrayed ; the pleasure derived from his witty remarks and 
 nattering attentions being too conspicuous in her happy looks 
 and bright sparkling eye, to admit of much doubt as to her 
 enjoyment of his society. 
 
 After hazarding something more piquant and expressive of 
 softer emotions than usual, Vernon happened to cast his eyes 
 across the table, and then observed Mrs. Gordon's stern look 
 full upon them. 
 
 " Ah ! " he remarked, " your aunt appears to take a deep 
 interest in our conversation, with that stupid fellow Beauchamp 
 by her side, who has only language for hounds ; but aunts are 
 always troublesome, meddling old ladies, ever interfering and 
 dictating to their unhappy nieces and nephews. I met Harry 
 Scarsdale in town the other day (who is dependent on two 
 tabbies of that genus), driving furiously towards the Regent's 
 Park. ' Where now, Harry ? ' I inquired, ' in such hot haste 1 ' 
 —-< To the Zoological Gardens.' < What for 1 a bear or a tiger 1 * 
 —' Not the latter, there is one of that class up behind ; but 
 
30 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 what I want is, an ant eater, to devour those confounded old 
 relatives of mine.' " 
 
 Blanche could not suppress a laugh at this anecdote, but 
 almost immediately after said, " My aunt, Mr. Yernon, is not of 
 that class, I am happy to say, but one of the kindest and most 
 indulgent relations I possess." 
 
 " Happy to hear it, Miss Douglas ; there are exceptions to 
 every rule, and Mrs. Gordon is one to the usual run of aunts, I 
 conclude ; but all old people forget ' the merry days when they 
 were young.' By the way, I hope you will favour us with that 
 song in the evening 1 " 
 
 " There are so many superior performers here to-night, that 
 I had rather be excused," she replied. 
 
 " None who possess a sweeter voice than yourself," was the 
 courteous rejoinder; which Blanche only noticed by a slight 
 inclination of her head. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon had seen enough to make her feel very un- 
 comfortable during the dinner hour, but prudently resolving to 
 keep her own deductions safely locked up in her own bosom, she 
 entered into conversation with her neighbour on general subjects, 
 to prevent any suspicion of her true thoughts being divined. 
 
 On the ladies rising to leave the dinner table, she placed her 
 arm within her niece's, and sat down with her in the drawing- 
 room, rather apart from the other ladies, and, notwithstanding 
 her wise resolutions, could not forbear alluding to Yernon. 
 " You appeared greatly pleased with Mr. Yernon's lively sallies 
 and compliments, my dear 1 " 
 
 " He is very entertaining," was the response. 
 
 " And very impertinent also," replied Mrs. Gordon. " His 
 remarks about aunts, which I overheard, were particularly 
 , facetious." 
 
 " Indeed, my dear aunt, I was so annoyed by those remarks, 
 that I scarcely spoke to him afterwards." 
 
 " You do quite right, my dear, in taking the part of those 
 who have your true interest at heart, and defending your nearest 
 (and I must say it) dearest relative, whom a flippant, pert cox- 
 comb tried to make appear ridiculous in your eyes. It is un- 
 necessary, I hope, my dearest child, for me to put you on your 
 guard against the advances of such frivolous, false-hearted men 
 as Mr. Yernon and Captain Markham, however entertaining or 
 prepossessing in manners. They are complete men of the world, 
 wicked, witty, and worthless ; and eagerly intent on marrying 
 some heiress, to squander her money away on their own selfish 
 
HOBBIES IN THE DINING-ROOM. 31 
 
 gratifications. But, my dear Blanche, you will believe me when 
 I add, that I never wish to interfere unnecessarily with your 
 inclinations, or dictate to you in the choice of a husband, although 
 you are too young yet to think of marrying." 
 
 " Indeed, my dear aunt," replied Blanche, " I have really 
 never thought seriously of it, and nothing would ever induce 
 me to accept any person you disapproved of." 
 
 " Thank you, my love ; and now I want you to come and stay 
 with me a few days next week, to help me in laying out my new 
 flower-beds ; but I promise you an exemption from any further 
 allusion to this subject." 
 
 " Dearest aunty, I shall be too happy to come ; but you 
 must speak to my aunt Harcourt." 
 
 " Of course, my love, that I shall do at once, and name 
 Monday." Mrs. Gordon rising, immediately approached Mrs. 
 Harcourt, and her request was most graciously complied with. 
 
 We must now return to the dining-room, where we find the 
 gentlemen all riding their favourite hobbies ; of the elder por- 
 tion, some discussing politics, some agricultural, some magis- 
 terial topics ; others, again, literary and scientific matters : 
 the younger portion dilating on sporting, hunting, shooting, 
 wine, and women. Lord Mervyn, having the worst of a fight 
 with Sir Lionel Markham on the measures of the Government, 
 turned suddenly to William Beauchamp, with a sneer, inquiring, 
 " When are we to have the honour of a visit from you gentle- 
 men in scarlet, Mr. Beauchamp 1 " 
 
 "Any day after next week your lordship may choose to 
 appoint," was the quiet reply. 
 
 " And why not next week, Mr. Beauchamp ? It would suit 
 me better, as I have a large shooting party the following 
 week." 
 
 "Our appointments, my lord, for next week are already 
 sent to the papers, and cannot now be altered without causing 
 dissatisfaction, and perhaps great inconvenience to many." 
 
 "To a lot of tinkers and tailors, butchers and farmers, who, 
 the last time your hounds met at my coverts, sir, made the 
 drives resemble a ploughed field." 
 
 "The most industrious, my lord, at that work, were your 
 two most staunch supporters at your son's election for the county, 
 Messrs. Barker and Bennet, the great brewers of Marston, whom 
 I must leave to your lordship to lecture on the subject, as all 
 my remonstrances were totally unheeded." 
 
 "Well, sir," replied Lord Mervyn, "it is a great nuisance to 
 
32 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 have my drives cut to pieces, and my hares and pheasants driven 
 all over the country by your confounded dogs." 
 
 " The remedy, my lord," replied Beauchamp, " lies in your 
 own hands ; you can forbid the hounds drawing your coverts at 
 all, which is a mere form I would readily dispense with, as we 
 seldom find a fox there." 
 
 " That is no concern of mine, Mr. Beauchamp ; if foxes 
 don't fancy my woods, I can't help their taste ; they are free to 
 come and go when they like, I suppose 1 " 
 
 " I wish this were the case, my lord ; but your keeper's 
 motto is, Vestigia nulla retrorsumy 
 
 " He tells me, sir," replied Lord Mervyn, " that he never 
 destroys a fox, and I believe him." 
 
 " Then who does, my lord ] since two dead foxes were found 
 buried in the field close to your home wood, last week." 
 
 " By whom, sir 1 I wish to know who dared to be prowling 
 about my chief preserve 1 " inquired Lord Mervyn, becoming 
 very excited. 
 
 " The person who found them," replied Beauchamp, very 
 coolly, " was my whipper-in, who was sent in search of a stray 
 hound, and called at your keeper's house, to inquire if he had 
 seen hini ,, and in riding across the field, his horse stumbling over 
 some loose earth, the man dismounted, and then he found a 
 brace of dead foxes, recently killed, with their legs broken in 
 traps." 
 
 " Put them there himself, I dare say," rejoined Lord Mervyn, 
 " to accuse my men of killing them." 
 
 " That, my lord," interposed Bob Conyers, " I'll answer for, 
 he never did." 
 
 " And pray, who .asked your opinion, Mr. Conyers ? " in- 
 quired Lord Mervyn. 
 
 " I choose to express it, sir, in defence of an honest servant, 
 who is unjustly accused," retorted Bob. 
 
 " Then, sir," replied Lord Mervyn, in a furious passion, " I 
 neither wish for your company, Mr. Beauchamp' s, his hounds, 
 or his whippers-in at any of my coverts again." 
 
 " Glad to hear it, my lord ; an open foe is preferable to a 
 pretended friend ; and now you have taken up the cudgels 
 against half the county, we shall soon see who will be the first 
 to cry, ' Hold, enough.' " 
 
 " I care neither for you, nor any of your ragamuffin fol- 
 lowers," replied Lord Mervyn, his passion carrying him beyond 
 all bounds. 
 
LOUD MERVYN ESCAPES A BROKEN HEAD. 33 
 
 " In which number, I suppose, I must consider myself in- 
 cluded," exclaimed Sir Lucius Gwynne, his Welsh blood begin- 
 ning to boil up. 
 
 "As you please, sir," was the rejoinder. 
 
 " Then, my Lord Mervyn," said Sir Lucius, rising from his 
 chair, and seizing a decanter, " retract that expression, or I'll 
 throw this bottle at your head." 
 
 " You will f " 
 
 " Yes, sir, I will. Yon, you upstart spawn of a lawyer's 
 clerk, smuggled into the House of Peers for doing the Govern- 
 ment's dirty work, you call me a ragamuffin ; by Jove ! sir, I'll 
 scatter your foul brains about your shoulders, if you don't beg 
 my pardon this instant." 
 
 Tyler, who was a friend of Lord Mervyn' s, whispered in 
 his ear, " It must be done, Mervyn ; pray apologise, or you 
 must meet him, and he is a dead shot." 
 
 The crest-fallen lord muttered some explanation. 
 
 " That won't do, sir," exclaimed Gwynne ; " speak out, that 
 all may hear." 
 
 " I did not intend to apply the term I used to you, Sir 
 Lucius." 
 
 " Very well, my lord ; that saves you from a broken head, or 
 a bullet through your body this time," resuming his seat. 
 
 "'Pon honour, Mervyn," said the Captain, " sorry to trouble 
 you, but his Majesty's commission, Life Guards, and that sort 
 of thing — eh % you understand, my lord 1 ragamuffins won't 
 do — our fellows won't stomach that title, Mervyn." 
 
 " It was not intended for you, or them, Captain Markham," 
 rej)lied Lord Mervyn. 
 
 " Glad to hear it, my lord." 
 
 " Well," interposed Vernon, " if it affords any real gratifica- 
 tion to Lord Mervyn to know there is one ragamuffin in this 
 room who owns to the title, I confess myself amenable to that 
 soft impeachment ; and as I have the honour of belonging to 
 his lordship's political party, he will do me the favour, I hope, 
 of allowing this motto to be engraved on his banner, at his son's 
 next election, ' Mervyn and his ragamuffins for ever ! " 
 
 " Hah, hah ! Vernon ! demmed good ! Egad, old fellow, 
 your wit cuts a deuced deal sharper than a small sword." 
 
 "And now," said Vernon, "as my Lord Mervyn has been 
 favoured with divers opinions, pray may I ask what our worthy 
 Master of the Hounds has to say on the subject 1 " 
 
 " Nothing, sir," replied Beauchamp ; " too much has been 
 
 c 
 
34 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 said already for a social party like this ; but as holding the 
 high position to which you have alluded, and in which I have 
 been placed with the consent and approbation of the principal 
 landed proprietors of this county, Lord Mervyn must be aware 
 that something more than a verbal apology will be required for 
 the epithet he has been rash enough to apply to the members of 
 our hunt, whom I have the honour of so imperfectly repre- 
 senting." 
 
 A dead silence pervaded the room, as Beauchamp delivered 
 this speech, without a muscle of his face moving from excite- 
 ment or anger ; and at its conclusion Sir Lionel Markham 
 observed, "You have well spoken, Beauchamp, and acted as 
 your friends always thought you would, with forbearance and 
 discretion; and you will find those friends ever ready to 
 support you." 
 
 " And in that number," said Tyler, " I beg to be included ; 
 for Beauchamp is justly entitled to the gratitude of every true 
 sportsman in this county, for his indefatigable exertions and 
 gentlemanly conduct in the field. No one can regret more than 
 I do the unpleasant interruption to our conviviality this evening, 
 for which Mr. Beauchamp is in no way responsible ; and I trust 
 Lord Mervyn, now that the heat of the moment is over, will 
 frankly acknowledge, what I am sure he now feels, regret at 
 having used expressions so totally inapplicable to any gentleman 
 in this room, or any member of that hunt to which I have the 
 honour to belong." 
 
 "Mr. Tyler," said Lord Mervyn, rising, "you have only 
 anticipated me in the expression of sentiments which are strictly 
 my own ; and I do most truly regret having in the heat of 
 passion so entirely forgotten myself. My most humble apologies 
 are justly due to every gentleman here present, and particularly 
 to our kind host, for the scene of confusion I have been the 
 cause of introducing at his hospitable board ; and the hasty and 
 unwarrantable expression which so inadvertently escaped my 
 lips will, I hope, be forgiven and forgotten." 
 
 Satisfaction being expressed by all at this happy termination 
 of such serious differences, Lord Mervyn, turning to Beauchamp, 
 requested he would name any day, the week after next, to meet 
 at Marston Castle, as he would put off his shooting party. 
 
 "By no means, my lord," replied Beauchamp; " disappoint- 
 ment to your friends may be as great as to ours ; any day, 
 therefore, in the first week of December will suit us equallv 
 well." 
 
LOUD MERVYN S APOLOGY. 3.5 
 
 " Then we will say the second of that month." 
 
 " I thank you, my lord," said Beauchamp, entering it in his 
 pocket-book, 
 
 " And now, Mr. Beauchamp, if you and all the members of 
 your hunt will do me the honour of breakfasting with me that 
 morning, I shall feel that I hare obtained forgiveness for the 
 past, and I trust to merit your good opinion for the future." 
 
 " I shall have much pleasure in accepting your lordship's 
 invitation, which shall be communicated to all the members of 
 our hunt," replied Beauchamp, with a low bow. 
 
 " Egad, Mervyn," remarked the Captain, " you are a demmed 
 cantankerous fellow, sometimes, but not a bad one at heart ; 
 and I'll do myself the honour of tasting your cherry-brandy, or 
 a glass of Maraschino, on that said second of December." 
 
 "I shall be delighted to find you approve it, Captain 
 Markham." 
 
 These matters having been adjusted, an attempt was made 
 at cordiality, but failed, as every man in the room knew Lord 
 Mervyn too well to doubt his real feeling towards fox-hunters, 
 and an adjournment to the ladies soon followed. 
 
 CHAPTER IV, 
 
 On returning to the drawing-room, Captain Markham imme- 
 diately sought Miss Douglas, who was sitting with her Aunt 
 Gordon and Constance. " Thought we had forgotten you, Mrs. 
 Gordon, I suppose — very late, I know ; but all owing to that 
 spiteful old Mervyn — called us ragamuffins, and that sort of 
 thing — Gwynne wouldn't stand it — Welsh blood up — threatened 
 to knock his brains out with the bottle. 'Pon honour, such a 
 scene, very disagreeable indeed — Will Beauchamp pulled him up 
 — thought he would have to fight to-morrow morning — eh — ah 
 — Miss Douglas — clemmit all — beg pardon, but you look like a 
 ghost." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon's eyes were instantly turned to her niece, who 
 was deadly pale, and appeared near fainting. 
 
 " My dearest Blanche, what is the matter 1 Here, my love, 
 smell at these salts." 
 
 " A sudden faintness came over me, dear aunt, but I shall 
 soon be better." 
 
 c 2 
 
36 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Corners now came up with " Well, ladies, all's well that 
 ends well ; and, now that we are all friends again, I may just 
 tell you what detained us so long in the dining-room " — which 
 he did as shortly as possible, speaking in high terms of Beau- 
 champ's cool and gentlemanly conduct. 
 
 " Then there is to be no duel to-morrow % " inquired Mrs. 
 Gordon, anxiously. 
 
 " None, my dear madam, I assure you ; everything is ami- 
 cably settled ; and, instead of fighting, Will has accepted an 
 invitation to breakfast with Lord Mervyn on this day month." 
 
 " Are you not deceiving me, Mr. Conyers 1 " 
 
 " No, on my honour, Mrs. Gordon ; and to satisfy you still 
 further, I will send Beauchamp here directly, to show you the 
 eirfcry in his pocket-book." 
 
 As Beauchamp approached them, the colour suddenly re- 
 turned to Miss Douglas's face, suffusing her cheeks and brow, 
 which, not unnoticed by Mrs. Gordon, revealed to her a secret 
 unknown to Blanche herself until that moment, that she loved 
 William Beauchamp. She had long looked upon him as a dear 
 friend, but had hitherto remained totally unconscious of any 
 deeper feeling towards him, when the sudden revelation made 
 by Captain Markham of his life, perhaps, being at stake, sent a 
 thrilling, suffocating sensation circling round her heart, to which 
 she had hitherto been a stranger. Her ill-concealed trepidation 
 at his approach delightfully confirmed Mrs. Gordon in her long- 
 indulged hopes that William Beauchamp might become the 
 object of her niece's choice. 
 
 " William," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, as he stood before her, 
 " I have sent for you to hear an account from your own lips of 
 this unpleasant fracas with Lord Mervyn, whom, I am told, it 
 was your intention to challenge to-morrow morning." 
 
 For a moment. Blanche's face was raised to his to scan his 
 looks. Their eyes met, and by that quick, hurried glance, 
 Beauchamp. seemed entranced, riveted to the spot ; for a 
 moment the full spell of fascination was upon him, as he gazed 
 in silent surprise on the varying colour and trembling form of 
 Blanche Douglas. 
 
 " William ! " suddenly exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, in a sharp 
 tone, " what ails you to-night ? — are you tipsy or crazy 1 " 
 
 " Neither tipsy nor crazy, dear Mrs. Gordon ; but a fit of 
 abstraction seized me ; my thoughts were wandering ; pray 
 forgive me." 
 
 " A pretty confession, Mr. William, in the presence of three 
 
BEAUCHAMP's EXPLANATION OF THE FRACAS. 37 
 
 ladies," added Constance ; " so now, to make your peace with 
 Aunt Gordon, just have the goodness to occupy my seat till I 
 return, and make a full confession of your wicked conduct, 
 whilst I hear Mr. Conyers' version of the story ; we shall then 
 know who speaks most truth ; so sit down between those two 
 ladies, who, I hope, will both in turn give you a thorough good 
 ■lecture." 
 
 Beauchamp required no second invitation, and turning first 
 to Miss Douglas, who was on his right side, said in a low tone, 
 scarcely above a whisper, "Dear Blanche, you look pale and 
 agitated ; what has distressed you 1 " 
 
 " Oh, nothing now ! " she replied. " I felt faint a little 
 while ago, but dear aunty's vinaigrette " — again applying it to 
 her nostrils — "has nearly revived me." ;> 
 
 " Now, William," interposed Mrs. Gordon, " I am all im- 
 patience ; pray begin, and tell me the whole truth." 
 
 "And so I will, dear madam," replied Beauchamp ; " every 
 word of it." 
 
 " Don't dear madam ine, sir ; your sister, Constance, like a 
 good, dear, obedient child, does as she is bid, and calls me Aunt 
 Gordon : and I desire you will do the same, unless you wish me 
 to call you Mr. Beauchamp." 
 
 " Then, dear Aunt Gordon, I will give you chapter and 
 verse of the whole conversation in the dining-room, after the 
 ladies left, without further delay." 
 
 " Only what concerns yourself, William, and has reference 
 to your quarrel with Lord Mervyn. I don't want to hear all 
 the nonsense that is usually talked by gentlemen over their 
 wine." 
 
 Beauchamp, as succinctly as possible, related what passed 
 relative to his altercation with Lord Mervyn, and producing his 
 pocket-book, in which the entry of his appointment to draw the 
 Marston coverts was written, Mrs. Gordtfh expressed herself 
 satisfied with his explanation. 
 
 " Thus far," she said, " all is well ; but I wish you clearly 
 to understand, William Beauchamp, that I thoroughly disap- 
 prove of duelling. It is a cowardly, unchristian practice, 
 adapted to heathens and atheists only, and, as such, I must 
 •exact from you a promise that you will never again permit 
 yourself to stand in the position you have this evening, of medi- 
 tating the sacrifice of a fellow- creature's life, to satisfy what you 
 gentlemen call by the false name of honour." 
 
 " I hope you will acquit me of any such bloodthirsty inten- 
 
38 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 tion," replied Beauchamp. "The greatest provocation would 1 
 never induce me to take any man's life, unless in the unavoid- 
 able defence of my own." 
 
 " That's equivocal, William " 
 
 " Then, is this plain enough 1 I will never deliberately fire 
 at any opponent with the aim of shooting him." 
 
 "Oh ! then, I suppose, you are to stand as his target, to be 
 murdered in cold blood; but you are deceiving yourself, not 
 me, William, in this fine-drawn distinction. No person has a 
 right rashly to throw his life away, since it is God's loan, and 
 He only has the right to dispose of it. Eemember His com- 
 mands on this point — 'At the hand of every man's brother 
 will I require the life of man.' Again, ' Let not the sun go 
 down upon your wrath ; ' and there are hundreds of the same 
 injunctions throughout the New Testament." 
 
 "I will consider well your objections, dear Aunt Gordon^ 
 although I believe you are quite right." 
 
 " Then why hesitate to follow the promptings of your own 
 conscience ? " 
 
 " There is a listener," he whispered, " who would not be 
 slow to avail himself of my confessions." 
 
 " Ah ! I see — we will change the subject." 
 
 Vernon had slowly and stealthily approached the back of 
 the sofa where Blanche was sitting, in the hope of overhearing; 
 the nature : f her conversation with Beauchamp. 
 
 " Aside the devil turned 
 For envy, yet with jealous leer malign 
 Ey'd them askance." 
 
 Leaning on the back of the sofa, Vernon now requested the 
 honour of Miss Douglas favouring him with the song she had 
 promised at dinner. 
 
 "I made no such promise, Mr. Vernon," was her reply, 
 and he was again urging his suit, with flattering persua- 
 sions, when Mrs. Gordon, seeing Blanche annoyed with his 
 importunities, interfered, saying her niece was very far from 
 well, and she had laid an interdiction upon her singing that 
 evening. 
 
 "I could scarcely expect," he retorted, with a sneer, "to 
 detach Miss Douglas from such delightful society." 
 
 " Except by the aid of an Ant-eater," replied Mrs. Gordon ; 
 on which Vernon turned abruptly away. 
 
 Soon after he was engaged in an animated conversation with 
 
MISS SELINA OFFEIIS TO BE VEKXON S SECOXD. 39 
 
 Captain Markhaui, the nature of which will transpire in the 
 following colloquy. 
 
 " What makes you look so demmecl pleasant to-night — claret 
 sour, or what — with that vinegar countenance 1 " 
 
 " That old aunt's enough to put any man out of temper," 
 replied Vernon ; " and that fellow, Beauchainp, thinking they 
 are going to have it all their own way with the heiress." 
 
 " Eh ! 'pon honour — what d'ye mean 1 " 
 
 " I have been watching Beauchamp very intently since he 
 joined her on the sofa, and her looks, when he ventured on 
 some soft speech, betrayed the nature of it ; in fact, I believe 
 he is making up to her." 
 
 " "Well, why shouldn't he 1 She is fair game to any man to 
 try for without poaching on your ground. Demmit, Vernon, 
 you seem to think no fellow has a right to speak to her but 
 yourself. Eh, 'pon my soul, that's a good joke ! — and, if that's 
 your humour, just give me leave to observe, my fine fellow, that 
 Ned Markham considers he has quite as good a chance for the 
 heiress as Dick Vernon." 
 
 " Oh ! certainly, a much better one," replied Vernon, with 
 a sneer. " Heir to a baronetcy — life guardsman — fine figure 
 — lots of small talk, and all that sort of thing ; but I hate Will 
 Beauchanrp, and intend to pick a quarrel with him, to get him 
 out of my way. Will you be my second ? " 
 
 " No, Richard Vernon, I will not ; that's plain enough, I 
 suppose." With which the Captain walked away. 
 
 A voice from behind whispered in his ear, " Don't despair, 
 Dick ; I will, supply Edward's place ; " and turning round, he 
 confronted Miss Markham. 
 
 " You my second, Selina ? " 
 
 " And why not 2 Put on Ned's dress, pair of false mous- 
 taches, and all that sort of thing — just do, 'pon honour — mascur 
 line enough, eh 1 " 
 
 " Decidedly the latter," remarked Vernon, with a sneer ; 
 " but I fear you would load my pistol with powder only." 
 
 " Oh, no, Dick ! — but in place of ball T should load with dice. 
 No fear then of missing your victim. You are a deadly hand 
 with them, Richard Vernon." 
 
 " Your remarks are so eccentric and ambiguous sometimes," 
 replied Vernon, " that it would puzzle a philosopher to interpret 
 them." 
 
 " Indeed, Mr. Richard Vernon, your usual sharp wit is at 
 fault, eh ? Then I will leave you to guess my meaning, with 
 
40 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 this little piece of advice : don't assume the part of assassin and 
 bully by plotting against the life of an innocent man, who is 
 your superior in every point but one — villany ! " 
 
 " Oh, indeed, Miss Markham, you are in a particularly 
 facetious humour this evening; but suppose I were to insinuate 
 that a certain very gifted and highly accomplished young lady 
 thought more deeply than people imagine of a certain person, 
 whose great recommendation lies in chasing those poor devils of 
 foxes to death, and whose proficiency in dog language, to the 
 exclusion of every other, is notorious." 
 
 " You may insinuate what you please, Mr. Vernon ; but 
 facts are stubborn things, and two or three little transactions of 
 yours have come to my knowledge, which shall be certainly 
 disclosed when Mr. Vernon dares to apply any insulting terms 
 either to William Beauchamp or your humble servant ; " with 
 which, making him a low curtsey, she haughtily turned on her 
 heel. 
 
 "Ah, I see," muttered Vernon to himself, "that d d 
 
 fool, her brother, has been letting the cat out of the bag, so now 
 I must try another game ; " with which purpose he crossed the 
 room and joined Mrs. Harcourt, whose glances towards the sofa, 
 where Mrs. Gordon, Blanche, and Beauchamp were sitting, re- 
 vealed the nature of her thoughts. 
 
 "Well, Mrs. Harcourt," he inquired, noticing her dis- 
 satisfied looks, " have I misrepresented matters in that 
 quarter 1 " 
 
 " A little exaggerated, I should hope, though not perhaps 
 intentional ; but Mrs. Gordon is well aware of our views with 
 regard to her niece." The latter part of her speech was 
 delivered as a check to Mr. Vernon's future attentions to 
 Blanche, which Mrs. Harcourt had observed more than once 
 before, and particularly at dinner that evening — so that the 
 crafty plotter received a rebuke where he least expected one. 
 
 Whilst we have been relating these conversations, the com- 
 pany had been enlivened by music and singing, the principal 
 performers being Miss Caroline Markham; Constance, and two 
 Misses Rolleston, with Captain Markham and Robert Conyers ; 
 and the evening thus passed pleasantly away, without further 
 incidents, until the carriages were announced. 
 
 During their drive home, Constance rallied her brother on 
 his abstraction, saying, " We have gone at least three miles, 
 William, and three words have not passed your lips ; what are 
 you thinking of, my sapient brother \ " 
 
BEAUCHAMP NO FORTUNE-HUNTER. 41 
 
 " Of nothing particular, Con, dear." 
 
 ''Yes, William, you are (excuse my rudeness in contra- 
 dicting you) ; and I will tell you the subject of your meditations, 
 if you promise to confess whether I have guessed rightly or not." 
 
 " Well, dear Con, what is it then '? " 
 
 " Blanche Douglas." 
 
 Beauchamp was silent for a moment, then added — 
 
 " Yes, Constance, your guess is right ; but there is nothing- 
 very particular in my thinking about Blanche, of whom I so 
 often think, and her future prospects in life ; you know the 
 interest I have long taken in her, and my brotherly affection ; 
 she is to me a second sister." 
 
 " Yes, dear William, but in that relation she cannot much 
 longer stand to you, although I hope she may to me." 
 
 " That, I fear, can never be, dear Constance." 
 
 " And why not, my own true kind-hearted brother ? " 
 
 "The rich heiress, when once launched on the world, and 
 surrounded by the titled, the rich, and the gay, trying for her 
 hand, will soon forget the humble companion of her earlier and 
 happier years." 
 
 " Never, William, believe me, if I know her as I ought to 
 do * although so young, she thinks deeply, judges carefully, and 
 loves, where she does love, intensely : and of this I am quite 
 convinced, that an impression upon her heart, once made, will 
 never be obliterated." 
 
 " Well, my dear, enthusiastic sister, time is said to prove the 
 constancy of faithful love." 
 
 "William," she said, "will you answer me one question, 
 sincerely and confidentially — for you know me too well to 
 believe that I ever would betray your confidence — do you love 
 Blanche as a sister only ? " 
 
 " Until this night, dear Con, I believed I did regard her in 
 that light only ; but now, my feelings have undergone a change 
 — would that they never had ! " 
 
 " Why say this, my own darling brother, and in so sad a 
 tone % " 
 
 " Because from this hour they must be suppressed, if not 
 extinguished. What ! Will Beauchamp a fortune-hunter ! 
 never," he replied with emphasis ; " perish the thought ! " 
 
 " And perish thus," added Constance, " the happy dreams, 
 the brightening hopes of that dear confiding girl, w T ho thinks 
 she has found a responding pulse to her own feelings in the 
 breast of William Beauchamp." 
 
42 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS 
 
 " Constance," exclaimed lier brother in surprise, " wliat does 
 all this mean ? " 
 
 " Simply this, William ; I know the language of the eyes, 
 the looks of love ; and if the latter were not exhibited to 
 me this night by Blanche Douglas, when Markham spoke of 
 your quarrel with Lord Mervyn, I know nothing of woman- 
 kind." 
 
 " Oh, say nob so, Constance." 
 
 " It is said and done," she replied ; " the die is cast : the 
 happiness or misery of her you love now rests in your keeping 
 to whom she has intrusted, though not yet revealed, her life's 
 dearest treasure. Now, William, we are just at home ; and 
 remember, the conversation we have had this evening must 
 never escape your lips, even to our nearest and dearest 
 friends." 
 
 " Of that there is little fear ; honour and delicacy mil keep 
 my lips hermetically sealed on this subject ; but beware, my 
 dear Constance, you do not compromise your brother." . 
 
 " As soon, dear William, should I compromise myself." 
 
 Mr. Beauchamp and Sir Francis had retired to rest before 
 the return of William and his sister, but Miss Raymond 
 awaited in the drawing-room, in the expectation of receiving a 
 true and particular account of that evening's proceedings. 
 
 The appointment for the next morning having been adver- 
 tised for Barton Court, the seat of Sir Lionel Markham, the 
 worthy baronet threw open his doors to all comers, a substan- 
 tial breakfast being laid out for their discussion ; after which, 
 punctual to the time, half-past ten, Charley made his appear- 
 ance with the pack, which soon after trotted off to the home 
 wood, where an abundance of foxes was provided for their 
 entertainment. The multiplicity of these animals, however, 
 proved a bar to much sport, from their continual interference 
 with each other's business ; but after an hour's rattling work in 
 covert, one of these gentlemen of the brush thought to sneak 
 quietly away from the din ringing in his ears j and, taking 
 advantage of a hedge-row to screen him from observation, faced 
 the open. Charley's quick eye detected his foe slinking along, 
 until, jumping the fence two fields ofi^ he gave one hasty look 
 behind him, and then disappeared. " Ah, old fellow, you think 
 you've done the trick cleverly ? just the ticket, namesake," he 
 was muttering to himself, when an old master of harriers came 
 up. 
 
 " Well, Charley, just in my way this — round and round." 
 
THE NEXT DRAW, 43 
 
 " Yes, sir, we have had enough of that fun, and now you 
 shall have something in ours ; when, putting his fingers to his 
 ear, he sent forth a scream, which nearly unhorsed the thistle 
 whipper. 
 
 " Gone away ! " screamed Charley again. 
 
 "Where? where?" exclaimed Newman Butler, "I don't 
 see him." 
 
 " But I did, sir, and hope never to see him again until he is 
 brought to hand ; now for the cobbler's wax, sir," as the hounds 
 came tearing out of covert, and settled down to the scent. " Give 
 Foreman his head, sir, and come along ; we've got them all to 
 ourselves." Saying which he cleared the first fence, with a 
 yawning ditch on the other side." 
 
 " All right, sir ; come along ! " cried Charley, as looking 
 back he saw Foreman blundering on his nose, with his master 
 clinging round his neck. " Pick him up, sir, and put more 
 powder in next time." 
 
 For five-and-twenty minutes Charley had it all his own 
 way; and so great was the pace, that the hounds ran into their 
 fox before he could reach the next covert. Sir Francis, with 
 his arm in a sling, rode furiously throughout this quick burst, 
 and was one of the first up with Will Beauchamp, Sir Lucius, 
 and Tyler. 
 
 " Pretty thing, indeed ! " exclaimed the baronet. " Well. 
 done, Charley." 
 
 "Not much for me to do, Sir Francis," replied Charles, 
 touching his cap, " except going as straight and fast as I ever 
 rode in my life." 
 
 "Just treat us to another of the same sort; and here, 
 Charley" — putting a sovereign into his hand — "I'll double it if 
 you do." 
 
 Will Beauchamp waited until Sir Lionel and his father came 
 up, when the fox was thrown to the hounds, and a discussion 
 took jjlace as to the next draw. " There is a bit of nice lying 
 in the gorse on Brendon Doavu, sir," suggested Charley to his 
 master ; "just suit the ladies and Sir Francis." 
 
 " And so it will, Charley." 
 
 " Well, William," inquired Sir Lionel, " where now % 
 
 " Brendon Gorse holds a fox, I think, sir ; a gallop over the- 
 open will suit the ladies better than tearing through these 
 blackthorn fences." 
 
 "Bavo!" exclaimed Selina Markham ; "who says you are 
 not a ladies' man, Will Beauchamp % I am tattered and torn, 
 
44 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 but not forlorn, from riding a race with Dick Vernon, and 
 beating him, too, at the expense of half my skirt." 
 
 "Really, Selina," exclaimed her father, "you had better 
 adopt skins and jack-boots at once." 
 
 " I have done it already, daddy dear ! " she replied, laughing, 
 and patting her boot with her riding-whip. 
 
 " Oh, you hoiden ! " laughed Sir Lionel, " what next 1 " 
 
 " Don't exactly know, papa, after riding over Dick Vernon, 
 his horse, and a five-barred gate at one swoop." 
 
 " The devil she did ! " remarked Sir Francis ; " that beats 
 Leicestershire hollow." 
 
 "And a demmed scurvy trick to play a fallow who was 
 jDolitely stooping to open the gate for you," put in the Captain. 
 
 " Think so, Ned ? 'pon honour, eh ! Now for a scamper on 
 the open ; come on, Will Beauchamp, while my blood is up ! " 
 saying which, she cantered off towards the downs. 
 
 Before throwing the hounds into the gorse, at Will Beau- 
 champ's request, the horsemen ranged themselves in line, to 
 prevent the fox breaking towards the valley, an extent of open 
 downs stretching for several miles in the opposite direction. 
 A brace of foxes were on foot directly, one breaking through 
 the horsemen, with the body of the pack upon his scent, and 
 just emerging from the gorse, where a rate from Charley 
 stopped them in a moment, and they were immediately capped 
 by William Beauchamp on to the line of the other, which had 
 gone straight away at the right point. 
 
 " Hold hard one minute, gentlemen ! " shouted Beauchamp ; 
 " let them get their heads well down first, then ride as hard as 
 you please." But none heeded him, every man going- off at 
 score, and leaving the hounds to get together as they could, 
 threading their way with inconceivable dexterity through nearly 
 fcwo hundred horses, without a hound being disabled. The pack 
 got together like a flash of lightning, and took up the running 
 at such a terrific pace, that in a few minutes they were clear 
 away from all interference, the hardest riders being unable to 
 live with them. In five minutes more, in ascending some 
 rising ground, the hounds fairly beat every horse, and in another 
 five minutes they run into their fox on the open down, not an 
 individual being within a mile of them at the finish. 
 
 Sir Francis and Will Beauchamp rode side by side through 
 the burst. "Well, Sir Francis," remarked the latter, "they 
 are putting their best legs foremost now, and beating us 
 hollow." 
 
THE BARONET BEATEN AT LAST. 4£ 
 
 " Gad, Beauchamp ! they are flying instead of running. I 
 never could have believed it possible those big, bony hounds 
 could slip away in that fashion." 
 
 " Power and speed together, Sir Francis," replied Beauchamp ; 
 " that has been our object in breeding hounds." 
 
 "And that you have succeeded to the utmost, no man can 
 doubt who rides after them to-day," rejoined his companion. 
 
 The delight of Mr. Beauchamp, senior, when arriving on 
 the scene, may be more easily imagined than described. Bulling 
 off his hat, and wiping the perspiration trickling from his head 
 down to his neckcloth, " Well, Burnett," he asked, puffing and 
 blowing from exertion, " does this suit you 1 " 
 
 " Yes, my old friend, although a trifle too fast." 
 
 " Glad to hear you are pleased at last— said they couldn't 
 run away from you — Avhat d'ye think now, Burnett 1 " 
 
 u Beaten, sir, beaten, I confess. By Jove ! sir, this is New- 
 market work." 
 
 " Ay, Burnett, and I'll back five or ten couple of those 
 hounds against any Newmarket horse of the present day, over 
 six miles of turf." 
 
 " And I believe," added Sir Francis, " you would win the 
 wager." 
 
 Selina and Constance, in company with Bob Conyers, now 
 reached the spot, the last ceremonies being delayed until their 
 arrival, when Beauchamp presented the brush to Miss Mark- 
 ham, saying the fox had been selected for the ladies' especial 
 amusement, and hoped they had enjoyed their gallop. 
 
 " You entered beautifully for the petticoats, William Beau- 
 champ, and we never enjoyed such a gallop before ; have we, 
 Constance?" 
 
 " Oh, no !" she exclaimed ; " Selina and myself raced the 
 whole distance, leaving dozens behind." 
 
 " Ton honour, I am afraid, got a bad noser in trying to beat 
 us," laughed his sister. " Narcissus put his foot in a rut, and, 
 oh, demmit, what a roll he gave his master, the lifeguardsmam 
 going down the hill — thought he'd never have done turning 
 over. ' Hurt 1 ' I cried out as we passed him. ' Eh ! — aw ! — 
 'pon my soul, can't tell yet.' ' Then, when you've found out, 
 let me "know ' — but here he comes to answer the question." 
 
 Boars of laughter followed Miss Markham's description of 
 her brother's spill, which had not subsided when he arrived. 
 "Well, Ned," inquired his sister, "have you found out yet 
 whether you are hurt or not V 
 
;C THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Deiimed stiff somewhere," replied the Captain. 
 
 " 'Ron honour, where 1 " cried Selina, choking with laughter 
 at his grotesque appearance, with his coat split entirely up his 
 back, and his hat crushed to pieces. " A fox had a wound, but 
 lie couldn't tell where — is that your case, Neddy, dear ?" she 
 inquired, in a pitying tone. 
 
 Roars of merriment again burst forth. 
 
 " Eh ! — aw ! — demmit ! what are all you fellows laughing 
 at ? Can't see the joke." 
 
 " Demned surprised if you could," added his sister. 
 
 " Really, Selina," exclaimed Sir Lionel, " you are too bad, 
 and if you don't behave better in the hunting-field, I shall not 
 allow you to meet the hounds again." 
 
 " Don't be ill-tempered, daddy, dear," she said, coaxingly, 
 riding up and putting her hand on his shoulder. " I enjoy a 
 bit of fun, or a good run, as well as you do, my dear dad." 
 
 " You are too witty by half, my dear," replied Sir Lionel. 
 
 " Then I'll sive the spare half to Edward, papa — will that 
 do ?" 
 
 " Incorrigible ! " exclaimed her father, in despair. " "Will 
 you lecture her a little, Sir Francis 1 " 
 
 " Rather be excused, Sir Lionel, as I have an idea she 
 would give me a thorough good lathering in return. But 
 now, what's the next move ? " 
 
 " Home, I should think ; but what says Will Beauchamp 1 " 
 
 " We think of travelling in that direction," replied the 
 master huntsman, "seeing we are now eighteen miles from 
 the kennels." 
 
 " Of course you do," added Bob Conyers ; " I'd never risk 
 the spoiling snch a day's sport as this by drawing again. There 
 are some fellows who hunt by the day, and don't know what to 
 do with themselves until the day is over; which puts me in 
 mind of an answer given by Lord Mervyn to a gentleman 
 who asked him for a day's shooting. 'Not an hour's, sir,' 
 was the reply, and a fair rebuke ; for a good shot in half an 
 hour would bag more game in my lord's preserves than he 
 could within a week in common shooting. Sport cannot be 
 measured by time; that's my idea of it." 
 
 " And a very correct one, Bob," replied Sir Francis. " I 
 have enjoyed these fifteen minutes over the turf at this splitting 
 pace, more — ten times more — than I should the longest wood- 
 land run." 
 
 " Come along then, Burnett," exclaimed Mr. Beauchamp, 
 
BARTON COURT. 47 
 
 and their horses' heads were turned homewards. As the squire 
 moved off*, Sir Lionel shouted, " Mind you dine with us to- 
 morrow, Beauchamp, with Will and Constance." 
 
 " Not likely to forget that, Markham," was the response. 
 
 On their ride home they met Newman Butler galloping 
 towards them, puffing and blowing like a grampus. 
 
 " Eh ! well ! Will Beauchamp, what have you done with 
 him V inquired the master of the harriers. 
 
 " Carrying him home, Newman," pointing to the hounds 
 with his whip. 
 
 " Ah, indeed ! too fast for old Foreman — couldn't hold the 
 pace ; obliged to give in." 
 
 " You are not singular, Newman," replied Will Beauchamp; 
 " scores of others were told off as well as yourself, and are riding 
 at this moment dispersed over the downs." 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The dinner party at Barton Court the next evening consisted 
 of nearly the same individuals we have before described as 
 dining at Mr. Harcourt's, with the exception of Lord Mervyn's 
 family, who sent excuses, in whose places we must substitute 
 Newman Butler, and Mr. Compton, of Brockley Park (the 
 other member for that division of the county, also a great 
 game preserver), with Mrs. Compton, a remarkably line, hand- 
 some woman of about five-and-tkirty, who had presented him 
 with a goodly array of young olive branches around his table, 
 the eldest of whom, a boy of fourteen, was then at Eton. 
 
 Under the presidency of Sir Lionel, at his own festive 
 board, backed by the old squire of Bampton, formality was 
 obliged to throw off her cold, freezing aspect, and even Mr. 
 and Mrs. Harcourt thawed under the genial influence induced 
 by the warm-hearted and jovial hospitality of the old baronet, 
 now in his seventieth year, whose still tall, stately form, 
 measuring over six feet in height, and fine open countenance, 
 beaming with hilarity and good humour, presented the beau 
 ideal of a true English gentleman, " one of the olden time." 
 The squire of Bampton, although not so tall as his friend and 
 contemporary, was cast nearly in the same mould, and very 
 closely resembled Sir Lionel in disposition also. 
 
48 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Notwithstanding the tendency in this all-assuming age to 
 detract from the manners and merits of the old school of 
 squirearchy, it would be well did the rising generation re- 
 semble more in essential points that which has passed away. 
 What are the forward, flippant manners of the young men of 
 the present day, and especially their pert behaviour to ladies, 
 in comparison with the refined, respectful, and courtly de- 
 meanour of their fathers ? The antics and airs of apes, or 
 of a linen-draper's assistant, without even his politeness, in- 
 stead of the conduct and bearing of gentlemen; and their 
 language and conversation with ladies, wha,t are they but a 
 positive insult to any woman of chaste ideas ? Compare also a 
 dinner party in the present age with one of the olden time. 
 Now, all is ostentation and display, with their French cooks, 
 French dishes, Swiss valets, and gentlemanlike butlers. No- 
 man thinks of committing such a solecism now as asking his 
 neighbour to take wine — formerly a medium of introduction to 
 those unknown to each other; but at a large party in these 
 days, it is one servant's occupation to go the round of the table, 
 pouring champagne and other wines into the company's glasses. 
 There is a total absence of that genuine hospitality, the cha- 
 racteristic of the olden time. No sirloin of beef smokes on the 
 board ; but, in place of the old substantial dishes, pates, cotelets, 
 fricassees a la mode francaise, are handed round ; foreign fashions 
 predominate even in our very language, which is now deemed 
 so poor and inexpressive as to require French phrases to 
 explain its meaning. 
 
 Turn we now in retrospective view to the festive board in 
 bygone days, with the old portly butler, who has grown grey- 
 headed in the service, and the Johnny Baws of the village 
 converted into respectful and attentive serving men, whose 
 interests and happiness appeared to be identified with the 
 members of their master's house. 
 
 Lady Markham, having marshalled her guests and assigned 
 partners to each, as she deemed most appropriate, reserving Sir 
 Francis to herself, left the junior part to their own arrange- 
 ments, with the exception of Miss Douglas, whom she consigned 
 to her son, the Captain, much to the annoyance of Yernon, 
 who was just ofiering his arm, Will Beauchamp feeling himself 
 imperatively called upon to hand in Selina Markham, out of 
 respect to her father, and the others not standing on much 
 ceremony in making their selection. 
 
 The long dining-table glittered with massive silver plates 
 
A MISCHIEF- MAKER. 49 
 
 -and dishes and huge branching candlesticks with wax lights, 
 the viands also being of the substantial order, and entirely of 
 home manufacture or produce of the Barton Court domain, 
 §:om the sirloin of beef to the two couples of woodcocks which 
 occupied one dish in the third course, with jellies, creams, tarts, 
 puddings (new college especially), and other kinds of con-, 
 fectionery from the housekeeper's room. The wines (a choice 
 selection from the best vintages) were the product of foreign 
 and warmer climes ; but two large flagons of home-brewed ale 
 a,nd home-pressed cider, of bright and sparkling amber hue, 
 graced the board, to which Newman Butler" directed an in- 
 quiring look. "Ah, Butler!" exclaimed his host, observing 
 his glance in that direction, "there is something there which 
 I think will suit your palate." 
 
 " No doubt, Sir Lionel, some of the best." 
 
 " Then taste and try, Newman, before you buy. John," turn- 
 ing to the old butler, " a tumbler of your old ale to Mr. Butler." 
 
 " Yes, Sir Lionel ; " and the next moment a tall beaker, 
 frothed to the top, was handed by the old man, who stood by 
 Butler, salver in hand, to watch its effect. 
 
 " Excellent, indeed," ejaculated Butler, as he returned the 
 emptied glass ; " sherry or madeira can't beat that, Sir Lionel." 
 
 " Glad you like it, Newman." 
 
 " He is a good judge of that beverage," remarked Conyers. 
 u And now, John, I'll trouble you for a glass of the same." 
 
 Similar requests followed from other quarters, with which 
 the old butler was highly delighted. The dinner-hour was 
 passing pleasantly, though leisurely, away, Selina entertaining 
 her neighbour, William Beauchamp, with many witty remarks 
 in a low key, lest they might be overheard by her mamma, ot 
 whom alone she stood in some kind of awe. But Richard 
 Vernon, who had seized upon the chair next Miss Douglas, 
 watching her glances across the table to Beauchamp and his 
 partner, resolved to have his revenge for her distant behaviour 
 to himself. 
 
 "Miss Markham and Mr. Beauchamp appear mutually 
 pleased with each other," he remarked ; " in fact, her whisper- 
 ing speeches, and furtive glances towards Lady Markham, 
 betray the nature of their conversation ; don't you think so, 
 Miss Douglas ?" 
 
 " I really do not know to what you allude, Mr. Vernon." 
 
 "None are so blind as those who will not see," was the 
 pointed reply. 
 
£0 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " I can see nothing in Selina' s conduct to-night different to 
 
 what it generally is," she answered, in rather an indignant tone„ 
 
 " OL, indeed ! Then, I suppose, you are also not aware of 
 
 that which is the common topic of conversation in well-informed 
 
 circles Mr. William Beauchamp's unequivocal attentions to 
 
 Miss Markham ?" 
 
 The colour rose suddenly to Blanche's face, and was as 
 suddenly succeeded by a death-like pallor, of which being her- 
 self aware, she seized a glass of wine in her right hand, being 
 scarcely conscious of what she did, and swallowed the con- 
 tents^. Vernon watched her confusion with diabolical delight, 
 adding, " My abrupt revelation has caused quite an unexpected 
 exhibition of surprise on the part of Miss Douglas, but I 
 suppose the news has not travelled quite so far as Throseby 
 Hall." 
 
 " Nor anywhere else than through your own imagination, 
 probably, Mr. Vernon ; " with which she turned away, directing 
 some observation to Captain Markham, and would not again 
 notice anything addressed to her by Vernon. 
 
 On the retirement of the ladies to the drawing-room, Con- 
 stance, taking Blanche's arm, inquired what fresh impertinence 
 Vernon had been guilty of, having observed them sparring at 
 at dinner, which called up again the blush on her Mend's 
 cheek. 
 
 "My dear Constance, he told me that your brother was 
 seriously attached, if not engaged, to Selina Markham, and that 
 everybody knew it, except myself." 
 
 " False, treacherous villain ! " indignantly exclaimed Con- 
 stance ; " how dare he utter such a libel on my dear William t 
 He in love with Selina ! — heaven fore fend ! " 
 
 "But, perhaps, he may be attached to her, without entrust- 
 ing you with his secrets," added Blanche. 
 
 " No, Blanche, that is impossible." 
 
 "But why is it impossible, dear Constance; can you tel' 
 me?" 
 
 " Y es, dear girl, I can ; because I know he loves another — 
 the very opposite in every respect to Miss Markham." 
 
 " Oh ! who can that happy person be 1 " inquired Blanche, 
 with a deep-drawn sigh. " Tell me, dear Constance, tell me her 
 name ! " 
 
 " I fear I have already said too much, dear Blanche ; for 
 William's secret is known to me alone, and I dare not divulge 
 it." 
 
WHO IS THE LOVED ONE? 51 
 
 " Oh, Constance ! " whispered the poor girl in an a^ony of 
 suspense, " pray tell me, dearest Constance ! — your secret shall 
 never pass my lips j on my honour, nothing shall wring it from 
 me ! " 
 
 "You may guess, dear Blanche, but I dare not tell you the 
 name. Yet," putting her lips close to her ear, she whispered, 
 " the j>erson is in this room." 
 
 " Caroline ? " inquired Blanche. 
 
 « No." 
 
 " Miss Bajmiond ? " 
 
 " Certainly not." 
 
 " Then it must be one of the Misses Bolleston ? " 
 
 "Neither of them, my dear. Try again." 
 
 '• Miss Gwynne ? " 
 
 u Very complimentary to William's taste, Blanche ; but you 
 must be quite sure she is not the object of his choice." 
 
 " Who, then, can it be, Constance, as there is only Aunt 
 Gordon and myself left, of the unmarried ladies, in this 
 room ? " 
 
 "Most likely Aunt Gordon, my love," replied her friend, 
 looking slyly and archly in her face ; " my brother, you know, 
 is always very attentive to her." 
 
 " Oh, nonsense, Constance ! you are joking now, and laugh- 
 ing to think me so credulous." 
 
 " I never was more serious in my life, Blanche ; the choice 
 rests between Aunt Gordon and yourself. I must not compro- 
 mise myself by saying more, except that, however amiable, I 
 know William would never marry a widow. But here comes 
 >Selina." 
 
 " W^ell, children," she exclaimed, " what treason are you 
 two girls concocting by yourselves in this snug corner? 
 Plotting how you can be revenged on that arch-fiend, Dick 
 Vernon, for his insolent behaviour to Blanche at dinner? 
 What was he saying, my dear, to cause such angry looks to 
 Hush from those soft, dove-like eyes ? " 
 
 " His remarks are so impertinent sometimes, that I cannot 
 refrain, Selina, from exhibiting some resentment." 
 
 " And quite proper, too, my dear girl ; it is very necessary 
 for our sex to show men that thus far they may go, but no 
 farther. Want of dignity and self-respect will always en- 
 courage such fops as Vernon to become troublesome, if not 
 something more ; so let him know, for the future, that he is to 
 keep at a respectful distance." 
 
 d 2 
 
52 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " That, I hope, lie knows already," replied Blanche. 
 
 " So much the better, dear ; don't spare him, for you may 
 rest assured he will not spare you." 
 
 Meanwhile, the dining-room rung with the cheerful voices 
 of the old baronet's companions, who, under the good-humoured 
 presidency of their warm-hearted host (no Lord Mervyn beicg 
 present to damp their conviviality), indulged in their after- 
 dinner jocularity without restraint. The last day's sport was 
 run over again by the two veterans, and the arrangements for 
 the ensuing week canvassed. 
 
 "I think," observed Mr. Compton, "it is my turn next, 
 Mr. Beauchamp ; we have plenty of foxes as well as pheasants, 
 and Mrs. Compton and the children are quite impatient to see 
 the hounds again." 
 
 " Whenever you like, Compton," replied the old squire, 
 " after next week. Take your choice of the three days — Monday, 
 Thursday, or Saturday." 
 
 " The last, then," said Compton, "as I promised to let some 
 friends know the first regular fixture for our place." 
 
 " Well, Compton," said Conyers, " I wish your keeper would 
 give Lord Mervyn the receipt for preserving foxes and phea- 
 sants under the same crust. His won't keep together ; yours 
 always do, and both last good till the end of the season." 
 
 " Everything depends on the seasoning supplied to the head- 
 cook," replied Compton, good-humouredly, " which I never 
 spare. In fact, he would get a peppering himself, if foxes and 
 pheasants were not found in the same covert, and both good of 
 their kind." 
 
 "I never tasted a roast fox," said Conyers, "although I have 
 heard of a fool who once ordered one for dinner. But I'll bear 
 testimony to the flavour of your pheasants; and the hounds 
 seem to relish your foxes, too, by the way they so pertinaciously 
 follow in their wake across country. Why, let me see, or 
 think, rather, of my memorandum-book for last season, which 
 records the eating of nine foxes out of ten, from Compton's 
 little spinnies, and all despatched after capital runs — pretty 
 good for a game-preserver, and no fox- hunter ! Well, Compton, 
 you are one of the right sort, barring an error in your educa- 
 tion ; but when your son and heir comes home for the Christmas 
 holidays, I have promised Mrs. Compton to give him a few 
 preliminary lessons in the art of horsemanship, and I hope he'll 
 turn out a fox- hunter— that's all the harm I shall do for him. 
 And he won't make the worse statesman for having a know- 
 
THE BREWER AND THE LAWYER. 03 
 
 ledge of the wiles of Charles James Fox — Sir Francis, there is 
 an example of that sort, who can take the lead in the House 
 
 of Commons, as well as over the pastures of Leicestershire 
 
 egad, sir, rode two of the quickest things we have had this 
 season, only yesterday, with his arm in a sling ! " 
 
 "Why, Conyers !" exclaimed Sir Francis, "you are becom- 
 ing personally offensive to-night— that comes of mixing malt 
 liquor and wine together — and the result is, that you are run- 
 ning riot most wondrously, and require the lash for babbling." 
 
 ^ " Ah, very likely, Burnett, the old saying, < When the wine 
 is in, the wit comes out/ or, rather, in old Horace's version, 
 ' The truth comes out.' " 
 
 "Talking of malt liquor," said Fred Beauchamp, " puts me 
 in mind of a little scrimmage yesterday, whilst the hounds were 
 running in covert, between that vendor of swipes, Brewer 
 Suction, and Lawyer Dryasdust. The origin of their differences 
 I could not ascertain, but something about a bill of costs ; high 
 words ensued, the lawyer applying some insulting language to 
 the brewer about hog's-wash and tobacco-juice used in his beer. 
 Old Suction's dander was up in a minute, and in return he 
 called^ Dryasdust a cheating, rascally quill-driver. Retorts, 
 anything but courteous, followed from both parties, when the 
 brewer's wrath bust forth like the froth from one of his newly- 
 filled beer-barrels, and he rode at the lawyer, double-thong in 
 hand, challenging him to a tournament on horseback, or a fight 
 on foot. 'Form a ring, gentleman,' cried Farmer Turvill; 'let 
 'em have it out — I'll back the brewer.' ' Two to one on the 
 lawyer,' shouted Williams, the sporting Yet. ' I'll be bottle- 
 holder,' cried a third. ' Come on,' roared Suction ; ' I'll make 
 thy hide rattle like one of thy villanous parchments.' 
 
 "'No, gentlemen,' said the lawyer, 'I scorn to touch with 
 my little finger such, a low blackguard.' 
 
 " ' Low blackguard ami?' quoth Suction. ' Then take that 
 for thy insolence ; ' with which he dealt Dryasdust such a wipe 
 across the shoulders with his heavy crop, that he made him 
 twist again. ' A fight, a fight,' arose on all sides, ' have it out.' 
 ' I won't fight,' screamed the lawyer ; ' my weapon is the pen, 
 and I'll bring an action for assault and battery.' 'In for a 
 penny, in for a pound,' shouted Suction, and at him he went, 
 laying it on thick and fast, until the lawyer fairly bolted, and 
 galloped from the field, the brewer after him, Diyasdust keep- 
 ing a retreating fire of words, with ' heavy damages, bill of costs, 
 five hundred pounds, d him, ruin him.' " 
 
^4 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " This brings to my recollection/' said Vernon, " a running 
 fight I witnessed in town, last summer, between two Jew boys, 
 one following the other, and belabouring him with his clothes- 
 bag, the pursued crying out appealingly to the passers-by, 
 1 Ain't he spiteful, now, ain't he spiteful ? ' pointing to his nasal 
 organ, dropping blood, as he bustled along the street." 
 
 The introduction of coffee was a hint to Sir Lionel and his 
 friends that their presence was now required in the drawing- 
 room, which failed not in being obeyed, deep potations not then 
 being the fashion. 
 
 Constance and Blanche were seated together on an ottoman 
 sipping their tea, when Yfilliam Beauchamp joined them, a seat 
 being offered by his sister between them, which he gladly 
 accepted. Old John, the butler, had just entered the room ; 
 and, in passing with several smoking cups on his tray, piping 
 hot from the housekeeper's room, his foot caught in the leg of a 
 chair, and he would have precipitated the scalding liquid over 
 Blanche Douglas, but for the quick eye and rapid movement of 
 William Beauchamp, who sprang up before her, and received 
 the contents over his own person. 
 
 " Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! " cried the'old man. " To think that T 
 should have done such a thing to you, Mr. William." 
 " Better to me than Miss Douglas, my old friend."' 
 "But you must be dreadfully scalded, sir," he added, "all 
 through my awkwardness ! What can I do ? " 
 
 " Oh ! William ! " exclaimed Constance, jumping up to his 
 aid. " Are you much hurt ? " 
 
 " No, no, dear, not in the least. My best front and waist- 
 coat are alone a little damaged." 
 
 " More than that, I expect, my boy," said Sir Lionel, walk- 
 ing hastily up. "Come with me, Will, directly, and change 
 your things," and he followed his host from the room. 
 
 Blanche neither spoke nor rose from her seat ; but her 
 quivering lip and flushed face betrayed her emotion, which did 
 not pass unnoticed by Mrs. Harcourt, whose attention was 
 directed to the scene. But Constance (with a woman's quick 
 perception of her feelings), standing before her friend to screen 
 her from observation, stooped as if to examine her dress, and 
 whispered, " Don't be alarmed, dear Blanche — all eyes are upon 
 us — my brother is not hurt." 
 
 " Oh, how kind of him to save me at his own risk ! " she 
 replied. " I am sure he must be dreadfully scalded." 
 
 " Oh, no, my dear girl ; I hope the tea was not very hot.' 
 
RETALIATION. 55 
 
 In a few minutes, Sir Lionel returned to the room, when 
 "Vernon asked, in a sneering tone, if Mr. William Beauchamp 
 was so seriously injured as to require surgical assistance. 
 
 "Not that, sir," replied Sir Lionel, indignantly, "although 
 his chest is like a raw piece of beef ; but, thank God, he saved 
 Blanche Douglas, poor child, from what would have been a 
 serious injury to her fair skin, through the blundering of that 
 old fool John." 
 
 " What a fuss about a cup of tea ! " again sneered Vernon. 
 
 " Hark'e, sir," said the baronet, now thoroughly roused ; " no 
 more of your sneers, or I'll throw the next relay that comes into 
 your lap, and you'll hop higher than ever you did in a hornpipe." 
 
 " Never perpetrated such a monstrosity, Sir Lionel ; that 
 dance only suits such high-flyers as Miss Selina." 
 
 " I'll make you dance to some purpose presently," muttered 
 that mischievous young lady to herself, with which intent she 
 approached Mr. Vernon, who was lolling in an easy chair, and 
 began thanking him, in mocking terms, for his polite allusion to 
 her gymnastic exercises, at the same time beckoning the servant, 
 Avho held the salver, to take an empty cup she had in her hand. 
 But on his approaching with two other full cups on the tray, 
 with a touch of her elbow, the contents were adroitly tipped 
 over into her persecutor's lap. In an instant he was on his 
 legs, hopping and jumping about with the pain. 
 
 "Hang it, madam," he exclaimed in a furious passion; 
 " these practical jokes of yours are intolerable." 
 
 " Oh, la ! " she exclaimed ; " what a fuss Mr. Vernon makes 
 about a cup of tea ! " 
 
 " Demmit, Vernon, you can hop a bit, though ; thought 
 you were trying an Irish jig." 
 
 " And yet," said Selina, " the tea could not be very hot, 
 having been in the room ever since Mr. Beauchamp left it." 
 
 " Disagreeable, though, 'pon honour," remarked the Captain. 
 c> So come along, Dick, I'll rig you out." 
 
 As they quitted the room, Lady Markkam severely repri- 
 manded Selina for her conduct. 
 
 " Dear mamma," pleaded the young lacty, " don't be angry ; 
 if my brother does not choose to protect me from the impertinence 
 of that flippant puppy, I will not allow him to insult me, as he 
 does other ladies, with impunity." 
 
 William Beauchamp, at this moment, entered the room, 
 arrayed in one of the baronet's waistcoats, which excited the 
 risibility of his cousin Fred. 
 
56 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Well, Will, you look like a second FalstafF ; * hang a calf- 
 skin round his recreant limbs ! ' " 
 
 " Fortunate, my boy, all are not of such spare dimensions a& 
 yourself," replied Beauchamp ; " even the Captain's would not 
 fit ; but in Sir Lionel's vestment, although a little too long, I feel 
 myself a person of much greater importance than I did half an 
 hour ago." 
 
 "And so you are, Will — look the baronet all over." 
 
 " You cannot pay me a higher compliment, Fred ; " with 
 which he passed over to where Constance, Blanche, and Conyers 
 were sitting. 
 
 " How do you feel now, Beauchamp ? " asked the latter. 
 
 " Quite well, Bob, thank you ; it raised a bit of a rash, 
 nothing more. But I fear," he said, addressing Blanche, " you 
 were frightened by my awkwardness in nearly falling upon you ; 
 but the whole thing was so sudden, that I could scarcely keep 
 my footing." 
 
 "I was not alarmed on my own account," she replied, 
 timidly ; " but I am sure you are hurt* in protecting me, more 
 than you choose to confess." 
 
 " Indeed, I am not," he said • and lowering his voice to a 
 whisper, added, " willingly, most willingly, dear Blanche, would 
 I risk my life to protect you from harm ; " which caused the 
 blood to rush to her very forehead, so deeply did these words strike 
 to her heart. Mrs. Harcourt's keen glance noticed Beauchamp's 
 impressive manner to her niece, as well as her evident confusion 
 at his words, and walking across to where they were sitting, 
 begged Constance and Blanche to sing the last duet they had 
 been practising together. Refusal was out of the question ; and 
 as the two girls rose to go to the jDiano, Mrs. Harcourt detained 
 Beauchamp by asking his advice about her pet spaniel, but, in 
 reality, to detach him from her niece, and try to discover his- 
 true feelings towards her. After the dog's malady had been 
 discussed, she asked, "Don't you think Blanche very much im- 
 proved in her singing, Mr. Beauchamp ? " 
 
 "Yes, indeed, she is," was the frank reply ; "she sings 
 charmingly, and is a sweet, unaffected girl." 
 
 " She must not now be treated as a ■ girl any longer, Mr. 
 Beauchamp, having nearly reached her eighteenth year ; and 
 she is to be introduced, as I dare say you have heard, at our 
 next Christmas ball ; and considering her position, fortune, and 
 personal attractions, Mr. Harcourt and myself are justified, I 
 think, in expecting that she will form some high matrimonial 
 connection." 
 
CROSS-PURPOSES. 57 
 
 " There is no station, save one, to which Miss Douglas may 
 not aspire," replied Beauchamp, in the same quiet, indifferent 
 tone of voice. 
 
 "We certainly shall not give our consent to her marrying 
 any person who has not an equivalent in fortune or in rank ; 
 but I believe she is already attached to her cousin, Lord 
 Malcolm, whom we are expecting at Throseby, next month." 
 
 Her eyes were riveted on Beauchamp as she uttered this 
 last sentence, but a steady, firm look was all she coidd discover 
 there — no embarrassment was perceptible; only a slight curl 
 on his upper lip told Mrs. Harcourt, as plainly as words, that 
 Wiliam Beauchamp thoroughly understood her. She was not, 
 however, aware of a fact, known as yet to himself and one other 
 person only, that Lord Malcolm's affections had been given to 
 another. 
 
 Relieved from Mrs. Harcourt's catechising, and roused by 
 her insinuation, Beauchamp took his revenge by immediately 
 joining Blanche and Constance, who now left the piano, and he 
 attached himself to them for the remainder of the evening. 
 
 On returning to the drawing-room, Vernon remarked this 
 happy party, and again began his comments to Mrs. Harcourt 
 on Beauchamp' s attentions to her niece. 
 
 " Did you notice Miss Douglas," he asked, " when the acci- 
 dent happened, by that old stupid man upsetting the tea % " 
 
 " Yes," she said, " Mr. Vernon, I did ; and any young girl, 
 when suddenly frightened, as she must have been, would natu- 
 rally change colour and feel agitated ; even at my age, such an 
 occurrence would have made me nervous. But Mr. Beauchamp 
 has been enlightened by me, since you left the room, as to our 
 expectations with regard to my niece, and the communication 
 was received with the most perfect indifference, so that I am 
 quite satisfied his intentions are merely those of a neighbour to 
 one he has known from childhood ; particularly as I informed 
 him, also, of Blanche's attachment to her cousin, Lord Malcolm, 
 which did not excite the least surprise." 
 
 " Well, Mrs. Harcourt, although you may be satisfied, I am 
 not." 
 
 " And pray, Mr. Vernon, may I ask, why you take such an 
 extraordinary interest in my niece 1 " 
 
 " Simply, madam, because I should be sorry to see her 
 thrown away upon such a clod of a fox-hunter as Will Beau- 
 champ." 
 
 "Indeed, Mr. Vernon, I ought to feel much obliged by 
 
58 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 your anxiety for her welfare ; but I think some refined young 
 gentlemen might take a lesson from the clod, Will Beauchamp, 
 in his respectful attentions to ladies ; he, at least, never forgets 
 what is due to our sex." 
 
 Vernon was stunned by this retort, and did not again renew 
 the subject ; but exasperated now against Mrs. Harcourt, as 
 well as her niece and Beauchamp, and meditating revenge, he 
 turned sullenly away. 
 
 The company began, soon after, to disperse, and on leaving, 
 the hand of Will ^Beauchamp lingered in that of Blanche 
 Douglas with rather a long and warm pressure, as he wished 
 Jier good night. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The Tuesday following, early, Beauchamp rode over to the 
 Priory, to keep his engagement with Mrs. Gordon ; and on 
 being ushered into the drawing-room, there, to his astonish- 
 ment, sat Blanche Douglas. Starting with surprise at so un- 
 expectedly meeting her, with whom his thoughts had been so 
 busily engaged during his ride, and up to the moment of 
 entering the room, he stammered forth something about the 
 unlooked-for pleasure of seeing her at the Priory. His confu- 
 sion did not escape the fair girl, who rose and held out her 
 hand to greet him with a cheerful smile ; although her embar- 
 rassment more than equalled his own. 
 
 "You did not expect to meet me here, then % " she said. 
 
 "Oh, no. I did not anticipate so early and delightful a 
 reunion, after our last meeting, as Mrs. Gordon merely asked 
 me to assist her in some alterations she was making in her 
 garden. But when did you arrive 1 " 
 
 " Yesterday ; aunt sent the carriage for me, and I am to 
 remain with her a week." 
 
 " Then I hope," said Beauchamp, " she will require my 
 services as head-gardener for the same period. It is so seldom, 
 dear Blanche," said he, as he sat down, and took her hand in 
 his, which he felt trembling at his touch ; " it is so seldom we 
 now meet, as we used to do ; but the heiress of Ardwell must 
 no longer be to her friends the Blanche Douglas of happier 
 days — at least, so Mrs. Harcourt told me the other evening." 
 
 " Did she tell you so, Mr. Beauchamp ? " 
 
AUNT GORDON SURPRISES THE TWO FRIENDS. 59 
 
 " Yes," lie replied, mournfully ; " and are not her words 
 nearly confirmed, when Blanche's old friend William is ad- 
 dressed as Mr. Beauchamp ? " 
 
 " And yet," she said, timidly, though firmly, a Blanche 
 Douglas will, I hope, ever be Blanche Douglas to William 
 Beauchamp and his dear sister Constance." 
 
 " Heaven grant it ! " he replied, iervently ; " unchanged in 
 heart, though I must not expect in name. jSText month you 
 will make your debut in public, as the heiress ; and oh ! 
 Blanche, think you not of the homage (your just due) which 
 will tli en be offered at your feet by the rich, the titled, and the 
 gay, ail eager for a share of those sunny smiles, by which the 
 lieart of William Beauchamp has been so often gladdened, 
 when pressing the hand he now holds within his own. Fearful 
 to me, alas ! will be that change, whose coming I dread, as 
 about to separate us for ever." 
 
 " Oh, never, William, believe me, can I so change towards 
 you, as to prefer new acquaintances, however agreeable, to old 
 and well-tried friends." 
 
 A tap at the window made Beauchamp spring from the 
 sofa, and there stood Aunt Gordon : but how long she had been 
 there, he did not then know. Blanche at the same moment 
 hurried from the room, to put on her bonnet ; and Beauchamp, 
 taking up his hat, hastened to meet Mrs. Gordon in the garden, 
 who, shaking hands with him most cordially, said, " So, William, 
 instead of coming to help Aunt Gordon in her garden, you have 
 been occupied in the drawing-room making love to her niece. 
 What have you to say, sir, to this grave charge ? guilty, or not 
 guilty?" 
 
 " Not guilty, dear Aunt Gordon." 
 
 u Then why that heightened colour and averted eye ? I 
 expected candour, not evasion, from William Beauchamp,' , she 
 replied, looking offended. 
 
 " From you, my dear, kind friend," said Beauchamp, " I 
 have no concealments ; you have a double right to know what 
 I said to Blanche, and every word I have spoken to her shall 
 be repeated to you." He then related the conversation which 
 had passed between them, which had arisen from Mrs. Har- 
 court's observations to him the other night, and the melan- 
 choly reflections that had filled his mind ever since, that 
 Blanche Douglas would soon be lost to him for ever. 
 
 " So then, AVilliam, you do love my niece, notwithstanding 
 your plea of not guilty to making love just now? " 
 
60 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Dear Aunt Gordon, I will not deny that lier happiness is 
 dearer, far dearer to me than my life ; but there is a barrier 
 between us which cannot be passed. Her guardian expects she 
 will marry a person either of high rank, or, at least, of fortune 
 equal to her own, which is but reasonable ; and there can be 
 little doubt, that on her entrance into the world, her beauty 
 and attractions, joined with that far greater recommendation, 
 money, will immediately cause even coronets to be laid at her 
 feet. What, then ! should I selfishly endeavour (by gaining 
 this dear girl's early affections) to debar her from all those 
 glittering, lofty prospects in life, to which she is so justly 
 entitled? No, my dear madam, it cannot, and shall not be 
 said of Will Beauchamp, that he ever stood in the path of 
 Blanche Douglas (even had he the power to do so), to prevent 
 her promotion to a higher sphere, in which she is so eminently 
 qualified to shine." 
 
 " Then it is the opinion of Mr. William Beauchamp, that 
 honours and riches are the only things which can confer hap- 
 piness ? " 
 
 "One would think so," he replied, "by the avidity with 
 which they are so universally sought after. But surely the 
 fortunate possessors of great talents or endowments may law- 
 fully aspire to, and accept, any further preferment offered them, 
 as a just tribute to their deserts." 
 
 "Then, in your opinion, Blanche, being a very worldly- 
 minded young lady, aspires to the rank of a duchess, or 
 marchioness, at least 1 " 
 
 "Far be it fro>3a me," replied Beauchamp; "to impute 
 worldly considerations to a mind so pure, unselfish, and artless, 
 as that of your dear, kind-hearted, unaffected niece ; but my 
 meaning was simply this : among the aristocracy, there are 
 to be found more men of refined ideas, gentlemanly conduct,. 
 and high character (and you must admit of much more polished 
 manners), than in any other class of gentlemen, taking an 
 equal number from either. And such being the case, which I 
 do not think will be disputed, there can be no just cause, why 
 Blanche should refuse the offer of any young nobleman who 
 might render himself agreeable to her. She is herself of very 
 old family, already connected with some of the highest rank, 
 and, with the addition of a large landed property, she may r 
 without being accused of worldly-mindedness, or ambition, 
 compete with any duke's daughter in the land." 
 
 "This may be all true, my dear William," replied Mrs. 
 
EEAUCHAMPS INTENTIONS TOWARDS THE HEIRESS. 61 
 
 Gordon, ''except that, among our young nobility, there are 
 many who would not be slow to woo any young heiress for 
 the sake of her money only. But supposing Blanche were no 
 heiress, after all, and dependent only on her aunt Gordon for 
 anything she might be able to leave her, would you, in that 
 case, make an avowal of your love 1 " 
 
 "Not even in that case, dear aunt Gordon, would I now 
 fetter her with an engagement to myself, which, in mixing 
 more with the world, she might afterwards seriously repent. In 
 my opinion, every young girl should have a fair allowance of 
 time and opportunities of selecting a husband from more general 
 society, before being encumbered by an early and perhaps im- 
 prudent attachment. We think some things very beautiful, 
 until we see others more beautiful." 
 
 u Yery true, William ; but we ought to love human beings, 
 not for their beauty of person, but their beauty of mind." 
 
 "And yet a handsome person is, at first sight, a great 
 attraction both to men and women." 
 
 " Well, then, your meaning is this, that my niece Blanche is 
 first to have her choice of all the handsome, gay young men, 
 (numbers of whom will, no doubt, be trying hard to carry off 
 the prize), and failing to find one of that number suited to her 
 requirements, she can fall back upon William Beauchamp as 
 a dernier ressort, who promises to hold himself disengaged the 
 while, and await patiently her royal decision." 
 
 " Even so, dear aunt, for I am not likely to change." 
 " Then you are one of the most romantic simpletons I have 
 ever had the honour of being acquainted with, William Beau- 
 champ. In fact, this is your weak point ; but now listen to my 
 opinion. I have long known you as a high-spirited, generous- 
 hearted boy, and am foolish enough to love you as my own son. 
 Think you, then, that I will permit your happiness to be risked 
 on such a hazard as this, in which my dear Blanche will be 
 equally compromised, if (as, I believe, is the case) she really 
 loves you as much as you do her 1 No, William, it shall not 
 be. Mr. Harcourt is not her only guardian ; I am one also, 
 and without our joint consent, she cannot marry, until of age. 
 He is worldly-minded and ambitious ; I am the reverse, and in 
 marriage, I know well, the only lasting happiness can arise from 
 true and devoted attachment, founded on esteem of character, 
 with fixed and firm principles of virtue and religion. You are 
 the only young man I have yet met with, to whom I could with 
 confidence intrust my dear Blanche ; and now that I know you 
 
62 THE MASTER OF THE IIOC r NDS. 
 
 do love her, with my consent she shall never marry any other 
 man." 
 
 " Nay, nay, my dear, kind friend, this you must not say ; for 
 if Blanche should prefer another to me, so far irom preventing, I 
 would do all in my power to promote her happiness in a union 
 with that man, even though that act should consign me, as it 
 doubtless would, to hopeless despair." 
 
 " My dear boy," replied Mrs. Gordon, " where could Bla 
 find one of truer nobility of mind than William Beauchamp ?" 
 
 " Many, perhaps, more worthy of her lovs." 
 
 " Never," replied Mrs. G ordon, " were she to search through 
 the whole world." 
 
 " Then, at any rate, I shall not be satisfied, till she has had 
 the opportunity of trying whether such a person does exist or 
 not. And you must promise me, dear aunt, moreover, never to 
 reveal the disclosure I have made to you this morning, or you 
 will never see me at the Priory again." 
 
 " That promise it is unnecessary for me to give, loving you 
 as I do, and you may safely confide your happiness and honour 
 to my keeping ; those, I promise you, shall not be compromised ; 
 but here comes Blanche — don't blush, or look foolish." 
 
 "Where have you been wandering, dear aunt?" she in- 
 quired. " I have been looking for you in the flower garden, 
 and through all the walks, in vain." 
 
 " Well, dear child, I am sorry to have occasioned you so 
 much trouble, but I took William to this point for a full view 
 of the lawn, before we commenced our work of cutting it into 
 beds ; but, bless me, how forgetful I am to-day ! — where is 
 Constance all this time 1 " 
 
 " She will be here to luncheon," replied Beauchamp ; " but 
 having some letters to write, I rode over first." 
 
 " Well, then, now to our business. Go, dear Blanche, and 
 bring that book of designs from the conservatory, and whilst I 
 call the gardener with his string and pegs to mark out, you and 
 William can look over the book, and choose what you like best." 
 
 " Well, aunt," said Beauchamp, " we will wait your return 
 in the conservatory, which is a more congenial atmosphere than 
 this on a November day." 
 
 Blanche appeared at first rather indisposed to this arrange- 
 ment, fearing further disclosures from Beauchamp ; but they 
 were soon after busily engaged in comparing the various merits 
 of Catherine wheels, Gothic roses, Maltese crosses, and such like 
 devices. 
 
the language of flowers, 63 
 
 " Some of these are very pretty," remarked Beauchamp ; 
 il but the idea of a new pattern has struck me ; " and takinp- 
 out his pencil, he drew a small design, with two B's and two D's 
 opposite to each other, but joined, forming four beds ; the centra 
 turf to be occupied by a standard rose tree, and the four letters 
 as beds for violets, pansies, forget-me-nots, and heliotrope. 
 Handing it to Blanche, he was asking her opinion, when Mrs. 
 Gordon joined them. 
 
 " What is it you have been figuring 1 " she asked. 
 
 " Something quite new and emblematical," he replied ; "B 
 and D stand for Blanche Douglas — now you must guess, of 
 what the flowers are emblematical. The rose tree ? " 
 
 " Beauty, of course," replied Aunt Gordon. 
 
 "Blue and white violets ; what do they represent 1 " 
 
 Blanche and her aunt guessed at once — modesty and can- 
 dour. " And very appropriate too," remarked Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " Pansies % " 
 
 The two ladies guessed in vain. 
 
 "Think of me," said Beauchamp, which brought a blush 
 into Blanche's cheek. " Forget-me-not follows as a matter of 
 course. The last bed is to be filled with heliotrope, the mean- 
 ing of which I shall leave you both to find out. So now, dear 
 aunt, if you approve the design, let us carry it out at once." 
 
 " Approve it, William 1 I am quite delighted with it. This 
 flower-bed will be my pet, of all others, ever reminding me of 
 dear Blanche, when she may be separated from me, and of that 
 kind boy who suggested it, as a memorial emblematical of 
 her I love so tenderly. But now, dear William, tell me the 
 language of the heliotrope, that I may have my lesson complete." 
 
 "I cannot indeed tell you, dear aunt, so you must realh 
 your wits to work to find it out." 
 
 "Will you then tell Blanche I " 
 
 "I would rather not," he replied, "unless she is particularly 
 anxious to know." 
 
 " That, I am sure, she is — are you not, my love 1 so ask 
 William what the heliotrope means." 
 
 "Will you tell me, William?" she inquired, approaching 
 him. 
 
 " Yes, dear Blanche, but you only ; " and whispering in her 
 ear, he murmured, " The heliotrope, in the language of flowers, 
 is, / love you ! " 
 
 At these words the colour rose on Blanche's cheeks, mounting 
 to her very forehead, and her agitation became too perceptible. 
 
04 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Have I offended you, dear Blanche 1 " inquired Beau- 
 champ, gently taking her hand, as she was turning away. 
 " Will you forgive this little escapade? Not for worlds would I 
 offer a word to you, which might prove displeasing or pre- 
 suming. The heliotrope shall be discarded, and my words 
 recalled, if you desire it." 
 
 " Indeed, I am not offended, William," she replied. 
 
 " Then give me your hand, dear Blanche ; we must find the 
 heliotrope another meaning for Aunt Gordon. Constancy, 
 that will do much better — and here she comes, Constance 
 herself, tripping across the lawn." 
 
 " What are you all about 1 " she inquired, kissing Blanche, 
 and running to Mrs. Gordon to confer on her the same favour. 
 
 " Guessing the language of flowers, and you are just in time 
 to exhibit in person the last emblem of the heliotrope," added 
 Beauchamp, "which, I have told Blanche, means constancy, 
 Constance Beauchamp." 
 
 " Oh, that is what you have been whispering about, is it, 
 Mr. William ? I thought there must be something very inte- 
 resting to you both." 
 
 " Well, aunt, the secret is out at last, you see, and now we 
 will finish the bed, if possible, before luncheon," with which he 
 set to work at once with the line and pegs to mark out the 
 figure ; Constance, with Blanche, running off to the conserva- 
 tory for the other patterns. 
 
 " Well," said Constance, looking through the book ; " there 
 is nothing very new here, so I will suggest another device to stand 
 opposite to Blanche Douglas — C. B., Constance Beauchamp." 
 
 " Oh, that will be quite charming, and, I think, a better 
 pattern than mine," replied Blanche. 
 
 " No, dear girl, I cannot stand in comparison with you in a 
 garden or a ball-room, but am content to occupy a less promi- 
 nent position ; in love and affection do I only claim to be your 
 equal. And now you shall select the flowers to fill my beds, as 
 William did for yours." 
 
 In these innocent recreations and amusements, the day 
 passed rapidly away, until nearly four o'clock, when Bob 
 Conyers appeared on the scene, and highly applauded the 
 patterns which had been cut out by the gardener on the lawn. 
 "But these two," he said, "the inventions of William and 
 Constance, please me more than anything I have yet seen in 
 the shape of flower beds, and, with the emblems selected for 
 them, are quite perfection." 
 
aunt Gordon's friendly little party. 65 
 
 The evening now turning cold and damp, an adjournment 
 was made to the house, and at six o'clock the five staunch 
 friends sat down to dinner, no other company being asked. 
 
 " Ah, well ! " exclaimed Bob, " this is quite delightful ! a 
 snug, cozy family party, without forms or ceremonies, and, after 
 dinner, we will all draw round to the fireside, and thoroughly 
 enjoy ourselves." 
 
 " But we cannot sit drinking port- wine and claret with you 
 gentlemen," replied Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " Oh, yes, you can, and must, to-night, and we shall see who 
 will be under the table first, a lady or a gentleman," he added, 
 playfully. " Will and I can't stand more than a bottle a-piece, 
 and, I expect, will be floored before the ladies. Then I'll sing 
 some pretty songs, give toasts, and talk of fox-hunting and 
 love-making ; we'll have a jolly night of it, won't we, Con- 
 stance ? " 
 
 "I suspect we should, indeed, and a queer morning, too, 
 were we all to finish our bottle round, as you propose ; and fine 
 entertainment it would afford the ladies' -maids, in carrying 
 their mistresses up-stairs to bed." 
 
 " By Jove ! that would be something quite outre, as the 
 monsieurs have it ; and I should like to see old Harcourt's 
 phiz, when the news reached him of the heiress being rather 
 the worse for liquor." 
 
 "Really, Mr. Conyers," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, "I fear 
 you are already hall seas over, and not fit for ladies' society, to 
 hear you run on in this ridiculous strain." 
 
 "Oh, no, my dear madam, I have taken nothing to-day, 
 before I sat down to your hospitable board, since my breakfast ; 
 but my spirits are quite elated, in this friendly little party, 
 all looking so joyous and happy. And now, ladies (after the 
 dessert had been placed on the table), I vote we remove to the 
 fireside, and, with a table in the centre, make ourselves com- 
 fortable, until you are tired of Beauchamp and myself." The 
 vote being seconded, and carried without opposition, Bob con- 
 tinued — " As I will not venture on a toast with ' Fill the 
 bumpers fair,' I will give you a sentiment instead ; and now, 
 join all hands round — ' May no worldly considerations, or evil 
 influences, sever this link of hands and hearts, now joined so 
 happily together.' " 
 
 "Amen," responded Mrs. Gordon, fervently; "may they 
 never be rent asunder, but by the hand of Death." 
 
 " Hark ! " exclaimed Conyers, " how the rain patters against 
 
 E 
 
66 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 the windows ! By Jove ! we shall have a terrible night to 
 drive home in." 
 
 " There is no necessity for your going," replied Mrs. Gordon ; 
 il there are beds for you all." 
 
 " I must return home," said Conyers, u having a very early 
 engagement to-morrow morning." 
 
 " Then Constance must stay, at least, as she drove over in 
 the phaeton, and I will not allow her to return in it, such a 
 night as this ; you, gentlemen, can do as you please." 
 
 To this arrangement Constance at first demurred ; but being 
 overruled by Mrs. Gordon and Blanche's entreaties, consented 
 to remain — her brother promising to drive over the next day, 
 and take her home. 
 
 After the gentlemen had left the Priory that night, no 
 allusion was made by Blanche to her friend about her brother's 
 conduct, neither did Constance mention his name. Mrs. Gordon 
 also wisely forebore, during Blanche's stay with her, to make 
 the slightest remark, which might lead her niece to suppose that 
 William Beauchamp had ever intrusted her with the secret of 
 his heart. But Blanche pondered long and deeply on his 
 words, and treasured up a little sprig of heliotrope he had 
 given her (unperceived by any one), at parting, the day he 
 drove over his sister. 
 
 CHAPTEK VII. 
 
 We must now pass over a few days, until the fixture at Lord 
 Mervyn's seat, Marston Castle, when a grand collation was pre- 
 pared, of which few were disposed to partake, notwithstanding 
 Will Beauchamp's leading the way, and pressing others to 
 follow his example. His lordship was no favourite with any 
 of the old county families, and his very look gave the lie direct 
 to any friendly or hospitable feeling. The fox-hunting commu- 
 nity saw, at a glance, that his grand breakfast was only a sham 
 and pretext to allay their well-grounded suspicions of his de- 
 struction to their sport; and none, save a few of the most 
 zealous supporters of the hunt, who deemed it an act of policy 
 to present themselves in his breakfast-room, would condescend 
 to enter within the vestibule of Marston Castle. 
 
 Avoided by his son, feared by his daughter, and despised by 
 his wife, Lord Mervyn stood aloof, even from his own family ; 
 
FARMER STUBBINS' OPINION OF LORD MERVYN. 67 
 
 and although possessing a large circle of acquaintances, friend- 
 ship or love were to him unknown. 
 
 It being impossible to dispel the gloom and formality which 
 presided at the breakfast-table (a misnomer, indeed, as far as 
 his guests were concerned, who had breakfasted at home), where 
 everything remained untasted, save a few glasses of liqueurs, a 
 proposal was made by Beauchamp to commence the business of 
 the day, as a large company had assembled in front of the castle, 
 more from curiosity to watch the proceedings of this eventful 
 day (the first on which the hounds had ever been invited to 
 grace the lawn of Marston Castle) than from any expectation of 
 sport. 
 
 " Ah, here he comes at last," exclaimed old Farmer Stubbins 
 as Lord Mervyn appeared at the hall-door, "with his long lantern 
 jaws and vinegar looks, enough to turn a pan of new milk ; but 
 I be'ant to be gammoned, if the gentlefolk be. I wouldn't take 
 sup nor bite at his board, for fear of being poison'd or choked ; 
 dang it, neighbour Stiles, he's a bad un ! " 
 
 " Ay, ay, Stubbins, there's not much doubt about that ; but 
 there's something in the wind now — election time's drawing on 
 again, so my lord is playing a new game — courts the red coats 
 and the fox-hunting farmers this time j but 'twon't do, Mr. 
 Stubbins." 
 
 " 'Tis no use his courting me, Mr. Stiles, for I'll never vote 
 for kith or kin of his ; but I say, neighbor, where's the ould 
 squire 1 doant see his face here, I'll warrant — ould birds bean't 
 caught wi' chaff." 
 
 " Nor young uns, neither, Stubbins, of that family ; for the 
 young squire looks as if he'd been swallowing summut as don't 
 sit very light on his stomach this morning. But there, you see, 
 being master now, and manager of the pack, he is obliged to be 
 civil to all parties, to keep things together ; and nobody can 
 blame him for trying to make friends with my lord there ; but 
 a man half blind can see it goes all against the grain." 
 
 Lord Mervyn's shooting cob being brought to the door, the 
 hounds were trotted off to Marston Wood, which was almost 
 alive with game, hares and rabbits scurrying across the drives 
 by scores, and pheasants whizzing up into the air in all direc- 
 tions. Not a whimper, however, was heard from a single 
 hound, as the pack dashed through the underwood, with the 
 whippers-in in close attendance, to prevent any hares, which 
 might be chopped, from being eaten. 
 
 Soon a holloa was heard and repeated in one of the by- 
 
 e 2 
 
68 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 drives, to which locality "Will Beauchamp immediately repaired, 
 but not with his usual alacrity. 
 
 " A fox just crossed over here, sir," said one of the under- 
 keepers, still holloaing with all his might. 
 
 " That's noise enough," shouted Beauchamp ; " which way 
 is he gone 1 " 
 
 " There, sir, just before your horse's nose." 
 
 The hounds were on the spot, but looking about only — they 
 would not own the scent. " Very odd," remarked the keeper j 
 " I swear I saw the fox not ten minutes agone, close to that 
 little oak." 
 
 At this moment several halloas were heard in the large 
 drive, where Lord Mervyn was posted, with Sir Francis, Bob 
 Conyers, and many more. 
 
 " Here he crossed ! " exclaimed Sir Francis, as Beauchamp 
 galloped up with the pack. Still not a hound would speak to 
 the scent, although they dashed into the wood, spreading far 
 and wide. 
 
 " What's the meaning of this, Beauchamp ? " inquired Sir 
 Francis, in surprise ; " there's not an atom of scent this morn- 
 ing ; they can't even own it." 
 
 " They wont own it, Sir Francis," replied Beauchamp, with 
 a strong emphasis on the " won't." 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! " said Bob, " I thought as much : he's a bagman, 
 Will." 
 
 " No doubt of it," replied the master ; " but hark ! Charley 
 views him now • let us go and hear what he says." 
 
 The hounds were round the whipper-in, when Beauchamp, 
 Bob, Sir Francis, and Lord Mervyn rode up. " What's the 
 matter, Charles ? " asked Beauchamp ; " the hounds won't run 
 the fox." 
 
 " Because, sir, he's been shook out of a bag, this morning, or 
 the keeper's long pocket." 
 
 " It's false, sir ! " shouted Lord Mervyn, with his usual 
 impetuosity; "how dare a servant offer his opinion in that 
 manner 1 " 
 
 " Simply because, my good lord," replied Sir Francis, " it 
 was his duty to do so, when asked by his master." 
 
 " I will soon satisfy you, Sir Francis, and all the gentlemen," 
 said Charley, touching his cap, " that I am no liar." And 
 begging his master to ride with the hounds through the upper 
 part of the wood, he disappeared. In a few minutes after, the 
 report of a gun was heard and a single whoop from Charlev, 
 
LORD MERVYN's PRESERVES. 69 
 
 who came trotting down the large drive, with the dead fox on 
 his saddle. " Now, Sir Francis," said the whipper-in, throwing 
 the carcass on the ground, " there's the bagman, with the mark 
 of the collar on his neck, and his brush full of oat chaff, and 
 if any hound touches him, I'm a liar." 
 
 Old Rambler walked up, and, cocking his leg against his 
 dead foe, turned sulkily away. Not a hound offered to touch 
 him, all leaving him as he lay. Sir Francis and Bob Conyers 
 dismounted to examine also, the former exclaiming — 
 
 " You are quite right, Charley ; he is a bagman, and no 
 mistake ! " 
 
 Lord Mervyn was furious, declaring he would discharge all 
 his keepers, if he could discover they had been concerned in the 
 business. 
 
 " I think you ought to dismiss one, at least," replied Sir 
 Francis, " for serving us such a dirty trick. But now for find- 
 ing a wild fox — the day is slipping away." 
 
 " I am at his lordship's commands, to draw what covers he 
 pleases," replied Beauchamp. 
 
 " You can try where you like, Mr. Beauchamp ; all, every 
 hedgerow of which I am the owner." 
 
 " Very well, my lord ; it shall be done as you desire." 
 With which, they quitted Marston Wood. 
 
 "I say, Charley," asked Bob Conyers, riding by his side, 
 " how did you manage to get hold of that gun 1 " 
 
 " Easily enough, sir. I went to where the head-keeper was 
 standing in the other drive — just the place where foxes gene- 
 rally cross over — and getting off my horse, asked him to hold 
 him a minute, while I went into the high wood. There lay 
 the gun against that tree. l Mr. Sharpum,' I said, ' my horse 
 don't like the smell of powder, and don't you speak or move, for 
 I think the fox is coming our way.' Sharpum fell into the trap 
 nicely, when, in a few seconds, I heard a bit of a stir among the 
 leaves, and, sure enough, the poor devil of a fox came trotting 
 down to where I was standing. Then, stepping quickly back to 
 Mr. Sharpum, with my finger on my lips to keep quiet, I seized 
 the gun, and, before he guessed what I was up to, knocked over 
 the bagman. ' What do you mean by that 1 ' growled out 
 Sharpum. ' You will soon know,' said I ; and taking hold of 
 my horse, picked up the fox and galloped away." 
 
 " Cleverly done, by Jove, Charley ! You are up to a dodge 
 or two, as well as your namesake." 
 
 All Lord Mervyn' s coverts, every hedgerow almost, were 
 
70 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 drawn blank ; and not a challenge was heard from any hound, 
 until they reached a small gorse covert, belonging to Farmer 
 Stiles, on the outskirts of Marston Manor, from which, at half- 
 past three o'clock, a fine old fox was viewed away, and run into, 
 within twenty minutes. 
 
 " Short and sweet ! " exclaimed Sir Francis, as they pulled 
 him down in the open. 
 
 " Too short for such a fox as that," remarked Bob ; " he 
 ought to have stood an hour at least. Something queer about 
 his being finished in twenty minutes ; what is it, Charley 1 " 
 
 " A little more of Mr. Sharpum's handywork, sir," handing 
 Bob one of the forepads, all the toes of which had been cut oif 
 by a trap, and the wound scarcely healed. 
 
 " Confound that fellow Mervyn ! " exclaimed Sir Lucius 
 Gwynne j " he wants a devilish good horsewhipping — making 
 fools of all the field, this morning, with that bagman, and trap- 
 ping every fox that puts his nose within his boundaries ! Egad^ 
 gentlemen, I propose we all have a day's shooting in his pre- 
 serves, and see how he will like our spoiling his sport." 
 
 " Ay, ay ! " responded several voices — " serve him right ! — 
 we will join you any day at that fun ! " 
 
 "Stop a little, Gwynne," said Sir Francis; "give him 
 another chance ; and if we don't find a sound fox the next 
 time the hounds draw Marston, put my name on the list for the 
 shooting party." 
 
 When the fox was thrown to the hounds, Will Beauchamp 
 rode up to Mr. Stiles, and shaking him by the hand, thanked 
 him for the fox found in his covert. 
 
 " Welcome, squire, welcome to a dozen, if I could keep 'em 
 there ! We had a fine litter bred this season in that patch of 
 gorse, but they're all trapped, save the old dog, which the 
 hounds are now eating." 
 
 " I'm sorry to hear it, Stiles," replied Beauchamp ; " but 
 we know your good disposition to the foxes, although your 
 neighbours won't allow you to keep them." 
 
 " Ah ! " sneered Vernon to a friend, or rather guest of Lord 
 Mervyn's ; " that fellow, Beauchamp, wins the hearts of those 
 clodhoppers, the farmers, by shaking their dirty hands." 
 
 " Handling the plough is not half such dirty work as 
 handling the dice-box ! " exclaimed a dashing young farmer, 
 who overheard Vernon's remarks. 
 
 " And who are you 1 — you insolent blackguard ! " demanded 
 Vernon, turning sharply round upon him. 
 
A PLOT AGAINST BLANCHE DOUGLAS. 71 
 
 " My name is Hazel," retorted the young man ; " and if you 
 don't beg my pardon, this minute, for calling me an insolent 
 blackguard, I'll blacken your face with my dirty hand, and 
 knock you off your horse, into the bargain ! " then riding close 
 up to him, with his clenched fist, Vernon showed the white 
 feather, murmuring out some apology. "And now, Mr. Ver- 
 non," said Hazel, " I'll just warn you to keep a civil tongue in 
 your mouth. We dirty-handed farmers work hard enough to 
 turn an honest penny, which is more than you do ; and if you 
 give us any more of your sauce, we know how to prevent your 
 insulting us in the field, whatever you may say behind our 
 backs." 
 
 It being then very late, the hounds returned to the kennels. 
 
 We will now transfer our readers, in imagination, to the 
 dining-room of Marston Castle, where, seated round the fire, 
 after the ladies had retired, were Lord Mervyn, Richard 
 Vernon, and Mr. Harper (his lordship's right-hand man in 
 electioneering affairs). The conversation turned on the events 
 of the day, and Lord Mervyn was bitterly inveighing against 
 the insolence of Beauchamp's whipper-in, in shooting the 
 fox. 
 
 " Were I in your situation, my lord," remarked Vernon, " I 
 would warn Beauchamp and the whole crew off my lands." 
 
 " That I cannot do, Vernon, or we should lose our election, 
 next year, for my son ; and, at this moment, every vote is of 
 consequence to the government." 
 
 " Well, then, after the election ; it will do then." 
 
 " Change of ministry, dissolution of Parliament — all such 
 contingencies have to be considered," replied Lord Mervyn, " so 
 that a seat in the Commons is never secure, for any certain 
 period in these changing times. No, no, Vernon ; we can 
 safely and successfully wage war against the foxes, and lay the 
 blame on the keepers, but as to waging war with all the 
 fox-hunters and fox-hunting farmers, that is too bold a stroke 
 to venture upon. The whole country would be up in arms 
 directly." 
 
 " Well, then, my lord, what think you of a ' bold stroke for 
 a husband ' for the heiress 1 " 
 
 " I don't comprehend your meaning ; pray explain," said 
 Lord Mervyn. 
 
 " That is easily done. Money is the ruling power, and 
 without it, my lord — and a good deal of it, too — a pack of fox- 
 hounds, with the necessary establishment of servants, horses, and 
 
72 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 numerous other items of expenditure contingent thereon, cannot 
 be long kept up." 
 
 " Certainly not ; they must cost a very large sum annually." 
 
 " Exactly so, my lord ; and the Beauchamps are reported to 
 have maintained a hard struggle in supporting their establish- 
 ment hitherto, which cannot last much longer." 
 
 " They are assisted, I am told, by some large subscriptions," 
 observed Lord Mervyn. 
 
 " Nothing very great," replied Yernon, " although the exact 
 sum is known only to the secretary, Conyers, who, being a 
 friend of Will Beauchamp's, will not mention the amount ; at 
 any rate, all agree it is not half what it ought to be. Well, 
 under these circumstances, an additional ten thousand a year 
 would carry the concern on swimmingly, and enable the Beau- 
 champs to keep it up without any subscription at all." 
 
 " Most likely," replied Lord Mervyn. " But where is the 
 ten thousand a year to come from 1 " 
 
 " Miss Douglas, my lord ; for people say she is much attached 
 to Beauchamp and his sister." 
 
 " Pshaw ! nonsense, Yernon ! Harcourt will never allow 
 her to marry such a man as Mr. Beauchamp." 
 
 " Perhaps not, my lord ; but you forget her aunt, Mrs. 
 Gordon, is equally her guardian, and we all know what a 
 favourite Beauchamp is with her." 
 
 " But I am told," said Lord Mervyn, " that you are in a 
 fair way of winning the prize yourself." 
 
 " No, my lord, my chance is a very poor one ; in fact, Mrs. 
 Harcourt gave me to understand, nothing short of a coronet 
 would do for her niece, and hinted at Lord Malcolm, who is 
 expected soon at Throseby Hall ; but as he is a very slow coach, 
 neither very handsome nor agreeable, I have been thinking, if 
 your lordship knows of any young, good-looking, fascinating 
 sprig of nobility, with more wits than ready cash, you might do 
 him a good turn, by asking him down, about the time of our 
 county ball, when the heiress makes her debut in public, and, a 
 hundred to one, he cuts out Mr. William Beauchamp, and cuts 
 q^all further support to the fox-hounds." 
 
 " Capital," exclaimed Lord Mervyn, as a sneering smile 
 passed over his cadaverous countenance; "you are quite a 
 diplomatist, Yernon, and I must get you appointed Secretary to 
 one of our Embassies — really a very good idea ; but let me 
 consider " 
 
 " What do you say to Lord Yancourt 1 " inquired Mr. Harper. 
 
THE SECRET OVERHEARD BY THE FOOTMAN 73 
 
 14 The very man," exclaimed Lord Mervyn. " We owe him 
 a turn of favour (although we did help his father to the peerage) 
 for his staunch adherence to our party ; he is just the man — tall, 
 very handsome — with highly polished manners and address, 
 devoted to the ladies ; in short, the very person to captivate a 
 young, unsophisticated country girl." 
 
 " Then your lordship could invite him down at once, and 
 ask the Harcourts to spend a few days at Marston, before Lord 
 Malcolm arrives. A few walks and rides with Lord Vancourt 
 as her companion, and the many opportunities which will be 
 afforded him, when under the same roof, of paying uninterrupted 
 attention to the young lady, will, I have little doubt, finish the 
 business off-hand, particularly if you play your cards cleverly 
 with old Harcourt, and represent Lord Vancourt as a man of 
 substance, &c." 
 
 " It shall be done, Vernon, without delay, and you must 
 come here also to help in playing out the comedy." 
 
 " Tragedy, more likely," added Harper, with a laugh, " for 
 Lord Vancourt is as bad-tempered and debauched a fellow as 
 any man about town, and devilish hard up for cash too ! I 
 only hope Harcourt won't find him out till after church time, 
 that's all. Hah ! hah !" 
 
 " We will try and exhibit the picture in the , best light, 
 shading his imperfections from view as much as possible," said 
 Lord Mervyn. " But Vancourt must strike whilst the iron is 
 
 hot " which last sentence was escaping his lordship's lips, 
 
 when one of the footmen entered the room, with that noise- 
 less step peculiar to London-trained servants, and stood as if 
 awaiting orders. 
 
 " What the devil do you stand there for 1 " demanded 
 Lord Mervyn, in a rage. 
 
 " I thought the dining-room bell rang, my lord," replied the 
 man, very gravely. 
 
 " No, sir, it did not ; and I'll thank you to make sure it 
 does, another time, before you dare present yourself in my 
 presence without being summoned." 
 
 The servant bowed low and withdrew, but as he shut the 
 door, a slight curl played for a moment round his upper lip ; in 
 the next, the cold, apathetic look resumed its place. 
 
 " Hang that fellow ! " exclaimed Vernon ; " he must have 
 heard your lordship's last remarks." 
 
 " What if he did 1 It was only a common-place obsei < 
 vation." 
 
74 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "Well, perhaps not," said Vernon. "I only hope he did 
 not overhear Harper's encomiums on Lord Yancourt." 
 
 " Pooh ! nonsense, Yernon, that's next to an impossibility," 
 replied his lordship, much chafed at the idea. But it was a 
 possibility, and a fact, too — the man had overheard every word 
 of it — for happening to pass by the dining-room door, in re- 
 turning from the drawing-room, the name of Beauchamp struck 
 his ear, and knowing his lord's and Yernon's dislike to the 
 young squire (as he was generally termed), he stood, an eager 
 listener, at the door, and heard the whole plot against Miss 
 Douglas ; but the butler coming suddenly upon him, obliged 
 him to enter the room to prevent detection in the act of eaves- 
 dropping. 
 
 Thomas Carter, the first footman, had been born and bred 
 up in the village of Bampton, until fourteen years of age, when 
 he was taken by a friend of Mr. Beauchamp's as the junior 
 domestic in his establishment, from which he rose with his 
 years and inches, until having quarrelled with the butler, he 
 obtained the situation he now held and had occupied for two 
 years in Lord Mervyn's household ; retaining still a strong 
 attachment to his native village, and to the young squire, who 
 had shown him great kindness when a boy. He was also con- 
 nected (though unknown to Lord Mervyn) with old Farmer 
 Rosier, a late tenant on the Marston estates, whose crops 
 having been destroyed, year after year, by the hares and 
 rabbits, without any redress or allowance from his landlord, 
 was at last completely ruined, and all his goods and chattels 
 being distrained upon for rent, which it was impossible for him 
 to pay, he would have been mercilessly turned upon the parish, 
 but for his son, Mark Rosier, who rented a cottage on Mr. 
 Styles's farm, with whom he found constant employment. 
 
 Mark was a tall, stout, athletic young man of twenty-two, 
 active as a tiger and bold as a lion — yet, withal, of a kind dis- 
 position ; but his father's injuries, and the injustice he had ex - 
 perienced from Lord Mervyn, rankled in his breast, and he 
 determined to take his revenge on the game, which had been 
 the cause of his father's ruin. In fact, Mark Rosier had now 
 become, from his courage and knowledge of wood-craft, the 
 leader of a daring gang of poachers, who preyed almost exclu- 
 sively on Lord Mervyn's preserves, for he was universally dis- 
 liked by all classes (the poor especially) for his haughty, over- 
 bearing character. 
 
 Mark's gang consisted of six young fellows, besides himself, 
 
VERNON FINDS ANOTHER HEIRESS. 75 
 
 who were bound together by an oath, never, in any emergency, 
 to split upon each other, and one of their rules was never to sit 
 drinking in any public-house. The booty was fairly divided 
 amongst them, being sent up to London by a night coach, the 
 guard of which was well paid for his trouble. Instead of com- 
 mon powder and shot, air-guns, with a single ball, were their 
 only weapons, by which the pheasants were noiselessly knocked 
 off their perches ; the most windy and boisterous nights being 
 always selected for their depredations. 
 
 From this digression we must return to Marston Castle, 
 where Lord Mervyn, Vernon, and Harper, having completed 
 their plot for the destruction of Miss Douglas's happiness for 
 life, by uniting her to Lord Vancourt, an adjournment was 
 made to the drawing-room, where sat Lady Mervyn, in regal 
 state, with her only daughter, a timid, child-like girl of about 
 sixteen, who scarcely dared to open her lips in her mother's 
 presence. As Yernon gazed on her pale, interesting features 
 and downcast eyes, a sudden thought passed through his mind, 
 and he sat down by her side, with the hope of drawing her 
 into conversation. But the stolen glance towards her father 
 and mother, with her monosyllabic replies to his questions, re- 
 vealed to him the tyranny under which she suffered. Still she 
 appeared pleased with his attentions, and ventured on a quiet 
 smile at some of his witty remarks. " Do you sing, Miss 
 Mervyn 1 " he asked. 
 
 "No," was the reply. "Mamma says my voice is not 
 sufficiently cultivated to sing in company." 
 
 "Do you play, then?" 
 
 " Yes, when mamma desires me." 
 
 " Does Lady Mervyn allow you ever to walk by yourself, 
 without one of those tall footmen behind you 1 " 
 
 " Only in the morning, before breakfast." 
 
 Yernon was proceeding to other questions, when Lady 
 Mervyn called him away. But knowing that Miss Mervyn 
 had been left by her grandmother thirty thousand pounds, 
 which would be her own, when she should marry, or become of 
 age, without any restriction, he had mentally resolved on ap- 
 propriating the young lady and her money to himself, as every 
 prospect of obtaining the heiress was at an end. How he suc- 
 ceeded will hereafter be shown ; and we now take our leave of 
 the inmates of Marston Castle for the night. 
 
76 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 On the following morning a dispatch was addressed to Lord 
 Vancourt, at his father's seat in Bedfordshire, with a pressing 
 invitation from Lord Mervyn ; and in the postscript, a hint 
 about the heiress with ten thousand a year ; to which an 
 answer was quickly returned by Lord Vancourt, naming Mon- 
 day week for his visit to Marston Castle. 
 
 The intelligence of the new visitor's expected arrival, on 
 the day appointed, soon spread through the household; and 
 Thomas Carter, the footman, having obtained leave of absence 
 for an hour or two, one afternoon, sent a message, by a trusty 
 friend, to Mark Hosier, to meet him in a by-road near the 
 village. Mark was true to his appointment, and shaking 
 hands with Thomas, inquired why he wished so particularly 
 to see him. 
 
 " You shall soon hear what I want you for, Mark, but let 
 us go across the field to that cow-house yonder. We may be 
 seen here together by some of my lord's men ; and you are no 
 favourite, you know." 
 
 " There's no love lost between us," said Mark. 
 
 Having looked well all round the cow-house, Thomas 
 began — 
 
 " There's a plot hatched up at the Castle, between my lord 
 and Vernon, to bring down a young scamp, called Lord Van- 
 court, to cut out the young squire with Miss Douglas ; for 
 people do say that the young lady is very partial to Mr. William. 
 So, my lord and Vernon is desperately afraid she'll marry him, 
 and her money help to keep on the hounds, as the old squire is 
 hard up." 
 
 " 'Tis a lie, Tom ! The ould squire ain't hard up, but as 
 sound in the pocket as ever that sallow-faced lord is." 
 
 "Well, Mark, that's what Vernon said." 
 
 " He's a liar, then — but now, let us hear what I can do in 
 this business ; for sooner than any one of that old rascal's 
 friends should marry that young lady, I'll put one of my silent 
 bullets through his heart, — that's what I'll do for him, Tom." 
 
 "No, you won't ; we can do without it." 
 
 " I tell you what it is, Tom. The old squire sent for father 
 t'other day, and asked him all about his being turned out of the 
 farm by my lord up there. ' Never mind, Rosier,' says he, 
 i you are a hardly-used man, and as Giles leaves his holding, at 
 
GENEROSITY OF SQUIRE BEAUCHAMP. 77 
 
 Lady-clay, for a larger farm, you shall have it then, so make 
 your mind easy, and here's a ten-pound note to help you to get 
 a few things together now.' ' Oh, squire,' said father, ' I be 
 thankful, very thankful, for your kindness to an old, broken- 
 down man ; but where be I to find stock for five acres, much 
 more for a hundred and fifty 1 ' ' You'll find it all there, 
 Rosier, ready for you — sheep, cows, pigs, and horses — for which 
 you can pay me when you are able, and not before.' ' Oh, 
 squire,' said father, falling down on his knees, and crying like a 
 child, ' I can't thank' e, sir, as I ought, my heart's too full.' 
 ' Get up,' said Mr. Beauchamp, ' you blubbering old fool, or I'll 
 horsewhip thee; and now, go along to the housekeeper's 
 room, and harkee, tell Mark Will wants to see him.' There, 
 Tom, that's the old squire, and I'll go through fire and water to 
 serve him or any dear to him." 
 
 " And quite right, too, Mark," replied Tom ; " but here's no 
 fighting to be done now ; and if you won't listen to reason, and 
 be quiet, I'll say no more." 
 
 " Say on, then." 
 
 " First, you'll promise to keep it all snug, and tell the young 
 squire to mind what he's about, too, or the whole thing will be 
 blow'd a± once, and I shall get the sack." 
 
 " Well, Tom, you may trust both of us that nothing shall 
 come out ; mum's the word. Now to business." 
 
 " Then you go over to Bampton, Mark, and tell Mr. William 
 that this young scamp is coming down to the Castle, and old 
 Harcourt and the young lady are to be asked over to meet him, 
 and stay a few days, whilst my lord is to gammon the old 
 gentleman about Lord Yancourt being a capital match for his 
 ward, rich, good character, and all that kind of thing ; and the 
 young lord is to gammon the heiress, as he's deuced handsome, 
 and has got the gift of the gab. So tell Mr. William to let his 
 sister see Miss Douglas afore she goes to Marston, and warn 
 her of the trap that's so nicely baited to catch her in ; that's 
 all, Mark, for young girls is always took with fine, tall, smart 
 men, like you and me, Mark; and, by all accounts, Lord Yan- 
 court is all that, with a pretty deal more to boot. And if Miss 
 Constance don't go over directly, and put Miss Blanche up to 
 the trick, it's ten to one she's snapped up at once ; and, by all 
 accounts, she'd better be buried than married to^such a young 
 rascal as this is. That's all Mark, so good-bye, and I'll let you 
 know more about him when he comes down." 
 
 Mark did not lose much time in going over to Bampton the 
 
78 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 same evening, waiting in the servants' hall until dinner was 
 removed, and the ladies had left the dining-room, when the 
 butler whispered in his young master's ear, " Mark Rosier is 
 waiting to see you, sir." 
 
 Beauchamp rose at once, and, leaving the room, went to the 
 servants' hall. 
 
 " Well, Mark, what's in the wind now 1 " 
 
 " Something, sir," replied Mark, in a low tone, " for your 
 ear alone." 
 
 " Oh, very well ; then follow me to the library." 
 
 When the door was closed, Mark placed his ear to the key- 
 hole, for a second or two, to listen. " Ah," said Beauchamp, 
 " there's something particular to-night. What is it, Mark 1 ? 
 but our men don't practise that trick, eaves-dropping ; found 
 some more traps set, I suppose, by those rascally Marston 
 keepers 1 " 
 
 " Worse than that, sir," replied Mark. " I've caught Lord 
 Mervyn himself setting traps — not for foxes, sir, but for a 
 young lady." 
 
 " Ah ! indeed ; what young lady 1 " 
 
 Mark then related the whole story he had heard from 
 Thomas Carter, during which Beauchamp sat listening in 
 breathless silence, his varying colour and contracted brow 
 betraying his inward emotion. When he had finished, Mark 
 inquired, " Well, sir, isn't that a deep and rascally trick ? Jt 
 beats poaching all to nothing." 
 
 " It's a dark, damnable plot, Mark," replied Beauchamp ; 
 " but a delicate business for me to handle, in warning the young 
 lady of her danger ; she may think it only a trick of mine, to 
 I>revent her marrying this young lord, and women are very 
 suspicious in such matters." 
 
 " Very true, sir, but Miss Constance must do it, not you." 
 
 " Even with her, Mark, it is very ticklish ground to enter 
 upon." 
 
 " Then, sir, I'll settle it for you at once, by putting a bullet 
 through that scamp's head, before ever he enters Marston 
 Castle." 
 
 " Hush ! Mark," said Beauchamp, rising from his chair ; " no 
 man's blood shall be shed on my account." 
 
 " Many a man's blood has been shed for a much less offence 
 than this, sir. What is robbery on the highway to trapping 
 and plundering a young lady of all her property, in this bare- 
 faced manner ? that's what I want to know." 
 
MARK ROSIER EXPOSES THE PLOT. 79 
 
 " One is contrary to law, the other is not, Mark." 
 
 "-Ay, ay, sir, law — there it is — law and lawyers — cheating, 
 robbing, murdering, may all be done under the law, but not 
 against it." 
 
 " Well, we can't mend it, Mark." 
 
 " No, but this I'll mend so far, begging your pardon. I'll 
 shoot that young scamp of a lord, and the old un into the bar- 
 gain, before he shall ever carry off that dear, sweet young lady, 
 Miss Blanche. So, squire, if you and Miss Constance won't 
 save her from such a pit-fall as this, I will, sir, that's all, if I 
 swing for it." 
 
 " No, Mark, this shall never be. Remember the command- 
 ment, ' Thou shalt do no murder.' This young lord has a right 
 to try his chance, as well as others. We may expose his and 
 Lord Mervyn's attempts to sail under false colours, and make 
 Miss Douglas the dupe of their dark design ; that is all we have 
 a right to do. I and my sister must consider in what way to 
 make the disclosure." 
 
 " It must be done at once, sir ; mind, the trap is set already, 
 and wants watching night and day. I and Thomas sha'n't 
 have much to do with sleep, I'm thinking, when he comes 
 down, and I hope you won't, sir ; so good night, squire. You'll 
 see me again shortly ; but I mustn't keep you from your com- 
 pany any longer now." 
 
 " Then go and get some supper, Mark, and keep a still 
 tongue on this matter." 
 
 " No fear of that, sir ; " with which they parted. 
 
 On Beauchanip's return to the dining-room, he was asked 
 by his father the name of his visitor. " Mark Rosier," was the 
 reply. 
 
 " All ! a little more trickery a-foot, I suppose, Will." 
 
 " Just so, but nothing particularly interesting to our friends 
 here." 
 
 The hint was sufficient to prevent further questions, although 
 Conyers, who was of the party, resolved to know more about 
 it ; and when they left the dining-room, taking Beauchamp 
 aside, he asked — 
 
 " What had Mark to tell you, Will 1 you have been thought- 
 ful and absent ever since. What's the matter % " 
 
 " Something has annoyed me, Bob, that is all." 
 
 " Then if you consider me your friend, Beauchamp, let me 
 share your annoyances and your pleasures equally — your secret 
 shall be safe with me." 
 
80 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "You are entitled to my confidence/' said Beauchamp, 
 "and in this matter particularly, where you have also an 
 interest, but it must not pass your lips." He then related 
 Mark's story. 
 
 " Ah, that scoundrel Vernon," exclaimed Bob ; " revenge is 
 sweet. I see it all, and must sleep here to-night, that you and 
 I may talk over this business in the morning, and take Con- 
 stance into our counsels. Women are quicker in such cases 
 than men, so no more now on this subject." 
 
 The next morning, Constance was admitted to the confer- 
 ence on Lord Mervyn's plot ; and although expressing herself 
 quite willing to warn her friend of her danger, her opinion was, 
 that Blanche might probably consider her interference in an 
 equivocal light, and savouring perhaps of interested motives. 
 
 "You are right, Con," said Bob, "and this warning will 
 come better from me ; I will bring it about, somehow or other, 
 so that neither you, your brother, nor Mark, can be compro- 
 mised, as I am acquainted with a young fellow, belonging to 
 Lord Vancourt' s club in London, who knows him tolerably 
 well, and from whom I can obtain all the information we re- 
 quire, as to his fortune, character, &c. &c. ; for the rest, trust 
 the brains of an old fox-hunter to checkmate these crafty lords 
 at their game of gammon. The Harcourts are all invited to 
 Compton's on Friday next, the day before our fixture there, 
 when I hear there is to be a little dance in the evening ; but 
 don't either you or Will even allude to such a person as Lord 
 Vancourt." 
 
 We must now pass over a few days, until the evening of 
 Friday, in the ensuing week, when, about half-past nine, all the 
 principal families in the neighbourhood were assembled in the 
 grand saloon at Mr. Compton's house, which had been tastefully 
 arranged as a ball-room for this occasion. Among the company, 
 Conyers recognised, much to his surprise, Captain Melville, to 
 whom he had written a few days previously about Lord 
 Vancourt. 
 
 "Ah ! Melville," exclaimed Conyers, "what brings you into 
 this part of the world ?" 
 
 " Why, to tell you the truth, old fellow, and I don't think 
 you'll blab, it is a little bit of speculation. Colonel Rolleston 
 wrote me word, there was a young heiress coming out down 
 here, and if I liked to try my luck, he would do what he could 
 to help me. So here I am, staying with Rolleston ; and if the 
 young lady is good-looking, as well as rich, I should not mind 
 
A NOBLE SCAMP. 81 
 
 becoming a Benedict ; but you know I cannot marry without 
 money, although I would never tie myself to a plain, disagree- 
 able woman, were she as rich as Croesus." 
 
 " Well," said Conyers, " there is something more manly in 
 that confession than we meet with in most fortune-hunters ; 
 but you will find more impediments to your suit than you 
 imagine, as her guardian, Mr. Harcourt, who is here to-night, 
 has set his mind on having a coronet for his ward, in the person 
 of her cousin, expected down every day." 
 
 " That is bad news, indeed, Bob ; but still I'll have a trial 
 for her, if she suits my fancy." 
 
 "By-the-bye, Melville, have you seen anything of Lord 
 Yancourt lately?" 
 
 " Not since the season closed in town, and I don't wish to 
 see any more of him." 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 "Because he is an ill-tempered, imperious fellow, disliked 
 by every man in the club, and a confounded blackguard also." 
 
 " Indeed," said Conyers, affecting surprise. 
 
 " He is as poor as a church mouse, gambles and cheats at 
 cards, like the devil, to keep up appearances, and keeps an 
 Italian singer, to whom, report says, he is completely com- 
 mitted, or positively married, so that he cannot get rid of her. 
 In fact, he has tried to palm her off on some of his friends, but 
 the woman won't budge, and sticks to him like a leech." 
 
 " Egad ! I did not expect to hear all this of Lord Yancourt ; 
 for a friend of mine asked me something about him, a short 
 time ago, and I wrote to you, the other day, to inquire if you 
 knew him." 
 
 " Too well," replied Melville ; " but your letter was, I con- 
 clude, directed to my club, and has not reached me ; and now, 
 Bob, show me the heiress." 
 
 " There she is, dressed in white, with pearls twisted in her 
 hair, leaning on her aunt's arm, at the upper end of the room." 
 
 "What, that rather tall beautiful girl, now speaking to 
 Mrs. Rolleston?" 
 
 " The same, Melville/' 
 
 1 Then, by Jove ! she is, to my mind, the prettiest woman 
 in the room, and I am off for an introduction." 
 
 In a few minutes after, Melville was presented by Mrs. 
 Kolleston to Mrs. Harcourt and her niece ; and his first words 
 were addressed to the latter, requesting the honour of dancing 
 with her. " I believe," replied Blanche, " that I am already 
 
 F 
 
82 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 engaged for every dance this evening." When Melville, dis- 
 concerted at this unexpected damper to his highly wrought 
 expectations, bowed and withdrew, as Beauchamp, who had 
 dined that evening at Conipton's and bespoke the first qua- 
 drille, approached and offered his arm. 
 
 The heiress being the great attraction of the evening, many 
 inquisitive, and many more envious glances were directed 
 towards her and her partner, to scan every look and gesture 
 of each ; but both were too much occupied with their own 
 thoughts to think of others. Beauchamp's gentlemanly, quiet 
 attentions, with his peculiarly happy and cheerful smile, and 
 Blanche's radiant looks, were noticed by Melville's quick eye, 
 who inquired of Conyers the name of her partner. 
 
 " Beauchamp," was the reply, " our young Master of Fox- 
 hounds; but why do you ask, Melville ?" 
 
 " There's something so frank and manly in that fellow's face, 
 with such quiet, kind manners, that any girl might fall in love 
 with him ; and I'll bet a cool hundred, by her behaviour, the 
 heiress is booked already." 
 
 " Oh, nonsense," replied Conyers ; " Will Beauchamp is one 
 of the kindest-hearted fellows in the world, and has known 
 Miss Douglas many years, but he is no fortune-hunter." 
 
 " Perhaps not," replied Melville ; " but that girl thinks more 
 of him than you suppose." 
 
 " Not that, I'll engage ; but now I will introduce you to 
 Miss Markham, the wittiest, if not the prettiest girl in the room." 
 
 There was a very large conservatory at one end of the 
 saloon, the doors of which were thrown open to afford a pro- 
 menade to the dancers after their exertions, flower-stands occu- 
 pying the centre, with a wide walk round, and seats were 
 disposed at the lower end under magnificent orange trees. To 
 this Elysian retreat Beauchamp conducted his partner when 
 the dance was over ; and standing by her side, under the orange 
 tree, examining the buds and young oranges, he alluded to their 
 last meeting in Aunt Gordon's ^conservatory, which called the 
 crimson blush to her cheek. 
 
 "Tell me, dear Blanche," he said, "have you quite forgiven 
 my presumption on that occasion V 
 
 " Oh ! yes, were it needed, your pardon has been long ago 
 assured." 
 
 " Then, will you accept and wear this little trinket, which 
 may sometimes remind you of my undying regard, when we 
 may be separated for ever?" 
 
A LOVE TOKEN. g3 
 
 " Do not say that, William, for I trust such will never be 
 the case." 
 
 " Oh, that your words may be realised," he replied ; " but 
 will you accept my little offering, a basket of flowers?" as he 
 placed the trinket in her hand. 
 
 " Oh, William ! what a pretty little ornament ! intended for 
 a brooch, I suppose?" 
 
 " Yes, dear Blanche, the design was my own ; the flowers 
 in stones, emblematical of those feelings I shall ever entertain 
 towards you. Will you keep it, and wear it for my sake ?" 
 
 "Yes, indeed I will, William, though I require no such 
 remembrancer of my regard for you." 
 
 " Thanks, dearest Blanche, for that admission, which I shall 
 treasure up in the deepest recesses of my heart ; but I must 
 now lose your too dearly-prized society, as Captain Markham 
 is approaching to claim your hand — that dear little hand " he 
 added in a low tone, "which I would give worlds to call my 
 own !" 
 
 Blanche blushed deeply, casting her eyes on the ground; 
 but the Captain's near advance prevented her making any 
 reply. 
 
 "Shall I keep the brooch for you, dear Blanche," he 
 whispered, "until the ball is over?" 
 
 " Oh, yes," she replied, " pray do." 
 
 "The last dance, remember," he added, "you have promised 
 me. 
 
 " I shall not forget it, William," looking in his face with an 
 expression that made Beauchamp's heart throb and beat most 
 joyfully, as she turned to accept the Captain's arm. 
 
 " Eh ? pon honour, Miss Douglas," exclaimed Markham, 
 " I have been searching for you in every corner ; couldn't think 
 where you had gone; the quadrille has begun already; but really 
 this is a delightful place, don't wonder at your loitering here, 
 with Will Beauchamp, too — giving you an account of his last 
 run, I suppose : good sort of fellow enough, but a little too fond 
 of hunting — not quite a ladies' man, eh ! Miss Douglas ? " 
 
 "No," she replied, gaily, "if by a ladies' man you mean one 
 who is always making fine, flattering speeches, and paying 
 compliments he does not feel." 
 
 " Eh? — no — not exactly ; a true ladies' man devotes himself 
 entirely to the fair sex, lives and exists only in their smiles." 
 
 " Then he must be, by your account, quite an ethereal being, 
 and never thinks of eating supper at a ball, I conclude." 
 
 f 2 
 
84 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Really, Miss Douglas, that is going a little too far, for, by 
 Gad, I feel very peckish to-night, and intend doing ample 
 justice to Compton's good things at one o'clock. But, demmit — 
 I beg pardon, Miss Douglas — our place is occupied as vis-a-vis to 
 that fallow Vernon and his partner, who promised to keep it 
 open. What shall we do ? — Gad ! I have it — ask that good- 
 tempered Beauchamp to find a partner, and then we can cut in 
 somewhere." 
 
 This arrangement was soon made, much to Beauchamp' s 
 delight, who had again an opportunity of holding that hand in 
 his, whose pressure told as much as words could explain. The 
 evening passed pleasantly away with a succession of dances, for 
 every one of which Miss Douglas had been speedily engaged on 
 her first entering the room, until the hour of supper, when Bob 
 Conyers handed her into the room ; and Beauchamp politely 
 offering his arm to Mrs. Harconrt, it was graciously accepted. 
 The friendly terms on which Beauchamp seemed to be with 
 that lady called forth the sarcastic sneers of Vernon, who sat 
 nearly opposite to them with one of the Miss Rollestons. 
 
 " Ah ! " he said, " Beauchamp is trying to utter soft things 
 to the old lady aunt, as well as the heiress, to-night ; but the 
 quarry is too high game for his arrows to reach." 
 
 " I think," remarked Miss Rolleston, " William Beauchamp 
 has much to recommend him, were he to think seriously of Miss 
 Douglas." 
 
 " Nothing that I know of/' replied Vernon, " except a good 
 voice with hounds and a tolerable seat on horseback, which any 
 groom might possess." 
 
 "For shame, Mr. Vernon, to speak in such terms of one 
 who is so universally admitted to be a perfect gentleman in 
 manners and feelings ; but I know Miss Douglas was a great 
 favourite of yours once, and now, I suppose, the grapes are 
 sour." 
 
 "The grapes are not to be plucked by plebeian hands," 
 retorted Vernon, "therefore could never fall to my gathering or 
 his, which that fool Beauchamp will soon find to his cost also." 
 
 "Mis3 Douglas is free to choose whom she pleases, I 
 suppose," observed Miss Rolleston, " at least, when she comes of 
 age ; and if she will take my advice, she will marry the man of 
 her own choice, not her guardian's." 
 
 "A coronet studded with gems is a very pretty attractive 
 toy to a young, artless girl," said Vernon. 
 
 " But not to a sensible one," added Miss Rolleston. 
 
A WELL-MERITED REPROOF. 85 
 
 " Oh, of course not ; but there are not many such sensible 
 young ladies as Miss Rolleston, who would refuse the glittering 
 bauble when offered to them ; and I suspect, after all, Miss 
 Douglas will not decline to be made a peeress when the proposal 
 is made." 
 
 " What proposal, Mr. Vernon ? " 
 
 " Oh," replied he, carelessly, " her cousin Malcolm is named 
 for one, and other poor devils of our grand noblesse will, no 
 doubt, put in a bidding, when she is trotted out for sale to the 
 highest bidder, with old Harcourt as auctioneer." 
 
 " You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Vernon," replied 
 Miss Rolleston, indignantly, " to speak in such disrespectful 
 terms of that sweet girl, whose greatest misfortune may be that 
 she is an heiress." 
 
 A move was now made from the supper-table, and the last 
 on the list being a country dance, Beauchamp claimed Blanche's 
 promise, and they were soon engaged with hands across, down 
 the middle, up again, until she was nearly exhausted with this 
 incessant work. "Come, dear Blanche," he whispered, "this 
 is too much for you, who have been dancing all night. I will 
 not allow you to go on longer, or you will be quite laid up 
 to-morrow. Take my arm, and we will walk about until you 
 are cooler; for I heard Mrs. Harcourt say the carriage was 
 ordered exactly at three, and it is now within a quarter of the 
 time." Beauchamp was leading her to the conservatory again, 
 when she said — 
 
 " Not there, William ; my aunt will be angry if she cannot 
 find us when the carriage arrives." 
 
 " One turn only, clear Blanche, to give up my little present 
 to your keeping ; but do not tremble or fear me, dearest ; the 
 word you apprehend shall not escape my lips again this night." 
 
 When they had reached the upper end, near the orange-trees, 
 Beauchamp, taking Blanche's pocket-handkerchief, tied the 
 little jewel-case in one corner of it, and returned it to her with- 
 out another word or comment. " And now, dear Blanche, we 
 will attend upon your aunt, and I shall send Constance to- 
 morrow to see how you are, as I must be out hunting." 
 
 In a few moments the carriage was announced, and the 
 company began rapidly to disperse. 
 
 And now what are we to say of all William Beauchamp' s 
 good resolutions, vhich had been scattered to the winds ? and 
 his firm determination not to make Blanche Douglas acquainted 
 with the feelings of his heart until she had mixed more in the 
 
86 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 world ? All had been over-ruled by the dread of her falling 
 into the trap set for her by Lord Mervyn and Vernon. His 
 love, long pent up within his own breast, was now suddenly 
 called forth by the horror of losing her for ever, and her being 
 wedded to such a fate as that designed by these unprincipled 
 plotters against her fortune and happiness. The heiress ceased 
 to be remembered as the heiress ; Beauchamp thought only of 
 that dear, pure-minded girl whose image had been so long 
 entwined about his heart. "She ought at least to know," 
 argued he, " that there is one who loves her dearer than his own 
 life, and would support her through every trial." And he 
 argued still more plausibly to himself that the confession of his 
 love could be no barrier to her selection of any other person 
 more congenial to her taste. This, of course, it would not have 
 been, had Blanche been free of herself to choose ; but, fortu- 
 nately or unfortunately, Beauchamp's expression of love had 
 struck a respondent chord in her heart, which vibrated through 
 her whole frame. 
 
 On the night of Sir Lionel Markham's dinner-party, Blanche 
 had experienced certain inexplicable sensations towards William 
 Beauchamp, which were redoubled on their meeting at the 
 Priory a few days after ; and she now felt, after carefully 
 analysing her feelings, that she loved him dearly, intensely — 
 and oh ! the delight of that night's revelation — that she was 
 beloved in return ! Blanche Douglas had received the blessing 
 of a sound religious education from a lady of good family, who 
 had resided many years with her pupil, and who faithfully dis- 
 charged her duty to her youthful charge by firmly impressing 
 on her mind those high principles of religion and morality, 
 which would prove her greatest comfort and protection during 
 the trials and temptations which she would most probably be 
 exposed to in after life. Mrs. Barratt loved Blanche as her own 
 daughter ; and bitter, indeed, was the parting between gover- 
 ness and pupil, when the kind-hearted woman left Throseby, a 
 few months previously, her services being no longer required 
 by Mrs. Harcourt. 
 
 " Dear, kind Mrs. Barratt," exclaimed Blanche, sobbing and 
 crying at her departure, " you must promise to come and live 
 with me, when I am married, or become mistress of my own 
 property — indeed you must. I shall never be happy without 
 you." 
 
 "My dear child," replied Mrs. Barratt, "you know little 
 now of the duties and trials of married life; your husband 
 
SEASONABLE COUNSEL. 87 
 
 would never consent to such an arrangement as you propose, 
 
 and it would then be your duty to conform to his wishes I 
 
 would not say commands — as every wife should obey her 
 husband." 
 
 " Then, dear Mrs. Barratt, I will never marry till I can find 
 one who will love me for myself alone, and love all those I love 
 — kind-hearted and affectionate like yourself — who will yield 
 to all my reasonable desires, and endeavour to make me, as I 
 should him, truly happy." 
 
 "Marriage is a great lottery, dear Blanche, and I would 
 earnestly caution you against accepting any man, however 
 handsome or agreeable — however rich, or talented, or titled — 
 unless you have an opportunity of thoroughly ascertaining his 
 true character. ' Never marry in haste, and repent at leisure.' 
 Tour large fortune will attract many pretended admirers, men 
 of the world, to whom love, in its true meaning, is utterly un- 
 known; and when once in possession of your fortune, they 
 might treat you with indifference and neglect. Indeed, my 
 dear, dear child, a young girl with a large fortune stands in a 
 much worse position, in regard to her prospects of happiness in 
 the married state, than one who has nothing beyond her own 
 mental and personal attractions. Among all your neighbours, 
 there is not any gentleman I know in the least degree 
 calculated to make you happy, except one, and he, I fear, is too 
 high-minded and fastidious in his ideas about money, ever to 
 aspire to the hand of the heiress ; that person, my dear child, 
 is William Beauchamp. He is fond of hunting, because it is 
 a bold, manly amusement, in many respects resembling war; 
 and had he adopted the army as a profession, the name of 
 "William Beauchamp would have stood conspicuous in his 
 country's defence. With the most chivalrous feelings of 
 honour, a deep sense of religion, a firm and unshaken resolu- 
 tion, and one of the most kind and loving hearts that ever beat 
 in human breast, the woman who shall marry William Beau- 
 champ will draw a prize indeed." 
 
 " Dear Mrs. Barratt," replied Blanche, " I believe William 
 to be all you represent him, and you know I consider him and 
 Constance as my brother and sister." 
 
 " Yes, dear child, glad am I to leave you with two such 
 friends, to whom I can safely entrust your happiness; prize 
 them, love them, dearest Blanche, as I know they love you, 
 and never keep a secret from your sister Constance, who will 
 ever direct and guide you in the path of duty and religion ; 
 
88 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 and now farewell, my own long-loved, dearest child, and may 
 Heaven protect you from every evil, and that greatest of all 
 evils, a bad husband." when, straining her to her breast once 
 more, Mrs. Barratt rushed from the room, and poor Blanche 
 sank helpless in her chair, convulsed with sobs and sorrow, 
 where she sat crying until her maid Alice entered, and exerted 
 all her entreaties and kind offices to soothe and comfort her 
 almost broken-hearted young lady. 
 
 " Oh, my dear mistress," cried Alice, kneeling at her feet, 
 " pray do not give way thus " (at the same time wiping with 
 her apron the tears trickling down her own cheeks). " Poor, 
 dear, kind Mrs. Barratt, we shall all miss her so/' and she 
 began sobbing herself as if her heart would break. " Oh, Miss 
 Blanche, this will be a sad day — but there, I declare, is Mrs. 
 Harcourt's step coming this way," which roused the two young 
 girls to check their emotions. 
 
 " Why, Blanche," exclaimed Mrs. Harcourt, witnessing the 
 traces of her grief, " I thought you possessed too high a sense 
 of decorum to give way to such sobs and lamentations, and in 
 the presence of your servant ; indeed, you ought to rejoice at 
 Mrs. Barratt's good fortune, in having, through your Aunt 
 Gordon's recommendation, obtained such a desirable situation as 
 companion to old Mrs. Dacre, where she will have nothing 
 whatever to do." 
 
 "I cannot, dear aunt," replied Blanche, still sobbing, "re- 
 frain from grieving at the loss I have sustained in dear Mrs. 
 Barratt, who has ever been to me a second mother ; but if you 
 will leave me, I will endeavour to be more composed." 
 
 "Well, my dear, make haste, and wash away all traces of 
 your tears, for I expect some visitors this morning, and you 
 must be in the drawing-room to help me to receive them." 
 
 Mrs. Harcourt was one of those cold, unapproachable beings, 
 living within the frigid zone, repellent alike, and impervious to 
 every genial influence ; in fact, she belonged to that numerous 
 class denominated the imperturbables, who consider it a breach 
 of decorum to be affected by those common occurrences which 
 exercise so foolish an influence over the generality of the human 
 race. Excess of grief for the loss of friends and relations, or 
 excess of joy at their recovery, in her ideas, betrayed a weakness 
 of mind in those who could indulge in such wayward fancies, 
 and decidedly at variance with the rules of propriety and 
 etiquette to be observed, without exception, upon all occasions. 
 She was one of those persons who would, if engaged in the 
 
THE VEIL WITHDRAWN. 89 
 
 Satanical pastime of table-turning and table-rapping, have stood 
 as a six-foot-thick wall to prevent any rotatory motion of the 
 said table towards herself, possessing not one atom of electricity 
 in her whole composition. 
 
 Blanche Douglas, it need scarcely be said, unfortunately for 
 her own peace of mind and individual happiness, was a native 
 of the torrid zone, and therefore the very opposite in disposition 
 and character to Mrs. Harcourt. Like the young offshoot of a 
 vine, stretching forth its tender and pliant tendrils for support, 
 this young, warm-hearted girl (when bereft of the mainstay of 
 her childhood, in the person of Mrs. Barratt) looked around 
 for one to whom she could cling for comfort and sympathy in 
 her feelings, and love with the intensity of her deep and abiding 
 attachment. In Constance she had found a firm and warm 
 friend, to whom, as a sister, she could communicate all her joys 
 and sorrows ; but her feelings towards "William Beauchamp had 
 become almost unintelligible to herself for some time past, Mrs. 
 Barratt' s remarks occasioning a shyness and embarrassment 
 in her manner towards him, not before experienced, when 
 viewing him (which she had from an early age) as her brother 
 only. The veil was now withdrawn — she knew that she loved, 
 with the ardour of her first purest affections, him to whom she 
 could cling through life, as women only can and do cling to the 
 husband of their choice. 
 
 On retreating to her room after her return from Mrs. 
 Compton's ball, Blanche carefully examined her pretty little 
 basket of flowers (Beauchamp's present), and every word and 
 look of his were recalled to her mind, as, pressing it to her lips, 
 she imprinted a fond kiss upon its glittering surface. 
 
 " Yes, dear William," she exclaimed, " I will indeed treasure 
 this little trinket for your sake, although you are seldom absent 
 from my thoughts, and your love to me is far beyond all earthly 
 treasures." 
 
90 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The breakfast at Mr. Compton's, after the ball, presented a 
 striking contrast to that of Marston Castle. All faces beamed 
 with happy smiles and joyous good humour, induced by the kind 
 reception they experienced from the master and mistress of 
 Brockley House, who welcomed friends and strangers alike to 
 partake of their hospitality. Opposite to the breakfast-room 
 windows on the lawn were congregated about three hundred 
 pheasants, called together by the keeper's whistle, and enjoying 
 their breakfast also. 
 
 " Ah ! " remarked Mrs. Compton, playfully to Bob Conyers, 
 whose eyes were riveted on the game, " I judge what your feel- 
 ings are in witnessing this formidable array of your enemies ; 
 but come, I will make you a bet of five shillings that there is 
 one of your friends lurking in that bed of laurels, not twenty 
 yards from the spot where the pheasants are now feeding." 
 
 " Thank you, my dear madam, for your kind offer of reliev- 
 ing my pockets of its contents, which may possibly amount to 
 the sum you have named, and which I should most certainly 
 lose, were I rash enough to accept such a wager. As we are all 
 well aware of your and Mr. Compton's liberality in catering 
 for your friends in pink jackets, there is no person to whom I 
 could hand over five shillings with less reluctance than to your- 
 self; but as my purse is not on any day of the week incon- 
 veniently burdened with the coin of the realm, and on hunting 
 days contains only sufficient for the contingencies which may 
 occur, such as a feed of corn and a bucket of gruel for my horse, 
 probably a lost shoe or two, and a glass of brandy and water for 
 myself, with a few little extras for ostler and turnpikes on my 
 road to and from hunting, I could not venture on such a hazard 
 as an even bet, although I would not refuse four to one, which 
 I think are the fair odds against a fox being found in the bed of 
 laurels." 
 
 " There, Mr. Conyers, look there," cried a little girl, running 
 up to him, " there is a fox just peeping out from the laurels." 
 
 "By Jove, my darling ! " exclaimed Bob, taking the child up 
 in his arms and kissing her, "you have just saved me from 
 losing a shilling to your mamma, which, by the way, I dare say, 
 is very provoking to her; but to pacify her anger, you may 
 whisper to her that Bob's annual, on Christmas Day, will make 
 some amends for her disappointment." 
 
THE LION OF THE DAY. 91 
 
 " Tell me what my present is to be," said the child. 
 
 "No, my dear, you must wait patiently till the basket 
 arrives." 
 
 "Beally, Mr. Conyers," exclaimed Mrs. Compton, "it is 
 very provoking to see how you spoil my children ; they 
 are quite unmanageable when you are here, and I really 
 think I must forbid you the house, or they will be entirely 
 ruined." 
 
 " If indulgence is to cause this," returned Bob, " I think 
 their mamma will have much more to answer for than Bob 
 Conyers." 
 
 " Well, Mr. Conyers, we are all now impatient to begin our 
 day's sport, which we can see from the terrace ; so give a hint 
 to William Beauchamp, or these increasing new comers will 
 soon clear off our stock of old cherry brandy." 
 
 " Thank you for the hint," replied Conyers, " as I have not 
 yet had my glass of jumping powder." 
 
 The hounds having arrived, Mr. Compton' s guests quickly 
 dispersed in search of their steeds ; the lion of the day, on whom 
 all eyes were turned, being a great Leicestershire squire, who 
 had for many years hunted that country with a splendid pack of 
 fox-hounds, but was now settled down on his own patrimonial 
 estates. It being one of his maxims, that every fence was 
 practicable with a fall, it is almost needless to say, he was a 
 bold and fearless rider, and that no obstacle ever stopped him. 
 In stature, he was about the general standard, with a broad, 
 expansive chest, and features, if not handsome, yet manly, 
 reflecting the spirit, which was working within, of cool determi- 
 nation and undaunted courage. His seat on horseback was 
 neither studied nor graceful, but easy and careless as his manner 
 of riding across country, to which may be attributed many of 
 the severe falls he encountered, which were of such continued 
 occurrence, that he never appeared quite satisfied without his 
 general allowance of half-a-dozen per diem. 
 
 " Oh, demmit ! " exclaimed Markham, who had been listen- 
 ing to a recital of the great squire's exploits, retailed by 
 Vernon, " what a confounded fire-eating monster he looks ! 
 he'll pound us all to-day, and ride away from Burnett and 
 Beauchamp too." 
 
 " I hope so," replied Vernon, "and that both of them may 
 break their necks in trying to catch him." 
 
 " Eh ! indeed, Dick, you're a nice member of the hunt, aint 
 you, to wish every man of us to be beaten by a stranger 1 but 
 
92 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 I'll bet you an even five pounds lie don't beat Will Beauchamp 
 or Burnett." 
 
 " Done, Markham, and I'll make it ten, if you like." 
 
 " Take him at his word," cried Sir Lucius Gwynne, who 
 overheard the conversation, " and I'll go halves with you." 
 
 " Done, then, Vernon," exclaimed the Captain ; " Gwynne's 
 witness to the bet." 
 
 " And now," said Sir Lucius, " I'll bet you two to one on 
 Beauchamp against the great Leicestershire man. Will you 
 have it, Yernon ? " 
 
 " No, I thank you," was the reply ; " I shall take no more 
 on that event to-day ; but who is to decide 1 " 
 
 " We will have Burnett," said Gwynne ; " you can choose 
 Tyler, or any other first-flight man you prefer to him." 
 
 All being now mounted and ready for action, the hounds 
 were thrown into the evergreens near the house, and in a 
 moment the fox broke across the lawn. Dashing through the 
 stable-yard below and some out-buildings, which screened him 
 from view, he immediately sank into the vale, taking his line 
 through the most formidable fences of the whole country. Will 
 Beauchamp and his whipper-in Charley were with the hounds, 
 as usual, but had not crossed more than three fields before the 
 great hero was down upon them, at full speed, and going at a 
 small brook as if a river were in his way. 
 
 " He'll catch it there," cried Charley to his master, as the 
 gieat squire and his horse went floundering into the stream. 
 " I should have thought, sir, a man of his business habits had 
 know'd what boggy ground meant afore to-day; but come 
 along, sir, there's plenty to help him out ; " and, sooth to say, 
 there were about a dozen of the " finest fellows in the world " 
 in the same predicament, with their horses up to their hocks, 
 struggling in the mire. Sir Francis, however, had the sense to 
 avoid the trap, and followed in the track of Will Beauchamp, 
 who, with Charley, kept the lead with the hounds, until they 
 ran into their fox, in an open grass field, after a burst of thirty- 
 five minutes, without a check. Sir Francis, Tyler, Gwynne, 
 and Fred Beauchamp were the four next up, and close behind 
 them came the lion of the day, hot and furious. 
 
 " Confound that bog ! " he exclaimed ; " it spoiled my start 
 completely, and you know, Burnett, five minutes lost are hard 
 to recover in a quick thing like this ; but I'll take care the 
 hounds don't get out of my sight with our second fox." 
 
 " Don't make too sure of that," replied Sir Francis ; " we 
 
THE BET WON. 93 
 
 are not in Leicestershire now, but one of the stiffest vales I 
 ever crossed yet, where hounds can and will beat the horses." 
 
 " They can't beat me," replied the great squire. 
 
 " They have done it once already, and will do it again, I 
 hope," rejoined Burnett ; " that is, if the scent holds as good 
 with the next fox we find." 
 
 By this time the Captain and Yernon had reached the spot, 
 when the former appealed to Gwynne about his bet. 
 
 " You have won this heat clearly enough, Markham," replied 
 Sir Lucius, " as Beauchamp had his fox in hand five minutes 
 at least before the great man showed at all, and four of us were 
 before him." 
 
 " Eh ! Yernon, 'pon honour, no mistake about it — lost your 
 money, old fellow ; but come, I'll let you off for a five pound 
 note — demmed liberal offer, eh 1 " 
 
 " I won't take it, Markham, for I feel certain of winning, as 
 an accident only prevented my man being in his proper place, 
 where he is sure to be the next run." 
 
 " Oh, very well," replied the Captain ; " as you please." 
 
 The hounds were now taken to one of the finest fox coverts 
 in the world — a large hazel coppice of about one hundred acres, 
 situated in the centre of a fine grass country, with large, open 
 pasture fields. 
 
 " Ah ! " exclaimed the Leicestershire squire, " this is some- 
 thing like a hunting country, with plenty of room to fall, with- 
 out half a score fellows being in upon a man when he's down. 
 Now, Burnett, we may fancy ourselves at Billesdon again." 
 
 " With this difference only," replied Sir Francis, " that there 
 we can take our fences at a fly ; here it cannot be done, with a 
 wide ditch on both sides, and a big, thundering bank and quickset 
 in the middle." 
 
 "I shall try it, notwithstanding," rejoined the squire. 
 
 " Then you don't see our second fox killed, that's settled ; 
 but, hark ! by Jove ! they have found him." And with a scream, 
 which thrilled through the hearts of all, Will Beauchamp viewed 
 him over the ride. In a moment the whole pack was at work, 
 rattling him round the covert. 
 
 "Beautiful!" exclaimed the great squire: "how those big 
 brutes stick to him ! Gad, sir, they squeak like terriers, light 
 enough in their tongue — eh, Burnett ?" 
 
 " Yes, there's little cry with them, and when they run hard, 
 you can scarcely hear them at all ; tip and go is their motto, 
 and I've seen them run half a mile with their fox in view, 
 
94 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 ■without a hound giving tongue. But, look ! they are away at 
 the bottom of the covert, while we are standing here." 
 
 "Now for it, then," cried Sir Francis, as, sticking his spurs 
 into his horse, he dashed down the nearest drive ; but Beau- 
 champ, with his whip Charley, had got the start, and kept the 
 lead for three miles of very severe country, until the hounds 
 were brought to a check on the banks of a deep brook, where 
 the fox, having been headed by a man at work in the field 
 opposite, had doubled back, and thrown them into some little 
 confusion. At this moment the Leicestershire squire made his 
 entree into the field, in rather an unceremonious manner, by 
 being thrown head foremost from his saddle over a high bank, 
 with his horse scrambling after him. Beauchamp, hearing the 
 crash behind him, turned and asked if he was hurt. 
 
 "Hurt!" he exclaimed; "no, I am not often hurt by a 
 fall ; but now we are even, sir," addressing Beauchamp, as the 
 hounds settled again on the scent ; " so come along : " and he 
 rode savagely at the brook, cheering Beauchamp to follow. Our 
 young master, with Charley, were quickly by his side, when the 
 great man, thinking to pound them, rode at some stiff post and 
 rails against the hill, which his horse, having the wind knocked 
 out of him already, was unable to clear, and, breaking the top 
 rail, again gave his master a severe fall. 
 
 "Thank you," said Beauchamp, as he passed the prostrate 
 squire, " for letting me over so easy." 
 
 "I am not beaten yet," was the retort, as he once more 
 jumped into his saddle ; and, rendered furious by the fall, he 
 rode desperately at a new five-barred gate, over which he fell 
 heavily into a hard turnpike road, his horse also lying stunned 
 on his back. 
 
 "Now, sir," said Beauchamp, jumping from his saddle, "you 
 are hurt, or ought to be ; pray let me assist you." 
 
 " Oh, never mind me," faintly ejaculated the squire ; " this 
 is deuced hard falling ground ; but confound that rascally groom 
 of mine, for mounting me on a horse not fit to go. I'll discharge 
 him this very night. Thank you, Mr. Beauchamp, for your 
 attention. I am all right again now ; pray go on with your 
 hounds. I will soon be w T ith you." 
 
 Bob Conyers and others now coming up, Beauchamp whis- 
 pered to him a few words about the great man's fall, and rode 
 away to catch his hounds, which, by the way, he never could, 
 until, with Charley alone, they had killed their second fox 
 among the laurels on Mr. Compton's lawn, on the very spot 
 
THE HEAL LION OF THE DAY. 95 
 
 where they had found their first in the morning. Beanchamp, 
 with his horse quite fresh from his short respite, when assisting 
 the fallen hero, went rapidly away from the rest (whose horses 
 were already in distress from the pace up to the road), and was 
 standing on the lawn with the hounds (the fox being suspended 
 in a tree) baying around, at least five minutes before any other 
 horseman made his appearance ; Mr. and Mrs. Compton, with 
 the children and all the domestics, enjoying the scene. 
 
 To Beauchamp's surprise, the first man up was Markham, 
 who exclaimed, " Eh ! aw ! Beauchamp, 'pon honour, gave 'em 
 all the slip — hurrah ! — awful pace, 'pon my soul, all right — won 
 my bet!" 
 
 " But what a figure you are, Markham ! Where's your hat 1 " 
 
 "In the brook, old fellow, where I left half-a-dozen with 
 their horses ; got out myself on the right side ; up the hill like 
 wildfire; passed the great man on the road — very squeamish 
 indeed ; cut into an old lane, leaving Burnett, Tyler, and 
 Gwynne rasping away cross country to my right, and here I 
 am, first for once in my life ; and now, Beauchamp, give me 
 the brush, which I would not lose for a five-pound note." 
 
 " I have promised it to Mrs. Compton," replied Beauchamp, 
 " who was the first in at the finish." 
 
 " Then," replied that lady, " I willingly waive my claim in 
 favour of Captain Markham, as a little compensation for the 
 loss of his hat." 
 
 " Thank you, Mrs. Compton, for your kind consideration," 
 replied the Captain, with a low bow ; and the said appendage 
 was accordingly handed to him by Charley, who pocketed a 
 sovereign for the present. 
 
 " Won ten yellow boys, to-day," whispered the Captain. 
 
 "How so, sir?" inquired Charley. 
 
 " By your master beating the Leicestershire hero." 
 
 " Glad to hear it, sir ; wish you had won fifty." 
 
 "Have you seen anything of Bushton?" inquired Mrs. 
 Compton. 
 
 " Oh, yaas," replied Markham ; " left him on the road ; bad 
 fall — ribs smashed, I suspect, or something of that sort — looked 
 seedy — very." 
 
 " I hope not seriously hurt," said Mrs. Compton, anxiously. 
 
 " Oh, no, can't be — never is hurt, by his own account — only 
 queerish." 
 
 Preceded by Sir Francis, Tyler, Fred Beauchamp, Gwynne, 
 and Conyers, who were in the first flight, the lion of the day 
 
96 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 now hove in sight, looking unutterably disgusted ; in fact, his 
 whole frame had received so great a shock from his heavy fall 
 on the hard road, that, although no bones were broken, he was 
 fearfully bruised about his head, ribs, and right arm, which was 
 nearly paralysed. Giving his horse to the groom, with sundry 
 anathemas for his want of condition, the great man walked on 
 to the lawn, where he stood for a few moments talking with 
 Mrs. Compton, and then retired to his own room for the luxury 
 of a warm bath. 
 
 The fox was now thrown to the hounds, as the heavy 
 weights, including Sir Lionel, Squire Beauchamp, and others, 
 with whom Yernon had been in company, arrived on the scene, 
 and many and hearty were the congratulations on their capital 
 day's sport. 
 
 "Ah, Compton !" exclaimed Conyers, " we have always luck 
 on our side, when we meet at your place — no bagmen or three- 
 legged ones here ; and now for a glass of sherry to drink your 
 health and a merry Christmas to all your family, with fifty new 
 years to come, and may they find you still living as heretofore 
 — the friend of fox-hunters." 
 
 "And a right hearty welcome to you all," replied Mr. 
 Compton, who led the way into the house, followed by a goodly 
 company of pink jackets, who gladly availed themselves of his 
 proffered hospitality. Markham whispered Gwynne, "A hollow 
 thing, eh 1 No mistake about first man." 
 
 " None whatever — Vernon must pay." 
 
 " All right, old fellow — tell him what you say." 
 
 The losing man did not relish the Captain's hint; but 
 knowing his good nature, put him off by saying they would 
 settle that another day. 
 
 " Play and pay, Yernon, is the rule on such occasions," said 
 Markham ; " so you must fork out ; had I lost, you would have 
 made me pay quickly enough." 
 
 " Oh, very well, I'll send you a draft to-morrow or next 
 day," with which he turned aside. 
 
 On their way home, a comparison was instituted by Sir 
 Francis and Conyers, between the riding of the two rival 
 masters of fox-hounds, Rushton and Will Beauchamp. 
 
 " In Leicestershire," remarked Burnett, " I think Beau- 
 champ would give way to the great squire." 
 
 "I don't think he would," retorted Conyers; "for this 
 reason : "Will rides with equal science and superior judgment to 
 the other ; he is always with his hounds, in and out of covert, 
 
COMPARISONS INSTITUTED. 97 
 
 and is exceedingly quick, without ever being in a flurry. See how 
 quietly he creeps along, always selecting the best ground for 
 his horse, whose resources he husbands to the utmost, with 
 neither whip nor spur to harass or frighten him. Again, when 
 approaching a large fence, he pulls his horse into a trot, if 
 necessary, to give him wind and strength to clear it, easing or 
 lifting him, as occasion may require. The falls he gets are very- 
 few and far between, yet he is, as a huntsman ought to be, 
 always with his hounds; and as to his seat in the saddle, 
 he is a perfect centaur — man and horse appear as one animal." 
 
 " That's all very true, Conyers," replied Burnett ; " Will 
 Beauchamp is a difficult man to beat in his own country, with 
 his horses so thoroughly made to their master's hand, and at 
 banks and stiff fences they are perfectly at home; but in 
 Leicestershire those horses would cut a poor figure, where it is 
 going from first to last without the hope of pulling up for a 
 second : nothing but thorough-bred ones can live with hounds 
 there." 
 
 " Very likely, Burnett ; I don't dispute that point ; but this 
 I will maintain, that Will Beauchamp, equally well horsed, 
 shall beat your hero in his own country six days out of ten 
 throughout the season. Your man is fast and furious, but in 
 my opinion not a thorough good rider, which no one ou. r ;ht to 
 be called who gets such an extraordinary number of falls in a 
 season ; this, although a proof of daring, bull- dog courage, is no 
 proof, but just the reverse, of good horsemanship." 
 
 " Well, Conyers, there is a good deal of sterling truth in 
 your remarks, and, I must add, no man entertains a better 
 opinion than I do of Will Beauchamp ; so now, as our roads 
 diverge, good night." 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Bob Conyers was not in words merely, but in deeds also, the 
 firm friend of Will Beauchamp ; and accordingly on the follow- 
 ing Tuesday, we find him at Throseby Hall, sitting with Mrs. 
 Harcourt in her drawing-room, in the hope of eliciting some 
 information about the invitation to Marston Castle, which he 
 knew had been received the previous day ; but that lady 
 evincing no disposition to enlighten him on the subject, Conyers 
 hazarded an experiment at drawing the badger, which fully 
 
 G 
 
98 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 succeeded, by saying, " I have promised Blanche another riding 
 lesson, and if she is not otherwise engaged, will come over on 
 Thursday morning for that purpose." 
 
 " We shall not be at home that day," was the reply. 
 " Oh, very well, the next morning then," said Bob. 
 " We shall be absent, I fear, that day also," replied Mrs. 
 Harcourt. 
 
 " Oh, then, I will find Blanche, and give her a lesson now, 
 which will do just as well— there she is, walking in the garden." 
 And without more ado, Bob took up his hat, and left the room. 
 In a few minutes he was walking by her side to the stables, and 
 having ordered her horse to be saddled, she returned to the 
 house to put on her habit, whilst Bob entered the drawing- 
 room. 
 
 " I do not quite approve," began Mrs. Harcourt, " of Blanche 
 riding." 
 
 " It is the most healthful recreation in the world, my dear 
 madam," replied Bob, " and strongly recommended to your niece 
 by your own physician, as the means of giving her exercise and 
 the benefit of the air, without much fatigue." 
 
 " Yes, I believe in moderation it is very well, but I dread 
 her becoming a second Selina Markham." 
 
 " Then she must change her character entirely." said Bob, 
 " and I never wish Blanche to ride after the fox-hounds ; in 
 fact, to tell you the truth, my dear madam, I do not approve of 
 ladies going out hunting." 
 " Yet Constance does ? " 
 
 " Oh, no, merely to see the hounds throw off, and then return 
 home ; but Blanche is even too timid for that ; and certainly I 
 shall never advise her to do anything of the kind, although most 
 husbands, and particularly those of the aristocracy, like to see 
 their wives with a good seat on horseback, to parade them in 
 Rotten Bow during the London season : and who knows but 
 Blanche may one day become a countess 1 " At these words, 
 the lad}^ in question entered the room, and they at once set out 
 for their ride. 
 
 When they had passed the lodge gates, Blanche, who had 
 overheard his last words in the drawing-room, inquired what he 
 was saying to Mrs. Harcourt about a countess. 
 
 " Why, my dear Blanche," said Bob, " your aunt Harcourt 
 intends you shall become a duchess, or a countess, at least." 
 
 " Oh, nonsense, Mr. Conyers ; don't, pray, talk so fool- 
 ishly." 
 
EOB CONYERS A PROPHET. DQ 
 
 " Well, then, let me ask, are you not going to-morrow to 
 spend a few days at Marston ? " 
 
 " Yes, I believe so." 
 
 " Has such an invitation ever been sent before to Mr. and 
 Mrs. Harcourt and yourself?" 
 
 "No, I think not." 
 
 " Ah," replied Bob, "I see it aM.* 
 
 " What do you see, Mr. Conyers ? " 
 
 " I will tell you, dear Blanche, on one condition — that you do 
 not reveal what I say to any human being." 
 
 " I should never think of doing so," replied Blanche. 
 
 "Very well; you will find at Marston Castle a certain 
 nobleman, called Lord Vancourt, who will pay you great atten- 
 tion, and whom your aunt will try and persuade you to marry." 
 
 Blanche blushed scarlet at this information, and said, " This 
 is very improbable, Mr. Conyers ! " 
 
 " Is Bob Conyers a false prophet, Miss Douglas ? But now 
 mark me, if you do not meet this lord, if he does not pay you 
 the greatest attentions, and within a very short time propose for 
 you, you may then call me one. They have laid a trap to catch 
 you, my dear girl ; and Captain Melville told me at Compton's 
 ball the other night, that a more unprincipled scoundrel (those 
 were his expressions) than this same Lord Vancourt does not 
 ^exist ; and now your old friend and master having done his duty 
 in warning you of the net set to catch you, he has only one word 
 more to say on the subject, and that one word is — beware ! " 
 
 "Oh, Mr. Conyers," said the young girl, almost in tears, 
 w how can I repay you for your ever kind interest in my wel- 
 fare?" 
 
 "It would be strange indeed," replied he, "if I did not 
 take an interest, and a deep one too, in that sweet girl I have 
 so often nursed when a child, who has neither father nor 
 brother to watch over and protect her ; and I am fearful your 
 guardian is too worldly-minded to consult your true happiness 
 (which ought to be his chief consideration) in settling you in 
 life ; in fact, I know well that both he and Mrs. Harcourt are 
 resolved on forming some brilliant matrimonial alliance for you 
 amongst the nobility, to which rank they think you have a 
 right to aspire. Perceiving that such are their intentions, as 
 your sincere friend, I wish to caution you to consult your own 
 inclinations before their wishes, and never to be persuaded to 
 marry any man, however high in rank, unless his character and 
 disposition are such as to ensure your happiness. Now, dear 
 
100 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Blanche, my lecture is finished, for which you may perhaps 
 think old Bob Conyers a fool; but I could not rest happy 
 until I had told you my suspicions, and given you my 
 advice." 
 
 " Indeed, Mr. Conyers," said Blanche, " I feel most grateful 
 for your kindness on this and many more occasions, and I shall 
 ever regard you as one of my best friends." 
 
 " Well, whenever you want my advice or assistance, do not 
 hesitate a moment, dear Blanche, in applying to me ; but our 
 conversation to-day must be kept a secret from Mr. and Mrs. 
 Harcourt, and do not mention that you heard of Lord Van- 
 court being expected at Marston, or they will accuse me of 
 intermeddling in what does not concern me." 
 
 " You may depend I shall never reveal what you tell me in 
 confidence." After which they proceeded on their ride. 
 
 A select party had been asked to meet Mr. and Mrs. Har- 
 court on the day of their arrival at Marston Castle, besides 
 the guests staying in the house, two of whom were Mr. Harley 
 and his sister, a matronly personage of about forty, clever, well- 
 informed, and chatty, who, having received her instructions 
 from her brother, was fully prepared to laud Lord Vancourt to 
 the skies ; in fact, there was what is termed a packed jury of 
 ladies and gentlemen, carefully chosen by Lord Mervyn from 
 the class sycojjhantic, who never ventured to hold an opinion on 
 any matter adverse to his lordship's — Tyler and Yernon being 
 included. 
 
 Lord Yancourt, who had arrived that day, was about twenty- 
 eight years of age, tall, standing over six feet, with a very good, 
 well-proportioned figure, decidedly handsome, of rather aristo- 
 cratic-looking features, and an aquiline nose. He had also 
 a profusion of curly black hair, with very bushy eyebrows ; but 
 there was a sinister expression in the eye, which revealed much 
 of his true character. In disposition, he was naturally 
 haughty, overbearing, passionate, and uncompromising; but 
 having mixed a great deal in good society, his manners were 
 highly polished, and he had the art of rendering himself most 
 agreeable to ladies, with whom he carefully repressed all indica- 
 tions of ill-temper or impatience. 
 
 During the dinner hour, having travelled a great deal, he 
 related in a pleasant, unostentatious manner his various adven- 
 tures by sea and land, and even Blanche, notwithstanding Bob's 
 warning, thought him the most agreeable man she had ever 
 met; there was, however, a peculiar expression sometimes in 
 
FALSE REPRESENTATIONS. 101 
 
 his eyes, so searching and almost fierce, that she felt frightened 
 when they were riveted on her. 
 
 On the ladies retiring to the drawing-room, Mrs. Harcourt, 
 who had been exceedingly pleased with Lord Vancourt, could 
 not suppress her expressions of admiration, to which Miss 
 Harley fully assented, declaring him a most charming, delight- 
 ful person, so well-informed and unaffected, although of such 
 superior manners and high talents. "In short, my dear 
 madam," said that crafty lady, "Lord Yancourt is quite the 
 ton in the highest circles in town, and eagerly sought after, also, 
 on account of his splendid fortune." 
 
 " Is it not surprising, t' en," inquired Mrs. Harcourt, " that 
 he is still unmarried ? " 
 
 " Oh, not in the least ; his lordship is so very particular in 
 his choice, fearing he may be accepted on account of his title 
 and fortune : and I think it most probable, with his romantic 
 ideas about women and marriage, that he will assume the dis- 
 guise of a walking tourist some day, in search of a country 
 damsel, and marry her for love only." 
 
 This artful speech struck home to Mrs. Harcourt, who 
 thought secretly that he would be just the match to suit her 
 niece. Among the company that evening were the Bollestons, 
 who had brought with them Captain Melville ; and Caroline 
 Itolleston was sitting with Blanche, when Miss Harley was 
 passing such high eulogiums on Lord Yancourt. 
 
 " Good heavens ! " said Caroline, " how can that woman go 
 on telling such stories about Lord Yancourt, who is one of the 
 most gay, dissipated men about town, and as poor as a country 
 curate ; and they do say, my dear " (in a whisper) " already 
 married to an opera dancer 1 but the latter is a secret, which 
 Melville let fall one day, quite unintentionally, and therefore 
 it may be treason to mention it." 
 
 " Do you think that can really be true ? " inquired Blanche. 
 
 "Indeed, I do; Captain Melville is a person above the 
 suspicion of uttering a falsehood. And did you observe, before 
 dinner, when Lord Yancourt approached to shake hands with 
 him, that he drew back, making him a very low bow ? " 
 
 " Perhaps they may have had some quarrel," observed 
 Blanche. 
 
 " Most likely," replied Caroline, " since no two men can be 
 ef more opposite ideas ; but papa says that Captain Melville is 
 a perfect gentleman, and of most honourable feelings." 
 
 As they were discussing these points, the gentlemen entered 
 
102 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 the room, for Lord Mervyn having observed there was some- 
 thing amiss between his protege, Lord Vancourt, and Captain 
 Melville, proposed their joining the ladies very early, before 
 any unpleasantry could occur. 
 
 Lord Vancourt, dreading some exposure from Melville, 
 avoided the heiress that evening, for fear of exciting his 
 remarks, devoting himself chiefly to Lady Mervyn, whilst 
 Melville endeavoured to do the agreeable to Miss Douglas. 
 The evening (with Lord Mervyn' s dark looks, which exercised 
 a decided influence over the greater part of the company) 
 passed uncomfortably enough to all except Melville, who was 
 quite enchanted with Blanche, thinking her the most lovely, 
 unaffected girl he had ever been acquainted with. 
 
 The next and three following days, Lord Vancourt paid 
 very assiduous attention to the heiress, for which every oppor- 
 tunity was afforded him by Lord and Lady Mervyn ; Mr. Harley 
 and his sister pursuing a like plan with Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt, 
 by always speaking of Lord Vancourt in the highest terms. 
 
 Poor Blanche was much more frightened than gratified by 
 his lordship's close attendance upon her during the live-long 
 day ; but her timid, bashful manner, with downcast eyes and 
 blushing cheek, when his glance met hers, led his lordship to- 
 the conclusion that he had made a most decided and favourable 
 impression upon the heart of the youthful heiress, and that the 
 game was now safe in his own hands. 
 
 It is quite true that more facilities are afforded to love- 
 making in a quiet country house, during one week, than may 
 occur in a twelvemonth under different circumstances, with the 
 chance of meeting at a dinner party or a ball occasionally ; 
 which, with so many interruptions and lookers-on, is compara- 
 tively a tedious process, and must take a due allowance of time. 
 So prosperously had Vanccurb advanced already in the opinion 
 of the conspirators, Mervyn, Vernon, and Harley, that they 
 considered the prize as nearly won, and that he had only now to 
 offer his hand to be accepted ; forgetting the old adage of 
 "there being many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip." 
 
 Lord Vancourt objected, however, to such* precipitancy; 
 avowing his belief that too much haste would spoil the whole 
 affair. 
 
 " Strike while the iron is hot, is my advice," said Vernon. 
 " You are mistaken," replied Vancourt ; " the iron is not half 
 hot yet, and that girl is so timid that I cannot get on with her 
 as I have done with other women, and see clearly I must take 
 
THE WORKING OF THE PLOT. 103 
 
 more time with one of her reserved disposition, and lure her on 
 step by step." 
 
 "Well," remarked Harley, "your lordship is a better judge 
 of such matters than I pretend to be ; and being the chief 
 person concerned, you have the best reason to act as you think 
 most conducive to your own ends." 
 
 The Harcourts had been invited to spend a week at Marston, 
 but on the fifth morning a letter arrived from Lord Malcolm, 
 saying he should arrive that same day at Throseby Hall, which 
 obliged Mr. Harcourt to curtail his visit very suddenly, and 
 return home immediately, much to Blanche's delight, who, on 
 the plea of a headache, could not be induced to leave her room 
 till the carriage was at the door. During her stay at the castle, 
 whether out walking with Miss Mervyn, or taking a drive in 
 the pony carriage, when the weather would admit, Lord Van- 
 court contrived to be constantly by her side, Vernon attaching 
 himself to Miss Mervyn; and in their rambles about the 
 grounds, he kept that young lady at a sufficient distance from 
 Blanche, that Vancourt might have every facility for ingratia- 
 ting himself into her favour ; but the thing was overdone, and 
 Blanche having been left several times in this manner by Miss 
 Mervyn, her suspicions were fairly excited by this oft-repeated 
 trick, and Lord Vancourt' s increased empressement of manner 
 and language, which even her artless nature could not mis- 
 understand. Blanche Douglas (even if her heart had been 
 entirely free) was a person of such delicate and refined feelings, 
 that Lord Vancourt's conduct (being an acquaintance of only 
 a few days) was becoming quite irksome to her ; and for the 
 last day she had avoided being left alone with him, plead- 
 ing indisposition, to remain in her room until the dinner 
 hour. 
 
 Vernon, however, had met with a very different reception 
 from Miss Mervyn, who had fallen desperately in love with him ; 
 and thus, whilst apparently playing Lord Mervyn' s game, he 
 had been, in fact, most industriously dealing his own cards, and 
 obtained a confession from Miss Mervyn of her attachment, 
 which, as a matter of course, was to remain a profound secret 
 for the present. 
 
 On their return to Throseby, the Harcourts found Lord 
 Malcolm, who had arrived just before them, and Blanche was in 
 high spirits on again meeting her cousin. 
 
 " Why, dear Blanche, you are wonderfully improved within 
 the last year — become quite the woman. Well, girls do run up 
 
104 
 
 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 in an extraordinary manner, and I suppose you must now be 
 called Miss Douglas." 
 
 "Never by you, Charles, I hope," she replied, "or by any of 
 my true friends." 
 
 " Well, dear girl, I am delighted to find you looking so lovely 
 and so happy ; but tell me," in a whisper, " how is Constance ? " 
 
 " As beautiful as ever, or more so," she replied, laughing j 
 " but we have been staying at that disagreeable place, Marston 
 Castle, nearly a week, and therefore I have seen nothing of her 
 during that time." 
 
 "Well, then, Blanche, we will ride over to Bampton the 
 day after to-morrow." 
 
 " Why not to-morrow, Charles 1 " 
 
 " It won't do, my dear ; old Harcourt would take offence at 
 my leaving him the first day ; and, besides, I think to-morrow 
 is Beauchamp's hunting day, and I long to shake him by the 
 hand ; for, between ourselves, Blanche, my love for Constance 
 has arisen partly from my love and esteem for her brother, who 
 is a man after my own heart." 
 
 During the latter part of this speech, Blanche, feeling a 
 little colour spreading over her cheek, turned away, and ran up- 
 stairs to change her dress. 
 
 The next day, while Lord Malcolm was sitting with Mrs. 
 Harcourt and Blanche in the drawing-room, Lord Vancourt 
 was announced, who remained for nearly an hour, paying very 
 pointed attention to Miss Douglas. When he left, Mrs. Har- 
 court asked Malcolm — 
 
 " What do you think of Lord Yancourt ? Is he not most 
 polished and agreeable, and strikingly handsome ? " 
 
 " All that I admit, yet I don't like him." 
 
 "Why?" inquired Mrs. Harcourt. 
 
 " I can't say exactly, but he has an expression to me quite 
 repulsive, and from which I should set him down as haughty 
 and bad-tempered." 
 
 " Oh, that is only your fancy, Malcolm/' 
 
 " Perhaps so, but I shall not alter my opinion until I know 
 more of him." 
 
 No further remarks were made by Mrs. Harcourt, who did 
 not wish Blanche to be prejudiced against Lord Vancourt, in 
 case her cousin should not now come forward, as was expected. 
 But when Blanche and Malcolm went out afterwards for a walk, 
 the latter remarked upon his lordship's attentions to her, and 
 said — 
 
BEAUCHAMP " OUT OF SORTS." 105 
 
 " I perceive Lord Vancourt is a great admirer of yours, mv 
 fair cousin, and first favourite on the list, I should think, froni 
 your tell-tale blushes and downcast eyes, when he was addressing 
 you." 
 
 " Indeed, Charles, he is no favourite of mine ; and although 
 
 t extremely pleasing, yet I feel quite frightened in his company." 
 " Oh, that feeling may wear off on more intimate acquaint- 
 ance," rejoined Malcolm ; "but first impressions with me are 
 not easily effaced ; and I tell you candidly, dear Blanche, I fear 
 he will make a bad husband ; so don't decide in his favour until 
 you have seen more of the world, and a great deal more of Lord 
 Van court. You will have plenty to pick and choose from, with 
 your large fortune ; so take my advice — don't be in a hurry to 
 marry yet." 
 
 "Indeed I shall not, Charles; and I am quite sure Lord 
 Vancourt would never be my choice." 
 
 " Very well, Blanche, wait till next spring, when you come 
 out in town, and I will introduce you to two or three of our 
 young nobility, equally good-looking, with better connections 
 than Lord Vancourt, and really good fellows into the bargain." 
 At breakfast, next morning, Malcolm expressed his intention 
 of taking Blanche with him to call at Bampton, to which no 
 objection was raised, as Mrs. Harcourt wished to throw no 
 obstacles in the way of the two cousins being together. Lord 
 Malcolm was rejoiced to find his friend Beauchamp at home, 
 and the meeting between his lordship and Constance was what 
 might be expected from two affianced lovers, in which relation 
 they stood to each other, although it was not generally known. 
 Leaving the two girls together, Beauchamp and his friend, who 
 was very fond of hunting, walked off to inspect the kennels and 
 stables, and Lord Malcolm could not help remarking on Beau- 
 champ's altered manner and grave looks. 
 
 "What's the matter with you?" inquired his friend; "all 
 your buoyancy of spirits is gone ; are you in love, Beauchamp, 
 or what is it?" 
 
 " Oh, I'm only a little out of sorts to-day." 
 " Come, come, Beauchamp, that will not pass with me — 1 
 know you too well ; surely you can trust your own brother elect 
 with anything that lies heavy at your heart. Many a secret 
 have I confided to your keeping, and now, my dear fellow, I 
 expect the same confidence from you. No evasion, if you love 
 me as I do you." 
 
 Beauchamp, thus pressed, confessed his long-growing attach- 
 
106 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 ment to Blanche, and reproached himself for having made her 
 acquainted with his love at Mrs. Compton's ball. ''That has 
 hung heavy upon me ever since," he added ; " for I feel I have 
 done wrong in trying to gain her affections before entering on 
 the world, when she will, of course, see so many, far my supe- 
 riors in birth, endowments, and fortune. In short, Malcolm, I 
 have no pretensions to one so far beyond my deserts ; and then 
 the idea of being called a fortune-hunter haunts me day and 
 night. I have become miserable ; what to do, I know not ; 
 will you advise me V 
 
 u Yes, Beauchamp, most willingly, when you have answered 
 me one question. Were Blanche Douglas no heiress, would you 
 lay open your heart to her ?" 
 
 " Yes, Malcolm, for I am sure I can never love another ; yet 
 I would still leave her disengaged to me for a twelvemonth." 
 
 "Why so?" 
 
 " Because I think she is too young to be tied to any such 
 serious engagement, until she has seen more of the world." 
 
 "Ah!" said Lord Malcolm, "this is self-denial to excess, 
 and few, except Will Beauchamp, could argue thus against 
 themselves. Well, I will consider these points to-night, and 
 advise you how to act to-morrow ; and now let us have some 
 luncheon, after which you and Constance must ride part of the 
 way home with us." 
 
 Beauchamp raising some objection to this proposal, was met 
 by Malcolm with these words — " Don't make a greater simpleton 
 of yourself than you have already this morning, in making these 
 silly confessions, or I shall lose all my patience ! Come along 
 directly, and order the horses, for I want an opportunity of 
 making love to Constance, if you do not to Blanche." 
 
 After luncheon, the party set out for Throseby, but as the 
 road admitted of two only abreast, it is superfluous to say how 
 the two couples were arranged. Lord Malcolm was in high 
 spirits — unpleasantly so to Beauchamp, who, being completely 
 under the influence of the blues, exhibited a sad contrast to his 
 more happy friend ; and as he rode thoughtful and abstracted 
 by the side of Blanche, she could not fail to notice his altered 
 looks and manner ; still he was, as usual, most friendly, giving 
 her some useful hints in regard to the management of her horse, 
 and speaking on all other subjects except the one nearest to his 
 heart. At first, Blanche was timid, and fearful of a repetition 
 of some love professions ; but seeing his determination to avoid 
 all such topics, her reserve wore off. 
 
SMALL-TALK. 107 
 
 "I hear," lie said, "you have been staying at Marston 
 Castle ; were you pleased with your visit ?" 
 
 " Oh, no," she replied; "Lord and Lady Mervyn are, in my 
 opinion, very stiff, formal, disagreeable people." 
 
 "Did you meet no pleasant persons there?" he inquired; 
 "I heard the house was full of company." 
 
 " Yes, there was a Lord Yancourt, very agreeable and good- 
 looking, resembling much in manners Mr. Yernon, who was 
 there also ; but I must confess I was delighted when our visit 
 was over." 
 
 " Then you did not admire this Lord Yancourt, of whom 
 report speaks so highly as a perfect ladies' man V 
 
 "Oh, no," replied Blanche; "he is the counterpart of Mr. 
 Yernon, whom, you know, I dislike exceedingly." 
 
 Beauchamp breathed more freely after this confession from 
 Blanche, and some of his usual frank gaiety of looks and man- 
 ners returned. 
 
 " You, of course, mean to attend our grand ball on the last 
 of this month V he asked. 
 
 "Oh, yes," she replied; "you know I make my debut in 
 public on that occasion." 
 
 "Then will you allow me the pleasure of being your first 
 partner on that eventful night, unless you have already pro- 
 mised that favour to another ?" 
 
 " Indeed, William, I shall not only be delighted, but shall 
 feel less nervous, in having the support of an old friend on my 
 first introduction to the beau monde" 
 
 " Thank you, dear Blanche," he replied, with his accustomed 
 warmth ; " and may you never find a friend less staunch and 
 true than William Beauchamp." 
 
 " I neither wish nor expect to find another friend like you ; 
 but now I see Constance and Charles are halting for us." 
 
 "Well, Beauchamp," he exclaimed, as they rode up, "we 
 must now change partners, as Constance wishes to return ; but 
 mind you both ride over, and repay our visit the day after to- 
 morrow." 
 
 "I can't promise that exactly," was Beauchamp's answer, 
 in a very grave tone. 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! then Constance must ride by herself, I sup- 
 pose," retorted Malcolm, angrily, " unless you think she ought 
 not to have promised me to come at all ?" 
 
 " No, Malcolm ; I shall certainly accompany her. if that is so." 
 " And be in a better humour next time we meet," continued 
 
108 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Malcolm, " But now, come, shake hands, old fellow ; I can't 
 afford to quarrel with you.'* 
 
 The friendly parting was exchanged on all sides, when 
 Malcolm and Blanche turned their horses' heads, the former 
 suddenly exclaiming, " What can be the matter with Will 
 Beauchamp, Blanche ? I never saw such an alteration in any 
 man since we last met ; he looks as if he had been crossed in 
 love. What can be the matter with him 1 " 
 
 " I really cannot tell, Charles." 
 
 " Do you think he is in love, Blanche 1 " he again asked. 
 
 " How should I know, Charles 1 " she answered, while the 
 crimson mounted to her very temples. 
 
 " You do know something more than you choose to tell me, 
 dear Blanche," as he looked inquiringly into her face, which she 
 endeavoured to turn away, to conceal her confusion. " Only tell 
 me one tiling, my dearest girl," continued Malcolm, as he placed 
 his hand affectionately on hers ; " by our friendship and cousinly 
 affection for each other, by my brotherly love for you, tell me, 
 dear Blanche, in confidence, as your own dear brother — can 
 you, do you love Will Beauchamp ?" There was no reply. 
 
 " Thank Heaven ! " ejaculated Malcolm, fervently; "I am 
 now the happiest man in existence. Will Beauchamp' s conduct 
 is explained ; he loves, as he ever must, deeply and unalterably 
 where his affections have been once bestowed ; but, poor fellow ! 
 he thinks he loves hopelessly — he is too unpretending and 
 modest to believe that the rich heiress, Miss Douglas, will ever 
 condescend to accept him as a lover. Yes, dear Blanche ; this 
 must be the real state of the case. I have known Beauchamp 
 from a boy ; he is high-spirited, of sound principles, honest and 
 open as the day, and generous, even to a fault ; yet withal as 
 proud as Lucifer, where his conduct may be questioned as 
 equivocal ; and here it is — here's the rub, my dear Blanche — 
 he dreads to be called a fortune-hunter, although ever so 
 attached to you." 
 
 At this moment they were interrupted by Mark Rosier 
 jumping over a stile into the road, close to Lord Malcolm. 
 
 " Ah, Mark," said his lordship, "how fares it with you since 
 we last met 1 " 
 
 " It would have fared badly enough, my lord, but for the 
 young squire, who saved my poor old father and mother from 
 the workhouse." 
 
 " Indeed, Mark," said Lord Malcolm, seriously ; " how could 
 this happen 1 " 
 
COMING TO THE POINT. 109 
 
 " Lord Mervyn there turned us all out into the road, and 
 seized everything we had, even to the bed to lie upon, and all 
 on account of the game, which has been our ruin ; but the 
 young squire stood our friend, and has given us a farm from 
 Lady-day next, rent free, stock and all, until we can get round 
 again. God bless him for it, and all belonging to him !" ended 
 Mark, as he wiped a stray tear from his cheek. 
 
 " Here, then, Mark," said his lordship, putting a five-pound 
 note into his hand, "give that to your father from me, to keep 
 a merry Christmas;" and, touching his horse with the whip, he 
 and Blanche cantered off. 
 
 " There, Blanche," he said, when they had left Mark behind, 
 " that act at once explains the character of William Beauchamp ; 
 and now I expect a lecture from Mrs. Harcourt for keeping you 
 out late," as they entered the lodge gates. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 During the absence of Lord Malcolm and her niece, Mrs. 
 Harcourt had been discussing his lordship rather more perti- 
 nently than he surmised ; in short, she had insisted on Mr. 
 Harcourt inquiring what his real intentions were towards his 
 cousin. " It is really high time to know whether Malcolm 
 seriously thinks of marrying Blanche or not," she remarked to 
 her husband, "as it is very evident Lord Vancourt is very 
 much taken with her ; and, in case of his proposing, we should 
 scarcely know what answer to give him." 
 
 " Very well, my dear, I will take an opportunity of sounding 
 Malcolm the first time we are alone, although I am inclined to 
 think, from my own observation, theirs may be only cousinly 
 affection; but as the family from the castle dines here to- 
 morrow, I will ascertain that point before their arrival, and 
 let you know." 
 
 Accordingly, the next morning, after breakfast, when they 
 were alone, Mr. Harcourt led to the point by asking some 
 questions relative to Blanche's property in Scotland. 
 
 " It is in a very flourishing condition," replied Lord 
 Malcolm ; " and the tenants are improving their farms by 
 draining, which will increase their own returns, as well as 
 improve the value of the estate." 
 
110 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Is there any prospect," inquired Mr. Harcourt, jocosely, 
 * of tlie two properties being united under one head ?" 
 
 " One manager, do you mean 1 " 
 
 " Yes, Charles ; exactly so — in the person of Lord Malcolm," 
 replied Mr. Harcourt, laughing. 
 
 " That," replied Lord Malcolm, gravely, " I fear, never can 
 be, as Blanche and myself regard each other as cousins only ; 
 and, to confess the truth, my affections have been long engaged 
 elsewhere, although I shall ever love her as a dear sister." 
 
 " I am sorry to hear this confession, Charles, as Blanche's 
 father and your own always expressed a strong desire that their 
 children might some day be united." 
 
 At this moment Blanche entered the room, prepared for a 
 walk. 
 
 " I fear," she said, " I am interrupting you and Mr. 
 Harcourt." 
 
 " Oh, no," replied Lord Malcolm ; " I am quite ready to 
 attend you, dear Blanche." 
 
 When they had left the house, Malcolm said, " It is just 
 what I expected from old Harcourt's serious looks at breakfast. 
 He has been asking me whether you were likely to become 
 Lady Malcolm, and of course I told him we loved each other 
 as cousins only. But there is more manoeuvring in this than 
 you suspect, my fair cousin. What should have induced old 
 Harcourt to broach this subject so hastily and, I think, indeli- 
 cately, when I had been only three days in his house 1 The 
 answer to me is plain enough : that ill-conditioned Mervyn, 
 with his chum Yancourt, dines here to-day, and Harcourt 
 wished to ascertain my sentiments, in case my Lord Mervyn 
 should make 'any allusion to his friend coming forward for the 
 heiress. That's the secret, my dear girl ; and, were it not for 
 your sake, I feel so indignant at Harcourt's treatment, that 
 I would leave his roof this very day." 
 
 " Oh, pray, Charles, don't think of doing that ! " 
 
 " No, Blanche ; I certainly will not for the next month, at 
 least, although I know now he would be rejoiced to get rid of 
 me ; but nothing shall induce me, my dear girl, to leave you to 
 be tormented by these plotters ; and Harcourt shall rue the 
 day he treated me with so little ceremony. But, for your sake, 
 as I said before, I will smother my resentment, and pay him 
 off in his own false coin." 
 
 The same afternoon Beauchamp and Ins sister rode over to 
 return Lord Malcolm and Blanche's visit; and, after sitting 
 
AN ILL-ASSORTED DINNER-PARTY. 1 1 1 
 
 some time with the ladies, the two friends sauntered out, at 
 Malcolm's request, to see a new horse he had lately purchased. 
 From the stables they took a stroll through the grounds, when 
 Lord Malcolm told Beauchamp what had passed between him- 
 self and Mr. Harcourt, and his discovery of Blanche's love for 
 him. " And now, my dear fellow, I congratulate you with all 
 my heart ; and it has made me one of the happiest of men to 
 know that Blanche has bestowed her affections on him whom I 
 would have selected from all the world to be her husband." 
 
 " But, my dear Malcolm," Beauchamp was beginning, when 
 he was cut short by his friend. 
 
 " Not another word, Beauchamp. I know you and Blanche 
 thoroughly, and your deep strong feelings ; you are both alike. 
 Therefore, I insist on your proposing to her, allowing a little 
 scope for your romantic ideas of giving her a few months for 
 consideration ; but if at the end of that time you don't marry 
 her — not supposing an impossibility, that she will ever change, 
 though you may — I give you fair notice, old fellow, that I will 
 call you out, and shoot you, too, if I can, for breaking my dear 
 cousin's heart. That is the result of my cogitations on this 
 subject, "Will Beauchamp, since we last parted at Bampton ; 
 and this is my advice, which, for both our happiness, I trust 
 and believe you will adopt. Now let us return to the ladies, 
 or old Harcourt will think we are plotting some mischief; but 
 had I no other reason for wishing you to marry her, Blanche 
 Douglas shall never be sold, like a sheep in the shambles, to the 
 highest bidder, by that worldly-minded pair, under whose roof 
 she has the misfortune to be living. Lucky, indeed, is it that 
 I happened to arrive just at this critical moment, when poor 
 Blanche's happiness might have been wrecked for ever ; withal, 
 she is but a timid child, and requires a steady friend and 
 strong arm to protect her, such as she ought to find in Will 
 Beauchamp." 
 
 " That she shall never want, whilst I live," he replied. 
 
 " Thank you, Beauchamp ; you now speak like yourself, 
 manly and straightforward ; but no more at present, walls have 
 ears — and laurels too," as they approached the house. 
 
 A more heterogeneous party never met together than that 
 selected by the Harcourts to grace their dinner-table that 
 evening. Sir Lionel Markham differed on every subject with 
 Lord Mervyn. Mr. Compton was decidedly as antagonistic to 
 him in politics, and hated by his lordship for showing twice 
 the number of pheasants, with plenty of foxes also, and for 
 
112 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 being most popular in the county. Sir Lucius Gwynne and 
 Mr. Yernon, whose dislike to each other was well known : 
 and Aunt Gordon, who (from sundry hints given her by Bob 
 Conyers) felt disposed to quarrel with the whole castle party 
 at first starting. 
 
 The only person who laboured assiduously, though hope- 
 lessly, to infuse some little harmony into this ill-assorted com- 
 pany, was Selina Markham, who sat next to Lord Malcolm. 
 Lord Yancourt was endeavouring to engross attention by a de- 
 scription of his travels in Egypt and the Holy Land, and had 
 been giving an account of the Pyramids, when Lord Malcolm, 
 turning to Selina, said, " Ah ! those Pyramids remind me of the 
 fate of a travelling companion who was standing with me on 
 the top of one, when, being seized with sudden giddiness, 
 he fell, and rolled from step to step, until he was dashed to 
 pieces." 
 
 " How very shocking ! " exclaimed Selina ; " what could 
 you do ? " 
 
 " Nothing ; he was gone in a moment, before I missed him 
 from my side ; and feeling myself turning sick and giddy also, as 
 I looked below, I threw myself down on my face, to prevent my 
 sharing his untimely and wretched fate." 
 
 Lord Yancourt was silent whilst Malcolm related this acci- 
 dent, and did not afterwards deem it expedient to make many 
 more allusions to his own adventures, finding another had been 
 going over the same ground, who might probably catch him 
 tripping. 
 
 All felt relieved when the ladies rose from the table to 
 leave the dining-room, but little more advancement towards 
 conviviality followed after their departure among the gentle- 
 men, who seemed resolved to keep at a respectful distance from 
 each other. 
 
 Lord Yancourt made two or three unsuccessful attempts to 
 draw Malcolm into conversation, but his almost monosyllabic 
 answers deterred him from indulging further hopes of being on 
 good terms with his lordship, which he was most anxious to be, 
 as living under the same roof with Miss Douglas, his friend 
 Yernon having assured him there was no truth in the report 
 that he was engaged to, or ever likely to many, his cousin. 
 
 Sir Lionel and Mr. Compton, sitting together, were the only 
 two who had any community of feelings or ideas, and even 
 they were delighted when coffee was introduced, and a move 
 made to join the ladies. Lord Yancourt was resolved, if pos- 
 
VANCOURT FEELS HIS WAY. 113 
 
 sible, that evening, to find out how the case really stood 
 between Lord Malcolm and the heiress ; for which purpose, on 
 entering the drawing-room, he attached himself to Mrs. Har- 
 court, and soon after, observing Blanche in low and earnest 
 conversation with her cousin, apart from the company, he re- 
 marked upon their being so much interested in each other's 
 society, and said, in a low tone, " The report of their engage- 
 ment seems fully confirmed, Mrs. Harcourt." 
 
 " There is no engagement between them, my lord," replied 
 that lady, "although both Mr. Harcourt and myself have long 
 indulged such hopes, from their estates in Scotland joining each 
 other, and also because we have the greatest regard for Lord 
 Malcolm." 
 
 "I should judge from appearances," said Lord Vancourt, 
 " that they were most unquestionably attached to each other." 
 
 " Merely cousinly affection," was the answer. " Malcolm 
 has expressed himself so unequivocally on the subject, that it 
 admits of no doubt." 
 
 A triumphant smile played for a moment over the features 
 of Lord Yancourt at this announcement, but he immediately 
 turned the conversation into another channel. Malcolm main- 
 tained his position near Blanche the whole evening, accom- 
 panying her to the piano (when requested by Mrs. Harcourt to 
 sing), and Lord Vancourt, perceiving his intention to prevent 
 his advances that night, prudently gave way, and consoled him- 
 self with Mrs. Harcourt's society, in whose good opinion he had 
 already made rapid progress. 
 
 The common topic of conversation was the annual ball 
 which was to take place at Cherrington on the thirty-first of 
 the month, now quickly approaching. 
 
 " I shall certainly attend that ball," said Mrs. Gordon, who 
 had now joined Blanche and Malcolm, "to witness your intro- 
 duction to the world, my dear girl ; and you will find me always 
 ready to act as your chaperon, as Mrs. Harcourt, I dare say, 
 will be engaged with her numerous friends." 
 
 K l am so happy to hear you will be there, dear aunt," 
 replied Blanche, " as your presence will give me confidence on 
 this trying occasion." 
 
 "Not thafr you will see much more of your aunt," said 
 Malcolm, laughing, " than if she were at the Priory ; for, rest 
 assured, your numerous admirers will engage the heiress for 
 every dance." 
 
 "She shall not dance more than she likes," replied Mrs. 
 
 H 
 
114 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Gordon ; " and, when fatigued, she will find a seat by my 
 side." 
 
 "By-the-bye, Blanche," said Malcolm, "I must claim the 
 privilege of trotting out my fair cousin on that auspicious occa- 
 sion, by dancing the first dance with her, as in duty bound." 
 
 Blanche blushed deeply, and not replying, her cousin said, 
 " Then you decline my handsome offer, eh, Blanche 1 " 
 
 " Mr. Beauchamp asked me the other day for the first, but 
 I shall be most happy to dance with you the second." 
 
 "Well, dear girl, that will do equally well, and Constance 
 shall be my first partner, so that point is settled beforehand, 
 and you shall be our vis-d-vis with Will Beauchamp : there, 
 aunt, that will do nicely, and of course all eyes will be directed 
 towards the two handsomest couples in the room. Don't you 
 think, aunt, I am an uncommonly smart, good-looking fellow, 
 just as described in the old ballad 'I — 
 
 1 He's as tall and as straight as a poplar tree, 
 
 And his cheeks are as red as the rose ; 
 And he looks like a squire of high degree, 
 When dressed in his Sunday's clothes ! ' " 
 
 " My dear Charles," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, " how can you 
 quote such trash ? you are a very boy still." 
 
 " Yes, aunty dear, and I hope to continue so for some few 
 years to come, until arrived at years of discretion, when I 
 suppose I shall exclaim 
 
 ' Life's a farce, and all things show it ; 
 I thought so once, but now I know it.' 
 
 Well, thank goodness, the castle party are on the wing, and I 
 wish them joy of their drive home, with that vicious old Mervyn 
 boxed up with them, who is like a mad dog when things don't 
 suit him, snapping at every one in his way. That poor girl of 
 his must lead a happy life with such parents." 
 
 " Hush, Charles, they are coming towards us." 
 
 "To shake hands with Blanche, I suppose," whispered 
 Malcolm, " and try to get her over to the castle again." 
 
 Lady Mervyn, who was leaning on Lord Van court's arm, 
 extended her hand most graciously to Blanche, who rose as 
 they approached, and Ins lordship was about to make her a 
 similar offer of friendly greeting, which with a curtsey she 
 declined, and resumed her seat, soon after which all the other 
 guests took leave. 
 
 A frost now set in, which put a stop to hunting, and Lord 
 
A SECRET REVEALED. 115 
 
 Malcolm, as was natural to suppose, rode over frequently to 
 Bampton, sometimes taking Blanche with him. On their 
 return one afternoon, when Blanche had left the room, Mrs. 
 Harcourt expressed her disapprobation of her niece accompany- 
 ing him so often to Bampton. 
 
 "On what account, Mrs. Harcourt, do you object to her 
 visiting there ? Constance and Blanche have always been like 
 sisters since childhood." 
 
 " They are no longer children ; and I wish my niece to 
 make some higher acquaintances now, with persons moving in 
 that sphere to which I hope to see her soon elevated." 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! that is your reason, is it, Mrs. Harcourt ? 
 Then allow me to observe, that I do not think Blanche Douglas 
 will be ever in such a position as to feel degraded by or ashamed 
 of the society of Lady Malcolm." 
 
 " I do not understand you, Charles." 
 
 "Very likely, but when I state my hopes that Constance 
 Beauchamp will ere long become my wife, my meaning is 
 explicit enough." 
 
 " Are you really serious, Lord Malcolm ? " 
 
 "Never more so. Mr. Beauchamp, after a good deal of 
 opposition, gave his consent to our marriage, but only on the 
 condition that we spend half the year at Bampton during his 
 life." 
 
 "In place of giving his daughter any fortune, I suppose?" 
 replied Mrs. Harcourt, with a sneer. 
 
 " No, not exactly that, either, my dear madam, as, the day I 
 marry his daughter, he transfers into my name thirty thousand 
 pounds, which he showed by his banker's books are now in the 
 funds." 
 
 " Really, Malcolm, I did not think Mr. Beauchamp had any 
 money at all there, as people say he is very poor." 
 
 " People say what they wish others to believe, out of spite, 
 envy, or malice," replied Malcolm ; " but as I am satisfied, that 
 is quite sufficient." 
 
 " Oh, of course," rejoined Mrs. Harcourt ; " but since I do 
 not intend Blanche to marry a Beauchamp, I shall be obliged by 
 your not taking her to Bampton again." 
 
 " William Beauchamp," said Malcolm, " is of as high and 
 good connections, and of a prouder spirit than yourself, and you 
 may rest assured will never obtrude himself into any family 
 where he does not meet a welcome reception ; " with which he 
 rose, and left the room. 
 
 h 2 
 
116 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Lord Vancourt had called twice whilst Blanche was out 
 riding with her cousin, which annoyed Mrs. Harcourt, and she 
 resolved, therefore, for the future, to keep her more at home, in 
 the hope of his lordship proposing, as both Mr. Harcourt and 
 herself were so pleased with him, and assured by Lord Mervyn 
 of his large fortune also, that they had made up their minds 
 to accept his proposal for their niece; and Mrs. Harcourt, 
 dreading lest Malcolm might influence his cousin in favour of 
 Beauchamp, thought the sooner the thing could be settled the 
 better. 
 
 The next day, when Malcolm was out shooting, Lord 
 Vancourt, under the pretence of inviting him to a shooting- 
 party at the castle (which he knew very well he would not 
 accept), called again at Throseby, and found the ladies at home ; 
 and after sitting some time, Mrs. Harcourt rose, under the 
 excuse of having mislaid her handkerchief, leaving poor Blanche 
 alone with her unwelcome admirer. 
 
 Her embarrassment and varying colour having impressed 
 his lordship with the belief of his having inspired her with an 
 interest in his favour, he began at first speaking of the ball, 
 to lead her on, expressing a hope that she would honour him 
 with her hand in the first dance. 
 
 "For that I am engaged," she replied. 
 
 " The second, then, Miss Douglas ? " The same answer, at 
 which my lord bit his lip, and fire flashed from his dark, 
 piercing eye, which did not escape Blanche's notice. " May I 
 plead, then, for the next, Miss Douglas 1 in which I hope for 
 better success." 
 
 " I do not recollect that I am engaged for that, and shall be 
 happy to dance with you, provided it is a quadrille, as I do not 
 waltz." 
 
 " I must, of course, submit to your own terms," remarked 
 his lordship ; "and among so many advocates for your hand, I 
 ■consider myself highly honoured by your accepting me for your 
 partner ; " and he was proceeding in a strain of flattery and 
 adulation, every moment becoming more irksome to poor 
 Blanche, when Lord Malcolm entered the room, and she 
 instantly hurried up-stairs. To account for his lordship's un- 
 expected entrance, we must explain, that having gone out 
 shooting that morning, and posted himself on the outside of a 
 small gorse covert on the hill above the house, his attention 
 was attracted by a horse galloping on the hard gravel road, and 
 looking down, he beheld Lord Vancourt rapidly riding up to 
 
THE HEIRESS AT THE BALL. 117 
 
 the door. Telling the keeper to go on beating until his return, 
 he ran down the hill, and arrived in time to prevent the 
 eclaircissement that Lord Yancourt purposed making to his 
 cousin. His annoyance at finding Blanche had been left alone 
 by Mrs. Harcourt did not tend to improve his ill-humour ; 
 and having politely declined Lord Mervyn's invitation, Lord 
 Yancourt rose and left the room, his horse and groom being at 
 the door. 
 
 The evening of the ball had now arrived, and about ten 
 o'clock the heiress made her first appearance in public, leaning 
 on Mrs. Harcourt's arm, who stalked majestically into the ball- 
 room with the air of the highest personage in the land. 
 Blanche was dressed in white, with an elegance and simplicity 
 which did justice to her beauty as well as her taste ; and with 
 her graceful figure and sweet, artless expression of countenance, 
 looked the personification of loveliness. William Beauchamp, 
 having purposely arrived early, was waiting with Constance 
 near the door, and accosted them, on their entrance, with his 
 usual frankness of manner ; and whilst his sister was speaking 
 to Mrs. Harcourt, re-engaged Blanche for the first dance. 
 
 Mrs. Harcourt, although overhearing her niece's assent to 
 Beauchamp' s request, said she wished to take a survey of the 
 company before dancing commenced (for the purpose, secretly, 
 of parading her charge, and preventing, if possible, her accept- 
 ing Beauchamp's arm for the first quadrille); and with this 
 view, kept her talking to some acquaintances at the top of the 
 room until the sets were formed, notwithstanding Beauchamp's 
 hints that they must now take their places, to which Mrs. 
 Harcourt turned a deaf ear, and persisted in retaining a tight 
 hold of her niece's arm. 
 
 " Aunt Harcourt," whispered the poor girl, timidly, " I am 
 engaged to Mr. Beauchamp for the first dance, and he is 
 waiting." 
 
 " Oh, it does not signify, my dear ; you can dance the second 
 with, him, as I wish to introduce you to Lord and Lady Seaton, 
 who, I see, have just arrived." 
 
 " But I am engaged to Charles for the second," whispered 
 Blanche. 
 
 " Well, my dear, it cannot be helped, as I really must pre- 
 sent you to some of my particular friends first ; there will be 
 ample time for dancing afterwards." 
 
 Beauchamp, however, would not be thrown off by these 
 manoeuvres, and doggedly following Mrs. Harcourt, that lady, 
 
118 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 now thinking she had deprived him of his dance, at last resigned 
 her niece's arm. As Beauchamp walked away with her, he 
 said, rather indignantly — 
 
 "Mrs. Har court has purposely prevented me enjoying this 
 dance with you, dear Blanche. I will not be disappointed, 
 however, in the next ; we are too late now to join in this set, 
 which, if I could, I would not." 
 
 " But I have promised Charles the second." 
 
 " Oh, never mind ; he will give that to me when he hears 
 how badly I have been treated — that is, unless you would prefer 
 dancing with him." 
 
 " Oh, no," she replied, " if Charles will not be offended." 
 
 " Now then, Blanche, I see Aunt Gordon looking towards 
 us. We must go and speak to her." 
 
 Her surprise at seeing Blanche walking about, instead of 
 dancing, was increased to indignation when told by Beauchamp 
 of Mrs. Harcourt's behaviour. 
 
 " Sit down here, my love, and I will be your chaperon for 
 the rest of the evening." 
 
 " I must leave her a moment with you, dear aunt," said 
 Beauchamp, " whilst I speak a few words with Malcolm ; " 
 after which he immediately returned, and sat down by Blanche, 
 telling her Malcolm had kindly waived his claim to her hand 
 for the next dance. They were joined by Constance and her 
 partner soon after, when Malcolm said she must now dance the 
 third with him. 
 
 " I am sorry to say, Charles, I am engaged for that to Lord 
 Vancourt." 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! " said Malcolm, whilst his brow contracted 
 with anger ; " then the fourth, Blanche 1 " 
 
 " Yes, Charles, with pleasure." 
 
 " How provoking," said Malcolm to Constance, " that we 
 cannot have a dance together with Blanche and Beauchamp ; 
 but I won't be done in this manner, so you must stand up with 
 me again, Constance, as their vis-a-vis." 
 
 "Oh," said Constance, laughing, "it is not etiquette, 
 Charles, to dance two quadrilles in succession with the same 
 person." 
 
 " Nonsense about etiquette, Constance ! will you refuse me 
 for form's sake 1 " 
 
 " Certainly not, if you particularly wish it." 
 
 "That I do, dear girl, and mind we all four join again in 
 the last dance. Do you agree to this, Blanche 1 " he inquired. 
 
A "little stratagem.' 119 
 
 " If Mrs. Harcourt will not be angry at my dancing twice 
 with William." 
 
 " You are no longer a child," replied Malcolm, " to be tied 
 to Mrs. Harcourt's apron-strings, and have a right now to 
 please yourself; but what says Aunt Gordon, whose ideas on 
 such subjects are quite as correct as Mrs. Harcourt's 1 " 
 
 " I see no impropriety in such arrangement if Blanche has 
 no other objection." 
 
 " None whatever, dear aunt ; and I shall be delighted to 
 join Charles and Constance in the last dance of the evening." 
 
 " Thank you, dear Blanche," whispered Beauchamp, " and 
 now we must take our places." 
 
 Many scrutinising and invidious glances were directed to- 
 wards the heiress and her partner as they glided gracefully 
 through the figure, too much pleased in each other's company 
 to bestow a thought or care for the lookers-on. Lord Vancourt 
 remarked to Yernon — " You have underrated him." 
 
 " Not much, I think," was the reply. 
 
 " Decidedly, Yernon, he is very gentlemanly in manners, 
 good-looking, and altogether the sort of man any young girl 
 would fall desperately in love with ; in short, I must be quick ; 
 and even now, from what I see, my impression is that I am too 
 late in the field." 
 
 "You have two to one on your side, my lord, and Beau- 
 champ has no more chance than I have." 
 
 " He has a bold, determined look," replied Vancourt, "just 
 that of a man who will not stick at trifles when he has a point 
 to gain." 
 
 " That girl won't run away with any man," said Vernon, 
 " although she may be carried away. Do you take, my lord ? 
 and with the consent of her guardian, which is the same thing, 
 supposing the young lady rather coy to yourself, I should not 
 hesitate one moment." 
 
 " That is a very serious affair, Vernon." 
 
 " Not in your case, my lord. Make your proposal first to 
 her guardian — if accepted, you are all right ; and I am quite 
 sure they will both press your offer upon their ward, for fear of 
 Beauchamp. This, of course, you will find out from what Har- 
 court says in reply to your proposal ; and if she refuses you can 
 fairly plead their consent, and your deep, passionate, uncontroll- 
 able love for the young lady, which induced you to have recourse 
 to a little stratagem. That's all, my lord, and you will never 
 hear another word on the subject after the heiress has become 
 
120 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Lady Vancourt. Why, in Scotland, the thing is settled in five 
 minutes by the blacksmith — bribe him well, and he will get two 
 other persons to say they heard her say she would take you for 
 her husband, and of course you will say you took her for your 
 wife, and there's an end to the business. You will then be man 
 and wife, and if she should run away from you afterwards (which 
 I don't think likely), her money is safe at any rate." 
 
 " Really, Yernon, you are up to a thing or two, and argue 
 very plausibly ; but I must consider well before I undertake 
 such a project, although it appears feasible enough. Now the 
 quadrille's over, I shall claim her hand, and try what impression 
 I can make first." 
 
 This conversation had been carried on in a low tone by 
 Lord Yancourt and Yernon, who were standing apart near a 
 window ; and their attention was so much engrossed by watch- 
 ing the heiress and Beauchamp dancing, that they did not per- 
 ceive Bob Conyers, who sat ensconced in a seat behind the 
 window-curtains, and who therefore heard sufficient to apprise 
 him of their intentions. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! " thought Bob, " a rascally trick, my lord and 
 Mr. Yernon, between you ! but 111 put Beauchamp and Mal- 
 colm up to the dodge, and Aunt Gordon, too, before this time 
 to-morrow night." 
 
 As Beauchamp, after the quadrille, was making Ins way 
 with Blanche to where Mrs. Gordon was sitting, Lord Yancourt 
 presented himself before her, saying she had promised him the 
 honour of her hand for the next dance, and offered his arm 7 
 which Blanche, not knowing the rules on such occasions, was 
 hesitating whether to accept or not, when Beauchamp said 
 quickly to her — " I must consign you first to your aunt, as a 
 waltz succeeds this quadrille, in which you do not join." 
 
 " I shall not brook your interference, sir," said Yancourt, 
 haughtily. 
 
 " Nor I yours, Lord Yancourt," retorted Beauchamp, as, 
 drawing himself up, he resolutely passed on. 
 
 " William," said Blanche, earnestly looking in his face, and 
 pressing her hand upon his arm, " I hope you will not quarrel 
 with Lord Yancourt." 
 
 " No, dear Blanche, if possible to avoid it ; but you shall 
 jiot be imposed upon or insulted by any human being." 
 
 " Oh, he did not intend that, I hope," said Blanche. 
 
 " There was an impertinence in his manner, by stopping 
 you when leaning on my arm, and knowing well he had no 
 
WHAT A GAME OF FIVES IS. 121 
 
 right then to interrupt us or claim your hand, which I could 
 not submit to." 
 
 " But, William, promise me it shall go no mrther — promise 
 me not to quarrel with him — for my sake, William, will you do 
 this 1 " she inquired, beseechingly, as he seemed to hesitate. 
 
 " Yes, dearest Blanche," in a low tone, " for your dear sake 
 will I do anything." 
 
 " Thank you," she replied, with one of her sweet smiles, 
 " and remember, if you forget your promise, you will make me 
 wretched," as she relinquished his arm, and sat clown by her 
 aunt. 
 
 " Why, Beauchamp," said Lord Malcolm, who had been 
 following close behind him, " that hot-headed Irish lord seemed 
 disposed to pick a quarrel with you, did he not 1 " 
 
 " I rather suspected something of the kind from Yernon's 
 tutoring, as I saw those worthies in deep consultation together 
 whilst we were dancing, and casting ominous looks towards me ; 
 and but for dear Blanche, I would have knocked that insolent 
 lord across the room for daring to stand in her way." 
 
 " Egad, I believe you, Beauchamp," replied Malcolm ; " but 
 it won't do to talk of these things now." 
 
 " No, no, it is all over and past, and, as I have promised Mrs. 
 Gordon never to fight a duel, we must say no more about it." 
 
 "William," said Mrs. Gordon, "you know your promise, and 
 the penalty of breaking it 3 " 
 
 "Indeed I do, dear aunt, which I will never incur; and 
 therefore, Malcolm," said Beauchamp, laughing, " I am restricted 
 to a game of fives or cudgels, with the choice of which I will 
 favour any man who purposely insults me." 
 
 "And I for one," added Malcolm, jocosely, "would not be 
 in the skin of your opponent, in a ten-foot ring, for a hundred 
 pounds, although we Scots are known to be unco fond of the 
 siller." 
 
 "What does a game of fives mean, William?" inquired 
 Blanche. 
 
 " This," said Beauchamp, good-humouredly, placing his 
 clenched hand in hers; "four fingers and a thumb make a 
 bunch of five or a fist, which is man's natural weapon of 
 defence ; but don't be alarmed, dear Blanche," he said, lower- 
 ing his voice. " / will promise not to fight, if you will promise 
 not to flirt with him, or let him make love to you." 
 
 " That he shall not do, if I can prevent it, William, rest 
 assured." 
 
122 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Lord Vancourt now advanced, with a very profound bow, 
 and Blanche rose reluctantly to take his arm, casting a lingering 
 look behind (as she was led away), implying, " Don't you pity 
 me?" Beauchamp felt that appeal, and instantly followed her, 
 with Bob Conyers, who just then came up, and both stood be- 
 hind her, whilst she was dancing with Lord Vancourt; and 
 when disengaged occasionally in the dance, Beauchamp spoke a 
 few words of encouragement. 
 
 Lord Vancourt was nettled at this interference, and bestowed 
 a look full of malignity on Beauchamp, who returned his glance 
 with a steady, unflinching gaze, which somewhat disconcerting 
 his lordship, prevented an effusion of those soft speeches he had 
 proposed for the occasion. To add more to his discomfort, also, 
 Captain Melville now joined Conyers, and kept his eye steadily 
 fixed on his lordship's movements. Of all in that room Lord 
 Vancourt dreaded Melville, who was acquainted with his pecca- 
 dilloes, and having heard him engage Miss Douglas for the next 
 dance, feared he would enlighten her on his real position, so that 
 he felt so ill at ease as to prove anything but agreeable to his 
 fair partner. 
 
 The dance being concluded, Vancourt immediately led her 
 to Mrs. Harcourt, where he thought Beauchamp or Conyers 
 could not follow ; and being offered a seat by that lady, he sat 
 down by Blanche, hoping to prevent her dancing with Mel- 
 ville. 
 
 But the captain, guessing his purpose, immediately ap- 
 proached, notwithstanding my lord's forbidding aspect, and 
 offered his arm, which, glad to escape from her tormentor, she 
 readily accepted. 
 
 On walking away, Melville asked Blanche if she had known 
 Lord Vancourt long. " No," was the reply ; " I was introduced 
 to him a short time since only, at Lord Mervyn's, when you 
 dined there." 
 
 " What do you think of him ? " he asked, rather abruptly. 
 
 "Very agreeable and entertaining," was the reply. 
 
 " Yes, all that, Miss Douglas, a finished courtier. But he is 
 well known as the worst-tempered man, and the greatest rake 
 about town." 
 
 ft Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt have a very high opinion of him," 
 replied Blanche. 
 
 "Because they know nothing of his real disposition or 
 character ; but when I tell you, Miss Douglas, that I declined 
 his lordship's introduction to my own sister, you may suppose I 
 
A CHANGE OF TACTICS. 123 
 
 had some good reason for this refusal. More than that, it is 
 unnecessary for me to add." 
 
 Melville then changed the subject; and, being witty, 
 pleasing, and friendly in his address, Blanche soon felt more at 
 ease with him than with any stranger she had yet been intro- 
 duced to. Her natural reserve gradually wore off; and she 
 looked so pleased and happy from the music and excitement of 
 dancing, that Melville presumed on her evident favourable 
 feeling towards himself to ask for a second dance. 
 
 "That, I fear, is impossible, Captain Melville, as I am 
 already engaged to more partners, than, I believe, there will be 
 dances." 
 
 "I feared as much," he replied; "but am not the least 
 surprised to find such is the case, although I must express my 
 great disappointment; and, with many thanks for the most 
 delightful dance it has ever been my good fortune to enjoy, 
 I must now most reluctantly resign you to Mrs. Harcourt 
 again." 
 
 "Oh, no," she said, "not to her. My aunt Gordon is ex- 
 pecting me on the other side of the room." 
 
 " Will you be kind enough to introduce me to her 1 " he 
 asked. 
 
 "With pleasure," replied Blanche, "for I am sure you will 
 like her." 
 
 The introduction being made, Melville remained talking to 
 Mrs. Gordon until Markham approached to claim Miss Douglas, 
 to whom he was engaged. Lord Vancourt had been watching 
 Blanche's pleased expression of countenance when dancing with 
 Captain Melville, and wreaked his vengeance by base in- 
 sinuations against his character, which Mrs. Harcourt readily 
 believed, and the more so, because he was represented as pos- 
 sessing nothing in the world but his pay. But Yancourt 
 determined in his own mind that moments were now of precious 
 importance to himself ; and that he must win as much favour 
 as possible with Mrs. Harcourt, who was his chief supporter ; 
 and he played his part accordingly, being with her the greatest 
 part of the evening, handing her into the ipper-room, and 
 paying her every possible attention, which gi.-* ified her vanity 
 to the greatest possible degree. 
 
 William Beauchamp, being a great favourite with the young 
 ladies, contrived to join in almost every set with his beloved 
 Blanche, and sat next to her and Mrs. Gordon at the supper- 
 table, with Lord Malcolm and Constance opposite ; so that they 
 
124 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 thoroughly enjoyed this little respite from their almost incessant 
 exertions. 
 
 " Blanche," said Malcolm, " you looked fagged and tired to 
 death already ; and I hope Aunt Gordon will not allow you to 
 dance any more to-night." 
 
 "Oh, nonsense, Charles, I shall be as fresh as ever after 
 supper ; and I have enjoyed this ball so much." 
 
 "Very well, child, as you please; but mind, Beauchamp y 
 you take care of her, and give her half a bottle of champagne, 
 for she looks like a ghost." 
 
 No hint of this sort was necessary, and Beauchamp had the 
 pleasure of seeing the roses return to her cheeks on again 
 entering the ball-room, where they were met by Lord Van- 
 court and Mrs. Harcourt, who expressed herself much displeased 
 with her niece for having deserted her protection that evening. 
 Blanche quietly replied that she had been sitting with her 
 aunt Gordon during the intervals between the dances. 
 
 " Very well, my dear, then I expect you will remain with 
 me now until the ball is over ; " and offering her arm, Blanche 
 was obliged to accept it. Lord Vancourt then begged for 
 another dance, to which Blanche replied that she was engaged 
 to Major Hammond, a friend of Captain Melville's. " I don't 
 know him," observed Mrs. Harcourt, "and as he is not here, 
 now the sets are formed, you cannot refuse Lord Vancourt ; " 
 who immediately offered his arm, and walked off with her. 
 
 Her dancing twice with him did not fail to elicit the usual 
 comments, which Mrs. Harcourt was delighted to hear; and 
 Blanche's timid looks and heightened colour, when addressed 
 by his lordship, led many to draw inferences, the reverse of 
 true, that Lord Vancourt was the favoured man; and sure, 
 with his title and handsome person, to carry off the heiress. 
 
 " Ah," said Selina Markham, who was dancing with Beau- 
 champ in the same set, " it is really a reflection upon all the 
 young men in the country, to allow that whiskerando lord to 
 pounce down, like a great over-grown kite amongst a timid 
 flock of pigeons, and carry off our young heiress ! What are 
 they all thinki:-. of? Even my brother Ned, the lifeguards- 
 man, seems to 1 aail beneath his look, and keeps saying, 'Eh, 
 demmit, but what can a man do % ' ' Do % * I said, ' why, 
 demmit, Ned, pick a quarrel and shoot the fellow ; or lend me 
 the uniform, and I will do it for you.' Poor dear Blanche! 
 with those odious Harcouits, she will be sacrificed, poor child, 
 to that fierce-looking, rat-eyed Bonassus." 
 
SAWNEYS AND SPOONEYS. 125 
 
 "Hush, Selina," said Beauchamp, "he will overhear you." 
 
 "So much the better," replied the wayward, high-spirited 
 girl ; " I hate him equally with Vernon, who is his great ally." 
 
 " "Who is that forward, pert young lady dancing with Mr. 
 Beauchamp % " inquired Lord Vancourt, who overheard some of 
 her remarks. 
 
 " Miss Markham," replied Blanche. 
 
 "Who is that hook-nosed, monkey -legged fellow dancing 
 with Miss Douglas ? " asked Selina, in return, loud enough for 
 him to hear. 
 
 " Lord Vancourt," whispered Beauchamp. " But pray, Selina, 
 do not be so loud in your remarks." 
 
 "Eh! aw! Lord Vain-court; think he's well named — as 
 Ned says, he has been paying court to every young heiress 
 that has come out in town for the last five seasons, and cannot 
 succeed ; so now he has come down to try the provinces, eh ? 
 'Pon honour, very condescending, indeed ! with my Lord 
 Mervyn for his bear-leader ! " 
 
 " Beally, Selina, if you run on in this strain, I must leave 
 you to finish the dance by yourself." 
 
 "Very well, Will Beauchamp, a good riddance of bad 
 company ; for, what with sawneys and spooneys, the young ladies 
 in this neighbourhood have a delightful choice of husbands ! " 
 
 " In which class, pray, have I the honour of being included ? " 
 
 " In the first," replied Selina ; " you are a decided sawney, 
 Will Beauchamp, and a spooney, too," she whispered, "if you 
 allow that fellow to carry off Blanche." 
 
 "Well, Selina, don't be too severe upon a quiet, inoffensive 
 young man, like myself," said Beauchamp, laughing. 
 
 " You are an arrant donkey, Will, I am sorry to say ; I 
 have no patience with you. You can look hard at your fences, 
 but dare not look a pretty girl in the face." 
 
 " Well, Selina, as that is my failing, I must put on a little 
 more brass for the future ; and now, with many thanks for your 
 hint, I must make my bow to my fair lecturer." 
 
 The more pleasantly time passes, the more quickly it fleets 
 away ; and the ball was now brought to a close by the usual 
 country dance, in which, as agreed upon, Lord Malcolm, Con- 
 stance, Beauchamp, and Blanche joined ; after which, notwith- 
 standing a little impatience exhibited by Mrs. Harcourt, our 
 young fox-hunter persisted in cloaking and handing his fair 
 partner to the carriage. 
 
126 THE MASTER OF THE HOtJKDS. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The following morning, Lords Mervyn and Vancourt, with 
 Vernon, held a consultation on the state of affairs ; and it was 
 determined that Vancourt should write a proposal to Mr. Har- 
 court, the next day, for his ward. 
 
 "I think it would be best to call at Throseby," observed 
 Lord Vancourt. 
 
 " No," said Vernon, " that will not answer the same purpose 
 as writing — litera scripta jnanet. Get Harcourt to give his 
 consent on black and white, and then you are safe for any 
 contingency." 
 
 " You are quite right, Vernon," said Lord Mervyn, " and a 
 capital adviser in such matters." 
 
 Accordingly, the next day, about the hour of luncheon, a 
 servant was sent over on horseback from the castle, with the 
 proposal in due form, and worded after the most approved 
 fashion, with the usual protestations of love and devotion to the 
 young lady. 
 
 Mr. Harcourt was in the dining-room with Blanche, Mrs. 
 Harcourt, and Malcolm, when the letter was delivered to him ; 
 and having glanced over the contents, he put it into his pocket. 
 
 " My lord's servant is waiting for an answer, sir," said the 
 footman. 
 
 "An answer shall be sent this afternoon," was the reply. 
 No further comment was made on the contents of the letter 
 until after luncheon, when Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt retired to 
 their own private sitting-room to deliberate. 
 
 "I think, my dear," said the gentleman (after they had 
 decided to accept his lordship's offer), " you are the most proper 
 person to speak to Blanche on this subject, and of course can 
 explain our wishes much better than I can — pointing out the 
 many advantages, in point of title and connection, and pressing 
 Blanche not to refuse so nattering a proposal." 
 
 "Indeed," replied the lady, " I cannot think my niece will 
 act so contrary to our advice and her own interests as to refuse 
 Lord Vancourt." 
 
 No sooner had Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt left the dining-room 
 than Blanche, with the foreboding of evil, the influence of which 
 no mortal can either explain or escape, turning to her cousin, 
 said, " I wonder, Charles, what that letter from Lord Vancourt 
 contains 1 " 
 
A PROPOSAL AND ITS RECEPTION. 127 
 
 u A proposal for your hand, dear girl — that is my impres- 
 sion." 
 
 " Oh, Charles," exclaimed the poor girl, almost in tears, and 
 turning deadly pale, " what can I say 1 " 
 
 " Say ! my dear Blanche, what you think you ought to say." 
 
 " Oh, indeed, Charles ! I never could accept such a man." 
 
 " Heaven forbid you should," returned Malcolm, " for by all 
 accounts, a worse character does not exist. Refuse him, my 
 dear girl, point blank — no evasions or after considerations — ■ 
 and don't listen a moment to Mrs. Harcourt's persuasions. 
 You don't like him, and won't marry him ; stick to that, and 
 mind, I will stick to you through thick and thin." 
 
 At this moment a servant entered, saying Mrs. Harcourt 
 •wished to see Miss Douglas in her morning-room. 
 
 " Very well," replied Malcolm, " she will be there directly, 
 Now Blanche," said he, pouring out a glass of wine, " drink 
 that, my dear girl, to keep up your courage ; and recollect I 
 shall be listening to hear what you say ; be firm and decided, 
 and we will take a walk together afterwards." 
 
 Poor Blanche, dreading a lecture as well as a proposal, 
 entered her aunt's room, trembling with apprehension, and 
 being offered a chair, was obliged to listen to the contents of 
 Lord Yancourt's letter, with many comments thereon from 
 Mrs. Harcourt. 
 
 "And now, my dear child," continued her aunt, most affec- 
 tionately, " you will, of course, not decline such an unexception- 
 able offer. Lord Yancourt is so handsome, so agreeable, and 
 talented in addition to his rank, that you really ought to feel 
 highly flattered by the preference he has shown you, inde- 
 pendent of his professions of deep attachment to yourself, which 
 I am sure, from his manner, he must feel." 
 
 " Indeed, aunt," replied Blanche timidly, " I cannot accept 
 him." 
 
 "ISTot accept him, Blanche? and why not?" she inquired, 
 in well-feigned astonishment. 
 
 " Because [ cannot love, or even respect him, aunt ; his very 
 looks frighten me." 
 
 " What nonsense, child ! you are so timid ; but all that will 
 pass away when you have known him longer." 
 
 " I do not wish to marry yet, aunt, and never can accept 
 Lord Yancourt •" and, notwithstanding all her aunt's enti-eatier:, 
 remonstrances, and even menaces of her displeasure, Blanche, 
 emboldened by a slight cough at the door, adhered firmly to her 
 
128 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 text, and quietly, though positively, rejected his proposal; nor 
 would she admit the hope of time (the last plank to a wrecked 
 lover) effecting a more favourable change in his favour. 
 
 " I am really surprised at you," said Mrs. Harcourt at last, 
 rising indignantly, "that, after all our kindness, you should 
 show so little respect to our wishes." Blanche hastily rushed 
 from the room, and in a moment afterwards found herself in 
 her cousin's arms, who was waiting in the corridor. 
 
 "Now Blanche, dear," he said, kissing her flushed cheek, 
 " run up, like a good girl, and put on your bonnet ; I shall wait 
 in the hall." 
 
 "Oh, Charles, I feel so unhappy from having displeased 
 Aunt Harcourt that I shall remain in my room." 
 
 " You shall do no such thing, Blanche ; and unless you join 
 me in the hall within ten minutes, I will come up to your room 
 and fetch you. I won't let you cry and fret about all this got- 
 up humbug." 
 
 Blanche soon re- appeared, and the fresh air, with Malcolm's 
 cheerful and cheering society, soon made her feel more corn- 
 
 " Stuff and nonsense about offending your aunt," exclaimed 
 he. " So you are to marry to suit her convenience, are you 1 
 and swear to love and obey a man you don't care a rap about — 
 more, positively dislike 1 By all that's sacred, would not such 
 an act be absolute perjury 1 My dear Blanche, the very idea is 
 horrible — positively revolting to any pure-minded woman ; and 
 if either your guardian or aunt venture on this subject with me, 
 they shall have a lecture they will not very easily forget." 
 
 " Oh, don't say anything about it to them, Charles." 
 
 " Not unless they begin, depend upon it ; but now we will 
 talk of something else, as I feel thoroughly disgusted with the 
 whole affair." 
 
 Whilst the two cousins were enjoying their walk, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Harcourt were concocting their reply to Lord Yancourt, 
 and verifying the old adage of " too many cooks spoiling the 
 broth ; " for with the lady's interference and amendments, the 
 meaning of the letter was so ambiguous, that it might be taken 
 either as a refusal or acceptance of his lordship's proposals. 
 The document, however, such as it was, was at length despatched, 
 and received by Lord Yancourt, who was sitting over the fire 
 with Lord Mervyn and Yernon in the library, previous to 
 dressing for dinner. 
 
 His lordship hastily broke the seal and scanned rapidly the 
 
A PUZZLING LETTER. 129 
 
 contents — he read them a second time more carefully — turned 
 the letter over and over, and was commencing another perusal, 
 when Lord Mervyn asked impatiently, " What is it, Yancourt, 
 a refusal or acceptance % " 
 
 "Ton my life, I can scarcely tell," replied Yancourt. 
 "There," handing it across to him, "give me your opinion, for 
 I cannot make head or tail of it." 
 
 Lord Mervyn was equally puzzled, and handed it in turn to 
 Yernon, saying, "There, you are a diplomatist, Yernon, and 
 may perhaps unravel the language of this mystical compound." 
 
 Yernon, knowing the character of the writers, rightly 
 interpreted their meaning, and said, " Here have been two 
 heads at work with this composition. Harcourt intended it as 
 a refusal from Miss Douglas, but the lady, having set her mind 
 on accepting Lord Yancourt, has endeavoured to nullify his 
 intentions, and so far has succeeded that any man may take it 
 as an acceptance from her guardian, and in that light I should 
 certainly recommend Lord Yancourt to consider it. The last 
 sentence, ' That Lord Yancourt has both Mr. and Mrs. Har- 
 • court's best wishes for his ultimate success in obtaining their 
 niece's hand, and that no persuasions on their part sfiall be 
 wanting to effect so desirable a consummation,' is the very 
 admission we desired. My advice, therefore, is, that Lord 
 Yancourt should ride over to-morrow, express his warm 
 obligations to Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt for their friendly senti- 
 ments towards himself, and endeavour to obtain an interview 
 with the young lady ; and I doubt not, from her timidity and 
 fear of her aunt's displeasure, such an answer may be extorted 
 from her own lips as to be construed into an acceptance, or, at 
 least, so Lord Yancourt will interpret it, and then what is to 
 follow will appear almost as a natural consequence, for on one 
 point I am thoroughly satisfied, from what I overheard men- 
 tioned by several persons in the ball-room the other night, that 
 Lord Yancourt has not a day to spare ; in fact, Melville told 
 Bob Conyers that he was going to town the next day on 
 purpose to collect information about the Italian and a certain 
 person's affairs, which he was determined to communicate to 
 Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt without delay, for he swore Miss 
 Douglas should never marry such an impostor. Those were his 
 words, my lord, although they wji&t be very unpalatable for 
 you to hear. The blacksmith, therefore, is your only chance. 
 Independent of which, you are already blown upon by Markham, 
 whose sister, Selina, spoke pretty plain, as she always does." 
 
 I 
 
130 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS, 
 
 " I heard her," replied Vancourt, " and suspect, as you say, 
 my chief dependence now is on two pair of "posters and my 
 travelling carriage." 
 
 "That is the thing, my lorl — the only thing to be done 
 under your circumstances ; and having this letter in your pos- 
 session from her guardian, you are as safe as the Bank of Eng- 
 land." 
 
 The next morning, after breakfast, Mrs. Gordon drove over 
 to see her niece, and finding her very low-spirited, inquired the 
 cause, which poor Blanche readily confided to her kind-hearted 
 aunt, when they were together in her own room. 
 
 " Ah, poor child ! I feared Mrs. Harcourt would be worry- 
 ing you to accept that bad man, for such a character Captain 
 Melville gave Mr. Conyers of him, declaring he would go to 
 London directly and get evidence to prove all he said; and 
 now, my dear Blanche, you shall return with me to the Priory 
 for a few days, to recruit your spirits and escape further im- 
 portunities." 
 
 " Oh, dear aunt ! I shall be so delighted if you will take me 
 with you." 
 
 " That I certainly will, my love ; so get Alice to pack up 
 your things, whilst I go down-stairs and speak to Mrs. Har- 
 court, for go with me you shall." 
 
 Any one of my readers who has witnessed the meeting of 
 two strange cats, with arched backs, and fire darting from their 
 eye-balls, spitting and swearing as a preliminary to scratching 
 and tearing the fleck out of each other's bodies, may form some 
 idea of the rencontre between the two aunts, when brought into 
 hostile collision about their niece. 
 
 " So, Mrs. Harcourt," exclaimed Aunt Gordon, on entering 
 the drawing-room, "you have been worrying poor Blanche to 
 accept that good-for-nothing man, Lord Van court." 
 
 "Good-for-nothing man, Mrs. Gordon! what do you 
 mean?" 
 
 " That he is a worthless, gambling, penniless fortune-hunter, 
 and already married, or entangled with an opera dancer. To 
 encourage such a man for my niece is unpardonable, Mrs. Har- 
 court." 
 
 "It is unpardonable in you, Mrs. Gordon," retorted the 
 other, " to utter such a false, scandalous libel against his lord- 
 ship, who is a person of unblemished character, of well-known 
 good fortune, and of the highest and most honourable feelings. 
 But who is his base slanderer, Mrs. Gordon? His name I have 
 
ALAEinNG REVELATIONS. 131 
 
 a right to know, as we have approved Lord Yancourt's pro- 
 posals, allowing Blanche due time for consideration.'' 
 
 "My information is derived through Mr. Conyers from 
 Captain Melville, who has known Lord Yan court for some 
 years, and he is now gone to London to obtain the necessary 
 proof of what he has asserted, as Mr. Conyers questioned the 
 truth of these reports. His last words to him were — ' As you 
 doubt my word, I engage to return at the end of a week, and 
 prove Lord Vancourt an impostor, or forfeit my honour as a 
 gentleman.' Having spoken this in a public ball-room, Cap- 
 tain Melville must (holding a commission in the army) maintain 
 or retract his assertions ; and, in the meantime, under these 
 unpleasant circumstances, Blanche will find it more comfortable 
 at the Priory than here, where, of course (after your sanction 
 to his addresses), Lord Vancourt will be calling again." 
 
 Mrs. Harcourt, feeling alarmed at these revelations, and 
 thinking that perhaps she had been too precipitate in the affair, 
 raised no further objections to Blanche's return with Mrs. 
 Gordon, and within half an hour they were in her carriage on 
 the road to the Priory, Lord Malcolm promising to ride over 
 after luncheon and dine with them. 
 
 Malcolm had scarcely disappeared through the lower lodge 
 gates of Throseby, before Lord Vancourt entered by the upper. 
 He was rather more formally received by the lady of the man- 
 sion than he expected, which, notwithstanding all his compli- 
 mentary speeches and expressions of deep obligation for Mr. and 
 Mrs. Harcourt's most flattering approval of his proposals, did 
 not wear away. 
 
 " May I hope," inquired his lordship, in the most deferen- 
 tial tone, " for a short interview with Miss Douglas, as I have 
 not had the opportunity of making my proposal to her in 
 person % " 
 
 "She left us this morning to remain with her aunt, Mrs. 
 Gordon, for a week," was the reply. 
 
 Lord Vancourt bit his lip at this intelligence, and looked 
 exceedingly mortified, which Mrs. Harcourt noticing, said — 
 
 " Your lordship must have gathered from Mr. Harcourt's 
 letter that we had failed to obtain the consent of Miss Douglas 
 to receive your addresses." 
 
 "Indeed ! I did not so interpret its contents," replied Lord 
 Vancourt, " but was induced to think a personal interview with 
 your niece might have led to a better understanding between 
 us, and a confirmation of my most sanguine hopes." 
 
132 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " At present," replied Mrs. Harcourt, " Miss Douglas would, 
 I am quite sure, decline such an interview, although time may 
 possibly effect some change in her sentiments." 
 
 " Am I to consider, then," inquired Lord Yancourt, " this 
 as my final answer, that Miss Douglas positively declines my 
 future addresses ? " 
 
 " Oh, dear, no ! " replied Mrs. Harcourt (fearing she was 
 now verging on the other extreme, and taking Mrs. Gordon's 
 communications for granted) ; " we shall be most happy to re- 
 ceive you here as usual on my niece's return, although, from 
 her natural shyness of character, too much precipitation on your 
 lordship's part would produce the contrary effect to that which 
 you have our best wishes to accomplish." 
 
 With many thanks for this friendly concession, Lord Yan- 
 court politely took his leave, leaving Mrs. Harcourt in a most 
 unenviable state of mind, doubting whether she had said too 
 much or too little. On Mr. Harcourt's return, the occurrences 
 of the day were duly retailed, and that worthy gentleman began 
 to doubt his own want of proper precaution in not first investi- 
 gating Lord Yancourt's affairs, merely relying on Lord Mervyn's 
 representations. 
 
 " We have been too hasty, my dear," observed Mr. Har- 
 court i " and I now truly regret having penned that letter, 
 .-hiefly at your dictation." 
 
 "Oh, it is of little consequence," returned his spouse; 
 ' c Blanche does not like him, and so ends the business, since 
 with her fortune there will be no lack of suitors." 
 
 Poor Blanche, when safe at the Priory, felt like a bird 
 escaped from its cage, and her happiness was increased by the 
 arrival of Malcolm and Bob Conyers to dinner, the latter 
 dropping in quite unexpectedly. Great indignation was ex- 
 pressed (when the servants withdrew) by Malcolm and Con- 
 yers at the Harcourts' indelicate behaviour to Blanche, in 
 which Aunt Gordon heartily concurred ; and all three having 
 declared their resolution to prevent a repetition of such im- 
 proper influence being again exercised over her, the subject 
 was discontinued, and the events at the ball substituted. Leav- 
 ing this happy party by the fireside, we must now look in at 
 Marston Castle. 
 
THE ABDUCTION DETERMINED UPON. 133 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 About the same hour, seated in the dining-room at Marston 
 after the ladies had retired, were Lords Mervyn and Vancourt 
 discussing with Vernon their future plans of operation. 
 
 " It is quite evident," remarked Vernon, " from Mrs. Har- 
 court's altered tone to Lord Vancourt, coupled with Miss 
 Douglas's retreat to the Priory, that some person (most probably 
 Mrs. Gordon) has thrown out strong hints, if nothing more, 
 about his lordship's position, and this week's delay may bring 
 many things to light. Melville thinks the heiress is decidedly 
 taken with him, and, to confess the truth, she gave some cause 
 for encouragement the night of the ball, and he will rake 
 London over to establish certain reports about Lord Vancourt. 
 The time for deliberation is past. Is it now your intention, my 
 lord, to act or retreat 1 " 
 
 " Certainly not the latter ! " replied Lord Vancourt, grind- 
 ing his teeth with passion. " I will be revenged on Melville 
 and the whole set, Conyers, Beauchamp, and Gordon ; nothing 
 shall turn me from my purpose now." 
 
 "To-morrow, then," said Vernon, "we must make our 
 arrangements ' sub Jove frigidoj since walls, doors, and wain- 
 scots in this house seem to have ears ; there is a traitor among 
 us somewhere, of which I am well convinced ; but we have spies 
 in the enemy's camp also, who will give us all the information 
 we require." 
 
 The week had expired, and Mrs. Harcourt's carriage was 
 ordered to bring Miss Douglas back from the Priory, about ten 
 o'clock in the evening, after a small party there ; when Mark 
 Rosier suddenly made his appearance at Bampton, about nine 
 o'clock, and jumping from a horse he had borrowed of a farmer, 
 rushed into the servants' hall. 
 
 " Where is Mr. William ? " he inquired, in breathless haste, 
 of his friend, John, the footman. 
 
 " In the drawing-room," was the reply. 
 
 " Quick then, John, and whisper in his ear, ' Mark must see 
 him this moment' — lose not a second." 
 
 The message was delivered, and Beauchamp, springing 
 from his chair, instantly darted from the room. Mark met him 
 in the passage. " Quick, sir," he said, in a low voice. " Your 
 pistols, or Miss Blanche is lost ! " 
 
134 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Get my horse, Mark, and one for yourself, saddled directly, 
 and I will run down to the stable-yard." 
 
 In five minutes, Beauchamp had put on a strong dark- 
 coloured shooting jacket, with two brace of pistols in his pockets, 
 and was galloping with Mark Rosier up the ride leading to the 
 lodge gate. " Now, Mark, tell me what has happened, as we 
 go along — where is Miss Douglas 1 " 
 
 " At the Priory, sir, I hope, yet ; but Mrs. Harcourt's 
 
 carriage is sent to take her home at ten ; and that d d 
 
 rascally lord has got his travelling chariot, with four posters, 
 waiting on the common, to intercept and carry her off to 
 Scotland." 
 
 " How do you know this, Mark 1 " 
 
 "The ostler at Cherrington, sir, is an old friend of mine, 
 and told me all about the horses being ordered, and fresh relays 
 bespoke on the North Road ; and Tom Carter, my lord's foot- 
 man, fished out something about it, too, and ran out to my 
 hiding-place, behind the castle (where I have been the last 
 three nights, from dark till nearly daylight), about six o'clock 
 this evening, telling me he overheard the valet and Lord 
 Vancourt saying something about Marston Common, at ten 
 o'clock to-night. ' They are off, Mark,' said he, ' trunks 
 packed and all, and you haven't a minute to spare ; ' so, sir, I 
 ran down to the village, where my partners were, ordered them 
 to go to the steep hill beyond the common, with their air-guns, 
 and hide themselves behind the hedge, to knock over the 
 leading horses, and rescue the young lady, if we did not arrive 
 in time." 
 
 "Well done, Mark," exclaimed Beauchamp. "Here, take 
 these two pistols, but don't use them, unless obliged to do so, to 
 save your life ; now come along," as, setting spurs to his horse, 
 Beauchamp rode rapidly on towards the Priory. "Quick, to 
 the back door, Mark, and learn of the servants if the carriage 
 has left with Miss Douglas; if it has, give a whistle, and 
 follow me as fast as you can ; I shall keep on the road." 
 
 In a few minutes the shrill whistle of the poacher was heard, 
 piercing through the house, even to where Mrs. Gordon was 
 sitting. At the signal, Beauchamp almost flew along, at such a 
 pace that Mark strove in vain to overtake him. 
 
 We must now relate what was occurring to Blanche 
 Douglas, who, accompanied by her maid, Alice, had left the 
 Priory in Mrs. Harcourt's carriage, about twenty minutes 
 before Beauchamp's calling there. They had proceeded about 
 
A RESCUE. 135 
 
 three miles ; the night, although very misty, was (from the 
 moon beginning to rise) sufficiently light to distinguish objects 
 in passing, when Alice, who was looking through the window, 
 suddenly exclaimed — " The coachman has passed the turning- 
 off to Throseby, miss, and is driving on towards the common." 
 
 " Good heavens ! " replied Blanche, " where can he be going 
 to? Quick, Alice, put your head out of the window, and ask 
 him." 
 
 She had just done so, when the carnage stopped on the edge 
 of the common, near a clump of beech trees, and Yancourt's 
 valet, coming to the door, said Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt had dined, 
 and were going to stay the night at the castle, and had sent 
 Lord Mervyn's carriage to meet her there ; the other being 
 ordered to return home, and come to Marston in the morning. 
 
 Blanche, being greatly surprised at this information, was 
 hesitating how to act, when Mr. Harcourt's coachman said, 
 " It's all right, miss, you may depend." 
 
 " Now, ma'am, quick, if you please," again interposed the 
 valet ; " I hear some farmers riding this way from market, and 
 we are blocking up the road." 
 
 Still poor Blanche hesitated, having an instinctive dread 
 of some evil impending over her. 
 
 " Stay till the farmers have passed ! " quickly whispered 
 Alice to her mistress. 
 
 "We shall be run over," exclaimed the valet, " if you don't 
 come directly, ma'am." 
 
 "Stay one minute longer, my dear young lady," again 
 whispered her faithful servant, "I'm sure there's something 
 wrong." 
 
 At this instant Beauchamp reached the scene, and, riding 
 furiously up to the carriage, asked, in a stern voice, " What are 
 you doing here, you scoundrels ? " 
 
 The same story was again quickly repeated by coachman 
 and valet, when Beauchamp exclaimed to the former, " Turn 
 your horses' heads, this instant, back to the Priory, or I'll send 
 this bullet," drawing a pistol, " through your treacherous brains ; 
 and you, my Lord Vancourt's valet, are my prisoner," said 
 Beauchamp, seizing him by the collar. 
 
 " Not if I can prevent it," said Lord Vancourt, suddenly 
 
 presenting himself. " How dare you, sir, touch my servant, or 
 
 interfere between Miss Douglas and her guardians orders^ 
 
 She shall return to Marston Castle, even if force is necessary." 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! " shouted Mark, who had just reached the spot, 
 
136 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " To Marston Castle, indeed ; you mean Gretna Green ! ha ! 
 ha ! caught, my Lord Vancourt ! caught at last ! " 
 
 "Stand aside," said Beauchamp, jumping on the ground, 
 and attempting to close the carriage door. "Miss Douglas 
 is under my protection now." 
 
 " She is not, and nev r er shall be," exclaimed Vancourt, 
 vehemently, thrusting him violently away; and seizing Blanche 
 by the arm, he tried to drag her forth. 
 
 "Villain!" shouted Beauchamp, now thoroughly roused, 
 " take that for your insolence ; " and he felled him with his fist, 
 instantly, to the ground. At the same moment, Mark, putting 
 his fingers to his mouth, sent forth a whistle, which echoed far 
 through hill and dale, making the horses almost spring out of 
 their harness. 
 
 "Hold them tight, Job," cried Mark to Mr. Harcourt's 
 coachman ; " you don't move without the squire, mind, again 
 to-night, or it shall be your last move on earth. Keep your 
 box and sit still, or I'll knock you out of it, as I would a 
 pheasant from his roost." 
 
 Lord Vancourt, recovering his feet, instantly levelled his 
 pistol and fired, without effect, at Beauchamp, who, returning 
 the compliment, shot Lord Vancourt through the left arm, 
 breaking the bone above the elbow. 
 
 " Look out, sir ! " shouted Mark, " here's more of the 
 blackguards coming on," as three men rushed down upon 
 them, who were soon in fierce conflict hand to hand, Mark 
 plying his cudgel so effectually as to knock the foremost in- 
 stantly off his legs, and Beauchamp conferring a similar favour 
 on the next with the muzzle of his pistol ; when the third, 
 fearing the fate of his companions, drew his pistol and shot 
 Beauchamp through the fleshy part of his body, under the 
 shoulder blade. He staggered, but did not fall ; and Mark, 
 receiving at the same time a dig in the back from the dagger of 
 the valet, smarting and rendered savage by the pain, shot 
 Beauchamp's antagonist through the body. Meanwhile, Lord 
 Vancourt, disabled but not subdued, with his right hand re- 
 newed his efforts to drag Miss Douglas from the carriage. 
 Assisted by Alice, she was resisting with her utmost strength, 
 when Beauchamp dealt him a blow on the face, which broke 
 his nose and sent him staggering into the road. 
 
 " Quick, my lord!" cried the valet, catching him in his arms 
 and dragging him to his chariot, " I hear men running down 
 the road. All is lost — quick ! or we shall be made prisoners ! " 
 
THE ABDUCTION PREVENTED. 137 
 
 The hint was enough ; the valet shut his master in, and 
 springing on the box, the four horses bore them rapidly away 
 from the scene of their disaster. The other poachers rushed 
 quickly to the rescue of their leader, who was still grappling 
 with one of his assailants, and the affair was soon brought to a 
 close, although the issue of the combat, with heavy odds against 
 them, had been determined already by the courage and prowess 
 of Mark and the young squire, who fought like lions robbed of 
 their prey. 
 
 "Now, Mark," said Beauchamp, "let your fellows hold 
 these villains in custody, whilst I go to Miss Douglas." 
 
 Poor Blanche sat trembling in the carriage from excessive 
 fright, almost unconscious of what was going on, when Beau- 
 champ, opening the door, said, " Thank Heaven, you are safe, 
 dearest Blanche ! Lord Yancourt has fled, and the poachers 
 have secured the rest." 
 
 By the sudden transition from fright to joy, with other 
 tumultuous feelings rushing through her heart, Blanche fell 
 back on the seat idinting, when Alice cried out, " Quick, Mr. 
 Beauchamp — support her in your arms whilst I get some salts 
 from my pocket." In a moment her head was resting on his 
 breast, while her maid was applying restoratives, which soon 
 roused her from her swoon. 
 
 " Oh, where am 1 1 " she faintly asked. 
 
 " Safe, my dear girl, in Will Beauchamp's arras," was the 
 soft reply ; " are you afraid of him, dear Blanche 1 " as she 
 struggled to rise. 
 
 " Oh, no, dear William —my kind, my noble preserver ; but 
 I am better now ; let us return to dear Aunt Gordon." 
 
 " That you shall, directly ; I will be with you again in a 
 moment." 
 
 Ordering Mark to bring the prisoners with the horses to the 
 Priory, and telling the coachman to drive back there imme- 
 diately, Beauchamp entered the carriage ; and Alice, saying she 
 would rather be outside to see they did not take a wrong turn 
 again, left the lovers together, and got up behind with the 
 footman, who had all the time been standing at the horses' 
 heads, to prevent their running away during the fight. 
 
 As they sat side by side, the blood from Beauchamp's wound 
 trickled down on Blanche's arm, who, feeling tKe moisture, 
 raised it to the light of the lamp. " Good heavens, William ! " 
 she exclaimed, turning pale, and in great alarm, "you are 
 bleeding ! oh, tell me where you are hurt ! " 
 
138 THE MASTEK OF THE HOUKDS. 
 
 " Only a scratch, dear girl. Don't look so frightened — I 
 assure you it is nothing of consequence ! " 
 
 " Oh, what can I do for you, dear William 1 " she exclaimed, 
 still in great terror. 
 
 " Nothing, dearest Blanche, but this — if you really love me, 
 may I have one kiss, which will heal all my wounds ? " 
 
 No reply being given, Beauchamp strained her to his heart, 
 whispering, "Oh, how thankful I am for this reward, dear 
 Blanche ! and for having saved you from such a fate." 
 
 " How thankful ought I to feel to you, dear William, for 
 risking your life to protect me from that dreadful man ! " 
 
 They had now reached the Priory, when, at the sound of the 
 wheels, all the servants, with Mrs. Gordon also, rushed to the 
 hall door in a body, having been terrified by Mark's sudden 
 appearance at the back door an hour before, and fearing some 
 dreadful work was going on, from the distant report of fire-arms 
 which had been heard even at the Priory. 
 
 When the steps were let down, Beauchamp handed Blanche 
 from the carriage, who, throwing herself into her aunt's arms, 
 burst into tears, sobbing convulsively on her bosom. 
 
 " My dear, dear child," ©xclaimed Mrs. Gordon, trembling 
 with apprehension, " what frightful thing has happened ? Your 
 dress is covered with blood ! Where are you injured, my dearest 
 love % " 
 
 " Oh, nowhere, dearest aunt ! I am not injured — but poor 
 William" — bursting again into tears — "is, I fear, badly 
 wounded. It is the blood from his side. Pray attend to him, and 
 do not regard me." 
 
 " Run then to the dining-room, dear Blanche, with Alice, 
 and get some wine directly, while I bring him there. Now, 
 William," said Mrs. Gordon, taking him by the arm, " what can 
 have happened % And where are you hurt, my dear boy ? You 
 look faint and exhausted." 
 
 " Only a crack on the ribs, dear aunt," replied Beauchamp, 
 smiling, "from that scoundrel Vancourt, who tried to carry off 
 Blanche — nothing more ; and a little bleeding will do me good 
 after this hot, exciting work." 
 
 " Don't be foolish, William. A glass of wine will do you 
 most good at present. So come with me, and then I must 
 examine your wound, whilst you tell me more of this horrid 
 outrage." 
 
 Saying which, she led him into the dining-room, and made 
 him lie down on the sofa, where Blanche brought him a glass of 
 
RESULTS OF THE CONFLICT. 139 
 
 -wine, trembling still, and shaking so much that she spilt half of 
 it on the floor. 
 
 " Drink it yourself, dear Blanche," said Beauchamp, springing 
 up, K and another, too, or I will not touch a drop. Sit down, 
 my dear girl. I am not much hurt." Saying which, he poured 
 her out a full glass, which he made her take, and then filling 
 one himself, said, before raising it to his lips, " Here's health 
 and long life to Mark Rosier, the poacher, who has saved dear 
 Blanche from that rascally lord's clutches ! " 
 
 " Now, dear child," said Mrs. Gordon, " run up-stairs, and 
 change your dress, whilst I order tea to be taken into the 
 drawing-room." 
 
 CHAPTEB XIV. 
 
 As soon as she had left the room, Beauchamp was obliged to 
 take off his coat and waistcoat and submit to Mrs. Gordon's 
 inspection, who cutting a strip from under his arm, laid bare the 
 wound. " Indeed, William," she exclaimed, " it is a shocking 
 bad place. I must send for the surgeon." 
 
 " Oh, pray don't, dear aunt ! I do not think there is any 
 occasion." 
 
 " It must and shall be done instantly, and I will do what I 
 can in the meantime." 
 
 Saying which, she rang the bell and gave orders accordingly ; 
 and, running from the room, soon returned with her maid, who 
 brought hot water and bandages, with which, after due fomenta- 
 tions, Beauchamp's side was carefully bound up. 
 
 " Now, dear aunt," he said, " after all your kind care and 
 trouble, I feel quite refreshed and easy. Let us join Blanche 
 for a cup of tea, and you shall hear the whole story of this 
 night's adventures, as far as I know myself." 
 
 Lying on the sofa, near the fire, by Aunt Gordon's directions, 
 Beauchamp was waited upon by Blanche, who placed a small 
 table by his side, and her attention was more than repaid by his 
 happy smile, when receiving these kind offices from her hands. 
 
 All he knew was related to Mrs. Gordon, who frequently 
 interrupted him by exclamations of anger or surprise at this 
 most daring outrage. 
 
 " And now, dear aunt," said Beauchamp, " if you will be 
 kind enough to give me pen and paper, to write a few lines to 
 
140 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Constance and my father, who must be alarmed at my absence, 
 I shall be much obliged." 
 
 " That I will do for you, William ; so remain quiet where 
 you are." 
 
 The letter was accordingly written and despatched imme- 
 diately. 
 
 " That reminds me that I ought to apprise Mrs. Harcourt 
 also of the events of this night, and the conduct of her protege, 
 Lord Vancourt ; although I am resolved, after this disgraceful 
 affair, Blanche shall not again return to Throseby." 
 
 " Oh, dear aunt ! " exclaimed Blanche, " can you — will you 
 keep me with you 1 " 
 
 " Yes, my love, I can and will do so, being your guardian 
 equally with Mr. Harcourt/' 
 
 A servant at this moment entered the room, to say that Mr. 
 Harcourt's coachman had run away, leaving the carriage and 
 horses in the stable-yard. 
 
 ;" Run away, did you say 1 " asked Mrs. Gordon in amaze- 
 ment. 
 
 " Yes, ma'am," replied the man ; " and Robert the footman 
 says he thinks he was bribed by Lord Vancourt to drive Miss 
 Douglas to meet his lordship's carriage on the common." 
 
 " Good heavens ! " exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, " what a villain ! 
 you may go, John, and send the footman to me." 
 
 "Please, sir," said the man, addressing Beauchamp, "Mark 
 Rosier wants to speak to you." 
 
 "Then send him here," replied Mrs. Gordon, "for Mr. 
 Beauchamp shall not leave the sofa." 
 
 The tall, athletic, handsome poacher was soon ushered into 
 the drawing-room, where he stood near the door, with a low 
 bow to the ladies. 
 
 " Come here, Mark," cried Beauchamp, extending his hand, 
 which the poacher seized and pressed to his lips ; " you are a 
 brave, honest fellow; and to your courage this night am I 
 indebted for my life, and the safety of Miss Douglas. My grati- 
 tude for this service will end only with my own existence." 
 
 " Master William," said Mark, " I loved you when a boy, 
 and have had much more cause to love you since I became a 
 man, and I would willingly lay down my life to serve you at any 
 time. But what's the matter, sir? where were you wounded 
 by that rascally lord 1 " 
 
 " He missed me, Mark, but the other villain you knocked 
 over shot me through the fleshy part over the ribs." 
 
"FIGHTING THE BATTLE o'ER AGAIN." 141 
 
 " Let me see, sir," said Mark, kneeling down by the sofa ; 
 "I have known something about gunshot wounds before to- 
 day." 
 
 " It is all right," said Beauchamp ; " Mrs. Gordon has kindly 
 fomented and bound it up; besides, Mark," he whispered, " there 
 are ladies in the room." 
 
 " I beg pardon, sir," said the poacher, rising, " but I was 
 only thinking of you." 
 
 "Now, Mark," said Mrs. Gordon, leading up Blanche, "it 
 is our turn to thank you, my kind friend, for your valuable 
 assistance this night;" and both shook him cordially by the 
 hand. 
 
 " Welcome, right welcome, ladies," replied Mark, " and glad 
 am I to see that dear young lady once more happy and safe ; 
 but, my lady, it were a^near thing — that long-legged lord were 
 just a-going to drag Miss Blanche from the carriage, when the 
 young squire (God bless him !) knocked him off his pins like a 
 babby, and shut the door. Then up jumps my lord, and let fly 
 a bullet at Mr. William, which (the Lord be praised for it !) 
 missed un clean. The squire then broke his arm — sarved him 
 right — and with another rattler in the face, sent my Lord 
 Longlegs spinning across the road ; and I'll wager a pound he 
 remembers the young squire to his dying day. So you see, my 
 lady, it warn't Mark, but Mr. William, that saved Miss Blanche 
 from being half way on her road to Scotland by this time." 
 
 "There, Mark, that will do," interposed Beauchamp; "now 
 sit down, and Miss Blanche will give you a cup of tea ; and tell 
 me about your own wound in the back." 
 
 "Ah, sir, that foreign coward thought he had me there 
 nicely, but the velveteen and badger waistcoat stood my friends, 
 and it's only a scratch after all — not half so bad as yours, sir. 
 But what d'ye think, squire ? dan^ it all ! our three prisoners 
 are my Lord Mervyn's night watchers." 
 
 " What, Mark ! " exclaimed Beauchamp. 
 
 " As true as you be lying on that sofa, sir ; we knowed 'em 
 directly we got to the light, sir ; and one on 'em, that chap that 
 shot you, squire, has got something in his carcass, which don't 
 quite agree with un quite so well as a figgy pudding." 
 
 " I hope he's not seriously hurt, though, Mark, and that he 
 has been attended to 1 " 
 
 " Yes, yes, squire ; don't fidget about him, for all the ser- 
 vants in the house have been waiting on and pitying the rascal, 
 and we can'fc do more till the doctor comes; and then to think, 
 
142 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 squire, that Mr. Job, the coachman, should have been in the 
 plot, and sell his young mistress for fifty pounds ! he has cut it, 
 sir, already, and left Robert to drive the carriage home; so 
 altogether, squire, what with my lord's under-keepers, and Mr. 
 Harcourt's coachman, there's a pretty kettle of fish boiled up 
 to-night." 
 
 " Can all this be really true, Mark ? " inquired Mrs. Gordon 
 in surprise. 
 
 "As true, my lady, as that Mark Rosier is sitting down 
 drinking tea and eating bread and butter in this chair." 
 
 "Oh, Blanche ! my darling child," exclaimed her aunt, fold- 
 ing her again in her arms, "what a set of villains have been 
 plotting your ruin ! and Lord Mervyn, too, with a daughter of 
 his own. Poor dear child ! you shall never leave me any more." 
 
 " That's right, my lady," chimed in Mark, " don't ever trust 
 that dear, sweet angel out of your sight again, unless with the 
 young squire; or who knows, that rascally lord may send 
 another lot of ruffians down to carry her off again ; don't let 
 her go to Throseby no more, ma'am, for here Mark and the 
 poachers will watch over her day and night." 
 
 " Really, Mark ! after this fearful work, I think I must 
 retain you and two of your men as my body-guard." 
 
 "So you shall, my lady; and we will enter on our service 
 to-morrow, and woe betide any half-dozen fellows who dare 
 touch Miss Blanche again." 
 
 A ring at the hall bell was now heard, on which Mark, jump- 
 ing up from his chair, said, " That's the doctor, ladies ; and with 
 many thanks for your kindness, I will run off and see how my 
 patient fares." 
 
 Mr. Morgan, the sporting surgeon, now made his appearance ; 
 and after paying his compliments to the ladies, turned to shake 
 hands with Beauchamp. 
 
 "Well, squire," said the good humoured doctor, li because 
 you could not be hunting, you have been doing a little bit of 
 lighting during the frost, eh ? " 
 
 " Not willingly, doctor ; but first step into the servants' hall, 
 there's a worse case there — mine will keep. After that, I will 
 go with you into the dining-room, where you can examine my 
 scratch." 
 
 "Well, as you please," replied Morgan, "if Mrs. Gordon 
 has no objection." 
 
 "William appears much easier now," she said; "and as he 
 wishes it, perhaps you had better go there first." 
 
"WHAT SHALL BE DONE? 143 
 
 The doctor soon returned, telling Mrs. Gordon, with a very 
 grave face, that the man was dangerously wounded by a ball 
 through his body, although he believed no vital part had been 
 injured ; yet that he required great care and attention, and 
 ought immediately to be placed in bed. 
 
 "Do exactly as you consider best," replied Mrs. Gordon, 
 " and tell the housekeeper to have everythiug prepared for him 
 -without delay." 
 
 "Thank you, my dear madam, for your kindness," said 
 Morgan, as he again left the room ; when Malcolm rushed in, 
 with consternation depicted on his face, and instantly lolded 
 Blanche in his embrace, exclaiming, " My poor, dear girl ! what 
 an escape you have had from that villain ! But, Will Beau- 
 champ, are you much hurt, my brave, noble fellow 1 I heard 
 the whole account from Harcourt's footman." 
 
 " Oh, not much, Malcolm, as you may see, by my enjoying a 
 cup of tea." 
 
 The story was again told, when Malcolm said — 
 
 " Upon my word ! what with Lord Mervyn's keepers, and 
 Mr. Harcourt's coachman, this is a most serious affair, and I 
 will have it sifted to the bottom." 
 
 "Perhaps," suggested Mrs. Gordon, "for dear Blanche's 
 sake, we had better let it pass as quiet as possible, and keep a 
 strict watch over her for the future." 
 
 " And allow these villains to escape exposure ! But, besides, 
 dear aunt, Lord Mervyn would assuredly take advantage of our 
 weakness, and say the matter was hushed up by mutual consent ; 
 that Blanche was a consenting party to an elopement with. 
 Lord Vancourt, and which, he would assert, was only prevented 
 by Beauchamp's interference — and this Lord Vancourt reported 
 to be a married man ! My dear aunt, you must see, Blanche's 
 fair fame would be tarnished for ever by such an insinuation 
 even. No, no ! it's impossible to compromise this business ; 
 and I am resolved, for the honour of both our families — my 
 cousin's and my own — that a thorough investigation shall take 
 place. It is my province, as one of her nearest relatives, to 
 clear her from all complicity or connivance with Lord Van- 
 court ; and, my dear aunt, it must and shall be done ! " 
 
 "Well, Charles, I believe you take the right view of the 
 case, which is too serious to be passed over ; but I think Mr. 
 Harcourt will endeavour to hush it up on account of his friend, 
 Lord Mervyn, and to screen himself, as his servant was con- 
 cerned also." 
 
144 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "No doubt, aunt ; but half a score Harcourts and Mervyns 
 shall not prevent me discharging my duty to dear Blanche, and 
 protecting her fair name from pollution with such a man as 
 Vancourt." 
 
 Mr. Morgan put a stop to further conversation by just then 
 returning to the drawing-room. 
 
 " Now, squire," he said, " it is your turn, as my other patient 
 is as comfortable as he has any right to expect, if you and Lord 
 Malcolm will walk with me into the other room." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon looking anxious, and Blanche pale, at this 
 announcement, from fear of Beauchamp's being subjected to 
 more pain, Morgan assured them they need not be alarmed ; 
 adding, with a smile — 
 
 " Rest satisfied, ladies ; I will not hurt him for my own 
 sake, as I don't want to be double-thonged when he gets into 
 the saddle once more '" with which the three gentlemen walked 
 off together. 
 
 After examining and probing the wound, which caused 
 Will Beauchamp to wince a little, Morgan expressed his 
 opinion that rest and quiet must be observed for some few 
 days ; and added — 
 
 " You may thank your lucky star, or guardian angel, that 
 the ball struck your rib on the centre, my young friend, or you 
 had been past all surgical aid. It's a confounded rascally 
 business, altogether ; and I hope, my lord," turning to Malcolm, 
 " you won't let that old fox-killer up at the castle escape probing 
 a little." 
 
 " You may depend, doctor, I won't spare him or any con- 
 cerned in this outrage. And now let us return to the ladies, as 
 I saw their anxious looks." 
 
 Morgan assured Mrs. Gordon she need be under no alarm 
 on Beauchamp's account, whose wound would heal in a few 
 days ; but that he ought not to return home that night, and 
 take only gruel or tea till he saw him again in the morning. 
 
 " Ah, my dear aunt ! " exclaimed Malcolm, when the door 
 had closed on Morgan, "Beauchamp has had a very narrow 
 escape ; and thankful must we all be to the Almighty that he 
 has been spared to us." 
 
 " My dear, dear boy," said Aunt Gordon, affected to tears, 
 and going up and kissing him, " what should I have done with- 
 out you 1 And now you are dearer to me than ever." 
 
 " Pray don't give way thus, dear aunt," whispered Beau- 
 champ ; " you will distress poor Blanche, who, I see, is ready 
 
FATHER AND SOX. 145 
 
 to cry, and she has had enough to-night to agitate her ; but let 
 her bring me another cup of tea, as I feel rather thirsty." 
 
 " Come, Blanche, don't you follow the example of your 
 foolish old aunt, but take this to William." 
 
 As she handed Beauchamp the cup, he held her hand for a 
 moment, saying, "Dear Blanche, how many will envy Will 
 Beauchamp's scratch this night, which has given him such a 
 cup-bearer ! and how forcibly does your kind attention remind 
 me of those beautiful lines of Scott : — 
 
 1 Oh, woman ! in our hours of ease, 
 Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, 
 ***** 
 When pain and anguish wring the brow, 
 A ministering angel thou ! ' " 
 
 The last word had scarcely passed his lips, when a carriage 
 was driven furiously up to the hall door, and a voice heard 
 shouting — 
 
 " Let me out ! Open the door ! " 
 
 " There's no mistaking that voice ! " exclaimed Malcolm, 
 darting from the room. " It is the old squire." 
 
 " How is my dear boy % " inquired Mr. Beauchamp, as he 
 met Malcolm in the hall. 
 
 " Not much the matter, my dear sir, as he is lying on the 
 sofa, drinking tea, and quoting poetry." 
 
 " Quick ! where is he T' he said to Malcolm, who was now 
 speaking to Constance. 
 
 " In the drawing-room ; here, this way " 
 
 And in a moment, Mr. Beauchamp, regardless of the ladies, 
 was kneeling by his son, ejaculating — 
 
 " Thank God ! thank God ! the Father of all mercies, that 
 you are spared to me, my own darling boy." 
 
 And the old man burst into a flood of tears, still repeating 
 his thanks to God for preserving his son's life. Constance, 
 throwing herself into Blanche's arms, gave vent also to her 
 pent-up feelings, which she had repressed to keep up her father ; 
 but now the tears of all three ladies fell uncontrolled, and even 
 Malcolm was obliged to turn aside to conceal his emotion at 
 witnessing this affecting interview between father and son. 
 
 " Come, come, my dear father," at length said Beauchamp, 
 " this agitation hurts my side ; and you have not yet spoken a 
 word to dear, kind Mrs. Gordon or Blanche." 
 
 The old man rose slowly from his knees, and going up to 
 
 J 
 
146 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, took lier hand in his, which he held for some 
 time, but all utterance failed him. 
 
 " I can't thank you now," he at last said, as the tears still 
 rolled down his cheek; "and poor Blanche !" whose hand he 
 next seized, " thank Heaven ! you are saved, dear child, from a 
 fate worse than death ! " 
 
 "Oh, Mr. Beauchamp," she sobbed; "I am the wretched 
 cause of all your grief. What would I not give to save William 
 one moment's pain 1 " 
 
 " Would you give this, dear girl 1 " he whispered, in a low 
 tone, pressing her hand in his, " to make my poor boy happy V 9 
 " Yes," she said, softly, and blushing deeply ; " all I possess 
 in the world." 
 
 "The wound in his side," said Mr. Beauchamp, "will, I 
 trust, yield to the doctor's skill ; but he has another, I suspect, 
 which only this little hand can heal. Come with me, then, my 
 own dear child, and be Will's comforter." 
 
 Saying which, he led her to the sofa ; and, placing her hand 
 in that of his son, said, in a whisper — 
 
 " There, Will ; that will heal all your wounds ; and may 
 the Almighty bless you both." 
 
 " Oh, Blanche," murmured Beauchamp, as he pressed her 
 hand to his lips, " how far beyond all my fondest hopes is this 
 reward ! but, dearest, I must not claim it now, when you are 
 overpowered with gratitude." 
 
 "Will you refuse, then," she said, softly, "to make me 
 happy?" 
 
 "No, no, my own dearest girl; not if love only prompts 
 you to bestow this unlooked-for blessing on me. Is it so, dear 
 Blanche ?" 
 
 " Yes," was the faint response. 
 
 "Then am I blessed indeed," replied Beauchamp; "and 
 now, dearest, you have been so excited to-night, I hope you 
 will retire to your room with Constance. I shall quickly 
 follow your example, as I know Aunt Gordon is gone to order 
 beds for us." 
 
 During this scene, Mrs. Gordon and Malcolm had silently 
 left the apartment, leaving Mr. Beauchamp and Constance only 
 with the two lovers. The former now appeared, saying, " I 
 have ordered a double-bedded room, Mr. Beauchamp, for you 
 and William, as I knew you would not like to leave him to- 
 night ; and the tray to be brought in directly, with something 
 more substantial than tea. And now, dear William, you must 
 
CONFESSION GOOD FOR THE SOUL. 147 
 
 go with me to your room, where Malcolm is preparing every- 
 thing for your comfort, with a large basin of gruel, which he 
 declares none but a Scotchman can make." 
 
 "Oh, very well," cried Mr. Beauchamp, gaily, ; "then you 
 are going to desert me entirely, I conclude % " 
 
 " Only for a short time, as Charles will join you directly, 
 who declares he is as ravenous as one of his own mountain, 
 eagles. Now, children," continued Mrs. Gordon, as she led 
 Beauchamp out of the room ; " kiss your father, Constance, 
 and follow me." In a moment she was in her father's arms, 
 and when released from his embrace, Blanche held out her 
 hand to wish him good night. " No, dear child ; that will not 
 do now — come to my heart. I have found another daughter, 
 and you a father, if you can love me as such." 
 
 " Oh, indeed I will," she replied. 
 
 " God bless you, my own dear Blanche," murmured the old 
 squire, as he pressed her in his arms, and kissed her again and 
 again. " There, child, now run away ; you and Will have made 
 a woman of me to-night." 
 
 On the landing-place, Beauchamp waited to wish his sister 
 good-night, where he was left a few minutes by Mrs. Gordon ; 
 and having pressed her to his breast in a warm embrace, 
 Blanche tripped up the stairs, and was in his arms before she 
 was aware of the act, when, hastily impressing a kiss upon her 
 lips, he whispered, "God bless you, my dearest treasure; I 
 shall now rest the happiest of the happy." 
 
 " William," cried Mrs. Gordon, from the end of the gallery, 
 "why don't you come to your room ?" 
 
 " Coming directly, dear aunt ;" with which he turned away. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The next mormng Mr. Morgan paid an early visit to his two 
 patients, whom he found progressing as favourably as he could 
 expect, although the watcher could not be considered out of 
 danger for some few days. " Do you think, doctor, I shall ever 
 get over it V asked the sufferer. 
 
 "I hope so," replied Morgan, "although there's no saying 
 how it may turn ; but keep a good heart, and make a clean 
 breast from last night's work and all your other transgressions. 
 
 J 2 
 
148 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon's kindness to yon, and your narrow escape from 
 murdering the young squire, demand a full confession of all 
 you know about this infernal business. Out with it — a clear 
 conscience makes an easy bed, and you will feel all the better 
 for it." 
 
 " It shall be done, doctor," said the man, " let the conse- 
 quences be what they may ! " 
 
 Blanche Douglas was so fevered from the fright and excite- 
 ment of the previous night, as to be unable to leave her room 
 until late in the day. After eleven o'clock, visitors began to 
 pour in from the neighbourhood ; the news of Blanche's at- 
 tempted abduction having spread like wildfire. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Harcourt drove over to the Priory immediately after breakfast, 
 and were loud in their expressions of astonishment at Lord 
 Vancourt's conduct. 
 
 " And what could you expect," asked Mrs. Gordon, " after 
 making such a fuss with that good-for-nothing man, and ac- 
 cepting him as my niece's suitor without making the least 
 inquiiy about his character or connections 1 I am quite sur- 
 prised at you, Mr. Harcourt, acting so rashly; who, as her 
 guardian, were bound to make the strictest investigation into 
 the affairs of any stranger who proposed for your ward's 
 hand!" 
 
 " I confess," replied Mr. Harcourt, " I trusted too much to 
 Lord Mervyn's. representations ; but although Lord Vancourt 
 has acted so precipitately in this matter, yet there is no proof 
 that he is such a character as you represent him to be." 
 
 " That proof will not be long wanting," retorted Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " We need not now enter into these discussions," replied Mr. 
 Harcourt, " as we have come to take Blanche home." 
 
 " Her home," said Mrs. Gordon, " for the future, will be at 
 the Priory ■ or at least until such time as the fullest inquiry is 
 made into this business, which Lord Malcolm is determined to 
 prosecute to the utmost." 
 
 " And, pray, what has Lord Malcolm to do with it, Mrs. 
 Gordon 1 I am her guardian, and the proper person to act in 
 her defence." 
 
 "You cannot be surprised, Mr. Harcourt, that Lord 
 Malcolm should entertain some doubts on that head, when he 
 finds your own coachman implicated in the attempted abduction 
 of his cousin, as well as Lord Mervyn's under-keepers, who are 
 now in custody. In short, under these circumstances, Lord 
 Malcolm, as her nearest relative, has resolved that Blanche 
 
LORD VANCOURT EXPOSED. 149 
 
 shall remain under my protection, as I also am her guardian ; 
 but should you think proper to question our authority for so 
 acting, last night's transactions shall be laid before the Lord 
 Chancellor, and we do not fear the result." 
 
 " Oh ! I suppose," said Mrs. Harcourt, sneeringly, " Mrs. 
 Gordon intends to keep her niece here to marry her favourite, 
 Mr. Beauchamp." 
 
 "Even if I did," replied Mrs. Gordon, "it would not be 
 quite so bad as conniving at her being carried away by a 
 married man ! " 
 
 " Lord Yancourt is not a married man, and I defy you to 
 the proof, madam ! " 
 
 " Here it is, then," exclaimed Melville, who had entered the 
 room with Bob Conyers, and heard the last sentence. " Here is 
 a copy of the marriage certificate of Edward, Lord Yancourt, 
 and Signora Marinetta, solemnised at Florence five years ago, 
 and duly attested by witnesses. I have seen the original from 
 which this is taken, and have already written to a friend at 
 Florence to send me all further particulars." 
 
 " And what business is this of yours, sir ? " demanded Mrs. 
 Harcourt, rising in great indignation from her chair. 
 
 " It became my business, madam," replied Melville, " when 
 my word was questioned the other night by Lord Yancourt at 
 the ball, and it shall be my business still, to prove him what I 
 then asserted he was — a married man." 
 
 " Oh, very well, sir," said the lady, ringing the bell violently 
 for her carriage ; " but you shall not marry my niece, notwith- 
 standing." 
 
 " Were I so disposed," replied the captain, " I should not be 
 obliged, after what occurred last night, to obtain your consent ; " 
 at which the lady bounced out of the room into the hall, fol- 
 lowed by her husband, where she remained until the carriage 
 came round. 
 
 " Now, Aunt Gordon," said Conyers, " as that worthy pair 
 have decamped — where is Will Beauchamp ? " 
 
 " In the blue room up-stairs with Malcolm, having leeches 
 applied to his side ; but mind, Robert, you do not excite him by 
 talking too much, as Mr. Morgan says there is much inflamma- 
 tion about his wound, and he must be kept quiet." 
 
 " You need not fear me," replied Bob, " and, in the mean- 
 time, Melville will tell you more of last night's adventures, and 
 Yernon's elopement with Miss Mervyn ; that's a capital joke, 
 by Jove ! — the biter bit." 
 
150 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 The Captain stated that, having arrived that evening at 
 Cherrington, he was standing in the hall of the hotel, waiting 
 for his horse, when a carriage and four drove up, and Lord 
 Yancourt staggered up the steps, supported by his valet, with 
 his arm in a sling and a broken nose, telling the landlord he 
 had been stopped by highwaymen on Marston Common, and 
 requesting a surgeon might be immediately sent for to set his 
 arm, which had been broken by a pistol-shot. Being shown 
 into a room, his valet went down into the stable-yard, where he 
 followed, and heard him ask the ostler if Major Shirley's horses 
 were ready (the name Lord Vancourt had assumed). 
 
 " ' Ay, to be sure, and gone up the road an hour agone,' 
 replied the man. 
 
 " ' My master is Major Shirley,' said the valet ; ' so how can 
 that be ? ' 
 
 " ' All gammon,' persisted the ostler ; ' Major Shirley's gone, 
 I tell ye, and a young lady along with 'un.' 
 
 " ' A young lady along with him ! ' repeated;the valet. 'What 
 sort of looking person was she ? ' 
 
 "'Can't tell — boxed up tight together — doors shut and 
 window blinds down — runaway job, I expect ; but there, that's 
 no business of mine.' 
 
 " ' Well,' exclaimed the valet, ' I must have two pair of 
 horses out in ten minutes.' 
 
 " ' Can't have what we haven't got/ replied the ostler, 
 sulkily ; ' there's only one pair left.' 
 
 " ' Then the same leaders must go the next stage,' said 
 the vaiec. 
 
 " ' Speak to the master about that,' replied the man, as he 
 turned away. 
 
 u The facts of the case were these. Vernon had resolved 
 to carry off Miss Mervyn the same night, and having been 
 annoyed by Lord Vancourt' s refusal to pay him down the sum 
 he had promised for his co-operation in the plot, calculating also 
 on the hour Lord Vancourt would reach Cherrington, he 
 determined to be beforehand with his lordship, and, by assuming 
 the same name, to take advantage of the relays of horses 
 ordered on the road, thinking by this ruse to baffle all pursuit 
 of himself; in short, it was diamond cut diamond, Vernon 
 proving the sharpest of the two. This I have since learnt," 
 said Captain Melville, "but I remained at Cherrington until I 
 saw Lord Vancourt (after having his arm set and bandaged 
 up, with a large plaster on his nose) enter his carriage, notwith- 
 
PRELIMINARIES ARRANGED. lol 
 
 standing the surgeon's remonstrances, and drive rapidly on the 
 road to London." 
 
 Whilst Melville was telling his story to Mrs. Gordon, 
 Malcolm, Beauchanip, and Conyers were in consultation about 
 the prisoners, who had been kept at the Priory all night with 
 a constable. 
 
 "Being a magistrate for the county," said Beauchamp, 
 " Bob can take down the wounded man's depositions, who is 
 willing to confess everything, by Morgan's account ; and upon 
 this, the other two, with Mark's statement and mine, can be 
 remanded and brought before the Bench, which sits the day 
 after to-morrow, when I will endeavour to attend. But bear 
 in mind they are well handcuffed, or a rescue will be attempted 
 by Lord Mervyn's agents, although I shall give Mark some 
 hints also." 
 
 " Who is to prosecute ? " asked Bob Conyers. 
 
 " I shall, of course," replied Malcolm, " for I know Harcourt 
 will shirk, to save his own and Mervyn's character. And now, 
 Beauchamp, I think, if well enough, you had better return home 
 to-day with your father, or that spiteful Mrs. Harcourt will 
 declare we are only keeping you here on account of Blanche. I 
 intend to take up my abode at the Priory, and shall remain 
 until all this is settled ; in short, I am so disgusted with the 
 Harcourts that I have sent for all my traps, and do not intend 
 just yet, if ever again, to enter their house." 
 
 " Quite right, Malcolm," replied Bob ; " it is the most shame- 
 ful, disgraceful affair I have ever known, and no one will 
 believe but that Harcourt and Mervyn had some concern in the 
 plot j and my dear pet Blanche ! what a fate has she escaped 
 
 with that d d rascal ! Melville says you served my lord 
 
 out for it, however, "Will, with a split nose and a broken arm. 
 Gad ! I should like to have seen you hit him off his legs, as 
 Mark tells, like a ninepin." 
 
 "I was mad enough to have killed him," replied Beau- 
 champ. 
 
 " And I wish you had," interposed Malcolm, "as he tried 
 hard to murder you." 
 
 " I am thankful no lives are lost ; and now we will go down 
 till the governor is ready ; but recollect, Malcolm, Blanche is 
 now under your protection." 
 
 " It is not likely I shall forget either her interest or yours, 
 old fellow," replied Malcolm ; " and I expect you to take care 
 of Constance for me." 
 
152 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "No fear of that," was the reply, as the two friends and 
 Conyers descended the staircase. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon was much vexed at hearing Beauchamp's 
 intention to leave the Priory with his father, but on his motives 
 being made known, she was constrained to admit their force, 
 and a compromise was effected by Constance remaining in his 
 place. 
 
 The rage of Lord Mervyn on the discovery of his daughter's 
 elopement with Yernon would be difficult to describe. This 
 agreeable piece of information was communicated to him at 
 breakfast the next morning, when the housemaid, entering the 
 young lady's room to light the fire, found the bird had flown, 
 and her bed had been unoccupied. She had pleaded a bad 
 headache the night before, and retired with her maid about 
 nine o'clock, when, immediately bolting the door, she descended 
 the back staircase whilst the servants were at supper, and run- 
 ning across two fields, through which a pathway led to the 
 high road, she was there met by Yernon, with a carriage and 
 horses all in readiness. The head-keeper also now acquainted 
 his lordship with the capture of his three watchers, who had 
 been employed by Lord Yancourt in assisting to carry off Miss 
 Douglas. Lord Mervyn raged and stormed about the house 
 like a madman, accusing his servants of connivance in his 
 daughter's escape, and vowing vengeance on the whole house- 
 hold. He saw at one glance that pursuit would now, after the 
 lapse of so many hours, be useless. Betrayed, foiled, and out- 
 witted by Yernon, imprecations loud and deep were vented 
 furiously on his head. The failure also of Yancourt, with the 
 capture of his men, and the probable exposure to the world of 
 his own participation in the contemplated abduction of the 
 heiress, drove him almost to frenzy. Again, to this succeeded 
 the reflection that he had lent <Lord Yancourt five hundred 
 pounds, the preceding day, to aid in his flight, which added fuel 
 to the fire that was already scorching his very brain. In every 
 direction, defeat and disgrace awaited him, and he rushed 
 from the house, like a maniac, to cool his fevered and throbbing 
 temples in the fresh air. 
 
 Not even a transient feeling of regret for his child dwelt a 
 moment in his troubled breast, but anger only, and fierce, 
 implacable revenge against her and Yernon for the disgrace 
 they had brought upon his name. Against Beauchamp, too, 
 he vowed eternal hatred for seizing his men and defeating his 
 plans. 
 
THE CLAIMS OF JUSTICE. 153 
 
 From this monster in human shape we will turn to those of 
 more kindly feelings. Beauchamp, though his sufferings from 
 the pistol shot had not much abated, felt impelled, by a sense 
 of duty and love to Blanche, to save her from further attempts 
 at outrage, to attend the magistrates' meeting, where his 
 evidence, with the confessions of the wounded man, was 
 sufficient to obtain the commitment of the other two watchers 
 to take their trial at the ensuing assizes, to be held in March ; 
 Lord Malcolm being the prosecutor, who declared that every 
 effort in the meantime should be made to arrest Lord Yancourt 
 for his dastardly attempt to carry off his cousin. 
 
 " You must not suppose, gentlemen," said Lord Malcolm, 
 addressing the Bench, " that I, or any of Miss Douglas's family 
 are actuated by the spirit of revenge in this prosecution ; but 
 for the honour of my family and hers, and to protect her from 
 any further attempts of this sort, I feel bound to use my best 
 exertions in bringing the chief perpetrators of such a cowardly, 
 unmanly act to justice, and not allow the law to take its course 
 only against the least guilty parties. The crime of abduction, 
 bad enough in itself, has also in this case been most seriously 
 aggravated by shedding of blood, and the very near sacrifice of 
 two lives." 
 
 " You are most fully justified, Lord Malcolm," said Sir 
 Lionel Markham, who presided, " in the course you intend to 
 pursue, which is highly necessary, in a public point of view, to 
 uphold the laws of the country, and prevent such outrages 
 in civilised society." With which Malcolm, bowing to the 
 Bench, withdrew with his friend Beauchamp. 
 
 During this investigation, the large room of the Fox (a way- 
 side inn, in the parish of Marston, where the petty sessions were 
 held), was crowded to overflowing, and Lord Malcolm's determi- 
 nation to arrest Lord Yancourt was loudly applauded by the 
 farmers and poorer classes. 
 
 " That's right, my lord," said Farmer Stubbins, as he was 
 leaving the room, " doan't ye let the biggest villain of the lot 
 escape just because he's a lord ; and there, to 'tempt to murder 
 the young squire, too — dang it all, my lord, it be too bad ; 
 hanging ain't too great a punishment for such as he." 
 
 The result of these proceedings was quickly communicated 
 to Lord Mervyn by one of his emissaries who attended to watch 
 the case, although no attempt was made by his lordship to 
 screen his men from the consequences of their aiding and 
 abetting Lord Yancourt ; in fact, he repudiated the whole 
 
154 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 thing, and openly expressed his hope that the watchers would 
 be severely punished for daring to leave their places on 
 such an errand. This avowal he deemed necessary, to prove, 
 as he expected, his entire ignorance of Lord Vancourt's 
 intentions. 
 
 The next morning, Mrs. Gordon, with Blanche and Con- 
 stance, drove over to Bampton, where they found Will Beau- 
 champ lying on the sofa in the library. "I am come over 
 on purpose to give you a severe lecture, William," said Aunt 
 Gordon, " for going yesterday to the magistrates' meeting, 
 which, Mr. Morgan tells me, was a very imprudent act, and has 
 increased the inflammation in your side. Indeed, if your 
 father cannot keep you at home, I shall insist on taking you 
 back to the Priory to see what I can do with such a wayward 
 boy." 
 
 "My dear aunt," replied Beauchamp, "my presence was 
 absolutely necessary yesterday, or I should not have ventured 
 out in so cold a day; but I will now be a good boy, and 
 remain in the house until my wound is healed." 
 
 " Will you promise me to keep this resolution ? " 
 
 " Yes, certainly, dear aunt, if it will afford you any 
 satisfaction." 
 
 " Very well, sir ; and now, Constance, we will take off our 
 bonnets, as I intend remaining here till after luncheon." 
 
 As they were leaving the room, Beauchamp said, in what 
 was intended for an injured tone, "Blanche, you have not 
 .shaken hands with me ; have I offended you ? " 
 
 " Oh, no," she replied, turning back and offering her hand ; 
 "how could you think so, William ? " 
 
 " Then I will not think so," still holding her hand, " if you 
 will shut the door and sit with me a few minutes till Aunt 
 Gordon returns." A deep blush mantled in her cheek, and her 
 eyes were cast towards the door, as if wishing to escape. " Go, 
 then, dear Blanche," said Beauchamp; " I read your thoughts — 
 you would leave me ; but why should you thus avoid me 1 
 Have I ever uttered one word in your presence offensive or 
 repulsive to your feelings ? " 
 
 " Oh, no, William, never ; but I have been so nervous and 
 agitated ever since that dreadful night." 
 
 "That you fear to be left alone even with William 
 Beauchamp ; but there is another cause of dread, Blanche, from 
 which I would release you, and if you will shut the door and sit 
 with me only a few moments, that cause shall be explained. 
 
BLANCHES CONFESSION. 155 
 
 Don't fear me, dear girl ; I will not presume on your confi- 
 dence." 
 
 Blanche, without saying another "word, closed the door, and 
 returned trembling to his side, sitting down on a chair near 
 him. 
 
 " You fear being left alone with me, Blanche, because you 
 apprehend a renewal of that subject, which from this day shall 
 not again escape my lips. My poor father, the other night, in 
 his excited state, placed your hand in mine, hoping and believ- 
 ing our love was mutual, and at the moment, no doubt, dear 
 Blanche, your gratitude exercised a powerful influence over 
 your feelings ; but, dearly as I prize it, on such terms I could 
 never accept the hand of Blanche Douglas. Gratitude must not 
 be mistaken for love ; and until such time as the excitement 
 under winch you then acted is entirely removed, I will not 
 renew the subject nearest my heart — it would be ungenerous 
 and unfair in me to do so. Moreover, you are young and 
 inexperienced in the world, and I will not be so selfish as to 
 fetter you with an engagement to myself before you have had a 
 fair opportunity of judging whether, on mixing more in society, 
 you could still prefer me to all others." 
 
 " Then, "William," said Blanche, sadly, " you do not love me 
 as you have professed to do." 
 
 " Not love you, my own dear, darling girl ! " exclaimed 
 Beauchamp, starting up and seizing her hand, "dearer, fifty 
 times dearer, than my own life do I love you, and you only; 
 and here I vow that no other but this dear hand shall ever be 
 joined with that of William Beauchamp. You are my first and 
 only love — the only one of womankind who has ever been 
 pressed to my heart — the first and last." 
 
 " Oh, dear William, then why should you doubt my love for 
 you, or think me less constant than yourself? " 
 
 " I don't doubt you, dear girl, but feared gratitude might 
 now influence you." 
 
 " William, you are only now wishing me to confess I felt 
 love for you before gratitude ; so, to relieve your mind from all 
 further anxiety in your present state of suffering, I will make 
 that confession. Dear William," she said, blushing, "I have 
 indeed long loved you, and can never love another." 
 
 The words had scarcely passed her lips, before she was 
 caught in his arms and pressed to his heart in a long embrace. 
 
 u This happiness quite overpowers me," he whispered ; " a 
 thousand thanks, my own, very own, dearest Blanche, for your 
 
156 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 generous candour ; and now run up and take off your bonnet, 
 and come sit by and comfort me. Will you, dear girl, without 
 fear and trembling ? " 
 
 " Yes," she replied, with a sweet, radiant smile, " until you 
 are quite tired of my company." 
 
 " That will never be, Blanche ; so make haste and return to 
 me again." 
 
 The ladies now entered the room with Mr. Beauchamp, who 
 met them in the hall. " But where," he inquired, " is Malcolm 1 " 
 
 "He is gone over this morning to call on Mr. Conyers," 
 replied Mrs. Gordon, " but will be here presently to escort us 
 home after luncheon, as we intend, Mr. Beauchamp, to taste 
 some of your metheglin, which Constance says is equal to any 
 Frontignac." 
 
 "Of course," said the old squire ; "you would not suppose 
 I should treat you and Blanche as morning visitors ; but sitting 
 within doors this fine day does not quite suit me ; what say 
 you to a walk instead ? " 
 
 " Most willingly," replied Mrs. Gordon, " although we have 
 only just taken off our bonnets, with the intention of sitting 
 with William." 
 
 " One at a time is more than enough for him, and the most 
 silent of the party the best, in his present state, whoever that 
 may be ; but on such a delicate point of distinction between 
 ladies I shall prudently forbear to hazard an opinion ; you must 
 settle it, therefore, among yourselves, or cast lots who shall be 
 the victim to listen to Will's complaints, while the rest are 
 enjoying themselves in the open air." 
 
 " I think/' said Constance, looking archly at her brother, 
 " Blanche is decidedly the most prudent and silent of our party, 
 and therefore I propose her remaining with William, only on 
 the condition that she does not allow him to speak on any 
 exciting subject ; do you both agree to this % " 
 
 " Most willingly and cheerfully do I submit to these condi- 
 tions, if Blanche will not think it too great a penance to sit by 
 a sick man's couch." 
 
 " No, William, indeed I shall not ; so now, Constance, you 
 may run away as fast as you please with Aunt Gordon and 
 Mr. Beauchamp." 
 
 "My dear, kind-hearted, and affectionate girl," said Beau- 
 champ, when the others had quitted the room, " and do you 
 think I would trespass on your gentle nature by detaining you 
 here, when Constance and Mrs. Gordon are enjoying this beau- 
 
 
RUSTIC SYMPATHY. 157 
 
 tiful sunny morning? No, no, dear Blanche, you will be 
 happier with them." 
 
 "Do you wish me to leave you ? " 
 
 " What a question ! " 
 
 " Well, then," she said, " I would rather remain with you, 
 if I may, and as I promised to do." 
 
 " And you shall, my own dear Blanche ; and now sit down 
 in this chair, and tell me all about your friend Vernon's run- 
 away match with Miss Mervyn, the particulars of which I 
 have not yet heard. Come nearer, Blanche, — indeed I won't 
 bite," said Beauchamp, laughing ; " and having promised Con- 
 stance not to speak on any exciting subject, I must not make 
 love ; so you are quite safe, dear girl." 
 
 Encouraged by his frank though gentle manner, Blanche no 
 longer dreaded being left alone with her lover ; and their happy, 
 confiding looks, when Mrs. Gordon returned from her walk, 
 convinced her how pleasantly had passed the time they had 
 been left together. Lord Malcolm arrived in time for luncheon, 
 soon after which, in consideration of Will Beauchamp's inflam- 
 matory symptoms, Mrs. Gordon took her leave, forbidding him 
 to leave the house until she called again. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The breaking up of the frost, the same evening, set the fox- 
 hunters once more in motion, and the first open day being as 
 usual advertised for the kennels, a large assemblage of sports- 
 men mustered at Bampton, where genuine hospitality always 
 awaited them, and sincere congratulations were offered to the 
 old squire on his son's narrow escape. The farmers especially, 
 when William Beauchamp walked out on the lawn among 
 them, pressed round him, all eager to shake hands and testify 
 their almost unbounded delight at having their favourite 
 restored to them. 
 
 " Ah, squire," exclaimed Farmer Stiles, " it made my heart 
 nearly jump up into my mouth when John Gubbins brought 
 the news, the next morning, that you were shot and lying at the 
 Priory — it hit me up all of a heap, squire, and I shook and 
 trembled like an aspen tree. ' Why, maister,' said John, < what's 
 the matter wi' yel you do look flabbergasted loike — shakes 
 
158 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 like old Trooper when he had the staggers/ Sure enough I 
 did stagger more than walk into the house, and swallowing 
 a wine-glass of brandy, rode full split for the Priory, Missus 
 and the servants thinking I were gone clean out of my mind ; 
 but at the turn of the lane I nearly unhorsed the doctor, 
 who told me all about it. ' What ails thee, Stiles 1 ' shouted 
 the doctor, 'hurrahing and waving thy hat, and frightening 
 my horse into the ditch ; drunk or crazy % ' — ' Neither, doctor,' 
 says I, 'but overjoyed at hearing that the young squire ain't 
 killed.' " 
 
 The news had by this time spread all over the county, 
 being reported in the two opposite papers according to the 
 editor's political opinions. The heading in the Tory journal 
 standing thus, "Daring outrage and attempted abduction of 
 Miss Douglas ! " which was modified by the Radical organ into, 
 
 " Failure of a runaway match between Lord V 1 and Miss 
 
 D s," with comments thereon, insinuating that the young 
 
 lady had been foiled in her attempted and willing flight with 
 her noble and highly gifted lover by the intervention of some 
 meddling friends. 
 
 Lord Malcolm, on reading the latter paragraph, wrote 
 immediately to the editor, giving him a true statement of the 
 case, and insisting on an immediate contradiction of the untrue 
 and offensive article, which, under the threat of an action for 
 libel, was repudiated as emanating from an anonymous corre- 
 spondent. 
 
 The concourse of horse and footmen drawn together at 
 Bampton on this occasion far exceeded any former gathering — 
 numbers flocking there from curiosity only, to know the true 
 facts of the case ; and every sportsman in the neighbourhood 
 deeming it an act of imperative courtesy to father and son on 
 the fortunate termination of the affair. A group of pedestrians 
 also assembled round Mark Rosier, who detailed the events of 
 that night's adventure, extolling Beauchamp's courage to the 
 skies, telling them how he knocked the big lord twice off his 
 legs like a ninepin. 
 
 While Beauchamp was standing talking on the lawn to the 
 gentlemen and farmers, Mrs. Gordon's carriage drove up to the 
 door, with Blanche and Constance ; and no sooner did Farmer 
 Stiles recognise the heiress, than raising his hat high in the air, 
 he shouted from his stentorian lungs, " Now, gentlemen, three 
 cheers for Miss Douglas and her happy escape from that 
 villanous lord ! " All hats were off in a moment, and as 
 
A HEARTY WELCOME. 150 
 
 Blanche stepped from the carriage, a shout, loud, long and 
 heart)', arose, which vibrated through her very heart, and was 
 again and again repeated by the enthusiastic Stiles and his 
 brother farmers ; during which Beauchamp made his way iuto 
 the house. 
 
 "William," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, "what was the mean- 
 ing of that terrific shouting on the lawn 1 " 
 
 " The farmers' welcome to dear Blanche on her happy escape. 
 The moment she was recognised, these honest, kind-hearted 
 fellows could not suppress their feelings of delight at her rescue 
 from Lord Vancourt's cowardly attack ; but see, Malcolm is 
 now returning thanks." 
 
 Lord Malcolm had just ridden up as the cheers subsided, 
 and learning the cause, spoke thus : " Gentlemen, I thank you 
 all from my heart for your loudly expressed, and, I am sure, 
 warmly-felt congratulations on my cousin's escape from the 
 dastardly attempt at her abduction by a cowardly and un- 
 principled scoundrel, which I have no hesitation in pronouncing- 
 Lord Vancourt to be " — (" Hear ! hear ! " shouted Stiles) — 
 "and I take this opportunity," continued Malcolm, "of -stating 
 here publicly, that so far from Miss Douglas being, a willing 
 participator in this vile plot (which has been insinuated by a 
 leading Radical paper in this county), that she would have pre- 
 ferred death to such a fate ; and for myself, gentlemen, as one' 
 of her nearest and dearest relatives, I assert that I would rather 
 have seen her consigned to the grave than married to such a 
 man as Lord Vancourt." 
 
 At the termination of this brief harangue, during which a 
 dead silence prevailed, a loud "hurrah!" again burst forth, 
 amid cries of " Shame ! shame ! " 
 
 " Now, then," Stiles vociferated, " one cheer more for Lord 
 Malcolm and the young squire, with long lives and good wives 
 to 'em both ! " and another cheer, the strongest and loudest of 
 all, echoed far and wide, making the very armour rattle in the 
 old oak hall. 
 
 " Eh ! 'pon honour ! " exclaimed Captain Markham, who was 
 pouring out some cherry brandy, " those fellows make the very 
 glasses dance on the table. Denimit, Bob, I wish you would 
 stop their brazen throats : we shall have the old building about 
 our ears like the walls of Jericho." 
 
 "Ha! ha! not bad for you, Markham," said Conyers ; 
 " but these fellows are intent on propping up, not pulling down, 
 the House of Beauchamp ; let them cheer on, and I only hope 
 
1G0 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 the sound of their sweet voices may be borne on the beeeze to 
 Marston Castle." 
 
 "Whilst the old squire and Bob Conyers were doing the 
 honours at the breakfast table to a large party of visitors, Mark, 
 with the underlings about the place, was occupied in distributing 
 strong beer and stout to the assemblage on the lawn, making 
 every man who quaffed the contents of the black jack drink to 
 the health of the young squire. 
 
 The drawing-room also was filled with ladies who had 
 driven over to see the generally large attendance when the 
 fixture was made for Bampton House, and, on this occasion, 
 many more attended from curiosity, to hear from Will Beau- 
 champ and Constance a true account of Lord Yancourt's 
 attempt on the heiress. As Beauchamp entered the room, 
 Selina Markham rushed forward to seize his hand, exclaiming, 
 " Will, Will, you are not such a sawney as I thought — and so 
 you gave my friend hooknose a good drubbing, I hear, and split 
 his beautiful beak for him 1 — this is charming news, 'pon honour ! 
 but eh ! aw ! the thief has paled your face, Will Beauchamp — 
 this is as bad as a fall over a five-barred gate, with a broken 
 lib." 
 
 "Not quite, Selina ; I shall be all right again in a few days." 
 
 "Mind you are, Master Will, as we are to have a hop next 
 week to a fiddle and flute, and I shall parade you on that night 
 as the champion of the Light Weights. Ned says you are a 
 demmed plucky young fellow, and ought to be in the Life 
 Guards." 
 
 " Much obliged for the compliment, Selina ; although in 
 time of peace, a fox-hunter's life is more exciting and perilous 
 than a soldier's." 
 
 The hounds now appeared, and were looking eagerly about, 
 in expectation of seeing their young master. "Oh, what a 
 beautiful sight," exclaimed Blanche, who was standing with 
 Mrs. Gordon and Beauchamp at one of the windows ; " what 
 handsome dogs ! " 
 
 "Would you like to have them at the window, dear 
 Blanche 1 " whispered Beauchamp. 
 
 " Oh, yes, William, pray let them come ! " 
 
 The window was raised directly, and at their master's call, 
 the whole pack rushed to his summons, jumping up, and licking 
 his hand in exuberant delight, and ready to devour him with 
 caresses. 
 
 " How these faithful hounds must love you, William ! " 
 
HOIBLE GOOD WISHES. 1G1 
 
 murmured Blanche, as she leaned out to pat their honest 
 heads. 
 
 " Yes, dear girl, there is no flattery in their professions, but 
 genuine true affection ; and now, as the gentlemen are all 
 ready, I must close the window, and you will see them walk 
 reluctantly away with the whipper-in, casting many a long and 
 lingering look behind." 
 
 The appearance of Beauchamp with Miss Douglas, patting 
 and fondling the hounds together, could not fail to attract all 
 eyes towards them ; and many and sincere were the aspirations 
 breathed by their true friends, the farmers especially, for the 
 future happiness of the pair, who appeared formed for each 
 other. 
 
 " Ah," muttered Stiles to young Hazel, as they rode away, 
 *' what a sweet-tempered, beautiful young lady Miss Blanche is, 
 and I'll warrant the squire loves her as the apple of his eye — 
 how happy they both looked ! Blessings on 'em both, say I," and 
 may they soon become man and wife." 
 
 The company had now taken their leave, as the hounds 
 disappeared from the scene, and Beauchamp remained with 
 Mrs. Gordon and Blanche, Constance having galloped off with 
 Malcolm and Conyers, promising, however, to return early 
 
 "Well, dear aunt," said Beauchamp, "your presence at our 
 home meet was quite an unexpected honour, and to me a most 
 delightful surprise." 
 
 " Why, William, to tell you the truth, I rather suspected 
 the temptation would be too great, and feared you would be 
 rash enough to join the hounds, unless myself and Blanche drove 
 over in time to prevent you ; and another reason was, that if 
 you were a good boy, and kept your promise, I would reward 
 you for your dutiful conduct, by spending the day with you ; 
 — there, William, was not that very good and considerate in 
 me?" 
 
 "Yes, dear aunt, as you ever are to one who does not 
 deserve half your kindness." 
 
 " Of that I suppose I may be the best judge, Mr. William ; 
 and now, having breakfasted very early on your account, I and 
 Blanche shall not object to another cup of tea or coffee, and a 
 slice of cold fowl, if there is such a thing left in the breakfast 
 room ; " to which they immediately repaired, but found few 
 eatables remaining, except part of a cold round of spiced beef 
 and a knuckle of ham, which had still held out against the 
 repeated attacks of the hungry fox-hunters ; all the more 
 
 K 
 
162 THE MASTER OF THE HOUXDS. 
 
 delicate viands having entirely vanished. Ringing the bell, the 
 old butler appeared, when Beauchamp inquired if there was 
 any cold fowl or game left in the house, desiring him to bring 
 in also some fresh tea for the ladies. 
 
 " I think, sir," said the old man, " we can find something 
 the ladies would like quite as well as cold fowl, if they can wait 
 a short time." Accordingly, in about twenty minutes the butler 
 reappeared, with a brace of grilled partridges, split clown the 
 back, and a few small cakes of a peculiar sausage prepared at 
 Banipton House. 
 
 "There, aunt," said Beauchamp, "is a sportsman's break- 
 fast for you and Blanche, to which I hope you will do justice." 
 
 " Really, William, it looks very inviting, and I never saw 
 game sent up to table in that fashion before." 
 
 " It is one of our old fashions, aunt, and a much quicker 
 way of dressing game or poultry than roasting, and in my 
 opinion the flavour is far superior." 
 
 The merits of the dish were tested, and approved of by 
 both the ladies, who pronounced it a decided improvement over 
 the usual mode of cooking ; and after breakfast, Mrs. Gordon 
 having left the room for a few moments, Beauchamp, taking 
 Blanche's hand," said, " I think, dear girl, after what has passed 
 between us, it is a duty I owe our true, kind friend, Aunt Gor- 
 don, to make her acquainted with our mutual love, and ask her 
 approval of my addresses (I will not now say engagement) to 
 her dearly-prized niece." 
 
 "Yes, dear William," replied Blanche, blushing, and with 
 her hand trembling in his ; "I wish no concealments from my 
 affectionate aunt, and have felt rather uncomfortable some- 
 times in her presence since we last parted, because I feared you 
 might not approve my telling her." 
 
 " Thank you, my own dear love," replied Beauchamp, rais- 
 ing her hand to his lips ; " but, dear, dear Blanche, how you 
 tremble. Love me ! oh, still love me as a brother, if you fear 
 me as a lover!" 
 
 a I do not fear you, dear William," raising her eyes timidly 
 to his, " but I have become so nervous lately, you must not 
 regard it." 
 
 Her hand was still retained in his as Mrs. Gordon returned 
 to the room, when Beauchamp turning to her, said — "Bear 
 aunt, I have been bold enough to confess my long ardent 
 attachment to dear Blanche, which only wants your approval 
 to make me the most envied as well as the most happy of men. 
 
A BLESSING INVOKED ON THE UNION. 163 
 
 Do I presume too much in hoping you will not withhold your 
 kind consent ?" 
 
 " Indeed, Mr. William ! I scarcely know what to say, as I 
 suspect this confession to Blanche has been made long ago; 
 and I think you have not treated me well — in these conceal- 
 ments from one who has always regarded you, hitherto, as her 
 own son." 
 
 "Indeed, indeed, dearest aunt, I have had no opportunity 
 of making this disclosure to you before, without writing a 
 formal proposal, which I felt rather reluctant to do ; but will 
 you forgive this little omission, as I never intended to keep 
 back anything from you, who have been to me as a second 
 mother 1 " 
 
 " Well, poor fellow ! you have suffered too much pain lately 
 for me to inflict more ; and now, dear Blanche, if you do really 
 love this wayward, worthless boy, I shall not add to your 
 nervousness either by withholding my approval of your choice, 
 — so come here, both of you;" when, joining their hands 
 together, Mrs. Gordon, in the most affectionate and impressive 
 manner, invoked a blessing on their union, and, overcome by 
 her own as well as Blanche's emotion, hastily left them together, 
 telling them they would find her in the drawing-room. In 
 half an hour they rejoined her, when Beauchamp told her, as 
 Blanche was still so young, he did not wish her to be bound by 
 any formal engagement to himself thus early, especially as she 
 was to be presented at court in the spring, and make her debut 
 in the London fashionable circles. 
 
 "That entirely depends upon Blanche's own feelings,' , 
 replied Mrs. Gordon ; " but, were I in her place, William, I 
 would not afford you even this little loop-hole for escape ; you 
 want, I suppose, sir, to have a season in town, too, and if 
 you met with a prettier girl than Blanche, intend to put her 
 aside." 
 
 " Dear, dear aunt ! " exclaimed Beauchamp, " how can you 
 utter such a libel on my constancy and devotion to her I prefer 
 above all the treasures on earth % " 
 
 " Then what do you mean, you silly boy 1 " 
 
 " I do not wish our attachment to each other to be made 
 public at present, or any engagement, on Blanche's part, to 
 exist, although I hold myself firmly and irrevocably bound to 
 her : but if, at the end of the London season, she still prefers 
 me to any other, I will then claim her hand, on the condition, 
 that her whole fortune shall be settled upon herself." 
 
 k 2 
 
1G4 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "Really, William, you are so ridiculously romantic, and 
 particular also, I shall advise Blanche to give you up altogether." 
 
 " Indeed, aunt, I only urge this from my deep love to her, 
 and the fear that she may be too hastily committed under her 
 present excited feelings." 
 
 "Well, then, you and Blanche must settle these childish 
 
 • objections between yourselves ; and when you have made up 
 
 lyour minds whether you are really in love or not, let me know. 
 
 'Tor the present I shall say nothing to any other person on the 
 
 subject, not even to Malcolm and Constance, who would only 
 
 laugh at your folly; but bear in mind, you have both my 
 
 free consent to marry when you please; and under present 
 
 circumstances, I do not consider it necessary to consult Mr. 
 
 Harcourt. There — that will do ; so now be off and take a 
 
 short walk, while I finish writing my letters ; but remember, 
 
 William must not go very far." 
 
 On their return, Mrs. Gordon asked if they had made up 
 their first quarrel. " Nearly, if not quite, dear aunt ; although 
 Blanche was very indignant at being considered either so childish 
 or so fickle as not to know her own mind ; but as she would 
 not consent either to marry or run away with me before this 
 clay week, the matter remains in abeyance. Still, on one point 
 we are agreed, that it will be more prudent to make an effort 
 to obtain Mr. Harcourt' s approbation before our engagement is 
 made known to any other person, or he might consider such 
 an act, without consulting him, a most serious and unpar- 
 donable offence." 
 
 " Well, William, I think you are quite right in that view of 
 the case ; but, until this unfortunate trial is past, any appli- 
 cation to Mr. Harcourt would be perfectly fruitless on your 
 part, and in the meantime I will endeavour to smooth the way, 
 and call at Throseby ; as it is far better for us all to keep on 
 good terms with the Harcourts, if possible." 
 
 The morning passed rapidly away to the two lovers, and 
 Blanche discarding further reserve, her usual cheerful buoyancy 
 of spirits once more gladdened the heart of William Beauchamp, 
 and her light, playful laugh rang through the old Hall, where 
 she was engaged at a game of billiards with him when Lord 
 Malcolm and Constance returned. 
 
 " Ah, my pet," exclaimed her cousin, " so this is the way 
 you have been killing time, which, of course, has passed very 
 heavily since we left you ; but I need not ask who wins V- 
 
 "And why not, Charles? " 
 
A HAPPY DINNER PARTY. 165 
 
 "Because you are as two to one against Beaucliarap, and 
 can at any time win more games with your eyes, dear girl, than 
 ever you will with your hands." 
 
 " Well, Charles, since no spell of that kind will influence 
 you, I challenge you to a game when this is finished." 
 
 " Not now, Blanche, as I must play first with my knife and 
 fork, and tell Will all about our day's sport." 
 
 " You will find luncheon on the table," said Beauchamp, 
 "and I will join you in a few minutes ; but I wish you would 
 persuade Mrs. Gordon to dine here ; the moon rises early, and 
 there is no fear of robbers." 
 
 " With all my heart," said Malcolm, as he turned into the 
 drawing-room first; when, having overcome Mrs. Gordon's 
 objections, he returned, saying he would send back his hunter 
 to the Priory, and go home in the carriage with the ladies. " Is 
 not this a delightful arrangement, Blanche ? " 
 
 " Oh, yes, Charles ; I am so happy you have prevailed on 
 aunt to stop and dine here." 
 
 " Well, then, after I have had some luncheon I will accept 
 your challenge at the billiard table, and leave the fox-hunting 
 tale for Bob Conyers to relate over his wine." 
 
 Being rather disgusted with Charley's performances as 
 huntsman, that individual returned with the old squire about 
 five o'clock, and at half-past six this sociable, happy little party 
 sat down to their dinner, which was discussed with great gusto 
 and high glee ; the old squire keeping his guests alive with 
 merriment and good humour. 
 
 "Well, Blanche," said he, "it makes my old heart glad to 
 see your sweet, cheerful smile once more, and the colour again 
 in your cheeks. Poor child ! you had a narrow escape, and 
 Will too ; but there, I see it is a sore subject still, so we will 
 say no more about it — but have a glass of wine together instead. 
 Fill her a bumper, Will, and here" — raising his own glass— "is 
 long life and happiness to you, my dear girl, and confusion to all 
 your enemies ;" and the contents instantly disappeared. "Come, 
 Blanche," observing her sipping her wine, " don't make two 
 bites at a cherry — off with it, child — a bottle of this sort would 
 do you no harm. Don't look at Aunt Gordon : you are not 
 under petticoat government here ; and now, Malcolm, fill your 
 aunt's glass, as her turn comes next." 
 
 " It's no use trying to refuse," said Malcolm, as she with- 
 drew her glass ; " the governor will have his own way at 
 ■Banipton." 
 
1GG THE MASTER OF THE HOUXDS. 
 
 " Oh, I see," said the squire ; " Mrs. Gordon likes some- 
 thing lighter ; champagne or burgundy— which shall it be ? " 
 
 " Neither for me, Mr. Beauchamp, as I have taken enough 
 already." 
 
 " Pooh ! pooh ! you shall taste both. Thomas, a bottle of 
 champagne and one of burgundy ; and mind the cork is sound." 
 
 " Yes, sir," as the old butler toddled out of the room. 
 
 "That's right, squire!" exclaimed Cony ers ; "ladies never 
 refuse champagne, and I am just in the humour for a glass or 
 two myself." 
 
 " lleally, Mr. Cony ers, you seem to have joined in a conspiracy 
 to make us all tipsy to-night," replied Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " Oh, no, my dear madam ; we only wish to make your eyes 
 and dear Blanche's sparkle a little more brilliantly." 
 
 " Now, Mrs. Gordon," said Mr. Beauchamp, as Thomas 
 appeared with two long-necked bottles, " which first — champagne 
 or burgundy 1 " 
 
 "Champagne, if I must take any;" and immediately a 
 tall glass sparkled by the side of each lady, which in courtesy 
 could not be refused. 
 
 " We shall do now," said the old squire, " and the ladies 
 shall not be obliged by me to take any more than one glass of 
 burgundy after dinner." 
 
 When the ladies were rising from the table, Mrs. Gordon 
 said, " Malcolm, you must not be late to-night, as I have once 
 or twice observed, in our drives, a tall, stout man on horseback 
 loitering behind the carriage, which makes me feel rather 
 nervous." A quiet smile passed over William Beauchamp's 
 features as she said this, which Blanche noticing, asked in a 
 low tone if he knew who this person was. 
 
 " Yes, my dear girl," as he rose to open the door, and stood 
 with her for a moment outside ; " you need not feel alarmed. 
 It is Mark Bosier, who is your guard day and night wherever 
 you go." 
 
 " Oh, dear William," she said, putting her hand in his, 
 " how kind and considerate thus to watch over me." 
 
 " Mark is only my substitute whilst I am disabled, and 
 when able I shall guard you myself." 
 
 " No, dear William ; that you must not do. I never can 
 repay you for all your anxiety and trouble about me." 
 
 " You can guess the reward, dear girl, which will more than 
 repay me." 
 
 " I am all your own, now, William," she said, blushing, u and 
 
MUTUAL AFFECTION. 167 
 
 therefore I suppose you will claim it, whether I like to give it 
 or not. And he folded her in his arms, saying, "My own 
 dearest treasure ! how undeserving am I of such a blessing as 
 your love ! " 
 
 "Dear William, you deserve more than I can give; but 
 now let me go." 
 
 " Tell Aunt Gordon and Constance, then, if you like, about 
 Mark Hosier, but no one else." 
 
 As she tripped after her friends into the drawing-room, 
 Mrs. Gordon asked the cause of her detention by Beauchamp, 
 which was explained by Blanche telling her the name of the 
 dark man who had been noticed following the carriage. 
 
 " Just like my dear brother," exclaimed Constance ; " ever 
 too anxious about those he loves. Ah, Blanche, you will have 
 a sad time of it when you are married; he will never let you 
 out of his sight except on hunting days, when you may have 
 the opportunity of a little quiet flirtation with others, but rest 
 assured he will never let you go alone to any dinner-party or 
 ball ; in fact, my dear girl, my only fear is that you may have 
 too much of his agreeable company." 
 
 " Of that / have no fear, dear Constance, for I could not bo 
 happy anywhere without him." 
 
 " Well, dear, I have hitherto refrained from saying much in 
 William's favour, lest you might think me an interested person, 
 and endeavouring to prejudice you ; but now you have acted 
 from the impulse of your own heart in accepting and returning 
 his love, I may tell you that I do not believe it possible you 
 could have selected one who would make you so thoroughly 
 happy as my own dear brother." 
 
 " In which I perfectly agree," added Mrs. Gordon ; " but 
 William is so romantic, Constance, as to insist on Blanche 
 having the pick of the London fashionables before she is finally 
 engaged to him. What would you say to Malcolm's making a 
 similar proposal to you 1 " 
 
 " That I should not feel very much flattered by such a want 
 of confidence in my affection ; but William, I am quite certain, 
 can have only one motive ; and as Blanche has seen so little 
 of the world, I rather think he is pursuing the most honourable 
 course, and exhibiting a denial which very few men, if any, 
 would practise under similar circumstances, knowing that the 
 issue of this trial must be life or death to his hopes of happi- 
 ness." 
 
 "Dear Constance," said Blanche, throwing her arms round 
 
1G8 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 her neck, " I am quite vexed, and almost angry, with William 
 for entertaining such doubts of my constancy, and have told 
 him I never will agree to such humiliating terms. I am his 
 now and for ever, and your own dear sister, my beloved Con- 
 stance." 
 
 And thus we will leave these two affectionate girls enjoying 
 their rapturous feelings of delight in the contemplation of that 
 nearer tie, which would soon bind them closer than ever to each 
 other. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 We must now look into the dining-room, where Conyers was 
 relating the events of the day. 
 
 "We have had," said Bob, "very unsatisfactory work. 
 Found, of course, in Parkwood, directly, and went away fast 
 for about twenty minutes, when the hounds, coming to a check 
 in a large field stained by a flock of sheep, Charley seized upon 
 them instantly, and thought to make a display of his genius by 
 making a forward cast, taking it for granted the fox had gone 
 straight to the Holt; but the fox, having changed his mind 
 and turned away short to the left for the furze hills, our run 
 was spoilt. Found again in the furze hills, a thorough good 
 traveller, who went straight through the Holt, and then faced 
 the open for Barton Court coverts, which he skirted, and held 
 on his course over the downs to Staunton village, where we were 
 at fault for the first time among some small enclosures. For 
 fifty minutes the pace had been first-rate, few being able to live 
 with the hounds ; and from a shepherd we heard the fox was 
 not half a mile before us, and no doubt lay down somewhere ; 
 but Charley, all eagerness, would not give them time, and again 
 made a forward cast through the village towards Staunton 
 Wood, still persisting (notwithstanding my remonstrances) in 
 holding the hounds a good mile in that direction. Whilst occu- 
 pied in this wild-goose chase, our hunted fox was viewed away 
 from a ditch, where the hounds first threw up, and met by 
 several of the heavy brigade in his way back to Barton Woods. 
 Halloaing and screaming were now the order of the day, in 
 which Charley took the lead, rattling, with the hounds full 
 gallop, back through the village ; but the fox had made good 
 his retreat, and we soon had two or three fresh ones on foot, 
 
A BAD HUNTSMAN. 169 
 
 when we reached Barton Court, where I left Mr. Charley 
 thoroughly disgusted. 'Holloa!' here; ' tally ho!' there; 
 hounds' heads up, looking about, and wondering what it all 
 meant; in short, Will, your old friend Stiles remarked, 'It 
 will not do, Mr. Conyers — the pack will be ruined, if the young 
 squire don't take them in hand again, and that pretty soon.' 
 The fact is, Charley is too much in a hurry, and tries to kill his 
 fox before he is half beaten ; and, like many other young hunts- 
 men, depends more upon his own assumed knowledge than the 
 hounds' noses." 
 
 "You must remember," said Beauchamp, "it is his first day, 
 and he will improve." 
 
 " I don't think it, Will ; his ideas are all wrong at present, 
 and he will certainly spoil the hounds by trying to ride away 
 from the field, which appears to be his chief consideration. 
 The more haste the less speed ; and a thorough good huntsman, 
 however quick, ought never to be in a hurry. It is the same 
 with hounds — a fast and a quick hound are very distinct animals; 
 and a harey storey fellow, who, as Beckford says, would ride 
 over a church if it came in his way, is generally the reverse of 
 quick." 
 
 " Well, Bob, I hope to be in the saddle again the beginning 
 of next week ; and now, as I know Mrs. Gordon will be in a 
 fidget about leaving, we must cut short our discussion about 
 the merits of hounds and huntsmen — what say you, Malcolm V* 
 
 " Always as ready to attend the ladies, my dear fellow, as 
 yourself; so come along." 
 
 "Well, aunt," said he, as they entered the drawing-room, 
 " don't you think me a very good, obedient nephew, to break up 
 our after-dinner sitting so early ? " 
 
 " Yes, Charles, you have behaved very well indeed to-night." 
 
 " Ah ! very little merit is due to me, for Will Beauchamp, 
 being restricted from wine, hurried us off before our second 
 bottle was finished, for which Conyers and myself voted him a 
 confounded bore, and a very selfish fellow to boot ; so now, to 
 be revenged, I shall make Constance and Blanche sing till 
 midnight." 
 
 " Indeed, Charles, you will do no such thing ; I shall order 
 the carriage in half an hour, as, after what has happened, I 
 feel very nervous in being out late ; but if Mr. Beauchamp and 
 William will dine with us on Monday next, by which time I 
 hope he will be nearly recovered, you shall sit up till two in the 
 morning, if you like." 
 
170 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Agreed, aunt ; we will have a regular night of it at the 
 Priory on Monday, won't we, Bob 1 " 
 
 " Ay, ay, Malcolm ; and raise such a din as to astonish the 
 quiet inmates of that most respectable establishment." 
 
 The next morning, Mrs. Gordon, with Blanche, called on the 
 Harcourts, by whom they were received much more graciously 
 than they expected, with many professions of regret for the 
 untoward event which had occurred ; but to their proposal of 
 Blanche returning again to Throseby, Mrs. Gordon decidedly 
 objected "Boor girl!" she said; "she has not yet recovered 
 the shock of that night, and never moves out in the carriage, 
 or on foot, without a guard to protect her from further 
 outrage." 
 
 " Surely there can be necessity for such supervision," replied 
 Mrs. Harcourt, " as it is reported Lord Yancourt was seriously 
 wounded, and therefore must be unable to renew the attempt, 
 even were he so disposed, which I think highly improbable." 
 
 " We have very good authority for believing Lord Mervyn 
 was equally concerned in the plot," replied Mrs. Gordon ; "and 
 it is not improbable that other agents may be employed to carry 
 out the designs of these honourable noblemen, who are a disgrace 
 to the peerage." 
 
 " I have been assured by Lord Mervyn," said Mrs. Harcourt, 
 "to whom I wrote for an explanation, that his men were 
 employed by Lord Yancourt without his knowledge." 
 
 " Which we can prove," retorted Mrs. Gordon, " is a great 
 falsehood ; as my Lord Mervyn was himself the originator and 
 concocter of this disgraceful scheme, and Lord Yancourt a too 
 willing tool in his hands ; that's what we know, Mr, Harcourt, 
 and are prepared to prove at the trial ; and it is infamous that 
 a married man like Lord Mervyn, with children, should have 
 entered into such a vile conspiracy to ruin a poor defenceless 
 girl. We know all about it, Mr. Harcourt, and that this Lord 
 Yancourt was invited down to the Castle for the express pur- 
 pose of carrying off your ward, and that Lord Mervyn knew 
 him to be a poor, good-for-nothing, fortune-hunting rake about 
 town. The whole thing was planned by Lord Mervyn and Mr. 
 Harley (whom you will remember meeting at the Castle, and 
 who was purposely instructed to laud this Lord Yancourt, and 
 represent him as a person of high character and large fortune) ; 
 these two, with that worthy person, Bichard Y ernon, arranged 
 the whole proceedings ; and as all this will come out upon the 
 trial, Mr. Harcourt — if you have any regard for your own posi- 
 
A LARGE PARTY. 171 
 
 tion in the county, my advice to you is, to avoid further intimacy 
 with the contemptible owner of Marston Castle." 
 
 "Indeed, Mrs. Gordon, I am perfectly astonished at your 
 account of this matter, but still think you must be in error as 
 to Lord Mervyn having so grossly committed himself." 
 
 " You are in error, Mr. Harcourt, / am not," replied Mrs. 
 Gorclou, as she rose to take her leave ; " but I hope we shall 
 see you on Monday at the Priory, where I have asked a few 
 friends in the evening/' 
 
 The invitation being accepted, was considered as the outward 
 adjustment of any personal differences between the two aunts, 
 although their inward feelings remained in static quo. In direct 
 refutation of the scandalous reports spread by Lord Mervyn and 
 his partisans, Mrs. Gordon determined, therefore, on giving as 
 large a party as her house could contain, with a dance after- 
 wards, as a testimony of rejoicing for Blanche's happy escape ; 
 and the invitations to her neighbours, Lady Markham, Mrs. 
 Eolleston, Mrs. Compton, and others, were expressive of her 
 feelings on this point. The Beauchamps, with Conyers, were 
 her only guests at the dinner-table ; but a splendid supper was 
 provided for the other company, who began to arrive about 
 half-past nine, Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt being almost the first to 
 make their appearance, and constrained, therefore, to listen to 
 the felicitations offered to Mrs. Gordon and her niece. 
 
 " Ah, my dear girl ! " said Selina Markham, kissing Blanche, 
 " so this is an ovation for your escape from Hooknose, Mervyn, 
 and Co. ? " 
 
 "Hush, Selina!" 
 
 " I shall not be hushed, poor child, from expressing my con- 
 gratulations, and only regret Mark did not send a ball through 
 that coachman's leg, to prevent his running away. But how 
 fares our champion, Will Beauchamp 1 I intend heading a 
 subscription to present him with a piece of plate, in token of 
 his gallant conduct in defending the ' rights of women to choose 
 their own husbands.' What will you give, Blanche 1 or" — 
 (sinking her voice to a whisper) — " do you propose rewarding 
 him in another way V 
 
 " Oh, nonsense, Selina; how foolish you talk to-night !" 
 
 " I should not call it foolish, child, to reward my preserver 
 with something more substantial than gold and silver, and I 
 rather suspect, from those tell-tale eyes, Blanche Douglas is of 
 the same opinion ; but as the subj ect appears so disagreeable, let 
 us talk of something else — this grand hunt ball, which is now 
 
172 THE MASTER OF THE HOUXDS. 
 
 fixed to take place on the fourteenth of next month, St. Valen- 
 tine's day. That is to be a splendid affair, as all are requested 
 to appear in characters or fancy dresses. What is yours to be, 
 Blanche?" 
 
 " I really have not thought much about it yet, Selina : but 
 here comes your brother." 
 
 " Eh — Miss Douglas — glad to see you looking so bewitching 
 to-night. Ton honour, roses all returned — frightened enough, 
 I dare say, at first ; demmed disagreeable affair — lucky it's no 
 worse — journey to Scotland no joke at this time of year — nolens 
 volens, and all that sort of thing. But Dick did the thing 
 cleverly — all volens in his case. Demmit ! how old Mervyn 
 stormed and t'aved ! — cracked, they say, ever since. Lost five 
 hundred pounds as well as his daughter — served the old villain 
 right — regularly floored — wish he'd been shot instead of Will 
 Beauchamp. Poor fellow ! looks very white about the gills 
 still." 
 
 " There, Ned, that will do," said his sister ; " we have heard 
 enough of that story." 
 
 " Then, Miss Douglas, may I have the honour — first quad- 
 Yille, or second, eh ?" 
 
 "Neither," replied Blanche, laughing, "but the fourth, if 
 you particularly desire it." 
 
 " Thank you, Miss Douglas, feel greatly honoured, and all 
 that sort of thing ;" with which the captain walked off. 
 
 " Ned is not such a very bad sort of fellow, after all," re- 
 marked Selina, " although, I must confess, an egregious fool in 
 some respects ; but he knows what is due to our sex, and has 
 very honourable, upright feelings, and, I believe, nothing would 
 induce him to do a mean or cowardly action." 
 
 " I assure you, Selina, I entertain the same opinion of your 
 brother, and am always glad to dance with him when I can, 
 as he is ever most gentlemanly and kind in his manner, and the 
 very reverse of Richard Vernon." 
 
 " Well, there is one comfort, Blanche, we shall never be 
 troubled with that cur again ; but what a fate for that poor 
 girl, to be linked for life to such a man ! What fools girls are 
 to be taken by handsome-looking men, who have no other re- 
 commendation ; I had rather marry the ugliest man, with a 
 good heart and disposition, than the veriest Adonis without 
 these qualities; and it is far better to learn to love a plain man 
 for his virtues, than to be obliged to dislike a handsome one for 
 his vices, after marriage ; but a truce to our moralising, as the 
 
AN ENEMY IN THE CAMP. 173 
 
 fiddles are tuning, and, I suppose, Will Beaucliamp, having 
 dined here, has engaged you for the first dance ;" which comin^ 
 to claim, Beauchamp approached and asked Selina for the second. 
 
 " I scarcely know whether I shall honour you or not, for, as 
 Ned says, you still look very seedy and white about the gills, 
 and I don't consider hopping and jumping about likely to im- 
 prove your health." 
 
 " Sauntering quietly through the figure will do me no harm, 
 3elina." 
 
 " Well, then, I will take you under my sage care, Mr. Will, 
 to prevent your falling into worse hands." 
 
 On accepting Beauchamp's arm, Blanche said, anxiously, " I 
 fear you are acting very imprudently in dancing to-night, 
 William?" 
 
 " No, dear Blanche ; a little exercise will do me good now ;. 
 but I shall not exceed two or three dances, and then sit down 
 to criticise the performance of others, and make all kinds of 
 ill-natured speeches, as some people will of me to-night." 
 
 "What do you mean, dear William?" 
 
 " The Throseby Hall lady looks daggers at me, and I verily 
 believe, in her heart, would rather have seen you in the power 
 of that villain and made wretched for life, than witness your 
 happiness with those you love." 
 
 "Indeed, William, I hope not, and trust you are mistaken." 
 
 " I am not singular, dear girl, as Bob Conyers also thinks 
 she hates me, cordially, for my interference ; but notwithstand- 
 ing her forbidding looks, she shall receive no incivility from me 
 on your account, although I hope never to see you under her 
 control again." 
 
 " Indeed, William, I am so happy with dear Aunt Gordon, 
 that I never wish to leave the Priory, where I feel quite at 
 home, which I never did at Throseby." 
 
 Blanche's beaming looks and light, happy spirits, when dancing 
 with Beauchanip, would have satisfied any but the most deter- 
 mined sceptic that Lord Vancourt was not the object of her 
 choice ; and the anxious, thoughtful glance sometimes directed 
 to his face, did not escape the observation of some, who could 
 read the language of love. Captain Melville was one of that 
 number, who, turning to Conyers, said, " My surmises are now 
 confirmed, Bob ; Beauchamp has won the prize, and barring 
 myself of course, there is no man I know more deserving, and 
 whom I would rather see the husband of that sweet girl." 
 
 " You are jumping to conclusions in too great a hurry," re- 
 
17 4c THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 plied Bob. " She must naturally feel very graceful to Beau- 
 champ for risking his life in her defence ; but that impression 
 may be rubbed off by a season in town." 
 
 " I think not, Conyers ; but, at any rate, I hold my deter- 
 mination of exposing that fellow, Yancourt, and will certainly 
 prevail upon the Italian to give her evidence, if possible. She 
 is passionate and revengeful, as women of her country gene- 
 rally are; and I verily believe, from what she told me, that, had 
 Yancourt succeeded in carrying off and marrying Miss Douglas, 
 she would have followed and stabbed him to the heart." 
 
 Under the presidency of Lord Malcolm, who officiated as 
 master of the ceremonies, Mrs. Gordon's party passed off most 
 pleasantly, being pronounced by the younger portion of the 
 company the most agreeable and enjoyable reunion of the season. 
 All the arrangements were good, the persons invited (with few 
 exceptions) being well known and on good terms with each 
 other. The little band of music was the best that could be 
 procured ; and the refreshments abundant, and of the best de- 
 scription. At the supper-table champagne circulated most 
 freely, Malcolm and Conyers acting as toast-masters, at dif- 
 ferent tables, having resolved that Aunt Gordon's guests should 
 have good cause to remember the Priory ball, and her on whose 
 account it had been given. 
 
 Sir Lionel Markliam and the old squire kept the game up 
 some time after the ladies quitted the supper-table, with their 
 good-humoured and witty remarks. " Now, gentlemen," said 
 Somerville Coventry, rising, " with Lord Malcolm's leave, I will 
 propose two toasts, to which, I believe, all here assembled will 
 heartily respond : ' Health and hapjnness to our kind hostess, 
 Mrs. Gordon and her fair niece, Miss Douglas, and confusion to 
 the scoundrel who attempted her abduction,'" which was rap- 
 turously received, all rising and cheering. W hen this had sub- 
 sided, Coventry again rose, observing, " The next toast I have 
 to propose is, ' Fox-hunting, with which I must couple the 
 names of our present high-spirited young master, Will Beau- 
 champ, and his worthy father the old squire.' " 
 
 " That's your sort," vociferated Sir Lucius Gwynne, "trumps, 
 both ; fill your glasses, gentlemen, no heel-taps — but bumpers 
 fair — ' The Beauchamps and fox-hunting ' " — and a hearty, hip ! 
 hip ! hurrah ! followed, which echoed through every room in 
 the house. " Well done, my friends," shouted Gwynne; " F lor eat 
 scienticij, esto r perpetua" 
 
 William Beauchamp returned thanks in a short, unpretending 
 
THE FUGITIVES. 175 
 
 speech ; thanking Coventry and Sir Lucius for the high com- 
 pliment paid to his father and himself, and expressing his hopes 
 that "they might always deserve the good opinion of their 
 brother fox-hunters, as well as the gentlemen of the county who 
 did not participate in their sport." This speech was much ap- 
 plauded, and soon after the gentlemen returned to the ball- 
 room ; Mr. Harcourt beginning to entertain a more favourable 
 opinion of Beauchamp, from the evident cordiality with which 
 his name was received by so large and respectable a company. 
 
 Blanche was sitting with Mrs. Harcourt and her Aunt Gor- 
 don, when Captain Markham approaching them, the former 
 inquired the meaning of the shouting at the supper-table, which 
 had almost deafened her. 
 
 " Eh ! aw ! yeeas ! rather uproarious ! bad taste, I dare say. 
 Drank Will Beauchamp's health and fox-hunting — couldn't stop 
 the fellows — would have it — hip ! hip ! and all that sort of 
 thing. Gwynne said, he was a demmed pluck} 7- , high-spirited 
 young fellow, after that little affair of yours, Miss Douglas, on 
 the common ; — everybody agreed with him — three cheers 
 more, — but didn't forget the ladies — Mrs. Gordon's health drank 
 vociferously. Now, Miss Douglas, — believe I have the honour 
 — next quadrille." "With which the Captain walked off with 
 the heiress. 
 
 The ball was kept up until three o'clock in the morning, when 
 the company dispersed ; Sir Lucius declaring, in fox-hunting 
 parlance, " that Mrs. Gordon's party was the nm of the season." 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 We must now devote a little space to the fugitives. Lord Van- 
 court and Vernon. The former dreading pursuit from the 
 determined resolution of Beauchamp (of whose prowess and 
 courage, from Vernon's sneers, he had formed rather an 
 erroneous opinion, until brought into contact with him), sped 
 on his journey without stopping until he reached London, 
 putting up at an hotel in a retired part of the city, from which 
 he removed the next day, to a lodging near the Regent's Park, 
 which his valet engaged for his master under the assumed name 
 of Captain Hammond, where he remained until his fractures were 
 sufficiently reduced to enable him to start for the Continent. 
 
176 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Vernon, after the ceremony liacl been performed by the 
 blacksmith, which, according to the laws of Scotland, riveted 
 him to Miss Mervyn, thought it advisable to visit Paris, until 
 Lord Mervyn' s anger had cooled down a little. He was loung- 
 ing one day down the Boulevards, when he met Lord Van- 
 court, and accosted him as usual, who, drawing haughtily up, 
 and refusing his proffered hand, said, "After the dishonour- 
 able trick you have served me, Mr. Vernon, I must beg to 
 decline your further acquaintance." 
 
 " Pray explain yourself, my lord," replied Vernon, " as / 
 am the person aggrieved, and your conduct to me in refusing 
 to fulfil your engagement and pledged word of honour, at 
 Marston Castle, is a much more dishonourable transaction than 
 any I can have committed against your lordship." 
 
 " My meaning, sir, is very plain ; by forestalling the horses 
 I had ordered, and assuming the same name I had taken, you 
 would have left me at the mercy of my pursuers." 
 
 "As you would have left me, my lord, by not paying down 
 the sum you promised, and on which I fully depended, to 
 prosecute my journey to Scotland, and which, but for unex- 
 pected assistance, I had been unable to accomplish ; but as I 
 am informed a searching investigation is to be made into your 
 lordship's attempted abduction of Miss Douglas, which has 
 assumed a most serious character, from your violence in shoot- 
 ing Mr. Beauchamp, any little light I may be able to throw on 
 the subject will, I doubt not, be well received by your oppo- 
 nents, who, by the account transmitted to me, appear deter- 
 mined to prosecute your lordship to the utmost extremity." 
 
 " And could you, Mi*. Vernon, calling yourself a gentleman, 
 be guilty of such a mean, contemptible action as to turn 
 evidence against me and your own father-in-law? — there is 
 more honour among thieves, sir." 
 
 "Very possibly, my lord, as thieves generally share the 
 booty obtained by their joint dexterity — equally. Your lord- 
 ship has failed to practise even their honesty, by keeping back 
 my share of the money you obtained from Lord Mervyn." 
 
 "Oh, very well, Mr. Vernon ; I will endeavour then, as 
 speedily as possible to discharge my obligations to you." 
 
 " The sooner the more acceptable, my lord, as my finances 
 are in a very low state just now, and my purse requires 
 replenishing ; perhaps your lordship will be good enough to 
 favour me with your present residence, and name what day I 
 may call for an arrangement of this little affair." 
 
MEDITATED REVENGE. 177 
 
 "My address is No. — , Rue St. Honore," giving him his 
 card ; " and if you call upon me there, at twelve o'clock this 
 day week, we will endeavour to settle our differences, Mr. 
 'Vernon : " with which Lord Vancourt pursued his walk, medi- 
 tating revenge for his late friend's insolence. 
 
 Vernon was equally bent on selling Lord Vancourt to the 
 best advantage, unless he fulfilled his contract with him, as 
 from his inability to grasp his unfortunate wife's money so 
 readily as anticipated, he was obliged to resort to his usual 
 method of bringing "grist to his mill," by aid of the dice box 
 and cards. Lord Vancourt, after leaving Vernon, met an old 
 acquaintance in the person of Major Stowell, who had just 
 arrived in Paris, from London. "Ah, Vancourt," exclaimed 
 the Major, "it is yourself, I suppose, although your face is 
 confoundedly altered somehow." 
 
 " Got a smash on the nose, old fellow, from being thrown 
 out of my cab three weeks ago." 
 
 " Won't do, Vancourt ; we read and heard all about your 
 failure with the heiress at the club — long account of it in the 
 Times — I thought it a devilish plucky thing, and sorry you 
 did not succeed. Ten thousand a-year was worth trying hard 
 for — but how was it ? we saw two different versions of the 
 affair, one that the lady was willing — the other quite the 
 reverse." 
 
 " The truth lies between the two, I believe," replied Lord 
 Vancourt — " she would, and she would not ; in fact, I was too 
 much in a hurry, and that villain, Richard Vernon, I believe, 
 sold me at last by putting her friends up to my moves, so that 
 just as I was getting her into my own carriage, a lot of fellows 
 bore down upon us — shot me through the arm, and have 
 nearly, if not quite, killed one of my assistants." 
 
 "Devilish awkward business, Vancourt, and I hear Lord 
 Malcolm swears he will transport you, if he can, for this 
 attempt on his cousin." 
 
 " That he can't do, Stowell, as I have her guardian's letter, 
 accepting my proposals for his ward, and wishing me success in 
 my addresses." 
 
 " Well, that's something in your favour, Vancourt ; but 
 depend upon it, it is a serious matter ; and if you will take my 
 advice, don't show your face in England until the trial is 
 over." 
 
 " The man I dread most of all," replied Lord Vancourt, " is 
 Richard Vernon, who was staying with me at Marston Castle, 
 
 L 
 
178 THE MASTER OF THE H0U3DS. 
 
 and helped to plan the whole thing from beginning to end ; 
 and he declares, unless I pay him two hundred and fifty- 
 pounds as hush-money, on this clay week, he will give Lord 
 Malcolm a full account of the plot." 
 
 " Why, I met Vernon two nights ago at a gambling-house, 
 here in Paris, when he won a large sum of money of Count 
 
 B , who swore there was foul play on Vernon's part, 
 
 although unable to detect how ; but he is determined to watch 
 him narrowly for the future, and if detected in any tricks, I 
 would not give much for Vernon's life-interest in fifty thousand 
 pounds, the Count being a dead shot. But you had better 
 find the money, Vancourt, and pay Vernon at once, or the 
 consequences will be serious." 
 
 " It is out of my power to make up the sum in so short a 
 time, unless luck favours me at the gaming-table. So what say 
 you to meeting me to-night 1 and perhaps you will not object 
 to introduce me to Count B ? " 
 
 " Oh, most willingly Vancourt. So now, an revoir, as I have 
 a call or two to make." 
 
 A thought had suggested itself to Lord Vancourt, that, by 
 an introduction to the Count, he might put him up to Vernon's 
 tricks with dice and cards ; and, when detected, a duel would 
 be the inevitable result, in which he hoped to get quit of 
 Vernou's importunities and threats together; believing, from 
 Sto well's account of the Count's character, that nothing would 
 satisfy him short of the death of the man who had already 
 robbed him of so large a sum of money. 
 
 Punctual to his appointment, Major Sto well met Lord 
 Vancourt at the gambling-house, where he soon had the- 
 
 opportunity of introducing Count B , who was much 
 
 pleased with his lordship's manner and address ; and, as both 
 had travelled a great deal, they were soon engaged in earnest con- 
 versation, and from that night became intimate friends. Ver- 
 non was there also; but, suspecting Lord Vancourt, he lost 
 instead of winning, his usual run of luck appearing to have 
 deserted him. Lord Vancourt also lost rather a considerable 
 sum to the Count, which being immediately paid, put him 
 in good humour with his new acquaintance. 
 
 The next day, Count B called on Lord Vancourt, who, 
 
 after a few common-place observations, alluded to his want of 
 success the previous night. 
 
 "All! Bailor," said the Count, who spoke English very im- 
 perfectly, "you lose to me, but your contreman, Monsieur 
 
A GAMBLING TRICK DETECTED. 179 
 
 Vernon, play cle very devil wid me de other night. Such luck 
 I never see — he win every game, and clear my pocket so " — 
 showing its empty inside. 
 
 "Most likely, Count. He is what we call a sharp, keen 
 hand, and up to a trick or two." 
 
 " So I tink too, milor ; but I could not see how de trick 
 was done, which I would give a tousand francs to know." 
 
 " Well, Count, I do not want your money ; and, as I con- 
 sider such tricks downright robbery, I will put you up to them, 
 provided you give me your word of honour never to m.ention 
 my name." 
 
 "My goot Lord, I would not mention your name for de 
 million francs." 
 
 Lord Vancourt then told him his suspicions that Vernon 
 carried loaded dice in his sleeve, which, by a sleight of hand,, 
 were substituted for those on the board ; and these, if marked 
 before they began playing, would, of course, prove the fact." 
 
 "Ah ! milor, I am so much oblige for de hint." 
 
 And he soon after took his leave. 
 
 Lord Vancourt, having put things in a train for the destruc- 
 tion, as he hoped, of his former ally, absented himself from the 
 gaming-table, lest he might act as a counterpoise to the exposure, 
 well knowing Vernon's suspicious and subtle disposition. 
 
 And a few nights after, being now sorely pressed for cash, 
 
 Vernon, in playing with a friend of Count B 's, again had 
 
 recourse to his tricks, and was winning largely, when Count 
 
 B entered the room. Hearing his friend's exclamations of 
 
 surprise at Vernon's continual success, the Count watched him 
 very intently; and discovering an unusual motion sometimes in 
 his right hand before shaking the dice-box, he walked quickly 
 round the table • and seizing Vernon's arm, suddenly tore up 
 his sleeve, when four dice, instead of two, appeared on the board. 
 In a moment, all gathered round the detected man ; the Count, 
 livid with passion, abusing him in broken English and German, 
 swearing he would have instant satisfaction for the loss of his 
 money. 
 
 Vernon was so thunderstruck at the sudden discovery of 
 his villany, that he sat as one entranced for a moment, until 
 roused by the insults and abuses poured upon his head, when &© 
 rose, and confronting the Count, accepted his challenge, and 
 offered to fight any other man in the room who might feel 
 himself aggrieved. 
 
 " Von at a time, sar," replied the Count. " I have de first 
 
 l 2 
 
180 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 claim on Monsieur Vernon ; and I tink it vara likely lie find 
 me von too much j for I will Lave his life, or lie must have 
 mine, before we leave dis house." 
 
 The owner of the rooms now interfered, declaring no duel 
 should take place there ; an arrangement was therefore made 
 for the hostile meeting in the Bois de Boulogne on the following 
 morning, at an early hour : a young Irishman, named Fitzgerald, 
 who was slightly known to Vernon, volunteering to act as his 
 second. He made the necessary preparations of pistols, and 
 engaged a friend of his own, a native of the Emerald Isle also, 
 then practising as a surgeon in Paris, to attend, in case of 
 accident to his principal. 
 
 About eight o'clock the next morning, which was dull and 
 gloomy as the thoughts of Vernon, who, from his antagonist's 
 hatred and well-known skill, dreaded a fatal issue to the combat, 
 a carriage, containing himself, the surgeon, and Mr. Fitzgerald, 
 drove rapidly up to the appointed place. The Count was on 
 the ground before them, impatient to take vengeance on his 
 adversary • but Fitzgerald, although, like the generality of his 
 countrymen, as ready for a fray as a feast, knowing the Count's 
 deadly aim, felt it incumbent on him to make some show 
 at least of attenuating to save the effusion of blood or loss 
 of life ; and, accordingly, asked the Count's second if a 
 reconciliation could be effected. The offer was received with 
 derision, which roused the Irishman's choler in an instant, who 
 replied — 
 
 "I should ask that for another, sir, which I would not 
 accept for myself; and I wish all here to remember that my 
 overtures for a settlement have been rejected." 
 
 " Place your man, sir," was the reply. " We mean fighting, 
 not talking." 
 
 Without another word, the ground being measured, the 
 pistols were delivered by their seconds into the hands of the 
 Count and Vernon, who stood fiercely surveying each other, 
 the face of the latter being pale as death ; but, knowing his life 
 depended on a steady hand, by a violent effort he stifled every 
 other thought, and awaited the signal. The intense, agonising 
 suspense of such a moment, to a thinking mind, who can 
 describe ? Men rush into battle, facing death in every shape, 
 even to the cannon's mouth ; balls whistle round their heads, 
 comrades fall beside them, wounded, disfigured, dying, dead ; 
 hand to hand, with flashing, bloody sword, the strife continues 
 — no thought of fear or flinching for a moment crosses the 
 
A DUEL, AND ITS RESULTS. 181 
 
 soldier's mind — excited, maddened, lie still presses on over 
 heaps of slain. These men are fighting the battles of their 
 country, not their own. They have no private vengeance 
 to gratify, no private wrongs to redress, no fine-spun ideas 
 of honour to maintain; but their war-cry is, "Pro aris et 
 focis" for our altars and our homes. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 The signal was given ; both pistols were discharged simul- 
 taneously, making almost one report ; and, as the smoke cleared 
 away, Vernon was seen lying on the ground, shot through the 
 body ; and the Count staggered back into his second's arms, his 
 opponent's ball having passed through his right shoulder, shat- 
 tering the bone into splinters. In a moment, the surgeon, with 
 Fitzgerald, was kneeling by Vernon's side ; the former tearing 
 open his waistcoat, whilst Fitzgerald supported his sinking head 
 upon his knees. 
 
 "It's all over with him, Pat," exclaimed the doctor; "the 
 bullet has passed through his lungs, I fear ; but stay ! " feeling 
 his pulse, " he lives still ! quick with the bottle ; pour a little 
 down his throat, if you can, whilst I stanch the blood." A 
 faint sigh escaped the wounded man. "Ah!" cried the surgeon, 
 " he revives ! give him a little more of the liquid. By the 
 powers ! he's coming round ; but, poor devil, with that air-hole 
 through his body, recovery, I fear, is hopeless." 
 
 The Count's friend, seeing what was taking place, hurried 
 him from the ground, believing Vernon to be mortally wounded, 
 if not already dying ; but from the pain and the resuscitating 
 remedies used, the sufferer gradually recovered his consciousness, 
 and begged, in a faint voice, to be carried home. His next 
 inquiry was about the Count. "You winged him, Vernon," 
 was his friend's reply ; " but now, drink the rest of this bottle, 
 and we will try and get you into the carriage ; only don't 
 attempt to speak any more just yet, as the doctor won't allow 
 it." 
 
 Fitzgerald and his friendly assistant, O'Brieu, having carried 
 the wounded man to the carriage, placed him in a recumbent 
 position, and by the aid of cushions and their over-coats, formed 
 a tolerable couch for him to recline upon; and he was then 
 
182 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 driven back to his lodgings and placed in bed : Fitzgerald 
 having preceded him, and prepared his young and timid wife 
 for the calamity which had befallen her ; who, almost frantic 
 with grief and horror, implored to be allowed to see her hus- 
 band, if only for one moment, to be assured he was not killed. 
 " On my word of honour, my dear young lady/' replied the 
 kind-hearted Fitzgerald, taking her hand to prevent her leaving 
 the room, "your husband is not killed, although seriously 
 wounded ; and any fresh excitement might be fatal ; pray, be 
 guided by me; you shall see him directly the doctor will allow 
 you to do so : but let me entreat you, for his sake, to subdue 
 your feelings as much as possible." 
 
 The surgeon, on examining his patient, discovered the 
 ball lodged in his back, just under the skin, and it was, 
 therefore, easily extracted, without much more suffering 
 to Vernon's already tortured frame. Soon after his wound 
 was dressed, he fell into a fitful doze ; in which state he 
 was left by the doctor, after having given all necessary 
 directions to his wife's faithful maid how to treat him until 
 his return. 
 
 For two days Vernon hovered between life and death ; and, 
 on the third day, being quite delirious, Fitzgerald called in one 
 of the most eminent physicians of Paris, who pronounced his 
 case almost hopeless. Still no efforts were relaxed to reduce 
 this fevered state of body; and being blessed with' a good con- 
 stitution, the crisis was at last passed, and he began gradually, 
 though slowly, to amend. During this severe trial to his young, 
 affectionate wife, who loved her husband intensely (the only 
 being around whom her young heart had ever been entwined, 
 even from childhood), Fitzgerald, who became deeply interested 
 in her helpless position, was a constant visitor at the house, 
 saying and doing all in his power to alleviate the poignancy of 
 her grief, watching, himself, by her husband's bedside during 
 his delirium, day and night, until he was considered out of 
 immediate danger. Her joy at the prospect of his recovery, and 
 gratitude for Fitzgerald's care, were almost unbounded; and 
 she would sit for hours together by her husband's bedside, with 
 his hand in hers, and pour out her thanks for his rescue from 
 a violent death. Even Vernon's stern, unfeeling nature gave 
 way before the deep affection shown by this young, artless girl, 
 whom he had seduced from her father's roof, more from the love 
 of her money than any other feeling ; but now, sobered down 
 by the sufferings he had undergone, his heart responded to her 
 
ONE ROGUE THE LESS IN PARIS. 183 
 
 fervent, deep attachment. "Oh! Emily," he would exclaim, 
 "I am, indeed, unworthy your love and anxious care; but 
 should my life be spared, I will endeavour to make some 
 amends for the injury I have done you, in taking you from 
 all your friends to link your fate with such a monster as 
 myself." 
 
 " " Oh, speak not thus, dearest Richard ; you are all, every- 
 thing to me ; my father and mother have, never loved me as 
 you do." 
 
 " Well, poor child, I must try hard to recover now, for your 
 dear sake, and repay you for all your gentle, loving attentions." 
 Vernon was soothed and gratified by her unceasing attendance 
 and endearing regard to every little comfort it was in her power 
 to bestow, which greatly tended to his recovery, and he was 
 soon permitted to sit up in his easy chair for a few hours during 
 the day. Lord Vancourt, being apprised of the issue of the 
 duel, called several times at Vernon's lodgings ; and having 
 on the third day met the doctors there, and been told that 
 his case was hopeless, he immediately left Paris, dreading to 
 be implicated in the affair, which was communicated to Vernon 
 by Fitzgerald ; and also that he had learnt from the Count's 
 friend some additional information as to Lord Vancourt's 
 putting the Count up to his tricks at play, and inciting him 
 to challenge Vernon. Fitzgerald also hinted at the necessity 
 of Vernon's applying to his friends for pecuniary assistance, 
 as the tradesmen with whom he dealt, on hearing the cause 
 of the duel, had refused to supply more goods, and were 
 clamorous for their little accounts being settled. " I have 
 done as much as I can to assist you, Mr. Vernon," added 
 Fitzgerald, " more, I must confess, out of regard to your wife's 
 wretched position ; but now, as you are so far recovered, your 
 own exertions are absolutely necessary to prevent her being 
 left in a state of utter destitution ; as, unknown to you, she t 
 wrote to her mother for pity and aid in her forlorn situation, 
 to which no answer has been received." 
 
 Vernon, feeling grateful for Fitzgerald's kindness, made a 
 full confession of his past 'delinquencies and Lord Vancourt s 
 refusal to pay the money he promised for his assistance in the 
 plot to carry off the heiress. 
 
 " It was a rascally business, Mr. Vernon," replied Fitzgerald , 
 "and I must say you have only reaped your desert-} far aiding 
 to ruin a young, defenceless girl by throwing her into the 
 power of such a scoundrel, who, by your own account, is 
 
184 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 suspected to be a married man. Even an Irishman, sir, wild 
 and impetuous as we are, would never have been guilty of such 
 an act as this." 
 
 " Well, then," said Yernon, " I will write to Lord Malcolm, 
 and offer to give him every information about Lord Yancourt, 
 on condition of his sending me a draft on some banker in Pari* 
 for two hundred pounds." 
 
 " Then, Mr. Yernon," said Fitzgerald, " I must beg, for the 
 future, we may be strangers to each other, as we were before 
 this unhappy affair." 
 
 " Stay, Fitzgerald ; tell me what you would have me do, for I 
 am indeed most grateful for all your undeserved kindness." 
 
 " Sign the letter I shall dictate, containing a full confession 
 of your sorrow and contrition for your unmanly conduct, with 
 all you know of Lord Yancourt and his proceedings, and the 
 promise that you will give evidence, if required, at the trial, 
 without any reservation or stipulation whatever. This, sir, is 
 the course which any man, pretending to the name and 
 character of a gentleman, would without hesitation pursue, and 
 I shall add a postscript informing Lord Malcolm of your con- 
 dition, and your wife's unfortunate and destitute state." 
 
 " It shall be done," said Yernon, without hesitation. 
 
 Fitzgerald then resumed his seat, and wrote from Yernon's 
 mouth all the particulars, to which his own name and that of 
 the servant girl were attached as witnesses. < 
 
 « Yery well, Yernon, that is a step in the right direction, 
 and I trust the severe lesson you have received will prevent 
 you ever again using false dice or conniving at the abduction of 
 an inoffensive girl. You have now a young wife dependent on 
 your rectitude of conduct, unless you would also consign her to 
 misery and disgrace ; throughout your severe sufferings this 
 poor girl has watched and tended you, night and day, with 
 all the care and anxiety of a ministering angel, and for her 
 sake I implore you to lead a new life." 
 
 " I know and feel it all, Fitzgerald, and, for her sake, I now 
 swear never to touch dice or cards again." 
 
 " Keep to your good resolution, Yernon ; we may then still 
 be friends, and you may rely on my assisting you in every way 
 I can. Now no more — I will post the letter, and see you again 
 in the morning." 
 
 A few days afterwards a letter was received from Lord 
 Malcolm, expressing his sorrow, for Yernon's deplorable situa- 
 tion, with a draft on his bankers in London for a hundred 
 
"coals of fire." 185 
 
 pounds, and, by the same post, a few lines from "Will Beau- 
 champ, enclosing a note for fifty pounds, which ran thus : — 
 
 "Vernon, 
 
 " I heartily forgive your ill-founded hatred towards myself, for 
 ■which I never could assign a cause, and trust you may return to this 
 country a happier and better man. Accept this trifle from yours truly, 
 
 " "William Beauchamp." 
 
 " There, Fitzgerald," said Vernon, handing him Beauchamp's 
 letter; "that hurts and cuts me to the quick — that man I 
 have injured, traduced, and vilified more than all, and it was 
 from hatred to him that I joined in this infernal plot to give 
 Miss Douglas into Vancourt's power, fearing she loved Beau- 
 champ ; envy and jealousy led me on, as I once tried hard to 
 gain her myself." 
 
 " Well, Vernon, this is a pretty confession ; but now, what 
 are your present feelings towards him 1 " 
 
 " All that I can do to help his cause and Malcolm's shall be 
 done." 
 
 " That's right, Vernon; you have been tramping long enough 
 and too long to the tune of the ' Rogue's March,' and I hope 
 you now see that ' Honesty is the best Policy.' " 
 
 Believed of a load of care by these timely and unexpected 
 remittances, Vernon felt more at ease, and next addressed a 
 very penitential letter to Lord Mervyn, pleading his affection 
 for his daughter as an excuse for his conduct in carrying her 
 off; depicting in glowing colours her incessant care and anxiety 
 about him when at the point of death, and expressing his 
 resolution to lead a new life and devote all his energies to make 
 her happy. He also stated that, to atone for his past conduct, 
 he had made a confession to Lord Malcolm of his participation 
 with Lord Vancourt in the plot to carry off Miss Douglas, 
 . without, however, revealing other names, as he had been most 
 inhumanly treated by his lordship, who had conspired against 
 his life, and left him almost dying in Paris without, a shilling. 
 On the receipt of this letter from his worthy son-in-law, Lord 
 Mervyn became seriously alarmed, and fearing Vernon's vindic- 
 tive character, thought he would be safer under his own eye 
 than exposed to that of the opposing party; he therefore 
 enclosed him a handsome sum of money to defray his traveUmg 
 expenses when able to move, with an invitation to Marston 
 Castle. 
 
186 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 We must now cross the Channel to see what was occurring in 
 the vicinity of Bampton. Thomas Carter, Lord Mervyn's foot- 
 man, feeling uncomfortable in his situation as a suspected man, 
 gave notice to leave ; and Mark Hosier having mentioned this to 
 Lord Malcolm, he was at once engaged by him ; Mrs. Gordon 
 willingly agreeing to receive him at the Priory until Malcolm's 
 return to Scotland. 
 
 Lord Mervyn had invited as large a party of the neighbour- 
 ing gentry as he could muster to a grand battue at the close of 
 the shooting season, in which hundreds of pheasants and hares 
 fell, the majority of which were packed off to the London 
 markets. 
 
 William Beauchamp had assumed the reins of government 
 over the pack, which was the reverse of being improved by 
 Charles's mal-administration, who had only succeeded in bring- 
 ing home the head of one fox after a fortnight's hunting, and, 
 sooth to say, Charley himself was nothing loth to fall back 
 into his old place of whipper-in. What with trying to ride or 
 scream foxes to death (notwithstanding which they could not be 
 prevailed on, like Mrs. Bond's ducks, to come to be killed), the 
 hounds' heads got up to such an alarming height that Will 
 Beauchamp found great difficulty in bringing down their high- 
 wrought expectations to their proper level again, and he experi- 
 enced almost as much trouble to reduce his field to their usual 
 good order, the majority of the youngsters having, during the 
 master's absence, considered themselves privileged to enact the 
 part of huntsmen or whippers-in whenever they could get 
 away from the old squire or Bob Conyers. If there were 
 half a dozen foxes on foot in one covert, every one was vocife- 
 rously cheered by the party who chanced to view his particular 
 favourite across the drive, although the hounds might be 
 running another in the very opposite direction ; so pleased had 
 some of these amateur huntsmen become with the sound of 
 their own sweet voices, that the master was treated to such a 
 concert of discordant halloes in all directions on his first appear- 
 ance at the Barton Woods (where several foxes were on foot), 
 that he sat for a few seconds in amazement, wondering to what 
 extent this might lead ; then putting spurs to his horse, and 
 blowing his horn, he got the hounds together, and took them 
 away from the covert to a large field, where he drew up and 
 
 
A SALUTARY LECTURE. 187 
 
 ■waited until lie was surrounded by the greater portion of his 
 followers. 
 
 "Now, gentlemen," exclaimed Beauchamp, addressing them 
 in a loud voice, " as it is very evident that there are several 
 persons out to-day who consider themselves more competent to 
 hunt the hounds than myself, I shall be obliged by your inform- 
 ing me who is to be huntsman, that I may at once resign the 
 horn to that individual, it being necessary, to prevent further 
 confusion, that one man alone should act in that capacity." 
 
 The would-be huntsmen looked extremely foolish at this 
 address ; but no answer being returned, Beauchamp sat quietly 
 on his horse, as if awaiting their reply. 
 
 " Come, come, Beauchanip," cried Sir Lucius, " don't mind 
 those confounded fools' hallooing ; but let us have a run this 
 cold, shivery day." 
 
 " As you please, Gwynne ; but I wish it to be clearly under- 
 stood that, if I am to be huntsman, the first halloa I hear shall 
 be the last this day, for I will immediately take the hounds 
 home, which are already spoilt so much by this babel of tongues, 
 that they won't even try to hunt a fox." 
 
 " Quite right," exclaimed Conyers and Coventry ; " it is the 
 only thing you can do to stop all this riot." 
 
 " Very well, gentlemen," said Beauchamp, " as you now know 
 the terms, I will also try to get on terms again with my fox ; 
 and, Charles, I will thank you to bear in mind that you are 
 now whipper-in." 
 
 "Yes, sir," said Charley, touching his cap very submis- 
 sively. 
 
 " Ah, Mr. Conyers," exclaimed Farmer Stiles, " that's just 
 what they all wanted, a bit of a lecture from the young squire ; 
 things will go on comfortable again after this." 
 
 On holding the hounds round the lower side of the covert, 
 they struck upon the line of a fox which had gone away some 
 ten or twelve minutes in the direction of Hazel Wood, about 
 four miles distant, which Beauchamp, to punish his iield as well 
 as sober his hounds, made them hunt inch by inch ; this pro- 
 duced the desired effect, as both men and hounds perceived 
 their huntsman's determination to admit of no interference. 
 
 The fox, never having been pressed, jogged leisurely along, 
 the pack improving in their pace until they reached Hazel 
 "Wood, where he had lingered for some time, enabling the 
 hounds to get on better terms, when he broke, going straight 
 for the forest six miles a-head. 
 
188 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "Now, then," shouted Bob Conyers, as he caught sight of 
 the pack streaming away, " come on, you thrusting scoundrels, 
 — now's your time — let 'em go — no more hold hards to day ; " 
 and down rattled the first division of light cavalry, charging 
 their fences with long pent-up impatience. The hounds, how- 
 ever, having got the start, seemed resolved to keep it, and the 
 brook being brim full and over after a heavy night's rain, the 
 casualties which occurred there were rather more numerous 
 than usual, there being 7mtlti, instead o£"rari nantes in gurgits 
 vasto," few who rode at it escaping without a ducking. The 
 Captain and Coventry took their plunge as usual ; some rode at 
 it fast, others walked their horses into the stream, the banks of 
 which could not be discerned ; but all landed safely on the 
 other side, and again set to work to catch the hounds, which 
 few were destined to see any more that clay. The forest was 
 reached ; but the fox, disdaining its protection, passed through 
 one corner of it, and boldly faced the open, into the neighbour- 
 ing hunt, taking their huntsman entirely out of his reckoning, 
 as to the point he contemplated reaching, and everything now 
 depending on the staunchness of the pack. 
 
 Will Beauchamp interfered as little as possible in two or 
 three checks which occurred, and five or six miles of new 
 country had now been crossed at a good hunting pace after 
 leaving the forest. 
 
 " Where," exclaimed Conyers, " can the fox be travelling to, 
 Will 1 he must be out of his latitude as well as ourselves ; 
 although as to longitude, confound him ! he still seems holding 
 on straight enough." 
 
 "He has run me out of my geography, Bob ; although there 
 is, I believe, a strong covert somewhere in the direction he is 
 
 now going, belonging to the H Hunt, which I conclude is 
 
 his point." 
 
 " Ah ! well, this proves what a good fox can do, when he 
 has a fair start and is not hurried over the first five miles. 
 Your bursts of twenty or thirty minutes are all veiy well some- 
 times, but give me a good hunting run like this ; look, there is 
 a likely covert, just a few fields ahead — please the pigs, we 
 don't change there." 
 
 "No, no, we shall book him yet. Now, Charley, to the 
 further end of it, and mind you don't halloa a fresh fox." 
 
 Here the hounds, for the first time, got up with their game, 
 and gave him such a rattling, that he broke away again, 
 running for some open downs above the vale. For two miles 
 
A GLORIOUS TERMINATION TO A LONG CHASE. 189 
 
 the pace was terrific ; the hounds, with heads up, and sterns 
 down, running hard for their game, which they knew must be 
 sinking, and on ascending the hill side, he was viewed, not a 
 hundred yards before the leading couples, and in a few seconds 
 both disappeared over the brow of the hill. Few were there, 
 however, to witness this sight ; Will Beauchamp, Conyers, the 
 whips, Gwynne, and Tyler, with two or three farmers, being all 
 that remained, out of a very large field, to go in and finish. At 
 the foot of the hill, Beauchamp at once dismounted to relieve 
 his horse, which was nearly beaten, leading him up the ascent, 
 his example being followed by all the others, except young 
 Farmer Hazel, who still kept spurring his poor jaded animal. 
 
 " Come along, squire," shouted he, on passing ; " I shall be 
 first to see the finish." 
 
 " Of your horse, Hazel, in five minutes, unless you jump off 
 his back "directly." The words had scarcely passed Beauchamp's 
 lips, before the horse reeled and fell under his rider, who had 
 hardly time to jump from the saddle ere he lay dead before 
 him. " I hope, Hazel," said Beauchamp, " that will be a lesson 
 to you through life, never to ride another willing horse to 
 death," as the young farmer stood in silent dismay surveying 
 the dead carcase of his too honest animal. The example and 
 warning were not lost on the rest, and Beauchamp exclaimed, 
 " There is no occasion to hurry now, as the hounds have killed 
 their fox." 
 
 On gaining the summit of the hill, the pack was seen about 
 a mile a-head on the open ground in a group, despatching the 
 remains of as gallant a fox as ever broke covert. Beauchamp 
 and Conyers, with Stiles, trotted leisurely down to the spot, 
 which Charley had already reached with Gwynne and Tyler, 
 both light weights on thorough-bred horses. 
 
 " By Jove ! " shouted Bob, in an ecstacy of delight, " this is 
 a most glorious wind-up to the very best run I have ever seen 
 in my life. Now, Gwynne, what do you say to Will being a 
 
 d d slow coach, in making his hounds hunt out the line for 
 
 the first three or four miles 1 " 
 
 " I say, Bob, he is a much cleverer hand in dealing with a 
 pack of hounds than I am with a pack of cards, and few can 
 beat me at that game. But how are we, Bob, as to the topo- 
 graphical ? " 
 
 " Not quite at the Land's End yet, but over thirty miles from 
 home, as I saw the town of Snowdon to our right, when we 
 were climbing the hill." 
 
190 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Lord Malcolm and Fred Beauchamp now straggled in, 
 having taken a wrong turn round the last -covert ; and as this 
 small party, with the hounds, returned to the verge of the hill 
 overlooking the vale, other horsemen were seen still struggling 
 through the heavy fences, some at a slow canter, and others 
 brought to a trot or walk ; and to put a stop to their further 
 exertions, Will Beauchamp stood with the hounds a few 
 minutes on the summit, sending forth one loud ' : wbohoop," 
 which might have been heard at Snowdon. 
 
 " Demmit ! " exclaimed the Captain to Melville and Coventry, 
 who were all in turn playing at " catch my horse, can't you % " 
 " That's Will's yell, for a thousand ! They have got him some- 
 where ; but, 'pon honour — eh ! aw ! Narcissus — demmit all — 
 he's buried in this infernal dyke — help, Melville, quickly, or 
 he'll be smothered ! " 
 
 By the exertions of all three, Narcissus was at last dragged 
 out, more dead than alive, and lay at full length on the green- 
 sward, it appearing to be a matter of perfect indifference to him 
 whether he made any further effort to rise. 
 
 " There, Markham," said Melville, " we cannot wait any- 
 longer, so you and Narcissus must settle the point between you, 
 whether you sleep here or -not; my advice is to put the whip 
 into him, and drive him on before you till you get into the 
 turnpike road, which is within half a mile of us." 
 
 The Captain was not the only person employed in this 
 agreeable occupation of trudging along on foot with a beaten 
 horse, when Beauchamp and the pack, with the fortunate few 
 entered on the high road leading to Snowdon. 
 
 " Ah, Markham," asked the master ; " what's the matter — •■ 
 shoe lost ? " 
 
 " Demmed near a horse lost, Beauchamp ; regularly clone up 
 — worm crusher now — no Lifeguardsman — demmit ! sha'n't get 
 home for a week at this pace." 
 
 " Here, then, Markham, let Jack have your horse to lead 
 into the town, and you shall ride his." 
 
 " Thank'ee, Beauchamp, but I don't like taking away your 
 man." 
 
 " Never mind we don't^want his services now, so get up at 
 once." 
 
 Every stable ii.a Snowdon was occupied that night with 
 horses so thoroughly knocked up that they could proceed no 
 further, traps of all kinds being hired to convey their 
 owners home, whilst others remained there until the next 
 
A HINT TO FOX-HUKTERS. 191 
 
 morning ; the run from point to point being at least twenty 
 miles, and the ground traversed not less than five or six 
 more. 
 
 "Well, "Will," inquired Malcolm, "what do you purpose 
 doing 1 " 
 
 " Give the horses a bucket of gruel each, with a mouthful of 
 hay, and then homewards." 
 
 " What, thirty miles more to-night for hounds and horses, 
 after such a run % " 
 
 " Just so, Malcolm ; they are of the right sort not to give 
 in j bub it won't do to let them get stiff by loitering about 
 at a public-house. Quick march, is our motto, and I hope 
 to be home before the supper hour in the servant's hall." 
 
 "Very well, then Bob and I will overtake you on the road, 
 and bring Markham with us." 
 
 Beauchamp was too good a sportsman, and by far too fond 
 of his hounds and horses, to consign them to the care of servants,, 
 however trustworthy, after a severe day, always accompanying 
 them home, and feeding the hounds himself before he left the 
 kennels. He therefore jogged leisurely along with his pets, 
 which once more cheered by the presence of their young master 
 among them, trotted on with sterns erect, as if ready for a 
 second fox. 
 
 The system adopted by Beauchamp in the management of 
 his pack was of the silent order, with as little interference as 
 possible in the field, to which must be attributed their uniform 
 success in killing their foxes. Noise in man or hound being 
 his aversion, he would allow of no holloaing or screaming from 
 his field, which invariably occasions so much confusion, and the 
 hounds were thrown silently into - covert, and only spoken to 
 occasionally to assure them of their master's presence. Although 
 a fine melodious voice may be very pleasing to the ear, yet 
 instead of its being (as too often considered) a great recommen- 
 dation in a huntsman to a pack of fox-hounds, it is most decidedly 
 the reverse, particularly in a woodland country, where, in nine 
 cases out of ten, the fox will be unkenneled by the huntsman 
 instead of his hounds. "We cannot so arrange, when the fixtures 
 are made some time before, always, ar very often to draw up 
 wind ; and a noisy, vociferous huntsman, when taking a line of 
 coverts down wind, will disturb every fox (unquestionably 
 every good one) long before the pack can get upon his drag ; in 
 fact, a good fox will be ofi^ and perhaps miles away, before the 
 hounds reach his kennel. It is related of the famous Butter- 
 
192 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 wick Jack, a fox which had beaten Mr. Farquarson's hounds id 
 Dorsetshire for several consecutive seasons, that upon the 
 slamming of a gate or the sound of a horse's hoofs near the 
 covert, he broke instantly away ; and notwithstanding every 
 precaution and the entire silence of the huntsman when throw- 
 ing his pack into covert, Jack was ever on the look-out for 
 squalls, and made so good a start that he invariably beat his 
 pursuers, and saved his precious carcase from their fangs. To 
 prevent foxes being chopped in small spinnies or gorse coverts, 
 a few cracks from the first whipper-in's whip, as he approaches 
 them, will be quite sufficient to make any fox on the alert 
 which is worth hunting, and here, of course, a good huntsman 
 will make rather more use of his voice. Foxes, however, like 
 weasels, are seldom caught napping, except, perhaps, on a very 
 windy day, and even then very rarely indeed. 
 
 Another part of Will Beauchamp's system was to stick to 
 his hunted fox, whether good, bad, or indifferent. Bob Conyers 
 would sometimes remonstrate when he was hammering away at 
 a dodging brute, ringing round covert. 
 
 " Leave him for another day, Will ; we want a gallop to 
 warm us this cold morning." 
 
 "Bad habits grow upon foxes as well as meu, Bob; and 
 unless I finish this brute off now, he will be much harder to kill 
 the next time we meet him, and I don't want any more of his 
 stock left in the country." 
 
 The common practice of chopping and changing from one 
 scent to another, leaving a half-beaten fox in covert, and taking 
 the hounds off to find a fresh one, is very prejudicial to the pack, 
 causing them to lose confidence in themselves, and almost as bad 
 as lifting them to halloas. Hounds often treated in this manner 
 are always on the look-out for assistance when in difficulties, 
 and will never persevere with a bad scent. A pack in the 
 adjoining county to Beauchamp's, with a wild huntsman, were 
 one day at fault, when a loud shouting was heard from a man 
 on a hay-rick. " Hark holloa ! " screamed the huntsman, and 
 away want his darlings, best pace up to the hay, now followed 
 by all the field helter-skelter for another start. 
 
 " Where's the fox gone ?" shouted the huntsman. 
 
 " I ha'an't seed no fox, sur." 
 
 " Then what the devil made you halloa V* 
 
 " The ould gentleman heself, I do believe ; and he'd a made 
 yoh hallo, if you'd seen un, as I did, spring off the cut of hay ; 
 the hair riz up on my head, like a hog's bristles." 
 
A NOVEL SUBJECT FOR THE CHASE. 193 
 
 "What does the fool mean?" asked the huntsman, in a 
 furious passion. 
 
 " Why, I do'an't know what it manes, but I tell ye, when I 
 put the ladder agin the mow, a long-tailed crittur jumped out 
 of the nich of hay, and cut away into yonder copse, and the 
 very sight of un was enow to make anybody holler ; but, dang 
 it ! look — there hur zits in thick big oak." 
 
 And, on the horsemen riding to the wood hedge, a large 
 baboon was seen sitting in the tree, chattering and making 
 faces at his friends below. 
 
 "Ha! ha! ha!" shouted Tom Larking, a leading man in 
 the hunt, "a devilish good joke, Jem, to be halloed on to a 
 monkey ! but, hang it, let's have him out. He'll show us a 
 run, now we have lost our fox. 
 
 "My hounds run a monkey, sir!" exclaimed Jem, indig- 
 nantly. " They ain't come to that pass yet, any ways." 
 
 " I'll bet five to one they do run him, though, Jem," per- 
 sisted Larkins ; but Jem, fearing mischief, trotted briskly away 
 to find another fox, leaving Jacko to be handled by any one 
 else who fancied him. 
 
 Whatever may be said of Will Beauchamp's system of 
 hunting, the result was that his pack seldom required, 
 and never expected, assistance from their huntsman ; very few 
 foxes being able to escape them. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 For some days after, the great run from the Barton Woods was 
 the favourite topic among all sportsmen in that locality j but 
 the all-engrossing subject to the ladies was the Grand Union 
 Hunt Ball, under the management of a committee chosen from 
 the members of the four adjoining hunts. 
 
 The ball-room at Cherrington being inadequate to contain 
 half the company expected on this great occasion, the Town 
 Hall, which stood over the market house, was put in requisi- 
 tion, and the large space underneath was boarded over and 
 enclosed for a supper-room. The preparations made for this 
 grand re-union of fox-hunters were on a magnificent scale, and 
 the decorations for the rooms costly and appropriate. Being 
 the first thing of the sort attempted in that neighbourhood, the 
 
 M 
 
194 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 committee spared neither trouble nor expense in their arrange- 
 ments, being determined, in the spirit of true sportsmen, that 
 the thing should be done well — and well it was done. The 
 members of each hunt had the option of appearing in their re- 
 spective dress coats, but the general company were requested 
 to be in uniform or fancy costume. The highest families for 
 many miles in every direction sought eagerly for cards of 
 admission to this splendid fete, which were only at first 
 obtainable from members of the four hunts ; but it was 
 deemed advisable in some cases to depart from this rule, and 
 an additional number was issued for persons of distinction resid- 
 ing within prescribed limits ; and more than one fox-killing 
 pater familias was fairly run down by wife and daughters 
 all at him at once, and obliged to promise never to destroy 
 another fox. 
 
 The gentlemanly conduct of the committee, who did all in 
 their power to accommodate the numerous applicants having 
 any pretensions, from property or influence in the county, to ask 
 for tickets, was the general theme of conversation, and the 
 Grand Union Ball became the subject of" great interest in the 
 most fashionable circles for weeks previously. 
 
 Beauchamp sent two of his tickets to Mrs. Gordon and 
 Blanche, reserving one for Sir Francis Burnett, who had pro- 
 mised to attend ; and Lord Malcolm, to propitiate the Har- 
 courts, enclosed two also for their acceptance. The anxiously 
 expected evening at length arrived, and by ten o'clock the 
 rooms were crowded with as gay and brilliant an assemblage as 
 ever graced a ball-room; the costumes of the ladies being of the 
 most recherchee and elegant description. 
 
 Blanche and her friend Constance appeared in the simple 
 Scotch costume of white muslin and tartan. Selina Markham 
 assumed the character of a lady of George the Second's reign, 
 figuring away with Bob Conyers in a minuet, similarly disguised 
 in the attire of a courtier of that period. Her sister Caroline, 
 with the Rollestons and a friend on a visit, represented the 
 seasons of the year, and formed a quadrille which was much 
 admired ; but, beyond these, it were needless to attempt a 
 description of the various costumes and character's, borrowed 
 almost from every age and every clime, which graced and en- 
 livened the festive scene. 
 
 Of the gentlemen, the most conspicuous was William Car- 
 rington, the master of the S. W. hunt, whose towering height 
 and immense proportions attracted all eyes. 
 
A PRUDENT YOUNG NOBLEMAN. 19 J 
 
 " Ah ! Carrington," exclaimed Beauchainp, sliaking him by 
 the hand, " glad to see you ! All ready to trip it on the light 
 fantastic toe, I suppose 1 ?" 
 
 " I don't come here, Beauchamp, to make a fool of myself by 
 attempting such a feat as that (which suits only herring-made 
 fellows like yourself), but to see my friends — besides, unless 
 there were extra props to the floor, a few hops and skips on 
 these rickety boards, from a man of twenty stone, would send 
 you all down to the regions below. There's a clever pack to 
 
 look at got together here, particularly the B ladies, I 
 
 mean" — correcting himself — " although they don't match as to 
 colour. Handsome, fine-shaped girls, eh, Beauchamp ?" 
 
 " Yes, I think the B pack before us (as you call them) 
 
 such a lot as is rarely seen in one room." 
 
 " Well, Beauchamp, but I want to see the heroine or heiress 
 who so nearly ran you to ground. They say she is a clipper ; 
 and I wish you would point her out to me." 
 
 " I will introduce you to her presently, Carrington," replied 
 Beauchamp ; " but now my hands are full of business." 
 
 Lord and Lady Seaton (acquaintances of the Harcourts, who 
 lived about twenty miles from Cherrington) were invited to 
 Throseby for this grand event, with the Marquis of Danby, who 
 was then staying with them, a young nobleman of great pro- 
 mise, now in his twenty-fourth year, and who held a commis- 
 sion in the Life Guards. Lord Danby was about the general 
 standard as to height, although rather slightly formed ; aris- 
 tocratic looking, with handsome features and very pleasing- 
 manners ; and although his father, the Duke of Delamere, was 
 still in the prime of life, the heir to a dukedom was, of course, 
 eagerly coveted by many mammas in the highest circles, who 
 had daughters to dispose of. Lord Danby was, however, too 
 cautious and sensible to be caught by mere personal beauty, or 
 that greater attraction in the present day — money. ^ He was, 
 moreover, very partial to field sports, and a determined fox- 
 hunter ; and having heard from Lord Seaton of the Union Hunt 
 Ball, he came down purposely for the occasion. 
 
 Mrs. Harcourt, as may be supposed, rose a hundred per cent. 
 in her own estimation, when entering the room that night, 
 leaning on the arm of such a lion as the Marquis of Danby, 
 whom she sought an early opportunity of introducing to Mrs. 
 Gordon and her niece, parading him with an air of great dignity 
 and importance, which was considerably diminished 'when Lord 
 Danby shook hands with Beauchamp in the most friendly 
 
196 THB MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 manner, who just then approached to claim Blanche for his 
 partner in the opening dance of the night. 
 
 Lord Danby, being very much struck at first with Blanche's 
 entreme loveliness (enhanced that evening by her simple, unaf- 
 fected costume), begged the honour of dancing the next quad- 
 rille, which was acceded to. On leading his partner away, she 
 asked Beauchamp the name of the gentleman who had just 
 been introduced by Mrs. Harcourt, which she had imperfectly 
 heard. 
 
 " The Marquis of Danby, Blanche, son of the Duke of Dela- 
 mere," was the reply. 
 
 " You know him, William, I see." 
 
 " Yes, dear girl, I have met him occasionally in the hunting 
 field, and his father and mine are old acquaintances ; but I am 
 at a loss to conceive how he can be staying at Throseby — that, 
 however, I will ascertain presently." 
 
 Lord Danby, not seeing much fun in being paraded any 
 longer by Mrs. Harcourt, took the earliest opportunity of con- 
 signing her to a seat, and soon after encountered Captain 
 Markham. 
 
 " Ah, Danby ! 'pon honour — quite astonished to find you 
 here — grand affair, eh ! — well got up, and all that sort of thing. 
 But where are you staying, old fellow ? " 
 
 " At the Harcourts, Markham, with my friends, the Seatons, 
 who were invited to Throseby for this ball." 
 
 " Ah ! ah ! I see. Old Harcourt is well enough in his way 
 — gives good spreads, and keeps a first-rate artist in the culi- 
 nary ; but that match-making, haughty wife of his is my aver- 
 sion, 'pon honour." 
 
 " Yery likely," replied Danby ; " but I hear you have had 
 splendid sport in this part of the world." 
 
 " Yaas, Danby, first-rate, and no mistake — such a run from 
 our wood — thirty miles at least — every horse beaten — some 
 killed — others can't show — Narcissus regularly floored." 
 
 " Well, Markham, I feel inclined to send for my horses down 
 here, and have a week or two with you, if I can get good stabling 
 in the neighbourhood." 
 
 " That you can, my lord, I will answer for ; at Barton Court 
 our stalls are not half filled, and you shall have a stable to your- 
 self, and a right good welcome from my governor." 
 
 "No, no, Markham, I cannot do that." 
 
 " And why not, Danby, eh 1 — oh, I see — Duke's son — won't 
 condescend — infra dig. — and all that sort of thing." 
 
AN UNFOKTUNATE MISTAKE. 197 
 
 " No, on my honour, Markham, that was not my reason for 
 refusing your friendly offer." 
 
 " Then, demmit, Danby, there can be no other ; but here 
 comes Sir Lionel, as game an old cock as ever wore spurs/' 
 
 Markham, having introduced his father to Lord Danby, 
 left them together, saying, " There, governor, Danby wants to 
 see our pack, so hold him by the button until he promises to 
 spend a month at Barton Court." 
 
 Lord Danby was so much pleased with the urbanity of the 
 old baronet that he at last accepted the invitation, and stood 
 listening to his account of their great run, until Beauchamp, 
 having finished his dance, was leading Blanche back to her aunt. 
 If Lord Danby was at first so much taken with Blanche's love- 
 liness of person, he was much more captivated with her artless, 
 unaffected manners and cheerful, unsophisticated mind, which 
 made him desire to be more intimately acquainted with her, and 
 at the end of their dance he pleaded for a second, which was not 
 refused, Blanche being much pleased with his quiet gentle- 
 manly demeanour, and thinking, as a friend of Beauchamp' s, 
 there could be no impropriety in accepting him a second time 
 for her partner. It unfortunately so happened that Beauchamp 
 had previously engaged Blanche for the sixth quadrille, which 
 not noticing, from a waltz intervening, she had taken to mean 
 the seventh dance, unwittingly accepting both him and Lord 
 Danby for the same set ; and as Beauchamp was hurrying 
 through the crowd in search of his partner when the time arrived, 
 he found her with Lord Danby just taking their position in the 
 set then forming, Lord Malcolm and Constance standing near. 
 
 " I think," said Beauchamp, in a low tone to her, " you are 
 engaged to me for this quadrille." 
 
 " Oh, no, "William, you must have made a mistake, as this is 
 the seventh dance." 
 
 " But only the sixth quadrille," added Beauchamp, " which 
 you promised me, did you not, Blanche 1 " 
 
 " Yes," she replied, " I recollect now that was the case, but 
 as it did not occur to me when I accepted Lord Danby, I do not 
 know how I can well refuse to dance with him, since we have 
 taken our places." 
 
 "Well, then, Blanche, will you dance the next quadrille 
 with me?" 
 
 " For that I am engaged to Captain Melville." 
 
 " The succeeding one, then ? " 
 
 " I have promised that to Major Hammond." 
 
198 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 u Ah, yes, I see," exclaimed Beaucliamp, in an offended tone, 
 " your engagements to me are to be broken, but not to others." 
 
 And he was turning indignantly away, when Lord Danby 
 said, " I fear, Beaucliamp, there is some misunderstanding with. 
 Miss Douglas and yourself about this quadrille, and if you have 
 a prior claim to mine, which I gather from your words, I will, 
 although most reluctantly, resign her hand for this set, trusting 
 to be more fortunate in another." 
 
 " Oh no," replied Beauchamp, " Miss Douglas has made her 
 election in favour of your lordship, although previously engaged 
 to me, and of course therefore I must retire," with which he 
 turned haughtily round and left them. 
 
 Lord Malcolm, who was near enough to hear all that passed 
 between Blanche and Beauchamp, looked serious. Blanche was 
 so hurt as to be ready to cry, and Lord Danby, although nattered 
 by her preference for him, felt rather uncomfortable. " I am 
 really sorry," he observed to Blanche, " for this unpleasant mis- 
 understanding, but I hope you will acquit me of the least inten- 
 tional offence to Mr. Beauchamp." 
 
 " It is entirely my fault," replied Blanche. " I remember 
 now I did promise Mr. Beauchamp the sixth quadrille, which 
 this unfortunately is, although the seventh dance." 
 
 " Oh, never mind, Blanche," whispered Malcolm ; " I will 
 set this mistake right with Beauchamp presently, although he is 
 confoundedly captious sometimes, and here I fear he has been 
 treated rather unceremoniously; as I think, having the first 
 claim, you should have waived that of the Captain or Major in 
 his favour, at least, or have at once accepted his arm in place of 
 Lord Danby' s." 
 
 " But really, Charles, I did not intend to offend him, although 
 wishing to avoid being considered rude by Lord Danby when 
 the set was formed." 
 
 " No, my dear girl, that I hope he does not believe, and I 
 will endeavour to smooth down this unpleasantness." 
 
 After the quadrille was concluded, Malcolm sought his 
 friend, trying to persuade him to ask Blanche for another dance, 
 which he hoped might be the means of reconciling this little 
 difference. 
 
 " No, Malcolm," he replied, " I will sue no further, having 
 done so three times in vain ; and when positively in the right, 
 to be postponed even for a Duke's son is not very palatable." 
 
 " Come, come, Beauchamp, don't give way to temper." 
 
 "No, Malcolm, temper has little to do with my present 
 
A REPROOF. 109 
 
 feelings, which, are acute enough, without your accusing me of 
 being bad-tempered — that I am not, and never have been, 
 although I can feel an insult from those I love more deeply 
 than any man living. But now I am engaged, and must go in 
 search of my partner." 
 
 As he turned away, Malcolm said, " Mind, Beauchamp, you 
 are of our party to the supper-table ;" to which no answer was 
 returned. 
 
 On Malcolm's seeking Blanche, whom he found sitting with 
 her Aunt Gordon, she anxiously inquired, " Well, Charles, have 
 you succeeded in pacifying William 1 " 
 
 " No, dear girl, I am sorry to say I have not yet prevailed ; 
 he seems exceedingly hurt, and says you refused him three 
 times, and that you ought at once to have taken his arm, in- 
 stead of Lord Dauby' s, as being positively engaged to him before 
 his lordship. This admits of no doubt, Blanche ; and he also 
 feels very much annoyed that you should have shown so distin- 
 guishing a mark of favour to Lord Danby, by accepting him for 
 two dances so close upon each other, contrary to etiquette and 
 his advice, and thereby placing him you have known so long in 
 an inferior position to an acquaintance of a few hours. This is 
 too true, my dear girl, and Beauchamp, with all his warm, 
 generous feelings, although most sensitive, is also most deter- 
 mined, and will put up with no slight or indifference from those 
 he loves." 
 
 "Indeed, indeed, Charles," replied Blanche, with the tears 
 standing in her eyes, " I did not intend, as you must know, 
 either to offend or slight William ; but I thought it would 
 appear so very rude to Lord Danby to refuse dancing with him 
 when we had taken our places." 
 
 " Yes, Blanche, that may be all very true ; but recollect, it 
 is far better to appear rude to a stranger than to act unkindly 
 and unfairly to one of the dearest friends you will ever find in 
 this world ; and had Constance treated me as you have Will 
 Beauchamp, I don't know what would have been the conse- 
 quence ; for I tell you plainly it would have put me in a terrible 
 passion." 
 
 " Oh, Charles, I am indeed miserable that you should also 
 think so hardly of me," replied poor Blanche ; " but pray, go 
 and tell William I am sorry in having offended him, that I will 
 hold myself bound to dance with him before any other person, 
 and will sit down until I have first fulfilled my promise to 
 himself." 
 
200 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 At this moment Captain Melville approached to claim her 
 hand, when she pleaded a bad headache, and begged to be ex- 
 cused dancing with him till after supper, when, if better, she 
 would be happy to accept him as a partner. " Independent of 
 which," she said, quietly yet firmly, " I have made a great mis- 
 take in the dances to-night, and was really engaged to Mr. 
 Beauchamp before you asked me." 
 
 As Melville, with a low bow, withdrew, Malcolm applauded 
 Blanche for her resolution in acting so firmly and honourably 
 towards her lover, even at the risk of offending others, and 
 said, " Now, Blanche, you are on even terms again ; and should 
 Beauchamp decline your proffered olive branch, I shall take 
 part against him." 
 
 Malcolm was not long in explaining to Beauchamp his 
 cousin's regret for what had occurred, and her determination to 
 dance with no other until she had fulfilled her engagement to 
 himself; which brought him to her side immediately — softened, 
 although not satisfied. Blanche held out her hand as he ap- 
 proached, and on his sitting down, she candidly admitted her 
 fault, and want of consideration, in dancing with Lord Danby. 
 
 "Pray say no more, Blanche; you have a perfect right to 
 please yourself, and I have no pretensions to dictate to you ; 
 but as you were so averse to behave rudely, as you thought, to 
 Lord Danby, you will of course feel equally reluctant to offend 
 either Captain Melville or Major Hammond, to whom you told 
 me you were engaged for the next two dances ; and therefore, 
 to avoid any more unpleasantness to yourself (as I find you have 
 already refused Melville on my account), I will explain to him 
 how the matter really stood between us, and take my chance 
 after supper. Don't you think, Malcolm," asked Beauchamp, 
 appealing to him, " this is the proper course to pursue, to avoid 
 further remarks 1 " 
 
 An assent being given, Beauchamp went in search of Mel- 
 ville, when Malcolm observed to Blanche, "He is stiff and 
 formal still, dear girl, and my impression is you will find him so 
 for some little time ; but take my advice, don't ever dance 
 twice with a stranger to his seclusion, for he is confoundedly 
 jealous and particular in somethings, and as haughty as a prince 
 when treated with indifference ; but here he comes," as Beau- 
 champ again approached, saying Captain Melville consented to 
 take his turn after the Major; "and now, Blanche," taking a 
 card and pencil from his pocket, " if you will, on due reflection, 
 mark any one dance on the list after supper, and give it to me 
 
AN UNJUST ACCUSATION. 201 
 
 on my return, I will hold myself engaged to you, even though 
 it should be the very last." 
 
 " You are not going to leave us again now, William," said 
 Mrs. Gordon ; " I have not seen you the whole evening ; so sit 
 down with me a little, unless you prefer strangers to your 
 aunt." 
 
 "No, dear aunt, that is not my character, you well know ; 
 those I profess to love, I love deeply and for ever, and no 
 stranger can ever induce me to waver for one moment in my 
 affections or respect to those who are entitled to my esteem and 
 confidence." 
 
 Soon after, Major Hammond came up, offering his arm to 
 Blanche ; and when they were alone, Mrs. Gordon said, " You 
 have sufficiently punished dear Blanche for her trifling error, 
 to-night, William, and you are now more severe to her than she 
 deserves." 
 
 " The happiness of life, dear aunt, depends on trifles appa- 
 rently as light as air ; and the disposition is shown as much in 
 little things as in great events ; and you see my anticipations 
 about Blanche are being realised. I fear it will be some time 
 before she really knows her own mind. What ! ought Lord 
 Danby, or a dozen lords, to influence her conduct towards one 
 she professes to love, and make him insignificant in the presence 
 of a perfect stranger ! A woman cannot love the man she 
 would help to humiliate. No, no, aunt ; it harasses me to think 
 more about Blanche's treatment, which has sunk deep in my 
 heart. No sooner have I risked my life to save her from one 
 lord than I am nearly involved in a quarrel with another, 
 whom she thinks proper to patronise and place on an equal, if 
 not a superior, footing to myself; but from this night Blanche 
 is free to act as she pleases, without the least reference to me, 
 as I will never presume to advise or influence her for the future ; 
 in fact, I believe she does not rightly yet understand her own 
 feelings towards me, which, most probably, are those of sisterly 
 regard only, as she appears to be much taken, at first sight, with 
 Lord Danby." 
 
 " William, you are now not only severe but unjust also, and 
 are magnifying a trifle into a serious offence. Blanche has atoned 
 and suffered most severely for her error, and it was all I could 
 do to console her. Will you make me also miserable, as well as 
 herself?" 
 
 " No, dear aunt, I will say no more ; perhaps I have said 
 too much." 
 
202 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Then you will be kind to her as usual, when she returns ; 
 and be once again my own dear William ? " 
 
 " Yes, my kindest of friends ; I would not pain you for the 
 world, and you shall have no cause to find fault with me again 
 to-night." 
 
 When Blanche returned with her partner, Beau champ rose 
 and received her with his usual kind manner, and taking her 
 hand in his, whispered, " I have been too severe upon you, dear 
 Blanche ; will you forgive my excited feelings ? " 
 
 " Yes, indeed, dear William, I do, for I know I have acted 
 very wrong, and have dreaded lest I might involve you in a 
 quarrel by my wavering conduct ; but it shall never be repeated, 
 if you will trust me for the future \ my experience of the world 
 makes me feel the want of your kind, friendly advice, which 
 never again shall be disregarded, to do what I feel to be right, 
 not what it may be convenient to do. And now, to show you 
 my contrition for treating you so cavalierly, I will, after ful- 
 filling my engagement to Captain Melville, accept no other 
 partner but yourself for the remainder of the evening/' 
 
 " That, indeed, I cannot allow, Blanche." 
 
 " But you cannot help it, William," she said gaily ; " my re- 
 solution is taken, and being a right one, it shall not be broken." 
 
 " Well, dear girl, we will talk of that presently, as Melville 
 is approaching ; but bear in mind you are of our party at the 
 supper-table, where I have reserved places ; so return to us im- 
 mediately your dance is finished, or even before, if you see a 
 movement in that direction." 
 
 Melville was rallying Blanche on her forgetfulness of her 
 engagements that evening, in the last figure of the quadrille, 
 when, seeing a rush towards the door leading to the supper- 
 room, she hastily said, "I must join my party, Captain Mel- 
 ville, this moment, which is an engagement I made before 
 entering this room, and therefore I am of course bound to keep 
 before all others." 
 
 " Oh, never mind, there will be plenty of time yet, and I 
 will find you a place." 
 
 " Then I must go without you, as I certainly shall not offend 
 my Aunt Gordon by not being ready to attend her as I pro- 
 mised." 
 
 " Oh, Miss Douglas, I cannot allow you to go alone, and 
 will of course attend you." 
 
 Constance and Mrs. Gordon, with Malcolm and Beauchamp, 
 met them as they were returning, when the latter said, " There 
 
A CONVIVIAL PARTY. 203 
 
 is room for you at our table, Melville, if you will join our 
 party." 
 
 " Most willingly, Beauchamp," was the reply ; and in this 
 order, Mrs. Gordon having Beauchamp's arm, they descended 
 the stairs to the supper-room, when Melville whispered to 
 Blanche, " I do not now regret the interruption to our dance, 
 as it has afforded me the enviable position of sitting near you 
 and basking in the sunshine of those smiles I value beyond all 
 price." 
 
 "Pray spare me such fulsome compliments, Captain Mel- 
 ville," said Blanche, loud enough for Beauchamp to hear ; " I do 
 not like fine sjoeeches ; " which stopped the Captain from any 
 farther attempts in that line. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Four long tables were arranged in the supper-room for the 
 members of the four hunts, at the head of which each master 
 presided; and Will Beauchamp took his place, with Mrs. 
 Gordon on one hand, and Blanche on the other, at the head of 
 his table : the old squire sitting next to Blanche, and Malcolm 
 on the other side, below Mrs. Gordon ; next in succession came 
 Sir Lionel Markham, with his party, Sir Francis Burnett, 
 Gwynne, and other members of the hunt, Bob Conyers facing 
 William Beauchamp as vice-president at the lower end, around 
 whom all the youngsters (as Bob called them) were congregated 
 with their partners. Of eatables and potables there was a grand 
 display ; with a profusion of game, wild fowl, &c, with the usual 
 accompaniments of confectionary exhibited on such occasions, to 
 which, when the company had paid ample attention, the toasts 
 of the evening succeeded. The health of the ladies was of 
 course received with rapturous applause, for which Bob Conyers 
 returned thanks on their behalf in a very humorous and gallant 
 speech, being the oldest bachelor of the company, jocosely 
 taking his date from the age of George the Second. 
 
 "You behold, ladies and gentlemen," said Bob, "in your 
 humble servant a true specimen of the bashful man, who has 
 had the misfortune to be in love ever since entering his teens, 
 and who has now advanced very deep into the ties, without 
 being tied up himself; the fact is, ladies, I never could muster 
 
204 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 courage to pop the question, for, when the time arrived for 
 popping, the cork would never come out ; in short, I am like a 
 stale bottle of stout, there's no pop left in me ; and then as to a 
 choice — these lines are continually running in my head — 
 
 4 How happy could I be with either, 
 "Were t'other dear charmer away ! ' 
 
 My sensitive and soft heart is ever receiving impressions, but 
 the wax is always melting, for it ain't like cobbler's wax, which 
 keeps many a man in the saddle. This very night I have fallen 
 in love ten times, at least, already; and were I offered the 
 selection of all the beauty here assembled on this auspicious 
 occasion to do us honour, for my life I could never make up my 
 'mind, ladies, which to choose, as you all appear so irresistibly 
 bewitching. I see some men looking unutterably soft things, 
 and others whispering exceedingly foolish ones to their fair 
 partners, whilst I am standing by my unfortunate partner's 
 side like an oaf, twisting and twirling her fan (I believe I have 
 broken half a dozen to-night) ; but the very attempt to make 
 love absolutely chokes me; in short, unless some kind soul, 
 pitying my distressed situation, does actually propose for me, 
 Bob Conyers must continue a bachelor to the end of the chapter. 
 It behoves me now, gentlemen, on behalf of the ladies, to express 
 their thanks for the compliment paid them, and the married 
 who have experienced the felicity of connubial bliss offer their 
 matronly advice to all their younger sisters to change their state 
 as soon as possible ; and my advice to young bachelors is to take 
 warning by the fate of Bob Conyers, and to strike while the 
 iron is warm and pliable." 
 
 The next toast was fox-hunting : to which no one for some 
 time appeared inclined to respond, each master expecting the 
 other would rise; but Beauchamp, being the youngest, knew 
 very well he could not be required to do so, out of respect to 
 
 his seniors. The Honourable Mr. Manvers, master of the V 
 
 Hunt, at length stood up, and thus addressed the company : — 
 
 "Ladies and gentlemen, one would suppose, from the dead 
 silence among the masters of fox-hounds, that not one of them 
 could give tongue ; whereas, to my certain knowledge, all pos- 
 sess stentorian lungs except myself, who am unfortunately a 
 
 squeaker. The master of the C Hunt is notoriously a very 
 
 fast man across country, greatly my senior in years, and my 
 superior in sporting achievements — quick enough to speak his 
 mind in the field without much ceremony or circumlocution ; 
 
AN ATTEMPT AT A SPEECH. 205 
 
 and of course, therefore, the most proper person to return thanks 
 on this occasion : but he is evidently a timid, bashful man in 
 ladies' society; and although looking as fierce as a lion at fences, 
 I fear, like my friend Conyers, he will never muster courage to 
 pop the question. Then there's the master of the S. W. Hunt, 
 who, if he could be prevailed on to open his mouth, must be a 
 speaker of great weight, his longitude and latitude being of the 
 Anak order, and I may say, I Oh, that this too, too solid flesh 
 would melt, and resolve itself into a speech.' (A murmur from 
 Carrington, "That's my infirmity, sir.") Lastly, there is the 
 master of the hunt in whose district we have assembled, who, 
 by all accounts, can fight, if he can't speak in defence of the 
 ladies." 
 
 After some flattering remarks on the fair sex, Manvers 
 resumed his seat. 
 
 A move was soon after made; and, as the ladies were 
 leaving, Blanche whispered Beauchamp — 
 
 "You will find me disengaged, William, whenever you 
 return." 
 
 " No, no, my dear Blanche, this must not be. Do not think 
 me so unreasonable." 
 
 "It must be so, dear William, until you join us ; " on which 
 she took her aunt's arm. 
 
 Beauchamp, from his position as president, was obliged to 
 continue his sitting at his table during the delivery of a few 
 other toasts, much to his annoyance ; as several gentlemen had 
 already deserted to the more agreeable society of the fair sex in 
 the ball-room; who, from the movement heard overhead, were 
 evidently much more pleasantly occupied than in listening to 
 the drones who were attempting to utter dull speeches below. 
 
 Manvers, determined to have the master of the C 
 
 Hunt on his legs, proposed his health, which, after being duly 
 honoured, forced him to rise. 
 
 " Ladies and gentlemen," he began. (" The ladies are gone," 
 was shouted out.) "I beg pardon — well, then, gentlemen, I'll 
 begin again. Ladies and gentlemen." (Shouts of laughter.) 
 
 "Let him have it," cried Gwynue, "that's his text; he 
 can't preach from any other. Now then, old cock, out with 
 it. We give you, ladies and gentlemen." (Shouts of laughter — 
 " Order, order," from Sir Francis Burnett — " Hear, hear," from 
 Gwynne.) 
 
 " Gentlemen," said the master of the C Hunt, " for the 
 
 honour you have done me, in drinking my health, I return you 
 
206 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 my best thanks, and beg to say — that (another pause) — I beg to 
 say that I feel" — another pause — when a voice replied — 
 
 " A bigger fool than I ever thought myself." 
 
 Hoars of laughter again burst forth, during which the 
 
 master of the C Hunt resumed his seat in a violent 
 
 passion ; and thus this speechifying terminated. 
 
 Lord Danby was one of the first to quit the supper-table, 
 Blanche Douglas having thrown a spell of fascination over him, 
 which made him most anxious to become more intimately 
 acquainted with her ; when, finding her sitting with her two 
 aunts, Harcourt and Gordon, and Lady Seat on, he joined their 
 party, and stood talking with. Blanche, until the sets were again 
 beginning to form. 
 
 "Really, Miss Douglas, this is the most delightful ball," 
 Lord Danby observed, " I have ever attended ; everything is so 
 well arranged ; and the great variety of beautiful and elegant 
 costumes selected by the ladies renders it quite a fairy scene. 
 The music also is so enlivening, one feels it almost impossible 
 to resist its influence. Are you not, also, very fond of dancing, 
 Miss Douglas ? " 
 
 " Oh, yes ! " she replied. " I enjoy a ball exceedingly." 
 
 " Then, as I perceive you have no partner, will you consider 
 me too presuming in petitioning for the honour of another 
 dance 1 " 
 
 " I must beg to decline, Lord Danby, being already 
 engaged." 
 
 " Really," he continued, " I think your partner, whoever he 
 may be, deserves severe punishment for his negligence or indif- 
 ference, in preferring his friends' society in the supper-room to 
 yours." 
 
 "He may, perhaps, be detained there against his inclina- 
 tion," she replied ; " or, probably, is not aware that dancing has 
 re-commenced." 
 
 "You are very considerate and forbearing, Miss Douglas, 
 where, perhaps, your clemency may fail to be appreciated ; 
 although I can scarcely believe it possible any gentleman could 
 for a moment forget an engagement with yourself." 
 
 " Then, of course," she added, " my partner being unavoid- 
 ably absent, I cannot think of punishing him unjustly by 
 accepting another in his place." 
 
 "But if you will accept my arm conditionally," pleaded 
 Danby, "until he makes his appearance, I promise to resign 
 your hand the moment he approaches." 
 
A FIRM REFUSAL. 207 
 
 Blanche still quietly declined, when Mrs. Harcotirt over- 
 hearing her, interposed ; " Surely, my dear, you will not refuse 
 Lord Danby on such fair conditions ; it is your partner's duty 
 to be in attendance, if he wished to dance with you ; and you 
 are not to sit still to suit his convenience." 
 
 " I have danced twice with Lord Danby already this evening, 
 Aunt Harcourt, and having experienced some unpleasantness in 
 accepting one partner when engaged to another, I prefer sitting 
 down to causing any further disagreement." 
 
 " Oh, that is the gentlemen's affair, my dear ; you have 
 nothing to do with their differences." 
 
 " Indeed, but I think she has, Mrs. Harcourt," observed 
 Aunt Gordon, " and Blanche is acting most wisely in declining 
 to give offence to any one ; " and putting her niece's arm within 
 her own, she walked off to another part of the room. 
 
 " You have done quite right, my dearest girl," said Aunt 
 Gordon, " in refusing Lord Danby ; and I hope you will never 
 follow Mrs. Harcourt's advice, who does not care what scrapes 
 she may lead you into, or what annoyance you may suffer, when 
 a lord is in the case ; vain, foolish woman ! one would think 
 she had caused mischief enough already by trying to force Lord 
 Vancourt upon you ; but here comes William. Well, sir," 
 she said, " are you not ashamed of yourself, to be sitting drink- 
 ing with your boon companions so long, when you knew you 
 were engaged to Blanche 1 " 
 
 " Indeed, dear aunt, I was not aware that such was the case, 
 or nothing should have prevented me leaving the room earlier ; 
 although, as it is, I have given great offence by resigning my 
 presidential chair so soon." 
 
 "Well, William, I was only joking, but, as this quadrille is 
 now half finished, sit down with me and Blanche in this snug 
 corner, and tell us what that shouting was about." 
 
 Beauchamp gladly complied ; and his fair listeners laughed 
 
 exceedingly at his description of the Master of the C 
 
 Hunt's attempts to return thanks. 
 
 When Beauchamp stood up with Blanche some short time 
 afterwards, Lord Danby remarked to Mrs. Harcourt, " Oh, I 
 see now who the gentleman is to whom Miss Douglas was so 
 unwilling to give offence; and I am told Mr. Beauchamp is 
 decidedly in great favour, if not already engaged to her ; yet, 
 considering what has occurred, this is almost a natural con- 
 sequence." 
 
 "You are greatly misinformed, Lord Danby. Mr. Beau- 
 
208 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 champ cannot be engaged to my niece without her guardian's 
 consent, which, I am quite sure, he will never obtain from Mr. 
 Harcourt ; nor has it ever been solicited. He and Miss 
 Douglas have been known to each other from childhood, which 
 makes them, of course, on very intimate terms ; and Lord 
 Malcolm, her cousin, is also, I believe, engaged to Mr. Beau- 
 champ's sister." 
 
 " Oh, perhaps, then," said Lord Danby, " this may account 
 for that cordiality which is observable in their manner to each 
 other." 
 
 " Most certainly," replied Mrs. Harcourt ; " Mr. Beauchamp 
 cannot reasonably entertain any other views towards my niece, 
 knowing the utter impossibility of his ever standing in a nearer 
 relation to her than he does at present." 
 
 Lord Danby, thus assured by Mrs. Harcourt, and knowing 
 no cause to doubt her authority or sincerity in speaking so 
 unreservedly on the subject, treated Blanche's rumoured engage- 
 ment to Beauchamp as mere gossip, without any good founda- 
 tion ; and accordingly resolved to prosecute his suit if, on nearer 
 acquaintance, she realised his expectations. 
 
 Beauchamp, although not doubting Blanche's resolution to 
 adhere to her intention of not accepting any other partner than 
 himself for the remainder of the evening, thought it more 
 prudent to compromise the matter by engaging her for the 
 last dance only. 
 
 " It would be very improper in me, dear girl," he observed, 
 " to expose you to the remarks which would assuredly follow, 
 and excite Mrs. Harcourt's suspicions of our attachment, which, 
 for the present, it is more prudent to conceal ; but, believe me, 
 I do not for a moment doubt your constancy, or love for me as 
 a brother," he added in a lower tone, which she did not appear 
 to have heard. 
 
 " What can I say, then, William, to Lord Danby, should he 
 ask me again 1 Mrs. Harcourt will take offence, I suppose, if I 
 refuse him." 
 
 " You are not to consult Mrs. Harcourt's, but your own 
 feelings, Blanche, in such cases ; and knowing the general 
 opinion on this point, you, of course, are the best judge, 
 whether you feel inclined to give further encouragement to 
 Lord Danby by such a very particular mark of favour, as 
 accepting him three times for your partner, on the first night of 
 your acquaintance. Lord Danby and lookers-on will of course 
 draw the natural conclusion that you approve those marked 
 
LORD DANBY AT THE PRIORY. 209 
 
 attentions ; but if you do not intend to give him encourage- 
 ment, you can plead fatigue, or other engagements." Beau- 
 champ, having thus expressed himself, consigned Blanche to 
 Mrs. Gordon's care, who was soon relieved of her charge by a 
 succession of applicants for the honour of her niece's hand, 
 which was not permitted to remain idle until the dawn of 
 morning put an end to further exertions. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIIL 
 
 The next day, a grand muster of fox-hunters took place about 
 four miles from Cherrington, where the young squire made his 
 appearance about twelve o'clock ; and his usual good fortune 
 having attended him, resulting in a good day's sport, all retired 
 from the field well satisfied. The third morning, Beauchamp 
 rode over to the Priory, and remained until after luncheon ; 
 when, sitting with Blanche in the drawing-room, to his surprise 
 Captain Markham was announced, accompanied by Lord Dan by. 
 
 " Ah, Beauchamp, old fellow, good day's sport, yesterday — 
 'pon honour. Danby thinks first-rate. Called to inquire how 
 the ladies were after the ball. Capital band, Miss Douglas; 
 lots of partners ; grand affair — don't you think so 1 " 
 
 " Yes, Captain Markham J everything was exceedingly well 
 arranged, and reflects great credit on fox-hunters." 
 
 Lord Danby, although received rather iormally by Beau- 
 champ, was very courteous in his address to Blanche ; hoping 
 she did not feel over-fatigued by her great exertions, with many 
 other little speeches of this nature, usual on such occasions ; 
 soon after which the visitors took their leave. 
 
 " Beauchamp again ! " remarked Lord Danby to his friend, 
 during their ride home; "there must be something more in 
 his constant attentions to Miss Douglas than Mrs. Harcourt 
 imagines." 
 
 " Can't say, Danby, 'pon honour — don't concern me — mind 
 my own business — every fellow must take care of himself ; but 
 Harcourt is a crusty old customer — very, won't give in — swears 
 Beauchamp shan't have her — can't be had without his consent 
 — ward, and all that sort of thing." 
 
 " Well, I hardly know what to think, Markham. " 
 
 " Take my advice, Danby — think nothing about it, but act 
 
210 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 as you feel inclined — field open to all — no poaching — win her, 
 if you can — worth having — lots of tin — capital chance — Mar- 
 chioness of Danby — sure to take." 
 
 " I do not regard her fortune, Markham, and believe she 
 would not many me for my title, unless my first impressions of 
 her character axe very erroneous. But it is quite premature my 
 talking in this manner upon so short an acquaintance." 
 
 A few nights after, Mrs. Gordon, Lord Malcolm, and Blanche, 
 with the Beauchamp family, dined at Barton Court, and after 
 dinner Lord Danby paid particular attention to Miss Douglas, 
 sitting near her the greater part of the evening, evidently 
 fascinated by her unaffected manners and exceeding loveliness ; 
 in fact, from that time he fell really in love with her. Beau- 
 champ, guessing what was passing in Lord Danby' s mind, kept 
 at a distance, from that feeling of hauteur which jealousy 
 engenders ; and Mrs. Gordon witnessed with alarm his contract- 
 ing brows and compressed lips. Selina Markham, also, noticing 
 his grave deportment and thoughtful looks, whispered — 
 
 " What is the matter with you to-night, Will Beauchamp ? 
 You look like a judge with his black cap on, about to pronounce 
 sentence of death on some unhappy culprit. I read your* 
 thoughts — the culprit is Danby — another lord to shoot, eh, 
 Will?" 
 
 " Nonsense, Selina." 
 
 " Sense, Will Beauchamp ; I have been watching your 
 savage looks at the little flirtation going on in that quiet 
 corner between Blanche and Danby ; but don't be alarmed — he 
 is not the fellow to run away with her, or attempt it — all right 
 and above board this time. But seriously speaking, Beauchamp, 
 if you are, as I believe, truly in love with Blanche, make me 
 your confidant, and I will soon check my lord from further 
 advances." 
 
 " Thank you, Selina, for your friendly intentions, but 
 Blanche is free to choose whom she pleases." 
 
 " Is it so, William 1 Are you not already engaged ? " 
 There was no reply. " I had hoped," added Selina, " that you 
 were ; but take my advice, don't be a spooney, but propose at 
 once." 
 
 " And be at once rejected by Harcourt. No, no, Selina, I 
 have too much pride for that • but say no more now, or we 
 shall be overheard." 
 
 From that night Lord Danby became a frequent visitor at 
 the Priory, where his very quiet, gentlemanly manners and 
 
Blanche's avowal of love. 211 
 
 unliable disposition soon won upon all the family ; so much so, 
 that even Mrs. Gordon felt very much pleased with his com- 
 pany, although never failing in her loyalty to Beauchamp, of 
 whom she now saw so little as to excite great misgivings in her 
 mind. Lord Danby was at first generally accompanied by 
 Markham or his sister, but now often rode over there alone, 
 and sometimes on hunting days, which at last excited Mrs. 
 Gordon's suspicions that he entertained serious intentions 
 towards her niece. 
 
 " Blanche," she said, one day, after finding on her return to 
 the house that he had been sitting with her some time in the 
 drawing-room while she was occupied in the garden, "Lord 
 Danby has paid a long visit. I hear he has been here more 
 than an hour, and I begin to think with Charles, his attentions 
 to you, my dear girl, can admit of only one interpretation. 
 But seriously, Blanche, what do you think of him 1 " 
 
 "He is very agreeable, dear aunt, pleasing, and good- 
 humoured, and I like him very much ; Charles also appears to 
 be on very friendly terms with him, and speaks highly in his 
 praise." 
 
 " Yes, my dear, he is certainly, as far as I can judge from 
 our short acquaintance, a very unaffected, excellent young man ; 
 but it is quite clear now that his visits here are unquestionably 
 on your account, and William, from his unusual absence, has 
 evidently heard and believes the same. Are you prepared, 
 therefore, my dear girl (as I will never influence you in the 
 choice of a husband), to receive him as a suitor for your hand, 
 to the exclusion of Beauchamp, whom, after due reflection, you 
 may only love as a brother ? If so, dear Blanche, knowing 
 William's deep, disinterested regard for you, pray be candid 
 with me, as your true welfare is my first consideration ; so do 
 not hesitate in telling me if you prefer Lord Danby, that I may 
 break to William that his hopes are at an end." 
 
 " Oh, no, my dearest aunt," exclaimed Blanche, throwing 
 her arms round her neck ; " I never did, never can love any 
 other than dear William ; but he has been so distant lately 
 that I almost fear he has ceased to love me." 
 
 "Then had he ceased to love you, dear girl, would you 
 accept Lord Danby 1 " 
 
 "No, dear aunt, that is impossible; I could not love again 
 so soon, if ever." 
 
 " My own dear child, then rest assured you are as secure of 
 William's affection as of my own, which neither time nor 
 
 N 2 
 
212 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 absence can ever change; but you know his keen, sensitive 
 feelings, and often-expressed resolution never to stand in your 
 way, if he thought you preferred another more eligible than 
 himself. Poor fellow ! I know what he must have suffered 
 lately, since we dined at Barton Court, and I noticed his 
 deep, thoughtful looks fixed on you and Lord Danby when 
 sitting together. But now, dear Blanche, he will soon return, 
 when he knows your feelings are unchanged." 
 
 After this conversation, Mrs. Gordon sought Malcolm, and, 
 telling him of her explanation with Blanche, begged him to ride 
 directly to Bampton, and entreat William Beauchamp to come 
 over to the Priory the next day. Malcolm lost no time in 
 finding his friend ; and having at last satisfied his scruples and 
 allayed his suspicions, which were hard to overcome, he 
 obtained his promise to comply with Mrs. Gordon's request. 
 This same afternoon, Lord Danby, after his very agreeable 
 tete-d-tete with Blanche, and construing her pleased and some- 
 times embarrassed looks into a warmer sentiment, coupling with 
 these also his kind reception at the Priory and Beauchamp's 
 apparent indifference, all combined impressing him with the 
 idea that he could not now sue in vain, he rode directly to 
 Throseby, and finding Mr. Harcourt at home, proposed for his 
 ward, and was, of course without much hesitation, accepted. 
 After expressing his grateful thanks to Mr. Harcourt, Lord 
 Danby begged permission to plead his own cause in person to 
 Miss Douglas, before his formal proposal should be made 
 known. 
 
 " Certainly, my lord," replied Mr. Harcourt ; " if you par- 
 ticularly wish it, I can have no positive objection to such a 
 request, provided you are quite sure of the duke's approbation." 
 
 " I have already consulted him on the subject, Mr. Har- 
 court, and there is his reply," handing him a letter from his 
 father. 
 
 " This is perfectly satisfactory, my lord," replied Mr. Har- 
 court, " and you have our best wishes for your success." 
 
 The next morning, about eleven o'clock, Lord Danby directed 
 his course to the Priory. Blanche was sitting by herself in the 
 drawing-room (her aunt having, as usual after breakfast, gone 
 to her poultry-yard), when the door opened, and he was 
 announced. She would gladly have made any excuse to leave 
 the room, but that being impossible without great apparent 
 rudeness, she sat down with a tremor and embarrassment so 
 very visible and unlike her usual manner, that it could not 
 
LORD DANBY SUES FOR BLANCHE'S HAND. 213 
 
 escape the notice of Lord Danby, who felt his hopes rise at 
 what he very naturally concluded evinced a warmer feeling 
 towards him than that of a mere acquaintance ; and thus 
 encouraged, he took advantage of the present opportunity to 
 press his suit and avow the feelings of love and affection, which 
 ever since his first introduction to her had been daily in- 
 creasing. 
 
 After a few common-place remarks, his lordship observed 
 that his visit to Barton Court was drawing to a close. " A ; 
 visit, Miss Douglas, which has been productive of more pleasure ' 
 to me than I can express, but from which the happiness or 
 misery of my future life will be dated ; need I say that on you 
 that happiness depends ? Wealth and rank I offer you (though 
 I feel these would have little weight), but what is far beyond 
 these, a heart deeply and devotedly your own, and which has 
 never been given to another. Say, dearest Miss Douglas," 
 taking her hand, " if i may hope to be fortunate enough to 
 possess this treasure ?" 
 
 Poor Blanche was quite overwhelmed with pain and con- 
 fusion at this unequivocal proposal, but, quickly recovering 
 herself, she withdrew her hand, saying, " Indeed, Lord Danby, 
 I very much regret this avowal of your sentiments towards 
 me." 
 
 " Oh, recall that word — regret, Miss Douglas ; for though 
 our acquaintance has been short, let me still hope that in time 
 my devoted affection may induce you to give me a more favour- 
 able answer than that I now dread." 
 
 " Pray cease, my lord ; indeed, you distress me ; I never 
 imagined your attentions were more than those of a friend." 
 
 " Every one must have divined the nature of those atten- 
 tions but yourself; and now, dear Miss Douglas, listen, I 
 entreat, to one who has never known what love was till he 
 knew you, and whose whole happiness rests on your reply. 
 Give me ever so distant a hope that I may win that hand I 
 would give all I possess to obtain." 
 
 " Indeed, Lord Danby, I cannot be ever more to you than a 
 friend, flattered as I feel by your preference for me. But it is 
 impossible ; my feelings will not change." 
 
 " Then," cried he, turning very pale, " my worst forebodings 
 are verified ; you love another ? " 
 
 Blanche blushed crimson, and rising, said, " I know not by 
 what right Lord Danby presumes to question my feelings." 
 " Oh, forgive me, Miss Douglas. I never meant to offend 
 
214 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. . 
 
 but have some pity on this bitter disappointment to all my 
 long-cherished hopes, and at least do not discard me as a friend, 
 though you will not now listen to me as a lover. I can never, 
 while life lasts, cease to be deeply interested in one to whom I 
 would have devoted that life, if permitted." 
 
 But Blanche, hearing footsteps in the hall, fled hastily 
 through another door, and sought her own room. 
 
 It is always a painful thing for a woman to refuse any man, 
 but doubly so when that man has qualities to command esteem 
 and admiration ; and Blanche now devoutly wished Lord 
 Danby had never been known to her, or that she had been 
 spared the necessity of inflicting pain on one so truly estimable. 
 Little did she think, at that very moment, how agonising 
 were the feelings of that dear one for whom she had rejected 
 him ; but we must now relate what caused Beauchamp to 
 feel thus. 
 
 It so happened that he arrived at the Priory about ten 
 minutes after Lord Danby, and giving his horse to a servant in 
 the stable-yard, walked round to the hall door. In doing so, 
 he passed the drawing-room window, and a glance into the 
 room revealed to his astonished sight Lord Danby sitting on 
 the sofa with Blanche, and holding her hand in his. Beau- 
 champ's brain was almost on fire at the sight ; he rushed back 
 into the stable-yard, seized his horse from the astonished groom, 
 who was taking lnm into the stable, and with a look of fury in 
 his eyes rode rapidly away. At the lodge-gates he met Mal- 
 colm, who exclaimed, " Why, Beauchamp, what on earth is the 
 matter 1 you look scared and pale as death. My dear fellow, 
 what has happened 1 " 
 
 "You have deceived me, Lord Malcolm, and brought me 
 here to be insulted — scorned — disgraced. Not five minutes 
 since have I seen Blanche Douglas sitting on the sofa, with 
 Lord Danby's hand in hers. Let me pass," as Malcolm at- 
 tempted to detain him ; " fool ! idiot though I have been, that 
 sight has crazed — has maddened me !" 
 
 ' 'For Heaven's sake ,stop one moment, Beauchamp ; on my 
 honour, I have not deceived you," exclaimed Malcolm. But he 
 was gone, riding furiously towards home. 
 
 Malcolm returned instantly to the house, and sought 
 Blanche in the drawing-room ; she was not there. He then 
 ran up-stairs, calling her name loudly. In a moment she 
 appeared from her room. 
 
 " What do you want, Charles ? " she asked. 
 
A COMMOTION AT THE PRIORY. 215 
 
 " Quick, Blanche, one word only ; have you accepted Lord 
 Danby?" 
 
 " Oh, Charles, how can you ask me such a question 1 " 
 
 "On your life — your honour — answer me truly — without 
 evasion — have you positively, unconditionally refused him ? " 
 
 " On my honour, Charles, yes ; but what makes you ask me 
 so vehemently ? " 
 
 " Because Beauchamp has been here, saw you sitting with 
 your hand in his, and the sight has driven him distracted ; but 
 I must be gone this moment and follow him, or I know not 
 what he may do in his excited state." 
 
 Malcolm rushed from the house, and mounting his horse, 
 which his servant held at the door, galloped instantly away to 
 overtake his friend. Mrs. Gordon, who was returning from 
 her poultry-yard, alarmed at the furious galloping of horses up 
 the carriage drive, entered the house hastily, and inquired of 
 the footman what it meant, and who had been calling there. 
 
 " The Marquis of Danby, ma'am, has been here and is just 
 gone. Mr. William Beauchamp rode into the yard, and lei'c 
 his horse, but before it could be put into the stable, he returned 
 and took him from John's hand, and rode off as fast as ho 
 could go. My lord has also ridden full gallop up to the lodge." 
 
 "What can have happened, Thomas? " asked Mrs. Gordon, 
 anxiously. 
 
 "Nothing that I know of, ma'am; but John said Master 
 William was in a terrible way about something, and looked like 
 a ghost." 
 
 "Good gracious !" exclaimed Mrs. Gordon; "but where is 
 Miss Douglas ? " 
 
 " In her own room, I believe, ma'am ; " and immediately 
 Mrs. Gordon rushed up- stairs, and found Blanche in an agony 
 of grief. 
 
 " My own child " (throwing her arms round her niece), 
 " what on earth has happened ? what is the meaning of all I 
 heard about Lord Danby, Beauchamp, and Malcolm riding so 
 furiously away, and you in tears too ? Dear Blanche, pray tell 
 me what has caused this dreadful commotion ? " 
 
 " Dear, dear aunt," replied Blanche, crying bitterly, " I am 
 the unfortunate cause of all." 
 
 Blanche then related what had occurred between herself 
 and Lord Danby, and that Beauchamp having, on passing the 
 window, seen him take her hand, rode away, as her cousin told 
 her, in a distracted state, refusing to stop or listen to him a 
 
216 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 moment ; and that Charles, learning the truth from her own 
 lips, immediately followed him, fearing he might commit some 
 rash act. 
 
 "May Heaven avert such a calamity, my dear child !" ex- 
 claimed Mrs. Gordon ; " but pray do not give way thus ; we can 
 trust Charles, and, oh ! how fortunate he was here." 
 
 " Indeed, dear aunt, I should never forgive myself were 
 anything to befall poor William, for I fear I may have treated 
 Lord Danby in too friendly a manner, as we all liked him so 
 much ; but, until yesterday, I never thought he intended more 
 than common attention to me, and indeed, dear aunt, this 
 morning he was so suddenly announced that I could not escape 
 from the room, though, after what you told me yesterday, I 
 had resolved never to be left alone with him again." 
 
 " My dear love, do not distress yourself so, it could not be 
 avoided, and I hope Charles will prevail on William to return." 
 
 Fast as Lord Malcolm rode, and he slackened not his speed 
 for a moment, Beauchamp far outstripped him, and having put 
 his horse in the stable, ordered a fresh one to be saddled imme- 
 diately, going up the back stairs to his room, where, having 
 packed up a carpet bag, he sat writing a few hasty lines to his 
 father, explaining what had taken place, and his intention of 
 leaving home for a short time ; when Malcolm, bursting open 
 the door, exclaimed, " Beauchamp, why this folly, this madness ] 
 Danby has proposed, and is rejected ! — how could you think 
 Blanche would act otherwise ! " 
 
 " On your honour, Malcolm, is this true 1 " 
 
 " On my life, it is ; Blanche has told me all ; that, urging 
 his suit, he seized her hand for a moment, but that she imme- 
 diately withdrew it, and positively refused his addresses." 
 
 Beauchamp stood as if electrified, his lips and frame quiver- 
 ing with agitation, and then sunk back into a chair, over- 
 powered by conflicting sensations. 
 
 " Here, Beauchamp," said Malcolm, pouring out a glass o^ 
 water, " drink this, my dear fellow ; all is well, believe me, and 
 now you must return to poor dear Blanche, who is almost 
 broken-hearted, fearing you have left her for ever." 
 
 " Oh, Malcolm ! the agony of that moment ; I thought my 
 heart would burst, and now see how my hand trembles ; I am 
 quite bewildered still/' 
 
 " Then come with me, my dear Beauchamp ; a glass of wine 
 first, and then our horses." 
 
 "I cannot go just yet, Malcolm ; my head throbs so." 
 
THE LOVERS RECONCILED. 217 
 
 "The air will revive you, Beauchamp, so come along 
 directly ; " and taking his friend's arm, Malcolm led him down- 
 stairs, and having forced him to drink a glass of wine, they 
 mounted their horses. Beauchamp rode by his friend's side, 
 and was like a man in a trance, from which Malcolm could 
 not rouse him ; but when they reached the Priory, seeing 
 Blanche at the little morning-room window, with her handker- 
 chief in her hand, Malcolm exclaimed, " There is that dear girl 
 still crying ; can joxi doubt her now ? " 
 
 In an instant Beauchamp rushed into the room, and fold- 
 ing her in his arms, burst into tears. " Thank Heaven for those 
 tears," said Malcolm ; " now, dear Blanche, they will relieve 
 him." 
 
 Leaving the lovers together, Malcolm took his aunt into the 
 drawing-room, and told her the state in which he found Beau- 
 champ. " In short, dear aunt, he has received a dreadful shock, 
 and I feared at first his brain was seriously affected. We must 
 do all now to soothe and comfort him." The interview between 
 Blanche and Beauchamp was most affecting; but she, seeing 
 his prostrate state of mind, was the first to rouse herself, and 
 rally him on his want of faith in her attachment. 
 
 " My own dearest treasure," replied Beauchamp, " I deserve 
 every reproach you can heap upon my head ; but if you knew 
 only half what I have suffered since the ball and dinner party 
 at Sir Lionel's, and hearing the frequent remarks made by 
 others, you would indeed pity, rather than condemn me, for 
 believing you had mistaken the true nature of your feelings 
 towards me ; but forgive all my jealous, unjust suspicions — I 
 will never again listen to such false reports." 
 
 Aunt Gordon, thinking too much excitement might be 
 injurious, now made her appearance, saying in a cheerful voice, 
 "Well, Blanche, I hope you have given William a thorough 
 good scolding ; but the luncheon is on the table, and after that 
 you must really take a walk this fine day, having been sitting 
 in the house all the morning." 
 
 Beauchamp was unable to eat anything, which Mrs. Gordon 
 remarking, poured him out a glass of wine. " Why, my dear 
 boy, you look quite wretched, with that pale, wan face ; pray 
 take something, if only a biscuit ; and mind, my love, you have 
 a good long walk afterwards, to give him an appetite for his 
 dinner." 
 
 " I fear, dear aunt, I cannot dine with you to-day." 
 
 " I fear, dear William, you must," was the playful reply ; 
 
218 THE MASTER OF THE HOUKDS. 
 
 " and as you are so dainty, I shall order a couple of my spring 
 chickens to be dressed especially for you." 
 
 " Then I must send to let my father and Constance know I 
 do not dine at home." 
 
 " Oh, yes, of course," replied Malcolm, " and I shall go over 
 and dine at Bampton in your place, my boy, and make love to 
 Constance all the evening, as you were in such a state this 
 morning I could not speak a word to her." 
 
 After luncheon, Malcolm again mounted his horse, to allay 
 the old squire's apprehensions about his son, not doubting the 
 servants had noticed his very excited manner ; and Beauchamp 
 with Blanche strolled out together for a walk, and did not 
 return until nearly five o'clock ; so agreeably passed the time, 
 that they were scarcely aware of the lateness of the hour. It 
 would be difficult to point out the happiest of those three 
 persons, who after dinner drew round to the fireside at the 
 Priory that evening. Mrs. Gordon being in high spirits, could 
 not forbear joking Beauchamp on his jealousy. 
 
 "Why, William, at this rate you will be in a lunatic asylum 
 within a week of Blanche's first appearance at Almack's; you 
 really must school yourself to meet these things with com- 
 placency, if not with indifference; for Blanche will undoubtedly 
 attract many admirers (irrespective of her fortune), and she 
 cannot prevent people falling in love with her, or proposing." 
 
 "Indeed, dear aunt, I feel more and more every day how 
 undeserving I am of her preference, and that feeling makes me 
 wretched ; she is so far, so veiy far beyond my deserts, that I 
 know I have no right to aspire to that dear hand, which I 
 dread sometimes to think can never be mine." 
 
 " Never, dear William, believe me," replied Blanche, " shall 
 this hand (placing it in his) belong to any other than your- 
 self; titles, rank, honours are nothing to me, in comparison 
 with your love. Oh ! William, don't again doubt my entire 
 devotion to yourself, or you will, indeed, make me miserable." 
 
 " Heaven bless you, my own darling girl, for that avowal," 
 as he raised her hand to his lips, and the tears started to his 
 eyes from uncontrollable emotion. 
 
 "Come, come, my dear boy," said Mrs. Gordon, "your 
 nerves are sadly shattered by this morning's work ; pray do not 
 torment yourself any moreun this foolish manner." 
 
 " I ivill not go to London, aunt," added Blanche, " unless 
 William goes too ; and to save him any anxiety, I had rather 
 not go at all." 
 
THE TROUBLES OF THE DAY ENDED. 219 
 
 " Well, dear child, no one can oblige you to go, unless you 
 like it ; so we will say no more on the subject. And now, 
 William, I hope you will not be sparing of your visits to the 
 Priory for the future ; and to make up for your bad conduct, I 
 expect you will come over here at least two or three days in 
 the week, if not oftener." 
 
 " You will, I fear, dear aunt, be sooner tired of my company 
 than I shall be of yours ; as I have promised this dear girl to 
 be here as often as possible." 
 
 " I am delighted to hear it, William ; so now take another 
 glass of wine, and we will then go to the ladies' drawing-room, 
 and Blanche will sing a few son^s to enliven us." 
 
 It was a late hour before Beauchamp could tear himselt 
 away from her he loved so enthusiastically ; when, after folding 
 her once more in a long and fervent embrace, invoking every 
 blessing on her head, and then pressing Aunt Gordon's hand to 
 his lips, he bade them both good night. 
 
 " Dear, kind, affectionate boy ! " exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, 
 when he left the room, " who could fail to love you, even 
 though ten times more jealous than you are 1 " 
 
 " Oh, dear aunt, you do not, cannot know how dearly I do 
 love him." 
 
 "Indeed, my darling girl, I do believe it, and Heaven grant 
 you may ever love him as now, or, poor fellow, I believe he 
 would never survive a change." 
 
 "Never, dearest aunt, shall he find any change in me." 
 
 " I do not fear it, my love ; so now let us go to our rooms, 
 and thank the Almighty that the day which began in trouble 
 has ended in happiness to us all." 
 
 CHAPTER XXIY. 
 
 We must now turn to Lord Danby, who felt most acutely the 
 sudden overthrow of his fondly-cherished and too sanguine 
 hopes, and whose disappointment was in proportion to his 
 highly-wrought expectations. Many women, more beautiful, 
 more highly accomplished, more fascinating in manner, of high 
 rank and of great wealth, had Lord Danby encountered in his 
 short intercourse with the world, who had excited his passing 
 admiration, without awakening any deeper emotion ; but until 
 
220 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 the night of the hunt ball, he had never met with one who 
 realised his ideas of perfect loveliness. The unstudied elegance 
 of mien and manner — the soft, angelic countenance of Blanche 
 Douglas, lit up by those sparkling eyes, so innocently expressive 
 of her artless, unsophisticated mind, presented to Lord Danby's 
 imagination, if not absolutely to his sight, that vision he had so 
 long cherished in his heart, of perfection in woman. Whenever 
 she moved, his eyes instinctively, irresistibly followed ; and 
 after having danced two quadrilles with her, he was as much 
 taken with her guileless remarks, gentle disposition, light, 
 buoyant spirits and cheerful conversation, from which there 
 was a total absence of either levity or satire, as he had been at 
 first sight with her person ; and from that night her image was 
 the constant companion of his thoughts, and ever present day 
 and night. Even in rejecting his proposals that day, she was 
 lovely still ; so grieved to inflict pain, so anxious to spare those 
 bitter feelings she seemed by intuition to know he must feel, 
 when obliged to crush by one word all his deeply-indulged, 
 fondly-cherished hopes of happiness. " Oh, Blanche, Blanche ! " 
 ejaculated Lord Danby, as he spurred forward from the lodge 
 gates, which so short a time before he had entered cheerful and 
 happy ; " all I possess in the world — rank, honours, and riches — 
 would I resign ; all, all — everything, for that most precious to 
 me of all earthly treasures — your dear hand. But it cannot be 
 — not now, at least — if ever ! She loves, I fear, another — and 
 that man is William Beauchamp. It must be so, and Harcourt 
 has deceived me." Indulging in such melancholy reflections, 
 Lord Danby reached Barton Court, and immediately repaired 
 to his own room, where, when feeling more composed, he sat 
 down and wrote a few lines to Mr. Harcourt, expressive of his 
 feelings of unfeigned sorrow and most poignant grief in having 
 that morning failed to interest Miss Douglas in his favour; 
 although acknowledging her kind consideration in endeavouring 
 to spare him as much as possible the pain of a refusal. 
 
 Having dispatched this letter by his servant to Throseby, 
 Lord Danby sought Sir Lionel, and made known his intention 
 of leaving Barton Court the following morning, alleging, as his 
 excuse for curtailing his visit, that an unexpected event required 
 his immediate return home. Lord Danby's communication 
 excited no little surprise and no trifling indignation on the part 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt, who, attributing Blanche's refusal 
 of such an unexceptionable offer to Mrs. Gordon's influence 
 over her in favour of Beauchamp, drove over in hot haste to 
 
MR. HARCOURT ATTACKS MRS. GORDON. 221 
 
 the Priory, vowing vengeance, and resolving to insist on Blanche 
 being restored to their protection. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon was sitting alone at her work in the drawing- 
 room (Malcolm and Blanche having ridden over to Bampton), 
 when Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt pounced in upon her, and with 
 scarcely the usual civility of shaking hands, the gentleman 
 rushed in rnedias res, or in plainer terms, was at Iter without 
 circumlocution, boiling to deliver himself of his angry thoughts. 
 
 " So, Mrs. Gordon, I find you have persuaded your niece to 
 reject the Marquis of Danby ; a young nobleman of unblemished 
 character, large fortune, and heir to a dukedom ! What fault 
 could you find with him, Mrs. Gordon 1 He is handsome, most 
 amiable in disposition (Sir Lionel and all his family speak in 
 raptures of his lordship), and agreeable ; in short, perfectly un- 
 exceptionable in every respect. But I suppose it did not suit 
 your views that my ward should accept his lordship ; and there- 
 fore her prospects in life are to be sacrificed that you may carry 
 out your own plans." 
 
 " My plans ! Mr. Harcourt," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, unable 
 to contain her indignation any longer, " how dare you accuse 
 me of planning ! You and your friend, Lord Mervyn, are plan- 
 ners, and very creditable plans you devise between you ! I per- 
 suade my niece to reject Lord Danby ! I scorn the imputation, 
 sir, and throw it back, as a base, untrue, unmanly assertion. 
 My influence never has been, and never shall be exercised like 
 yours, in inducing her to marry any man ; neither have I been 
 instrumental in her refusal of Lord Danby ; and I say, without 
 fear of contradiction, in which I shall be fully confirmed by his 
 lordship, that he has received from me every facility for im- 
 proving his acquaintance with my niece since he has been in 
 this neighbourhood. From the day we dined at Sir Lionel 
 Markham's, Lord Danby has had the entree of my house at all 
 times ; Lord Malcolm and myself have treated him with the 
 greatest kindness, from his being previously known to Charles ; 
 he has dined here very frequently ; has often seen Blanche 
 alone, when I have been out or otherwise engaged ; in short, 
 we all liked him so much and thought so highly of him, that 
 latterly his visits were made without the least formality, and he 
 was received on the footing of a friend. These are plain facts, 
 Mr. Harcourt ; and had I any intention, or any reason what- 
 ever, to prejudice Blanche against Lord Danby, or throw any 
 obstacle in his way, it is quite needless for me to say, orders 
 might have been given to my servants to refuse him admittance ; 
 
222 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 and last of all, when he called yesterday, and proposed to 
 Blanche, I was quite unaware of his having been here, until 
 some time after he had left the house." 
 
 "It appears most extraordinary to me,*' replied Mrs. Har- 
 court, " quite inexplicable, how Blanche could refuse such a 
 person as Lord Danby." 
 
 "And so you thought before, Mrs. Harcourt, when she 
 refused Lord Vancourt ; preferring to be guided by her own 
 feelings instead of listening to your advice ; and fortunate 
 indeed, poor girl ! for her, that she summoned resolution enough 
 to think and act for herself. In this instance she has done the 
 same thing, and feeling no deeper regard for Lord Danby upon 
 so short an acquaintance, she of course declined his proposal. 
 There is nothing very extraordinary in such conduct, unless you 
 can show that my niece is under the imperious necessity of 
 accepting any nobleman who proposes, whether she likes him 
 or not." 
 
 " I should like to know," retorted Mrs. Harcourt, " how 
 often your favourite, Mr. Beauchamp, has been here lately ? " 
 
 " Without keeping an exact register of all persons who call 
 at the Priory," replied Mrs. Gordon, " I think I may safely say 
 that since the ball he has called twice, and dined here once 
 only ; therefore his presence cannot have operated as a counter- 
 foil to Lord Danby, who has had the field quite open to the 
 prosecution of his addresses, without the slightest interven- 
 tion from any other person whatever ; and I may add that, 
 guessing his lordship's intentions from his very frequent visits, 
 t pointed out to Blanche the advantages of such an alliance, 
 and his many good qualities, leaving it entirely to her own 
 feelings to accept him or not." 
 
 " Oh, indeed, Mrs. Gordon ; but pray, where is Blanche ? as 
 Ave wish very much to see her." 
 
 " She is out riding with her cousin,*' was the reply. 
 
 The Harcourts rose soon after and took their leave, seeing 
 no grounds for further altercation with Mrs. Gordon, who had 
 so completely turned the tables on them. 
 
 As the time fixed for holding the assizes drew near, 
 Blanche became exceedingly nervous, requiring all Beau- 
 champ's tenderness and encouragement to strengthen her for 
 the coming trial ; and every hour he could spare was devoted 
 to her. 
 
 " Oh, William ! " she exclaimed one day, when they were 
 walking arm-in-arm in the garden ; " I have such a dread of 
 
FRESH AVOWALS OF ATTACHMENT. 223 
 
 appearing in court, that I wish Charles would give up all 
 further proceedings, and let the matter rest as it is. Will 
 you ask him to do so, as he will not listen to me ? " 
 
 " My dearest girl, you know I would do anything to spare 
 your feelings ; but you must consider, if the trial is prevented 
 taking jDlace, your fair name will be tarnished for ever, and 
 people will say you consented to elope with Lord Yancourt ; 
 this will be undoubtedly the opinion of the world, and the 
 reflections cast upon your character for such an act will follow 
 you through life. Would you consent to lie under such an 
 imputation, merely to avoid a little unpleasantry for a few 
 minutes ? as you have little more to depose to than your 
 honour, and surprise at Lord Vancourt's attempt to hurry 
 you off." 
 
 " If not for my own sake, yet for yours, dear William, must 
 I summon then all my courage, as no reflections shall ever be 
 cast on your wife, which I now consider myself to be, in the 
 sight of Heaven, having vowed never to marry another, if it 
 pleases the Almighty to spare our lives until that event takes 
 place." 
 
 " My own dearest Blanche, on my account you shall never 
 be subjected to one moment's inquietude, which it may be in 
 my power to prevent. The world is nothing to me. I care 
 neither for its favours nor its frowns ; it is for yourself only I 
 am thinking, should any unfortunate circumstance prevent our 
 union ; for without Mrs. Harcourt's consent, I cannot claim 
 your hand until two long years have elapsed ; and how many 
 things may happen in that time to dash the cup of happiness 
 from my lips ! " 
 
 " Nothing, William, but the hand of death can ever prevent 
 me fulfilling my engagement to you, although I fear you will 
 never believe me sincere in this oft-expressed determination. 
 Oh, would that you could read every secret feeling of my heart, 
 which beats for you only ! Indeed, indeed, dear William, your 
 doubts and suspicions make me very miserable ; for three long 
 weeks, day after day, hour after hour, I sat wondering why you 
 never came, watching and hoping that the sound of every horse 
 I heard approaching might be yours. Oh, had you come as 
 usual, I had been spared that unpleasant scene with Lord 
 Danby, and you the agony of believing for one moment that I 
 could prefer him or any other human being to yourself." , 
 
 " Dear, dear Blanche, pray spare me those bitter reflections 
 which my past conduct calls up ; but, indeed, I could not help 
 
224 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 thinking, from what occurred at the ball, and afterwards at 
 Barton Court, when you were sitting so long with Lord Danby, 
 and so evidently pleased with his society, that his attentions 
 must be most agreeable to you ; and it was on that account 
 solely, and lest my presence might influence you, or deter him 
 from an expression of his sentiments, that I absented myself so 
 long from the Priory." 
 
 " Well, dear William, you do not now, I hope, believe that 
 I ever intended anything more than common civility to Lord 
 Danby ; but to convince you of my unswerving attachment to 
 yourself, here is a little present which I had purchased expressly 
 for your own hand, within this last week" — producing a beautiful 
 diamond riDg, with a small lock of her hair inside — "and which 
 you must wear as a symbol of my love. Come, give me your 
 hand — I shall place it myself on your finger, and when I cease 
 to be your own dear Blanche, as you so often call me, then 
 return this ring to me again." 
 
 " That you will never cease to be to me, my own sweet 
 girl," pressing her to his heart ; " and now, dear Blanche, see 
 that I also had prepared a similar present for yourself, which I 
 had intended giving you after the hunt ball j and now I must 
 examine which finger it will fit best." 
 
 " Place it where you would my wedding-ring, dear William ; 
 and now, with my hand in yours, by that token I pledge my 
 faith to you. Dear William, will that pledged promise satisfy 
 your jealous, unjust suspicions? and will you from this hour 
 promise never to doubt more your own dear Blanche ? " 
 
 " Yes, dear girl, that promise I give most cheerfully, and 
 trust to observe most faithfully ; but, believe me, without any 
 desire to extenuate my own conduct, true, devoted affection 
 , cannot exist without some jealousy ; and now tell me, were I 
 to pay great attention to any pretty girl by dancing with her 
 two or three times on the same night, and sitting with her 
 apart from the other company, when meeting at dinner or other 
 parties, — were I also, in addition to these little acts of attention, 
 to be frequently calling at her father's house, and monopolising 
 her society as much as I conveniently could, — would you not, 
 dear girl, experience some little uneasy sensations at my con- 
 duct, and begin with good cause to doubt the sincerity of my 
 professed undivided regard for yourself 1 " 
 
 "Unquestionably I should, William ; but with a full know- 
 ledge of your meaning, and seeing how you intend to apply it, 
 the case between us is not exactly parallel. Gentlemen have 
 
THE LECTURE ON FLIRTATION. 22-V 
 
 the option of paying any such attentions, which ladies have not 
 the option of declining sometimes, without apparent rudeness, 
 and where no necessity exists for showing it, particularly to 
 those whose behaviour is courteous and their society agreeable ; 
 but surely, my dear William, there is a wide distinction between 
 being pleased with a person and being in love with him ; and it 
 would be great vanity in a girl to suppose that every man, 
 who tries to make himself agreeable, must necessarily be in love 
 with her." 
 
 " Not so very wide a distinction, dear girl, as the one often 
 leads to the other, and men certainly consider these smiling 
 receptions of their attentions as an encouragement to proceed 
 further." 
 
 " Then you gentlemen, William, are very vain, unreasonable 
 animals ; for girls, if distant or reserved in their manners, are 
 accused of hauteur, stupidity, or ill temper ; and if socially 
 disposed, of flirting, or leading you to imagine they are more 
 seriously affected." 
 
 " Well, dear Blanche, it is, I conclude, rather a difficult 
 matter for young ladies to draw the line of distinction ; but you 
 have seen two instances of men's vanity and unreasonableness 
 in the conduct of Vernon and Lord Danby, who both aspired 
 to your hand without your having given them, as you believe, 
 any just or reasonable grounds for thinking that you accepted 
 their devoirs in any other light than mere politeness ; so you 
 must perceive, my dear girl, that my opinion of men's feelings 
 in such cases is tolerably correct ; and I would only suggest, to 
 spare yourself the unpleasantness of similar scenes in future, a 
 more guarded and reserved manner towards any man who shows 
 you any unusual attentions, unless you really mean to encourage 
 his addresses." 
 
 " Then, Mr. Will, I suppose I must appear as demure as a 
 Quakeress in society ; neither smile, nor look pleased, scarcely 
 speak, and consent to be set down as a most stupid, dull girl, 
 without two ideas in my head, and treat all men alike, whether 
 agreeable or the reverse, merely to avoid the possibility of their 
 falling in love with me. Really, if men are such foolish, sensi- 
 tive creatures, they must take care of themselves ; but I rather 
 suspect the majority are not very scrupulous in trying to Avin 
 the affections of unsuspecting girls, without intending anything 
 more." 
 
 " It is quite true, dear girl, that men of the world care no 
 more about breaking girls' hearts than they do about breaking 
 
 » o 
 
226 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 their fans, and such deserve no mercy ; but I am perfectly satis- 
 fied my dear Blanche will never encourage flirtations with men 
 of this description." 
 
 " So you really can repose some little confidence in me 
 after all your lecturing, Mr. William ? " 
 
 " Yes, Blanche, I do, indeed, believe you incapable of wil- 
 fully misleading any one ; and as you know the happiness or 
 misery of my future life now rests in your keeping, you will 
 not, I am convinced, think lightly of that trust which from this 
 hour is so implicitly confided in you; and if I am a little 
 jealous sometimes, set it down to the right account — my sole, 
 undivided love and anxious solicitude about one who is, and ever 
 must be, far dearer to me than my own life. And now, dear 
 girl, let us return to Aunt Gordon, who, I dare say, begins to 
 think we have been a most unreasonable time love-making this 
 morning." 
 
 "Well, children," remarked that lady, "your delightful 
 little topic appears quite inexhaustible." 
 
 " My dear aunt," replied Blanche, laughing, "you are greatly 
 deceived in thinking William has been talking love to me all 
 this time, whereas he has been giving me a most severe lecture 
 on flirtation; in fact, dear aunt, his speeches are often the 
 reverse of romantic, pathetic, or even complimentary." 
 
 " So much the better, my love ; it is the greatest proof that 
 he has formed a high and true estimate of your own good sense. 
 The silly trash talked by most lovers is perfectly sickening, and 
 I never thought William would pour into your ears such ful- 
 some, unmeaning stuff, which even a child of twelve years old 
 might feel ashamed of listening to." 
 
 " There is no fear of that, dear aunt : only just give him a 
 Obrint not to lecture me quite so much for the future." 
 
 " Return the compliment, my love, as he requires some sharp 
 admonitions on his weak point — jealousy. And now, I want 
 you both to assist me in the conservatory." 
 
MAI* _:" 
 
 CHAPTER X: 
 
 Oh the morning of the trial, tl 
 
 well-dressed persons of both I by the 
 
 the case and the strong feeling excited in the . orhood 
 
 • perpetrators of this daring outr- 
 did not, of course, appear, Icing still on his trav 
 knew where, not even i one of t 
 
 conn- 
 to defend his 1 
 
 remained prisoners ever since the commission of ti- 
 the wounded man, now in a fair way of recovery, having I 
 king's evidence. One of the most talented as well as s 
 manly men at the bar, D "."halley, had been retain 
 
 Im to condnci -ion; the sharp-witted, brow- 
 
 beating '-r appeared fo '.nee. 
 
 . Whalley, in his opening to the jury, comm-. 
 
 re 
 which the lives of two persons had been ne meed, 
 
 characterising i one of the ] >n, and 
 
 disgr a ce fu l outrages attempted by any man professing to 
 gentleman. 
 
 The first person called to prove the assault and ai 
 abduction was Blanche L ! ho entered the court attended 
 
 Ifal :-olm : and h i 
 ing her extreme agitation on entering the aerely 
 
 ■ a few que to Lord Vancourt' 
 
 her from the carriage, and her previous rejection of his 
 Having thanked her for her replies, Mr. Whalley 
 said it was unnecessary for him to trouble her further, and was 
 resuming his seat, when Serjeant "Wrangler imrne a, and 
 
 addressing poor Blanche, who was turning to leave her unplea- 
 sant position, apologised in the blandest manner, and in the 
 softest tones he could . for detaining her from her friends 
 
 a few minutes longer. 
 
 ■ Vou were acquainted, I believe, Mi Lord 
 "Vancourt some time previously to this ui 
 
 -ton Common 1 ? " 
 
 '• A very short time only, sir.'* was the r 
 "You met his lordship, I thi -?tle, 
 
 where you were staying on a visit to Lord and L ■vynt" 
 
 "Yes," was the faint response. 
 
 o 2 
 
228 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " You found him, I dare say, as others have, a very agree 
 able, entertaining companion, extremely courteous and deferen- 
 tial to ladies, and in no wise forward or presuming in their 
 society 1" 
 
 No answer being returned, Serjeant Wrangler paused a 
 moment, directing a smiling, self-satisfied look at the jury, to 
 attract their attention to this admission in his favour, adjusting, 
 at the same time, his gown with the air of counsel when con- 
 fident of success. 
 
 " Confound that knave ! " whispered Malcolm to Mrs. 
 Gordon; "he will lead that timorous, unsuspecting girl into 
 admissions which will play the devil with us, and herself also ; 
 but stay here a moment, aunt, whilst I hand a line or two to 
 Whalley," which he wrote on the crown of his hat, and the 
 next moment a little cramped note was handed up on the point 
 of a stick by Malcolm's attorney to his counsel, which being 
 read, was answered by a nod of the head. Serjeant Wrangler 
 was meanwhile attempting to improve the case by other exactions. 
 " There's no doubt, Miss Douglas, you felt pleased and 
 gratified, perhaps something more, by the polite attentions of 
 this handsome, highly-gifted young nobleman 1 " 
 
 " My lord," exclaimed Whalley, suddenly rising before his 
 opponent's question could be answered, " I object to that ques 
 tion and the course of cross-examination adopted by my learned 
 friend, who is trying to obtain admissions from Miss Douglas, 
 which, from her youth and inexperience of practice in law 
 courts, will be used to her disadvantage ; and I must caution 
 her not to notice these impertinent insinuations." 
 
 " The last question," said the judge, " was scarcely fair, Mr. 
 Wrangler ; conveying an inference which you had no right to. 
 make." 
 
 "I bow to your decision, my lord," replied Wrangler, no 
 wise disconcerted by this rebuke. "I can easily obtain my 
 point in another way." 
 
 This little altercation, however, had opened Blanche's eyes 
 and understanding as to what Mr. Serjeant Wrangler was 
 aiming at ; and the spirit of the Douglases came to her rescue, 
 to retort upon her crafty interrogator. 
 
 "You were in the habit, Miss Douglas, I believe, when at 
 Marston Castle, of frequently driving and walking alone with 
 Lord Vancourt ? " 
 
 " No, I was not," answered Blanche, in a firm voice, wl) l eh 
 was distinctly audible in the court. 
 
Blanche's cross-examination. 22J> 
 
 " Bravo S Miss Blanche," shouted a voice from the crowd 
 near the door ; " give it the rascally lawyer in turn." 
 
 " I beg pardon, Miss Douglas," continued her tormentor ; 
 " but we have evidence to prove you were seen several times 
 walking alone with his lordship." 
 
 " Twice only — when invited to take a walk by Miss Mervyn, 
 I was left alone, as I believed, purposely, to Lord Vancourt's 
 attentions, which being disagreeable to me, I never again 
 accompanied Miss Mervyn in her walks." 
 
 " Still, Miss Douglas, notwithstanding Lord Vancourt's 
 attentions being, as you state, so disagreeable, you accepted him 
 as a partner at the Cherrington Ball, not for one only, but for 
 two quadrilles ; and dancing twice the same evening with the 
 same partner is generally considered a very particular favour." 
 
 " I accepted Lord Van court for the second dance in obedi- 
 ence to my aunt Mrs. Harcourt's commands, and most certainly 
 contrary to my own inclination, being previously engaged to 
 Major Hammond for that set." 
 
 "Well, Miss Douglas, we, who cannot enter into the fancies 
 and feelings of young ladies, must judge by their acts ; and I 
 should certainly consider it an act of encouragement in any lady 
 accepting me twice for a partner. Mammas and aunts are very 
 convenient personages sometimes to fall back upon." 
 
 Blanche feeling too indignant to make any reply to this 
 impertinent inuendo, Serjeant Wrangler, with another signifi- 
 cant look at the jury, proceeded — 
 
 " It was only two days after this ball at Cherrington, when 
 you danced twice with him, that Lord Yancourt wrote a formal 
 proposal for your hand, Miss Douglas ; and I can scarcely 
 imagine that his lordship, a thorough man of the world, moving 
 in the highest circles, well acquainted with the etiquette and 
 forms generally observed on such occasions, and, as you admit, 
 most courteous and deferential to ladies — neither forward nor 
 presuming — would have committed such an act of folly as 
 making a proposal for a young lady, unless fully satisfied in his 
 own mind that he had good grounds for believing his offer 
 would be accepted." 
 
 "I never gave Lord Vancourt," replied Blanche, indig- 
 nantly, "the slightest encouragement in any way, having taken 
 a dislike to him from the first ; but, as an acquaintance of my 
 Aunt Harcourt, I could not behave rudely to him whilst I was 
 living under her protection at Throseby." 
 
 " Oh ! of course not, Miss Douglas ! " added Wrangler, with 
 
230 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 a sneer. " The letter addressed to your guardian, Mr. Har- 
 court, by Lord Vancourt, containing the proposal, was, I pre- 
 sume, submitted to your perusal, and the answer which was 
 returned 1 " 
 
 " No, sir. I neither saw nor knew the contents of the letter 
 written by my guardian in reply ; but, when asked by my aunt 
 what answer should be returned, I told her most distinctly that 
 nothing should ever induce me to accept the addresses of Lord 
 Yancourt. 
 
 " Very strange, Miss Douglas, when Mr. Harcourt's letter 
 appears to me to warrant our arriving at a very opposite con- 
 clusion." 
 
 "I shall prove, sir," exclaimed Mr. Whalley, suddenly 
 starting up, " by another witness, that Miss Douglas did, posi- 
 tively and unconditionally, refuse Lord Yancourt's proposals : 
 and also the base, nefarious plot concocted at Mervyn Castle to 
 impose such a worthless person as Lord Yancourt upon an art- 
 less, unsuspecting young lady ; into which, I am sorry to add, 
 Miss Douglas's guardian was unwittingly dragged by the false 
 representations made to him there of Lord Yancourt's high 
 character and large fortune ; the latter, no doubt, of great 
 weight with guardians generally." 
 
 During this short address, Serjeant Wrangler sat down; 
 and Mr. Whalley, politely apologising to Miss Douglas for the 
 annoyance she had experienced from her cross-examination, said 
 she was now at liberty to rejoin her friends. Poor Blanche, as 
 soon as handed down from the witness-box to a seat below, 
 occupied by her aunt and Constance, overcome by the excessive 
 heat of the court, as well as overpowered by her outraged feel- 
 ings, fell into a swoon, from which Malcolm and Mrs. Gordon 
 were attempting to rouse her, when Beauchamp (followed by 
 Stiles and young Hazel) sprang to her relief. 
 
 Without a moment's hesitation, and before Malcolm could 
 guess his intentions, the fainting form of Blanche Douglas was 
 quickly raised in Beauchamp's arms (the two bold yeomen 
 making way for his advance) carried out of court, and placed 
 on a sofa in the magistrates' waiting-room. 
 
 " Quick, neighbour Hazel," cried Stiles, " for a jug of cold 
 water, whilst I throw up the windows." 
 
 Blanche, unconscious of what had occurred, soon revived by 
 the cold air and still colder water applied to her forehead and 
 face, and Mrs. Gordon's carriage being in waiting, she was driven 
 immediately home to the Priory, accompanied by her aunt and 
 
FURTHER DISCLOSURES. 231 
 
 Constance ; Malcolm and Beauchamp being obliged to return to 
 the court. 
 
 The next witness called by Mr. Whalley was Alice Hayward, 
 Blanche's maid. 
 
 " You went with your young mistress, I believe, to Marston 
 Castle, in the month of last 1 " 
 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " You saw Lord Vancourt there, I conclude 1 " 
 
 " Yes, sir — several times." 
 
 " So that you would be sure to know him again 1 " 
 
 " Oh, yes ; he was a very particular-looking gentleman." 
 
 " "Was he very particular in his attentions to your young 
 lady, Miss Douglas 1 " 
 
 " Not that I know of, sir." 
 
 " Did she ever go out walking or driving with him alone ? " 
 
 " No, sir ; Miss Blanche would never dream of doing such 
 a thing with a stranger." 
 
 " With whom then did she generally set out for a walk 1 " 
 
 " With Miss Mervyn, sir, accompanied sometimes by Lord 
 Vancourt and Mr. Vernon." 
 
 " Did Miss Douglas ever allude to these walks on returning 
 to her room 1 " 
 
 " Yes, sir ; the day before we left the Castle, she told me she 
 felt so annoyed by Miss Mervyn and Mr. Vernon's conduct, in 
 leaving her purposely, as she believed, twice alone with Lord 
 Vancourt, that she would never walk with her again." 
 
 " Did she keep to this resolution 1 " 
 
 " Yes, sir ; the next morning, when Miss Mervyn entered 
 her room, asking her to walk, she pleaded a bad headache, and 
 Avould not go down-stairs till Mrs. Harcourt's carriage came to 
 the door to take us home." 
 
 " Did Miss Douglas ever make any other remarks to you 
 about Lord Vancourt?" 
 
 " She said, the night before she quitted Marston Castle, that 
 she was very glad that their visit was finished ; that although 
 entertaining sometimes, she had taken a great dislike to Lord 
 Vancourt, and hoped never to meet him again." 
 
 " Do you remember anything particular occurring two days 
 after the ball at Cherrington '? " 
 
 " Yes, sir ; after luncheon, Miss Blanche on that day ran 
 up to her room, and began sobbing and crying as if her heart 
 would break, because Mrs. Harcourt called her an ungrateful 
 girl for refusing Lord Vancourt ; ' but I could not marry such 
 
232 
 
 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 A man, Alice ; indeed, I never would,' she said, l if Aimt Har- 
 cc-urt turned me out of her house fur refusing him.' 'No 
 more wouldn't I, my dear young mistress,' said I, ' even to 
 be made a lady of!' Then, the next morning, over comes 
 Mrs. Gordon, and orders me to pack up her things directly, 
 as Miss Blanche shouldn't stop another hour at Throseby, to 
 be worried about that good-for-nothing man, Lord Vancourt, 
 who, I heard her tell Mrs. Harcourt, was no better than he 
 should be." 
 
 " Well, Alice," interposed Mr. Whalley, " that will do ; now 
 tell me what happened on the night vou left the Priory to 
 return to Throseby ? " 
 
 Alice having related all the adventures on that occasion, 
 with some comments of her own, was then asked if she could 
 positively swear to Lord Vancourt being the man who attempted 
 to drag her mistress from the carriage ; and on this point being 
 most positive, Mr. Whalley said he need not detain her any 
 longer, and Serjeant Wrangler prudently declined preventing 
 her standing down from the witness-box. 
 
 Robert Conyers, examined by Mr. Whalley : — - 
 
 "How long have you known Miss Douglas ? " 
 
 " Since childhood." 
 
 "Have you had any opportunities of knowing her true 
 sharacter and disposition ? " 
 
 "Very many — having narrowly observed her, from being 
 on very intimate terms with her relatives ; and for the last two 
 years she has been more immediately under my own eye, from 
 my instructing her in riding." 
 
 " What has been your opinion of her, Mr. Conyers 1 " 
 
 " She has ever been a timid, gentle girl, of a very afiectionate 
 but retiring disposition, with strong religious principles." 
 
 " You were aware, I believe, of Lord Vancourt being invited 
 to Marston Castle, and Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt being asked to 
 spend a few days there at the same time, with their ward, Miss 
 Douglas ? " 
 
 "I was, sir; and two days previously to their leaving 
 Throseby, I warned Miss Douglas of the plot which had been 
 concocted to ensnare her, and the character I had heard of Lord 
 Vancourt, at which she was exceedingly astonished." 
 
 " You attended, I believe, the ball at Cherrington, and over- 
 heard a conversation between Lord Vancourt and Mr. Vernon 
 there, relative to this attempted abduction 1 " 
 
 "Yes, I did." 
 
BOB CONYERS ORATION 233 
 
 " Did you notice Miss Douglas's behaviour, whilst dancin«- 
 •with Lord Vancourt ? " 
 
 "Particularly; well knowing her dislike to the man, and 
 the imploring look she cast on me, when he came to claim her 
 hand for the dance, determined me to take my position close to 
 her, whilst dancing with his lordship." 
 
 " Thank you, Mr. Conyers ; " and as Whalley sat down, up 
 rose the Serjeant instantly. 
 
 "You say, Mr. Conyers,- you warned Miss Douglas of the 
 plot contrived against her, and of Lord Vancourt' s character, 
 two days before she went to stay at the castle 1 I should have 
 thought, sir, the first person you ought to have made acquainted 
 with this pretended plot was Mr. Harcourt, the young lady's 
 guardian 1 " 
 
 "I thought differently, Mr. Serjeant Wrangler; but I 
 directly informed Mrs. Gordon, her other guardian, of all I 
 had heard, to whose discretion I could more safely confide this 
 matter; and from what occurred subsequently, I am quite 
 satisfied that she was the most proper person to be consulted." 
 
 " You had good reasons, no doubt, sir, for trying to prevent 
 Miss Douglas marrying Lord Vancourt 1 you have heard of a 
 friend in need being a friend indeed, and Mr. William Beau- 
 champ is, I am told, a very particular friend of yours 1 " 
 
 " Mr. Beauchainp is, sir, I am proud to say, a very particular 
 friend of mine ; a man of high principles, honourable feelings, 
 and sound, good sense — the latter much needed by Mr. Serjeant 
 Wrangler ; for how a learned barrister could have laboured, as 
 you have done this day, to prove an absurdity, patent to the 
 commonest understanding, I cannot comprehend; you are 
 striving to prove the consent of Miss Douglas to elope with 
 Lord Vancourt. Now, sir, giving you the admission you try 
 in vain to obtain, that she was a silly girl, caught at first sight 
 by the handsome person of this man, and despising all the 
 warnings she had received of his true character, want of for- 
 tune, and lastly, of his actually being a married man ; why, 
 what on earth should induce her to elope with him — her 
 guardian consenting to his proposals'? for Mr. and Mrs. Har- 
 court, blind to the revelations made to them, persisted to the 
 last in taking his lordship's part, and the lady almost insisted 
 on her niece marrying him. With these facts clear before you, 
 how can you hope to persuade a child of ten years old, much 
 less twelve men of common sense, that there existed any pre- 
 tence whatever for Miss Douglas consenting to run away with 
 
234 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Lord Vancourt, nearly four hundred miles, to be married, when 
 she could have been married at the parish church with her 
 guardian's approval? This is all nonsense, Mr. Serjeant 
 Wrangler, perfectly absurd ; and you are wasting the time of 
 the court to no purpose." 
 
 " Such is not my opinion, Mr. Conyers ; but I do not wish 
 to occupy more of your time, which seems so precious to you : 
 nor to be favoured with another long-winded oration, which 1 
 have in vain attempted to interrupt." 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 Thomas Carter next deposed to the conversation he overheard 
 between Vernon and Harley on the evening of the day on 
 which the hounds met at Marston Castle, and having given his 
 evidence, was turning to go down, when Serjeant Wrangler 
 exclaimed — " Stop, Mr. Carter, I have a word or two to say to 
 you. So, you audacious traitor and eavesdropper, you have had 
 the assurance to swear that you heard all this trumped-up story 
 through a thick mahogany door % " 
 
 " Yes, sir, I did — every word of it." 
 
 " Then you were in the habit, I conclude, of always listening 
 at doors, to take some news into the servants' hall 1 " 
 
 " No, sir, I never did it before or since ; but hearing the 
 young squire's name mentioned in a loud, angry tone by Mr. 
 Vernon, I thought some mischief was brewing against him, and 
 so stopped to hear what it was." 
 
 "And now you are in Lord Malcolm's service, you have 
 determined to make out this cock-and-bull story, which you 
 think sensible men, like the gentlemen of the jury, will believe 
 from a discharged, worthless servant like yourself, who couldn't 
 get a character from your last place." 
 
 " I was not discharged, sir, from Lord Mervyn's service, but 
 gave warning to leave, and never asked his lordship for a 
 character." 
 
 " No, I should think not, Thomas Carter, as you know well 
 enough you had not the remotest chance of getting one." 
 
 " My character is as good as yours," retorted Carter, " any 
 day in the week." 
 
 " Get down out of the box, you impudent liar," almost 
 
BEAUCHAMP IX THE WITNESS-BOX. 23& 
 
 screamed Wrangler ; " I won't condescend to ask you another 
 question." 
 
 William Beauchamp was then called, who related in a clear, 
 Straightforward manner all that passed under his observation 
 on the night of the attempted abduction, for which, having 
 been thanked by Mr. Whalley, he was then addressed by the 
 Serjeant. 
 
 " Pray, Mr. Beauchamp, will you oblige me by stating from 
 whom you obtained the information which directed you to 
 Marston Common on that night 1 " 
 
 "That question, sir," replied Beauchamp, "I believe you 
 cannot legally insist on my answering, although I should not 
 hesitate in giving a reply to any other counsel except Serjeant 
 Wrangler." 
 
 " And why not to me, Mr. Beauchamp ? " 
 
 "Simply because you have adopted a coarse, bullying 
 manner towards the witnesses placed in this box to-day, to 
 which I give you fair notice I shall not submit." 
 
 "I am not responsible to you, Mr. Beauchamp, for the 
 course of examination I choose to pursue towards other wit- 
 nesses." 
 
 "I am not quite sure of that, Mr. Serjeant Wrangler, when 
 you attempt to take away the character of a poor man whom I 
 have known from boyhood, and whose daily bread depends upon 
 his honesty." 
 
 " And do you call Thomas Carter an honest man, to betray 
 his master 1 " 
 
 " Yes, sir, and a virtuous one too, to incur the risk of losing 
 place and character in his attempt to save an innocent girl from 
 a fate worse than death — from being made the victim of a dark, 
 villanous conspiracy to rob her of her fair name and fortune, 
 and consign her to the power of as unprincipled a scoundrel as 
 ever trod the earth.' 1 
 
 A murmur of applause ran through the court at this manly 
 speech, which having subsided, Mr. Serjeant Wrangler continued 
 in a subdued tone : "I did not ask you for the expression of 
 your own particular opinion on this subject, Mr. Beauchamp, 
 with which we are well acquainted, and the motives which 
 suggested your remarks." 
 
 " My opinion, sir, will be the opinion of every disinterested 
 person in this court at the conclusion of the trial, and I warn 
 you to address no further impertinent language to myself, or 
 question my motives, or " 
 
.236 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " What, sir 1 " interrupted Wrangler, now losing his tem- 
 per ; " I may expect a horse-whipping, I suppose 1 " 
 
 " Which would not be the first time," added Beauchamp, 
 " that a well-merited castigation of that kind had been inflicted 
 on the back of Serjeant Wrangler." A burst of laughter fol- 
 lowed this announcement, during which the Serjeant fumed and 
 fretted impatiently, showing by his fierce looks and quivering 
 lips the storm raging within his breast ; but the cool, deter- 
 mined eye of Beauchamp fixed steadily upon his face, whilst a 
 contemptuous smile curled his upper lip, warned him that he 
 had met his match, and whispering his junior counsel to con- 
 tinue the cross-examination, he sat down, saying he would not 
 submit to these indecorous outbreaks, which were disgraceful to 
 any court of justice. 
 
 The junior counsel, Mr. Sweetman, a tall, thin young 
 man, the reverse in appearance and manners to Serjeant 
 Wrangler, then attempted to draw Beauchamp into a confes- 
 sion of being the aggressor in the affray, by first striking Lord 
 Vancourt. 
 
 " I was not the aggressor, sir," replied Beauchamp, in a firm 
 voice ; " for Lord Vancourt had seized Miss Doug] as by the 
 arm, and was trying to drag her from the carriage when I 
 reached the spot. I then pushed him away, and attempted to 
 shut the carriage-door, upon which, instantly drawing a pistol, 
 he fired at me, the ball grazing my face ; and seeing him again 
 trying to draw another pistol from his pocket, it was then, and 
 not till then, that in defence of my own life I shot him through 
 the arm, to disable him from committing further outrage, not 
 to take his life ; for had I been so inclined, I could, without 
 doubt, have shot him dead on the spot." 
 
 " You appear to have been actuated by a very chivalrous 
 feeling, Mr. Beauchamp, in rushing to the rescue of this young 
 lady — perhaps I might say by a stronger impulse." 
 
 " I was actuated by that spirit, sir, which is dominant in 
 the breast of every true Englishman — to protect a defenceless 
 woman from insult and outrage." Again a cheer arose from 
 the densely-crowded court. 
 
 " From what occurred, Mr. Beauchamp, after Miss Douglas 
 quitted the witness-box this day, I think there can be little 
 doubt by what feelings you were really actuated." 
 
 " You are now treading on dangerous ground, sir," replied 
 Beauchamp, indignantly, " by presuming to question my motives ? 
 or to doubt my words." 
 
THE LAWYER BAFFLED BY MARK ROSIER. 237 
 
 " I beg^parclon, Mr. Beauchamp, if I have given you offence, 
 and can only say it was not so intended by me." 
 
 " There was sufficient cause for my rushing to the rescue of 
 my sister's dearest friend," continued Beauchamp. 
 
 " Oh, certainly, Mr. Beauchamp ; but evidently the young- 
 lady was your friend also, if not something more/' 
 
 " Then, sir, by your own showing, it is not possible she could 
 have been a consenting party to this projected elopement, 
 which your learned brother has been so fruitlessly attempting 
 to prove." 
 
 A sharp tug at his gown brought the young barrister 
 immediately to his seat, Wrangler whispering in his ear, " Sit 
 down, sir ; you are playing the devil with our case ! " 
 
 A triumphant smile played over the features of Mr. Wh alley 
 as he inquired of Mr. Sweetman whether he wished to ask Mr. 
 Beauchamp any more questions. 
 
 " ISTo, sir," was the curt reply. 
 
 Mark Rosier then ascended the witness-box, and gave his 
 evidence in a short, conclusive manner, maintaining the fact of 
 Beauchamp being shot at first by Lord Vancourt, and his being 
 wounded in the side by John Thompson, who had turned kings 
 evidence, identifying also the two prisoners, Harding and Jones, 
 as participators in the affray. 
 
 " In fact, sir," said Mark, pointing to a scar under his eye, 
 "this is a little favour from Mr. Harding's cudgel, which '11 
 remind me of that gentleman for some time to come." 
 
 "I must trouble you with a few questions, Mr. Rosier," 
 exclaimed Serjeant Wrangler, as he was leaving the box. 
 
 " No trouble at all, sir," replied Mark, good-humouredly. 
 
 " I think, Mr. Rosier, you are a person of that profession 
 which filches pheasants and other game from gentlemen's 
 preserves ? " 
 
 "And I think, Mr. Serjeant Wrangler," retorted Mark, 
 boldly looking his adversary in the face and mimicking him to 
 the life, "you are a person of that profession which filches 
 money from gentlemen's pockets ; " which caused a loud laugh 
 among the crowd. 
 
 "How dare you, sir, speak to me in that disrespectful 
 language ? " demanded Wrangler, looking red-hot with passion. 
 
 "How dare you, sir, accuse me of robbing gentlemen's 
 preserves ? I'll make you prove your words, Lawyer Wrangler, 
 faying to take away poor men's characters." 
 
 "Will you tell me, Mr. Rosier, that you have never 
 
->:1; 
 
 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "killed game belonging to some gentlemen even now in this 
 court ? " 
 
 " I won't tell you, sir, whether I have or not, because you 
 ha'n't any right to ask such questions ; but I'll answer that to 
 any real gentleman in this court, or out of it, that puts it in a 
 civil way." 
 
 "So you pretend to swear, Mr. Hosier, that on this dark 
 night, when a man could scarcely see his hand before his face, 
 you saw Lord Yancourt fire at Mr. Beauchamp, you being ten 
 yards distant from him 1 " 
 
 " I didn't say ten yards, sir, as I wasn't five from the young 
 squire at the time, and if 'twere as dark again I could have 
 seen the flash in the pan, and which side it come from." 
 
 "And how did you know Lord Yancourt so well, Mr. 
 Rosier, as to distinguish him on this dark night from other 
 men?" 
 
 " Because I had seen him several times, sir, afore, and he 
 wasn't a man to be mistaken for another." 
 
 " Oh, very handsome, I suppose ? " 
 
 " No, sir, he warn't that to my mind ; but a tall, long- 
 legged chap, with a large hook nose, and rat's eyes, with shaggy 
 eyebrows, and black whiskers." 
 
 " And pray, Mr. Mark, what was the reward you got from 
 Mr. Beauchamp for preventing this runaway match ? " 
 
 "Well, sir, I baint quite so sharp a hand as a lawyer 
 to pocket the fee afore hand, and I ha'n't got nothing yet but 
 this scar in the face and a dig in the back from that cowardly 
 valet ; and as to Miss Blanche running away with this long- 
 legged lord, she'd ha' served him in the same fashion, if he 
 hadn't held her arm, as the pretty chambermaid at the King's 
 Head served you last night when you took liberties with her, 
 by giving him a good smack in his face." 
 
 Boars of laughter followed, which for some few minutes it 
 was impossible to suppress, and even the grave features of the 
 judge relaxed into a smile. 
 
 " I appeal to your lordship," cried the excited Wrangler, 
 " to commit this witness for contempt of court ! " 
 
 " Contempt of counsel, you ought to have said, Mr. Serjeant 
 Wrangler," replied the judge ; " but if gentlemen of the bar 
 will play with edged tools, they must take the consequences; in 
 such cases I never interfere." 
 
 " Yery well, my lord, then I shall sit down," 
 
 The last witness called for the prosecution was the wounded 
 
THE VERDICT AND SENTENCE. 239 
 
 man, John Thomson, who underwent a long cross-examination, 
 without his evidence being in the least shaken. His story was 
 too simple and truthful to be contravened. He and his two 
 accomplices received ten pounds each from Lord Vancourt's 
 valet, called Francois le Blanc, to assist his lordship in carrying 
 off Miss Douglas, and were to receive ten pounds more from the 
 head keeper the next morning, when the job was done, who 
 engaged they should not lose their situations, if found out. He 
 did not know whether Lord Mervyn was privy to the plot or 
 not, and would only say what he knew to be true. 
 
 No witness being called for the defence, as Serjeant 
 Wrangler had not one he could trust in cross-examination, the 
 judge then addressed the jury, telling them the case was so 
 exceedingly clear against the prisoners, that it was unnecessary 
 for him to detain them with any remarks upon the evidence ; 
 and immediately after, the foreman rising, said they had not a 
 moment's hesitation in returning a verdict of guilty against 
 both prisoners, which was received with, loud shouts and waving 
 of ladies' handkerchiefs, and one cheer more from the farmers 
 who thronged the court. When silence was restored, the 
 judge, after a severe lecture to the prisoners on the enormity 
 of the offence in which they had been implicated, and the 
 murderous nature of the assault, by which, several lives had 
 been so nearly sacrificed, sentenced them to two years' imprison- 
 ment with hard labour. 
 
 Before they were removed from the bar, Lord Malcolm, 
 rose, requesting permission to say a few words in mitigation of 
 the sentence just pronounced upon the prisoners, which being 
 conceded, he begged to assure his lordship that his sole object 
 in commencing this prosecution having been to vindicate his 
 cousin's fair name from any complicity or the shadow of suspicion 
 of being in the remotest degree a consenting party to this 
 pretended elopement with Lord Vancourt, he could derive no 
 satisfaction from the punishment of these men, who were the 
 least guilty. 
 
 " Of the principal, my lord, I can only say, that I think 
 scarcely any punishment would be too severe, and his case is the 
 more aggravated from the vile attempts to cast aspersions on 
 my cousin's character, by endeavouring to prove her capable of 
 falling in love and agreeing to elope with a married man, for 
 as such Lord Vancourt was represented to her and myself 
 before meeting him at the Cherrington ball. From the first 
 day of his introduction to her at Marston Castle, my cousin 
 
240 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 entertained a decided antipathy to him, having often told me- 
 sne felt quite terrified in his presence, from the tierce expression 
 of his looks when excited; and I am quite certain, had his 
 character and conduct been unexceptionable, nothing would 
 have induced her to marry Lord "Vancourt. I hold in my 
 hand, my lord, a letter which of itself would prove the con- 
 coction of this plot at Marston Castle, written by one of its 
 chief projectors, wholly unsolicited by me (and whose hand- 
 writing is well known to many in this court), making a full 
 disclosure of this nefarious scheme. For reasons which your 
 lordsMp will understand when seeing the signature, I have 
 forborne to have this letter publicly read in court, but as at once 
 establishing the entire truth of Thomas Carter's evidence, I 
 now submit it to your lordship's perusal." 
 
 The judge having read it carefully through, returned it to 
 Lord Malcolm, saying, " I fully appreciate your honourable 
 motives, Lord Malcolm, in withholding this incontestable proof 
 of the origin of this disgraceful conspiracy, which fully confirms 
 all Thomas Carter has asserted." 
 
 " May I hope, then, my lord, you will remit a portion of 
 the punishment awarded to the prisoners at the bar, who have 
 both young families depending upon them 1 ? and considering 
 that they have already been imprisoned some time, I think six 
 months longer will answer the ends of justice." 
 
 " The offence of which they have been convicted is a very 
 serious one, Lord Malcolm, but at your intercession the term 
 shall be abridged." 
 
 The two prisoners fell on their knees, expressing their con- 
 trition and gratitude to Lord Malcolm for his kindness, who, 
 after thanking the judge, left the court. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 The hunting season had now drawn to its close, the Lost 
 appointment made for Bampton House, and invitations sent by 
 the old squire to all the neighbouring families for a grand 
 dinner party, to conclude with a ball in the evening on the day 
 when the hounds met on the lawn for the last day's hunting. 
 With the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt, whose conduct 
 in reference to their ward since the trial had been severely 
 
A NEW NEIGHBOUR. 241 
 
 commented upon, as highly reprehensible, if nothing worse, no 
 excuses were received from any other family, so that the long 
 dining-table was crowded with guests, a second table being 
 laid out for the juniors, at which Fred Beauchamp presided, as 
 many more arrived than were expected ; in fact, the hospitality 
 of the old squire was so unbounded, and his dinner parties so 
 agreeable and devoid of formality, that the heads of families did 
 not scruple to take any friends who might be staying with 
 them at the time. 
 
 Constance, supported on one hand by Lord Malcolm, and 
 Sir Lionel on the other, did the honours with her aceustf^med 
 grace, faced by the old squire, who divided Ins attentions 
 between Lady Markham and Mrs. Compton. Will Beau- 
 champ sat between Mrs. Gordon and Blanche, the latter having 
 Captain Markham on her right hand ; GJ-wynne, Conyers, 
 Tyler, Coventry, and others ranging themselves in order or out 
 of order, without regard to priority or ceremony, with the 
 partners they had selected. Selina, who always felt more at 
 home with the old squire than in her own house, kept the 
 middle of the table in an uproar by her quaint and witty 
 sayings, which no frowns from Lad}^ Markham could suppress. 
 
 " Ah ! " she remarked to Conyers, " mamma may shake her 
 head at me till she shakes it off, Bob, but I am on the right 
 side of the fence to-night, with the old squire to back me up. 
 But who on earth is that flight of a woman opposite, with a 
 face like a cook 1 " 
 
 " Hush ! Selina; that is Mrs. Winterbottom, the wife of that 
 little round-faced, red-nosed man, sitting next Mrs. Compton ; 
 a retired brewer, who has lately purchased a large estate lying 
 between the Holt and the forest, so that the squire was obliged 
 to do the civil thing, and invite him to Bampton, to save the 
 foxes." 
 
 " Goodness ! what a name, Bob : she may feel very wintry 
 below, but there is more than summer heat above, to judge by 
 those peony-looking cheeks." 
 
 Gwynne, who sat next to the lady, seeing the sort of person 
 he had to deal with, kept plying her with champagne every 
 time it was handed round the table, until she exclaimed, " Lorks, 
 Sir Lucius, I feel quite swipey already." 
 
 " Oh, never mind," replied Gwynne, ready to burst with 
 suppressed laughter • " champagne goes for nothing, just puts 
 people into spirits — that's all." 
 
 " Heavens, what a woman ! " exclaimed Selina, in fits of 
 
 p 
 
242 THE MASTER OP THE HOUISDS. 
 
 laughter; "stoipey already! Why, Bob, she will be roaring 
 drunk before dinner is over, and under the table." 
 
 " By Jove ! Selina, if you run on in this fashion, I must 
 bolt, as I am nearly choked already in bolting my dinner ; pray 
 be quiet, can't you 1 " 
 
 " (Test impossible, Bob ; can't be done. I have set my mind 
 on a regular spree to-night, and suspect my situation before 
 morning will be about the same as Mrs. Featherbottom's — I 
 shall feel clemmed swipe?/. Eh ! aw ! the Captain looks as if he 
 had swallowed his fork instead of his fish ; what does he say, 
 Bob?" 
 
 " That you are a deuced deal too bad, Selina, 'pon honour." 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! perhaps the life-guardsman intends changing 
 Miss Winterbottom into Mrs. Markham ; lots of tin, I .suppose, 
 with beer and stout gratis." 
 
 At this moment, the old squire, wishing to show every 
 civility to Mrs. "Winterbottom, requested the honour of taking 
 wine with her. 
 
 " Why, really, Squire Beauchamp," replied the lady appealed 
 to, " I mus'n't refuse you, I suppose ; but my neighbour here, 
 Sir Lucius, has been flushing my glass with champagne, until 
 I am become, as our John says, uncomfortably lushy." 
 
 " Then let me recommend," said the squire (scarcely able to 
 preserve his gravity during the titters which followed this 
 speech), " a glass of good old sherry, which will set all to rights 
 again." 
 
 " I'll take your advice, Squire Beauchamp, as that wishy- 
 washy stuff always makes me feel as if I had the cholica 
 mobus." 
 
 "Mercy on us!" cried Selina; "that summer-topped woman 
 will be the death of me, Bob ; but my lady mamma looks un- 
 utterable things, wondering, no doubt, how the old squire dare 
 ask her to sit at table with such a person as Mrs. Winter- 
 bottom." 
 
 "Well, Selina, it can't be helped now, and I daresay my 
 old friend feels uncomfortable enough at such vulgarity ; but 
 her better half is passable enough, and the daughter tolerably 
 presentable and good-looking, and a fortune of a hundred 
 thousand pounds (so report goes) will make her a very hand- 
 some girl." 
 
 " Ay, ay, Bob, money is the magnifying glass ; the most 
 plain, disagreeable woman becomes a perfect houri in the eyes 
 of some men, when bedecked with jewels and lacquered very 
 
A CATASTROPHE. 243 
 
 with gold dust ; but what would Will Beauchainp say to Miss 
 Winterbottom, with her hundred thousand pounds 1 " 
 
 " That she might remain Miss Winterbottom to the end of 
 her life, for anything he would insinuate to the contrary, Selina ; 
 and Bob Conyers is pretty much of the same opinion." 
 
 " Glad to hear you say so, Bob, for I began to think you 
 might be caught by a golden hook at last." 
 
 "No, no, my dear girl; I shall not make a fool of myself in 
 my old age by marrying a person with whom I could have no 
 community of feelings or ideas, and who does not know a duck 
 from a goose, except on the table, perhaps not there." 
 
 " But, Bob, don't you think our funny friend opposite looks 
 rather too much of a chicken about her gills 1 " 
 
 " What can you mean, Selina ? " 
 
 " Too juvenile about her locks or head gear ; don't you 
 understand 1 — borrowed feathers." 
 
 " Oh ! I see, wears a wig — gad ! it looks very like one ; but, 
 by Jupiter ! the murder's out," exclaimed he, as one of the 
 ibotmen, in reaching over Mrs. Winterbottom, to place a dish 
 on the table, caught the button of his sleeve in her hair, drag- 
 ging off her head-dress, and exposing her closely-cropped 
 cranium to view. 
 
 " Drat the man ! " cried Mrs. Winterbottom, aiming a blow 
 at the astonished footman, which taking effect on Gwynne's 
 nose, nearly knocked him out of his chair. 
 
 "What's the fool staring at 1 ?" (as he stood for a moment 
 perfectly aghast at the exposure he had occasioned, and then 
 tried to repair the mischief by replacing the head-dress, the 
 back part in front, thereby eliciting renewed laughter). " Let 
 it alone, I say, you stupid oaf ! " 
 
 And, with a jerk or two on either side, the infuriated lady 
 succeeded in adjusting her attire. 
 
 " Ah ! miss," she said, addressing Selina, " you may laugh 
 now, but the time will come when you will be glad enough to 
 sail under false colours, if you don't already, with your pink 
 and white cheeks." 
 
 " If I do paint my face, Mrs. Summertop," retorted Selina, 
 " it isn't of one colour, like yours, red entire." 
 
 " My name isn't Summertop, Miss Imperanse, but Winter- 
 bottom." 
 
 " Oh, indeed, ma'am \ very aristocratic, euphonious name, 
 no doubfc, in the frozen regions of Lapland, whence, I conclude, 
 your origin is derived ; but the Fates defend me from being 
 
 p 2 
 
214 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 a Winterbottom — half hot, half cold — or a mermaid in petti- 
 coats." 
 
 Gwynne, fearing some violent explosion between the now in- 
 furiated fair ones, addressed some observation to the excited 
 dame near him, which checked farther retorts ; and good order 
 once more prevailed, to the great delight of the more staid por- 
 tion of the company, who began to feel very uncomfortable as 
 to the issue of this combat of words between the two female 
 belligerents. 
 
 Beauchamp whispered to Blanche — " I suspect Bob will 
 have his hands over-full, should he prevail on Selina to become 
 Mrs. Conyers — poor fellow ! he will be ever in hot water, with 
 her cutting speeches ; the ' Taming of the Shrew ' is nothing in 
 comparison with the work he will have to perform in reducing 
 Selina to anything like orderly conduct." 
 
 " She is really very provoking sometimes," replied Blanche ; 
 " and says such extraordinary things, that strangers must think 
 her a most eccentric person, and very ill-natured ; but what 
 would you do, William, with such a wife 1 " 
 
 " I should very soon do without her, Blanche, if by any 
 fatality such a lot could be assigned me." 
 
 " You would not feel jealous of her, "William, would you ? " 
 she inquired, with an arch smile. 
 
 " No, my dear ; I never could love her sufficiently for that 
 feeling to arise." 
 
 "Well, then, I think, Mr. Will, I shall attempt to say 
 smart, sharp things like Selina, to keep flatterers at a distance." 
 
 "Reserve and dignity of manners are sufficient repellents, 
 my dear girl, without sarcasm or invective, to which I am quite 
 sure my own dear Blanche, from her naturally gentle disposi- 
 tion, will never have recourse." 
 
 " My dear William, you think me a great deal more perfect 
 than I am ; but I must try to keep up to your standard. And 
 now, as Constance is rising, don't sit too long over your wine, 
 or (in a whisper) get tipsy, mio caro." 
 
 When the ladies left the room, Sir Lionel rebuked Bob Con- 
 yers for not keeping his daughter in better order during dinner. 
 
 " Ay, ay, Sir Lionel," retorted Bob, " very pretty, indeed, to 
 lecture me about keeping her in order, after you have been 
 allowing her to run riot all her life at Barton Court ; and now, 
 finding her incorrigible, you expect I am to pull her up all at 
 once, like a confirmed runaway horse." 
 
 "Well, Conyers, you will always have it that the most mis- 
 
AN INTRODUCTION. 245 
 
 chievous puppies make the best hounds. So, by your own argu- 
 ment, Selina will make a good wife, when she is entered for 
 matrimony." 
 
 Leaving the gentlemen to discuss their wine and politics, we 
 will now turn our attention to the ladies. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 To make amends for Selina's rudeness to Mrs. Winterbottom, 
 Constance deemed it incumbent on her to smooth that lady's 
 ruffled feathers by introducing her to Mrs. Gordon and Blanche ; 
 and she so far succeeded in restoring her to a more complacent 
 state of mind, when, other company beginning to arrive, her at- 
 tentions were required elsewhere. Miss Honoria Winterbottom, 
 in addition to very pretty, intelligent features, was highly ac- 
 complished also, and presented so striking a contrast to her 
 mamma, that few could believe her to be descended from a stock 
 so plebeian ; and both Mrs. Gordon and Blanche were much 
 pleased with her unassuming manners, which, in a great mea- 
 sure, compensated for her mother's great deficiency in those 
 essentials. 
 
 As Beauchamp entered the ball-room, his eyes beamed with 
 delight on beholding Blanche Douglas seated by the side of the 
 young stranger, whom he believed she was patronising on his 
 account ; and he was advancing towards her, when Captain 
 Markham arrested his progress for a moment. 
 
 "Beauchamp, my good fellow, just introduce me to that 
 girl, Miss Winter, will you. Oh ! demmit, what a name ! eli ! 
 ah ! unpronounceable ; but, 'pon honour, she is a devilish fine 
 girl, notwithstanding that she-dragon of a mother ; they say, 
 lots of tin into the bargain." 
 
 " Come on then, Markham." And in a few seconds the life- 
 guardsman, having made his bow, was parading Miss Honoria 
 round the room, in defia,nce of the sneers and jesting remarks 
 of his sister, Selina. 
 
 On accepting his proffered arm, Beauchamp thanked Blanche 
 for her kind attention to the nameless young lady. 
 
 " This I consider, dear girl, as a personal favour to my 
 father and myself, after Selina's rude behaviour, at dinner, to 
 her mother." 
 
246 MANY INVENTIONS. 
 
 ground and thought. When he looked up the man 
 of the woods had gone. 
 
 'It is not good/ said a calm voice from the 
 thicket, 'for friends to be angry. Wait till the 
 evening, Sahib, when the air cools/ 
 
 Left to himself thus, dropped as it were in the 
 heart of the rukh, Gisborne swore, then laughed, 
 remounted his pony, and rode on. He visited a 
 ranger's hut, overlooked a couple of new planta- 
 tions, left some orders as to the burning of a patch 
 of dry grass, and set out for a camping-ground of 
 his own choice, a pile of splintered rocks roughly 
 roofed over with branches and leaves not far from 
 the banks of the Kanye stream. It was twilight 
 when he came in sight of his resting-place, and the 
 rukh was waking to the hushed ravenous life of the 
 night. 
 
 A camp-fire flickered on the knoll, and there was 
 the smell of a very good dinner in the wind. 
 
 'Um/ said Gisborne, 'that's better than cold 
 meat at any rate. Now the only man who'd be 
 likely to be here'd be Muller, and, officially, he 
 ought to be looking over the Changamanga rukh. 
 I suppose that's why he's on my ground.' 
 
 The gigantic German who was the head of the 
 Woods and Forests of all India, Head Ranger from 
 Burma to Bombay, had a habit of flitting bat-like 
 without warning from one place to another, and 
 turning up exactly where he was least looked for. 
 
IN THE EUKH. 247 
 
 His theory was that sudden visitations, the discov- 
 ery of shortcomings and a word-of -month upbraid- 
 ment of a subordinate were infinitely better than 
 the slow processes of correspondence, which might 
 end in a written and official reprimand — a thing in 
 after years to be counted against a Forest Officer's 
 record. As he explained it: 'If I only talk to my 
 boys like a Dutch uncle, dey say, " It was only dot 
 damned old Muller," and dey do better next dime. 
 But if my fat-head clerk he write and say dot 
 Muller der Inspecdor- General fail to onderstand and 
 is much annoyed, first dot does no goot because I am 
 not dere, and second der fool dot comes after me he 
 may say to my best boys: "Mein Gott! you haf 
 been wigged by my predecessor." I tell you der big 
 brass-hat pizness does not make der trees grow/ 
 
 Muller's deep voice was coming out of the dark- 
 ness behind the firelight as he bent over the shoul- 
 ders of his pet cook. * Not so much sauce, you son 
 of Belial ! Worcester sauce he is a gondiment and 
 not a fluid. Ah, Gisborne, you haf come to a very 
 bad dinner. Where is your camp ? ' and he walked 
 up to shake hands. 
 
 'I'm the camp, sir/ said Gisborne. 'I didn't 
 know you were about here/ 
 
 Muller looked at the young man's trim figure. 
 'Goot! That is very goot! One horse and some 
 cold things to eat. When I was young I did my 
 camp so. Now you shall dine with me. I went 
 
218 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 wish he'd take a fancy to our Honoria • and a hundred thousand 
 pounds down aint to be sneered at." 
 
 " That's more than I do," thought Blanche, as she rose to 
 take the arm of Sir Lucius, to whom she was engaged for the 
 next quadrille. 
 
 " Well, ma'am," continued Mrs. Winterbottom to Aunt Gor- 
 don, "that Sir Lucius seems a good sort of a body — looks and 
 speaks like a gentleman, but he is a plain piece of goods, and 
 won't do after the young squire. Lady Gwynne "would sound 
 very well, no doubt, but then Honoria says she won't marry 
 any one she don't fall desperately in love with ; and I shouldn't 
 fancy the baronet myself, even at my time of life." 
 
 " Then," asked Aunt Gordon, not a little amused, " what do 
 you think of Captain Markham 1 he is heir to a baronetcy, and 
 will succeed to a beautiful place and large fortune on Sir 
 Lionel's decease." 
 
 "He's too much of a fop to please me, Mrs. Gordon, 
 although tolerably good-looking and gentleman-like ; but pap** 
 can't endure dandies, and they would never agree, I'm sure. 
 No, ma'am, if I had the pick and choose of the room, the young 
 squire would come out first; and as you and he seem great 
 itiends, can't you just give him a hint that we sha'n't be par- 
 ticular about a few odd thousands, if he fancies our Honor 1 " 
 
 " You may rest assured on one point," replied Mrs. Gordon, 
 " that Mr. William Beauchamp will never marry for money, 
 and any allusion to your daughter's large expectations would be 
 quite sufficient to keep him at a distance from her." 
 
 "Oh, goodness me! then pray don't mention the subject, 
 ray dear madam," said Mrs. Winterbottom, "for here he comes 
 with Honoria." 
 
 After addressing a few words to the mamma on resigning 
 her daughter, Beauchamp sat down by Mrs. Gordon, saying, 
 " You must not think me rude, dear aunt, if I do not remain 
 very long with you, since I have to enact the part of master 
 of the ceremonies to-night ; but I shall come for you and 
 Blanche when supper is ready." 
 
 " William," whispered Mrs. Gordon, " have you been lectur- 
 ing Blanche again 1 she looks very serious." 
 
 " No, dear aunt ; but I told her a secret which she is to 
 reveal to yourself only, and that which made me feel very 
 happy has rendered her sad ; but now she is coming, and will 
 tell you herself — so I must be oft." 
 
 As Blanche resumed her seat, Mrs. Gordon inquired in a 
 
A TROUBLESOME YOUNG LADY. 210 
 
 low tone what had caused her such anxious looks, when speak- 
 ing with Beauchamp. 
 
 "Something which William has been telling me, dear aunt ; 
 but you must not divulge the secret. His father is now next 
 heir to an earldom." 
 
 " Good Heavens ! Blanche, you are joking ! " 
 
 " No, aunt, indeed I am not ; " and she then repeated 
 Beauchamp' s communication. 
 
 "And has this made you look so serious to-night, you silly 
 child ? " exclaimed Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " Yes, dear aunt ; I fear he may become a man of the world, 
 and all my dreams of happiness with him, as my constant friend 
 and companion, would then be at an end." 
 
 " My dear Blanche, do not worry yourself thus unnecessarily. 
 William Beauchamp will never change — why should he more 
 than Charles 1 you don't like him less because he is Lord 
 Malcolm ? or Constance either — nonsense, dear child, you ought 
 to feel as happy as I do at this joyful news. Beally, it has 
 put me in such spirits, I think I shall have a dance with the 
 old squire before the ball closes. Only think the surprise of 
 Mrs. Harcourt when she hears my favourite announced some 
 day as Lord Beauchamp. Oh, Blanche, this is indeed a delight- 
 ful anticipation ! how we shall triumph over that match-making 
 pair ! But, as William suggests, we will keep silence on this 
 subject for the present ; so now dance away, child, and look as 
 happy and cheerful as you ought to feel." 
 
 Beauchainp's next partner was Selina Markham, whom he- 
 deemed it necessary to lecture on her behaviour to Mrs. Winter- 
 bottom. 
 
 " Don't lecture me, Will Beauchamp," exclaimed that self- 
 willed young lady ; " your reproofs to me are like water on a 
 duck's back. I don't care a rap for them, and shall treat that 
 odious woman as I please." 
 
 " Very well, Selina ; if you are determined to raise up 
 another enemy to our sport in the very centre of our best hunt- 
 ing country, pray do so. Conyers and myself cannot but feel 
 greatly obliged by your kind interference. One such person as 
 Lord Mervyn is quite enough in any country, without your 
 conjuring up a new opponent, whom it is our policy to con- 
 ciliate, now he has become a landed proprietor in our neigh- 
 bourhood. We consulted Sir Lionel before inviting them here, 
 and his opinion decided us, when you rush in like a firebrand 
 to set us all in a blaze." 
 
250 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Then, I suppose, Will Beauchamp, I must cry 'peccavi ! > 
 and beg that vulgar woman's pardon." 
 
 " No, Selina ; only spare her for the future." 
 
 " Yery well, I will let her off as easy as possible on your 
 account ; and now tell me when you and Blanche are to be 
 married, as since the trial, when you took her up in your arms 
 and carried her out of court, every one says it is a settled thing j 
 the affair with Hooknose created a suspicion, which your other 
 act confirmed." 
 
 " Every on© is wrong, then, Selina, for it is not a settled 
 thing yet ; and I can no more tell you when we are to be 
 married than you can." 
 
 "Ah, Master "Will, it's no use attempting to throw dust 
 in my eyes, for Blanche tells by her looks what she will not 
 confess with her lips ; and that little affair with Lord Danby 
 satisfied him, as well as myself, that you are the winner of the 
 prize." 
 
 " Should that be the case, Selina, you will not be kept in the 
 dark ; but we are now talking of what never may and cannot 
 happen for some time, knowing the Harcourts' love and esteem 
 for your humble servant. But people say that you and Conyers 
 are down on the list matrimonial — what sav you, guilty or not 
 guilty ? " 
 
 " I shall not plead at all, Will, and keep you in the dark, as 
 you do me." 
 
 " Well, Selina, curiosity is not one of my besetting sins ; so 
 I can afford to wait, and will only add, that, were I a woman, 
 I should prefer Bob Conyers to every other man in the county 
 ■ — but here he comes — don't tell him, however, what I say, and 
 I will go and hunt for Blanche, to stand your vis-a-vis" 
 
 Beauchamp soon returned with his fair partner, now radiant 
 with smiles and in high spirits, leaning on his arm in all the 
 confidence of her deep and all-absorbing affection. 
 
 "Now, dear girl," he whispered, "you look again like my 
 own clear Blanche," as her eyes met his with an expression of 
 soft, unutterable love; "and don't ever doubt the power of 
 fascination you possess to hold me for ever to your side." 
 
 " If you begin to flatter me, I shall begin to doubt you 
 Mr. Will." 
 
 " Well, then, I will lecture you instead." 
 
 " No, William, I will listen to no lectures to-night." 
 
 " Then I will advise you that Selina has been trying to fish 
 out of me all about our engagement, on which I have given her 
 
ANOTHER LOVE-MATCH. 251 
 
 no information ; so be on your guard, although she suspects 
 how the case stands." 
 
 "But surely, William, you may now safely speak to Mr. 
 Harcourt; he will not refuse the heir presumptive to an 
 earldom/' 
 
 " Me he would refuse, were I heir to a dukedom, imder his 
 present lacerated feelings, which must have time to subside; 
 but we will consult Aunt Gordon on the subject, although my 
 own impression is, that he will most decidedly refuse my pro- 
 posals, and I fear, dear Blanche, that we must have a little 
 more patience." 
 
 " For myself, I do not care," she replied ; " but it vexes me 
 to see you obliged to use subterfuge and ' evasion, which imply 
 a doubt of my true feelings towards you, and place you in such 
 a humiliating position." 
 
 " Talk not of humiliation, dear Blanche ; you have made me 
 one of the proudest men in existence, and you alone can humble 
 me' ; for the rest, remember, ' the course of true love never did 
 run smooth,' and I am content to suffer anything for you, so 
 that I am sure of your love." 
 
 " Of that you ought to be doubly assured, since I have the 
 prospect of becoming Lady Beauchamp. You are quite safe 
 now, William, if not before — so don't feel jealous again," she 
 replied with a laugh. "Now let us go and sit with Aunt 
 Gordon until supper time, for I shall not dance again till I have 
 had a glass of wine, and aunty says she shall drink the health of 
 Lord and Lady Beauchamp in a bumper." 
 
 As Blanche and Beauchamp were approaching Mrs. Gordon, 
 they observed the old squire and her in earnest conversation, 
 evidently engrossed with each other. 
 
 " Stay, Blanche," whispered Beauchamp ; " my governor 
 looks asjjif he were making love to aunty; let us turn aside 
 elsewhere." 
 
 " Oh, William, how can you talk such nonsense ?" 
 
 " My dear girl, there is no nonsense in the case, but just the 
 reverse ; the squire considers your aunt perfection, and there 
 we must both concede he is not far out in his reckoning. 
 Well, then, what are they both to do, when Malcolm carries off 
 Constance from Bampton, and I run away with you from the 
 Priory 1 which I propose doing on the very first fitting opportunity, 
 provided you don't give me the slip in London, and run away 
 with some one else first. There will be an old solitary man in 
 one house, and a, (we must not say old) solitary lady in another. 
 
2o2 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Under these circumstances, as they both suit each other so> 
 exactly in disposition, temper, and habits (fox hunting ex- 
 cepted, and even so far I think the governor might get aunty 
 into the kennel, although the whole household could not put. 
 her on horseback), as houses cannot be joined together, the next 
 best thing to be thought of is to unite the owners — there 
 would then be one house for the old, and the other for the 
 young pair of birds." 
 
 " Oh, William ! don't talk so foolishly ; Aunt Gordon would 
 never give up the Priory, and your father would never live- 
 anywhere but at Bampton; so your anticipations are very 
 unlikely to be realised ; but I suppose we must divide the year 
 between them." 
 
 w No doubt, Blanche, that will be expected of us, as dutiful 
 children, although Malcolm and Constance have promised to 
 spend their winter at Bampton ; still, 1 cannot help thinking 
 the governor is bent on trying to persuade your aunt that 
 Beauchamp is a prettier name than Gordon ; and as she always 
 will call me ' her dear boy,' my idea is, that the squire will 
 assail her in this her weak point, and make me a stejJping-stone 
 to my promotion as her step-son. But, my gracious ! Blanche, 
 as Mrs. Winter says, don't hallude to this delicate torpeck with 
 aunty, or I shall get my locks pulled and my ears boxed for 
 my imperance. Lories, my dear, just observe how serious they 
 both look ; depend upon it, the governor has popped the 
 question.'' 
 
 " What possesses you to-night, William, I cannot conceive, 
 to run on in this silly strain." 
 
 " Why, my dear, the fact is, like Mrs. Summertop, I'm 
 rather swipey, I suspect." 
 
 " Then you are fit company only for that lady, William." 
 
 " Very well, my dear, if such is your opinion, I will go and 
 make love to her daughter forthwith, as Aunt Gordon tells me 
 I am a great favourite with the young lady. What say you to 
 that proposition ? " 
 
 " Oh, go, by all means, if you prefer her society to mine," 
 replied Blanche, rather testily. 
 
 " That not being exactly the case, you naughty child, I shall 
 keep your arm, and torment you until the supper hour ; never- 
 theless, I am not swipey, although intoxicated with delight at 
 seeing Lady Beauchamp, that is to be, in such buoyant spirits. 
 That's all, my dear ; so now we will just take a peep into the 
 dining-room, and see how things are arranged for the supper." 
 
PREPARATIONS 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 Roger 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 
 
254 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS, 
 
 sister's kindness), had let fall certain hints in her confidential 
 communications to Constance, which revealed the nature of her 
 feelings towards William Beauchamp. Constance again, in joke, 
 had warned Blanche of the danger to be apprehended from this 
 formidable rival. 
 
 "Really, Blanche," she observed one day, "I don't like 
 leaving William behind us, at the mercy of mother and 
 daughter ; for what with bags of money on one side, which are 
 daily increasing in number, and such winning smiles, on the 
 other, from the young lady, who has evidently made up her 
 mind to have the young squire, whether he will or no, we are 
 in what I call rather a disagreeable fix." 
 
 "Don't talk so absurdly, Constance," replied Blanche; "as 
 if William would marry a brewer's daughter, to be saddled with 
 such a vulgar mother-in-law, for a hundred thousand a year, 
 instead of as many thousand pounds." 
 
 " I'm not afraid of his being tempted by money bags, my 
 dear Blanche ; but by the bewitching smiles of that little Siren 
 Honoria, who, it must be confessed, sings and plays beautifully, 
 and is much more highly accomplished than I had any concep- 
 tion of before her visit to Bampton." 
 
 "Then, Constance, his professions of love and attachment to 
 me would be a hollow pretence," replied Blanche. 
 
 "Come, sister dear, don't take my jokes in earnest, and 
 visit my raillery on poor, dear William's head, who, I believe, 
 will ever prove as constant, and turn as true to Blanche 
 Douglas, as the needle to the Pole. Don't fear, my love, that 
 the wealth of Croesus, or the beauty of Hebe, could shake 
 William's loyalty ; but you must ask him to join us in London, 
 and that will be sufficient to ensure his presence." 
 
 The day before the breaking-up of the establishment at the 
 Priory, Beauchamp rode over early and inflicted a long lecture 
 on Blanche, which he deemed necessary previous to her first 
 entrance on this new sphere, so surrounded with allurements 
 and temptations. 
 
 " The routine of fashionable life in London, my dear girl," 
 said he, "is comprehended in one word — dissipation. Night 
 there is turned into day, and morning into night. You dine 
 at eight o'clock in the evening, go at ten or eleven to balls and 
 parties, which generally last till three or four o'clock in the 
 morning ; come home tired and fevered with the heat of the 
 rooms, and retire to your roost when the birds have left theirs 
 to warble forth their matutinal songs. Breakfast about eleven ; 
 
A LECTURE. 255 
 
 pay or receive visits from three to five, then take your ride or 
 drive in the Park, and return home to dress for dinner about 
 seven. This, with some little variation, is the usual every-day 
 routine of life to those who move in the first circles of fashion- 
 able society. But there is one place of amusement, dear girl, 
 although quite the fashion to patronise, which is a disgrace to 
 any Christian country, and that is, without hesitation I say so, 
 the Opera House. Against the singing and music of the Opera, 
 which are, of course, of the very highest order, I have nothing 
 to urge; but the after-piece, or ballet, is an exhibition from 
 which every pure-minded woman must turn with shame and 
 disgust ; and I am quite sure that, if perforce obliged to witness 
 one scene of this kind, you will never be induced to be present 
 at another. Although I hope you may be safely trusted to 
 Malcolm's or Aunt Gordon's care, who will protect you from 
 witnessing all such objectionable exhibitions." 
 
 "And yet, dear William, without you I shall feel desolate 
 and lonely; and you know, but for your promise of joining me 
 in town, I would never have accepted Lady Malcolm's invita- 
 tion. Tell me, then, when I may expect you there; and if you 
 love, do not disappoint me." 
 
 " Will this day week, Blanche, satisfy you, giving time for a 
 few arrangements which I must make before leaving home 1 " 
 
 "Yes, William, I will be content, if you cannot name an 
 earlier day." 
 
 " If possible, dear girl, I will leave home sooner ; but by 
 this day week, if living and well, you shall see me at this hour 
 in Grosvenor Square." 
 
 " Thank you, my own dear William, for your kind compli- 
 ance with my wishes, which has made me quite happy ; although 
 I now sincerely wish I had never consented to leave the Priory, 
 for I have no pleasure anywhere without you." 
 
 " For which pretty little complimentary speech, my love, I 
 must reward you in my usual way. And now, recollect, I shall 
 expect every day a true and particular account of all your 
 thoughts and doings in London, until you are once more under 
 my individual esinonnage." 
 
 The promise being given, terminated the interview between 
 the lovers ; and Blanche returned to the house to complete her 
 preparations for the morrow, Beauchamp having agreed to dine 
 and sleep at the Priory that night, and see them off on their 
 journey early the next morning. 
 
 Beauchamp, being of a very reflective and rather melancholy 
 
256 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 turn of mind, was sitting before dinner in an easy chair, with 
 Lis face buried in his hands, absorbed in sad forebodings, a 
 heavy sigh Laving just escaped his lips, when a gentle hand was 
 laid upon his arm, and a sweet voice whispered in his ear — 
 
 " Dear William, wbat Las caused tLat deep sigh 1 " 
 
 " The thought, my own precious child," said he, rising and 
 clasping her to his heart, " of the many miles by which I shall' 
 be separated, this time to-morrow, from her I love so dearly; 
 and the dread, which I cannot dispel, of tbat change which may 
 be effected in your present pure feelings by dissipation and 
 worldly influences. Many an innocent, chaste girl like yourself, 
 hitherto cheerful, happy, and contented in her rural home, has, 
 after a season in town, returned thither an altered being — 
 peevish, fretful, unhappy, and discontented — longing again for 
 the excitement of those scenes which have rendered her dis- 
 satisfied and miserable in domestic life." 
 
 "You think, then, "William, that I have no self-control 
 or strength of mind, but like a child shall be led astray and 
 taken captive by the glittering allurements of the fashionable 
 world?" 
 
 " Heaven grant, dear girl, that you may ever continue, as 
 now, a child in simplicity of heart and thought ; yet how few 
 of the greatest and best of mankind, even the most favoured 
 children of the Almighty, have been able to resist temptation 
 in their hour of trial, or whose minds have not been affected by 
 those follies and vices to which all human nature is so prone to 
 yield 1 Lady Malcolm is, I fear, a votary of fashion ; and when 
 once engaged in that vortex of dissipation, of balls, routs. plays, 
 operas, concerts, dinner-parties, &c. <fcc., your mind having 
 become enervated or overstrained by unnatural excitement, you 
 will find yourself imperceptibly gliding down that current which 
 has carried thousands to destruction. Flattery also, which none 
 can wholly withstand, will lend her aid to beguile and reconcile 
 you to this new mode of life. Can you wonder, then, dear girl, 
 that my thoughts are troubled at the risk you will incur when 
 entering so young and inexperienced on these treacherous and 
 deceptive scenes? Were you to be changed from that dear, 
 artless, unaffected girl I now hold in my arms, into a flirting, 
 heartless woman of fashion, the now bright dawning of my 
 earthly happiness would sink into endless night. That dear 
 form, too, although so beautiful, so enchanting to my enrap- 
 tured vision, is but as the fair casket, containing a far more 
 precious jewel within — a chaste and unsullied heart, which I 
 
THE LAST EVENING AT THE PRIORY. 257 
 
 value beyond all price. Oh, Blanche ! that you may be restored 
 to me as you now leave me, is my constant, anxious prayer." 
 
 " Dear, dear William, do not distress yourself by these fore- 
 bodings of evil, or doubt my constant, unfailing love, which 
 will strengthen and support me in every trial ; and knowing 
 how much your happiness depends on me, and is now confided 
 to my keeping, rest assured that consideration alone would be 
 sufficient, had I no stronger motives, to prevent that change 
 you dread; but unless you are with me also, my fashionable 
 career in London will be short indeed ; and when you leave 
 town, Aunt Gordon and myself have resolved to return to the 
 Priory." 
 
 Malcolm entering the room at this moment, exclaimed — 
 
 " Ah, Beauchamp, at the old game again, lecturing Blanche, 
 I conclude, from those tearful eyes. Really, my dear fellow, 
 there is sometimes too much of a good thing ; but all your 
 advice will be thrown away after a month in town, by which 
 time you will find this country lassie converted into an aerified 
 town belle, receiving the homage of numerous slaves, attracted 
 by her beauty and grace, with the dignity of a princess. You 
 will get lectured yourself then, my boy, and ordered to the 
 right-about in double quick time." 
 
 " Take care Constance does- not serve you the same trick, 
 Malcolm." 
 
 " Egad ! " I should not be marvellously astonished if she 
 did, Beauchamp, and therefore I shall keep a pretty sharp look 
 out; but she shall have her run of gaiety— go everywhere, 
 and see everything, for it is far better to have it over before we 
 are married, and if so disposed to turn restive, the blow won't 
 fall so heavily upon me now as it would later, when we are 
 coupled together." 
 
 " You can do as you please with Constance, who is strong 
 and able to take care of herself; but I must entreat, Malcolm, 
 Blanche may not be dragged here, there, and everywhere, for 
 her constitution will not eudure much dissipation." 
 
 " Well, Beauchamp, then come up and take care yourself of 
 the dear, precious little soul. Why, Blanche, he seems to think 
 you are made of barley-sugar. What a life you will lead when 
 married to such a fussy, prosy, particular old fellow. Take my 
 advice, child, and marry some dashing, high-spirited young 
 man about town." 
 
 " Who would try to kill me with dissipation, Charles, that 
 he might spend my fortune on himself— that would be a cannie 
 
 St 
 
258 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 thing for a Scotchwoman to do. No, no, Charlie dear; X 
 prefer being my old man's darling, to any gay young man's 
 slave." 
 
 " Quite right, my prudent little cousin ; and a precious 
 darling you will be, no doubt, in his opinion. But now let 
 us have dinner," ringing the bell ; " Aunty and Con are 
 uncommonly late, and I can wait no longer." 
 
 The dinner-hour passed heavily away, Lord Malcolm making 
 ineffectual efforts to enliven the party ; but nothing could 
 rouse Beauchamp from Ins abstraction, and his sorrowful looks, 
 fixed alternately on Blanche and Mrs. Gordon, infected them 
 all. 
 
 " Confound your sour-crout visage," exclaimed Malcolm. 
 "Why, Beauchamp, you are like a wet blanket in a frosty 
 night — enough to congeal one's blood. Bouse, rouse yourself, 
 my dear fellow ; and here, Blanche, fill his glass, to our next 
 merry meeting at the Priory." 
 
 " May that meeting find us all unchanged in hearts and 
 feelings," exclaimed Beauchamp, impressively, as he placed his 
 •empty glass on the table. 
 
 " And Will Beauchamp," added Malcolm, gaily, " in a more 
 lively humour. And now, aunty, with your leave, I will ring 
 for another bottle of wine ; or, by Jove ! we shall find him 
 suspended by the neck from the old chestnut tree on the lawn, 
 to-morrow morning — or stay — his razors — egad ! aunt, you and 
 Blanche had better take them away and hide them — no saying 
 what he may do, now this blue fit is upon him." 
 
 " Do leave William alone, Charles," replied Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " I dare not, aunty dear, until he has swallowed a bottle of 
 wine, which may keep him from committing felo-de-se until 
 to-morrow evening, when Miss Honoria Winterbottom will 
 perhaps enliven him with her innocent prattle and sweet 
 musical strains, or her ma' and the old squire may, all four, get 
 comfortably merry together." 
 
 " Charles," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, rising to leave the room, 
 "you are incorrigible — but remember, we must retire early- 
 to-night." 
 
 We will draw a veil over the parting scene between Blanche 
 and Beauchamp the following morning, after which he handed 
 her to the carriage in silence, not daring to trust his voice in a 
 last farewell ; and Blanche sunk back on the cushion to conceal 
 her fast falling tears. When shaking hands with Mrs. Gordon, 
 Constance, and Malcolm, the firm grasping of their hands in his 
 
EN ROUTE FOR TOWN. 259 
 
 proved, more than words could tell, what his feelings were 
 although utterance failed him from emotion, which, unable 
 longer to control, he turned quickly away, and rushed towards 
 the stables for his horse. 
 
 "There goes," said Malcolm, "a man whose deep feelings 
 are almost, if not quite, a misery to himself; and I fear Will 
 Beauchamp is more to be pitied than envied in the possession of 
 too sensitive a heart." 
 
 " Oh, no, Charles," replied Mrs. Gordon ; " it is that very 
 profound depth and delicacy of feeling which has so endeared 
 him to me since a boy, and made me love him as my own 
 son." 
 
 " Ah, aunty dear, he is, I know, a paragon of perfection in 
 your eyes ; but notwithstanding his heart is in the right place, 
 he is confoundedly jealous and haughty too ; and I suspect we 
 shall have a scene or two with him in town, if my sweet cousin 
 there attracts many admirers." 
 
 "I do not wish to have any more admirers, Charles," 
 replied Blanche; "and will take care never again to give 
 William the slightest cause for uneasiness on that account." 
 
 " A noble resolution, my unsophisticated little pet ; but, as 
 a cat may look at a king, I conclude men may look at and 
 admire Blanche Douglas without being thought very imperti- 
 nent. But wait a little, my love ; and, when you have been a 
 month in London, you will think very differently on these 
 matters." 
 
 " I hope never, Charles," was the reply, which being echoed 
 by Mrs. Gordon and Constance, prevented Lord Malcolm from 
 venturing any further remarks on the supposed fickleness of the 
 fair sex. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 The hurry and excitement of travelling with four-post horses, 
 and the ever- varying objects on the road, roused and diverted 
 Blanche Douglas from giving unchecked indulgence to more 
 gloomy thoughts ; Mrs. Gordon using her best endeavours also 
 to draw her attention to other things. But still, the unbidden 
 tear would glisten in her eye, as she dwelt on her parting with 
 him whom she loved far beyond every human being ; and save 
 when losing the kind instructress of her early years, this pang 
 
260 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 of separation from Beauchamp (although believing it to be of so 
 short a duration) was the most bitter she had ever experienced. 
 To her, Beauchamp had stood successively in the place of brother, 
 friend, and lover. She had regarded him first with the affection 
 of a sister ; then esteemed him as a friend, and now loved him, 
 with all the intensity of which her gentle, confiding nature was 
 susceptible, as her affianced husband. 
 
 The shadows of evening were lengthening, as the heavy 
 double-bodied carriage, containing the late inmates of the Priory, 
 rattled through the streets of London, and drew up in Grosvenor 
 Square. The door of Lady Malcolm's mansion was immediately 
 thrown open by the expectant porter, and Malcolm leading the 
 way to the drawing-room, was soon folded in his mother's arms, 
 Mrs. Gordon, Blanche, and Constance following closely upon 
 his footsteps, and each greeted in turn by a warm embrace and 
 most cordial reception. 
 
 " Really, Margaret," exclaimed Lady Malcolm, " I could 
 scarcely have recognised Blanche again, she is become such a 
 tall, handsome, stately girl ; well, I declare, my love," taking 
 her hand in hers, and earnestly scanning her features, "you 
 will create quite a sensation in the beau monde, and I shall 
 feel justly proud of my protegee. But now, my dears, you 
 must be greatly fatigued after your long journey, and I will 
 show you your rooms. Dinner will be ready at eight o'clock 
 precisely, and as we are quite enfamille this evening, you need 
 not bestow much time on your toilet." 
 
 Lady Malcolm being Mrs. Gordon's eldest sister, resembled 
 her very much in personal appearance, and disposition also, 
 although taller, and more fashionable in manners, from her 
 constantly mixing in the first circles in London society ; and it 
 must be confessed, she was at heart rather a woman of the 
 world, deriving her chief enjoyment from its gaieties. 
 
 Although much pleased with her niece's first appearance, 
 she was in raptures when Blanche entered the drawing-room 
 the second time, dressed for dinner. 
 
 "Why, my dear girl," she exclaimed, "you are really quite 
 enchanting when divested of your travelling dress ; I had no 
 idea of that beautiful figure and graceful demeanour ; you will 
 be the belle of the season ; and with your fortune and position, 
 dukes and earls will be paying homage at your feet." 
 
 "Indeed, I hope not, Aunt Malcolm," replied Blanche, 
 blushing deeply. 
 
 " And why not, my dear ? it is nothing more than your due, 
 
THE ARRIVAL IN LONDON. 261 
 
 and what I fully expect ; so get rid of your country diffidence 
 and blushes as soon as you possibly can, which here would only 
 pass for gaucherie or mauvaise honte." 
 
 Constance in her turn elicited some very flattering en- 
 comiums from Lady Malcolm, exceedingly gratifying to her 
 son, who replied, " Well, my dear mother, I think we may show 
 our two girls against any two in London ; but they must not 
 be spoilt by too many compliments or too much indulgence, as 
 we keep them pretty strict in the country — don't we, Aunt 
 Gordon ? — for fear of their running away." 
 
 " Oh, Charles," interposed Lady Malcolm, " you must give 
 me a full account of all those dreadful proceedings with that 
 mauvais svjet, Lord Yancourt. The maddest scheme I ever 
 heard of; but he has always been a wild, reckless man, and 
 living almost by his wits the last three or four seasons." 
 
 " It was a well-planned scheme, though, my dear mother, 
 and Blanche had a narrow escape from being whipped off to the 
 land of cakes ; for had Will Beauchamp arrived ten minutes 
 later, that villain would have had her safe enough in his travel- 
 ling carriage." 
 
 "Well, Charles, you must tell me all particulars after 
 dinner ; and how are my friends, the old and young squires of 
 Bampton, and Sir Lionel % " 
 
 '' Well and hearty ; and you may expect the honour of 
 a visit from Will next week, who is coming up to town to 
 look after us all, and prevent these girls being ruined by 
 too much dissipation ; as he does not consider a couple of aunts 
 and one man cousin sufficient to keep them within proper 
 bounds." 
 
 " I shall be delighted, Charles, to see my young friend again, 
 as you know he has ever been a pet of mine." 
 
 " Yes, my dear mother, and since he has grown up a tall, 
 good-looking young man, he has now become a pet of young as 
 well as old ladies." 
 
 "Indeed, Charles, that is not at all an unlikely thing to 
 occur ; but who are the young ladies you allude to % " 
 
 " Oh ! " replied Charles, carelessly, " there is a brewer's 
 daughter, with a hundred and fifty thousand pounds, more or 
 less, with her pa' and ma' hard at him ; and one or two other 
 demoiselles " — casting a significant look at Blanche, who blushed 
 and trembled with apprehension — " I suspect, have set their caps 
 at him ; but two to one on Miss Winterbottom are the current 
 odds at present." 
 
262 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "Miss Who, Charles?" 
 
 " Winterbottoin, my lady mother — the great brewer's 
 daughter." 
 
 " Goodness, what a name ! " exclaimed Lady Malcolm in 
 amazement. 
 
 " Yes ; just fancy the electrical effect of such a name being 
 passed u}) from flunkey to flunkey on one of our grand reception 
 nights ! why, my dear mother, the cry of ' the roof on fire ' in a 
 crowded theatre, would be nothing in comparison to the con- 
 sternation created among your aristocratic friends by such an 
 announcement, who would rush down-stairs without waiting for 
 their carriages." 
 
 " Indeed, I could never receive such people in my house ; 
 but surely "William Beauchamp does not seriously think of 
 marrying this girl 1 " 
 
 " No saying, my dear mother ; she is a pretty, fascinating, 
 artful little hussy." 
 
 "Then, Charles, write directly, and ask him to come up 
 without delay, as I know the very person to suit him, a rich 
 young widow, just five-and- twenty, veiy handsome, agreeable, 
 and pleasing in manners, with eight thousand a year at her 
 own disposal ; and Beauchamp is the very person she would 
 fall in love with, as she dislikes her present set of admirers, all 
 being too foppish or fashionable for her ideas of a husband ; in 
 fact she declared to me the other day, the character she would 
 select would ' be a manly, unaffected person, of firm principles 
 and unblemished reputation, whom she could respect as well 
 as love." 
 
 " Well, then, Blanche, your old playmate, Will Beauchamp, 
 is the very man to suit her — don't you think so, my dear 1 " 
 
 " I really cannot say, Charles," she replied, very shortly. 
 
 "At any rate, pray write to-morrow," resumed Lady 
 Malcolm, " and save him from the brewery ; — Beauchamp 
 Winterbottom, and Co. ! this would be dreadful." 
 
 "It shall be done, my dear mother, if you particularly 
 desire it ; but Will Beauchamp is a very obstinate, perverse 
 young fellow ; and if he has set his affections on Miss Honoria 
 or any other young lady " — with a smile at Blanche — " all the 
 widows in London won't turn him." 
 
 The announcement of dinner was a reprieve to poor Blanche, 
 who dreaded lest her cousin's raillery might lead Lady Malcolm 
 to suspect her attachment to Beauchamp, as the Harcourts, who 
 had just arrived in London, would of course be frequent visitors 
 
AN AIRING IN THE PARK. 263 
 
 at her house ; and it had been resolved by Mrs. Gordon, before 
 leaving the Priory, to keep her engagement a profound secret 
 for the present — even from her own sister. Lord Malcolm, 
 notwithstanding his love of fun and frolic, with which he could 
 not forbear teasing Blanche occasionally, was too sincerely 
 attached to her and Beauchamp to betray their position, even 
 to his own mother ; and although sometimes venturing within 
 the precincts of the forbidden ground, yet he possessed sufficient 
 tact to perceive how far he could advance without discovery, 
 and made amends for any little escajmde of this kind, by his 
 unwavering determination to serve his friend in more impor- 
 tant points. 
 
 The next day Lady Malcolm was " not at home to visitors," 
 thinking that her sister would prefer one day's quietude after 
 her journey ; but she could not resist the temptation of taking 
 Blanche and Constance for what is termed an airing (although 
 generally proving a dusting) in the park, at the fashionable hour, 
 when, from the multiplicity of carriages, anything beyond a 
 walking pace is extremely problematical. The slow order of 
 rotation in which the wheels move serves, however, in place of 
 a conversazione for the equestrians who are seen lounging by 
 the side of those wheels which contain anything like a pretty 
 face, or a partie in other respects desirable, discussing the 
 fashionable topics of the day. Numerous were the polite bows 
 of recognition directed to Lady Malcolm by her aristocratic 
 acquaintances on passing her carriage. But the two most per- 
 tinacious affixions to each side of the carriage were Lord Henry 
 
 Bayntun (second son of the Duke of R ) and Sir John 
 
 Martingale, a young sporting baronet of large fortune, both well 
 known to Lord Malcolm, who being introduced to Blanche and 
 Constance, maintained their position for some time to the 
 exclusion of several others, equally attracted by the beauty of 
 the fair occupants of Lady Malcolm's carriage, and hovering 
 near in the hopes of an introduction. 
 
 Lord Henry having exhausted his fund of topics, generally 
 considered so entertaining and interesting to young ladies, 
 about the opera, balls, parties, reunions, receptions, and other 
 gaities, quocunque nomine gaudent, and receiving very unsatis- 
 factory replies from Blanche to his various inquiries as to 
 
 meeting her at the Duchess of C 's party on the 10th; the 
 
 Countess of D 's ball on the 12th; or Lady Mary W 's 
 
 grand concert at the Hanover Square Rooms on the 14th, he 
 raised his hat and withdrew ; being soon after joined by the 
 
264 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 baronet, who had likewise expended his stock of ammunition 
 on Constance with little better success. 
 
 " Well, Bayntun," inquired Martingale, " what do you think 
 of the heiress?" 
 
 " Nonplussed, my dear fellow — can't make her out ; fine, 
 handsome girl, with splendid eyes and beautiful complexion, 
 that is all I know ; but for conversation, whether from reserve 
 or shyness, I could not get her to speak a dozen words." 
 
 " She don't fancy you, I suppose, Bayntun — not good- 
 looking enough." 
 
 " Well, as to that, Martingale, I flatter myself that is not 
 the reason, unless every mirror I look into is a false reflector. 
 But how did you fare with Miss Beauchamp ? " 
 
 " Oh, well enough whilst we conversed on country affairs, 
 fox-hunting, riding, &c. ; but we came to a dead stop at the 
 very threshold of the Opera House ; in short, these two girls are 
 only just fresh up from the country ; but we shall soon alter 
 them to town paces and town faces also." 
 
 " Well, Martingale, I'm for the heiress, mind, who with her 
 ten thousand a year would suit my book exactly." 
 
 "Ah, I dare say, Bayntun, and make up for that devilish 
 bad book you made on the St. Leger of last year. That was a 
 most untoward event, my dear fellow ; and if you go often at 
 that killing pace, ten thousand a year won't hold out with you 
 very long. Moreover, Malcolm, although a capital fellow, is a 
 oannie Scot at bottom, unco' sharp about the siller, and, depend 
 upon it, he will take proper care that his cousin's money is made 
 safe enough to herself before she marries." 
 
 " If I can win the young lady over to my side, Martingale, 
 the odds against Malcolm are fifty to one ; so I shall tiy my 
 luck, at any rate." 
 
 As Lord Henry retired from Lady Malcolm's carriage, Lord 
 Panby, who had been watching for the opportunity, drew up on 
 the same side, and his sudden appearance caused the colour to 
 rise on Blanche's cheeks, from the remembrance of their last 
 parting at the Priory. The whole occurrences of that eventful 
 day instantly rising to her mind, caused such a revulsion of 
 feeling that her agitation became perceptible to Lady Malcolm, 
 as she could scarcely at first reply to Lord Danby's salutation ; 
 but, soon recovering herself, she answered his several inquiries 
 with such indifference and coolness as to convince him that the 
 sentence she had been forced to pronounce was not likely to be 
 reversed or re- considered. Danby, on witnessing her confusion 
 
THE OPERA. 265 
 
 at first and subsequent reserve, was almost puzzled how to 
 interpret her reception of him ; but, after several ineffectual 
 attempts to draw her into conversation, he thought it more 
 prudent to withdraw for the present; and Blanche, leaning 
 back in the carriage, with her parasol before her face, resolved 
 thereby to exclude any further advances from other attendant 
 cavaliers. Lady Malcolm said — 
 
 " I fear, my dear girl, you have not yet recovered from your 
 fatigue of yesterday ; we will therefore return home. But how 
 did you become acquainted with Lord Danby 1 " 
 
 " I was introduced to him first at the Hunt ball, Aunt 
 Malcolm ; and met him often afterwards whilst he was staying 
 at Barton Court." 
 
 " Well, my dear, being heir to a rich dukedom, he is very 
 much courted, and highly spoken of as a most agreeable, un- 
 affected young man ; and, of course, a most desirable acquaint- 
 ance." 
 
 Blanche not appearing disposed to continue the con- 
 versation about Lord Danby, Constance interposed some other 
 remarks to save her friend ; and the carriage soon after set 
 them down in Grosvenor Square. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon having her own carriage and horses in London, to 
 prevent interference with her sister's arrangements, the two 
 next days were chiefly devoted to calls on her particular friends, 
 shopping, sight-seeing, &c, in which she was accompanied by 
 Blanche and Constance, Lady Malcolm seldom going out until 
 three or four o'clock in the afternoon. But her ladyship, 
 after having conceded thus much to her sister, feelingly pardon- 
 ably proud of her niece, and ignorant of her attachment to 
 Beauchamp, now became anxious to exhibit her in public, as 
 well as among her own aristocratic set — hoping and believing 
 that Blanche would, from her personal charms and large fortune, 
 soon have an opportunity of forming some splendid alliance. 
 
 The next night, therefore, found her sitting with Lady 
 Malcolm in the front row of her opera box, towards which many 
 inquisitive glances were directed from those on the opposite 
 
206 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 side of the house, many of whom were personally known to 
 Lady Malcolm. 
 
 " Who can that be," inquired the Duchess of B of Lord 
 
 Henry Bayntun, who had just entered her box, sitting with 
 Lady Malcolm? She appears very young, and very pretty,, 
 although evidently new to London life, from her bashful and 
 timid looks." 
 
 " That is Miss Douglas, your grace, Lady Malcolm's niece, 
 who makes her first appearance to-night in the fashionable 
 world." 
 
 "Oh, I remember now the name — the young lady whom 
 Lord Vancourt attempted to run away with." 
 
 " The same," replied Lord Henry, " and, by all accounts, 
 Vancourt made a very near thing of it." 
 
 " Pray lend me your glass a moment," exclaimed Lady 
 Mary, the Duchess's eldest daughter (who had now entered on 
 her fifth London season), " I really must have a thorough scrutiny 
 of Danby's idol ; for no one, in his opinion, can be compared to 
 Miss Douglas — and there, I declare, is that foolish boy just 
 entering their box." 
 
 " Well, Lady Mary, what is your opinion 1 " asked Lord 
 Henry, " as I should think you must by this time have scanned 
 her features sufficiently to know her again." 
 
 "Pretty, rather, though country-looking, with a super- 
 abundance of pink." 
 
 " Occasioned, perhaps," suggested Lord Henry, " by Danby's 
 appearance ; but look again — there is not too much vermilion 
 now, or my vision is defective. She has fine eyes and handsome 
 features, certainly." 
 
 "Oh — so, so," replied Lady Mary, rather contemptuously, 
 returning the glass to her mother ; " but Danby takes extra- 
 ordinary fancies into his head about women." 
 
 Being offered a seat, Lord Danby remained some time in 
 Lady Malcolm's box, conversing with the ladies, and occasionally 
 addressing observations on the opera to Blanche, which were 
 rather more courteously received than at their first meeting in 
 the park. In fact, Blanche, reproaching herself, on reflection, 
 for her very distant behaviour to him on that occasion, now 
 relaxed into a more friendly mood, seeing her repulsion of him 
 then had been noticed by her aunt, whose looks were the 
 reverse of commendatory. 
 
 Ineffectual efforts were made by other loungers, who occa- 
 sionally looked in, to obtain^ an introduction to the heiress ; but 
 
THE BALLET. 237 
 
 Lord Danby tenaciously holding his position, as a bar to all 
 others approaching her, in whom he still took so deep an interest 
 remained oblivious of the lapse of time until the last act of the 
 opera, when, apologising for his long intrusion, he reluctantly 
 left the box. 
 
 When the curtain fell, Lady Malcolm expressed her intention 
 to remain during the ballet also, and Blanche, remembering 
 Beauchamp's remarks, rose from her seat, and making an excuse 
 that the glare of the lights affected her eyes, Constance changed 
 places with her, and she felt relieved on finding herself near Mrs. 
 Gordon, who, equally displeased with the prospect of the coming 
 exhibition, had vainly endeavoured to persuade her sister to 
 leave the house before the ballet commenced. 
 
 "You are quite right, my love," whispered her aunt, "in 
 withdrawing from that exposed position, although my sister 
 and Charles laugh at our prudish ideas, as they call them, about 
 the danseuses. For the future, I shall order my own carriage 
 to be in waiting after the opera is over ; but I did not wish, on 
 our first appearance, to give offence to my sister." 
 
 As Taglioni flitted across the stage, throwing herself into 
 her most graceful though not very modest attitude, Malcolm, 
 delighting to tease his cousin, said, " There, Blanche; is not that 
 quite perfection 1 " And now, as with a twirl she stood for a 
 second on her toes, " Wouldn't you give a good deal to be able 
 to astonish Will Beauchamp with such a feat as that?" or 
 " Look now, that pirouette — my stars * how Beauchamp would 
 stare to see his darling perform such an evolution ! " 
 
 "I'm surprised at you, Charles," said Mrs. Gordon, "tor- 
 menting your cousin in this foolish manner." 
 
 " Oh, nonsense, aunty dear ; Blanche will soon become 
 accustomed to such sights, and then think nothing of them, 
 as others do." 
 
 " Indeed, I shall not, Charles," replied Blanche, firmly, " and 
 I hope never to witness another ballet." 
 
 Sir John Martingale now entering the box, Malcolm was 
 diverted from further attacks on poor Blanche, who, leaning 
 back against the side of the box, showed her fixed deter- 
 mination to withdraw her eyes from the stage, in which she 
 was seconded by Mrs. Gordon, who began conversing with 
 her on other subjects. Great was the relief to both when this 
 indelicate performance ceased, and they were once more safe in 
 the carriage, through all the draughts, hustlings, and bustlings 
 consequent on the last falling of the curtain. 
 
 { 
 
268 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Although custom reconciles us to many strange sights, that 
 is not the question to be considered, but the ^rs^ effect produced 
 on the mind of the beholder. What are our first impressions ? 
 These will be found generally to be our best guides in most 
 cases. What, then, are the natural feelings of every modest 
 girl on witnessing, for the first time, the ballet at the Opera 
 House ? Those of offended delicacy and disgust. The attitudes 
 assumed by the dancers, and their indecent dress, are not only 
 often inelegant, but perfectly revolting, For instance, what 
 can be more absurd than the very favourite position of standing 
 on one leg, with the other thrown out nearly at right angles 
 with the body 1 (not to mention its horrible immodesty) — why, 
 a swan or a goose performs this grand feat without any effort 
 at all. By the general patronisers of the ballet, the same 
 answer may be returned as by the girl skinning live eels — they 
 are used to it. That is true enough of the ladies who can wit- 
 ness, apparently unmoved, such exhibitions night after night, 
 although false as regards the eels. In fact, the habitudes of the 
 Opera House, after having undergone the operation of being 
 flayed of the first outer soft cuticle of delicacy, lose or suppress 
 all farther feeling in the matter ; at least, they pretend to great 
 indifference or callousness, which, in the majority of cases, I 
 fear, is not assumed, but really experienced. But the same 
 cannot be said of the male portion of the spectators, who have 
 no modesty at all, and on whose account principally this 
 detestable exhibition is #till fostered in a professedly Christian 
 community ; for my impression is decidedly that these im- 
 modest displays fan the flame of passion in men, and tend to 
 keep alive those unhallowed desires which sensualists only will 
 and do so freely indulge. To such the ballet at the Opera 
 House is the grand attraction ; and so long as it is counte- 
 nanced by those ladies in the higher sphere of life who give the 
 tone to fashion, so long will it continue a reflection on their 
 own characters and a disgrace to a civilised nation. Can it be 
 a matter for surprise that right-thinking Christian ministers 
 inveigh so bitterly against theatrical exhibitions and balls, 
 when their tendency is so palpably to debase and demoralise 
 the minds of young persons of both sexes ] Were plays divested 
 of coarse jokes and double entendres, they would be restored to 
 their primitive province, as a medium of instruction and amuse- 
 ment, instead of, as now, the means of corruption to youth ; and 
 of balls it may be said, there is nothing objectionable in our 
 countiy dances or quadrilles; but the foreign introduction of 
 
THE FIRST BALL IN TOWN. 269 
 
 waltzes and polkas, now so universally adopted, tends to great 
 laxity of manners, and of morals also. Human Dature is ever 
 prone to evil, and needs no excitement to vice ; the difficulty is 
 to check these inclinations. But in the cases alluded to, as if 
 natural passions were not strong enough and hard enough to 
 subdue, additional incitements are added. Modesty is like the 
 fresh bloom on a plum, which, when once rubbed off, never 
 returns. 
 
 Blanche and Constance, when they had retired to their 
 rooms at night, although delighted with the orchestra and the 
 singing of Grisi and Lablache, could not repress their feelings 
 of repugnance to the ballet, and Constance resolved to entreat 
 Malcolm to spare them both the repetition of such a scene. 
 The next night there was a ball at the Countess of Arnmore's, 
 in the same square, for which Lady Malcolm, in anticipation of 
 her niece's arrival in town, had accepted cards of invitation 
 some time previously. Lady Arnmore being still young and 
 handsome, although arrived at that time of life when ladies 
 will not confess to their age, was one of the leaders of haut 
 ton, and her parties, therefore, quite recherches, which will 
 account for her rooms being most inconveniently crowded on 
 this occasion, so that the dancers had scarcely sufficient space to 
 glide through the figures of a quadrille. 
 
 The first person to accost Blanche on her entering the room 
 was Lord Danby, who engaged her for the first dance, and 
 begged Lady Malcolm to allow him to introduce his mother, 
 
 the Duchess of B , to herself and Miss Douglas, which was, 
 
 of course, gladly acceded to. Blanche's natural timidity was 
 considerably increased on finding herself among a set of perfect 
 strangers, and it must be confessed she would have gladly pre- 
 ferred being a looker-on instead of being looked at ; but having 
 no excuse to refuse Lord Danby, she was obliged, though 
 most reluctantly, to take her place in the dance, and to be 
 stared at and pulled to pieces by the other young ladies who 
 entertained certain views of conquest over her highly favoured 
 partner. 
 
 " Who is that timid-looking creature dancing with Danby ?" 
 asked Lady Fanny Trimmer of her partner, Lord Henry 
 Bayntun. 
 
 " Miss Douglas, Lady Malcolm's niece, and an heiress with 
 ten thousand a year." 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! then Danby has turned fortune-hunter, I 
 suppose 1 " 
 
270 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " I think not," was the reply. " His opinion on that point 
 is pretty generally known, although he was sitting with her 
 the whole of the opera in Lady Malcolm's box the other 
 night." 
 
 " Well, I am surprised at his want of taste. What can he 
 see to admire in a bashful, country-looking girl, without the 
 semblance of fashion about her?" 
 
 " Danby is an odd fish," replied Lord Henry, " and takes 
 odd fancies into his head, but I suspect is in earnest about this 
 Scotch lassie, from having introduced her and her aunt to the 
 Duchess the moment they entered the room this evening. Now 
 you see, Fanny, between ourselves, this young lady's money 
 would just suit a poor devil of a younger son like myself, and 
 some people do say she was not an unwilling party to Lord 
 Yancourt's attempted abduction, only that her cousin, Malcolm, 
 for the credit of the family, took it up with a high hand. A 
 few hints to your friend, Lady Mary, on this point won't lose 
 their effect when repeated to the Duchess, and may serve us 
 both." 
 
 " Thank you for the suggestion, Henry, which shall be acted 
 upon without delay." 
 
 The other great attraction of the evening to the unmarried 
 ladies was Lady Arnmore's brother, the rich and fastidious 
 Marquis of Ayrshire, now in his thirty-fifth year, on whom the 
 smiles of the fair sex^had been hitherto completely thrown 
 away. He was, although not handsome, most distinguished in 
 appearance, and highly polished in manners, with a literary 
 turn of mind. Being master of several languages, and having 
 travelled over half the globe, he was well informed on most 
 subjects, and in conversation most agreeable. Possessing, in 
 addition to these recommendations, a princely fortune, he had 
 been for the last two seasons a grand speculation in the higher 
 circles. Although a great admirer of beauty, his requirements 
 in other respects were so multifarious that it seemed almost 
 impossible they could be realised in any one woman ; still he 
 was ever on the look-out for the person pictured in his mind's 
 eye as the future Marchioness of Ayrshire, and it was his 
 invariable custom to go the round of balls and parties of every 
 description, in the hope of finding at last the being whom his 
 fancy had portrayed. The form and features of every new 
 debutante in the fashionable world were eagerly scanned, and if 
 sufficiently attractive, an introduction was immediately ob- 
 tained through some one of his numerous acquaintances. On 
 
Blanche's new partner. 271 
 
 this night, ■when, with glass to eye, he was taking a survey 
 of the dancers, his attention was arrested by the modest looks, 
 handsome features, and graceful movements of Blanche Douglas; 
 and Lord Malcolm happening at that moment to be passing 
 him, he asked, "Can you tell me, Malcolm, who that pretty, 
 interesting young girl is, dancing with Danby % she is evidently 
 new to London life." 
 
 "Yes," replied Malcolm, "she is my cousin, and this is her 
 first appearance on the London boards." 
 
 "Well, I thought so, Malcolm, and all the better, in my 
 opinion, on that account. Will you introduce me ? " 
 
 " With pleasure, if we can work our way round to where 
 she stands." 
 
 This being effected after some trouble, Malcolm presented 
 Lord Ayrshire to Blanche, and he at once begged the honour of 
 her hand for the next dance. This being granted, he remained 
 standing near her until the quadrille was finished, when his 
 arm was offered and accepted. Great was the dismay of 
 Blanche when a waltz tune struck her ear, and her partner 
 was proceeding to take up his position in the circle now quickly 
 forming. 
 
 " I beg your pardon," she said ; " but, instead of the next 
 dance, I ought to have said the next quadrille, as I do not 
 waltz." 
 
 " Surely you will not decline one or two turns to this en- 
 chanting air, Miss Douglas % " 
 
 ""'Yes, my lord," Blanche replied, firmly ; " indeed I must, 
 and shall be obliged if you will conduct me to my aunt, Lady 
 Malcolm — or, as I see my cousin opposite, I can take his 
 ^arm." 
 
 " Indeed, Miss Douglas, I will with great pleasure conduct 
 you to Lady Malcolm, whom I have the honour of knowing." 
 
 On finding her aunt, she expressed her surprise at Blanche 
 not joining in the dance, exclaiming, "Why, my dear, your 
 country notions on this and some other points are rather too 
 particular, and you really must give up these old-fashioned 
 fancies." 
 
 " I hope not, dear aunt," was the quiet reply, as she sat down 
 by her side. 
 
 " I am sorry to differ with your ladyship upon such an im- 
 portant point," added Lord Ayrshire, good-humouredly ; " but 
 I must applaud Miss Douglas's resolution to act as her own 
 feelincrs dictate." 
 
272 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " What ! teacliing rebellion to my niece, Lord Ayrshire ? " 
 replied Lady Malcolm, laughing. 
 
 " Not that exactly, I hope ; but as I assume to myself the 
 right of acting according to my own opinions, I am liberal 
 enough to concede the same privilege to others ; and as Miss 
 Douglas disapproves of the waltz, I must respect her judgment, 
 although pronounced against myself." 
 
 "Then, albeit a decided waltzer yourself," rejoined Lady 
 Malcolm, " you will not stand up in its defence ?" 
 
 " Not absolutely, and I am not quite sure that I should 
 select a waltzing young lady for my wife." 
 
 « Yery consistent indeed, my lord, inducing young girls to 
 act contrary to what you consider right, and then condemning 
 them for yielding to your own persuasions." 
 
 " Or rather, you should say, Lady Malcolm, yielding to their 
 own inclinations, for they are quite free to say yes or no." 
 
 Lord Ayrshire remained talking with Lady Malcolm and 
 Blanche until the waltzers had ceased their gyrations, when he 
 led her forth to take their places in the quadrille then forming ; 
 and from his having expressed opinions so congenial to her 
 own, Blanche feeling more at ease in his company, her restraint 
 and timidity gave way to greater cheerfulness and vivacity. 
 Her partner, with the tact of a man of the world, succeeded 
 without much difficulty in obtaining a tolerable insight into her 
 character and disposition by the answers returned to his various 
 questions, and he was as much charmed with her naivete of 
 mind, as he had at first sight been with her beauty and elegance 
 of person. Lord Ayrshire's attentions to Miss Douglas did not 
 fail to be noticed by Lord Henry Bayntun, and many others, 
 which drew forth the remarks — 
 
 " Ah ! there is Ayrshire, as usual, attaching himself to the 
 new debutante, but no woman will ever come up to his require- 
 ments. Nothing short of an angel can possibly suit him — this 
 will be a three nights' devotion, perhaps, and then the old story 
 — too short or too tall — too good-looking or not good-looking 
 enough — too clever or too stupid — too forward or too shy — in 
 fact, that fellow never will be satisfied, and must remain a 
 bachelor until he gets into his dotage, when he may finish his 
 career of single blessedness by marrying his housekeeper." 
 
 "Nothing more likely," replied Sir John Martingale ; "but 
 I advise you to give Malcolm a hint not to allow Ayrshire to 
 make a fool of his cousin." 
 
 " I think his attentions, knowing how they must end, will 
 
BLANCHE IN THE CONSERVATORY. 273 
 
 rather favour than retard my plans," said Lord Henry; " so let 
 him have his head ; mine must be now a waiting race, as there 
 are two favourites before me." 
 
 From the overcrowded state of the rooms, the heat now 
 became so oppressive to Blanche, that Lord Ayrshire, noticing 
 her distress, remarked, " You are not yet, I see, accustomed to 
 this tropical climate, Miss Douglas, which almost exceeds the 
 temperature of India ; and as a lady's fan is but a poor substi- 
 tute for a puncha, I will conduct you to my sister's little bijou 
 of a conservatory, where you will find relief from this melting 
 atmosphere, although few are ever admitted into her sanctum, 
 for fear of her choice collection of plants and flowers being in- 
 jured or plucked." Blanche was glad to escape almost anywhere 
 from such crowded rooms, being quite overcome, and ready to 
 faint from the excessive heat ; and Lord Ayrshire, having led 
 her by a private door into this comparatively Elysian retreat, 
 placed his sister's easy chair before her, saying he would return 
 directly with some refreshments ; and he soon reappeared, fol- 
 lowed by a servant bearing ices and cooling beverages, which 
 being placed on a small table, the man withdrew. 
 
 Blanche having expressed her thanks to Lord Ayrshire for 
 his polite attentions, and feeling now renovated by a glass of 
 wine and water, rose to leave the conservatory. 
 
 " There is no necessity for your hurrying away so quickly, 
 unless you prefer dancing in that hot room to this cool retreat." 
 
 "I do not intend dancing again to-night," replied Blanche, 
 " having suffered already so much from the heat, to which I am 
 not yet inured. But Lady Malcolm will wonder what has 
 become of me." 
 
 " Oh, do not trouble yourself on her account. Chaperons 
 do not expect to see much of their charges, when dancing has 
 once commenced ; but should your absence be noticed, Lady 
 Malcolm, I am quite sure, will feel obliged, instead of displeased, 
 at my having saved you from fainting." 
 
 Thus pressed, Blanche consented to remain a few minutes 
 longer, Lord Ayrshire directing her attention to the choice and 
 rare collection of plants with which they were surrounded ; and 
 thus occupied, and with his agreeable conversation, the time 
 passed away rapidly ; and half an hour had nearly elapsed, when 
 Blanche, hearing the carriages arriving, expressed her desire to 
 join her aunt without delay, which was of course complied 
 with. 
 
 Lady Malcolm's carriage had just been announced, when 
 
 R 
 
274 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Blanche returned to her aunt, who at first appeared much dis- 
 pleased, Malcolm having searched for her in vain through the 
 rooms ; but she was pacified by Lord Ayrshire's explanations,. 
 and accepted his arm down-stairs. 
 
 Malcolm rallied Blanche, when they reached home, on the 
 easy conquest she had achieved over the hitherto obdurate heart 
 of Lord Ayrshire. 
 
 " Why, my dear, you are as irresistible as Csesar, who, with 
 his veni, vidi, vici, came and conquered the world by the sound 
 of his name. You are a second Circe, and have changed this 
 man of stone into a fawning devotee by the wand of your en- 
 chantment. All the Lady Marys and Lady Fannys in the room 
 were mad enough to scratch your eyes out, my love ; and the 
 men declared they had never seen Ayrshire so thoroughly 
 spell-bound before." 
 
 " Charles, how can you talk such absurd nonsense ! " 
 
 " Facts, my dear — facts, I assure you, 'pon rep, as Markham 
 
 "I must caution Blanche, notwithstanding," interposed 
 Lady Malcolm, " from trusting too much to the marquis's at- 
 tentions, who, although very agreeable, and a most desirable 
 parti, has become quite notorious for his flirting propensities 
 with every young girl on her first appearance. In short, he is 
 a mere butterfly, flitting round every fresh opening flower, 
 without intending anything further." 
 
 " Thank you, dear aunt, for your friendly warning," replied. 
 Blanche, " although I am not aware of having given Lord 
 Ayrshire the slightest encouragement." 
 
 " What will be said, and what was said, of a Miss Douglas 
 withdrawing from the company and sitting for half an hour 
 with Lord Ayrshire alone in his sister's boudoir ? D'ye call 
 that nothing, by way of encouraging a man's addresses ? " asked 
 Malcolm, jestingly. "Why, I overheard Lady Fanny Trimmer 
 exclaiming loud enough to be heard by half the room, ' Only 
 think of that demure, bashful-looking girl playing the flirt 
 already with Ayrshire, shut up together half the night in Lady 
 Arnmore's sanctum ! ' People will talk, Blanche, and this story 
 will be circulated through her ladyship's extensive circle of ac- 
 quaintances before this time to-morrow night, and lose nothing 
 by carrying." 
 
 " Indeed, Charles, I could not have been there more than 
 twenty minutes, if so long ; but feeling ready to faint from the 
 excessive heat, I accepted Lord Ayrshire's offer of taking me for 
 
THE lovers' meeting. 275 
 
 air to what % lie called his sister's conservatory, and I am sur- 
 prised and mortified to hear such a trifle magnified into a serious 
 offence. For the future, however, I will take care no one shall 
 again accuse me of being a flirt." 
 
 "That's right, my love — spoken like a Douglas," replied 
 Malcolm ; " so now, good night ;" but on opening the door he 
 whispered, " What will Beauchamp think of this story, which 
 he certainly will hear as soon as he arrives % " 
 
 " I will tell him myself," she replied, "the moment I see him." 
 " The best thing you can do, dear girl ; so now think no 
 more about it." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 Blanche, however, did think a great deal more about it, and it 
 worried her so incessantly, that sleep was courted in vain that 
 night, or rather morning; and feeling restless, she rose early, and 
 went down into the breakfast-room for a cup of tea. Beau- 
 champ had arrived in London the previous night, and having 
 breakfasted early, walked to Grosvenor Square, to give his 
 friends a surprise. 
 
 " Any one up yet in the house 1 " he inquired, on gaining 
 admittance. 
 
 " Only Miss Douglas, I believe, sir, in the breakfast-roonu 
 What name shall I say, sir 1 " 
 
 "Beauchamp ;" with which he was ushered into Blanche's 
 presence, who, springing from her chair, rushed to meet him, 
 exclaiming, "Oh, William! what a joyful surprise," holding 
 out her hand ; but the moment the door was closed she was 
 pressed to his heart in a long and fervent embrace. 
 
 " You look flushed and excited, my dearest girl, this morn- 
 ing," Beauchamp remarked, after he had been sitting with her 
 a few minutes. " What is the cause of it 1 " 
 
 " A sleepless night and J)ad headache, from an overcrowded 
 party at Lady Arnmore's." 
 
 " And nothing more ? " inquired Beauchamp, noticing her 
 heightened colour and averted looks. 
 
 " Yes, dear William, there is something more ; I have been 
 excessively annoyed and mortified by a trifling occurrence 
 which took place there f and she then frankly related what had 
 happened, with Malcolm's remarks, and her own deep regret for 
 
 r 2 
 
276 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 having one moment left the ball-room ; " although," she added, | 
 " I feel convinced, dear William, I could not have been absent 
 longer than twenty minutes." 
 
 "My own dear Blanche, do not worry yourself another 
 moment on this account. There is nothing very particular, 
 that I can see, in your wishing to escape for a few minutes 
 from such a furnace into a cooler atmosphere ; and had you not 
 done so, a scene might have ensued from your fainting." 
 
 " Dear, dear William, I am so glad you are not displeased 
 and take my part — for all others I do not care, let them say 
 what they please." 
 
 At this moment Aunt Gordon made her appearance, and 
 Beauchamp, rising to meet her, was met by a warm salute on 
 his cheek. 
 
 "My dear boy ! I am so overjoyed to see you that I cannot 
 refrain from giving you a kiss. You are not jealous, Blanche, I 
 hope. Now sit down, William, whilst I make the tea, and tell 
 me all the country news — first of your father, and then our 
 other old friends." 
 
 As Beauchamp was proceeding in his relation, Malcolm 
 entered the room, exclaiming, " Oh, my prophetic soul ! Will 
 Beauchamp, I declare ! Well, old fellow," shaking him warmly 
 by the hand, " I was dreaming of you and the governor last 
 night ; we had just pulled down our fox in the open, after a 
 burster of forty minutes, when in getting off my horse to save 
 the brush, I found myself getting out of bed ! So here you are 
 at last, just in time, my boy, as Blanche is, as usual, getting into 
 all kinds of scrapes, and another runaway match already on 
 the tapis." 
 
 " I have heard all about it, Malcolm, and don't think she is 
 much to be blamed in this matter." 
 
 " Ah ! a cannie chield — there is nothing like having the 
 first word, and telling one's own story, Beauchamp ; but now — 
 how is the governor 1 " 
 
 " Hale and well, with serious intention of coming up to 
 town next week." 
 
 " Hurrah ! " shouted Malcolm ; " he'll be the lion of the 
 season, with his leathers and tops, for no one can persuade him 
 to leave them off, I suppose." 
 
 "Not until dinner-time, certainly," replied Beauchamp. 
 " Well, old fellow, where are you holding out % " 
 
 "At Long's Hotel, and my horses will be up to-morrow 
 night." 
 
ANOTHER LECTURE FOR BLANCHE. 277 
 
 "All right, my boy — now we shall have some fun — and 
 here comes Con," who threw herself into her brother's arms in 
 an ecstacy of delight. 
 
 " There, Beauchamp, let that do for the present, so much 
 kissing makes my mouth water ; but your sister shall have one 
 for tempting me;" which was accordingly inflicted without 
 much resistance. A good hour having been spent at the break- 
 fast table, Beauchamp asked what was the order of the day. 
 
 " None issued yet," replied Malcolm, " as my Lady Mither 
 seldom honours us before twelve." 
 
 " Then I propose, aunt," said Beauchamp, " if you do not 
 object, taking these girls a stroll in Kensington Gardens ; they 
 both look in want of a little fresh air." 
 
 " Go, by all means, William, and I will order the carriage 
 directly." 
 
 " I think a walk there will be of greater benefit this fine 
 morning, aunt." 
 
 " Oh, yes ! " rejoined Blanche, "do let us walk." 
 
 " Very well, my dear ; then I will call for you in the car- 
 riage, at the entrance on the Bayswater Road, about one o'clock." 
 
 The young ladies were not long in making their prepara- 
 tions, and, escorted by their beaux, left the square in high 
 spirits. 
 
 "Well, dear Blanche," asked Beauchamp, "how do you 
 think you will like a London life 1 " 
 
 " Not at all, William, if I must judge by first impressions, 
 and those, you say, are generally right." 
 
 " Yes, dear girl, they are so, in my opinion, of many things, 
 particularly as to London life, which requires considerable 
 schooling for one like yourself to appreciate or understand ; 
 moreover, you must be thoroughly acclimatised before you can 
 enjoy it, if enjoy it you ever can, which I sincerely hope you 
 never will. Tor instance, last night you could not enjoy a 
 dance, because not inured to the excessive heat of these London 
 rooms, which has little or no effect upon those accustomed to 
 it. But this training to endure an unhealthy atmosphere will 
 cost you the loss of that youthful bloom now mantling in your 
 cheek, which no art can ever replace ; and your participation in 
 that constant succession of frivolous amusement, which so many 
 make the business of their lives, will be at the expense of your 
 own peace of mind. When once involved in the giddy vortex 
 of London dissipation, you will irresistibly be borne away in its 
 attractive whirl, engaged in a perpetual round of balls, dinner- 
 
278 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 parties, operas, &c, with neither time nor inclination then, 
 perhaps, for reflection. Oh ! what a state of existence, dear 
 Blanche, for rational and immortal beings, in fruitless, senseless 
 pursuit of a phantom, which is ever eluding their grasp, 
 expending recklessly the freshness and strength of their youth- 
 ful minds and bodies on pleasures (if they can be called such) 
 which will entail upon them hereafter bitterness and reproach." 
 
 " Oh, my dear William, do not believe your own Blanche 
 can ever forget so far her duty to God or to you, as to become 
 a reckless votary of fashion ; indeed, I have in this short time 
 seen enough of London life to know and feel it will never suit 
 me, and I shall be only too happy to return to the Priory." 
 
 " There ought to be moderation in all our recreations and 
 amusements, dear girl, and there can be no great harm in your 
 seeing a little of the gay world, now you ave here." 
 
 "Without you, dear William, I have no enjoyment any- 
 where — but your presence gives me confidence ; and already I 
 feel quite a different being to what I have been since my arrival 
 here." 
 
 "Well, lecture number one having lasted quite long enough, 
 we will join Constance and Malcolm." 
 
 "Now, Beauchamp," exclaimed the latter; "we will sit 
 down on this bench, and you must tell us all about Mrs. Sum- 
 mertop and Miss Honoria. Has the young lady proposed yet ? 
 as Blanche is exceedingly anxious to know." 
 
 " They propose a visit to London, Malcolm, which I have 
 tried ineffectually to ward off ; for Mrs. Winter, having heard 
 that Blanche and Constance are to be presented at the first 
 drawing-room, has taken it into her head that her daughter 
 must be presented also; and, I am grieved to add, she has 
 engaged a house in Albemarle Street, to be near her friends (as 
 she calls us) in Grosvenor Square." 
 
 " The deuce she has !" cried Malcolm. "What fun ! But 
 not a word of this to her ladyship, Beauchamp. Just imagine 
 my lady mother's astonishment on hearing Mrs. and Miss 
 Winterbottom announced.' ' 
 
 " It is very provoking," remarked Constance, " and all the 
 blame will be laid on me, for inviting Miss Honoria to 
 Bampton." 
 
 " Never mind, my dear," replied Malcolm ; " it will be as 
 good as a comedy. I only hope I may be at home when she 
 calls. My gracious ! what a scene it will be ! " 
 
 " Really," said Blanche, " I must tell Aunt Gordon to pre- 
 
THE YOUNG WIDOW, 279 
 
 vent her calling, or Lady Malcolm will be seriously offended 
 with us all." 
 
 "You shall do no such thing, Miss Marplot," returned 
 Malcolm; "or I'll pay you off, Blanche, and peach about 
 something else — don't you or Constance give a hint even to 
 aunty." 
 
 " Very well, I suppose we must submit ; but now I think 
 the carriage will be waiting for us." 
 
 After handing the ladies in, Malcolm walked home with 
 Beauchamp across the park, who was most kindly received by 
 his mother, with a general invitation to her house. Soon after 
 luncheon visitors began calling, and the Marquis of Ayrshire 
 was announced, who, from the occurrences of the previous 
 night, entertained the idea of having made a favourable im- 
 pression on Blanche, and appeared rather disconcerted by her 
 distant behaviour to him. His lordship's polite inquiries were 
 met with brief, though courteous replies ; and, as her attention 
 was so much occupied with Beauchamp, who was sitting near 
 her, he very soon made his conge, muttering, as he went down 
 stairs — 
 
 " Ah ! some fox-hunting cousin, I suppose, fresh from the 
 country, with all the parish news ! " 
 
 The gay young widow, Mrs. Egerton Fortescue, was next 
 announced, and received by Lady Malcolm in the most friendly 
 manner, and introduced by her to Blanche, Constance, and 
 Beauchamp. She had married veiy early in life (being taken 
 almost from the school-room to the altar), at her mother's 
 instigation, Mr. Fortescue, a gentleman of large fortune in the 
 north of England, although old enough to be her grandfather ; 
 but having made him a most dutiful and attentive wife, during 
 the five years they lived together, he had bequeathed to her his 
 whole fortune, on his decease, unfettered and uncontrolled. 
 Mrs. Fortescue, although not strikingly handsome, was decidedly 
 pretty and extremely fascinating ; and there was a sweetness in 
 lier smile, and gracefulness in her manner, with a total absence 
 of all affectation, which rendered her particularly interesting 
 and attractive. She had now, although a widow, only attained 
 her twenty-second year \ and, through her late husband's con- 
 nections, had obtained a good introduction amongst the aristo- 
 cracy. 
 
 Constance took a great fancy to the young widow ; but 
 Blanche, recollecting Lady Malcolm's observations on a former 
 occasion, felt far from happy in her company, regarding her 
 
280 THE RASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 admiring glances towards Beauchamp as prognostic of more 
 serious intentions ; and she was becoming nervous and restless, 
 when Mrs. Eortescue, having chatted most agreeably for nearly 
 an hour on the various topics of the day, rose to take her 
 leave. 
 
 " Well, Mr. William," asked Lady Malcolm, " what do you 
 think of the young widow ? " 
 
 "Lady-like, rather pretty, and very pleasing, with the art, 
 peculiar to some ladies, of saying a great deal in a very pleasant 
 way about nothing; in other words, a very amusing, chatty 
 little person." 
 
 Blanche breathed more freely. 
 
 " And is this all you have to say of this most charming, 
 fascinating creature, to obtain from whom one approving smile, 
 such as she bestowed on you, half the young men in London 
 would feel extremely nattered 1 Indeed, Mr. William, I am 
 quite surprised at your want of taste," continued Lady Malcolm ; 
 " but you will think her more than pretty, when you hear she 
 has about eight thousand a year at her own disposal, which, 
 with a little attention, might become yours ; for, knowing her 
 sentiments on marriage, you are precisely the person to suit 
 her." 
 
 " Really, Lady Malcolm, I shall become disagreeably vain 
 if you pay me such compliments ; but I think there is little 
 prospect of my becoming a convert to your opinions respecting 
 this charming young widow ; every man has his peculiar fancy, 
 and ten or twenty thousand a year would not render her a 
 whit more pretty in my eyes than she is at present." 
 
 "You will think differently when you become better ac- 
 quainted," replied Lady Malcolm. " And now, my dears," 
 addressing Blanche and Constance, " we will take our drive in 
 the park." 
 
 "And we will join you there on horseback, my dear 
 mother," said Malcolm, " to keep off the bees and butterflies. 
 So come along, Beauchamp," as running down-stairs he sung : — 
 
 " For she is a charming woman, 
 And he's a most fortunate man." 
 
 "Egad, you're in for it, old fellow, and booked for the 
 widow, nolens volens." 
 
 The afternoon being fine, there was a grand display of gor- 
 geous equipages in Hyde Park ; and it must be admitted that 
 in no city of the world can there be seen such beautiful women 
 
A MEETING OF OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 281 
 
 and splendid horses as in the metropolis of England during the 
 fashionable season. As Malcolm and Beauchamp rode leisurely 
 along, they recognised many acquaintances from the country — 
 Lady Markham, the Comptons, Rollestons, and others ; and, on 
 rounding the corner into Rotten Row, came nearly into collision 
 with the Captain, who exclaimed — 
 
 "Eh, Beauchamp, 'pon honour — nearly unhorsed me, old 
 fellow — blind with dust — such a crush — ah ! Malcolm — how 
 do? — just passed the ladies — couldn't get near — Ayrshire, 
 Danby, and lots of swells in close attendance — met the Har- 
 courts — everybody in town — Barnet, Gwynne, Melville, and 
 even Bob Conyers." 
 
 Leaving the Captain, Malcolm and Beauchamp essayed in 
 vain to reach the side of the carriage which contained their 
 treasures. 
 
 " Hopeless attempting it now," remarked Malcolm. " That 
 fellow, Ayrshire, sticks like a leech to every pretty new face 
 which takes his fancy. The harder the conquest, the more he 
 perseveres. Blanche's coolness this morning has put him on his 
 mettle." 
 
 " If that is his game, Malcolm, the probability is, that he 
 will put me on my mettle — and very soon, too." 
 
 "No, no, Beauchamp — let us have no more scenes — you 
 must take things quietly, as I do. Moreover, women don't like 
 their lovers to be tied to their apron-strings morning, noon, and 
 night, to the exclusion of all other men ; and, you know, a good- 
 tempered horse won't bear to be ridden on the curb continually 
 — it frets and galls the most tractable. So bear in mind, that 
 if you are perpetually lecturing and hectoring Blanche, she will, 
 much as she loves you now, be disgusted — and remember the 
 trite old verse — 
 
 * Be to her virtues ever kind ; 
 And to her faults a little blind ; 
 And put the padlock on your mind.' 
 
 Even your hounds would not fly to and love you as they do, 
 were they to be met with rating and the whip, instead of 
 endearment and caresses." 
 
 " Yet the young hounds I am obliged to rate and correct 
 sometimes, Malcolm, when they are doing wrong, and they do 
 not love me the less for it. But now, I tell you frankly, after 
 having given Blanche every caution I thought necessary on 
 her entering this new sphere of life, she is quite free to follow 
 
282 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 her own course, without further lectures or interference from 
 me." 
 
 "I am glad to hear such a determination on your part, 
 Beauchamp — teach her to fly to you as a refuge and comforter 
 from annoyances or troubles of any kind ; and you are secure 
 of her confidence and affection." 
 
 " That is my intention, Malcolm, henceforth ; I have only 
 treated her as I would a dear young friend, when being first 
 thrown on the world ; by giving her my best advice; firmly 
 believing she has sufficient good sense to appreciate my true 
 motives. Beyond this, you know she will never be fettered by 
 me; and I repeat, what I have before told you, that if, on 
 mixing more in society, she can find any man she prefers to 
 myself, no word of reproach or remonstrance shall ever escape 
 my lips. Lady Malcolm and yourself, under whose protection 
 she now is, must decide whether the person she may select is in 
 all respects, not in rank and fortune only, but in character and 
 disposition also, calculated to make her happy." 
 
 " Come, come, Beauchamp, don't be riding the high horse 
 again ; you are always too soon up in your stirrups ; but you 
 ought to know, if you do not already, my true feeling in regard 
 to yourself; so now, my dear fellow, let us say no more on this 
 subject, which is always a ticklish one with you." 
 
 "To be accused of hectoring your cousin, Malcolm, is not 
 very palatable ; as such an intention has never entered into my 
 head." 
 
 "Then I recall the offensive expression, Beauchamp; but 
 what I meant was this : that as Blanche has already, from 
 remarks I heard at Lady Arnmore's ball, created rather a sen- 
 sation in the beau monde (at which I am not the least surprised, 
 from her extreme loveliness), a little enhanced, no doubt, by 
 the other considerations of fortune and position, you must not 
 be too captious about her receiving that homage which is her 
 due. All women at heart are, I believe, fond of admiration, 
 and, depend upon it, Ayrshire will only stand as one of a rather 
 long list of admirers after her presentation at court. There is 
 one other point I must allude to : my mother is exceedingly 
 fond of the opera ; and as Blanche is living under her protec- 
 tion, I should recommend your not volunteering an exposition 
 of your peculiar ideas with regard to the ballet, which at 
 present happens to be the fashion." 
 
 " My opinion with regard to the ballet, or any other objec- 
 tionable place of amusement, when called forth, shall never be 
 
WHERE IS BEAUCHAMP? 283 
 
 suppressed, Malcolm, even in the presence of royalty. But as 
 to my attempting to interfere with Lady Malcolm's recreations, 
 or obtrude my convictions upon her ladyship, that would be the 
 height of presumption." 
 
 " Come, Beauchamp, a truce to further parley on this un- 
 pleasant topic ; I see the carriage approaching, and it is our 
 turn now to take the places of Ayrshire and Bayntun." 
 
 "Excuse me, Malcolm, from attempting to obtrude myself 
 into the place of one who appears to have Lady Malcolm's 
 sanction for so pertinaciously adhering to her carriage ; and, as 
 I have letters to write, I will leave your horse at the stables ; " 
 with which Beauchamp turned short round and left him. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 The dinner hour had nearly arrived, and Mrs. Gordon, Malcolm, 
 Blanche, and Constance were dressed, and sitting in the draw- 
 ing-room, when the former exclaimed, " What has become of 
 William, Charles? he dines here to-day, I conclude, and is 
 always very punctual." 
 
 " Perhaps my mother omitted to give him a special invita- 
 tion for this evening," replied Malcolm. 
 
 "Nonsense, Charles ; he would not stand upon such cere- 
 mony." 
 
 " Then, I fear, you will not see him to-night at all, aunt, as 
 I happened, when speaking to him, in our ride to-day, about 
 his so continually lecturing Blanche, which I don't approve of, 
 now she is under my mother's roof and launched on the gay 
 world of fashion, to let fall the word hectoring, at which he 
 immediately took fire." 
 
 " It was a harsh term, Charles, and not, in my opinion, at all 
 applicable to William Beauchamp's friendly advice to Blanche, 
 which is the reverse of dictatorial ; but has he ever ventured 
 to accuse you of hectoring it, as you say, over Constance % " 
 
 " No, aunt, certainly not ; nor has he ever in any way inter- 
 fered with me, although I think Constance will acquit me of 
 pestering her with unnecessary advice, or imposing restrictions 
 upon her time or actions." 
 
 " Still, Charles," said Constance, " you have your own pecu- 
 liar fancies about some things, as well as my brother." 
 
284 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Oh, no doubt, my dear girl, we have all our little failings 
 of temper and prejudice," replied Malcolm; "and I confess to 
 being ruffled occasionally, as well as others." 
 
 "Then I think," added Mrs. Gordon, "you should make 
 some allowance for your friend, who, I am convinced, always 
 speaks and acts from the most pure and honourable motives." 
 
 Lady Malcolm entered the room at this moment, and ex- 
 pressed her surprise at not seeing Beauchamp, it being now five 
 minutes past the dinner time. 
 
 " Shall we wait another quarter of an hour ? " she asked of 
 her son. 
 
 " I do not believe Beauchamp intends dining here to-night," 
 was the reply; "as neither your ladyship nor myself asked him 
 for this particular day." 
 
 " I was not aware that William Beauchamp had become a 
 person of such formality and consequence." 
 
 " Neither has he," added Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 "Then what can be the cause of his absence?" inquired 
 Lady Malcolm. 
 
 " Me me adsum quifui" cried Malcolm ; " I am the offender 
 — we had a little altercation in the Park about young ladies 
 witnessing the ballet, which Beauchamp does not approve ; and 
 venturing to hint that, as my lady mother was rather partial to 
 that exhibition, his opinions on that point had better be sup- 
 pressed in your ladyship's presence, he said the expression of 
 his sentiments, when called forth, should never be smothered, 
 even in the presence of royalty itself. Something more was 
 said by me about his old-fashioned ideas, when he turned short 
 round, saying he had letters to write ; since which I have not 
 seen him." 
 
 "I applaud William Beauchamp," said Mrs. Gordon, "for 
 his manly, uncompromising defence of what he believes right ; 
 and much as I love him for his kind, affectionate disposition, I 
 respect him still more for his firm and virtuous principles." 
 
 " To which I give assent, Aunt Gordon ; so now, my dear 
 mother, let us have dinner ; and I will take a polite note of 
 invitation to his hotel for to-morrow." 
 
 Immediately after breakfast, the next morning, Mrs. Gordon 
 ordered her carriage, and called upon Beauchamp, whom she 
 found busily engaged in writing a long letter, which, on entering 
 his room, he was hastily putting aside with evident looks of 
 confusion. Bising and welcoming Mrs. Gordon in the most 
 affectionate manner, Beauchamp expressed the honour he felt 
 
BEAUCHAMP'S EXPLANATION. 285 
 
 conferred upon liim by the visit, and was entering on other 
 subjects, when Mrs. Gordon interrupted him. 
 
 " To whom are you addressing the letter you were in such 
 haste to conceal, William 1 " 
 
 " What a question, dear aunt ! Must I tell you the names 
 of all my numerous correspondents 1 " 
 
 " No, William j but I am particularly curious about that 
 individual letter." 
 
 Beauchamp hesitated, and endeavoured to evade giving a 
 reply; but Mrs. Gordon, keeping to her point, and feeling 
 annoyed at his refusal to answer her inquiry, at last rose, saying, 
 " It is time for me to go, having lost your confidence, William." 
 
 " No, dear aunt, that you never have ; here is the letter," 
 placing it in her hand. 
 
 " Thank you, William, I see it is intended for myself, which 
 I from the first suspected ;" and having read the contents, she 
 said — "So you purposed punishing poor me and Blanche by 
 leaving us so abruptly, merely on account of your difference 
 with Malcolm yesterday 1 " 
 
 " I will tell you all that passed between us, dear aunt, and 
 then you will judge whether I could feel quite at home with 
 Lady Malcolm or himself, unless I submit to be considered a 
 nonentity." 
 
 After hearing his recital, Mrs. Gordon said, " Charles has 
 expressed his deep regret at having offended you by his un- 
 guarded expression ; and as I and Blanche have been looking 
 forward to your arrival in town with so much delight, you will 
 not, I hope, allow this trifling affair to deprive us of the plea- 
 sure of your company. In short, my dear boy, our chief enjoy- 
 ment will be at an end, if you leave us." 
 
 " There needs .no other inducement for me to remain, dear 
 aunt, if I can contribute in any way to your happiness ; but I 
 shall not avail myself of Lady Malcolm's general invitation to 
 her house." 
 
 " As you please, William ; but I wish you to call on my 
 sister this morning, as she is not a little vexed with Charles 
 because you did not dine with her yesterday ; so put away your 
 writing materials, and come with me." 
 
 Lady Malcolm received Beauchamp rather formally at first, 
 saying she had expected him at dinner the evening before. 
 
 " I was not honoured with an invitation to your ladyship's 
 table yesterday, that I am aware of," replied Beauchamp, very 
 quietly. 
 
286 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " I gave you a general invitation, Mr. Beaucliamp, and I 
 meant that to include breakfast, luncheon, and dinner, every 
 day in the week, when not engaged myself from home, as long 
 as you remain in town." 
 
 "I feel deeply indebted for your ladyship's most friendly 
 offer of hospitality, although I cannot think of obtruding myself 
 so unceremoniously, when my place at your table might be re- 
 quired for some distinguished guest." 
 
 " Yery well, Mr. William, then you will place me under the 
 necessity of writing a formal note every morning to request the 
 honour of Mr. Beauchamp's company at dinner. So you do 
 not approve of young ladies remaining to see the ballet, it 
 seems, by what Charles has told me ? " 
 
 " Certainly not, Lady Malcolm," was the quiet though firm 
 response. 
 
 " Will you state your reasons for holding this opinion ? " 
 
 " With pleasure, to Lady Malcolm when alone, and I be- 
 lieve I may trust to her impartial judgment to decide whether 
 they are intrinsically right or wrong, without regard to fashion 
 or the world's verdict. ' Those who think seriously will not 
 follow a multitude to do evil.' " 
 
 "Well, Mr. William, I believe I never have thought as 
 seriously on this subject, or perhaps on many others, as I ought ; 
 but I respect your scruples and honour your principles ; and 
 you have my promise that your sister and Blanche shall never 
 again be condemned by me to witness another ballet ; will that 
 satisfy you 1 " 
 
 " Yes, indeed, dear Lady Malcolm," rising and taking her 
 hand ; u I do indeed thank you for this kind concession." 
 
 " Then now, you foolish boy, will you make my house your 
 home?" 
 
 " As far as I consistently can, with the greatest pleasure." 
 
 " You will dine with us to-day, then, to begin ? " to which 
 a most willing assent was given. Malcolm now burst into the 
 room, exclaiming, " Why, Beauchamp, they told me at Long's 
 you were about to leave town immediately ; how is this, old 
 fellow 1 " offering his hand ; " surely you are not so mortally 
 offended with me as to leave us again in this abrupt manner? 
 On my word, Beauchamp, I did not intend to wound your feel- 
 ings by anything I said yesterday in the Park." 
 
 " No man, who acts from upright, conscientious principles, 
 likes to hear his motives questioned, or his opinions ridiculed. 
 It has ever been my rule to speak and act according to the 
 
A QUIET HINT FOR LOED AYRSHIRE. 287 
 
 impulse of my own mind, without wishing to dictate to 
 others; but as you appeared to imply yesterday that any 
 expression of my very peculiar ideas would prove distasteful 
 to Lady Malcolm and yourself, you could not be surprised 
 at my choosing the lesser evil of returning home, instead 
 of hazarding an unpleasant collision with those I esteem so 
 highly." 
 
 " By Jove ! Beauchamp, the pride of all the Malcolms and 
 Douglases who have ever existed is nothing when compared 
 with yours." 
 
 " Call it not pride, but proper spirit, Malcolm, to resist the 
 influence of that thraldom which fashion and folly would im- 
 pose. I don't come to London to borrow the airs or brains of 
 fops and dandies, whose chief occupation is in dangling after 
 carriages in Rotten Row." 
 
 "No, by Jove! old fellow, that's clear enough, for you 
 looked inclined to commence a general horse- whipping yesterday, 
 particularly upon Ayrshire, for lounging with his hand on the 
 window-sill of my lady's carriage." 
 
 " There, Malcolm, he was quite safe from any interference of 
 mine; but if he is, as you tell me, notorious for trying to make fools 
 of all unsuspecting young girls, I shall give him to understand, 
 on the first fitting occasion, that my sister is not to be included 
 in their number, and perhaps you may give him the same hint 
 as regards 'your cousin. A man of Ins character, singling out 
 any young girl as the object of his very particular attentions, 
 merely to make her pander to his vain appetite for conquest, 
 without any serious intentions, is in my opinion deserving cen- 
 sure, if nothing stronger." 
 
 " You are quite right, Beauchamp, and I shall certainly give 
 Ayrshire a quiet hint on this subject, which will be quite suf- 
 ficient ; so now come with me to Tattersall's for an hour, and 
 after lunch we will be at the command of the ladies." 
 
 On turning into the yard, they encountered Lord Ayrshire, 
 with whom Malcolm shook hands, and taking him aside said, 
 "You will excuse the privilege of an old acquaintance, Ayrshire ; 
 but of the two young ladies you were so closely besieging in my 
 mother's carriage yesterday, one is, as I believe you are aware, 
 my cousin, and the other the sister of my friend Beauchamp, 
 standing opposite, who is rather particular about such things, 
 as well as myself." 
 
 " Oh ! I understand, Malcolm ; you think, I suppose, I am 
 playing the old game ; but, on my word, my dear fellow, I am 
 
288 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 positively in raptures with your cousin, and never felt so serious 
 in my life." 
 
 "Then take my advice, Ayrshire, and go no further, for 
 your attentions will be thrown away." 
 
 " How so, Malcolm 1 " 
 
 " Simply because I believe her affections are engaged else- 
 where." 
 
 " Is Danby, then, the happy man 1 " 
 
 " Not that I am aware of." 
 
 "Who is, then, Malcolm 1 " 
 
 " I can afford you no further information, Ayrshire ; so good 
 morning. A word to a wise man is enough." 
 
 "But not enough for me," muttered the Marquis, as he 
 walked thoughtfully out of the yard. " It is evident Malcolm 
 does not favour my pretensions to his cousin — thinks I am 
 not in earnest, perhaps ; but I shall not withdraw, although 
 from his peppery disposition much caution must be observed for 
 the future." 
 
 When the gentlemen had left Grosvenor Square, Lady Mal- 
 colm remarked, "Lord Ayrshire's propensity to such decided 
 flirtation is very unfortunate, as he is a most agreeable, well- 
 informed person, and in other respects quite unexceptionable ; 
 but his sister being a particular favourite of 'mine, I had invited 
 both to dine with me to-morrow, to meet a few other friends, 
 before Charles and Beauchamp had expressed themselves so 
 warmly on his conduct, which I fear may lead to some un- 
 pleasantness." 
 
 " Not on William's part, I will engage," replied Mrs. Gordon, 
 " from whom your guests will always receive every considera- 
 tion, and you can of course give Charles a hint, if you think one 
 necessary, which I do not, both so thoroughly appreciating the 
 rights of hospitality." 
 
 After luncheon, Mrs. Gordon took Blanche and Constance 
 with her to a flower-show at Chiswick, Malcolm and Beauchamp 
 following on horseback ; and they had scarcely left the square, 
 when Mrs. Harcourt called on Lady Malcolm, and opened her 
 budget of grievances about Blanche, commenting severely on 
 her refusal of Lord Danby, and Mrs. Gordon's defence of her 
 conduct. Lady Malcolm upheld her sister, saying she was 
 quite right in allowing Blanche to exercise her own discretion, 
 as any attempt to coerce her feelings would be attended with 
 the usual result. "But I may tell you, Mrs. Harcourt, for 
 your satisfaction, that Lord Danby is still particularly attentive 
 
THE WIDOW RALLIES BEAUCHAMP. 289 
 
 to lier, and the Marquis of Ayrshire most unpleasantly so, con- 
 sidering his well-known character for flirtation ; but as both 
 dine here to-morrow, you can form your own judgment." 
 
 It was then decided that Blanche should be presented at the 
 next-drawing-room, the ensuing week. Soon after which, Mrs. 
 Harcourt, on other visitors being announced, took her leave. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 The select dinner-party at Lady Malcolm's, the following day, 
 consisted of Lord and Lady Arnmore, Marquises of Ayrshire 
 and Danby, Sir Lionel Markham and Lady, with two daughters, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt, and Mrs. Fortescue, with the Captain 
 and Mr. Conyers. Beauchamp was not at first in a very enter- 
 taining mood, the occurrences of the previous day and Lord 
 Danby' s apparent determination still to persevere in his suit 
 causing him considerable annoyance ; but "this very reserve was 
 alone sufficient to induce Mrs. Fortescue, whom he handed 
 in to dinner, to continue her attempts at drawing him into 
 more general conversation ; and Beauchamp, finding her 
 ideas on many subjects coincided with his own, became more 
 communicative, and somewhat of his usually cheerful manner 
 returned. 
 
 Blanche, who sat nearly opposite, having maintained hitherto 
 a rather grave demeanour towards Lord Danby, feeling piqued 
 at what she thought her lover's unnecessary gaiety of speech to 
 Mrs. Fortescue, sought her revenge by a similar display of light 
 good humour towards his lordship ; which Beauchamp taking as 
 the gauntlet thrown down m defiance, redoubled his efforts to 
 please, in which he succeeded so far as to make a very favour- 
 able impression on the young widow, who thought him the most 
 sensible, cheerful, unaffected person she had ever met with. 
 The exhibition of this false play between Blanche and Beau- 
 champ produced, however, a certain effect upon Lady Malcolm, 
 Mrs. Harcourt, and others, who took an interest in observing 
 them, which, although not intended by the lovers themselves, 
 yet in their present position proved most favourable to them. 
 
 After dinner, Lady Malcolm held a grand reunion, which 
 means the condensing or compressing together two or three 
 hundred persons into a space sufficient to accommodate com for t- 
 
 S 
 
290 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 ably one-third only of that number — the effects of which soon 
 became perceptible on the brows of the country party. 
 
 " Confound it, Beau champ ! " exclaimed Conyers; "the black 
 hole at Calcutta must have been a cool place in comparison to 
 this ; I am literally melting away — distilling from every pore of | 
 my skin, and can hold out no longer, so come along." 
 
 " Stay here awhile then, Conyers, near the door, whilst I 
 say a word to Blanche before leaving. Have you seen her 
 lately?" 
 
 " Yes, in the further room, surrounded by a host of admirers. 
 By Jove ! Beauchamp, her head will be turned with so muck 
 adulation ! I thought how it would be when she came to 
 London." 
 
 " Wait a moment, Conyers, I will soon return," replied 
 Beauchamp, and he began to work his way through the crowd, 
 until he discovered the object of his search sitting at the extreme 
 end of the room, with Lords Ayrshire and Danby standing before 
 her, vying in their efforts to obtain the greatest share of her 
 smiles. Beauchamp stood for a short time behind them, unable 
 to approach nearer; but Danby turning, on observing her 
 change of colour and eyes directed beyond him, he gained a 
 nearer position, and was able to address her. 
 
 " I think you will find it cooler and more agreeable in one 
 of the other rooms." 
 
 " If Miss Douglas will be guided by my opinion,*' added 
 Lord Ayrshire, " she will not run the risk of losing her seat for 
 the chance of a more refreshing atmosphere, which is very 
 doubtful ; and I really think this the coolest place in the whole 
 suite of apartments." 
 
 " If Miss Douglas will trust to my escort," said Beauchamp, 
 advancing and offering his arm, " she will find my representation 
 correct." 
 
 Blanche rose directly, and taking his arm, left Lord Ayr- 
 shire, who could scarcely suppress his mortification at Beau- 
 champ's coolness in leading her off. On elbowing his way 
 through the opposing masses, Beauchamp took Blanche to a 
 small back drawing-room, where they found Constance and 
 Malcolm. 
 
 " Have I deceived you ? " inquired he, " or would you prefer 
 the heated atmosphere you have left, which perhaps the flatter- 
 ing speeches of Lord Ayrshire may have compensated for 1 " 
 
 "Oh, no, William; I am too delighted to escape both, and 
 wondered why you have kept so much aloof from me to-night." 
 
LORD AYRSHIRE S OPINION OP BEAUCHAMP. 291 
 
 "I thought you had been too agreeably entertained at 
 •dinner, and since by others, to need my presence." 
 
 " I may make the same reply, William, as to your flirtation 
 with Mrs. Fortescue, which others have noticed besides myself." 
 ' You set the example, Blanche, and I suppose flirting is 
 infectious." 
 
 " Indeed, I am not conscious of having done so, although I 
 did feel a little piqued by your gaiety." 
 
 "Then, my dear girl, pray do not let us vex each other 
 again by such absurd fancies ; and now, as Conyers is here" — 
 who had followed them, and was talking to Malcolm — ■" I pro- 
 pose we all have a quiet ride together to-morrow, somewhere in 
 the country, as I detest the heat and dust of the Park. What 
 say you, Malcolm 1 " 
 
 " Just the thing, Beauchamp, to cool our heated frames after 
 this baking ; " to which Conyers assented, and two o'clock being 
 fixed, Malcolm said, " Now, Constance, with your bad headache, 
 pray go to your room, or you will not be fit for anything to- 
 morrow, and I will tell my mother that I insisted on your 
 doing so." 
 
 " I fear she will be offended, Charles." 
 
 " Pooh ! nonsense, my dear girl ; run away, and take Blanche 
 •with you, unless she prefers listening to Ayrshire's sweet voice a 
 little longer." 
 
 " Not another second, Charles." 
 
 " Then be off, both of you " — with which the two girls, after 
 an affectionate "good night" from their lovers, made their 
 escape ; Conyers and Beauchamp taking their departure at the 
 same time to their hotel. 
 
 Lord Ayrshire remarked to Danby, as Beauchamp walked 
 off with Blanche, " That Mr. Beauchamp is a monstrous cor' 
 hand, Danby." 
 
 " Yes, and a very determined one as well ; and you ha 
 better be cautious how you contradict or stand in his way ; 1 
 I know him well, and he will bear no trifling from any man. 
 When put on his mettle, it is a word and a blow with him — 
 and the blow generally comes first." 
 
 " Indeed ! but what is Miss Douglas to him 1 " 
 
 " That I cannot tell you, except that they have been brought 
 up together almost as brother and sister." 
 
 " Oh, I remember now ! He is the fellow who knocked 
 Vancourt about so deucedly." 
 
 " Yes, the same ; and he is quite ready to administer the 
 
 s 2 
 
292 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 same sort of dose to any other man who may treat her with the 
 slightest disrespect." 
 
 " Egad, Danby, what with him and Malcolm, one must keep 
 at a respectful distance, I conclude, from the young lady." 
 
 " Certainly, unless you wish to be thrashed first, and shot 
 afterwards." 
 
 Lord Danby, having now, as he hoped, lowered Lord 
 Aryshire's top-gallant sails, left him to digest his remarks, 
 which he knew would not prove very palatable to his haughty 
 rival. 
 
 At two o'clock the next day, when Blanche and Constance, 
 with Selina Markham, were waiting for their horses, a thunder- 
 ing knocking at the door was heard, on which Selina, who had 
 lunched with them, sprang to the window, exclaiming — 
 
 " By all that's funny, Mrs. Summertop, I declare ! " 
 
 " Mrs. Who 1 " inquired Lady Malcolm ; but before an 
 answer could be returned, Mrs. and Miss Winterbottom were 
 announced, to the consternation of all the ladies and the delight 
 of Malcolm, who whispered Constance — 
 
 " My gracious ! Con, here she comes, sailing along like a 
 full-blown peony. Oh, poor mamma ! " 
 
 Constance rose at once to meet her, for the purpose of 
 screening Lady Malcolm, who took the opportunity to escape 
 by another door, leaving her sister to receive these unwelcome 
 visitors. 
 
 " "Well, my dear," gasped Mrs. Winterbottom, puffing from 
 the exertion of mounting the stairs, " here we are at last, all in 
 a bustle, like a bag of fleas ; and how d'ye do, Mrs. Gordon and 
 Miss Douglas? " shaking each by the hand; "and, my lord, 'ope 
 your lordship's quite well." 
 
 " Charming, ma'am, thank you," replied Malcolm. 
 
 '• And her ladyship — your mamma I " 
 
 " Bather ailing, this morning, from an attack of hypo- 
 chondriasis." 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! sorry to hear it, my lord — but never heard 
 of the complaint before." 
 
 " It is chiefly confined, I believe," replied Malcolm, " to 
 persons in fashionable life." 
 
 "But lauks, my dear," turning to Constance, "you and Miss 
 Douglas look uncommon peaky — hope you won't catch the same 
 disease." 
 
 " Nothing more likely," added Malcolm ; " I suspect they 
 are sickening with it already — or the scarlet fever." 
 
AN UNWELCOME VISITOR. 293 
 
 " My gracious ! my lord — I 'ope not — Honoria has never 
 had that dreadful disease — or the small-pox either ; — but I 
 heard both the young ladies were going to court next week." 
 
 "If not prevented by illness, such is their intention, I 
 believe," replied Lord Malcolm. 
 
 "Well, my lord, I was just a- thinking, if her ladyship 
 would be so very obliging as to take me and Honoria under 
 her wing at the same time, I should consider it a very great 
 favour." 
 
 " I really cannot say what arrangements Lady Malcolm has 
 made ; nor am I aware if she has positively decided on being 
 present at the next drawing-room." 
 
 " Well, my dear," turning to Constance, " I dare say you 
 will let Honoria know her ladyship's intentions ; and as we have 
 taken a house for the season, in Albemarle Street, not far off, you 
 know, just a nice little walk from Grosvenor Square, I hope 
 you and Miss Douglas will look in upon us just in a friendly 
 way, and Mrs. Gordon, too. Happy to see you at all times ; so 
 don't make any bones about fashionable hours. Papa is so fond 
 of the theatre in Covent Garden that we always dine a quarter 
 before six, to be ready for the play ; so pray come when agree- 
 able. Going for a ride, I suppose, Miss Douglas, in the Park ? 
 won't detain you any longer this fine day ; " with which Mrs. 
 Winterbottom bustled off. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! " cried Selina, " 'pon honour, here's a treat 
 in store for her ladyship — Mrs. and Miss Winterbottom, by Lady 
 Malcolm ! — my gracious ! what a sensation such an announce- 
 ment will produce ! "* 
 
 " Confound her impudence ! " exclaimed Malcolm ; " but it 
 is an impossibility." 
 
 " Of course it is," replied Constance ; " at least, I should 
 never dream of hinting such a thing." 
 
 " This comes, my dear Con," said Selina, " of patronising 
 such vulgar people, and asking the young lady to spend a few 
 lays at Bampton." 
 
 " It was done by my father's desire, Selina, and you know 
 the reason why we endeavour to be on good terms with all our 
 neighbours, even at some individual sacrifice ; but this a most 
 unexpected proposition, which I shall positively decline to make 
 to Lady Malcolm." 
 
 "Well, come along," cried Malcolm, " Beauchamp and 
 Conyers have just arrived; and Aunt Gordon can tell my 
 mother as much as she likes about Mrs. Winterbottom ; " on 
 
294: THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 which they descended into the hall, and the ladies were placed 
 on their steeds by their respective cavaliers. 
 
 Of all recreations, there is not one more exhilarating than a 
 ride in the country on a fine May morning, when the weather 
 is in that delightful temperature experienced generally in that 
 genial month. May is the season of youth to all vegetable 
 nature, then just bursting forth with all the freshness and 
 fragrance of its early bloom. Even the leaves of the trees 
 possess a softness of touch, and a lively, glossy verdure, which is 
 not to be found in any other month. 
 
 As Beauchamp rode by the side of Blanche, he plucked a 
 beech leaf from a bough overhanging the road, and placing it in 
 her hand, said, " There, Blanche, is an emblem of yourself; can 
 anything be more soft and delicate than the down of that pretty- 
 leaf, now just expanded in its youthful loveliness 1 Yet two 
 months hence, after the dust and heat of the summer's sun, all 
 this freshness and glossiness will be gone ; so will, I fear, dear 
 girl, the bloom now mantling in those glowing cheeks be de- 
 stroyed by the over-heated, unhealthy atmosphere of these 
 fashionable assemblies, which is more destructive to youthful 
 complexions than the burning rays of the midsummer sun to 
 the foliage of the trees." 
 
 " Oh, William ! how I wish the London season was at an 
 end, at least, as regards myself. This puts me so in mind of 
 our happy rides in the country — shall we ever feel so happy 
 again 1 " 
 
 " Yes, dear Blanche, there is no reason why we should not 
 feel happier still ; but all the happiness I can look forward to 
 depends solely on yourself ; and I fear the influence all this 
 gaiety and dissipation may have on your young heart and 
 mind. If those remain unchanged, by God's permission, I trust 
 far happier days await us than any we have yet enjoyed 
 together ; although nothing could or can exceed the transport 
 of that moment when first I found my love returned by her I 
 prized more than life. But a more calm and steady feeling has 
 now succeeded to that inexplicable, almost overwhelming sensa- 
 tion of ecstatic delight, which is experienced only on the first 
 discovery of our affection being returned ; but what it has lost 
 in its novelty is now fully compensated for by its enduring and 
 increasing strength. A truce now, however, to moralising ; we 
 must put our horses into a canter, to overtake Malcolm, who is 
 nearly out of sight." 
 
 After a pleas?viit gallop through Richmond Park, the party 
 
MRS. WINTERBOTTOM'S ANNOYANCE. 295 
 
 returned home; the ladies much improved in appearance by 
 their exercise, which had restored the roses to their cheeks, and 
 dispelled the languor of the preceding night. 
 
 The next morning Constance returned Mrs. Winterbottom's 
 visit, explaining to her that, Lady Malcolm being no relative of 
 her own, she could not take the liberty of preferring her request 
 about the presentation of herself and daughter at the drawing- 
 room. " In fact," said Constance, " I am only a visitor in 
 Grosvenor Square, and therefore could not presume to make 
 such, an overture to her ladyship, although I should be most 
 na PP v *° bli» e y ou i n anything which depended on myself." 
 
 " But you might get Lord Malcolm or Miss Douglas to 
 speak for you, my dear," replied Mrs. Winterbottom ; " or 
 what's the use of friends and relations, if they won't do kind 
 acts one for another i " 
 
 " Lord Malcolm makes a point of never interfering with his 
 mother's arrangements in any way," continued Constance, " as 
 she is very particular in some respects, even with her own son ; 
 and Miss Douglas is equally averse to asking such a favour of 
 her aunt, to whom she is at present under so many obligations, 
 as well as myself." 
 
 " Oh, very well, Miss Beauchamp ; it don't signify making 
 such a fuss about a trifle ; but we aint grand enough for you 
 quality folk, that's the secret." 
 
 " You have no reason to say that," replied Constance, rather 
 indignantly, " of me or any of my family, as we have all shown 
 you every attention in our power." 
 
 " Well, my dear, I did not mean to make any reflections 
 against your worthy father, yourself, or young Squire Beau- 
 champ ; so don't be angry with me. And as you can't speak 
 to Lady Malcolm, I must make papa look out for somebody else 
 to present us at Court. Most things to be had in London for a 
 consideration." 
 
 "No doubt," replied Constance, as she rose to take her 
 leave. 
 
296 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 We must now pass over a month. Blanche and Constance had 
 been presented ; both being much admired — but the former, 
 from her superiority of height, brilliant, sparkling eyes, com- 
 bined with her faultless form and graceful demeanour, attracted 
 very general attention, to which the fact of her being an heiress, 
 and Lady Malcolm's niece, gave additional charms. And after 
 her inauguration at Almack's, she was unhesitatingly pronounced 
 by the cognoscenti in female beauty, such as Lord Ayrshire, 
 Danby, and others, the belle of the season. 
 
 Beauchamp witnessed with secret alarm the increasing 
 number of Blanche's admirers and the adulation paid her, 
 which he was powerless to avert, although his influence was 
 still unsparingly exerted on every fitting occasion, to counteract 
 the effects of the poison continually poured into her ears. To 
 his quick, observant eye (and what perception is more acute 
 than a lovers 1) her repugnance to flattery began to yield, first 
 to its endurance, and then to a more qualified reception of its 
 pestilential breathings. Yanity is, without doubt, one of the 
 chief compounds of human nature, by which all, even the very 
 best of mankind, are influenced, although almost imperceptibly 
 to themselves ; and it would be absurd to say that Blanche 
 Douglas did not feel pleased, perhaps rather elated, by the 
 homage paid to her charms, although too pure in mind and 
 innocent in heart to throw out the least lure by words or 
 actions to attract it. There is an excitement in dissipation 
 which drags its youthful votaries, first reluctantly, perhaps, 
 then almost irresistibly, along its slippery path, until they 
 become so thoroughly entangled in its mazes, as to be incapable 
 of extricating themselves. 
 
 The London season was now in the zenith of its splendour, 
 and invitations continued pouring in to Lady Malcolm in such 
 rapid succession, that even her ladyship, though long inured 
 and case-hardened to dissipation, began to feel wearied with its 
 constant repetition. New additions had been made to her 
 already extended list of acquaintances at the instigation of 
 Blanche's admirers, many of whom, moving in the highest 
 circles, had induced their mammas to send cards of invitation 
 to Lady Malcolm and Miss Douglas. Amongst others, the 
 Duchess of Castleton invited them to a grand ball, in which 
 Malcolm and Constance were included ; but Beauchamp, al- 
 
THE SLIGHT TO BEAUCHAMP. 297 
 
 -though long known to Lord Danby, and meeting him constantly 
 at parties, was passed over. On the evening of this ball, he was 
 dining in Grosvenor Square, when Malcolm observed, "We 
 shall meet you, of course, to-night, Beauchanip, at Castleton 
 House 1 " 
 
 " I have not received an invitation," was the short reply. 
 
 " How is this, Beauchamp 1 I took it for granted Danby 
 had asked you long ago. Surely, then, he must have considered 
 you included in our party." 
 
 " I think not, Malcolm ; Lord Danby has particular reasons, 
 no doubt" — casting a meaning look at Blanche — "for declining 
 the honour of my presence at his mother's ball." 
 
 " Stuff and nonsense, Beauchamp ; it must be an oversight ; 
 so come with us, as I am quite sure Danby will be glad to see 
 you." 
 
 " You must excuse me, Malcolm ; it is not my custom to 
 obtrude myself anywhere without being unmistakingly invited." 
 
 " Biding the high horse again, my good fellow 1 " 
 
 " Not in the least, Malcolm, unless proper self-respect is to 
 be so called. The slight was intended — as such it is accepted ; 
 and from this hour I shall decline the honour of his lordship's 
 acquaintance." 
 
 " Really, my dear fellow, this is carrying things too far." 
 
 " Not further than I deem it incumbent on me to do ; and 
 I hope I shall never be deficient in proper spirit to meet the 
 first approach to arrogance or insolence from any man, however 
 high in rank, with the most thorough contempt. But my in- 
 tended course with reference to Lord Danby need not influence 
 you or others, as I do not wish any one to take up cudgels in 
 my defence." 
 
 "I understand, however, what is implied," replied Mal- 
 colm, " that your sister ought not to attend the duchess's ball 
 to-night." 
 
 " Constance knows what is due to her brother, as well as to 
 herself," was the answer. 
 
 " Then, I suppose, she is not to accept any invitations unless 
 you are included also ? " retorted Lord Malcolm. 
 
 "Such an idea is almost too absurd to need refutation," 
 added Beauchamp ; " she has frequently done so, and will do so 
 again, without any remark from me ; but having known Lord 
 Danby quite as long, if not longer, than your lordship has, and 
 coupling his late very distant behaviour (scarcely recognising me, 
 except by a stiff, formal bow) with the present exclusion from 
 
298 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Lis mother's party,. to whom you all (more recent acquaintances) 
 are invited, I must be wilfully blind not to perceive the intended 
 slight." 
 
 " In my opinion," observed Conyers, " Will is acting per- 
 fectly right, and if I saw any man inclined to cut me, I would 
 save the necessity of our acquaintance dying such a lingering 
 death by cutting him dead at once. Some of these grandees 
 condescend to be very sociable, and shake hands with us 
 country fellows on our own ground, where we may help in their 
 amusement of hunting, or serve them for electioneering pur- 
 poses ; but when they meet us in town, the fog, I suppose, pre- 
 vents them distinguishing such insignificant Liliputians, except 
 through a magnifying glass, and then a very distant bow is the 
 only sign of recognition." 
 
 " But I heard Lord Dauby invite you to this ball myself," 
 said Malcolm. 
 
 " Very true, my lord, and the same honour was conferred on 
 Melville, Markham, and others, in my hearing. Beauchamp's 
 exclusion, therefore, is more pointed ; and as I am one of those 
 old-fashioned fellows who act upon the love me, love my dog 
 principle, and consider a slight to my best friend as an insult to 
 myself, the conclusion to which I have come is very obvious — 
 the duchess will not be incommoded by my presence to-night, 
 and Lord Danby will be spared the trouble of raising his hat to 
 me for the future." 
 
 " By Jove ! Conyers," exclaimed Malcolm, " you are as 
 ticklish as Beauchamp." 
 
 " If by ticklish, my lord, you mean sensitive to unprovoked 
 insult, or contemptuous conduct towards myself or my friends, 
 you have judged rightly of my character. Not for one moment 
 will I submit to either ; and as Beauchamp cannot go to 
 Castleton House to-night, I certainly shall not." 
 
 " Then, what do you propose doing ? " 
 
 " Oh, whilst you and the ladies are scanning the beauties 
 masculine and feminine in high life, I will take Beauchamp to 
 the green-room, behind the scenes, in Oovent Garden, and have 
 a look at the beauties in low life, and finish up with a lobster 
 supper." 
 
 This conversation having commenced after the dessert was 
 placed on the table, Lady Malcolm now rose, leaving the gentle- 
 men to finish their discussion, when Lord Malcolm, failing to 
 alter the two friends' determination, and beginning to lose his 
 temper, proposed joining the ladies. Lady Malcolm had retired 
 
THE DILEMMA. 299 
 
 to dress ; but Constance, taking Malcolm aside, began speaking 
 to him in a low, earnest tone, stating her determination, after 
 what had occurred, of not going to the ball. 
 
 " Pooh ! nonsense, my dear," exclaimed Malcolm ; " you 
 must not adopt your brother's foolish crotchets; surely my 
 wishes ought to be consulted now, as well as his, although I 
 certainly shall ask Danby some explanation why he was not 
 invited." 
 
 "On my account," said Beauchamp, who overheard these 
 words, " I must beg, Lord Malcolm, you will not even hint at 
 an explanation, as I neither require, nor will I accept any. 
 Lord Danby and I understand each other quite well enough 
 already ; and now, my dear Constance, you must do violence 
 to your own proper feelings, in taking your brother's part, by 
 complying with my desire to accompany Lady Malcolm to the 
 ball." 
 
 " Indeed, William, I had much rather not go," pleaded 
 Constance ; " and Lady Malcolm has been kind enough to 
 excuse me." 
 
 " My dear girl," replied Beauchamp, " for Lady Malcolm's 
 sake, who has, no doubt, accepted the invitation on your 
 account and Blanche's, I must desire you will go ; so not another 
 word on the subject ; " saying which, he turned away and 
 resumed his seat, and was immediately joined by Blanche. 
 
 " You cannot be offended with me, I hope, dear William, 
 because I could not venture to ask Lady Malcolm to excuse my 
 attending her to-night, as Constance did. She, as your sister, 
 had a fail* pretext to decline going." 
 
 "But you, of course, had none," added Beauchamp, "not 
 even to express one word in my favour, and left my friend 
 Conyers to light my battle alone." 
 
 " ISTow you are unjust, William ; for although fearing to be 
 thought forward in giving utterance to my sentiments, I have 
 felt the slight offered you more deeply than Constance, and 
 shall resent it as firmly as yourself after this night, when I 
 cannot possibly be rude to Lord Danby in his mother's house." 
 
 " Of course not," replied Beauchamp ; " and no doubt his 
 arguments, like Lord Malcolm's, will weigh heaviest in the 
 balance against mine, as your cousin, I see, is resolved to 
 maintain his position by obtaining some excuse from Danby for 
 not inviting me, which I am equally resolved not to accept. 
 Extorted apologies of this sort make the matter ten times 
 worse, and knowing this slight was purposely intended, Lord 
 
200 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Danby and myself must remain for the future strangers to each 
 other." 
 
 " I shall not be influenced, William, by anything he or Charles 
 may say, and shall leave you to judge, by my conduct towards 
 him, whether I do not feel as deeply in your cause as Constance 
 or Mr. Conyers." 
 
 " There, now, my dear girl, run away to dress, or you will 
 be very late, and keep Lady Malcolm waiting. Come, give me 
 your hand ; good night." 
 
 " But where are you going % " she inquired, still holding his 
 hand. 
 
 "With Conyers, to be sure; we must have our share of 
 amusement as well as yourself." 
 
 " Oh, pray, dear William, do not go with him to those horrid 
 places he spoke of. Promise me not to go there." 
 
 " If you will promise not to dance two quadrilles with any 
 one partner to-night, I will give up going to the theatre, and 
 sit with Aunt Gordon instead." 
 
 " The promise is yours, although you know there was no 
 occasion to ask it ; and I thank you, my own dear William, for 
 resigning your amusement to please me. I shall not forget 
 your kindness ; " saying which, she tripped out of the room. 
 
 Malcolm and Constance had both left, and Conyers being 
 engaged in conversation with Mrs. Gordon, Blanche and Beau- 
 champ had an uninterrupted tete-a-tete. 
 
 " Well, Beauchamp," exclaimed Conyers, " what does 
 Blanche think of our intended visit to the green-room to-night ? 
 A little fillip of that sort was not out of place, as she appeared 
 to take it so coolly, going to Castleton House, without uttering 
 a syllable, pro or cow." 
 
 " Poor child ! what could she have said 1 " asked Mrs. 
 Gordon, " in her present situation ? But I can tell you, William, 
 that she does feel very acutely, and so do I, Lord Danby's 
 behaviour to you, and you may rest assured she will resent it also." 
 
 " I am glad to hear it," replied Conyers, " for I hate half 
 measures with friends or lovers, and Malcolm has fallen fifty 
 per cent, in my estimation, by trying to throw dust in Will 
 Beauchamp's eyes." 
 
 " Charles is very perverse sometimes," added Mrs. Gordon ; 
 " and he felt to-night his mother could not well decline going 
 to the duchess's first ball; but we shall find him different 
 to-morrow." 
 
 " I hope so," said Conyers, " or he'll find me very different 
 
MALCOLM OFFENDS BOB CONYERS. 301 
 
 for the time to come, and so I shall tell him plainly enough. I 
 don't like being told black is white ; but the fact is, Beauchamp, 
 you and I have outstayed our welcome ; and our visits to 
 Grosvenor Square have ceased to be agreeable." 
 
 ""Who told you so, Mr. Conyers?" asked Malcolm, having, 
 unperceived, entered the room. 
 
 " My own common sense, Lord Malcolm, tells me that when 
 an old, tried friend's conduct for acting consistently and 
 uprightly is ridiculed and pooh-poohed, as your lordship has 
 thought proper to do this evening, his presence can be no longer 
 desirable." 
 
 " I do not choose to be dictated to, Mr. Conyers, by you or 
 any man, in the course I ought to pursue." 
 
 " I have never ventured to dictate to your lordship since 
 the time I took the liberty of giving you a few lessons in riding 
 and other athletic exercises; and these, perhaps, are pooh- 
 poohed now as antiquated precepts." 
 
 " I shall never forget your many acts of kindness to me 
 when a boy, Mr. Conyers, or those of later years," replied 
 Malcolm, considerably mollified. 
 
 " Yery well, my lord; then if you will balance them against 
 the attentions I have received from Lady Malcolm and yourself 
 since my short stay in town, our account perhaps will stand 
 nearly cancelled. Arid now, my lord, as you prefer new 
 acquaintances to old faces, Beauchamp and myself propose 
 returning home to-morrow." 
 
 " Stay, Conyers," as he was rising to leave the room, " I 
 cannot part thus with one who has been to me like an elder 
 brother. What would you have me do % " 
 
 "Nothing, my lord. You know as well as myself what 
 you ought to do ; and if you have that respect and regard for 
 Will Beauchamp and his sister which you profess, you know 
 perfectly well what your behaviour should be to any man who 
 had dared to pass a premeditated slight upon your future 
 brother-in-law ; and now, Mrs. Gordon," said Conyers, shaking 
 her by the hand, " I must wish you good-bye, and beg you to 
 thank Lady Malcolm for all her kindness and hospitality," 
 with which he hastily left the room, exclaiming, " Come, Beau- 
 champ, I will wait two minutes for you in the hall." 
 
 Beauchamp rose quickly, and, taking Aunt Gordon's hand, 
 said — 
 
 " I shall call to-morrow at twelve to see Lady Malcolm, and 
 wish Constance good-bye before I leave town." 
 
302 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " And won't you wish me good-night ? " asked Malcolm, as 
 he was turning towards the door. 
 
 " Yes, Malcolm/' offering his hand, " I do wish you a good- 
 night, and regret I have been the cause of this uinpleasant 
 difference between you and Conyers ; but I feel assured that no 
 man of feeling could act otherwise than I purpose to do." 
 
 " Then I shall see you at twelve to-morrow ? " added 
 Malcolm. 
 
 " I shall call here at that hour," was the reply, as he ran 
 down-stairs to join his friend. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, overcome by emotion, had quietly left the 
 room ; and Lord Malcolm was pacing up and down, in no envi- 
 able mood, when his mother entered, and, observing her son's 
 disordered looks, asked what had annoyed him so dreadfully. 
 
 "I am vexed to the soul, my dear mother, for having 
 quarrelled with Conyers about such a foolish piece of business 
 as going to this confounded ball — in short, he is right, and I am 
 wrong ; but I cannot bear the idea of being dictated to." 
 
 " Of course not, Charles — no one likes that, even from their 
 oldest friends — yet there is no reason why you should go at 
 all, or Constance — Blanche and myself will be sufficient." 
 
 " We are all in the same boat, my dear mother, according 
 to Bob Conyers* opinion; but as I wish to ascertain from 
 Danby whether he really did intend this omission of Beau- 
 champ as a meditated slight (which, in common fairness, I ought 
 to do before espousing his cause), I will accompany you there 
 for half an hour or so, being fully resolved, if the case is as I 
 now fear, to leave again directly." 
 
 " Very well, Charles, then I shall do the same, and order the 
 carriage in an hour exactly from the time we are set down at 
 Castleton House." 
 
 Meanwhile, Mrs. Cordon had communicated what had 
 passed to Constance and Blanche, which caused their tears to 
 fall fast. 
 
 " Don't vex yourselves, my dears, any more, or you will 
 look wretched to-night, although it is very provoking in Charles, 
 who might have given up one ball to oblige those friends who 
 have so often obliged him. But dry your tears, as my sister 
 has left her room ; and I will see William early to-morrow, and 
 prevent his leaving town." 
 
 When the ladies descended to the drawing-room, Lord 
 Malcolm, observing his aunt's grave looks, said they Lad 
 resolved on going to the duchess's ball, chiefly to ascertain the 
 

 Malcolm's surmises confirmed. 303 
 
 truth of Beauchamp' s surmises ; and, if correct, tliey should 
 leave within the hour. Mrs. Gordon taking no notice of this 
 remark, Malcolm remarked, " Does not this proposal please you, 
 aunt 1 " 
 
 " It is of little consequence what pleases me, Charles." 
 
 " Then you think, aunt, I suppose, Ave ought not to go at 
 all ? " 
 
 There was no reply, as at this moment the carriage -was 
 announced • but Malcolm, on taking his mother's arm, said — 
 
 " We shall be home in an hour, aunt, if you will sit up till 
 we return." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 On their arrival at Castleton House, Lords Ayrshire and Danby 
 were waiting near the door of the reception-room, and asked 
 Blanche for the honour of her hand. Lord Ayrshire, being 
 first, was not refused. 
 
 " May I plead for the second, then, Miss Douglas ? " in- 
 quired Lord Danby. 
 
 " I cannot engage myself for more than one dance," was 
 the reply, " as Lady Malcolm intends remaining a very short 
 time," with which she and Constance passed on to be presented 
 to the Duchess, Lord Ayrshire following, who, after the cere- 
 mony of introduction, offered his arm to Blanche. Lord 
 Danby, directly afterwards meeting Malcolm, remarked on 
 Miss Douglas's cool reception of him, and asked if he knew 
 the cause. 
 
 " Why, to tell you the truth, Danby, Miss Beauchamp feels 
 hurt at her brother not being invited to your party ; and these 
 two girls, having been brought up together as sisters, share in 
 each other's feelings and fancies ; and an indignity offered to 
 one is felt by the other." 
 
 " Oh, indeed, Malcolm, it was quite an oversight of my own 
 in not sending Mr. Beauchamp a card for the occasion ; but, 
 from ins almost living in Grosvenor Square, I thought he would 
 consider himself included in the invitation to your family." 
 
 " Would you have presented yourself at any house, where 
 you were almost a stranger to the heads of the family, on such 
 an implied invitation 1 " 
 
 liy, I scarcely know, Malcolm." 
 
304 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Then I can tell you that Beauchamp is quite as proud as 
 yourself; and having overheard you ask Conyers and Melville, 
 he, of course, concluded he was purposely excluded." 
 
 " Oh, quite an oversight, Malcolm ! I am sorry he should 
 take offence ; but our rooms are not spacious enough to contain 
 all our country acquaintances." 
 
 " Depend upon it, my lord," replied Malcolm, nettled by 
 this confirmation of Beauchamp' s well-grounded deductions, 
 • ; they will never be large enough to contain Will Beauchamp;" 
 with which he turned away ; and seeking Blanche, who was 
 dancing, whispered, " Beauchamp is right. We shall leave as 
 soon as the carriage arrives ; so sit with my mother after this 
 quadrille, and I will join you directly it is announced." 
 
 Lord Danby muttered to himself, " Confound that Beau- 
 champ ! he is ever in the way somewhere, and I suspect it is all 
 true about his engagement to Miss Douglas ; but I will find it 
 out ; " and hovering near her, he again renewed his suit for the 
 next dance, which was again declined. " How have I been so 
 unfortunate as to incur your displeasure, Miss Douglas ? Is it 
 because I omitted to invite Mr. Beauchamp to our ball, which I 
 fear is the case from what Lord Malcolm has been telling me 1 " 
 " I have informed you, my lord, that Lady Malcolm has 
 ordered the carriage very early, and my cousin begged me to 
 remain with his mother until it arrives, and not to accept 
 another partner." 
 
 "And I can answer," replied Lord Ayrshire, "that she has 
 refused at least a dozen others since we have been engaged in 
 this quadrille." 
 
 " Then may I hope for the honour of your hand," persisted 
 Lord Danby, "for the first dance to-morrow night at Lady 
 Husselton's, to which, I believe, you are going 1 " 
 
 "It is not yet decided whether we shall be there or not." 
 replied Blanche ; " but I do not make engagements of this kind 
 beforehand." 
 
 The quadrille being finished, Lord Ayrshire conducted her 
 to Lady Malcolm, where being again solicited for another dance 
 by Lord Henry Bayntun, she made the same excuse. 
 
 " Oh, my dear," said Lady Malcolm, " if you wish to dance 
 again, I can wait till the next quadrille is over." 
 
 " Charles desired I would not engage myself in another," 
 she replied ; " and I think I see him coming to announce the 
 carriage ; " which was the case. 
 
 On their return to Grosvenor Square, Mrs. Gordon had not 
 
AUNT GORDON MAKE3 A DISCLOSURE. 305 
 
 retired ; and when his mother went up to her room, Lord 
 Malcolm said, " Beauchamp and Conyers have judged rightly ; 
 there can be no doubt now, from what Danby let fall, of the 
 slight being premeditated." 
 
 " So we all thought, Charles ; and I only regret you should 
 have allowed your temper to get the ascendancy over your 
 judgment, by ridiculing your friends' opinions." 
 
 " You know I hate dictation ! " he replied. 
 
 " Yet invariably practise it, Charles." 
 
 " How so, aunt ? " 
 
 " I have observed with deep sorrow your frequent attempts 
 of late to throw discredit or contempt on almost every opinion 
 expressed by William Beauchamp, and your ridicule of his 
 honourable and religious principles ; in short, since his arrival 
 in town, your object appears to have been to make him feel the 
 distinction between Lord Malcolm and Mr. Beauchamp. Now, 
 however quietly he has borne outwardly your taunts and 
 sarcasms, it is impossible that he does not feel acutely, although 
 it has not been expressed openly, this change in your conduct : 
 the result of which will be the rupture of that friendship which 
 I had hoped and prayed might exist between you to the end of 
 your lives." 
 
 " Indeed, aunt, I should be grieved to think, as you do, that 
 anything I have said or done could destroy our regard for each 
 other ! " 
 
 " Then, Charles, be more cautious for the future, and bear 
 in mind that true friendship admits of no assumed superiority 
 of one person over another ; you have assumed that supe- 
 riority ; and observe, it is, as I say, assumed, since in not one 
 single particular are you superior to him you condescend to call 
 your friend ; no, not even in " 
 
 " In what ? " inquired Lord Malcolm, as his aunt stopped 
 short. 
 
 " I was going to reveal what, perhaps, I ought not to have 
 mentioned ; but as this is the last time I shall ever address you 
 on this subject, I will trust to your honour not to disclose the 
 secret without my permission." 
 
 " It shall be strictly observed, aunt ; so, pray, proceed ! " 
 
 " Then, William will become, on the death of an old rela- 
 tive, now near ninety, Lord Beauchamp ; and his worthy father, 
 Earl of Annandale." 
 
 "What!" exclaimed Malcolm, in astonishment ; "are you 
 serious, Aunt Gordon ? " 
 
 T 
 
306 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " I was never more so, diaries." 
 
 " Then why has he never confided this to me ? " 
 
 " Because he has seen lately that you rejected his con- 
 fidence." 
 
 Malcolm paced up and down the room in violent agitation, 
 exclaiming, " What a fool ! what a madman I have been ! " 
 
 " Pray, Charles," said Constance, placing her hand on his 
 arm, " pray, do not agitate yourself thus ; all will be explained, 
 I hope, to-morrow." 
 
 " Yes, my dear girl, indeed it shall ; for I feel now how 
 deeply I have wronged your brother, or he had never withheld 
 his confidence from me ; and you, Constance, you have known 
 this secret 1 " 
 
 " Yes, Charles, on the condition I did not divulge it even 
 to you." 
 
 "And Blanche, too?" 
 
 " Of course, Charles." 
 
 " To three women has Beauchamp, then, entrusted its keep- 
 ing, but not to me ! " 
 
 " And it has ceased, therefore," rejoined Mrs. Gordon, " to 
 be a wonder, that a woman can keep a secret ! " 
 
 "Yet I have kept one secret inviolably ! " added Malcolm. 
 
 " Yes, Charles, you have ; although poor Blanche has ofter 
 trembled when its disclosure appeared hovering on your lips." 
 
 " My folly and thoughtlessness have been sufficiently 
 punished now, dear aunt, to forbid a repetition of that badi- 
 nage which has caused terror to my cousin, and misery of heart 
 to my friend. Will you forgive me, dear Blanche, for the 
 anxiety I have so thoughtlessly caused you 1 " 
 
 " Indeed I do, dear Charles," taking his profferred hand, 
 " with all my heart." 
 
 " Thank you, my dear girl ; it shall never be repeated ; and 
 can you forgive me also my unjust, unpardonable conduct to 
 that noble-minded, generous fellow, who, of all men I have 
 ever yet known, is alone deserving of your love 1 " 
 
 " Willingly, most willingly, dear Charles, do I forgive all 
 that needs forgiveness from me ! " 
 
 " And now, dear Aunt Gordon, I thank you most heartily 
 for removing the veil from my eyes, and showing me the many 
 faults I possess." 
 
 " Not many, Charles, I am happy to say ; only learn hence- 
 forth to respect the feelings and opinions of others, if you wish 
 them to respect yours." 
 
A EECONCILIATION. 307 
 
 " Let my future conduct prove the deep contrition I feel 
 for the injustice I have done niy friends ; and now, aunt," ring- 
 ing the bell, " I will order up some wine and water for these 
 dear girls, who have been worried enough to-night, and then 
 we will all retire to rest." 
 
 The next day Beauchamp kept his appointment with Mrs. 
 Gordon, and arriving in Grosvenor Square about twelve o'clock, 
 was ushered into the drawing-room, where Lady Malcolm was 
 sitting with her son, Mrs. Gordon, and the two girls. After 
 shaking hands with all, he approached Lady Malcolm again. 
 
 " I could not leave London, dear Lady Malcolm, without 
 expressing in person my grateful thanks for your most friendly 
 and hospitable reception of myself, and your numerous acts of 
 kindness to my dear sister ; for which I am and ever shall feel, 
 most deeply obliged." 
 
 "But what is the cause of your leaving us so suddenly, 
 William?" 
 
 11 1 will save Beauchamp the necessity of an evasive or indi- 
 rect reply to your question, my dear mother," interposed Mal- 
 icolm, " by stating candidly that I am the cause of his leaving 
 town so unexpectedly ; what has possessed me, I know not ; 
 but I am now fully sensible that my overbearing behaviour to 
 him, of late, has been such as to disgust any man of less com- 
 mand of temper, and less depth of feeling, than him to whose 
 friendship I have, by my fool-hardy bantering and obstinacy, 
 justly forfeited all claim." 
 
 "From this hour," said Beauchamp, offering Malcolm his 
 hand, " let the past be buried in oblivion, and I trust, for the 
 future, we may be as before to each other." 
 
 "Asa proof, then, of your forgiveness, Beauchamp, will you 
 consent to remain ? Under my present bitter and reproachful 
 feelings, it would be the greatest consolation and favour you 
 can bestow." 
 
 " You must not question the sincerity of my forgiveness, or 
 my willingness to oblige you, Malcolm; but after due con- 
 sideration last night, I have decided to leave London, and have 
 written to my father to tell him he may expect me to-morrow 
 evening." 
 
 "Will nothing induce you to alter that determination, 
 Beauchamp 1 " 
 
 " Nothing that you can now urge, my dear Malcolm ; it is 
 for our future happiness that I am thus resolved." 
 
 " Enough ! " said Malcolm, rising, and scarcely able to sup- 
 
308 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 press his emotion, " I felt it must come to this ; but will you 
 see me in my own room a few minutes before you leave the 
 house?" 
 
 " Most willingly, Malcolm." He then left the room. 
 
 "Can I not prevail on you to prolong your stay, Beau- 
 champ 1 ?" inquired Lady Malcolm; "must I also plead in 
 vain ? " 
 
 " Do not distress me, dear Lady Malcolm, by asking me to 
 do that which every feeling of my heart prompts me to do ; 
 but, indeed, it is best for us all that I should now leave you, 
 although if, at the end of a fortnight, you wish to recall me, 
 your summons shall be obeyed." 
 
 A double knock at the hall door being heard, Beauchamp 
 rose quickly, and wished Lady Malcolm good-bye. 
 
 " Come with me into the next room for a few minutes," 
 exclaimed Mrs. Gordon ; " the girls and myself must trouble 
 you with a few commissions. You are acting quite right," 
 continued Mrs. Gordon, when the door was closed ; " and much 
 as we shall lament your absence, I approve your resolution to 
 go, as it is quite necessary to convince Charles that your feelings 
 are not to be outraged with impunity, although I believe his 
 conduct has only proceeded from thoughtless waywardness. 
 And now, my dear boy, not to prolong the misery of parting, 
 God bless you, good-bye ; write to me to-morrow, and let me 
 know how your father is, and ride over to the Priory to see 
 how things are going on. Blanche and I are tired of London, 
 and shall soon return;" then folding him in her arms, Mrs. 
 Gordon rushed from the room. 
 
 It was some little time before Beauchamp could tear himself 
 away from Blanche, whose tears and sobs choked all utterance. 
 
 "My own, dear, precious girl, do not give way thus," he 
 murmured, pressing her to his heart ; " on my word of honour, 
 I promise you to return any day you wish, if only for a few 
 hours, to see you and Constance. Your summons shall be 
 obeyed without an hour's delay ; so if you require my presence, 
 promise to write me without fail." 
 
 " I will promise to do so, my own, dearly-loved William." 
 
 " ISTow, then, dear girl, farewell ; " and with another fervent 
 embrace bestowed on her and Constance, Beauchamp was gone. 
 Lord Malcolm used every entreaty in vain to divert his friend 
 from his purpose. 
 
 " It must be so now, Malcolm," was his reply ; " but I have 
 promised your mother to return at the end of a fortnight, if she 
 
A REQUEST. 309 
 
 sends me an invitation ; but really now I must spend a few 
 days with my father, who has been so long solitary in the 
 country ; so good-bye, my dear Malcolm, and take care of those 
 two warm-hearted, affectionate girls, for my sake. They have 
 had too much gaiety lately ; and if you will oblige me, do not 
 let them go to more than two or three parties in the week — 
 indeed, they cannot stand this unceasing round of dissipation. 
 Am I asking too great a favour, or will it offend Lady Malcolm, 
 to decline some invitations for them on my account 1 " 
 
 " My dear fellow, the three parties a week shall be strictly 
 attended to," replied Lord Malcolm, " if I offend all London. 
 The three parties a week shall not be exceeded — there is my 
 hand upon it." 
 
 " Many thanks, Malcolm, for your promise, and I hope you 
 will now walk with me to the stables, as I purpose riding home 
 with Conyers, who has, I fear, been kept waiting there a long 
 time." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 After having made up his difference with Conyers, and seen 
 the two friends in their saddles, Malcolm returned to Grosvenor 
 Square, and found his mother alone, Mrs. Gordon having taken 
 the two girls for a quiet drive in the country. 
 
 " Beaucharup, my dear mother, has commissioned me to 
 entrust two secrets to your keeping — one being considered of 
 too little moment for any woman to preserve. The first is, that 
 he is heir presumptive to an earldom — the other, that he is in 
 love with Blanche, and she with him." 
 
 " The latter, ^Charles, I have long suspected ; but the former 
 I am surprised to hear, although well aware that the Beau- 
 champs are of a very old and high family." 
 
 After a full explanation on these points, Malcolm added, 
 " Now, my dear mother, Beauchamp being, as you may suppose, 
 very anxious about the well-being of our two precious girls, has 
 exacted from me a promise that they shall not be overbaked by 
 too much hot air, i.e., over-crowded rooms, which he says has 
 made them look like drooping lilies of the valley, instead of 
 roses, so that they are to be restricted to three balls or parties a 
 week for the future, until he returns ; and as Beauchamp's ideas 
 are always right, and mine always wrong, his instructions to 
 
310 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 me on this point shall be religiously observed to the letter, if I 
 am obliged to lock them -»p in their rooms the alternate three 
 nights. This being resolved on, your ladyship must make your 
 selection accordingly from that basket of cards, as the number, 
 three per week, is not to be exceeded." 
 
 " Well, Charles, upon the whole this is very agreeable news, 
 and I am delighted with the bright prospect opening to 
 William Beauchamp, which will also improve Constance's posi- 
 tion very materially ; but I fear Mrs. Harcourt will not be 
 pleased with Blanche's choice, although, from my great partiality 
 to William, she will find a most firm advocate in me." 
 
 " That's right, my dear mother ; but bear in mind, this is to 
 be a secret still to all; not a word to Mrs. Harcourt or a 
 breathing soul, until Beauchamp gives us permission to divulge 
 it." 
 
 " Don't fear me, Charles ; it shall be strictly observed." 
 
 Soon after, Mrs. Gordon and the girls returned, when Mal- 
 colm acquainted them, before they ascended to the drawing- 
 room, with the communication he had made to his mother by 
 Beauchamp's desire. 
 
 " William has acted most wisely and properly," replied Mrs. 
 Gordon ; " and now, Charley, you see his confidence in you is 
 replaced." 
 
 "All smooth again, aunty dear, with your hair-brained 
 nephew, and you shall see if I don't attend to orders about 
 those two girls." 
 
 Lady Malcolm, although rather too much addicted to gaiety 
 and dissipation, was very warm-hearted, and almost foolishly 
 fond of her only son Charles, who had been a spoilt child (as 
 only children generally are, when left solely to a mother's care). 
 Being naturally attached to her own order, and her acquaint- 
 ance lying chiefly among the nobility, Lady Malcolm had at 
 first resisted her son's proposal of marriage with Miss Beau- 
 champ, in the hope of his forming a higher connection ; but 
 finding remonstrance unavailing, her consent was at last ob- 
 tained, and she had become every day since more convinced of 
 the wisdom of her son's choice, loving Constance as her own 
 daughter. Her delight, therefore, may be imagined, when so 
 unexpectedly informed of Mr. Beauchamp's certain advance- 
 ment to the peerage, and William rose considerably in her 
 estimation as a desirable match for her niece ; the Earl of 
 Annandale being known as the possessor of very large landed 
 property which went with the title. 
 
BLANCHE IN LOW SPIRITS. 31} 
 
 Of the small family party at dinner that evening, Lady Mal- 
 colm was the only person in buoyant spirits, poor Blanche sitting- 
 silent and depressed. "When the servants withdrew, she rallied 
 her niece on her desponding looks. " Come, my dear, cheer up ; 
 you will scarcely be presentable at Lady Ammore's to-night." 
 
 " Indeed, dear aunt, I hope you will excuse me going with 
 you there, as I am quite unequal to any exertion this evening." 
 
 " Well, my love, you are to do exactly as you please now, in 
 accepting or refusing any invitations ; for, to confess the truth, 
 I have accepted many more than I usually do, entirely on your 
 account, in the full expectation, after the impression you have 
 made, of seeing an announcement in the papers, before the con- 
 clusion of the season, of a certain little ceremony having been 
 performed at St. George's, Hanover Square, between the Mar- 
 quis of A. or D. and the beautiful and accomplished Miss 
 Pouglas, niece to Lady Malcolm of Grosvenor Square. Of 
 course, my dear, there was a little pardonable vanity, on my 
 side, mixed up in this anticipated denouement, but as you appear 
 to think Lady JBeauchamp a much prettier name — to which I 
 quite agree — with the Countess of Annandale in perspective, I 
 have only been building castles in the air to little purpose, like 
 other enthusiastic people. Yet, joking apart, my dear Blanche, 
 I thoroughly approve your choice." 
 
 Blanche, blushing excessively, expressed her thanks for 
 her aunt's kindness and commendation of her lover, when 
 Malcolm added, " Ah, my dear, that Will Beauchamp is a very 
 Bluebeard already, and what will he become with a title tacked 
 to his name ? My gracious ! as Mrs. Summertop says, there 
 will be no living in the same house with him. To begin, my 
 love, he has laid an embargo on you, that you do not attend 
 more than three balls or parties per week, and appointed me 
 keeper of the seals, or private turnkey, to lock you up in your 
 own room every other night after eleven, and it shall be done, 
 Blanche, by Jupiter Amnion ! as the old squire says. Will 
 Beauchamp is a long-headed fellow, and his edicts and opinions 
 are not to be gainsayed ; so now, my love, as you don't go with 
 us to-night, I will see you to your room before I leave the 
 house, and take the key in my pocket. Just fancy Ayrshire's 
 astonishment — anticipating, no doubt, a little tete-a-tete in his 
 sister's boudoir. ' Are we not to have the honour of seeing 
 Miss Douglas to-night 1 ' ' Oh, no, my lord, can't come — very 
 naughty — locked in her room — here's the key.' " 
 
 " Oh, Charles, Charles," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon ; " can't you 
 
312 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 spare your cousin this one night — are your promises so soon 
 forgotten ? '•' 
 
 Blanche burst into tears, and was escaping from the table, 
 when Malcolm sprang from his chair, and throwing himself 
 before her on one knee, seized her hand, exclaiming, " Oh, 
 Blanche ! my dear, soft-hearted girl, will you forgive my ill- 
 timed foolery 1 but, indeed, I thought to rouse your spirits ; 
 that was my only motive, on my honour." 
 
 " Dear Charles, I believe you," she replied ; " but my heart 
 is too full now to bear even a joke — pray let me go to my 
 room." 
 
 " So you shall, my love," opening the door for her ; " but do 
 you forgive me 1 " 
 
 " She may ; but I shall not, Charles," interposed Mrs. Gor- 
 don, taking her niece's arm and leading her away. 
 
 The fourth morning after Beauchamp had left London, Mrs. 
 Gordon received a very affectionate letter from him, with 
 another enclosed for Blanche, written in the most affectionate 
 terms, and enjoining her to be more careful of herself for his 
 sake; telling her also that, having felt persuaded of Lady 
 Malcolm's motives in taking her to so many parties, and 
 witnessing her decreasing health and strength from such exces- 
 sive dissipation, he had deemed it expedient to make her lady- 
 ship acquainted with their relative position, which he hoped 
 would at once put a stop to that incessant whirl of gaiety. 
 After having perused the contents half a dozen times in her 
 own room, Blanche sought Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " There, dear aunt, I must show you this kind, affectionate 
 letter from my own dear William, which has made me so 
 very happy." 
 
 " Then you can read mine in the meantime, my love, which 
 has put me also in high spirits." 
 
 Next to the pleasure of seeing those we love, is the enjoy- 
 ment of seeing their handwriting when separated from us, and 
 the delight of Mrs. Gordon and her niece on perusing Beau- 
 champ's heart-stirring terms of endearment to them both (though 
 rather differently worded as applied to each) is easier to 
 imagine than describe. Lord Malcolm, after a severe lecture 
 from his aunt, now ceased his bantering tone towards his 
 cousin, endeavouring by every attention to make amends for his 
 late conduct to herself and her lover, who, it must be confessed, 
 from the recent disclosure of his high expectations, had become 
 a person of much greater importance than heretofore. Instead 
 
AX UNEXPECTED VISITOR. 313 
 
 of confining them to the hot, dusty ride in the Park, Malcolm 
 now accompanied the two girls on horseback into the country 
 almost every day, and Lord Ayrshire, noticing the hour at 
 which they generally left Grosvenor Square, frequently joined 
 them, although Malcolm gave him no cause for encouragement, 
 pertinaciously adhering to his cousin's side, leaving Constance 
 to be entertained by the Marquis. 
 
 As the family in Grosvenor Square were loitering over a 
 late breakfast, a few days after Beauchamp's departure from 
 town, an unexpected visitor was ushered into the room, in the 
 person of his cousin. " Why, Fred ! " exclaimed Malcolm, 
 greeting him warmly, " who would have thought of seeing you 
 in the mighty Babylon — anything amiss at Bampton ? " 
 " Oh, no, Malcolm ! all right in that quarter." 
 " Then what brought you here, if it is not an impertinent 
 question ? " 
 
 "A certain vehicle called a coach, with four as spicy nags 
 as you could wish to sit behind, from our last stasje at Houns- 
 low." 
 
 " "Well, that I can suppose ; but you are not much of a city 
 mouse." 
 
 " True enough, Malcolm ; but you know one fool makes 
 many, and as Bob Conyers and all the rest of our country 
 neighbours have set the example, you see I have been fool 
 enough to follow it, and take a peep at London life, since it's 
 deuced dull work in the provinces just now. Will returning 
 to do a bit of kennel with the young entry, I've got leave of 
 absence from the governor to have a shy at the Londoners." 
 
 " Ay, ay, Fred, I see how it is ; Beauchamp has sent you up 
 here to look after us all." 
 
 " Begging your pardon, my lord, Will is too knowing a 
 fellow to send a madcap like myself on such an errand, lest I 
 might do a little business on my own account in a certain 
 quarter," with a smile and look at Blanche. " No, no, Malcolm; 
 I should in that case be like the monkey roasting chestnuts." 
 
 "Well, Fred, we are all right glad to see you; and as Will 
 won't look at a certain young widow in a matrimonial point of 
 view, egad, I think she will just suit your book, id. est, if you 
 can take up the running." 
 
 " Then, Malcolm, I've no objection to try my luck, provided 
 she is likely to suit." 
 
 During this dialogue, broken at intervals, Fred had shaken 
 hands with the ladies, and answered various little inquiries 
 
314 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 anent country friends and country affairs, when Malcolm rising, 
 said, " Well, Fred, you dine with us this evening, as a matter 
 of course, and we go to Almack's after wards, when I will intro- 
 duce you to the widow." 
 
 " I hardly know what to say to that proposition, and don't 
 think I can sport brass enough for such an august assembly." 
 
 " Pooh, pooh, Fred ! you have brass enough for anything 
 — faint heart, } T ou know, won't do in these cases. " 
 
 Constance here interposed, saying, if he would accompany 
 them, Blanche would accejrt him as her first partner. 
 
 " Well, Con, that of course decides the matter." 
 
 " And if not wilfully disposed to turn restive," she added, 
 " we will enlist you in our service for the whole of the day, as I 
 have a hundred little things to talk about before the dinner 
 hour." 
 
 " I am quite at your service, my fair cousin," replied Fred • 
 "so do with me as you please." 
 
 " Well, then, we will take a drive after luncheon, in Aunt 
 Gordon's carriage, as I know your dislike to drawing-room 
 work, and show you the belles in the park on our return." 
 
 Malcolm, having an engagement, soon after left the ladies 
 and Fred to get through their time until the carriage came to 
 the door. Yarious conjectures were hazarded on Fred Beau- 
 champ's appearance in Mrs. Gordon's carriage, by the noble 
 Marquis, until he encountered Captain Markham, who at once 
 solved the mystery. " What ! another bunipkin of the Beau- 
 champ family, Markham 1 " 
 
 " Eh ! 'pon honour, Ayrshire, you don't fancy the name 
 much ; but, my fine fellow, take care Fred don't hear you call 
 him a bumpkin, or " 
 
 " What, Markham ? " 
 
 " You'll have to attend a little meeting somewhere in the 
 country pretty soon." 
 
 The Marquis turning away muttered, "Ah, another fool in 
 my path, I suppose." 
 
 On Fred's standing up at Almack's in the first quadrille 
 that night with Blanche Douglas, he had to undergo the ordeal 
 of a first appearance in public or fashionable life, which not 
 altogether relishing, he remarked to his partner : " Some of those 
 dowagers will know me again, I conclude, although my Lord 
 Danby gave me the cut direct just now. By Jove ! if I meet 
 him asrain in the hunting field he shall have cause to remember 
 me to the last hour of his life." 
 
MRS. FORTESCUE'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 
 
 mean the Priory, than joining in this gaiety." 
 
 " Why not have said Barapton, 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 well ; 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 I 
 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, ineffectually, to ascertain the cause 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." 
 
316 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Do you consider him then perfectly irresistible ? " with an 
 arch smile. 
 
 " Oh, no, not quite that ; but he has good sense enough 
 never to propose before being quite certain that he would be 
 accepted." 
 
 " Then he did not propose to Miss Douglas before leaving 
 town 1 " 
 
 " Certainly not." 
 
 " Well, really, the world is very ill-natured ; but perhaps he 
 is engaged to some one else 1 " 
 
 "ISTot to my knowledge; although he does not confide 
 secrets of this kind to me." 
 
 "Probably he has a penchant for some young lady who 
 lives in your neighbourhood ? " 
 
 " That, I suspect, is the case," replied Fred ; " but more I 
 cannot, if I would, tell." 
 
 Mrs. Fortescue had heard too much now, and relapsed into 
 a thoughtful mood, from which she was rallied in turn, by Fred 
 Beaucbamp saying, "You appear to take rather a deep in- 
 terest in my cousin's love affairs. Is he a very old friend of 
 yours 1 " 
 
 " Not very," was the reply ; and a deeper tint stole over her 
 cheeks ; " but we met several times during his short stay in 
 town, and I liked him very much, from being so different to 
 the generality of our foj)s and fine gentlemen. But don't you 
 think Miss Douglas exceedingly lovely ? " 
 
 "Ah, yes," replied Fred, "beautiful — too beautiful — but I 
 look at her as I do at a splendid three hundred-guinea horse — 
 beyond my reach ; and her guardian, Harcourt, will have a peer 
 for his ward — nothing short will do for the heiress. So you see 
 my falling in love with her is a hopeless affair." 
 
 " Then you confess to being in love with her, Mr. Beau- 
 champ 1 " 
 
 " I won't deny," he replied, " that I have been in that 
 predicament ; but the fit has passed, as others have before ; in 
 short, since the age of fourteen, I have always been the slave of 
 Cupid. First, I was smitten by a housemaid at our school, a 
 buxom young lady, nearly six feet high, who knocked out the 
 first flame by knocking me off a high-backed chair, on which I 
 had perched myself to snatch a kiss from my enchantress. In 
 falling against the edge of the table, a black eye was the conse- 
 quence, for which, not being able to give a satisfactory explana- 
 tion to our master, who declared I had been fighting with 
 
FRED EEAUCHAMPS LOVE SCRAPES. 317 
 
 another boy, I got a thorough good flogging. This cooled my 
 courage for a twelvemonth ; after which I had a desperate 
 affair with the daughter of the village schoolmaster — possessing 
 a very red face, snub nose, and black, glossy ringlets. The 
 flame being reciprocal, clandestine meetings, billets doux, and 
 little presents followed ; but one from my Dulcinea, a lock of 
 hair, nearly extinguished the fire, as well as your humble 
 servant at the same time." 
 
 " Pray may I ask how, Mr. Beauchamp % " 
 
 " Oh, certainly, if it will afford you any satisfaction to know 
 how silly I was in my teens. Well, you must know then, 
 that of this precious lock I swallowed one hair per night, at bed- 
 time — such was the devouring nature of my passion." 
 
 " Really, Mr. Beauchamp," exclaimed the gay widow, laugh- 
 ing at the drollery of the thing, "you must be joking now, to 
 see how much / can swallow.'''' 
 
 " Well may you laugh at such an absurdity ! " continued 
 Fred, "but, 'pon honour, it is perfectly true. I had nearly 
 eaten up the lock, hair by hair, when one night, from an over- 
 exciting meeting with my beloved, I took an extra allowance, 
 two or three together, which, sticking in my throat, nearly 
 choked me ; in short, I had a te>-breadth escape of my life, 
 from being patted on the back by the strapping housemaid — 
 who came in to take our candles away — until the breath was 
 knocked out of my body." 
 
 " Oh, Mr. Beauchamp, how very ridiculous ! " 
 
 " Yes, ridiculous enough ; and it surprises me now to think 
 how I ever could have been such a ninny." 
 
 " Well, but how did this love affair terminate 1 " 
 
 " Bather tragically ; my master having caught me kneeling 
 at my fair one's feet one evening in a secluded arbour, gave me 
 a precious good caning, upbraiding me the while for being a 
 sallow-faced, hook-nosed, sparrow-legged dog, in the presence 
 of the young lady, by which my amour pvopre was more hurt 
 than my back ; and my enchantress not exhibiting much com- 
 passion at my distressed situation, but rather inclined, I thought, 
 to titter at these insulting epithets, flame number two was thus 
 quickly put out. I had, it is true, formed a desperate resolution 
 of covering my shame and love together in a duck-pond ; but 
 the water looked so extremely dark and disgusting, that the 
 idea of spoiling a new pair of white trousers saved me. Since 
 then, with the exception of looking at Blanche Douglas in the 
 same light as a cat is said to look at a king, from a respectful 
 
318 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 distance, I have preserved a very decided antipathy to throw 
 myself at any young lady's feet. In short, before committing 
 myself the third time, which it is said pays for all, but how is not 
 sufficiently explained, I purpose advancing very cautiously, by 
 asking the third flame, as a preliminary to further proceedings, 
 whether I may fall in love with her or not." 
 
 " You have given me a veiy amusing account of yourself, 
 Mr. Beauchamp ; and I can only wish you success in your next 
 adventure." 
 
 " Thank you, Mrs. Fortescue ; but will you assist me also, in 
 case I meet a lady here to-night, who takes my fancy 1 " 
 
 "Oh, certainly," she replied, laughing; "if I have any 
 influence with the fair one." 
 
 " A thousand thanks," he replied, gaily. " I shall not forget 
 your promise ; and now, I conclude, our dance being ended, I 
 must thank you for the honour you have done me in accepting 
 my hand, and wish you good night." 
 
 They thus parted, and it must be confessed that Fred's 
 handsome person and unaffected manners made a favourable 
 impression on the young widow. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIIL 
 
 Beauchamp's sudden disappearance from London, coupled with 
 the unusual gravity of Blanche's demeanour since his departure, 
 gave weight to the rumour originating with Lord Ayrshire, 
 that he had been rejected by the heiress, which imparted fresh 
 impulse to his hopes, as well as to her other admirers — except 
 Lord Danby, who was puzzled how to account for Lord Mal- 
 colm's coolness to him since his mother's ball. 
 
 "I cannot understand them," observed Lord Danby to 
 Ayrshire one day, when they were discussing the subject. 
 "Malcolm has certainly taken offence at my not inviting 
 Beauchamp ; and Miss Douglas, too, by her altered manner 
 when we meet — in fact, she will scarcely speak to me : how 
 then can Beauchamp be rejected 1 ?" 
 
 " Simply enough, my dear fellow. Malcolm and his cousin 
 may both like Beauchamp well enough — too well to pass over any 
 slight offered to him ; but, depend upon it, Lady Malcolm looks 
 higher for her niece, and therefore the young country squire has 
 
AN ERRONEOUS SURMISE. 319 
 
 had his dismissal — nothing more likely, and I am satisfied in 
 my own mind this is the fact." 
 
 "Well, Ayrshire, I quite agree with you that this is a 
 very natural solution of the mystery ; and knowing before her 
 guardian's decided objection to this young pretender, I think 
 it more than probable that he has been ordered to the right- 
 about." 
 
 Blanche's returning cheerfulness, after the receipt of Beau- 
 champ's letter, tended also to impress Lord Ayrshire (who had 
 joined them again in their ride that afternoon) with the idea 
 that the wound inflicted on the heart of Miss Douglas by her 
 lover's dismissal was one of a very superficial character, and he 
 argued with himself — 
 
 " Ah, young girls brought up in the country have always 
 some bumpkin hankering about them, with whom they fancy 
 themselves terribly in love, until the delusion is dispelled by 
 their coming to London and meeting well-bred, polite men of the 
 world ; they then wonder at the absurdity of their first foolish, 
 romantic penchant for a fellow who has not two ideas in his 
 head, beyond the price of corn and cattle ; and whose fund of 
 entertainment consists of a few threadbare sporting anecdotes, 
 too coarse for a lady's ear. A few tears, of course, at parting ; 
 and, by the end of the first week, Colin is forgotten ! " 
 
 There was another cause, also, for Blanche's cheerfulness — 
 Lady Malcolm's knowledge and full approval of her choice, 
 which she believed would carry great weight with her guardian ; 
 so that she felt comparatively at ease on that point, and in. 
 good humour with every one and everything around her. On 
 this morning her pretty Arab obtained an unusual share of 
 caresses and pattings from the hand of his fair mistress, and Lord 
 Ayrshire's sparkling conversation elicited her approving smiles. 
 
 It was now the Harcourts' turn for a grand display — invita- 
 tions having been issued a month previously, to ensure a full 
 attendance for a ball to take place that night ; and it being 
 generally known by this time that Mr. Harcourt was Miss 
 Douglas's guardian, admittance to their party was eagerly 
 sought by all the fashionable young men about town. Mrs. 
 Harcourt, as may be supposed, derived no trifling satisfaction 
 from observing the crowd of aristocratic admirers pressing round 
 her niece, all anxious for a share of her smiles ; but Lord 
 Ayrshire, from his great wealth, and as leader of ton, had 
 become her especial favourite. 
 
 After having met Mr. Harcourt at Lady Malcolm's, the 
 
320 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Marquis continued his acquaintance, cards were exchanged, and 
 invitations followed, so that the two families were now on visit- 
 ing terms, and Lord Ayrshire had dined in Upper Brook Street 
 two or three times previously to the Harcourts' ball, when he 
 ingratiated himself into the lady's favour by bestowing the most 
 high-flown panegyrics on her niece, declaring her, without 
 exception, the belle of the season. Mrs. Harcourt in turn 
 descanted on her many amiable qualities, and gave a glowing 
 description of her fine mansion and large landed property in ; 
 Scotland, with a hint of their expectations that she would form 
 some suitable alliance. Having made these preliminary obser- 
 vations, Mrs. Harcourt flattered herself that, before the close of 
 the season, she should see her niece Marchioness of Ayrshire ; 
 and so in all probability she would, had Blanche been ambitious 
 of this distinction. 
 
 On this night, Lady Arnmore, sitting near Mrs. Harcourt, 
 when her brother was dancing with Miss Douglas, remarked, 
 " I have never seen George so unremittingly attentive to any 
 young lady as he has been to Miss Douglas since our first ball. 
 We have long given him up as a confirmed bachelor, but I 
 really begin to think he is caught at last, and now for the first 
 time seriously in love." 
 
 " My niece," replied Mrs. Harcourt, thinking to enhance her 
 value, "has very peculiar ideas on marriage, and having a 
 splendid fortune of her own, will neither marry for title nor 
 money alone." 
 
 " Well really, Mrs. Harcourt, they appear mutually pleased 
 with each other at present. Miss Douglas is the very person to 
 suit my brother, and provided he is sufficiently agreeable to her, 
 I think it will be a case for St. George's Chapel ere long." 
 
 The fact was that Blanche, having met several of her old 
 country friends that night — the Markhams, Rollestons, Conrp- 
 tons, and others — felt more at home and in higher spirits than 
 usual, which Lord Ayrshire interpreting in his favour, and at- 
 tributing to his own very delightful society, presumed to ask 
 for a second dance. That request, reminding her at once of her 
 absent lover's advice on this point, caused an instantaneous re- 
 vulsion of feeling and gravity of features. The thought passed 
 like a flash of lightning through her mind — "What would he say 
 to my gaiety to-night, whilst he is sitting at his lonely fireside, 
 thinking of his own dear Blanche ? " For a moment she became 
 lost in reverie, but on the question being repeated by Lord 
 Ayrshire, she replied, with some appearance of hauteur, "I 
 
LORD AYRSHIRE S IMPORTUNITY REBUFFED. 321 
 
 have made a rule, my lord, never to dance twice on the same 
 night with any partner." 
 
 "There are exceptions to all general rules, Miss Douglas, and 
 I hope you will permit me to claim the privilege of being an 
 exception to yours." 
 
 " I am sorry, my lord, I cannot grant you that privilege," 
 was the reply. 
 
 " Then do you really never make any exception to this rigid 
 rule?" 
 
 " Very rarely, and only in favour of very old friends." 
 
 " Of whom, Miss Douglas, I conceive you must know very 
 few who would be likely to ask for your hand in a ball-room." 
 
 " Whether few or many," replied Blanche, highly offended, 
 "the Marquis of Ayrshire has not been known to me long 
 enough to be included in that number." 
 
 " I beg a thousand pardons for giving this unintentional 
 offence, but my meaning was that very old people are not gene- 
 rally very partial to dancing." 
 
 " And yet, my lord, my very old friends need not necessarily 
 be very old persons • for instance, my cousin Malcolm, who is 
 only a few years older than myself ; but having known him from 
 childhood, he is one of my very oldest friends." 
 
 " I stand corrected, Miss Douglas, for my futile attempt at 
 jocularity, which appears to have been exceedingly ill-timed ; but, 
 believe me, no reflection whatever was intended on your friends." 
 
 Blanche made no reply, and Lord Ayrshire puzzled his brain 
 in vain to account for her unexpected transition from light good 
 humour to grave formality. But the dance being concluded, 
 he was obliged to resign her hand without the opportunity of 
 obtaining any further elucidation. 
 
 On entering the room that night, Selina Markham had sug- 
 gested that they should sit through one quadrille together to 
 have a chat, to which Blanche assented. " You are almost 
 danced off your legs, my dear, and were I in your place, I would 
 see half these fine fellows smothered in the Serpentine mud 
 before I would fag myself to death by accepting them for part- 
 ners, night after night, as you do. So hold yourself engaged to 
 me — as I have a little bit of gossip to talk about — for one 
 quadrille." 
 
 " "Won't it look very strange, Selina, for us both to be sitting 
 together V 
 
 "Not in the least, my dear, only missed our partners, or they 
 missed us — nothing more common in such crowds as these." 
 
 u 
 
322 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 At the appointed time, therefore, the two girls ensconsed 
 themselves in the most retired seats of the apartments they could 
 select, hoping to escape observation. 
 
 "There, I declare," exclaimed Selina, "that jackanapes 
 Bayntun has found us out already ; " as he approached with, 
 " May I have the honour, Miss Douglas ? " 
 
 " No, you can't," said Selina, " she's engaged as well as 
 myself." 
 
 n Yery odd, Miss Markham, that you should both have lost 
 your partners." 
 
 " Your lordship is always thinking about the odds," replied 
 Selina ; " but, whether odd or even, we hav'n't lost our partners, 
 and as you can keep a stable secret, I will tell you a ball-room- 
 one. We are both tired of dancing, and therefore have decided 
 on a little respite. You know what running a horse off his legs 
 means, so have a little compassion on Miss Douglas." 
 
 " Then will you allow me the next dance after this, Miss 
 Douglas ? " 
 
 An assent being given, Selina added, " On the condition 
 that you leave us now to ourselves," with which Lord Henry 
 bowed and withdrew. 
 
 " Well, my dear Blanche, what a bore it must be to be a 
 belle, listening night after night to all the soft twaddle of so 
 many soft heads. I declare it would drive me distracted, or send 
 me to sleep, and I advise you to pick out half-a-dozen of your 
 best and richest admirers to choose from, and turn the rest 
 adrift, for it is high time to make up your mind, and select one 
 pet to keep the others off from so continually pestering you 
 with their attentions. A fwopos, the on dit is, in well-informed 
 circles, that Lady Malcolm has given Will Beauchamp his conge 
 for proposing to her niece, and that his travelling ticket was 
 made out at a moment's notice, and it does appear very strange 
 that he left in such a vast hurry, without the slightest notice 
 to any one." 
 
 " And pray, Selina, of whom did you hear this news ? " 
 
 " My brother Ned says it is the general talk at the clubs, 
 where, by the way, there is more gossip discussed than at any 
 old woman's tea-party. Those clubs, my dear are the cause of 
 quarrels and dissensions among married couples, almost innu- 
 merable, and mischief incalculable — destructive of connubial 
 bliss ; for, on the slightest pretences, the husband flies off to his 
 club, then somewhere else, and leaves his poor young wife mop- 
 ing at home. In short, I recommend you to make it a condition 
 
SELINA FINDS HER MATCH. 323 
 
 in your marriage articles, that the Marquis is to resign his club, 
 or forfeit an additional thousand a-year to you as pin-money." 
 
 " What Marquis are you talking of, Selina ? " 
 
 " Oh, the Marquis £><zr excellence — the all-accomplished, all- 
 learned, most agreeable, most rich, most noble Marquis of Ayr- 
 shire ; who, report says, has laid all his honours, riches, and his 
 own proud, supercilious, precious person, at your feet." 
 
 " My dear Selina, you are talking great nonsense ; he has 
 done nothing of the kind." 
 
 " Ah, well, my dear, then that honour is in store for you. 
 A pleasure only deferred." 
 
 " You are quite mistaken, Selina ; such an idea, perhaps, has 
 never entered into his head ; but our tete-a-tcte is at an end, 
 as I see Lord Henry approaching." 
 
 Selina, with the curiosity natural to her sex, was very 
 anxious to ascertain how her friend stood in regard to Beau- 
 champ and Lord Ayrshire ! the latter being openly spoken of as 
 the object of her selection from the host of her other admirers. 
 But Blanche possessed sufficient caution never to betray her 
 secret ; and left Selina in the dark as to her true feelings. 
 
 The next morning, at breakfast, she received a few hurried 
 lines from Beauchamp, informing her that his father had just 
 been summoned to attend the Earl of Annandale, who, being 
 considered by his physician in a declining state, and not likely 
 to recover, they were setting off immediately for the North ; 
 but that she should hear from him again, on his arrival at An- 
 nandale Castle. 
 
 On this intelligence being communicated to Malcolm, he ex* 
 claimed : — 
 
 " My stars ! Blanche, here's a go ! as Selina says, Lord 
 Beauchamp and my Lady Constance ! Why, Con, I suppose 
 you will order me to the right-about at once ; and as to my 
 Lord Beauchamp, there will be no bearing him now." 
 
 " Titles or riches will never alter either one or the other, 
 Charles," said Mrs. Gordon ; " and I am quite sure that William 
 will never rejoice at any man's death, although that should 
 open his path to title and wealth." 
 
 " Of course not, my dear aunt ; but as people now-a-days do 
 not attain the age of Methuselah, when a man has counted 
 ninety years, he cannot reasonably complain that his span of 
 life has been cut very short ; and this event, whenever it may 
 happen, will place Beauchamp in a position to render Blanche 
 independent of her guardian's powers or favours." 
 
 u 2 
 
324 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Immediately after breakfast, Malcolm conveyed the news to 
 his mother, who could not suppress her delight at the prospect 
 of her future daughter-in-law's advancement, as well as at Beau- 
 champ's elevation to a higher sphere. "And now, Charles," 
 she added, " I suppose the secret may be disclosed 1 " 
 
 " Oh, no, my dear mother, our lips are sealed until Beauchamp 
 allows us to open them — that was the condition ; and our pro- 
 mises must be faithfully maintained. Moreover, the event has 
 not yet happened ; and should the old peer take a fresh lease, 
 we should only be laughed at and despised for reckoning our 
 chickens before they are hatched." 
 
 The same afternoon, when Blanche and Constance, with 
 Malcolm and Fred, had set out for their usual ride, Mr. Har- 
 court called in Grosvenor Square, and, finding Lady Malcolm at 
 home, opened his commission by informing her of the joyful 
 realisation of his and Mrs. Harcourt's wishes, that morning, by 
 a proposal from the Marquis of Ayrshire for her niece's hand. 
 " This is really quite beyond our expectations, Lady Malcolm, 
 as the Marquis is enormously rich ; and he has offered, in the 
 most handsome manner, to settle the whole of her fortune, with 
 a large addition from his own, strictly upon herself, in case of 
 his decease, and five thousand a-year entirely at her own dis- 
 posal during his life." 
 
 "Very liberal indeed," replied Lady Malcolm, rather 
 coolly. 
 
 " Then I presume, on the part of your niece, your ladyship 
 will at once accept Lord Ayrshire's proposals, as I believe she 
 has already given him sufficient encouragement to expect a 
 favourable answer." 
 
 " There, Mr. Harcourt, I think Lord Ayrshire must be 
 under some delusion ; as, from my own observation, Blanche 
 has not given him any encouragement at all; in fact, from his 
 lordship's well-known character of playing the flirt with young 
 girls, she received a caution from me at first to be on her 
 guard ; and I do not believe she ever entertained the most 
 remote idea of accepting his attentions as a suitor, although 
 finding him agreeable enough as an acquaintance." 
 
 " I am quite astonished, Lady Malcolm, at this unexpected 
 intelligence. What can any girl be thinking of, to refuse such 
 an offer?" 
 
 " Perhaps, Mr. Harcourt, she may be thinking of some one 
 else she likes better." 
 
 "May I beg the favour, then, of your ladyship informing me 
 
A MORTIFYING REFUSAL. 325 
 
 of the name of the person whom Miss Douglas prefers to the 
 Marquis of Ayrshire." 
 
 " That, at present, I am not in a position to reveal, Mr. 
 Harcourt." 
 
 " It is manifest, however, that your ladyship is aware there 
 is such a person, and, as the guardian of Miss Douglas, I hope 
 Lady Malcolm will not think me too presuming in saying that 
 I have a right to know the gentleman's name — probably Mr. 
 Beauchamp, or some needy adventurer in want of her fortune." 
 " Needy adventurers, Mr. Harcourt, are not very likely to 
 obtain my sanction, any more than your own, and it is neither 
 decorous nor complimentary in you to speak in such terms to 
 me, who take an equal, if not superior, interest in my niece's 
 welfare. Yet, as her guardian, I will tell you thus much j the 
 person to whom I allude has as yet made no direct proposal to me 
 for her hand, and therefore it would be premature to mention his 
 name ; but I may say that he is heir to one of the richest earl- 
 doms in England, and in other respects quite unexceptionable." 
 " I am to understand, then, that your ladyship, for my ward, 
 positively declines the Marquis of Ayrshire 1 " 
 
 " Believing that her affections are engaged elsewhere, and 
 certainly knowing that his lordship would not be accepted, I 
 think it would be needless to give any other answer," replied 
 Lady Malcolm, " although we both must feel highly flattered by 
 his lordship's preference." 
 
 Mr. Harcourt, failing to obtain any further information, 
 soon after took his leave, and communicated the result of his 
 interview with Lady Malcolm by letter to his lordship, whose 
 annoyance and irritation at being rejected was so visible that 
 his sister divined the cause. 
 
 " I guess the contents of the letter just delivered, George," 
 she said — " a refusal from Miss Douglas." 
 
 " Yes, my dear Charlotte, it is indeed true, and I feel more 
 chagrined and angry than pained, although I must confess to 
 have taken a deeper interest in Miss Douglas than any girl I 
 have ever known ; but pray, for my reputation at the clubs, 
 don't give a hint even to Arnmore about this business, and I 
 will see Harcourt directly, and obtain his silence also. Were it 
 known in fashionable circles, my travels must be resumed, as I 
 should be the laughing-stock of half London. The fastidious 
 Marquis rejected by a country girl ! would be handed and 
 bandied about by all the Lady Marys and Lady Fannys, render- 
 ing my presence here quite insupportable." 
 
326 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Well, George, on my own account, as well as on yours, not 
 a word shall escape my lips ; but Lord Malcolm and his mother, 
 how will you manage with them 1 " 
 
 " Oh, very well ; Malcolm and I are old friends." 
 
 " And the young lady herself 1 " 
 
 " With her, I am quite safe ; she has too much good sense 
 and proper feeling ever to utter a word derogatory to any 
 person, and notwithstanding my rejection, I must always esteem 
 her." 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 When Blanche returned from her ride, Lady Malcolm told her 
 of Mr. Harcourt's visit, and the answer she had given him. 
 
 " Have I done right, my love, in peremptorily refusing the 
 Marquis 1 " 
 
 " Oh, yes, dear Aunt Malcolm, I am so much obliged by your 
 great kindness in saving me from a scene with Mr. and Mrs. 
 Harcourt; but I am surprised at Lord Ayrshire addressing 
 them on such a subject, after I have so frequently checked 
 every advance he has made to a more intimate acquaintance. 
 Indeed, the night of Mrs. Harcourt's ball, when making some 
 allusion to my friends, I gave him distinctly to understand, in 
 very plain language, that the Marquis of Ayrshire had never 
 been considered by me one of that number." 
 
 " Well, my dear, you acted quite right in undeceiving him, 
 and if he was wilfully blind, you cannot be blamed for leading 
 him astray." 
 
 On the third evening after this communication, as they 
 were all sitting together, with the dessert on the table, the 
 butler entered the room, saying, " There is a man, my lord, in 
 the hall, with a parcel, which he will not deliver to any one but 
 your lordship." 
 
 " What the deuce does the fellow mean 1 " exclaimed Mal- 
 colm, springing up from his chair. 
 
 " I think he said, my lord, he was the guard of the Northern 
 mail." 
 
 " Show him in here, then." 
 
 The man, entering with a low bow, said, " I am intrusted 
 with a parcel to deliver only into the hands of Lord Malcolm, 
 from Annandale Castle, who is to pay me a sovereign, and send 
 
MOURNFUL NEWS. 327 
 
 back an answer by myself; as I shall be on the road a<*ain to- 
 morrow morning by four o'clock." 
 
 " I am the person," replied Malcolm, " so sit down a 
 moment in that chair, and here's something to wash the cob- 
 webs out of your throat," placing a bottle of wine and a glass 
 in his hands. 
 
 Tearing open the parcel, three letters appeared, all in Beau- 
 champ's handwriting. "Here, aunt, and Blanche, one apiece 
 for you, and the other for myself," the contents of which he 
 hastily ran through, and then handing it to his mother, 
 observed, "No ball-going to-night, my dear mother, as Con 
 must be off." 
 
 " Who gave you the parcel, my man 1 " enquired Malcolm. 
 
 " A young gentleman at the Lodge gate gave it to my fellow- 
 guard, my lord, and I think they called him Mr. or Lord Beau- 
 champ, I won't be sure which ; so if your lordship will be kind 
 enough to send a receipt of the contents inside that same paper,. 
 I shall be glad, as I've got a cab waiting to go back into the 
 City." _ 
 
 This was soon done by Malcolm writing a few lines and 
 sealing up the parcel as before, which he handed to the guard, 
 with a couple of sovereigns. " You will be sure this is delivered 
 safe 1 " 
 
 " No fear of that, my lord, when sent by such paymasters — 
 salve like this suits my complaint exactly, my lord ; " with 
 which, and a low bow to the ladies, the guard disappeared. 
 
 The purport of Beauchamp's three letters was the same — 
 that the Earl of Annandale, having heard from him about his 
 sister, was very desirous of seeing her, and had, to defray her 
 expenses, insisted on sending her a draft on London for two 
 hundred pounds. A postscript was added, in which Beauchamp 
 advised her setting off immediately, as the poor old Earl was- 
 evidently declining very fast. 
 
 " Well, Con," exclaimed Malcolm, " we must leave at day- 
 break to-morrow, if dear aunty will go with us 1 " 
 
 "Indeed I will, Charles, most gladly ; so now, my dears, 
 we had better at once prepare for our journey." 
 
 Beauchamp's letter to Blanche was very long and very 
 affectionate, which caused her eyes to fill with tears as she 
 handed it to Lady Malcolm, saying, " Dear aunt, you may judge 
 now whether I ought to love him as I do." 
 
 Lady Malcolm took the letter with her to the drawing-room 
 to read, whilst the two girls went up-stairs to make the necessary 
 
328 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 preparations. Beauchamp gave an account of their arrival at 
 the castle, and the affecting meeting of his father and the old 
 Earl, who had been great friends in early life. Then his scrutiny 
 of himself, to see if he could discover any family likeness — his 
 being made to sit down by his side and give a full description 
 of his sister, with the Earl's impatience to have her sent for 
 without delay ; " and now, my own dear girl," continued Beau- 
 champ, "I must finish this letter, reserving a description of 
 the place to another day, and, in conclusion, I only add that, 
 for your dear sake, I cannot forbear feeling elated at the 
 prospect of that barrier being removed to our union, which, 
 with your guardian's prejudices and worldly ideas, never could 
 have been passed by Mr. William Beauchamp, although, on his 
 own account, he would as soon remain plain Mr. Beauchamp to 
 the end of his life than by one ambitious or avaricious thought 
 do violence to his own feelings by desiring the death of the 
 poor old Earl. He appears, though eccentric, very warm-hearted, 
 and of a generous, noble mind, and it shall be my study to afford 
 him every comfort and consolation which a young man may 
 offer, during the short time which, I fear, remains to him of 
 his now fast waning mortal career." 
 
 When Blanche descended to the drawing-room, Lady Malcolm 
 returned the letter with the remark, " Were anything, my 
 dear girl, wanting to confirm my high opinion of your lover's 
 worth, the beautiful sentiments there expressed would be more 
 than sufficient, and to convince me also that you cannot love him 
 more than he deserves." 
 
 Malcolm, that evening, was more like a boy packing up on 
 leaving school for the holidays, and Aunt Gordon was obliged 
 several times to reprove him for his levity. 
 
 " Well, but, aunty dear, who would not enjoy the prospect 
 of a two hundred-mile journey, with four posters rattling along 
 fourteen miles an hour, and all the expenses paid — the fresh 
 breezes fanning our faces as we whirl along ? Oh ! it will be 
 quite delightful after the hot, dusty rides through the suburbs 
 of this mighty, smoky Babylon — and the handling of some of 
 those thundering big trout in the large lake before the castle ! 
 By Jove ! aunty, but that will be fine fun, and supj>ly her lady- 
 ship's table without sending to the fishmongers." 
 
 The next morning our travellers set out on their journey 
 at five o'clock, and reached their destination the second 
 evening. The old Earl was greatly pleased with Constance, 
 and received Mrs. Gordon and Malcolm in the most friendly 
 
FAITHFUL SERVICE REWARDED. 329 
 
 manner, and from that time the two ladies, from their gentle, 
 unremitting attentions, became two ministering angels in his 
 sight. 
 
 " Ah, my dear, kind friends," exclaimed the old man, a few 
 days after their arrival, " how many happy years have I lost, by 
 not being acquainted with you before, and all owing to my old- 
 fashioned, crabbed habits, in living more like a hermit in his 
 cell than a reasonable being." 
 
 Finding his end drawing near, the Earl sent for a legal 
 adviser, and made great alterations in his will, appointing Mr. 
 Beauchamp and his son sole executors, and bequeathing (after a 
 few legacies to distant connections and his old domestics) the 
 residue of his personal estate, amounting to upwards of two 
 hundred thousand pounds in the funds, to Constance. William 
 Beauchamp having become a great favourite, was sent for to the 
 Earl's private room, to ascertain his views on particular points, 
 and to be entrusted with some confidential communications. 
 
 " I wish to know, my young friend, your opinion how the 
 services of my old faithful servants should be rewarded, and to 
 see if your ideas agree with mine. The old housekeeper will 
 want another home when I am gone." 
 
 "No, my lord," replied Beauchamp, "that she shall never 
 require as long as she prefers remaining here. My father and 
 myself will never dismiss one of your old favourites. The butler, 
 housekeeper, head keeper, and gardener shall never leave their 
 present situations, except at their own desire." 
 
 " But I have left each of them a hundred a-year after my 
 decease." 
 
 " Well, my lord," replied Beauchamp, " I think they well 
 deserve it ; and should they prefer living by themselves, instead 
 of occupying their present apartments in the castle (in which it 
 is our wish to continue them), we will add another fifty pounds 
 yearly to each, in the place of wages." 
 
 " Then, my dear boy, there are my old pets, horses, dogs, 
 and I know not what, and the books and furniture in my own 
 sitting-room, which I do not wish removed." 
 
 " All shall remain in their present position, my dear lord — 
 even the sparrows at your window shall not be molested. But 
 why trouble yourself with these harrowing details 1 for believe 
 me, on the word of a true Beauchamp, every wish of your heart 
 shall be religiously observed by my father and myself. Give 
 me only your instructions, and they shall be carefully carried 
 out." 
 
330 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " I am content, my dear boy, for I see in your face candour 
 and kindness of disposition combined, and I will trust you 
 imjilicitly." 
 
 " Thank you, my dear lord, for that confidence, which shall 
 never be abused." 
 
 "One wish still remains ungratified, "William-^can it be 
 realised % " 
 
 " If in my power, you have only to mention it." 
 
 " I long to see your future bride, of whom Constance and 
 Mrs. Gordon have given me such a glowing description." 
 
 "You shall see her, by God's permission, as soon as horses 
 can convey her to Annandale Castle ; and I am sure Lord 
 Malcolm will most willingly set out to London immediately for 
 that purpose." 
 
 Malcolm, who enjoyed travelling, left by the mail that same 
 night, and returned the third evening with Blanche, who was 
 delighted to leave London, and join once more in the country 
 all those she loved. As the old Earl, holding her hand in his ? 
 gazed on her lovely features and soft, beaming eyes, he exclaimed, 
 " Your friends, my dear, have not done you justice — even their 
 glowing description comes far short of the reality. Accept an 
 old man's best thanks for complying with his last earthly wish, 
 although it was not from mere curiosity alone I desired to see 
 you here, and have occasioned you a long, tiresome journey." 
 
 <■' To afford you the least comfort or satisfaction, my lord, I 
 would willingly have travelled twice that distance." 
 
 " Thank you, my dear, for that pretty speech, and now Mrs. 
 Gordon will kindly show you to your room." 
 
 " Well, my dear boy," remarked the Earl, when she had left 
 them, " you are one of the most fortunate men in the world to 
 have secured the affections of that sweet, lovely girl." 
 
 " Indeed, my dear lord, she is far beyond my deserts, and I 
 am most thankful and grateful for such a treasure." 
 
 " Yes, my boy, and so you ought to be, although in my 
 opinion you. both appear exactly suited to each other." 
 
 The next morning Blanche took a short stroll -with Beau- 
 champ before breakfast, and on returning with the colour 
 mantling in her cheek, the old Earl appeared fascinated with 
 her radiant beauty, and unable to withdraw his eyes from her 
 face. He whispered to Mrs. Gordon, " Your dear, gentle niece- 
 looks like a being from a brighter sphere, with that angelic 
 smile and dazzling complexion." The society of these cheerful 
 guests gave a momentary impulse to the expiring energies of 
 
BLANCHE REFUSES A MUNIFICENT GIFT. 331 
 
 the aged peer, and for some days lie appeared to be gaining 
 strength. One morning he took Blanche to his private room, 
 and unlocking an iron closet, showed her the family jewels, 
 which had been deposited there since the death of the late 
 countess. 
 
 "There, my dear girl, are diamonds and other precious 
 stones, and valuable trinkets, which once belonged to my poor, 
 dear, departed wife, and into your keeping I now entrust them, 
 for which purpose I wished to see you here and give them into 
 your own hands; there is an inventory, my love — -we must assure 
 ourselves that none are missing, so lay them out on the table." 
 
 "Indeed, my lord, I cannot accept your too munificent 
 offer." 
 
 " And why not, my child 1 " 
 
 No answer was returned ; but a deep blush overspread her 
 face, suffusing her very brow, and her eyes were riveted on the 
 ground. 
 
 " I know what is passing in your thoughts, my dear girl," 
 added the Earl ; " you are not yet Beauchamp's wife ; but tell 
 me truly, do you prefer another to him I " 
 
 " Oh ! no, no, my lord — all my hopes of happiness are 
 
 centred in him alone ; but perhaps he may " 
 
 " What, my child ! prefer another to you ? Does he, did he 
 ever love any other but yourself '? " 
 
 "Indeed, I believe he never has, my lord." 
 " Then rest assured, my dear child, he never can — -for where 
 would he find a second Blanche Douglas 1 so now do as I desire, 
 and let us both compare the list with the contents." 
 
 " I will willingly assist you,, my lord, in that work, if you 
 desire ; but in my present position, I trust you will pardon me 
 for maintaining my purpose of declining to accept the family 
 jewels." 
 
 "Well, child, I respect your delicacy, and will not press 
 you further now, only assist me in my examination," which 
 occupied them for some considerable time, the Earl noticing and 
 commenting on the value of each ornament ; ami when all 
 were found correct, and returned to the closet, the key was 
 again offered to Blanche, who, with tears in her eyes, begged to 
 be excused taking it. 
 
 " Indeed, my lord, I feel your kindness more than I possibly 
 can express, and it pains me to refuse you ; but I cannot over- 
 come my repugnance to presume on a situation which, by some 
 unforeseen event, perhaps may never be my lot to fill." 
 
332 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "Well, well, child," said the Earl, rather impatiently, "you 
 have disappointed me in the pleasure I anticipated ; but your 
 Aunt Gordon will not refuse the trust I shall repose in her, and 
 keep this key for you. So now give me your arm down-stairs, 
 but not another word, unless you would distress me more than 
 you have done already." 
 
 With Beauchamp and the ladies' assistance, the Earl had 
 beer enabled to walk up and down stairs, and after breakfast 
 was generally wheeled in his easy garden chair about the lawn, 
 which was several acres in extent, reaching down to the lake, 
 over whose silvery surface some favourite swans (one nearly his 
 equal in age) asserted their dignified supremacy, holding the 
 other wild fowl in terror of their sway. A servant carried a 
 small basket filled with corn and bread, with which his pets 
 were fed from the Earl's own hand, and with Blanche and 
 Constance on either side, his morning was thus spent ; whilst 
 the old squire, Malcolm, and Beauchamp rode about the coun- 
 try, visiting the farm-houses belonging to the domain. The 
 reaction from this temporary excitement was soon, however, 
 apparent to all, and the poor old man, becoming exhausted by 
 his forced exertions, was, at the end of ten days after Blanche's 
 arrival, obliged, from excessive weakness, to keep to his own 
 apartment, which he was never again destined to leave ; Mrs. 
 Gordon and Beauchamp sitting and reading to him, by turns, 
 portions of Scripture and religious books, from which he derived 
 consolation and support. 
 
 The night in which he breathed his last, the aged Earl called 
 the family to his bedside, and joining the hands of the two 
 affianced couples together, invoked (like the patriarchs of olden 
 times) a blessing on their heads. Taking then an affectionate 
 and impressive leave of Mr. Beauchamp and Mrs. Gordon, he 
 sank back on his pillow, exhausted of his last remaining 
 strength, and continued in a state of stupor for some hours, 
 William Beauchamp sitting by his bedside ; his name was once 
 more uttered in a low tone, scarcely above a whisper. 
 
 " I am here, my dear lord ; do you want anything 1 Pray 
 take this cordial to revive you." 
 
 " No, my dear boy ; I have done with the things of this 
 world. Oh ! what will be the next ? " 
 
 " A far more glorious one than this, where, by God's mercy, 
 we shall all meet again, never more to part." 
 
 " William," he whispered, " I almost despair of reaching 
 that better world." 
 
THE EARL "FALLS ASLEEP." '6'6'5 
 
 " Oh ! my dear lord," replied Beauchamp, in an impressive 
 voice ; " let not the Christian despair, who has God for his 
 Father, Christ for his Saviour, and heaven for his home." 
 
 A smile for a moment stole over the attenuated features of 
 the dying peer ; his hold on Beauchamp' s hand relaxed, and he 
 fell asleep, to wake no more in this world of sorrow. 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 
 After the last sad rites had been paid to the deceased Earl, and 
 his remains deposited in the family vault, Mrs. Gordon, with 
 Constance, Blanche, and Malcolm, set out on their return to 
 London, leaving Beauchamp and his father at the castle. 
 
 We must now take a retrospective view of what had been 
 occurring in town since their hasty departure, which, of course, 
 being soon known, created no little curiosity in fashionable 
 circles, as well as amongst Blanche's admirers, to ascertain the 
 cause of their sudden flight. But Lady Malcolm, at her son's 
 desire, would afford no further information (neither would 
 Fred Beauchamp) than that they had gone into the country for 
 a few days, but would return again to town shortly; with 
 which all were obliged to rest contented. 
 
 As Mrs. Harcourt was sitting at breakfast one morning, 
 scanning the column in the Morning Post appropriated to 
 births, marriages, and deaths, to which her attention was always 
 first directed, as customary with many of her sex, she ex- 
 claimed : — 
 
 " Goodness, Mr. Harcourt ; wonders will never cease. Only 
 hear this : — 
 
 " ' At Annandale Castle, the Earl of Annandale, in his 
 ninety-sixth year. He is succeeded in his title and vast 
 estates by Mr. Beauchamp, of Bampton House (now seventh 
 Earl of Annandale), who, with his son and daughter, have been 
 staying at the Castle for some time.' 
 
 " Impossible ! this must be a hoax ! " 
 
 " A hoax, my dear ! Who do you think would put such a 
 thing in print, unless it were true 1 " 
 
 " Oh ! Selina Markham ; just to annoy me." 
 
 " Pooh ! nonsense ! but now Lady Malcolm's mystery is 
 explained — of her niece being attached to the heir of one of the 
 
334 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 richest earldoms in the kingdom — here he is — William Beau- 
 champ : then Mrs. Gordon's departure with Constance and 
 Blanche, following so soon after — why, the fact is, no doubt, 
 they have all been staying at Annandale Castle." 
 
 " "Well, I think it is unpardonable in Lady Malcolm and 
 Mrs. Gordon keeping us in the dark so long." 
 
 " That is our own fault, my dear, for speaking so often in a 
 derogatory tone of Mr. Beauchamp, who is a great favourite 
 with both those ladies ; and therefore they have kept the secret 
 to themselves." 
 
 " Still, Mr. Harcourt, were he a duke, instead of Lord 
 Beauchamp, as I suppose he must now be called, he shall never 
 have my consent to marry my niece." 
 
 " You need not trouble yourself, my dear, as your consent is 
 not necessary." 
 
 " Then yours, as her guardian, is ; and if you have the spirit 
 of a mouse, which I sometimes doubt, you will not submit to be 
 insulted and despised in this barefaced manner." 
 
 " I must be guided by circumstances, Mrs. Harcourt, and 
 do not intend to follow your example, by losing my temper 
 when there is no occasion for it. You appear to forget all 
 about the trial, and are blind to the fact that Mrs. Gordon is 
 joint guardian with myself to Miss Douglas. What would my 
 opposition be now worth, with Lady Malcolm's influence thrown 
 into the scale against me ? Nothing, Mrs. Harcourt ; literally 
 worse than nothing ! I should, in that case, be insulted and de- 
 spised to my face, as you are pleased to say I have been already." 
 
 " Oh, I see. You wish to curry favour with the ruling 
 powers ; and the Earl of Annandale is, of course, a very 
 different person to the old fox-hunting Squire of Bampton." 
 
 " Undoubtedly, my dear, he is, as a peer of the realm ; and 
 Lord Beauchamp is now entitled to demand the hand of Miss 
 Douglas. In short, the Lord Chancellor, if appealed to on the 
 subject, would, without hesitation, give his approval to the 
 marriage." 
 
 " I hate those Beauchamps, Mr. Harcourt — the son particu- 
 larly, who has occasioned us such disgrace in that trial ; and I 
 had rather have seen Blanche Douglas Lord Vancourt's wife, 
 bad as he was, than William Beauchamp' s bride." 
 
 " You ought to be ashamed to express such feelings, what- 
 ever may be your secret thoughts, Mrs. Harcourt. Mr. Beau- 
 champ behaved with great courage and forbearance throughout 
 that unfortunate affair, and acted as I should myself." 
 
FUEL FOR MRS. HARCOURT's ENVY. 335 
 
 " As you would, indeed ; why, at the very sight of Lord 
 Vancourt's pistol, you would have fallen into a fit." 
 
 "I shall not submit to your taunts a moment longer, 
 madam," exclaimed her indignant husband, rising from his 
 ■chair ; " and if Lord Beauchamp were to become plain Mr. 
 Beauchamp again to-morrow, he should marry my ward with 
 my full consent ; " saying which, he left the room in a furious 
 passion. 
 
 The day after Lord Malcolm's return to London, he met 
 Mr. Harcourt at his own door, when walking through Brook 
 Street. 
 
 " Ah, my lord," exclaimed he, " I'm glad to see you in town 
 ;again ; we wondered where you had all gone to." 
 
 " Only a little trip into the North, my dear sir, which is the 
 most delightful journey I ever made in my life ; and something 
 in your way, profitable, too." 
 
 " Oh, indeed, Malcolm ; a little windfall— eh ? " 
 
 " No, my dear sir ; an uncommonly heavy one. What 
 would you say to bagging two hundred thousand pounds ? " 
 
 " Oh, you are joking, Malcolm ; some of your usual fun, I 
 suppose." 
 
 " Well, it is not a bad joke that my betrothed wife, now 
 Lady Constance Beauchamp, has been left by the old peer just 
 the sum I named — hard money in the funds." 
 
 " What ! two hundred thousand pounds ? " 
 
 " Yes, Mr. Harcourt, as certain as that you are standing in 
 this street, with a few odds and ends besides. These were only 
 liis savings from the rents." 
 
 " Indeed, my dear Malcolm, I am rejoiced to hear of your 
 good fortune. Then the present Earl, I conclude, has succeeded 
 to something very considerable ? " 
 
 " The rental, to my knowledge, exceeds fifty thousand a- 
 year — so now, good morning, and pray give my compliments to 
 Mrs. Harcourt with this pleasing intelligence about the penni- 
 less fox-hunting Beauchamp." 
 
 Nothing could exceed the surprise and delight of Lady 
 Malcolm on learning from her son the magnificent bequest of 
 the late Earl. 
 
 " Why, my dear child, how lovely you must have appeared 
 in his eyes." 
 
 " She was kind and affectionate to the dear old man," re- 
 plied Mrs. Gordon, "as she ever is to all who deserve her 
 love." 
 
336 . THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " And, my dear Blanche — was he fond of her ? " 
 
 " As she was of him ; and he has given her all the family 
 jewels, which she persisted in refusing, until she became en- 
 titled to them — so these are under my care at present." 
 
 "Which," said Lady Malcolm, tl I hope will not be long. 
 Well, my dear children, I am overjoyed at your good fortune ; 
 and now our gaiety must cease for a time, which I shall not in 
 the least regret." 
 
 Lord Malcolm, who had passed hitherto as a poor Scotch 
 nobleman, about to commit great folly in marrying a country 
 squire's daughter, failed not to acquaint two or three of his 
 most confidential friends with his intended wife's great accession 
 of fortune, the news of which he knew would travel post haste 
 through the clubs in London. 
 
 " Eh, demmit ! " exclaimed the Captain to Lord Henry 
 Bayntun, as he was lounging at the club window in St. James's 
 Street, " that fellow Malcolm has picked up one worth having, 
 after all — just two hundred thousand yellow boys — 'pon honour, 
 what a prize ! " 
 
 " What do you mean, Markham 1 " inquired Lord Henry. 
 
 " That Lady Constance, Will Beauchamp's sister, has had 
 that sum left her by the late Earl of Annandale, and she is 
 engaged to Malcolm." 
 
 " I'll bet you a pony it is all chaff," replied Lord Henry. 
 
 " Done, Bayntun — make it fifty, or a hundred, if you like." 
 
 " No, a pony will do ; but how is the bet to be decided 1 " 
 
 "Doctors' Commons, old fellow — read the will — no mistake 
 there." 
 
 Lord Ayrshire, although experiencing great relief in the 
 disappearance of Miss Douglas from the fashionable world after 
 his rejection, could not suppress his curiosity, on meeting Lord 
 Malcolm, to know the truth of the reports in circulation, and 
 congratulated him on his good fortune. " You have kept things 
 very close, Malcolm, between yourself and Miss Beauchamp, 
 although I suspected how the case stood." 
 
 " You forget my warning in Tattersall's yard — that Miss 
 Beauchamp was certainly bespoken, if not Miss Douglas also ; 
 but a ' wilfu' mon maun have his way,' as we say in Scotland, 
 and had you followed my advice, you would have spared your- 
 self the disagreeable necessity of being further enlightened on 
 this matter." 
 
 " Oh, then, I suppose Mr. Harcourt has informed you what 
 occurred in your absence 1 " 
 
AX UNWELCOME VISITOR. 337 
 
 '* No, Ayrshire, not a word has escaped Mr. Harcourt' s lips, 
 that I am aware of, on this subject ; but Lady Malcolm has oi 
 course confided to me your proposal for my cousin, which you 
 may feel assured will go no further." 
 
 " I thank you, Malcolm, for this kind consideration, as you 
 know it would not be very agreeable to have this little affair 
 going the round of the clubs. But may I know to whom your 
 too lovely cousin is engaged, for such I am told is the case 1 " 
 
 " You expect me to keep your secret, Ayrshire, and ask me 
 at the same time to reveal another's ; is this consistent % " 
 
 " No, my dear fellow, obviously not ; but my reason for 
 inquiring is, that were the thing not definitively arranged, I 
 should be disposed to renew my suit to the young lady 
 herself." 
 
 " And that would unquestionably be attended with the same 
 result," added Lord Malcolm ; which at once put a stop to 
 further questions. 
 
 The second morning after this explanation, while Mr. Har- 
 court was busily engaged reading the debates in the House of 
 Commons, the footman brought in a card, saying the gentleman 
 was waiting in the hall. 
 
 " Mangle ! " exclaimed Mr. Harcourt ; " I don't know any 
 such person — why did you admit him % " 
 
 " He stepped in before I could shut the door, sir," replied 
 the man, "although I said you were not at home." 
 
 " Most extraordinary conduct," muttered Mr. Harcourt, fuss- 
 ing and fuming with nervous trepidation ; " but I suppose, my 
 dear," turning to his wife, " I had better know what his business 
 may be." 
 
 " Certainly, Mr. Harcourt, let him be shown in here." 
 
 A tall, portly man made his appearance, who, with a low 
 bow, apologised for calling at such an unfashionable hour, 
 alleging important business as his excuse. " My name is 
 Mangle, sir," addressing Mr. Harcourt. 
 
 " So I presume, sir, by your card," replied that gentleman, 
 turning as white as his own table-cloth. 
 
 " Of the old established firm of Mangle, Smasher, and Nibble, 
 of Lincoln's Inn Fields." 
 
 Mr. Harcourt acknowledged this unsolicited information by 
 a bow only, looking as if the whole of the respectable firm were 
 at him already, tooth and nail. 
 
 "I conclude I have the honour of addressing Mr. Har- 
 court," resumed the lawyer, with an ill- suppressed smile of 
 
 V 
 
338 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 contempt at the nervous twitchings about his opponent's mouth, 
 betraying unmistakable signs of terror. 
 
 " Well, sir," exclaimed Mrs. Harcourt, unable any longer to 
 contain her indignation at her husband's pusillanimity, " and if 
 he is Mr. Harcourt, what is your business with him 1 that I 
 will thank you to explain as concisely as possible, sir." 
 
 "Mr. Harcourt is Miss Douglas's guardian, madam, I 
 believe." 
 
 " Well, sir, what next 1 " 
 
 "Miss Douglas's father had an only brother, Archibald 
 Douglas, who went out to India, and died there some years ago." 
 
 " Well, sir, that is no news to us." 
 
 " Very likely, madam ; but I suppose, it is news to you that 
 he left an only son, who has just arrived in this country 1 " 
 
 " And is an illegitimate child, Mr. Mangle, which perhaps 
 may be news to you, as Mr. Archibald Douglas was not legally 
 married to the mother of his children until after the birth of 
 his last child, which was a daughter — in short, sir, he never had 
 a son." 
 
 " On that point, madam, I must beg to diner with you, as 
 we have evidence to prove his marriage before the birth of his 
 last child, and that child, madam, is Mr. Archibald Douglas, by 
 whom we are instructed to take proceedings for the recovery of 
 that property, to which, as male heir under the entail, he is 
 most certainly entitled." 
 
 " Even were there such a person in existence, as you repre- 
 sent this gentleman to be," replied Mr. Harcourt, now gaining 
 courage, "the property was entailed both in the male and 
 female line to the descendants of the elder branch of the family, 
 and therefore my niece is undoubtedly heiress at law, as the 
 only child of Mr. Cameron Douglas." 
 
 "I think, sir, we shall be able to show that the deed of 
 entail was not properly registered according to Scotch law, 
 and is therefore invalid. But my present object, sir, in call- 
 ing upon you, is to state that we have directed our agent in 
 Scotland to serve notices on the tenants of the property, not 
 to pay any more rents to yourself or any person on behalf 
 of Miss Douglas; but as our client does not wish to press 
 heavily on his cousin, I am further instructed to say, that 
 if, on producing the evidence requisite to establish his claim, 
 immediate possession of the estates is surrendered, he will 
 forego his right to the reimbursement of the rents and profits 
 received by you for her use since her father's decease." 
 
A PLEASANT PIECE OF INTELLIGENCE. 339 
 
 "Very well, sir," replied Mr. Harcourt, writing his 
 solicitors' address on a card ; " these are the names of my le<*al 
 advisers, to whom I must refer you for any further communica- 
 tion on this most extraordinary business ; " hearing which, Mr. 
 Mangle, with a stiff bow, made his exit. 
 
 CHAPTER XLI. 
 
 "A pleasant piece of intelligence, truly," exclaimed Mrs. 
 Harcourt, when the door closed ; " so we are to refund all the 
 money we have received on account of that wilful, perverse 
 girl, who would have married Lord Danby and been off our 
 hands by this time, if you had exercised your authority as her 
 guardian ought to have done, and not given way to her ridicu- 
 lous fancies about love and such nonsense." 
 
 " You know very well, Mrs. Harcourt, I could not compel 
 her to marry against her inclination ; but as she is now under 
 Mrs. Gordon's protection, I shall resign my guardianship in 
 favour of that lady ; that is, in the event of this young man 
 establishing his claim to the property, or producing any docu- 
 ments likely to prove it ; that is the course, my dear, I shall 
 adopt." 
 
 " And a very wise one, too, Mr. Harcourt, and the sooner 
 that is done the better." 
 
 " Well, my dear, I will order the carriage directly — go first 
 into the City to see my solicitors, and prepare them for a visit 
 from this Mr. Mangles, and then call in Grosvenor Square, to 
 apprise Lady Malcolm and Mrs. Gordon of what has occurred." 
 
 The consternation of these two ladies, when informed by Mr. 
 Harcourt that a claimant had arisen to dispute their niece's right 
 to her father's property, may be imagined. They sat in mute 
 astonishment and dismay, as that gentleman proceeded in his 
 narrative ; when, at its close, Mrs. Gordon exclaimed, " It is 
 all a trick, Mr. Harcourt, a vile imposition, as my brother was 
 never married to that woman until a few weeks previous to his 
 death, and his youngest child, a daughter, was then two years 
 old." 
 
 " But how can you prove this, Mrs. Gordon 1 — that is the 
 question." 
 
 " By the servant who lived with him at the time, as nurs > 
 ' v 2 
 
340 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 to his children, and afterwards returned to this country with 
 the woman he had made his wife." 
 
 " And where is she to be found, Mrs. Gordon 1 " 
 
 " Somewhere in Scotland ; but where I cannot tell, although 
 two years ago she wrote to me for money, which I sent to the 
 address she gave me — Janet Maclean, Stranraer." 
 
 " Then, Mrs. Gordon, it is necessary to ascertain without 
 delay if this Janet Maclean still lives, and her place of abode, 
 as she will be a most important witness, and on her evidence 
 our chief dependence rests. If we can establish the fact that 
 no child was born in wedlock, it is quite clear the man who calls 
 liimself Archibald Douglas is an impostor ; but no time must 
 be lost, as these solicitors, who have taken up this case, are 
 notorious for being the greatest sharpers in London, and will 
 cause an immensity of trouble." 
 
 After Mr. Harcourt's departure, Lord Malcolm returned 
 from his usual ride with Blanche and Constance, and when told 
 of Mr. Harcourt's revelations, his rage could scarcely be kept 
 within bounds. " What ! " he exclaimed, " be frightened by 
 such an infamous trick as this ? Where has been this Mr. 
 Archibald Douglas for these last ten years, since the death of 
 Blanche's father ? I am not to be gulled or terrified, like that 
 craven-hearted Harcourt, by such a trumped-up, improbable 
 tale." 
 
 " It is, however, Charles, a serious business," replied Mrs. 
 Gordon, "and we must prepare to meet the claim set up by 
 these people, without delay or hesitation." 
 
 " That shall be done forthwith, aunt. I will go directly to 
 my little ferret of a Scotch lawyer, in Gray's Inn, Macvittie, 
 who is as sharp as a needle, and cannie as a true Scot. Har- 
 court's solicitors are quiet, respectable men of business, with a 
 good country connection, but too slow for such a case as this ; 
 so I will send Macvittie to help them, and sift these villanous 
 pretensions to the smallest grain of evidence that can be pro- 
 duced." 
 
 Poor Blanche was so bewildered at first by this overwhelm- 
 ing intelligence, that she sat motionless in her chair, speechless 
 and stunned by the heavy blow that had fallen so suddenly upon 
 her, which her Aunt Gordon observing, led her away to her own 
 room, on entering which she burst into tears. 
 
 " Oh ! aunt, aunt," she exclaimed, " I am now, perhaps, a 
 penniless orphan, dependent on your kind bounty, and as such 
 can never become William's wife." 
 
THE MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE. 341 
 
 " My dear child, do not, I entreat you, give way to such 
 dreadful anticipations, which I trust in heaven will never be 
 realised ; one at least never can, that, whether rich or poor, you 
 will ever find any change in the affections of William Beau- 
 champ." 
 
 " But, dear aunt, my first impulse is to release him from his 
 engagement, which was formed under such different circum- 
 stances, that it ought and must now be cancelled." 
 
 " You are too hasty, my dear Blanche, in taking the claim 
 so impudently advanced by these unprincipled people as a just 
 and legal one ; pray do nothing hastily, and promise me not to 
 offer such an insult to William Beauchamp's love and high 
 sense of honour, as you propose. We shall have the lawyer's 
 opinion in a few days, and then it will be time enough to deter- 
 mine how we ought to act." 
 
 The next day, Mr. Mangle, having made an appointment 
 with Mr. Harcourt's solicitors, which Macvittie attended, 
 produced the alleged marriage certificate of Archibald Douglas 
 and Susan Monkton, which Messrs. Boram and Teagle having 
 carefully scanned, pronounced to be apparently an authentic 
 document. 
 
 "So far then, so good," chuckled Mr. Mangle, "and we 
 shall be prepared to prove by Mrs. Archibald Douglas, and 
 other witnesses, the birth of a son, ten months after the date of 
 this certificate, which I conclude will be quite sufficient to 
 establish our claim." 
 
 " Not quite, I think," observed Mr. Teagle ; " there are 
 some other points to be considered." 
 
 "Pray may I be permitted to have a look at that little 
 document ? " inquired Macvittie, in the most insinuating 
 manner. 
 
 " On whose behalf, sir 1 " demanded Mr. Mangle. 
 
 "Lord Malcolm, sir; Miss Douglas's cousin, who is 
 interested in the family property, failing Miss Douglas." 
 
 " Oh, certainly," replied Mr. Mangle, " although I do not 
 trust it out of my own hands." 
 
 " I do not covet it, my dear sir," replied Macvittie, adjust- 
 ing his spectacles on his nose with great deliberation ; " pray 
 keep it in your own hand, which will do very well — just a trifle 
 more to the light, my dear sir, as my eye-sight is rather dim. 
 Thank you, that will do." 
 
 " Well, sir," asked Mr. Mangle, " you are also, I conclude, 
 quite satisfied ? " 
 
342 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 u Yes, my dear sir, perfectly, that the little piece of paper 
 in your hand is not worth a straw." 
 
 The countenance of Mangle at this announcement under- 
 went a change, which the keen eye of Macvittie instantly de- 
 tected. " Ah, my dear sir, very prettily executed, but " 
 
 "What?" demanded Mr. Mangle, impetuously thrusting 
 the paper into his side pocket. 
 
 " I do not attach any very great importance to your case, 
 Mr. Mangle — that is all." 
 
 " Will you state your objections, then 1 " 
 
 " No, Mr. Mangle ; I must decline doing so at present." 
 
 " Very well, gentlemen ; then I must wish you good morn- 
 ing, and we shall at once proceed to trial." 
 
 On Mr. Mangle's departure, Teagle asked, " What fiaw did 
 you see in that paper, Macvittie ? I could detect none what- 
 ever." 
 
 "The figure 5 has been altered into 3 — and I am quite 
 satisfied, by the change in his face, Mangle knows it. Yet it is 
 so cleverly done, that not one man in a hundred would notice 
 the very slight, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, difference 
 in the colour of the ink." 
 
 " This after all is a very slender thread to build a frame- 
 work upon," remarked Borum ; " and if they bring forward 
 witnesses to prove the marriage, and the birth of a son as well, 
 we are done for." 
 
 " Ay, if they do," replied Macvittie, " that little word if 
 will decide the case ; but my impression is, they will not get 
 over that alteration in the figure." 
 
 Scarcely had Macvittie turned the corner of Broad Street, 
 in the City, where Borum and Teagle occupied spacious offices, 
 than Mr. Harcourt drew up in his carriage, and was imme- 
 diately shown into Mr. Borum's private room. 
 
 " Well, my good sir," began the lawyer, " we have had an 
 interview with Mr. Mangle, who produces a marriage certificate, 
 which Lord Malcolm's solicitor thinks has been tampered with, 
 and altered in the date, although neither Mr. Teagle nor myself 
 could discover any difference in the ink, or an erasure of any 
 kind." 
 
 " Then, what is your opinion, Mr. Borum % " 
 
 " Bather doubtful, my good sir ; and if they bring forward 
 witnesses to prove the birth of a son, establishing his identity 
 with this young man, we shall be out of court directly ; still 
 there is the point to be decided, whether Miss Douglas, under 
 
A COMPROMISE SUGGESTED. 313 
 
 the entail, takes precedence of a male heir in the second branch 
 of the family, or not." 
 
 " Do you advise me, then, Mr. Borum, to resign my guardian' 
 ship at once to Mrs. Gordon ? " 
 
 " That cannot help you, my good sir, as you are already 
 liable for all rents received, as the acting guardian." 
 
 "Then I shall throw it into Chancery." 
 
 "Worse and worse, my good sir; that would be leaping 
 from the frying-pan into the fire — expenses frightful ! last for 
 years perhaps ; and still you might be held accountable for all 
 the money you have received since the death of Miss Douglas's 
 father." 
 
 "Compromise with these people, then?" suggested Mr. 
 Harcourt, almost in despair. 
 
 " If Mrs. Gordon will consent to such a proposition, no 
 doubt, my good sir, a compromise may be effected on very 
 advantageous terms ; Mangle and Co. are needy men, having 
 very likely taken up this on speculation, and think one bird in 
 the hand is worth two in the bush. Still, my dear sir, we must 
 not show the white feather too soon ; they have great difficulties 
 in their way, and we must maintain a bold front ; Mr. Macvitbie 
 also is a clever, shrewd little man, and declares he will ferret 
 out all their witnesses ; so that, my good sir, we had better rest 
 on our oars a little, and see what will turn up." 
 
 With this very unsatisfactory answer, Mr. Harcourt quitted 
 Broad Street, perplexed and irresolute how to act ; but before 
 reaching Grosvenor Square, he had come to the conclusion that 
 a compromise was the only thing to save money; and this he 
 resolved to press on Mrs. Gordon and Lady Malcolm by every 
 argument in his power. Finding both ladies at home, he gave 
 the most unfavourable account of the interview with his lawyer, 
 who, he said, strongly advised a compromise. " Only think, my 
 dear madam," addressing Mrs. Gordon, " of our having to make 
 good all the money expended on your niece's account, for which 
 we are jointly liable." 
 
 " Excuse me, Mr. Harcourt, you only can be responsible for 
 the appropriation of the rents, which you alone have received, 
 without consulting me in any matter whatever relating to the 
 property; but surely the expenditure has not exceeded one- 
 third of the incomings ? " 
 
 " You forget, Mrs. Gordon, we have taken a house in town, 
 for the benefit of the best masters, several seasons in succession, 
 which we should not have done on our own account ; have kept 
 
344 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 extra horses and servants for her nse, with an expensive 
 governess also, who had a carriage at her command ; not to 
 mention dress and other necessary items. Then the outlay for 
 repairs and draining on the property, with the agent's salary, 
 has amounted to a large sum annually. But I shall be ready to 
 give an account of my stewardship when required ; the point 
 for our present consideration is, whether we should not attempt 
 to make terms with our opponents, before we are forced into a 
 court of law, where all may be lost." 
 
 " We ought, first, Mr. Harcourt, to have the opinion of the 
 best counsel, before making any overtures, and be guided by 
 their advice. Lord Malcolm is gone to consult with his solicitor 
 on these matters at my request, and I hope the case is not quite 
 so desperate as you imagine." 
 
 " Well, my dear madam," said Mr. Harcourt, rising, " I shall 
 be glad to know as soon as possible how you decide to act, 
 although I anticipate almost certain defeat." 
 
 CHAPTER XLII. 
 
 Blanche, who had been present during the latter part of this 
 controversy, after Mr. Harcourt had left, retired to her own 
 room, and locking her door, sat down and wrote a few hurried 
 lines to Beauchamp, acquainting him with what had occurred, 
 and releasing him from his engagement to herself. 
 
 She had just sealed the letter, and given it to her maid to 
 post herself, when Mrs. Gordon entered her room, telling her 
 that Malcolm had returned with a very different story to Mr. 
 Harcourt' s, and wished to see her in the drawing-room ; " so 
 dry your tears ; for, my dearest child, depend upon it, Mr. Har- 
 court has only been frightening us to serve his own purpose, in 
 dread of having to refund all the money he has received." 
 
 Malcolm having repeated the conversation he had with 
 Macvittie, and his opinion of the marriage certificate, turning 
 to Blanche, said, " Now, my dear girl, I think Beauchamp will 
 be offended if I do not write him all particulars, as in your 
 present position he ought to be consulted as to our future pro- 
 ceedings." 
 
 " Our position is now so completely altered, dear Charles," 
 replied Blanche, bursting into tears, "that I have already 
 
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 1 " 
 
 " This afternoon, Charles." 
 
 " Is the letter posted, my sensitive little cousin 1 " 
 
 " 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 
 love, 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 1 Would you have released 
 him, had he been so unfortunate as to lose all his property 1 
 Could you have ceased to love him ? " 
 
 " 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 like 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 1 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 
 is not the least chance, Beauchamp shall not receive in my 
 
346 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 -cousin a portionless bride; not another word of remonstrance, 
 Blanche — (as she was again beginning to decline his offer) — if 
 you love me ; you know my obstinate disposition, and in this I 
 will have my way." 
 
 " But, my dear Charles " 
 
 " But, my dear Blanche, I must now wish you good morning, 
 and mind you don't fret any more ; " and Malcolm, taking up 
 his hat, left the room. 
 
 Notwithstanding the remonstrances of Mrs. Gordon, and 
 entreaties of Constance, Blanche could not be prevailed on to 
 .accept her cousin's generous offer ; and her aunt, forbearing to 
 harass her further on this painful subject, concluded the con- 
 versation by expressing her hopes that she might not be placed 
 under the necessity of offending her cousin by a refusal. " The 
 contingency will not, I trust, ever arrive, my dear girl ; and, in 
 the meantime, pray raise no further objection to Charles." 
 
 There was another point upon which she was equally resolved 
 to break off her engagement with Beauchamp, and she implored 
 her aunt to spare her the agony of an interview with him, should 
 he arrive in London. Four days had now passed ; Blanche, 
 from distress of mind and excessive agitation, became restless 
 and nervous to an alarming degree ; she could scarcely be pre- 
 vailed upon to touch anything either at breakfast or dinner ; 
 she would see no one but her immediate relations, and sat for 
 hours together in her own room, in dread of Beauchamp's 
 arrival. " Oh, dear aunt," she exclaimed on the fourth evening, 
 " why does he not come ? what can have detained him 1 Oh, 
 how I wish your sad interview with him was over ; I shall feel 
 more resigned when that is past ; I shall indeed, aunt." 
 
 " I fear not, my poor child, and dread your sinking into 
 hopeless despondency ; and he, poor fellow ! what misery awaits 
 him!" 
 
 At this moment, a loud knock at the door reverberated 
 through the hall, on which Blanche sprang from her chair : 
 " Oh, aunt, he is come, thp.t is his knock ; pray, be quick, and 
 return to me as soon as possible." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon descended to the drawing-room, where, pale 
 and haggard, stood Beauchamp, talking to Lady Malcolm and 
 his sister. At her entrance he turned quickly round, and 
 grasping her hand, inquired hastily, " Where is Blanche % " 
 
 " In her own room, dear William, and I am sorry to say, so 
 very unwell that I fear you cannot see her." 
 
 " Then, if not now, I can see her to-morrow morning ? " 
 
THE LOVERS MEET. 347 
 
 Mrs. Gordon was silent. 
 
 " Does she refuse to see me at all, then ? " he exclaimed, in 
 amazement. 
 
 " It is even so, dear William ; but come with me into the 
 other room, and I will tell you what I am commissioned to say." 
 
 In vain Mrs. Gordon urged all her niece's arguments to 
 avoid an interview which would be so painful to both ; in vain 
 she spoke of their altered position, and Blanche's resolution to 
 break off her engagement, unless she was restored to her rightful 
 inheritance. 
 
 Beauchamp paced up and down the room, in a state of mind 
 bordering on distraction, for some few moments, then confront- 
 ing Mrs. Gordon, said, in a firm tone, " Cease, cease, dear aunt, 
 this mockery of my woe, and go tell Blanche Douglas from me, 
 that I will not quit this roof until I have a refusal from her 
 own lips, see her, I must and will, this very night." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon still attempting to dissuade him from his 
 purpose, he frantically exclaimed : " Go, dear aunt, this moment, 
 and tell Blanche, if she will not see me now, we shall never 
 in this world meet again." 
 
 " Well, then, if I bring her down with me, promise to be 
 more calm, for she is in a dreadfully nervous state." 
 
 " Yes, aunt, I will be calm ; but, mind, see her I will once 
 more." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon having explained the state in which she had 
 left her lover, and telling Blanche what she dreaded from his 
 words, prevailed on her to see him, and she entered the room in 
 which he was still pacing to and fro, leaning on her aunt's arm, 
 trembling and almost fainting from agitation and exhaustion. 
 
 Beauchamp advanced to meet her, and seeing her almost 
 sinking, caught her in his arms, saying, " Come, dear Blanche, 
 come to my heart once more, even if it be for the last time ; " 
 and she fell nearly senseless on his breast, sobbing convulsively. 
 
 " Hush, hush ! my own dear girl," he murmured ; " still that 
 beating heart — you are mine once more — mine now and for ever !" 
 
 " Oh, no, dear William, it cannot be — pray release me." 
 
 " No, Blanche, never until you promise to become my wife, 
 or you will never see me alive again ; my arm shall hold you 
 till you tear it from your side ; so now, my love, let me lead you 
 to the sofa, and listen calmly to what I have to say. Do you 
 see that ring on my finger, dear girl, placed there by your own 
 hand, with the vow that by that symbol you would be mine for 
 ever." 
 
348 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "Yes, William, I remember it well — the past is a happy- 
 dream, the present a sad reality. I never thought then how 
 different our positions might become ; but still my vow remains 
 unaltered — I will never marry another." 
 
 " To that I cannot, will not hold you, dear Blanche ; take 
 the ring from my finger, and take with it all my hopes of 
 earthly happiness." 
 
 " That I cannot do, William." 
 
 " Then listen to reason, Blanche ; at least, you ought to be 
 consistent. When you placed that ring upon my finger, you 
 were a rich heiress, and I (by Mrs. Harcourt's account) a poor, 
 penniless fox-hunter ; you would have married me then, could I 
 have obtained your guardian's consent." 
 
 " Yes, William, indeed I would." 
 
 " And should I have been degraded in your eyes by accept- 
 ing your hand, although then represented to you without 
 fortune ? " 
 
 " Oh, no, dearest William ; nothing could ever degrade you 
 in my sight." 
 
 " Our positions now, dear girl, are apparently, but not really 
 reversed, and Blanche Douglas is too proud to make that con- 
 cession she expected of William Beauchamp. Yes, that is the 
 fact. I might and must have been humbled then in your 
 opinion, and now your false sense of honour would trample 
 all my feelings and fondly cherished expectations in the dust." 
 
 " No, William j the time may arrive when I will no longer 
 oppose your wishes ; but should all be lost to me, I shall ever 
 love and esteem you as my own dear brother." 
 
 " Will nothing change your purpose, Blanche ? Will no 
 feeling of compassion or compunction induce you to avert my 
 doom % " 
 
 " Do not urge me further, dear William, in pity to my agony 
 of mind and dreadful sufferings these last few days. Oh, spare 
 me the misery of listening to your reproaches, which, believe 
 me, I do not deserve — we may meet again as before — as brother 
 and sister." 
 
 " Never, Blanche, that time is past. Now hear the sentence 
 you have pronounced ; if we part now, we never meet again, for 
 I will leave my native land, and return to it no more, unless 
 this night you promise to be mine." 
 
 " Oh, William, recall that rash vow ; think of your poor 
 father, who would be broken-hearted if you left him ; think of 
 your sister, and dear Aunt Gordon." 
 
A SCENE. 349 
 
 " It is too late, Blanche ; I have sworn to do so, and will 
 keep my oath. You have forced me in despair to utter these 
 hasty words ; your false pride will entail this misery on us 
 all." 
 
 It was now Blanche's turn to beg and implore her lover to 
 alter his determination ; but her voice fell unheeded on his ear, 
 and leaning his head on his hand, he seemed lost in thought, 
 and deaf to her entreaties. 
 
 1 Oh, William," she exclaimed, " why will you not speak to 
 me 1 only say you will not go." 
 
 " Go, yes, I know I must go," he muttered, without regard- 
 ing her ; " Blanche Douglas sends me forth an outcast from my 
 home, to die among strangers, scorned, despised, and neglected 
 by her, for whom I would have sacrificed a hundred lives, had I 
 them to give. Let me go," he cried, springing wildly from his 
 seat, as she attempted to hold his hand. " I am crazed, mad- 
 dened ! " and seizing his hat, he was rushing from the room 
 like one distracted, when Blanche threw herself in his way, and 
 casting her arms round his neck, cried, " In mercy, speak to me, 
 my own dear William , I am yours, now and for ever. Oh, say 
 you will not leave me ! " 
 
 At that appeal his pent-up feelings gave way, and as his 
 tears fell on her neck, he murmured, " Oh, Blanche, Blanche, 
 you have nearly killed me ! " 
 
 " Forgive me, dear William, this once," she whispered, " I 
 will never cause you another moment's pain ; " and feeling him 
 totter under her weight, she led him to the sofa, where he fell 
 back exhausted on the cushion. She was kneeling by his side, 
 fruitlessly endeavouring to rouse him from his stupor, when 
 Mrs. Gordon entered. " Oh, aunt, aunt ! I have killed him by 
 my folly — what can I do ? " 
 
 " Run, my love, for a glass of wine ; he has only fainted from 
 over-exhaustion, poor fellow, having travelled day and night 
 since your letter reached him." 
 
 Blanche rushed down-stairs into the dining-room, and seiz- 
 ing a decanter and glass from table, flew like a fairy to her 
 lover's rescue, who had begun to recover consciousness from 
 Mrs. Gordon's application of salts. Blanche, trembling and 
 shaking, poured half the bottle over her aunt's dress, then too 
 intent on Beauchamp to notice it ; and having succeeded in 
 making him swallow half a glass of wine, she continued bathing 
 his forehead with eau de Cologne, until he revived and tried to 
 sit up. 
 
oOi) THE MASTEK OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " No, my dear boy, rest as you are a while longer, and drink 
 some more wine — and there, I declare, that naughty child has 
 spoilt my new dress — well, Blanche, to punish you, you must 
 take my place now by "William's side ; but mind he does not 
 move until I return." 
 
 Blanche silently placed her hand in his, and Beauchamp, 
 knowing what that implied, asked — 
 
 " Is that mine, Blanche, without conditions of any kind ? " 
 
 " Yes, my own dear William — your very own." 
 
 " Then give me a kiss to confirm your promise." 
 
 Leaning over him, she said — 
 
 " Will you forgive me ? " 
 
 His reply was given by another warm embrace, when Mrs. 
 Gordon appeared. 
 
 " Ah, William ! you do not want me now, I suppose ; but I 
 Avill have no more scenes to-night — and here is Charles come to 
 see you." 
 
 " Ah ! my dear fellow," exclaimed Malcolm, taking his 
 hand ; "so Blanche has thrown you over at last — a regular 
 back -fall. I thought how it would end with her ridiculous 
 notions. She won't be satisfied, I suppose, till she has killed 
 you outright ; but how do you feel now, old fellow 1 " 
 
 " Much better, Malcolm, thank you, since taking that glass 
 of wine." 
 
 " Then just take another, Beauchamp — or stay — a glass of 
 brandy-and-water will do you more service, with a couple of 
 biscuits. You are overdone — that's the fact ; and, I dare say, 
 have stopped neither to eat nor drink on the road since you left 
 the Castle." 
 
 " That is true enough, Malcolm." 
 
 " Ay, ay, there it is — starving, fretting and travelling, with- 
 out rest for two days, are quite enough to derange any fellow's 
 digestive organs ; and this backhanded blow from Blanche 
 knocked you clean off your legs, old fellow. Well, my dear, 
 obstinate, little cousin, it is lucky he is no worse ; but don't try 
 this game again, or you will have him in an apoplectic fit, my 
 love, and that will be beyond our remedies. It's all your doing, 
 Blanche — worrying, vexing, and tormenting him and yourself 
 about these confounded rascals : why, what on earth is the 
 difference between you — even if you had lost your money 1 (which 
 you won't — a shilling of it.) When you were rich, you would 
 have married him ; and now he is rich, he would marry you. 
 If Con had acted in this foolhardy manner, I should have 
 
"you have been wandebing." 351 
 
 thought her cracked ; and I verily believe all this confounded 
 
 business has turned your head, my dear girl ; and that you will 
 
 be in a raging fever to-morrow morning." 
 
 " Oh, Charles, pray spare me — I will never vex him again." 
 " That's right, my dear. Keep to that resolution, and all 
 
 will be well ; and now, give Beauchamp his glass of brandy-and- 
 
 water, and make him eat a biscuit also." 
 
 CHAPTER XLIII. 
 
 Malcolm's anticipations were realised about his cousin, who 
 was in a burning fever all night ; and towards morning, be- 
 coming delirious, the family physician was sent for by Mrs. 
 Gordon, who, with Constance, remained by her bedside, listen- 
 ing with tearful eyes to her ravings about her lover. Mrs. 
 Gordon explained to the doctor what had occurred, as far as- 
 she deemed necessary, who prescribed the usual remedies in 
 such cases, desiring she might be kept perfectly quiet, and no 
 other person admitted to her room. 
 
 " But stay, my dear madam," as he was leaving ; " if she 
 should particularly desire to see Lord Beauchamp on regaining 
 consciousness, let him be sent for directly, as his presence will 
 go far to allay this feverish excitement." 
 
 After taking the medicine, Blanche fell into a fitful doze for 
 two hours, from which, awaking with a sudden start, she 
 exclaimed — 
 
 " Oh, aunt, he is gone — gone for ever ; I sent him away 
 never to return." 
 
 " No, my love, he is not gone ; you have been wandering ; 
 he is still here, in this house." 
 
 "Oh, no, dear aunt; do not deceive me. I know he is 
 gone." 
 
 " Then, my dear, promise to be calm and not speak, and you 
 shall see him directly. Constance, will you call your brother 1 " 
 
 In a few seconds, Beauchamp was kneeling by her bedside, 
 with her hand in his. 
 
 "You will not leave me, dear William," she murmured, "as 
 you said you would ; oh, promise me not to go." 
 
 " On my word of honour, my own dearest girl, I will never 
 leave you more ; but you must not talk now ; so try to com- 
 
352 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS, 
 
 pose yourself, and remember I am always within call, if you 
 want me." 
 
 " Oh, don't go, William," she still whispered. 
 
 " Keep my hand in yours, then, dear child, and I will sit 
 by your bedside, if you will try to sleep ; but you must not 
 speak, or I will leave you." 
 
 Assured no^v of his presence, which calmed and soothed her 
 troubled brain, she soon relapsed into a sound and refreshing 
 sleep. Beauchamp sat gazing on her flushed face, and felt her 
 burning hand and throbbing pulse. The tears chased each 
 other down his cheek ; and sinking noiselessly on his knees, he 
 prayed long and fervently that God would be pleased to spare 
 her life. " Hear me, O Father of all mercies — hear me ! " he 
 murmured ; " and, of thy infinite goodness, grant that this dear 
 child may be restored to me again ! " when, overcome by 
 emotion, and the excitement and fatigue of the last two days, 
 with his face resting on the bed, he fell fast asleep by her he 
 loved so dearly, his hand still firmly locked in hers. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, who had been watching Beauchamp's actions, 
 cautiously approached, and hearing his heavy breathing, whis- 
 pered Constance, "Dear William has fallen asleep in that 
 lcneeling posture." 
 
 " Oh, let him alone, aunt ; he is quite worn out, poor fellow, 
 in mind and body." 
 
 For three hours, neither Blanche nor Beauchamp stirred, 
 when Alice softly entered the room, whispering the doctor was 
 coming up-stairs. Mrs. Gordon met him at the door, and 
 placing her finger on her lips, in token of silence, pointed to 
 the bed. The doctor crept on tiptoe to listen to his patient's 
 breathing, and as noiselessly retreating, beckoned Mrs. Gordon 
 out of the room. " That will do, my dear madam, better than 
 all my medicine ; pray don't disturb them." 
 
 Blanche was the first to awake, with all her faculties 
 restored, and great was her astonishment on finding her lover's 
 head resting by her side, in perfect unconsciousness. " Oh, 
 aunt," was her sudden exclamation ; " where am I ? " 
 
 " In your own bed, my dear ; but as you would have 
 William's hand in yours, he has fallen asleep too, and, thank 
 goodness, you have both slept soundly for these last three 
 hours : so now, my love, if you will let him go, it is time you had 
 a cup of tea, and he will not be sorry to have some breakfast." 
 
 From this time her fever began to abate, and in three days 
 Blanche made her appearance once more in the drawing-room, 
 
BLANCHE GIVES HER CONSENT. 353 
 
 and Beauchamp, thinking the present a most favourable oppor- 
 tunity for making his proposals for her hand, obtained her con- 
 sent to apply to her guardian for Iris formal approval of their 
 marriage. "Out of evil good often proceeds, dear Blanche," 
 he observed, " and Mr. Harcourt may be induced now to give 
 his consent, which, under different circumstances, he would have 
 refused ; for I believe he is so worried by the thought of being 
 called on to refund the rents, that he will be too happy to shift 
 any further responsibility off his own shoulders on to mine, or 
 any man of substance you might select ; and as you have pro- 
 mised never to turn restive again, you will, I trust, my own 
 dearest Blanche, no longer hesitate to invest me with the title 
 to defend your rights and protect you from all further annoy- 
 ance. In me you shall ever find a true friend and brother, as 
 well as husband, and all my energies shall be directed to pro- 
 mote your happiness." 
 
 " That, dear William, I can never doubt ; and I quite agree 
 with you that the present is a propitious time to obtain Mr. 
 Harcourt's consent." 
 
 We must now relate what was passing elsewhere. The news 
 of Miss Douglas's loss of fortune sped with the rapidity ill news 
 is ever wont to travel with. Lord Henry Bayntun having ascer- 
 tained the fact from Mr. Mangle, whom he had been consulting 
 on some little affair of his own, and meeting Lord Ayrshire at 
 his club, all the particulars were communicated to the marquis, 
 at the conclusion of which recital Lord Henry observed, " A 
 deuced lucky escape for you, Ayrshire." 
 
 " What do you allude to, Bayntun % " 
 
 " Oh, Dauby thinks the heiress threw you over." 
 
 " Danby had better attend to his own affairs, Bayntun, and 
 not meddle with other men's concerns ; because he has been 
 overturned, as you call it, I suppose he wishes to make it appear 
 that I have had no better success ; but who is his authority ? 
 That I shall expect to know, not choosing my name to go the 
 round of all the clubs as a rejected man." 
 
 " Tut ! tut ! Ayrshire, don't flare up in that fashion. Danby 
 merely expressed that as Ms opinion ; for he said he had tried 
 to ascertain whether you had proposed or not, from Malcolm, 
 who refused to give him any information ; so it is merely con- 
 jecture on his part." 
 
 "Yery likely, Bayntun; but I shall be obliged by your 
 telling him, with my compliments, to keep his conjectures to 
 himself for the future. You know, when I set my mind on 
 
 w 
 
354 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 buying a horse, price will not stop me ; and if I should bid for 
 a woman, the chances are in my favour, I think; eh, Bayntun? " 
 
 " Oh, of course, we all know that your rent-roll is as long as 
 this room ; but you would not marry a girl without any fortune 
 at all, would you ? " 
 
 tc That would make no difference to me, if, in all other re- 
 spects, she comes up to my standard." 
 
 " Oh, very well ; then I conclude the heiress may be had 
 now for asking, as Mangle tells me old Harcourt is in a proper 
 funk about refunding all the money he has received." 
 
 This last piece of information suggested an idea to the mar- 
 quis, who, taking his hat, wished Lord Henry good morning. 
 With all his refinement of manners and agreeable conversation, 
 Lord Ayrshire possessed a proud, haughty temper, and he could 
 ill endure being foiled in anything he undertook, or being out- 
 done or outbid by any other man. If he had set his mind on 
 purchasing a horse at Tattersall' s, every one was aware, who knew 
 him, that it was mere waste of time to bid against him. Yet he 
 was, from this peculiarity of temper, most wofully imposed upon, 
 and horses were run up to three or four times their value by 
 some of the knowing ones, just, as Lord Henry said, " to make 
 him open his mouth." There was a manifest impatience in his 
 mode of advancing against any other competitor, which at once 
 betrayed this impatience of temper, as if no other man had a 
 right to make an offer for the animal on which the Marquis of 
 Ayrshire had once set his affections. One day, a remarkably 
 fine, well-bred brougham horse was brought to the hammer, 
 which immediately catching his lordship's eye, he inquired his 
 age. 
 
 "Six years old, my lord," replied Mr. Tattersall; "high 
 stepper— nearly thorough-bred ; what shall I say, my lord ? a 
 hundred ? thank you, my lord ; trot him down ; take care, 
 gentlemen. One hundred guineas are offered for that splendid 
 animal — and ten — thank you, sir ; a hundred and ten guineas. 
 
 " Make it fefty* at once, gentlemen." 
 
 " Thank you, my lord — one hundred and fefty guineas are 
 bid ; will any gentleman advance on that sum 1 " 
 
 " Twenty," from a voice near. 
 
 " One hundred and seventy are offered — going at that figure." 
 
 " Two hundred," exclaimed Lord Ayrshire. 
 
 " Thank you, my lord. Two hundred guineas are bid — 
 
 * The old Mr. Tattersall always pronounced it so. 
 
LORD AYRSHIRE AT TATTERS ALL'S. 355 
 
 going at that price — going, gentlemen, for two hundred 
 guineas — will nobody advance? — for the last time, going at 
 two hundred guineas " — a pause for a moment, and the ham- 
 mer fell. 
 
 " Well, Ayrshire," exclaimed Lord Henry, " you would have 
 that dark bay, notwithstanding my hints not to buy him." 
 "I call him a light bay horse, Bayntun." 
 "Very likely — doctors differ; but I'll bet a pony, notwith- 
 standing, he is a dark bay." 
 
 " How so, Bayntun? you want your spectacles this morning." 
 
 "More likely you want yours, Ayrshire, for the horse you 
 
 have just bought is as blind as a bat, or will be so very shortly." 
 
 " I don't care if he is," replied the marquis, impatiently ; 
 
 " having resolved that fellow who bid against me should not 
 
 have him, for his insolence in running him up." 
 
 " Ha, ha, ha ! " laughed Lord Henry ; " done, my lord, 
 done brown, as well as bay ; that was only a puffer." 
 
 This little anecdote will suffice to show the animus by which 
 the marquis was actuated, when any one or anything ran 
 counter to his determination. We must now follow him from the 
 club-house, after his conversation with Lord Henry Bayntun, 
 and reveal what was passing in his mind, as he took his way 
 direct to Upper Brook Street. His thoughts were bent on re- 
 deeming the prestige he had lost by being set down as a rejected 
 man, and knowing Mr. Harcourt's weak points, he resolved to 
 re-open the negotiation about his ward. " It is not the ques- 
 tion whether her affections are wholly mine or not," he mut- 
 tered, as he rode along ; " that with me is now quite a secon- 
 dary consideration ; but having committed the error of pro- 
 posing, and rendered myself conspicuous by paying her more 
 attention than I ever did any other woman, she shall be mine at 
 any cost, if possible, and when once my wife, she may repent 
 her waywardness in declining my first overtures." 
 
 As drowning men will catch at straws, so Mr. Harcourt 
 caught at Lord Ayrshire's proposition, to bear the brunt of the 
 trial, and make good any deficiencies that could be legally 
 claimed, on the condition that he obtained the consent of his 
 ward to become Lord Ayrshire's wife. "I do not believe," 
 replied that worthy gentleman, " your lordship will incur much 
 risk, as counsel's opinion is decidedly in our favour, and posses- 
 sion is nine points of the law. But if you are really serious in 
 the matter, and choose to take the lady with her liabilities and 
 rights, as they stand, I will use all my influence with Lady 
 
 w 2 
 
356 THE MASTER OF THE HOUKDS. 
 
 Malcolm and Mrs. Gordon to effect your object, although I fear 
 there may be still one obstacle in our way." 
 
 " And what is that, my dear sir ? " 
 
 "The same that I mentioned before — some prior attachment." 
 
 " That I do not think of much moment just now, as I 
 believe few men, if any, would marry Miss Douglas under her 
 present circumstances. Why, my dear sir, it would ruin any 
 man of moderate fortune, if her cause were lost. But to save 
 my credit in the fashionable world, I will take my chance, as I 
 never can endure to be beaten, Mr. Harcourt ; and cost what it 
 may, I am resolved to marry your ward, now that I have gone 
 so far." 
 
 "Very well, my lord, then I think a little memorandum 
 may be as well drawn up between us, just a few lines." 
 
 " Oh, certainly, my dear sir ; pray write down what you 
 think necessary, and I will sign the pajjer." 
 
 Mr. Harcourt, being what is called a shrewd man of busi- 
 ness (which means, in plain language, one who will take advan- 
 tage of any weakness or blindness in his neighbour to drive a 
 good bargain for himself), took care so to word this little docu- 
 ment, that all responsibilities, past, present, and to come, 
 incurred by himself, and the refunding of all rents received 
 since her father's death, on his ward's account, should devolve 
 on Lord Ayrshire's shoulders. 
 
 The marquis having hastily scanned the contents, signed the 
 paper ; and rising, said, " Now, my dear sir, I rely entirely on 
 your honour to keep tliis arrangement a profound secret." 
 
 " Of course, my lord ; on my own account only I should 
 never mention it, or our plans would at once be defeated." 
 
 Mr. Harcourt had just carefully deposited this little docu- 
 ment in his writing-desk, when the servant entered with Lord 
 Beauchamp's card, saying his lordship wished to see him a few 
 minutes alone. 
 
 " Show Lord Beauchamp into my private room," was the 
 reply; and in a few moments Beauchamp was receiving the 
 warm congratulations of his soi-disant friend, which were esti- 
 mated at their full value. Circumlocution or evasion being 
 equally distasteful to Beauchamp's mind, the purport of his 
 visit was soon explained, and his intention avowed, of settling 
 the whole of Blanche's fortune on herself, as well as a very 
 handsome addition from his own. " In fact, Mr. Harcourt, you 
 must be aware that I am actuated by no mercenary motives 
 now, in asking for the hand of your ward." 
 
BEAUCHAMP OBTAINS HARCOURT S CONSENT. 357 
 
 " Oh, quite so, my dear Beauchamp ; but how long is it, 
 may I ask, that you have been so attached to Blanche 1 a long 
 time, I suspect, Beauchamp, eh ? or at least, she has, I think, 
 been to you." 
 
 "Then, dear sir, there is a greater prospect of our being- 
 happy together." 
 
 "Well, my young friend, I have no objection to yourself; 
 but there are grave objections in your way. This suit, which 
 may deprive her of all her property, and then the responsibilities 
 you would incur as her husband. All these things should be 
 well considered ; and in your present position, your father, no 
 doubt, will expect you to marry a woman of fortune or rank 
 equal to your own." 
 
 "All these objections, with ten times more, will not alter 
 my determination, provided you will consent to our union," he 
 replied. 
 
 " As the husband of Miss Douglas, you may be called upon 
 to refund all the rents received, my dear Beauchamp, which 
 would amount to a large sum indeed. Are your funds sufficient, 
 without crippling your income, to meet such a demand ? This 
 is really a most serious responsibility, and my advice to you, as 
 an old friend, is, to give up all thoughts of marrying under such 
 adverse circumstances." 
 
 " The rental of property which has already been made over 
 to me by my father, Mr. Harcourt, exceeds twenty-five thousand 
 a year, besides ready money; and if you require to see the 
 deed, with the rent-roll, it shall be produced for your satisfac- 
 tion ; but on my word, as a gentleman, this is strictly true, and 
 that has never yet been questioned by any man." 
 
 " Oh, that is quite sufficient, my dear young friend ; and if 
 my ward is really attached to you " 
 
 " Of which, dear sir, there can be no doubt, since she has 
 accepted and referred me to you." 
 
 " Then, my dear Beauchamp, I have no further objection to 
 urge, except that in taking her, you must also take all her 
 liabilities upon yourself." 
 
 " Most willingly, my dear sir, were they twice as great." 
 
 Mr. Harcourt then suggested he should sign a little memo- 
 randum to that effect, which was worded in similar terms to 
 -that he had produced for Lord Ayrshire, and having called in 
 the butler to witness Beauchamp' s signature to this document, 
 he was about to lead the way to the drawing-room, when Beau- 
 champ interposed, " You have forgotten to give me your written 
 
358 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 consent, my dear sir, which will ratify the bargain on both 
 sides ; and if you will lend your pen a moment, I will trace a 
 few lines which you can sign." Appearing not to notice Mr. 
 Harcourt's evident annoyance at this request, Beauchamp wrote 
 a few lines, by which, among other things, Mr. Harcourt gave 
 his full, unconditional consent to the marriage of his ward with 
 Lord Beauchamp, and resigned all right and control over her 
 person, goods, and chattels, from that day, in favour of her 
 affianced husband. 
 
 " Bather stringent conditions, Beauchamp," he observed, on 
 reading them. 
 
 a Not half so stringent as yours, my dear sir." 
 
 " Oh ! very well, give me the pen ; I can resign her safely 
 to your care." 
 
 " Yes, that you certainly may, as we have always regarded 
 each other from childhood as brother and sister ; and now, my 
 dear sir," j)lacing the paper in his pocket, " as I have a pressing 
 engagement just now, I will call on Mrs. Harcourt another 
 day." 
 
 Beauchamp hastened directly to Blanche, who was im- 
 patiently awaiting his return, and catching her in his arms, 
 exclaimed, " Now you are indeed my very own dear Blanche ! I 
 have your guardian's consent, my love, at last, and here it is in 
 writing," producing the paper from his pocket; "there, Blanche, 
 read that precious document, conveying yourself, goods and 
 chattels, over to my sole keeping. Well, child, is not that 
 doing business in Harcourt's own style 1 He did not half like 
 the conditions, yet I made him sign them." 
 
 " But I fear, William, he made you sign something too 1 " 
 
 " Yes, my love, he did, by which I have taken all the re- 
 sponsibility of this suit, and rejoiced am I to get the control of 
 these matters into my own hands, or he and his lawyer, Borum, 
 would have sacrificed your rights to their blundering. Now, 
 my dear, darling girl, I am the happiest fellow in existence, 
 and you shall sing me that song this evening ; ' Oh, leave the 
 gay and festive scene ! ' Yes, my love, we will leave this murky 
 atmosphere, and be off to the dear old Priory again." 
 
 " Oh, when shall we go, dear William 1 I shall be so de- 
 lighted to be in the country once more." 
 
 "Then you do not wish to attend any more gay balls, or 
 even have another night at the opera 1 " 
 
 " No, no — I am tired to death almost of dissipation." 
 
 " And won't you miss that gay throng of courtiers and 
 
THE LOVERS AEE TAKEN BY SURPRISE. 359 
 
 admirers, who declared they could exist only in the sunshine of 
 your smiles 1 " 
 
 " Fulsome flatterers all, dear William ; my love and smiles 
 are for you only, and I never wish to see London again." 
 
 " Well, then, my love, run off to Aunt Gordon, and ask her 
 to prepare for leaving as soon as convenient to herself — the day 
 after to-morrow, if possible." 
 
 All the party in Grosvenor Square were much amused, if 
 not edified, with Beauchamp's description of his interview with 
 Mr. Harcourt, and his beating about the bush to ascertain 
 whether he had money enough to bear the brunt of the fight 
 now pending ; and Malcolm shook with laughter at the wording 
 of the paper Beauchamp had induced him to sign. 
 
 " Why, my dear girl, old Harcourt, by this document, has 
 assigned and made over to Beauchamp all his right and title in 
 you, as if you were a floating cargo of goods or merchandise. 
 What put it in your head, Beauchamp, to write all this down?" 
 
 " To make him ashamed of denying his bargain, if he ever 
 felt inclined to do so, and to prevent his again interfering with 
 that dear girl, of whom he has so often tried to make mer- 
 chandise." 
 
 " Well, thank goodness, we are quit of him at last ; and 
 now, Beauchamp, if we don't mangle that rascally firm of 
 Mangle and Co. it is our own fault." 
 
 " They shall have it, Malcolm, thick and threefold, and we 
 will see Macvittie to-morrow." 
 
 CHAPTER XLIY. 
 
 The same evening, as Blanche was singing to Beauchamp, the 
 door of the drawing-room opened, and, without being announced, 
 the old squire, now Earl of Annandale, quietly walked in, 
 taking them all by surprise. Constance sprang forward. " My 
 dear, clear father," she exclaimed, and rushed into his arms. 
 Blanche ceased singing, and rose to meet him, although with 
 some hesitatian, which observing, he said, "Have I still another 
 daughter 1 " 
 
 "Indeed you have, my dear father," she cried, and was 
 instantly locked in his embrace. "You naughty, undutiful 
 child ! " murmured the old man, as he kissed her f-^head, 
 
360 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "how could you treat my dear boy so unkindly, by writing such 
 a letter, which drove him nearly crazy 1 " 
 
 " Because I thought my loss of fortune might- 
 
 " What, child ! make him love you less 1 — Oh, Blanche ! 
 what a reflection on both our characters ! — why, that is the very 
 reason we should love you more, if possible, ten times more. 
 But did you not j>i*omise once to love and regard me for ever 
 as your own father 1 " 
 
 " Yes, indeed, and I do respect and love you with all the 
 affection of a daughter." 
 
 " Then recollect, my dear child, that all your troubles and 
 trials belong to me as well as yourself; we ought to have no 
 divided feelings or interests. But I see, dear girl, by your pallid 
 face, you have punished yourself as much as William. Come, 
 Blanche, give me another kiss, and promise never to be guilty 
 of such folly again." Pressing her to his heart once more, the 
 old squire then turned to Lady Malcolm, whom he shook 
 heartily by the hand, then to Mrs. C4ordon, with whom he ex- 
 changed the most cordial greeting. We will now leave this 
 once more united happy family, and follow Lord Ayrshire to 
 his club, where he dined with Lord Henry Bayntun. The 
 evening being sultry, an extra quantity of claret was required, 
 which had the usual effect of inducing less restraint in Lord 
 Ayrshire's conversation, who, after his interview with Mr. 
 Harcourt, considering himself secure of the heiress, began to 
 make more particular inquiries of his friend respecting Mr. 
 Mangle and his client's pretensions to her fortune. 
 
 " The money is all right enough," replied Lord Henry, " as 
 Mangle tells me the property now lets for ten thousand per 
 annum, and, from his agent's report in Scotland, is certainly 
 worth more." 
 
 " Well, but who is the man, or where to be found, who has 
 set up this claim ? " 
 
 "On that point, Ayrshire, my most particular friend, 
 Mangle, is not disposed to be very communicative, as I pumped 
 him pretty hard the other day without getting anything out ; 
 in fact, between ourselves, as Mangle is as arrant a scoundrel as 
 ever swung at Newgate, I've an idea this is a bit of simulation 
 of his own devising, and his client a man of straw. Otherwise, 
 why should he refuse to give his address? I have been thinking 
 this over, and tried him again this afternoon, with no better 
 success. This looks deucedly suspicious, and my impression is 
 that this rascal has got some deep scheme in his head, and by 
 
LORD AYRSHIRE S OPINION OF BLANCHE. 3G1 
 
 -working on old Har court's timidity, thinks to frighten him into 
 terms. Evidently he has the thing in his own hands, and this 
 young Douglas is a nonentity — that's my opinion, Ayrshire." 
 
 "Not unlikely, Bayntun — then what do you think the 
 fellow would take for his chance 1 would thirty thousand 
 pounds choke him off ? " 
 
 " At once, I should say, or perhaps less money, if he had a 
 proper man to deal with." 
 
 "Well, Bayntun, as you know how to deal with these 
 sharks, will you undertake to negotiate with them 1 " 
 
 "For whom?" inquired Lord Henry, with some surprise. 
 
 " Myself, Bayntun ; for the fact is, I had an interview with 
 Harcourt this morning, and I have signed an agreement to 
 take all responsibility in this suit off his shoulders, and he has 
 agreed I shall marry his ward." 
 
 " The deuce you have ! why, that beats some of our little 
 transactions on the turf all to nothing." 
 
 "Oh, it's all fair, Bayntun, and above-board — a quid pro 
 quo — and you must allow I have, as far as money is concerned, 
 the worst of the bargain." 
 
 " Egad, I'm not so sure of that, my dear fellow — the odds are 
 greatly in your favour, and if you are obliged to give Mangle 
 thirty thousand, you still clear an immense stake — it is a 
 capital investment." 
 
 " Well, Bayntun, that may be the case or not ; but although 
 it did enter into my calculation to compromise with, or buy off, 
 this pretender, yet the fact is, that this girl is precisely the person 
 I have been looking out for a long time, to sit at the head of 
 my table. She is well-bred, highly connected, of graceful and 
 dignified deportment, a perfect lady in manners, and has passed 
 through the ordeal of her first season in town without affecta- 
 tion of any kind, although so generally admired, and without 
 exhibiting the least disposition to flirtation. I have watched 
 her narrowly, Bayntun, and never could detect the slightest 
 approach to levity in her conduct since the night of our first 
 acquaintance ; and the manner in which she has so quietly 
 repulsed any too familiar advances from those puppies, who 
 have been so constantly trying to ingratiate themselves into 
 her favour, has excited my strongest admiration. In shore, 
 Bayntun, she is one in a thousand, and last, though not least in 
 the opinion of most men, her features and form are perfection." 
 
 " I cannot gainsay a word you have spoken, Ayrshire, in 
 regard to Miss Douglas ; and if you obtain her fortune, or half 
 
362 THE MASTER OF THE HOUJ\T>S. 
 
 of it even, with herself, you may think yourself a deuced lucky 
 fellow." 
 
 " Well, Eayntun, between ourselves — and mind, it must go 
 no further — if you can arrange this little affair with Mangle, at 
 a reasonable rate, say thirty thousand, I will make you a 
 present of a couple of thousands for your trouble." 
 
 "Agreed, Ayrshire, I will see him to-morrow morning as 
 soon as he reaches his den ; but are you quite sure of the young 
 lady consenting to her guardian's bargain 1 " 
 
 " Oh, my dear fellow, not the least fear of that. Har court 
 was to see her directly, and no doubt, under the influence of 
 her aunts, Lady Malcolm and Mrs. Gordon, who will both urge 
 her to comply with his wishes, I look upon it as a settled 
 thing already ; no girl of common sense or prudence could 
 decline such an offer." 
 
 " Perhaps not ; yet you have heard, I suppose, that 
 although one man may lead a horse to water, two * cannot make 
 him drink ; and this young filly may have a will of her own, as 
 well as a love of her own." 
 
 " Pooh ! nonsense, Bayntun \ just now no man would come 
 forward as I have done — the risk is too great, and the fancy 
 of marrying for love is become quite out of date." 
 
 " Not quite, Ayrshire ; however, I will attend to my part 
 of the business early to-morrow, and meet you here at three 
 o'clock. So now, good night." 
 
 At ten o'clock the next morning, Lord Henry drove to 
 Lincoln's Inn, and found Mangle at home, with whom he at first 
 entered on some affairs of his own, to allay any suspicions about 
 the heiress's property, and was about leaving, when, taking his 
 hat, Lord Henry said, in a careless tone, "Well, Mangle, I 
 forgot to ask how you got on with old Harcourt ; the news is 
 all over town, and the heiress at rather a low figure in the 
 betting world, there being long odds against her getting married 
 this season." 
 
 " Ah, my lord, you are always thinking about your betting- 
 book, instead of other matters ; but I think Mr. Harcourt is 
 pretty well satisfied by this time that our cause is a good 
 one." 
 
 " Well, Mangle, I'll have a bet with you — an even five-and- 
 twenty — you don't win the stakes, notwithstanding." 
 
 " Thank you, my lord, I am not a betting man." 
 
 " Say five then, Mangle — anything for a bet — shall I enter 
 it in my log % " taking out his pocket-book. 
 
bayntun's interview with mangle. S63 
 
 " Oh, no, my lord, I really never bet at all — not even five 
 shillings. I should lose my practice, were it known I was a 
 betting man." 
 
 " Stuff and nonsense, Mangle ; but come, if you won't do 
 business in one line, you will, perhaps, in another. I'm in a 
 speculative humour this morning, and want something on hand ; 
 so I'll buy your chance, if you will offer fair terms, out and 
 out, and set up for the girl myself." 
 
 il But where, my lord, could you find the money, were I 
 disposed to deal with you 1 " 
 
 " Oh, my friend Moses in the city, or some other old clothes 
 man ; but that's nothing to you, I'll find it somehow, if I can 
 make fair terms — that is, to get paid for my trouble. Egad ! 
 it's not a bad spec." 
 
 " But the young lady, my lord 1 " 
 
 " We are on capital terms, Mangle, although I don't know 
 much of Harcourt — that will follow : now for the price — what's 
 the figure?" 
 
 " Well, you know, my lord, it can only be done with my 
 client's consent ; but, without prejudice, say a hundred thou- 
 sand guineas." 
 
 " A hundred thousand devils, Mangle ! — why, that's half the 
 value of the property ! " 
 
 " Not anything like it, my lord, with all the arrears." 
 " All chaff about the arrears, my worthy friend ; and then, 
 just look at your chance with Lord Malcolm, who swears he 
 will take the matter out of Harcourt' s hands, throw it into 
 Chancery, and keep it there the next ten years, and carry it, 
 if necessary, to the House of Lords. Your client must be a 
 man of substance to stand this racket/' 
 
 " Well, perhaps he is, my lord ; but Lord Malcolm is re- 
 ported not over rich." 
 
 "He is just on the point of marrying a young lady with 
 two hundred thousand pounds — to my loss, I am sorry to say, 
 having made a bet on the subject — so there's no mistake in that 
 matter." 
 
 Mr. Mangle looking rather serious at this intelligence, Lord 
 Henry said, " Come, Mangle, I'll take you at the odds laid last 
 night at Brooks's — seven to one on Miss Douglas against the 
 field ; which means Mangle and Co., with their backer." 
 
 " You don't mean to say, my lord, that wagers are being 
 publicly laid on this suit 1 " 
 
 " I do, though, my unsophisticated friend, and here," show- 
 
364 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 ing the entry in his book, "is my bet with Martingale, who 
 offered it freely round the table — seven to one against Mangle 
 and Co." 
 
 The lawyer looked aghast at this damnatory opinion of his 
 case, and inquired how it was possible gentlemen on the turf 
 could know anything of matters so entirely out of their pro- 
 vince. 
 
 " We bet on every event, anything, everything that is dis- 
 cussed at the club," replied Lord Henry; "and we have fellows 
 well paid, besides jockeys and trainers, to give us the information 
 we require. You are in the market now, and the odds are 
 increasing against you every day ; first three, then five, now 
 seven ; and to-night, they say, ten to one will be offered on the 
 heiress winning in a canter." 
 
 " Really, my lord, this is too bad." 
 
 " You can't help yourself, my worthy friend," replied Lord 
 Henry ; " but now I will make you an offer of thirty thousand 
 pounds for your chance, money down." 
 
 " Indeed, my lord, we could not accept such a trifling sum." 
 
 " A fair offer, Mangle, well calculated, taking Chancery 
 suit and all into account, with heavy damages to the losing 
 party." 
 
 " To-morrow I shall offer only twenty," putting on his hat. 
 " Is it a bargain or not ? can't wait any longer." 
 
 " I will report your proposal to my client," replied Mr. 
 Mangle, musing, "and you shall know his opinion to-morrow 
 •evening, say at four o'clock, if you call here." 
 
 We must now go back to see what has passed in Upper 
 Brook Street, after Beauchamp's departure the preceding day. 
 Mr. Harcourt, on repairing to the drawing-room, was interro- 
 gated by his spouse as to the purport of Lord Ayrshire's and 
 Beauchamp's visit, who, having given a full explanation of his 
 transactions with them, said exultingly, " Well, my dear, don't 
 you think I have made a capital bargain, in getting rid of this 
 responsibility on such easy terms 1 " 
 
 " By making a fool of the marquis, Mr. Harcourt." 
 
 " Oh, no, my dear ; he has made a fool of himself by offering 
 a second time, when I told him he had little chance of success. 
 But it is quite a different affair with Beauchamp ; there the 
 thing is settled off at once, and I am now relieved from a load 
 of care and apprehension." 
 
 • " And the man I disliked above all others recognised as my 
 niece's accepted husband, Mr. Harcourt ; very complimentary, 
 
MRS. HARCOURT IS MOLLIFIED. 365 
 
 indeed, and consolatory to my feelings. He could not have 
 married her [for three years, at least, without your consent ; 
 that, out of deference to my wishes, you ought to have 
 withheld." 
 
 " And saddled myself with about fifty thousand pounds in 
 costs and arrears of rent, my dear ; where could I have found 
 the money 1 That, it seems has not entered into your calcula- 
 tion. Would you like to give up your carriage and horses, just 
 to spite Beauchamp 1 " 
 
 " No, Mr. Harcourt, certainly not ; but you might insist 
 on her accepting Lord Ayrshire — or force Mrs. Gordon to bear 
 the expenses." 
 
 " Pooh ! nonsense, my dear ; it is idle talking in that strain ; 
 it cannot be done. Lord Beauchamp has now become a man of 
 consequence in our county, and it is our jwlicy to be on good 
 terms with him and his father ; besides which, he used to be a 
 favourite with you once, as well as myself, and has really done 
 nothing to forfeit our good opinion. I never objected to the 
 man, but his means ; and as your niece will be raised to the 
 rank you have desired so earnestly, it is perfectly absurd, my 
 dear, raising any further objections. You have got what you 
 coveted for your niece — rank and riches, with a magnificent 
 place ; Blanche has got the man she loved, and I have got out 
 of my difficulties ; so now, my dear, I can afford to make you a 
 present of two hundred pounds (which he laid before her), to 
 help to pay your milliner's bill, and purchase any little extras 
 you require, before we leave London." 
 
 " Well, my love," replied the lady, quite mollified, " I dare 
 say you have acted very wisely in this business, and if you are 
 satisfied, I am content to submit to your decision." 
 
 Mr. Harcourt had only one more little unpleasantness to 
 encounter, in his interview with the marquis, which was readily 
 disposed of by informing him the next day, when he called, 
 that his ward, Miss Douglas, had confessed her long attachment 
 to Mr., now Lord Beauchamp, and declared her resolution to 
 marry no other. 
 
 " But surely, Mr. Harcourt, Lord Beauchamp would not 
 think of marrying Miss Douglas under existing circumstances ? " 
 
 " Indeed, he does, my lord, and since our interview yester- 
 day, has called here, and taken every responsibility on himself." 
 
 " And you, Mr. Harcourt, have given your consent to the 
 marriage 1 " 
 
 "It was useless, my lord, my attempting to refioe it, as 
 
Obb THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 Lord Beaucliamp had obtained the consent of her other guar- 
 dian, Mrs. Gordon." 
 
 " Oh, very well, sir," replied the Marquis, rising with great 
 dignity and indignation ; " then I have the honour to wish 
 you good morning, sir;" and with head erect, he stalked 
 fierecely out of the room, cursing Harcourt in his heart, as he 
 
 walked down-stairs, for a mean, cowardly driveller. " D n 
 
 the fellow ! " muttered Lord Ayrshire ; " I saw by his quivering 
 lip he had sold me, and would have laid my cane over his 
 shoulders, but for the expose of the whole affair, and that 
 infernal paper I was fool enough to sign. Yet, confound the 
 fellow, that I must recover at any rate ; " and he turned quickly 
 back for that purpose, and again entering the room, said, " I had 
 forgotten, sir, a little document I was foolishly induced by you 
 to sign yesterday." 
 
 " Oh, certainly, my lord ; I will deliver it to you immedi- 
 ately ; " taking it from his desk, and expressing his regret at 
 not being able to carry out his lordship's wishes. 
 
 " I will thank you, Mr. Harcourt, notwithstanding, to 
 observe your promise of secresy in this transaction, or the 
 consequence may be as unpleasant to yourself as to me." 
 
 " Oh, certainly, my lord," replied Harcourt ; " nothing which 
 has occurred between us shall ever escape my lips." 
 
 " I hope not, sir, for your sake as well as my own," growled 
 Lord Ayrshire, who, crumpling the paper in his hand, turned 
 majestically to the door. 
 
 CHAPTER XLV. 
 
 The marquis, furious at his rejection, and Mr. Harcourt's 
 duplicity, was in no very complacent humour when he met Lord 
 Henry three hours afterwards at his club ; and he at once said 
 he was so thoroughly disgusted with Harcourt's conduct in 
 trying to make a Jew bargain with him, that he had declined 
 having anything more to do with him. 
 
 " Then you have resigned all pretensions to Miss Douglas, 
 Ayrshire ? Is that fact ? " 
 
 " Exactly, Bayntun." 
 
 " What, after the agreement you signed yesterday 1 How 
 is this ? " 
 
A DISCLOSUKE. 367 
 
 " Harcourt would not stand to his terms ; so I quashed the 
 thing off-hand with that double-dealing old humbug." 
 
 " Then you have made an ass of me, Ayrshire, also, as I 
 have seen Mangle on the matter, whom, I have no doubt, will 
 accept your proposal for his client, and I am to call again in 
 Lincoln's Inn this evening." 
 
 " It cannot be helped now, Bayntun, the thing is at an 
 end/' 
 
 " Not quite, Ayrshire \ my part of the contract has been 
 performed." 
 
 u Oh, I understand ; we can talk of that another day, as I 
 am in a great hurry now to keep an engagement, and my horse 
 is waiting." 
 
 Lord Henry, nettled at this cool treatment, determined to 
 find out more ; and meeting Lord Malcolm soon after in the 
 Park, asked some questions about his cousin, whether there was 
 any truth in the report of her being engaged to Lord Ayrshire. 
 
 "Not the slightest," was the reply. 
 
 " Indeed, Malcolm, are you quite sure ? " 
 
 " Positive, Bayntun ; but who is your news-monger 1 " 
 
 " Well, what would you say to a hint from the man him- 
 self, that it was, or would be, the case without doubt." 
 
 " Do you mean to imply that Ayrshire told you he had been 
 accepted by my cousin, Bayntun 1 " 
 
 There was no reply, but a knowing look and a provoking 
 smile on his face, which at once rousing Lord Malcolm's temper, 
 he hastily said : 
 
 " Lord Ayrshire was flatly refused by Miss Douglas, who 
 has been engaged to my friend, Beauchamp, for the last six 
 months, to my certain knowledge — there, Bayntun, I conclude 
 that is plain enough, and strong enough to check any farther 
 idle boasting about her." 
 
 " Is the thing quite settled, Malcolm 1 * 
 
 " Quite so," was the re]3ly ; " and her guardian's consent 
 obtained." 
 
 " What a fool Ayrshire has made of me, then," exclaimed 
 Lord Henry ; and, without hesitation, he related all that had 
 occurred between them, and his interview with Mangle. 
 
 " Upon my word, Bayntun, this beats horse-dealing, with 
 those two fellows bantering and bargaining for my cousin as if 
 she was to be put up to auction, and knocked down to the 
 highest bidder — confound it, sir, this is too bad ; and I will ex- 
 pose their audacious proceedings to the world." 
 
368 THE MASTER OF THE HOUXDS. 
 
 " Serve them both right, Malcolm — but don't be in too 
 £reat a hurry — although Ayrshire has treated me very cava- 
 lierly also." 
 
 " Well, Bayntun, you may serve us now, so go, keep your 
 appointment with that rascal, Mangle ; and if you can ruck out 
 what you suspect, and I believe to be the case, that it is a 
 trumped-up affair, by Jove ! I'll give you the two thousand 
 pounds, and engage Beauchamp shall give you two more." 
 
 " On your honour, Malcolm, are you in earnest 1 " 
 
 " On my oath, if necessary." 
 
 " Enough, old fellow, I'm off to Lincoln's Inn, and will 
 meet you to-morrow at the club, at two o'clock." 
 
 There being a grand re-union that night at Lady Hasleton's,. 
 Lord Henry was there, and knowing his penchant for Miss 
 Douglas, Lady Fanny Trimmer began bantering him on the 
 sudden downfall of his idol. " What a fortunate escape for your 
 lordship — and Ayrshire, after such very particular attentions, 
 has altered his tone completely this evening — can't endure the 
 name of Douglas now — ha, ha ! " 
 
 "ISTo wonder Ayrshire has changed his key." replied Lord 
 Henry, "when he found all the notes in B flat." 
 
 "Rejected ! Lord Henry, do you really mean to say he has 
 been refused by that pretty little impostor ? " 
 
 " She is no impostor," rejnied Lord Henry, indignantly ; 
 " but an impostor has laid claim to her property, to which he 
 has no more right than I have ; that fact has come to my 
 knowledge this day ; and as for Ayrshire and others sneering at 
 and running down Miss Douglas now, it is because she has re- 
 jected half a score of them, at least, before a word was said 
 about her loss of fortune." 
 
 " You astonish me, Lord Henry : refuse Ayrshire ! impos- 
 sible ! What girl in her senses could commit such folly 1 " 
 
 " I suppose, then, when young ladies are in love, they are 
 out of their senses, and, therefore, Miss Douglas, having been 
 attached to Lord Beauchamp before she made her debut in the 
 London world, has been mad enough to prefer him to all our 
 gay men of ton." 
 
 " Gracious goodness ! how romantic ! and Lord Beauchamp 
 really intends to marry her, notwithstanding this claim upon 
 her property 1 " 
 
 "Yes," replied Lord Henry, "if she had not a shilling in 
 the world, but I wish I were as secure of my bets as she is of 
 her rights." 
 
" THE DEVIL IN PETTICOATS." 360 
 
 Lady Fanny Trimmer was not slow to communicate the 
 intelligence received from Lord Henry to her numerous' 
 acquaintances; and the news spread quickly through the gay 
 assembly that Lord Ayrshire had been rejected by the heiress. 
 Sir John Martingale having experienced a similar check, which 
 he attributed to the influence of the marquis, could not forbear 
 expressing his satisfaction at his rival's discomfiture; and on 
 meeting him, said, " So, Ayrshire, it seems you are on the wrong 
 side of the post yourself, as well as one or two other men, in 
 spite of all your jockeying to hustle and bustle them off the 
 course." 
 
 "I don't comprehend you, Martingale 1 " 
 
 " Well, then, my lord, it is rumoured you have failed to in- 
 duce Miss Douglas to become Marchioness of Ayrshire." 
 
 "And who, sir, has had the audacity to circulate such a 
 report % " inquired the marquis, in a violent passion. 
 
 " It is all over the room, my lord, and no longer a secret." 
 
 " Your authority, sir 1 " demanded the marquis, imperiously. 
 That you shall have, my lord, if you will assert it is not true?' 
 
 "That is nothing to the purpose, sir. I require your 
 authority." 
 
 " I heard the news from Lady Fanny Trimmer, who was 
 telling it openly," replied the baronet. 
 
 " The devil in petticoats ! " muttered the marquis, as he 
 turned away to find the wholesale retailer of scandal. But his 
 worst fears were realised, when he was referred by that sarcastic 
 lady to Lord Henry Bayntun, and the look of savage despair 
 with which he received this unlooked-for disclosure from his 
 quondam friend, confirmed Lady Fanny's impression that the 
 report was perfectly true. " Ha ! ha ! " she laughed, as the 
 marquis abruptly left her, without a word in return, " the arrow 
 has pierced the bull's eye this time, and the fastidious marquis 
 has fallen by the bow of a simple country maiden." 
 
 Not daring to question Lord Henry, whose pride and 
 quick temper were equal to his own, for fear of a thorough 
 expose of his transactions with Harcourt, Lord Ayrshire quitted 
 the room, and left London a few days after, on a continental 
 tour, ridiculed by all his associates — regretted by none. 
 
 The next day, Malcolm held a long consultation with Lord 
 Henry, who had prevailed on Mangle to accept the thirty thou- 
 sand pounds in satisfaction of his client's claim. 
 
 " It's a hollow thing," said he ; "and my impression is, we 
 could catch this rascal out with a little more trouble." 
 
370 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "Well, Bayntun, if you do not regard the trouble, and can 
 succeed with us in upsetting him altogether, Beauchanrp and 
 myself will double our stakes, and make you a present of ten 
 thousand pounds, which I hope will set you straight." 
 
 "Will you, by Jove, Malcolm % " 
 
 " Yes, we will, indeed ; and sign an agreement to that effect 
 if you require it." 
 
 " No, no, old fellow ; I can trust your word and Beauchamp's 
 — but a thought has struck me, which I think will help us a 
 little to clear up this mystery. In Mangle's den — which, by 
 the way, is a dark, gloomy room — there is a sham book-case, 
 lettered outside with reports and law books, but hollow within, 
 and the key generally left in the door of this closet, which con- 
 tains only a few old dusty parchments. Now, as I know he 
 will be absent to-morrow from two until four o'clock, I will 
 take my tiger with me, who is a sharp, quick boy, smuggle him 
 into the closet, whilst I write a few lines just to rouse him a 
 little, and return for an answer in half-an-hour, leaving the boy, 
 with the key inside, to hear the remarks Mangle makes on my 
 letter, which I shall leave on the table." 
 
 " But suppose he should discover the boy 1 " 
 
 " Then the little rascal shall have his story all ready, to say 
 he got there to overhear what his master and the lawyer were 
 talking about ; and a caning from me— -which, of course, won't 
 hurt him over much — but I shall watch my friend into his den, 
 and allow him time only to read the letter." 
 
 " Well, Bayntun," replied Malcolm, " I must leave you to 
 your own devices ; so now, good-bye, as Beauchamp is waiting 
 for me." 
 
 About half-past three the following day, Lord Henry drove 
 in his cab to Lincoln's Inn, with his tiger behind, to whom he 
 had previously given instructions how to act, and his training- 
 groom inside, dressed as a gentleman, who held the reins, while 
 Lord Henry alighted at Mangle's door, and going to the clerk's 
 room, inquired if he had returned. 
 
 " No, my lord," was the reply ; " but we expect him in at 
 four o'clock." 
 
 " Yeiy well," said Lord Henry, " I cannot wait now ; but as 
 I wish to see him on particular business, I will write a note in 
 his room, and leave it on his table." 
 
 " Oh, certainly, my lord," showing him into his employer's 
 sanctum, and placing writing materials before him, after which 
 the clerk returned to his own business, and the boy, who had 
 
MANGLE LOSES HIS KEY AND HIS TEMPER. 371 
 
 been standing ontside the entrance watching his opportunity, 
 slipped in unperceived, and was immediately ensconced in his 
 hiding-place. The purport of Lord Henry's note was to propose 
 an interview with Mr. Archibald Douglas, Mangle's supposed 
 client, to come to a final arrangement the next afternoon at four 
 o'clock, and that he would return for an answer in half an hour. 
 Having finished his despatch, and whispering the boy to keep 
 his ears open and his mouth shut, Lord Henry halloed to the 
 clerk, saying he had left the note and would call again between 
 four and five, and jumping into his cab, drove off towards the 
 West End, where, leaving it with directions to his man to drive 
 home, and return to the same place at five o'clock, he retraced 
 his steps to Lincoln's Inn, and watched on the opposite side of 
 the square until he saw Mangle re-enter his office. " That will 
 do," muttered Lord Henry ; " now ten minutes to allow him 
 time to read my note, and I'll warrant, by his private ejacula- 
 tions, Tom picks something out." 
 
 The boy experienced some queer sensations when he heard 
 the lion bounce into his den, followed by the clerk, who said 
 Lord Henry had been there writing a note, and would call again ; 
 but his terror was considerably increased when the lawyer at- 
 tempted to open the book-case to deposit his bag." 
 
 " Where's the key, sir 1 " demanded Mangle of the clerk ; 
 " I left it here when I went out." 
 
 " Can't say, sir," replied the man ; " perhaps you put it in 
 your pocket." 
 
 " No, sir, I did not," retorted Mangle, " I never do," 
 fumbling all the while to see if it were there. 
 
 " Well, sir, I heard you lock the door when you took out 
 your bag, and perhaps you have dropped the key somewhere." 
 
 " I did no such thing, Mr. Scribble ; but there, get along 
 now, and mind you find it before you leave the office." 
 
 This little affair ruffled Mr. Mangle's excitable temper 
 sufficiently to create an explosion on reading Lord Henry's 
 note. 
 
 " What the devil does this blackleg of a lord want to see my 
 client for 1 some sharping trick, I suppose — but there, that cock 
 won't fight. Confound the fellow ! he'd let the cat out of the 
 bag, or sell me, perhaps, at once. Monkton is a keen rascal in 
 some things, although a confounded ass in others, good-looking, 
 and all that sort of thing ; but my lord will be sure to catch 
 him tripping — he's a deuced deep hand that Lord Henry, and 
 would know a snob from a gentleman in the twinkling of his 
 
 x 2 
 
372 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 eye. No, no, it won't do, it won't do — but I must go down to 
 Brompton this evening, and see what I can make of the fool — 
 but confound it ! here's Lord Henry," as his lordship halloed to 
 the clerk to inquire if Mr. Mangle had returned. 
 
 " Yes, my lord, you will find him in his room." 
 
 "Halloa! Mangle," exclaimed Lord Henry, "put your hat 
 on, a moment, and just walk with me to the end of the square, 
 as I am all behind-time, horse taken ill, and obliged to send 
 him home ; we can walk and talk as well as sit and talk, so 
 come along/' 
 
 They had no sooner left the room than the boy emerged 
 from his hiding-place, and recollecting the discussion about the 
 key, locked the closet door again, and throwing it under Man- 
 gle's chair, slipped noiselessly from the apartment, and walked 
 in a different direction to his master; but a sharp whistle, 
 before he turned the corner of the square, satisfied Lord Henry 
 that his tiger had escaped. That was all he required. Mangle 
 fruitlessly endeavoured to shake Lord Henry's purpose of seeing 
 his client. "Why surely, my lord," argued the lawyer, "his 
 signature will be quite sufficient; what more can you require?" 
 
 " To see and know the man, Mangle, and witness with my 
 own eyes his handwriting. Did any one ever hear of such a 
 one-sided bargain as this, not to know, or even see, the principal 
 you are dealing with 1 Come, come, Mangle, this won't do with 
 men on the turf." 
 
 " Well, my lord, I will endeavour to meet your wishes ; but 
 I am not sure that Mr. Douglas is in London." 
 
 "Very well — then I must wait till he is," replied Lord 
 Henry, " and now, good evening." 
 
 The tiger, seeing the coast clear of the lawyer, quickly joined 
 his master, and told him what he had overheard Mangle mutter- 
 ing to himself on reading the note. 
 
 " By Jove ! Tom, it's all right, just as I expected," exclaimed 
 his lordship, " and your fortune is made, my boy, if things turn 
 out as I believe they will. Now you go back into the square, 
 to the elm trees, where you can keep your eye on Mangle's 
 doorway — watch him like a cat at a mouse-hole, and if he 
 leaves the office before I return, follow close on his heel, whether 
 he takes omnibus or cab, to Brompton — mark the number of 
 the house he calls at, and wait for me in the road, at the upper 
 turning." 
 
 After giving these directions, Lord Henry went in search 
 of a Bow Street officer, and haviDg made him don his best, and 
 
THE PRETENDED DOUGLAS. 373 
 
 look as little like a man of his calling as possible, they returned 
 to Lincoln's Inn — but the boy was nowhere to be seen. They 
 then walked into Holbom, got into a cab, and pulling down the 
 blinds, drove to the Brompton road. Tom was on his post at 
 the corner, and Lord Henry seeing him, pulled up, when the 
 boy, running to the door whispered the number of the house 
 which he said the lawyer had just left, and was walking towards 
 his own home, which lay farther down the road. The cab was 
 dismissed, and Lord Henry with his friend approached arm-in- 
 arm to the house. On ringing the bell, the door was opened by 
 a servant girl, who seeing a handsome-looking gentleman in 
 Lord Henry (the officer having turned his back towards her), 
 said she believed Mr. Monkton was at home ; on which both 
 entered the passage, and the door was closed. 
 
 " What name shall I say, sir % " asked the girl. 
 
 A friend's card being substituted for his own, Lord Henry 
 was shown up-stairs into a back sitting-room, and a tall, rather 
 genteel-looking young man came forward to meet him. 
 
 " Your name is Monkton, sir, I believe," said Lord Henry. 
 A bow was returned only. " I wish to know," continued his 
 lordship, " whether you are really Mr. Monkton or not, before 
 entering on my business." 
 
 ''My name is Monkton, sir." 
 
 "And I think you are acquainted with a friend of mine 
 also, Mr. Mangle, of Lincoln's Inn," added Lord Henry. 
 
 An affirmative being given, Lord Henry proceeded, "you 
 have assumed another name lately, Mr. Monkton, that of 
 Douglas, and are attempting to set up a claim to the property 
 of Miss Douglas, in Scotland, on the plea of being her cousin." 
 The eyes of Lord Henry were riveted on Monkton's face (from 
 which the Bow Street officer had never wandered since entering 
 the room) and he turned pale during this address, his lips 
 quivering with fear, when Lord Henry, reading guilt in his 
 averted looks, suddenly exclaimed, " You are an impostor, sir." 
 "And my prisoner," added the official, producing a pair of 
 hand-cuffs. "I am a Bow Street officer, Mr. Monkton, alias 
 Douglas, alias Jones ; and I think, sir, I have had the pleasure 
 of meeting you before." 
 
 In a moment the culprit fell on his knees before Lord 
 Henry, begging and imploring not to be sent to prison, and he 
 would reveal everything. " Indeed, sir, I have been put up to 
 this by Mangle, indeed I have, and will tell you the whole 
 plot if you will only spare me." 
 
374 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "You are a d d rascal !" exclaimed Lord Henry, "and 
 
 deserve to be transported j but what shall we do, Forrester 1 " 
 
 " Cage him, my lord, cage him, by all manner of means ; 
 he gave me the slip once before in a little swindling affair — 
 'tis the same youngster, I verily believe." 
 
 " Oh, no, sir ; indeed I never saw you before in my life, to 
 the best of my recollection." 
 
 "Which seems to be werry bad, young gentleman," replied 
 Forrester. " It wants brashing up a little ; you'll soon re- 
 member something more, when we have a quiet chat in the 
 lock-up to-night. But stay a moment, just let me have a look 
 at my memorandum book. ' Mark M. on left arm ; ' " and, 
 without ceremony, pulling up the young man's sleeve, " Here 
 it is, my lord," exclaimed the officer, " right as a trivet." 
 
 On this discovery, Monkton's appeals to Lord Henry for 
 mercy were renewed, offering to make a full confession if he 
 would only spare him being sent to prison. 
 
 " Then sit down and let us hear what you have to say first," 
 replied his lordship, "and I will put it down on paper." 
 
 Monkton then made the following declaration: that his 
 aunt, now Mrs. Douglas, but formerly Miss Monkton, had left 
 England as the mistress of Mr. Douglas, to whom she had been 
 married only a few weeks previous to his death, and when 
 there remained no hopes of his recovery. That on her return 
 to London she was advised to consult Mr. Mangle on the state 
 of her affairs, and with the aid and advice of that worthy, a 
 plot was concocted to substitute himself as her son instead of 
 nephew, and alter the date of the marriage certificate to two 
 years previous to the time of its being performed; and he, 
 Monkton, was to be substituted by his aunt and another woman, 
 as her son, born in wedlock, and, therefore, heir to the property. 
 
 " Very good indeed," said Forrester, w T hen Monkton ceased 
 speaking, " a very pretty little scheme ; just the sort of thing 
 to get a man's passage paid for him across the herring pool. 
 Have you ever been in India, Mr. Monkton ? " inquired For- 
 rester. 
 
 " I don't remember being there, sir ; perhaps I may, when 
 very young." 
 
 "Oh, very likely, with your mamma," added the officer, 
 laughing ; " but it will be my business now to find out your 
 birth, parentage, and education, young gentleman ; and I rather 
 think your worthy father fills a situation at the London Docks." 
 
 There was no reply. 
 
THE BET WON. 375 
 
 " Is that true or not, you young rascal ? " demanded For- 
 rester. 
 
 " Oh, yes, sir," replied Monkton ; " but my father knows 
 nothing of this business, indeed he don't." 
 
 '•Well, you young villain, I've got you now, safe enough ; your 
 father will perhaps lose his situation when this thing is made 
 known, and you will be transported to a dead certainty. Now, 
 my lord, I await your orders; time presses, and I must return." 
 
 " Then my decision is this : before I see Lord Malcolm, 
 take this young gentleman with you to your own house, and 
 keep him there until to-morrow at twelve o'clock, by which 
 time I shall have Lord Malcolm's instructions how to act. Treat 
 him well, and ascertain all about his family, his mother par- 
 ticularly, if she is still living, and where." 
 
 " Yes, my lord," replied Monkton, " my father and mother 
 live together at 8, Dock Street." 
 
 " Yery well, send for them to be at your house then, For- 
 rester, to-morrow by twelve o'clock; but no communication 
 before we arrive ; and now, Mr. Monkton," said Lord Henry, 
 "if you make a clean breast of the whole business, I -will 
 endeavour to persuade Lord Malcolm to deal leniently with 
 you. Good night, Forrester, and mind your charge," and Lord 
 Henry ran down stairs, slipping a half-crown into the girl's 
 hand, got into a cab, and drove furiously to Grosvenor Square. 
 The ladies had just left the dining room, when Lord Henry, 
 without any ceremony, rushed in, exclaiming, " I have w T on my 
 bet, Malcolm, and nabbed the impostor, Mr. Archibald Douglas, 
 alias Monkton, alias Jones, and left him in old Forrester's 
 clutches." 
 
 " Hurrah ! " shouted Malcolm. " Thank God ! " ejaculated 
 the old earl. " Bravo ! " cried Beauchamp, as Lord Henry 
 proceeded in his story. " But you have not dined yet, Bayn- 
 tun," the latter remarked. 
 
 " I never think of dinner, Beauchamp, when I've work on 
 hand ; but won't refuse some now ; " which being immediately 
 ordered, he succinctly related all that occurred since his interview 
 with Mangle. 
 
 " Well done ! capital ! excellent ! " was echoed by all ; " a 
 lawyer outwitted at last ! " 
 
 The soup being placed on the table, Beauchamp ran up 
 stairs to give Blanche the" joyful intelligence, and taking her 
 aside, whispered, " Can you bear good news, my dearest girl, as 
 well as you have borne bad 1 " 
 
376 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "Oh, yes, dear William, I hope I can." 
 
 "Then our suspicions are verified, and the impostor who 
 assumed your name is in custody." 
 
 " Thank Heaven, dear William ! " she cried, falling into his 
 arms and bursting into tears; "then I have not been a usurper 
 of another's rights." 
 
 " No, my love ; Lord Henry has unravelled the iniquitous 
 plot got up by that villain, Mangle, and is now having some 
 dinner below, whilst I ran up to tell you that you are the 
 heiress still." 
 
 Lady Malcolm, Mrs. Gordon, and Constance now crowded 
 round Beau champ, kissing Blanche, and expressing their rap- 
 turous delight at the recovery of her fortune, whilst he was 
 giving a more detailed account of Lord Henry's clever trick in 
 catching the lawyer. Leaving the ladies to the enjoyment of 
 mutual felicitations, Beauchamp descended to the dining-room, 
 where Lord Henry, having quickly dispatched his dinner, was 
 discussing with Malcolm, over their claret, the proceedings to 
 be taken on the morrow; and it being finally arranged that 
 Malcolm and Beauchamp should meet him the next day at 
 Forrester's house, at twelve o'clock, Lord Henry soon after took 
 his leave, saying he had engaged to attend the Duchess of 
 B 's grand re-union that evening. 
 
 CHAPTER XLYI. 
 
 Being fully enlisted on the Douglas side, Lord Henry aston- 
 ished his friend Danby and others with his adventures of the 
 day, and speaking in high terms of the Earl of Annandale and 
 Beauchamp, said, " Father and son are both trumps, and have 
 invited me to stay with them at Bampton the whole of next 
 hunting season, and given me carte hlanche to shoot over their 
 property in the north, with quarters at the Castle whenever I 
 like to go there." 
 
 " Deuced liberal, indeed," replied Sir John Martingale ; " I 
 wish you would introduce me, Bayntun, to Beauchamp." 
 
 " What ! to try whether you could be more successful with 
 Lady Beauchamp than you have been with Miss Douglas ? ISTo, 
 indeed, my boy ; your flirtations with young married women 
 are too notorious already, and Beauchamp is very particular in 
 
THE FIRST FAVOURITE. 377 
 
 these matters, although as warm and kind-hearted a fellow as 
 ever breathed." 
 
 "Then it is all settled, Bayntun, that Miss Douglas is to [f 
 become Lady Beauchamp 1 " 
 
 "Quite, Martingale, and Malcolm marries Beauchamo's 
 sister, and two handsomer couples never stood at the altar." 
 
 " That's true enough, Bayntun, and I only wish I could 
 stand in Beauchamp' s shoes on that one morning." 
 
 " Ay, ay, Martingale, you are not singular in that wish ; 
 witness Danby, poor fellow, whom I do pity ; but Ayrshire and 
 others not. However, Beauchamp and Miss Douglas have 
 been attached since boy and girl, so says Malcolm, and may the 
 devil take the man who would part them — that's my opinion, 
 Martingale ; " with which Lord Henry turned away, and forth- 
 with communicated to Lady Fanny Trimmer and other ladies 
 whose jealousy of the heiress was well known, the not very 
 gratifying information of her opponent's defeat and the capture 
 of the impostor. Selina Markham alone rejoiced at her friend's 
 re- establishment in her just rights, and remarked to Lord 
 Henry, " Beauchamp is not quite the spooney I took him for, 
 and verifies the old saying, 'that silent birds pick up most 
 grubs.' Will has been running mute, like one of his cunning 
 old hounds when the fox is sinking, and beaten the flashy town 
 pack gloriously. Hurrah for the provincials ; we shall have 
 a jolly time of it this winter — hunt six days a week, with open 
 house at Bampton. Balls and dinner parties without end. 
 Won't you come down, Lord Henry, and see how we do things 
 in our quiet country ? " 
 
 "Not very quiet, I suspect, Miss Markham, if I am to 
 judge by what I hear of your gaieties and hospitalities last 
 winter ; Danby says he enjoyed himself amazingly." 
 
 " Ah, yes, I dare say he did ; but then he saw everything 
 couleur de rose — every scene was one of enchantment to him, 
 where Blanche was present." 
 
 " Ah, Miss Markham, Danby is deucedly cut up about that 
 little affair ; but he did not go the way to mend matters by 
 playing the grandee over Beauchamp. Your sex are ever ready 
 to avenge an insult offered to their favourites, and from the night 
 of his purposely excluding Beauchamp from the last ball at Castle- 
 ton House, Miss Douglas has scarcely noticed him ; but for this 
 piece of folly, he would have stood second favourite at least — 
 certainly before Ayrshire ; and my advice is never to throw away 
 a chance, as the first favourite does not always come in a winner." 
 
378 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " But in a love-race is seldom a loser, Lord Henry, if the 
 young lady has to decide herself." 
 
 " Then Miss Douglas, in your opinion, would neither have 
 accepted Danby, Ayrshire, or any other, notwithstanding Har- 
 court's assertions to the contrary, and would have continued 
 constant to Beauchamp until she became mistress of her own 
 fortune 1 " 
 
 "Certainly, Lord Henry ; 'still waters run deep,' and Blanche 
 feels deeply, although her true character is not known to com- 
 mon acquaintances." 
 
 " Well, Miss Markham, she has made fools of many knowing 
 hands this season." 
 
 " Or rather," replied Selina, " they have made fools of them- 
 selves, by choosing to assume that a young country girl must 
 of necessity be such a simpleton as to be taken directly by 
 their nattering, fulsome, fine speeches. We are not quite 
 the Jenny Raws you are condescending enough to think us, 
 my lord." 
 
 " So it appears, Miss Markham ; and I'll bet a cool hundred 
 Ayrshire does not forget the name of Douglas for these next 
 ten years, if then. Well, that supercilious fool wanted a settler, 
 and he has got one at last. Egad ! all the women were at him 
 like magpies round a tame hawk, when they found his wing 
 had been clipped, and he bolted at once for the Continent. And 
 you, Miss Markham, have, I fear, made sad havoc with some 
 hearts also." 
 
 " Not with yours, my lord, I hope." 
 
 " Why, no, not exactly yet, Miss Markham ; although, I 
 must confess a little penchant was beginning to spring up, 
 when I was informed you had decided on being an old man's 
 darling." 
 
 " Well, my lord, if such were the case, that is far preferable 
 to being a gambler's wife." 
 
 " Thank you for that compliment, Miss Markham." 
 
 "Which your impertinence called forth, Lord Henry; 
 young gentlemen should not pry into the secrets of ladies' work- 
 boxes, where they may find needles which will prick their 
 fingers." 
 
 " It is only what I deserved ; but I hope we shall still be 
 friends, and I will keep clear of the needles for the future, 
 which I feel can prick confoundedly. But why call a lady's 
 heart a workbox % " 
 
 " Because the heart lies in the chest ; and an Italian friend 
 
A " SCEPTICAL " FOR THIEVES. 379 
 
 •of mine would persist in calling a pain in his chest a pain in 
 his box; but this pain in his box was cured by marrying the 
 lady who caused it." 
 
 "Well, Miss Markham, I have always heard matrimony 
 was a specific cure for that tormenting malady called love." 
 
 " It may allay the unpleasant irritation attending it, with- 
 out working a radical cure, Lord Henry, except in such cases as 
 my friend, the Count's, whose disorder was of a most acute and 
 highly inflammatory kind ; but in a chronic disease of long 
 standing, the patient seldom expects or hopes for a remedy; 
 and now I think it is time for me to bid adieu to these fairy 
 scenes and you, as we leave town to-morrow for Barton Court, 
 where, probably, I may have the pleasure of seeing you, and 
 showing you the way to clear a five-barred gate after the 
 Bampton foxhounds." 
 
 "Nothing would delight me more than to follow such a 
 leader/' replied Lord Henry ; " and if alive, I shall certainly 
 avail myself of Beauchamp's kind invitation." 
 
 We must now look after our friend Mangle, who (having 
 hired a lodging for Monkton in the Brompton Road, where he 
 called twice daily in his way to and from his office, to watch 
 his client, or rather tool, as well as his case), was struck dumb 
 with astonishment the next morning by the information given 
 him when calling, by the landlady, that his charge had been 
 carried off the previous evening by a Bow Street officer. 
 
 "A Bow Street officer, ma'am?" exclaimed Mangle, in 
 bewilderment. 
 
 " Yes, sir, I did say a Bow Street officer ; on a charge of 
 forgery, sir ; and ain't you ashamed of yourself, Mr. Mangle, to 
 put a dirty fellow of that sort into a respectable widowed 
 woman's house ? It'll be my ruin, sir, palming a low vagabond 
 like that off as a gentleman of fortune. It's a nasty blackguard 
 trick ; and although you may be a lawyer, I'll have the law of 
 you for making my house a sceptical for thieves and pick- 
 pockets." 
 
 " Hold your clatter, you old beldame," cried Mangle, " it's 
 false, I say — it's all a lie." 
 
 "It's all true, I say, you rapscallion of a man. I heard the 
 fellow falling on his knees — cry for mercy — and confess all 
 about it ; he said that lawyer Mangle put him up to forging 
 the deed, and my lord took it down on paper, and the man you 
 call Monkton signed his name, and swore it was true every 
 word, that was written." 
 
3S0 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " The devil he did ! " exclaimed Mangle ; '•' what a rascal ! 
 and who was the lord ? " 
 
 " Can't say, Mr. Mangle, as I don't know and don't care ; 
 but he was called Lord Henry somebody." 
 
 " Hell and destruction ! " muttered Mangle, as he rushed 
 from the door and jumped into a cab that was passing ; "it's all 
 over with me ! " 
 
 Returning to his house, the lawyer wrote a short note to his- 
 partners, telling them what had occurred, and that, in conse- 
 quence, he should leave town for a short time, until the thing- 
 had blown over ; and taking all the money he had in his strong 
 box, he immediately started for America. At twelve o'clock 
 the same morning, Malcolm and Beauchamp met Lord Henry 
 at the private residence of the Bow Street officer, and found 
 Mr. Monkton in a most communicative mood ; and it was 
 evident from this young gentleman's confessions, that Mangle 
 was the originator and inventor of the plot, the alteration in 
 the date of the marriage certificate being made by his own hand. 
 Monkton's father and mother were also in attendance, both 
 declaring they knew nothing of the business in which their son 
 was implicated, as he had ceased to live with them for several 
 months. The father implored Malcolm and Beauchamp not to 
 prosecute his son, or he should most likely be dismissed from 
 his employment in the docks. " Indeed, my lords," pleaded he, 
 " the lad, although wilful and wayward sometimes, would never 
 have imagined such a trick as this — he is only the dupe of that 
 rascally lawyer." 
 
 "But your sister," replied Beauchamp, "is also concerned 
 in this conspiracy. Where is she 1 " 
 
 " She has lived at Islington, my lord, since her return from 
 India ; but as she passes herself off for a lady now, we seldom 
 meet, and she is too good, or too bad, for us humble people." 
 
 " Very well, Mr. Monkton," continued Beauchamp ; " then 
 I shall require you to go with me and Lord Malcolm to her 
 residence, whilst your wife remains here until our return; 
 your son will then swear to the statement he has made before 
 a magistrate, and you must be bound over to produce him as a 
 witness against Mangle, when required ; do you agree to this 
 proposal 1 " 
 
 " Yes, my lord, most willingly." 
 
 "Very well; then, Bayntun, will you be kind enough to 
 await our return from Islington 1 " 
 
 This was readily assented to ; and Be: uc^amp and Malcolm, 
 
A CHANGE IN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS. 381 
 
 with Monkton, drove directly to Islington, where they found 
 Mrs. Douglas at home. Leaving Monkton below, they were 
 ushered into her sitting-room, Avhen Beauchamp thus addressed 
 her — 
 
 " Your name is Douglas, I presume, madam 1 " 
 
 " Yes, sir, it is." 
 
 "You have set up a claim, I believe, to the property of 
 Miss Douglas in Scotland, on behalf of a young man you call 
 your son 1 " 
 
 "He is my son, sir, and I'll swear it— born in lawful wed- 
 Sock; and Miss Douglas will soon be bundled out of her ill- 
 gotten estates." 
 
 "You audacious woman!" exclaimed Beauchamp, in just 
 indignation; "your plot is discovered, and this young scamp 
 you would perjure yourself to prove your son, is now in custody, 
 and his father in this house — call Mr. Monkton up, Malcolm." 
 The lady sat in speechless horror at this sudden announcement; 
 and when her brother entered the room, fell back senseless in 
 her chair. Restoratives being promptly applied, she soon re- 
 covered ; but "a change came over the spirit of her dream" 
 on her brother saying her trick was found out, and that she 
 must now expect to go to prison for it, as Dick had confessed 
 all. Tears and entreaties were now substituted for boasts and 
 threats, and appeals for mercy to Beauchamp, on account of her 
 children, who would be thrown almost penniless on the world. 
 
 " Indeed, indeed, sir," she cried, " Mr. Douglas had very little 
 to leave me when he died ; and I have scarcely sufficient to 
 support them and myself." 
 
 "The children of Mr. Douglas, although illegitimate," 
 replied Beauchamp, " shall not want a friend ; neither shall you 
 be left destitute — on one condition — that you make a full con- 
 fession of the part you have taken in this business." 
 
 "Do it, Susan," whispered her brother, "'tis your only 
 chance ; and trust to his lordship's generosity." 
 
 " I will make no terms with your sister, Mr. Monkton," 
 added Beauchamp, "no promises of any kind ; but will leave you 
 with her alone for a few minutes, to decide how to act." 
 
 In a quarter of an hour Monkton came down to say his sister 
 was ready to accompany them and make her declaration before 
 a magistrate that she had no children born after her marriage 
 with Mr. Douglas. They then returned to Forrester's and all 
 tKe party concerned and implicated went before a magistrate, when 
 their voluntary statements and depositions were written down 
 
382 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 by the clerk from their own mouths, duly signed and attested in 
 his presence; and he expressed a hope that the originator of 
 this nefarious plot might be brought to justice. " I must now 
 beg, sir," replied Beauchamp, " for a warrant to apprehend this 
 scoundrel, Mangle, and bring him before you to-morrow," which 
 being granted, and placed in the officer's hands, the party then 
 separated, Beauchamp having told Mrs. Douglas he should call 
 ^ipon her the next day. 
 
 From the statemeut of Mrs. Douglas, it appeared that 
 Mangle first suggested the scheme of altering her marriage cer- 
 tificate and setting up some young man for her son : and that 
 she then named her nephew as beiug exactly of the proper age. 
 The alteration in the date of the year was made by the lawyer 
 himself in her presence ; and she was warned by that worthy 
 to swear through thick and thin to her story, which she was 
 fully prepared to do. Beauchamp, therefore, thought it prudent, 
 in the absence of other evidence, to make use of this bad woman 
 and her nephew to prove the case against the chief conspirator, 
 Mangle, who held possession of the certificate ; but the fraud 
 being now clearly established by her own voluntary statement, 
 and her nephew disproved, by his own father and mother, to be 
 her son, he had no wish to proceed further, being most anxious 
 to return to the country, although still considering it his duty to 
 bring the greatest rogue of the party to condign punishment. 
 
 Having cautioned Monkton to take care of his son, and pro- 
 mising that young scamp that if he would remain at home and 
 conduct himself steadily, he should be provided with some suit- 
 able employment, Beauchamp returned with Malcolm and Lord 
 Henry to their club, where he wrote a note, with an order on 
 his banker for ten thousand pounds, and handing it to Lord 
 Henry, expressed his thanks for his ready wit in so quickly ex- 
 posing the tricks of their opponents. 
 
 " Come, come, Beauchamp," exclaimed Malcolm, on seeing 
 the amount, " only half this is your share — the other belongs to 
 me." 
 
 "We can settle that another day, Malcolm, as I have no 
 time now to write another draft — so come along, or I must 
 leave you ;" and, shaking hands with Lord Henry, he put on 
 his hat and left the room. 
 
THE BARGAIN. 383 
 
 CHAPTER XLVII. 
 
 The delight of Blanche on hearing from her lover that her rights 
 were now completely re-established, may be easily imagined, 
 when Malcolm said, " Ay, ay, Blanche, this is all right, and very 
 capital news \ but Beauchamp has not informed you that it has 
 cost him ten thousand pounds ;" and he then told her of their 
 agreement with Lord Henry, and his having the whole instead 
 of his proper share. 
 
 " I would willingly have given as much more," replied Beau- 
 champ, " to relieve my dear Blanche of her apprehensions ; and 
 now the matter is settled, Malcolm, I beg you will never allude 
 to it again, as it ought to have been private between us." 
 
 " So it would, Beauchamp, had you not served me the trick 
 you did, by paying all ; but I will be even with you, old fellow." 
 
 " My dear, generous William," exclaimed Blanche, " how 
 can I ever repay you for all your kind, affectionate anxiety on 
 my behalf?" 
 
 " Easily enough, my love," he replied ; and, placing his arm 
 round her waist, whispered, " by becoming my own dear Blanche 
 on or before the first of August." 
 
 Her hand was placed in his, whilst a crimson hue suffused 
 her face and forehead ; but there was no reply. 
 
 " Well, Blanche," interposed Malcolm, " I guess what the 
 reward is to be ; but Beauchamp is not so very generous, after 
 all ; and I think he has made a capital bargain by paying ten 
 thousand pounds for ten thousand a-year ; this is quite a la 
 Harcourt ; and you may depend upon it, my love, Will Beau- 
 champ is a long-headed, calculating fellow, and has got the 
 blind side of you; stuff and nonsense about disinterested 
 affection ! He has been all the time looking to your money, 
 my dear." 
 
 " Well, Charles, then I am most happy to find he has suc- 
 ceeded in getting it at last." 
 
 " And he will make ducks and drakes of it before you are 
 married a couple of years." 
 
 " Ah, Charles, I don't regard your joking and bantering 
 now," she replied, laughing ; " neither will William ; so good- 
 bye, Charley dear, as I must run and tell Aunt Gordon this 
 joyful news ;" saying which, she tripped lightly from the draw- 
 ing-room, like a second Hebe, radiant in smiles and beauty. 
 
 " By Jove ! " cried Malcolm, " you are a lucky dog, Beau- 
 
384 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 champ, to have gained the love of that sweet, true-hearted 
 girl, who is more like an angel than a woman." 
 
 " Indeed, Malcolm, I am most thankful for this inestimable 
 blessing, and my life shall be devoted to her happiness." 
 
 " I don't doubt it, my dear fellow, for I believe you love her 
 ten times more than your own self ; and now let us dress for 
 dinner." 
 
 The family party that evening was one of the happiest in 
 London ; and the gloom which had hung over Blanche Douglas 
 being dispelled, her usual cheerfulness returned, which put the 
 old earl and Mrs. Gordon in high spirits. 
 
 " Ah, you naughty child," exclaimed the former, " you are 
 rejoicing now that you are on a par with my boy Will. I see 
 it all, you proud girl." 
 
 " I am proud and pleased, my dear father, to have it in my 
 power to bestow on him something which may compensate for 
 the trouble he will have in taking care of me." 
 
 " No, no, child, you are thinking of the dash you will make 
 in town next season as Lady Beauchamp, and drive my poor boy 
 crazy with your flirtations ; I read your purpose in those wicked 
 eyes, Blanche, and am almost sorry you have recovered your 
 fortune." 
 
 " It will be William's soon, my dear father, and if he chooses 
 to bring me to London, I cannot prevent that ; but I can pre- 
 vent myself flirting." 
 
 " Then come here, child, I have a word to say for your ear 
 alone;" and drawing Blanche close to him, he whispered, "if 
 you ever do flirt, my dear girl, which Heaven forbid, you will 
 certainly break your husband's heart, and your father's too." 
 
 " My kind, dear father," she replied, " never will I cause you 
 or him one moment's uneasiness ; and surely you do not think 
 me capable of acting so disgracefully. *' 
 
 " No, no, my precious child ; so now give me a kiss, and 
 sing me my favourite old song of * Home, sweet home,' where, 
 please God, we will be again by the end of this week." 
 
 The next morning, the Bow Street officer called in Gros- 
 venor Square about twelve o'clock, and informed Beauchamp 
 that he believed Mangle had cut and run. " He never went to 
 his office yesterday, my lord, and the woman at Monkton's 
 lodging told me he was in a desperate way when the name of 
 Lord Henry was mentioned, and jumping into a cab, he drove 
 back to his own house. There also I could hear nothing more 
 than that he had left early yesterday morning for his office. The 
 
BEAUCHAMP LECTURES MRS. DOUGLAS. 385 
 
 door being thrown open, I thought it best not to search the house, 
 or tell my errand, as I shall wait his return; but my impression 
 is that he bolted the moment he heard young Monkton was 
 nabbed, knowing he would squeak directly he was pinched." 
 
 Having handsomely rewarded the officer for his trouble, and 
 given him his address in the country, Beauchamp sought Blanche 
 to consult her about Mrs. Douglas. " I do not like the mother 
 at all," he said ; " she is a bold, impudent woman ; but the two 
 daughters are genteel-lookiDg, handsome girls, with the Douglas 
 features, and being your uncle's children, I suggest setting 
 them up in some business together as milliners, or allowing their 
 mother three hundred a-year to maintain them until they marry, 
 when I will give each a good marriage portion, if they form 
 respectable connections." 
 
 " Your proposal is very liberal, dear William, and you will 
 of course take this money from my income." 
 
 " We will talk of that another day, my dear girl, as I have 
 only consulted you now to know if you approve my plans ; and 
 as we have nothing to detain us in London, my father and myself 
 intend leaving the day after to-morrow ; and I need not say what 
 pleasure it would give us both, if Aunt Gordon and yourself 
 will travel with us ; the two couples that are to be can occupy 
 one carriage, and aunty and the governor the other, which will 
 afford our venerable earl an opportunity of popping the question 
 — only fancy aunty Countess of Annandale." 
 
 " Oh, William, how can you be so silly ? " 
 
 " Silly, you stupid child ! you are silly not to perceive the 
 unmistakable signs of the governor's penchant, which I have par- 
 ticularly noticed for the last six months ; the fire has been 
 smouldering for some time, and you will soon see it burst forth 
 into a flame ; so now we have had our spell of love-making, we 
 will give them an opportunity of playing the same game ; but 
 not a word or hint to aunty, Blanche ; leave all the arrrange- 
 ments to me : only go now and prepare her for leaving, whilst 
 I drive down to Islington, and to-morrow I will take you with 
 me to do a little shopping by ourselves." 
 
 Beauchamp gave Mrs. Douglas a severe lecture for her past 
 infamous conduct, and then explained his intentions towards 
 herself and children, for which she expressed her grateful 
 thanks. 
 
 " It will now," he said, " depend on your future conduct 
 whether you receive any further assistance from Miss Douglas 
 and myself;" and desiring then to see her daughters, he told 
 
 Y 
 
286 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 them also the allowance he had made their mother for their 
 joint benefit, and his promise of a marriage portion to each ; 
 "but bear in mind, young ladies," he continued, " I do not wish 
 you to ' marry in haste and repent at leisure,' merely for the 
 sake of the money, which I intend shall be yours, whether you 
 marry or not, at the expiration of two years from this time ; and 
 if I hear a good account of you, that sum may be increased." 
 Then, placing twenty pounds in the hand of each, with a hand- 
 some present to the mother, Beauchamp withdrew. 
 
 He was followed down-stairs by the younger girl, Margaret, 
 who, on opening the street door, said, " Will you tell me where 
 you live, Lord Beauchamp ? " 
 
 " Why do you wish to know 1 " was the inquiry. 
 
 " That I may write you those thanks which I cannot now 
 express : indeed, my lord, I feel most grateful for your great 
 kindness, which has saved us from misery and disgrace." 
 
 " Your name is " 
 
 " Margaret," she replied. 
 
 " There, then, Margaret, is my card and address ; write me 
 your thoughts, not your thanks — the latter I can dispense 
 with." 
 
 " Oh, thank you, my lord," she replied, raising her eyes, 
 glistening with tears, to his. There was so much in that 
 appealing look which reminded Beauchamp so forcibly of his 
 own dear Blanche, that he said, in his soothing tones, " Are you 
 not happy here, my poor girl ?" 
 
 She burst instantly into tears, but made no reply. 
 
 " Come, Margaret, suppress your sobs ; I will call for you 
 to-morrow at eleven o'clock, so be ready for me, and I will take 
 you a drive where you can tell me your wishes — but stay, I will 
 let your mother know my intentions ; " and running up-stairs, 
 he asked her permission to take Margaret with him the next 
 •day to see a lady, who, he thought, might be of service to her. 
 This was readily granted, and Beauchamp, finding Margaret 
 still below, bid her cheer up, and shaking hands with her, 
 jumped into his cab, and drove back to Grosvenor Square, 
 where, the moment his knock was heard at the door, Blanche 
 ran down to meet him in the hall. Taking her into the 
 morning-room, he said, " Ah, Blanche, I have been making a 
 fool of myself, I believe j but you know my soft heart is always 
 •dragging me into scrapes, and a woman's tears knock me over 
 -at once." He then related what had passed between him and 
 Margaret. 
 
MRS. GORDON RECEIVES MARGARET. 387 
 
 " Dear William," she replied, " how can I blame you ? 
 Perhaps this poor girl is very miserable with such a mother, 
 and I will consult with Aunt Gordon what we can do with 
 her ; so pray bring her here at any rate, and we can see her in 
 this room, without Aunt Malcolm knowing anything about her." 
 
 Whatever Beauchamp said or did being almost certain to 
 obtain Mrs. Gordon's approval, she expressed great sympathy 
 in the cause of this unhappy girl, and agreed to take her as 
 companion, if she realised Beauchamp' s expectations, and really 
 wished to leave her home. 
 
 " There, aunty dear," said Beauchamp, " you are more soft- 
 hearted than myself; but she has such a look of Blanche, that 
 I am sure you will take a fancy to her directly." 
 
 "Well, my dear boy, when you take Blanche from me, 
 which I suppose will be the case very soon, I shall be left quite 
 alone, and this poor girl may be some comfort to me, as well as 
 a help in my old age." 
 
 " My dearest, kindest friend," replied Beauchamp, pressing 
 her hand in his, " you will never be left long alone by your 
 dear children, as you call us ; for you must either be with us, or we 
 with you ; so don't, my dear aunt, think of taking this girl on 
 that account." 
 
 " Well, well, William, then I can have her for a month or 
 two occasionally ; so let me see her to-morrow morning." 
 
 It is almost needless to add that, from Mrs. Gordon being 
 already prepossessed in her favour, Margaret was received very 
 kindly by that lady and Blanche ; and after a long conversation 
 about family matters, in which, with good taste and feeling, 
 she spoke as little as necessary of her mother's character and 
 conduct, sufficient transpired to induce Mrs. Gordon to take 
 her as companion ; and she accordingly gave her directions how 
 to reach the Priory, with money to pay her expenses by coach, 
 the beginning of the following week. Nothing could exceed 
 the delight of the poor girl at this arrangement, who, it ap- 
 peared, was very unhappy with her mother and sister, from 
 causes which it is unnecessary to mention. Beauchamp, after 
 her interview with Mrs. Gordon, escorted Margaret to a cab ; 
 and having received her grateful thanks for his extreme kind- 
 ness, gave directions to the driver where to go, and returned, 
 according to his promise, to take Blanche for a walk. The 
 first shop they entered was Turner's, the jeweller, where Beau- 
 champ had ordered a pair of bracelets, set with precious stones, 
 of great value, with a beautiful necklace to correspond. 
 
 y 2 
 
388 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 "There, Blanche,*' he whispered, "is a little wedding 
 present, which you must accept at my hands, unless you prefer 
 something else." 
 
 "Indeed, William," she replied, "I have quite sufficient 
 jewellery already; and do not like putting you to greater ex- 
 pense on my account, after the immense sum you have paid 
 Lord Henry." 
 
 " I have ordered these purposely for you, dear girl, and you 
 will seriously offend me by refusing them ; — they are fetters 
 for your hands, and a chain for your neck, by which I shall 
 bind you in cruel bondage to me for ever. Now, Blanche, there 
 is one other purchase I must make, of unspeakable value 
 to me, though of little value in itself — a plain ring for your 
 finger, which I shall keep until a certain auspicious morning." 
 
 And Beauchamp, desiring a tray of rings to be brought and 
 laid on the counter, told the foreman to leave them for their 
 inspection, whilst he attended to his other customers. 
 
 " Now, my dear girl, take off your left-hand glove, and try 
 one of these on your third finger." 
 
 Blanche blushed deeply, and her hand trembled, so that 
 Beauchamp tried the rings for her ; and selecting the one 
 which fitted her best, said softly — " Why do you tremble thus, 
 my own dearest love ? Do you repent your choice ? " 
 
 " Oh, no, no, William ; never can I do that ; but I am 
 rather nervous this morning." 
 
 "Then look at those jewels further down, my love, whilst I 
 have these things put up," which being done, he returned to 
 her. " Now, Blanche, which of those trinkets would suit dear 
 aunty best 1 for I must and will make her a present worth 
 her acceptance." 
 
 " I fear she will think us both very extravagant children, 
 William, and lecture us, instead of receiving a present ; but I 
 was just thinking of buying those bracelets (pointing them out) 
 for her." 
 
 " Then I shall take that trouble off your hands, Blanche, 
 and you shall give her this brooch instead ; but you need not 
 now pay for it, as Mr. Turner has my name on his books, and 
 I have desired him to send in my account, with these articles 
 included." 
 
 Blanche remonstrated, but in vain ; when Beauchamp, 
 taking up the two cases containing the brooch and the ring, 
 desired the other things might be sent to Grosvenor Square 
 by six o'clock at the latest that evening. 
 
OFF TO THE PRIORY. 389 
 
 CHAPTER XLVIII. 
 
 The next morning, after an early breakfast, as Beauchamp and 
 Blanche, equipped in travelling costume, were looking out of 
 the window of Lady Malcolm's house, a handsome barouche, with 
 postilions gaily dressed in jackets of the Beauchamp livery, and 
 four beautiful bay horses, drove up to the door. 
 
 "Why, William," exclaimed Blanche, in surprise, "whose 
 is that gay equipage 1 " 
 
 "Yours, my dear girl; the carriage and horses I have 
 bought expressly for your use." 
 
 She raised her eyes filled with tears, to his, with a look of 
 grateful affection, without speaking — deep emotion preventing 
 her utterance, when they were interrupted by Malcolm's enter- 
 ing the room. " Is that your smart turn-out, Beauchamp ] " 
 
 " No, Malcolm," was the quiet reply, with a smile. 
 
 " The lads have your uniform, my boy, at any rate ; but," 
 looking at Blanche, " oh, I see — they are my Lady Beauchamp' s. 
 By Jove ! old fellow, you have got the start of me, as usual, 
 doing things in your silent, mysterious way. I have ordered a 
 carriage for Constance, also ; but it won't be finished this fort- 
 night. Where did you get yours ? " 
 
 " At Houlditch , s ; it was built for a gentleman, who was 
 obliged unexpectedly to leave England, and I took it off his 
 hands." 
 
 " And the bays V* 
 
 " Picked them up here and there about town." 
 
 " Egad ! they are fine, slashing, well-bred looking animals 
 — fit for hunting." 
 
 "Yes, Malcolm, I looked them over, and have had them 
 tried several times together in harness, and am satisfied they 
 are quiet and good-tempered ; and you will see presently they 
 can go a pretty good pace, when we are clear of London." 
 
 "Beally, Blanche, Beauchamp is resolved, I see, that you 
 shall do things in style, and if you have not been a spoilt child, 
 there is every prospect of your being a spoilt wife, my love. 
 But here comes the other carriage, for the old pair ; so now 
 let us be off, as I have taken leave of my mother, who has not 
 yet left her room, but has promised to join us at the Priory, 
 within the month." 
 
 Constance now appeared, saying her father and Aunt Gordo*, 
 were ready, and waiting below. 
 
390 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " "Well, Malcolm," said the old peer, " what do you think 
 of "Will taking us all by surprise with that smart equipage for 
 Blanche, and not to tell even his old father what he was 
 about?" 
 
 " Just like him, my dear governor — always doing things on 
 the sly." 
 
 " And always thinking of those he^loves, before himself," 
 added Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 "Now then, Will, off with your party," cried his father, 
 " whilst Mrs. Gordon and myself bring up the rear." 
 
 In ten minutes the four bays were trotting majestically 
 through Hyde Park, making light of the barouche which 
 followed at their heels, and the four happy occupants of its 
 inside seats, whose cheerful voices and beaming smiles betokened 
 their joy of being once more "homeward bound." No two 
 schoolboys could be in higher spirits than Malcolm and Beau- 
 champ ; nor were Constance and Blanche less happy at their 
 emancipation from the thraldom of town life. 
 
 " Now then," cried Malcolm, when they had left the streets 
 behind them, " let us see what Blanche's bays can do ; put 
 them along, Beauchamp." 
 
 " Pray don't let them go too fast, William," she cried, as he 
 rose to speak to the postilions ; "pray don't, to oblige me." 
 
 " Well, my love, then they shall only canter up the next 
 rising ground, to show Malcolm how they can go together," 
 which direction was given ; but when once put on their mettle, 
 the horses increased their speed to a full gallop, and raced 
 away for a couple of miles, in spite of every effort to stop 
 them. " Hurrah ! " exclaimed Malcolm ; " now we go Leger 
 pace, by jingo ! Blanche, they can gallop a few." 
 
 " Oh, William," cried both the girls at once, now seriously 
 alarmed, " pray stop them, or we shall be dashed to pieces." 
 
 " Sooner said than done, my dears," said Malcolm ; " but sit 
 still, or you will be thrown out, you two silly girls." 
 
 Beauchamp, occupying the front seat with Blanche, and 
 seeing the boys straining in vain to pull up their horses, shouted 
 out, " Steady, my lads ; let them go, but hold their heads near 
 together, and sit firm in your seats." 
 
 To Beauchamp's horror, they were now rapidly approaching 
 a broad-wheeled waggon occupying the centre of the road, 
 with its jingling bells, and no appearance of a driver, who was, 
 he concluded, as usual, half asleep inside. Destruction to them 
 all seer&ed almost inevitable, and he turned deadly pale, when a 
 
A CATASTROrHE AVEKTED. 391 
 
 sudden thought struck him. He had a new hunting-horn in 
 the pocket of the carriage, which had been sent home from. 
 Percival's that morning, just before he left Grosvenor Square, 
 which instantly seizing, he sent forth a blast so shrill and 
 loud, that it penetrated the waggoner's dull ear amidst his din 
 of bells, and the heavy vehicle was seen turning slowly aside. 
 Still there seemed scarcely a chance of its giving room to pass 
 before the leaders would be even with its hind wheels, and 
 Beauchamp, fearing the crisis was at hand, and telling Malcolm 
 to do the same to Constance, seized Blanche firmly with his 
 right arm round the waist, taking tight hold of the handle of 
 the carriage door with his left. The act was instantaneous, 
 and as they passed the heavy, lumbering machine, the exclama- 
 tion escaped him, " Thank God ! we are saved." Blanche 
 neither moved nor spoke, overcome by Beauchamp's manner, and 
 the dread of some imminent peril. 
 
 "Now, my love," he whispered, "we have escaped the 
 danger, sit firm a few minutes longer, and I will soon stop your 
 fiery bays." They were already beginning to slacken their pace 
 a little, which was evident to Beauchamp's quick eye, their 
 heads being raised, and their ears becoming erect, when raising 
 his voice he shouted out, " Hold hard ! " In a moment their 
 speed diminished. " Hold hard ! " again cried Beauchamp, " you 
 runaway brutes ! hold hard ! " These words seemed magical. 
 The race was over ; and all four horses stood still. 
 
 " Let them stand till I get out, my lads," Beauchamp cried. 
 He then folded Blanche in his arms, who burst into tears. 
 
 " Come, come, my dear girl, it is all over now, and we will 
 have no more galloping to-day." 
 
 Malcolm, warned by Beauchamp, and following his example, 
 had held Constance tight round the waist as they were passing 
 the waggon, and his face became ghastly pale, with a shudder- 
 ing sensation, as the wheels just grazed each other; but when 
 the danger was over, his levity quickly returned. 
 
 " By Jeremy Diddler ! that was an uncommon near shave — 
 just half an inch, and — oh ! my, as Mrs. Winter has it — what 
 an hexpose we should have made — all legs and wings sprawling 
 in the road, like two couples of untrussed chickens." 
 
 " For shame, Charles ! " exclaimed Constance, " to make a 
 joke of such a serious matter, when our lives might have been 
 lost through your frolic." 
 
 "Well then, my dear, you and Bland e can do a little d Ice 
 Niobe, whilst I and Beauchamp look over the nags." 
 
392 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " Why, Tom, you young villain ! " cried Malcolm, addressing 
 the first lad, who was no other than Lord Henry's late tiger, 
 " how dare you spring them along at that furious rate, frighten- 
 ing the ladies almost into fits V* 
 
 " Couldn't help it, my lord, they would go ; and if master 
 hadn't thought of ' hold hard ! ' they wouldn't 'a stopped till we 
 got to Hounslow." 
 
 Beauchamp, the while, was patting the horses' necks, and 
 speaking to them in his horse language, which soothed their 
 excited tempers ; and having carefully looked over the harness 
 and carriage, to see there was nothing out of place, he gave 
 orders to the postilions not to break again out of a trot, and 
 resumed his seat by the side of Blanche, who looked very grave, 
 if not offended. 
 
 " Are you angry with me," lie asked, " because the horses 
 ran away % " 
 
 " I have been very much frightened, "William, by the awful 
 position in which we were placed, and you have shown very 
 little consideration for my feelings, when I entreated you not to 
 allow the horses to go so fast." 
 
 " I merely thought of giving them a canter against the hill, 
 dear girl, and am fully sensible now of my excessive folly in 
 rousing the spirits of four thorough-bred horses ; but my agony 
 of mind on passing that waggon, words cannot describe. Had 
 an accident occurred, I never could have forgiven myself that 
 boyish freak. Even now, the thought of it makes me shudder, 
 and it will be a lesson to me as long as I live. I do not ask 
 your forgiveness, Blanche, for I do not deserve it ; " and he 
 turned round, leaning over the front, to order the lads to go 
 slower. Blanche turned also towards the horses, and placing 
 her hand on his arm, said affectionately, " I am not angry with 
 you, dear William, only I felt hurt at your disregarding my 
 wishes ; but give me your hand, and let us say no more on the 
 subject." 
 
 " Ay, ay," cried Malcolm, " that's the plan, Blanche ; begin 
 with him early, my love, and let him know at once that the 
 grey mare is more than a match for the four bays. Egad ! 
 Beauchamp, I never saw a fellow knock under so quickly as 
 you do ; if Con was to lecture me for a spree of that sort, I 
 would set them going again like mad; and now, I suppose, 
 seven miles an hour is to be our pace for the remainder of the 
 day." 
 
 " Not so, Malcolm, when we have posters, of whose running 
 
THE PARTY HALTS AT NEWBURY. 393 
 
 away there is little danger. Rather, however, than frighten 
 Blanche again, I would be two days on the journey, instead of 
 one ; but if our pace does not suit you, you and Constance can 
 join the governor, and let us have Aunt Gordon." 
 
 " And not a bad move either, with two such slow coaches as 
 yourself and Blanche/' replied Malcolm. " Egad, old fellow ! 
 that girl will soon make a regular Molly Coddle of you ; and 
 as for hunting, riding over five-barred gates and double ditches, 
 after you are married, don't again think of such dangerous 
 exploits ; but if my timid little cousin had accepted Danby 
 or Ayrshire, she would have been bowled along thirty miles an 
 hour, malgre her tears and entreaties, which they would only 
 have laughed at." 
 
 " I never would have accepted either, Charles, which you 
 know very well," replied Blanche, indignantly. 
 
 " Lucky for you you did not, my love, as no one would 
 have suited you bub this soft-hearted fellow, Beauchamp, who 
 is ever giving in to your whims and fancies." 
 
 " And ever will, Malcolm, when they are not unreasonable," 
 added Beauchamp ; "soa truce to further badinage. Blanche 
 shall do as she likes with her own." 
 
 "And that means you, as well as her horses, old fellow." 
 
 " Exactly so, Malcolm," was the good-humoured reply, which 
 restored the party to their usual cheerfulness ; and after chang- 
 ing horses at Hounslow, they again set forth on their journey, 
 and halted not on the road until they reached Newbury, where 
 Beauchamp, seeing some beautiful trout, ordered them for an 
 early dinner, and waited for his father and Mrs. Gordon, a stroll 
 being proposed in the meantime. 
 
 On returning to the inn, after a short walk, they found the 
 venerable earl with his companion, both of whom inflicted a 
 sharp lecture on Beauchamp and Malcolm for leaving them so 
 far behind. 
 
 " No help for it, governor," said Malcolm ; " those fiery bays 
 of Lady Beauchamp's ran away with us, and very nearly cap- 
 sized the whole lot into a broad -wheeled waggon — just the 
 nearest thing imaginable, half an inch more, and — oh my, what 
 a scrimmage ! " 
 
 " I will engage, Charles, you had something to do with it," 
 replied Mrs. Gordon. 
 
 " Just the smallest, littlest finger in the pie only, this time, 
 aunty dear — merely asked Beauchamp to put them out a wee 
 bittie to try their paces, and off we went at Derby speed. 
 
394 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 ' Away, away, our steeds and we, 
 Upon the pinions of the wind, 
 All human dwellings left behind ; 
 We sped like meteors through the sky,' 
 Until Will Beauchamp raised a cry, 
 And checked our coursers, fast and furious, 
 Which made Miss Douglas look quite curious." 
 
 " Charles, you are quite incorrigible," exclaimed Mrs. Gor- 
 don ; " always engaged in some mischief or freak, like a school- 
 boy." 
 
 " Only in a little recreation to-day, dear aunt ; it was very 
 hot, and the ladies wanted fanning, for which I have been 
 already punished by being sent to Coventry by my Lady 
 Beauchamp, who has scarcely spoken to me since this untoward 
 event occurred. But now/' ringing the bell, " for these Kennet 
 trout, with which, I suppose, we must order some Kennet ale to 
 wash them down. Dinner, waiter, instanter," as that person 
 appeared. 
 
 " Yes, sir — my lord — I beg pardon." 
 
 " Drop my lord, and bring the trout." 
 
 "Soup, my lord?" 
 
 " No, sir ; fill the tureen with Kennet ale." 
 
 " What wines, my lord % " 
 
 "Champagne, hock, hermitage, sauterne, moselle — half-a- 
 dozen of each — quick — presto — begone ! " 
 
 " Beg pardon, my lord," said the waiter, " but I'm afraid we 
 hav'n't all them wines in the cellar." 
 
 " Avaunt ! fiend — begone ! " cried Malcolm with a theatrical 
 air. " What ! will you make a younker of me 1 — shall I not 
 take mine ease in mine inn, but I shall have my pocket picked t 
 — Shakespeare — ahem ! " 
 
 The waiter, with a stare of astonishment, instantly dis- 
 appeared from the room, telling the landlady that one of the 
 gentlemen was either mad or a London play actor. 
 
 "Ha, ha!" laughed Malcolm's valet, "that's my lord and 
 master, I'll swear; always cracking his jokes with everybody 
 he meets." 
 
 The trout were quickly placed on the table, with a couple of 
 bottles of champagne and ditto of hock, which being discussed 
 by the hungry party, a cold fore-quarter of lamb succeeded, with 
 a dish of veal cutlets and broiled ham, then pastry of various 
 kinds, to conclude with an old Wiltshire cheese, salad, and 
 Kennet ale, to which the gentlemen did ample justice. 
 
 " Well, aunty," asked Malcolm, " don't you feel all the 
 
A PRACTICAL JOKE. 395 
 
 "better for this bit of a refresher 1 that Kennet ale slips clown 
 beautifully, and I feel like the little boy after eating more 
 than quantum^ suff. of plum pudding, as if my jacket was- 
 buttoned." 
 
 " When will you cease to be a boy, Charles % " 
 " Never, aunty dear, until I am buckled up, when, according 
 to the old son of, 
 
 J o' 
 
 • Needles and pins — needles and pins ; 
 When a man marries, Ms trouble begins/ 
 
 But, my gracious " (as the waiter brought in a basket of live- 
 cray fish, ordered by Beauchamp), " here's another little present 
 for Lady Beauchamp. Come, my love," to Blanche, "just look 
 at these pretty little creatures, so lively and sportive; just 
 , touch them, my dear, so nice and cool ; " and putting her hand 
 in the basket, she was seized by the finger, which caused more 
 than an exclamation of surprise — on which Malcolm rushed 
 from the room, and did not appear again until the carriages 
 stood at the door. 
 
 " Has it hurt you much, dear girl % " asked Beauchamp, 
 jumping up from his chair, and running to her rescue. 
 
 " Oh no, William, it only pinched my finger rather hard." 
 
 " Beally it is too bad of Malcolm, with such practical 
 jokes " (seeing her finger bleeding), " which I will not put up 
 with." 
 
 " Pray don't be angry with him, William," she pleaded ; " it- 
 was my own fault, for being so silly as to put my hand in the 
 basket." 
 
 "Now, ladies and gemmen," said Malcolm, peeping in at 
 the door and touching his hat, " time's up, and the coach is. 
 awaiting." 
 
 " Ah, you young scamp ! " shouted the old earl, " I'll double- 
 thong you, when I catch you at Bampton, for serving Blanche 
 that trick." 
 
 "She wouldn't open her mouth to me, daddy dear, so I 
 wished to know if she had lost her voice ; but she spoke quick 
 enough to the cray fish when he asked her a question. Did he 
 bite very sharp, my love 1 " he inquired, in a pitying tone, of 
 Blanche. 
 
 " So sharp, Charles, that he made my finger bleed." 
 
 " Did he indeed, dear girl 1 I beg a thousand pardons for 
 my foolery, as I thought they could only squeeze a little." 
 
 Malcolm having feelingly expressed contrition for his offence, 
 
396 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 which was readily forgiven, their seats were resumed in the 
 carriage as before, until the last stage on the road, where 
 Malcolm and Blanche joined Mrs. Gordon for the Priory, and 
 the old earl drove off, with his son and daughter, to Bampton. 
 
 CHAPTER XLIX. 
 
 The following morning, very early, Blanche was in the full 
 enjoyment of the flower-garden ; buoyant in spirits, light at 
 heart, and as perfectly happy as it is possible for any human 
 being to be. Soon after breakfast, Beauchamp rode over to see 
 his beloved, with whom he spent the day. How different were 
 his feelings now to the last time he had wandered through the 
 grounds of the Priory, accompanied by Blanche Douglas — then 
 with the feverish, restless anxiety about her first entrance on a 
 new sphere of life, and the dreaded influence of the world on her 
 guileless, unsuspecting mind. The ordeal had now been passed, 
 temptation resisted, and her constancy to him proved beyond 
 doubt or cavil. Beauchamp had cause to be proud of all this. 
 He was not proud, however, but thankful — deeply thankful 
 to that Almighty Power by whose grace and protection she had 
 been preserved from falling into those errors and follies by 
 which so many young girls are influenced. 
 
 They were sitting now in the old arbour during the heat 
 of the day, Blanche reclining on a rustic chair, whilst these 
 thoughts were passing through Beauchamp's mind. He was 
 silent for a few moments, which she noticed. " Of what are you 
 thinking, dear William 1 " Still there was no reply. 
 
 " Will you not tell me," she inquired, " what has caused this 
 sudden thoughtfulness 1 Surely, 1 may now share in all your 
 cares, as well as pleasures. Tell me, then, my own dear William, 
 what has made you look so serious." 
 
 " I was thinking, my dearest girl, of that deep debt of 
 gratitude I owe to God for the ineffable and undeserved happi- 
 ness I now eDJoy in having you restored to me again, unaffected 
 and uncontaminated by the world, as when we last sat together 
 here ; and a thought crossed my mind, to pour out my thanks 
 to our merciful Father for this blessing, on this very spot, 
 where we last parted in sorrow and sadness, and now meet 
 in joy." 
 
THE LOVERS EVINCE THEIR GRATITUDE. 397 
 
 " Your thoughts are mine also, dear William," she replied, 
 rising and placing her hand in his; "let me kneel by your side." 
 
 Happy they who, like Blanche and Beauchamp, " remember 
 now their Creator in the days of their youth " — who acknow- 
 ledge with thankfulness (despising the sneers and sarcasms of 
 the worldly-minded) that source from which all true blessings 
 flow ; and as they set out to thread this devious earthly path 
 below, keep steadfastly in view the home to which it leads. 
 "Who does not join in that prayer of Balaam : " Oh, may I die 
 the death of the righteous, and may my latter end be like his 1 " 
 But how few bear in mind that to die the death, they must also 
 live the life of the righteous. Tell men of an Australian 
 land where gold, silver, diamonds, and precious stones abound, 
 even with hard toil and trouble to be acquired ; see the eager- 
 ness with which they listen, the increasing anxiety displayed in 
 searching out every particular concerning this earthly paradise. 
 Tell them of another far better, more glorious land, to which all 
 the countries of the earth are in comparison like a stagnant 
 pool of water to the ocean ; tell them of a city whose walls are 
 built of jasper, and her streets paved with gold ; whose build- 
 ings glitter with rubies, amethysts, and pearls ; tell them of a 
 second Eden, where man shall regain his lost innocence and 
 dignity ; tell them of a newly-created world, in which all 
 animal and vegetable nature shall far surpass in magnitude and 
 magnificence what we behold here below ; where God himself 
 shall reign as king, with angels for his ministers; whence 
 death, and pain, and sorrow are for ever banished, and the lion 
 shall lie down with the lamb — tell them this land, with all its 
 happiness and joys unspeakable, may be, nay, must be theirs, if 
 they seek, as they would the hidden treasures of this, with 
 diligence and care ; — and what will they say in return 1 " Go 
 thy way for this time ; when I have a convenient season, I will 
 call for thee." Oh, fools ! with all your worldly wisdom, blind, 
 besotted fools ! who barter a few quickly passing years, with all 
 their short-lived, unsatisfactory pleasures and enjoyments, for 
 eternity ! 
 
 As Blanche and Beauchamp were kneeling side by side, 
 
 pouring out their thanks to their Maker, and imploring his 
 
 protection and blessing through their wedded life, Mrs. Gordon, 
 
 unperceived, passed noiselessly by, and the devout aspiration 
 
 of Jabez escaped her lips : " Oh, that Thou wouldest bless them 
 
 indeed ! " 
 
 ****** 
 
398 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 A month lias passed — it is the 1st of August, a bright and 
 lovely morning. Again are Lord Beauchamp and Blanche 
 kneeling side by side, the latter never more to rise as Blanche 
 Douglas. She is kneeling at the altar, with her hand in his, 
 •whose cherished name she now bears, as the wife of William 
 Beauchamp. The village church of Bampton is thronged with 
 spectators, rich and poor, to witness the double marriage of 
 Beauchamp and his sister. Lord Malcolm looked serious enough 
 during the ceremony • but his love for teasing Blanche would 
 break forth directly after, when he whispered, "The Gordon 
 knot, my love, is tied at last, winch dear aunty has been so long 
 in weaving." 
 
 " And most thankful am I, Charles, to Heaven," she replied, 
 "and to that dear aunt for such a blessing." 
 
 There was not a vacant pew that morning in Bampton 
 Church. For miles around, the farmers, with their wives and 
 daughters, flocked to the scene, to witness the marriage of their 
 favourite (whom they still persisted in calling "the young 
 squire ") and his sister ; and when the two couples issued from 
 the sacred portals, amid a peal of bells pulled by right vigorous 
 arms, a line was formed by the congregation from the porch to 
 the churchyard gate ; and one long, loud cheer burst forth, as 
 they passed along, from all assembled. 
 
 A grand breakfast was prepared at Bampton, to which all 
 the neighbouring gentry had been invited, to conclude with a 
 farmers' ball in the evening; at which some of the higher 
 orders wished to be present also. Neither were the poor for- 
 gotten — -tents being erected on the lawn for the whole popula- 
 tion of Bampton parish, with the substantial fare of roast beef 
 and plum pudding, supplied by the two principal innkeepers of 
 the village, to which they sat down at two o'clock. Rustic 
 games and pastimes succeeded, with dancing on the green sward 
 in the evening. 
 
 The newly-married couples, having changed their bridal attire 
 for travelling costume, drove off immediately afterwards en route 
 to the North ; Lord Beauchamp and Blanche for Annandale 
 Castle, and Malcolm and Constance for his seat in Scotland. 
 The bitterness of parting with his only daughter was considerably 
 mollified to the old earl by the promise of their returning at 
 the end of a month or six weeks to spend the winter at Bamp- 
 ton ; and Mrs. Gordon felt too happy in the attainment of all 
 her wishes, to think so deeply as she otherwise would of the 
 temporary separation from her affectionate niece and newly- 
 
EEJOICINGS AT BAMPTON. 399 
 
 made nephew, both of whom she loved as her own children. 
 Her sister, Lady Malcolm, also, was now staying at the Priory, 
 with Mrs. Fortescue, who accompanied her from town, where 
 she intended to remain until the first week in September, by 
 which time Beaucharnp and Blanche were expected home 
 again. 
 
 Bob Conyers, with his usual disinterestedness, to prevent 
 his old friend feeling solitary after his children's departure, had 
 invited himself to spend a week at Bampton ; and for the pre- 
 sent there was no lack of guests, Lord Henry Bayntun, Sir 
 "William Burnet, Gywnne, and Melville having come expressly 
 for the occasion. Fred Beauchamp was there also, who, in his 
 son's absence, was of great service, as well as comfort, to the 
 old earl. Lady Malcolm and Mrs. Gordon, with the gay widow, 
 having been invited to spend the day at Bampton, took a lively 
 interest in all the proceedings in honour of their niece's mar- 
 riage; and, accompanied by the earl, Bob Conyers, and Fred 
 Beauchamp, visited all the tents in succession at the dinner 
 hour, to see the arrangements made to regale so large a com- 
 pany, and were not less amused than gratified by the cordial 
 meeting between the founder of the feast and some of his aged 
 parishioners. 
 
 "Ah, squire," said an old man, nearly bent double by years 
 and infirmities, " I never thought as how I should live to see 
 the loike of this, but there — what's the dame want ? " — (as an 
 elderly female whispered in his ear) — " she do say, squire, as I 
 be to call you my lord — but it don't seem natural loike. I've 
 ha' know'd ye as Squire Beauchamp handy sixty years, and I 
 be used to the name — so doant ye take it amiss, as I do love 
 the old squire, and the young un too. God bless un, and 
 prosper un, with that angel, Miss Blanche." 
 
 " Hark ye, Job," replied the earl, " if you ever dare to ' my 
 lord me,' I shall think you an arrant old hypocrite; so sit down 
 and go to work with your knife and fork." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, who was known to all the neighbouring poor 
 for her benevolent and charitable disposition, was deservedly 
 beloved by them, entering into their joys and sorrows with the 
 most unaffected and truly Christian feeling, and she had ever a 
 kind word to say, as well as a kind look to bestow, on the poor 
 and humble, in addition to more substantial proofs of sym- 
 pathy. In their drives about the country, Mrs. Gordon's and 
 Blanche's visits were not restricted to their rich acquaintances ; 
 find in their rambles near home, their footsteps were constantly 
 
400 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 directed to the lowly cottages of the poor, to console them in 
 their afflictions, and minister to their wants. On this occasion, 
 Mark Rosier was appointed master of the ceremonies, to super- 
 intend the whole proceedings and preserve order ; and the office 
 could not have devolved on one more zealously affected towards 
 the house of Beauchamp. In fact, since the rescue of Blanche 
 from Lord Yancourt's devices, Mark had become rapidly a man 
 of consequence, and was now under-steward on the Bampton 
 estates, with a salary commensurate with his fidelity and 
 honesty. His father was also once more in a flourishing 
 condition as a farmer. 
 
 "Really, Mark," exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, "I hardly knew 
 you again ; you look more like a gentleman than a " 
 
 "Poacher, you would have said, my lady," added Mark, 
 good-humouredly ; " but if I have got good clothes on my back 
 now, my dearly-respected lady, Mark Rosier is not the man to 
 forget who put them there." 
 
 " Indeed, Mark, I meant no unkind reflection on yourself, 
 and rejoice most truly in your good fortune." 
 
 " Ah, my lady ! times are altered to me indeed ; but far 
 beyond all the money, I value the confidence placed in me by 
 my dear young master, who seems to think he can never repay 
 me for a little bit of service I once did, which was nothing 
 particular, after all." 
 
 " To us all, Mark, it was a very particular piece of service, 
 for had you not detected that detestable plot, none of us had 
 now been present at these rejoicings, and sorrow instead of hap- 
 piness had filled our hearts. You are well chosen, my faithful 
 friend, to preside on this auspicious occasion, and as long as life 
 is spared us, we shall never forget our gratitude for your gallant 
 conduct." 
 
 "And mind, Mark," interposed Fred, "these good people 
 don't get tipsy to-night." 
 
 " Then, Master Fred, you must come and help me keep the 
 tap, as I suspect, whether I will or no — (with a sly wink at 
 Fred) — it'll be a very wet arternoon." 
 
 " Indeed, I hope not," said Mrs. Gordon ; " I should be 
 soriy these poor people were deprived of their day's amusement." 
 
 " There aint any fear of its being wet overhead, my lady ; 
 but then, you know, it is very hot weather, and there be a num- 
 ber of thirsty souls here to-day. Then there'll be Lord and 
 Lady Beauchamp's health to drink — Lord and Lady Malcolm's 
 — my lord's, in course — and your ladyship's, and a few others, 
 
FESTIVITIES AT BAMPTON HOUSE. 401 
 
 with bumpers all round, and I rayther think some of these good 
 folk will feel weriy moist indeed before nightfall." 
 
 Leaving our happy rustics to the full enjoyment of their 
 festival, which did not terminate until darkness stole over the 
 scene, which, as might be expected, had long previously stolen 
 over the senses of many of the guests, so as to render them ob- 
 livious of time and their road home, we will now transfer our 
 reader to the ball-room at Bampton House, which was crowded 
 to overflowing with the bold yeomen, their wives and daughters, 
 and a fair sprinkling of gentility. Of the latter were Sir Lionel 
 Markham and family, the Comptons, Rollestons, all the bachelors 
 of the hunt, with Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom, who had particu- 
 larly begged to be present. The earl opened the ball in a country 
 dance with Mrs. Styles, a fine buxom-looking woman of fifty. The 
 other gentlemen selected partners also among the farmers' wives 
 and daughters, this being the rule to be observed in the first dance. 
 Selina Markham seized upon young Hazel for her partner ; 
 and Fred Beauchamp introduced Mrs. Fonescue to the brother 
 of Miss Fairacre, the prettiest girl in the room, whom he had 
 engaged for himself. Bob Conyers, undertaking the part of 
 master of the ceremonies, soon provided for all the dancing 
 youngsters by mutual introductions. Captain Markham, who 
 was playing fierce attention to Miss Honoria, voted it "a 
 demmed bore" to be pulled nearly off his legs by a strono- 
 young damsel, through every couple, down to the bottom of the 
 room. " I say, Fred," he whispered, when left at ease for a few 
 seconds, " I sha'n't have any more of this fun — don't pay, old 
 fellow — just see my Phillis, a full blown peony's a fool to her — 
 demmit ! makes one hot to look at her — heavy in hand as a 
 four-year old. Cut and run, by Jove, Fred." 
 
 " Can't be done, Markham — orders from head quarters for 
 one dance with the rustics ; then please ourselves afterwards. 
 So here we go at it again — cross hands, down the middle and up 
 again," with which the captain was whirled away by his Ama- 
 zonian partner. On crossing hands with his sister, she asked, 
 " Cool and comfortable, Ned, eh ? " 
 
 " Demmed uncomfortable, Selina ; but you don't catch me 
 doing drill work of this sort again." Immediately after, his part- 
 ner making a false step, could not recover her equilibrium, and 
 holding the captain tight in hand, dragged him down with her, 
 giving him a rattling fall, Fred and his partner rolling over him. 
 "My gracious!" exclaimed Selina, "the life-guardsman 
 floored at last ! quick, Hazel, pick him up, or he'll be smothered 
 by that Amazon, who is as heavy as a sack of grains. Oh, me ! 
 
 z 
 
402 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 -what will Miss Honoria say to her darling captain bein^ 
 smashed in that fashion 1 " 
 
 Both Hazel and Fred Beauchamp laughed so immoderately 
 as to be incapable of rendering any assistance, for the captain's 
 leg being crooked under him, his ankle was severely sprained, so 
 that he could with difficulty raise himself; but Conyers hastened 
 to assist him, inquiring where he was injured. 
 
 " Eh ! aw ! Bob, queer about the ankle — pains fearfully ; 
 give me your arm, old fellow ; hobble away to a chair — deuced 
 awkward affair, floored by a woman ! 'pon honour." 
 
 As the captain limped across the room in search of a seat, 
 Mrs. Winterbottom, pitying his distressed looks, with anguish 
 pictured on his brow, rose from her most comfortable chair, and 
 insisted on his taking possession of it. 
 
 "Oh, captain dear, this comes o' romping in them nasty 
 country dances ; and there's my Honoria been nearly torn to 
 bits by that young farmer-chap, whisking and whirling her 
 about till she's not fit to be seen, with her hair all about her 
 face, aud her dress rumpled and crumpled as if it had been 
 taken out of a clothes bag ; but here she comes — my gracious ! 
 such a figure, and so 'ot, poor thing." And sure enough, Miss 
 Honoria's dress and tresses were rather the worse for the rush- 
 ing and crushing she had been obliged to undergo when hauled 
 about by young Mr. Hardcastle, who was not one of the most 
 graceful in his movements, or very particular about an extra 
 hop or two, whether in or out of time. 
 
 With the proverbial unselfishness of women, however, Miss 
 Honoria's first inquiring looks were directed to Markham, 
 whose fall she had witnessed. " I fear," she said, " you have 
 been very much injured by that awkward girl's falling 1 " 
 
 " Much better now, thank you," he replied, " pray take my 
 seat," attempting to rise, when another sharp twinge made the 
 captain twist again. 
 
 " Sit still, Captain Markham, I beg and entreat." 
 
 " 'Pon honour, couldn't perpetrate such rudeness, as to sit 
 still whilst you are standing, Miss Honoria." 
 
 " Then," she said, " I shall leave you directly, if you make 
 another effort to rise." 
 
 At this moment the Earl (his dance being finished) came up 
 to inquire about his accident. " Well, Markham, I see how it 
 is, and rest is your only remedy — an easy chair here, or in the 
 drawing-room — which do you prefer 1 " 
 
 " Oh, here, by all means," was the reply, " as I should like 
 to see the fun out." 
 
THE LIFEGUAILDS3IAN CONQUERED. 403 
 
 Iii a few minutes a low chair was brought in for the 
 captain's especial rise, with a footstool to rest his leg upon, and 
 being engaged to Miss Honoria for the first quadrille, that 
 young lady, in compassion to his misfortunes, insisted on sitting 
 with him during the dance. Now, on what exact terms it was 
 effected, we are not at liberty to disclose ; but certain it is that 
 this little attention of the young lady, coupled with some 
 melting looks from a pair of very beautiful black eyes, so 
 softened the captain's heart, that a declaration of love followed, 
 and crimson cheeks, with down-cast looks, were the only 
 answers returned, which the captain took as intended. 
 
 The pressure of her hand, with a few sotto voce whisperings 
 of love and devotion succeeded, with a conclusion more in alto — 
 " Eh ! 'pon honour, how romantic, and all that sort of thing." 
 
 Selina, who had been casting searching glances towards the 
 happy pair, felt assured, by the young lady's behaviour, that the 
 die was cast. " Here, Bob," she exclaimed to her partner, " that 
 fool, Ned, has fallen into the mash-tub at last, and I'll bet a 
 pony, as Lord Henry says, that Miss Honoria has booked him. 
 My gracious ! what a row there will be, when mamma finds we 
 are to have Mrs. Winter for a mother-in-law." 
 
 " Any way, my dear, hers is a better name than Hogsflesh, 
 and I know Ned had serious ideas about a young lady of that 
 name in London, this season, the daughter of a retired soap- 
 boiler. Honoria herself is very well — a pretty, unassuming, 
 well-educated girl ; and, I can tell you, a brewery is a very 
 lucrative, safe investment, with large returns, and the business 
 itself quite respectable; so, on the whole, Ned has decided 
 wisely, and we must put up with the old lady's vulgarities, if 
 indeed she is disposed to trouble us with them, which I very 
 much question." 
 
 " Ah ! Bob, you are ever making the best of things." 
 
 " And so, my dear, I hope you also, for the future, will look 
 always on the sunny side, which is the wisest thing to do." 
 
 CHAPTER L. 
 
 "We must now turn our attention to Mrs. Fortescue and Fred 
 Beauchamp, who were lounging (the latter at least) through a 
 quadrille. 
 
 " What do you think," he was asking her, "of our ^country 
 practices at a wedding % our rustic games and dances 1 " 
 
 Z 
 
404 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 " To me," she replied, " everything I have witnessed to-day 
 has been most delightful. The dear old earl's unaffected, almost 
 parental kindness to his poor neighbours, and their joyous 
 looks, beaming with gratitude, in return, awaken kindred 
 feelings in my own heart, and recall the associations of my 
 earlier years, when I was a country girl. Happy are they, 
 indeed (if they could estimate truly that happiness), who live a 
 country life, far removed from the bustle and turmoil of the 
 city ; and I can truly say — 
 
 1 From the court to the cottage convey me away, 
 For I'm weary of grandeur and what they call gay, 
 
 Where pride without measure, 
 
 And pomp without pleasure, 
 Make life in a circle of hurry decay.' 
 
 I'm tired to death of London dust and smoke — I have never 
 seen a more united family than yours appears to be ; and really 
 have serious thoughts of taking some place in the neighbour- 
 hood, to be near your excellent uncle, with whom I confess to 
 have fallen desperately in love." 
 
 " "Well, then," said Fred, lowering his voice, " as you cannot 
 be the earl's wife, will it content you to be his niece ? " 
 
 For a moment she gazed steadfastly on her partner's face ; 
 and in the serious look which met her inquiring eyes, she read 
 his meaning, but made no response. 
 
 " Have I offended you," he asked, in a quiet, subdued tone, 
 " by my abrupt question 1 " 
 
 " No," she replied, as the colour rose to her very brow ; " I 
 will not pretend to misunderstand you, but " 
 
 " Stay one moment, ere you pronounce my doom," he said, 
 earnestly. " Remember your promise at Almack's, which I 
 have pondered on ever since — how fondly and fatally, none will 
 ever know ; for I see my fate hangs on a thread, which one 
 more word will sever. Oh, speak it not," he added ; ■ and for- 
 give my presumption in having ventured thus far." 
 
 " Frederick," she said, gently, " I will spare your feelings 
 as much as I can, in justice to my own; but you must 
 not misunderstand either my sentiments or my words. I 
 like you as a friend and companion ; but our acquaintance 
 has been of very recent date, and I must see and know 
 more of you before I could entrust my happiness to your 
 keeping." 
 
 " Then you will not at once discard me, as I dreaded," he 
 murmured, passionately. " A thousand thanks for that conces- 
 sion. I ask no more. I am now content." 
 
THE SUPPER AT BAMPTON HOUSE. 405 
 
 " Thus let it be, then," she added. " But mind you are not 
 too sanguine in your hopes — I see the Earl approaching." 
 
 " Well, Mrs. 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 a 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 with 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, displaying 
 a long table, reaching down 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 
 
406 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 the champagne corks to pop about like irregular musket dis- 
 charges of infantry. The company had fully discussed the 
 merits of the good things provided for them, when Bob Conyers, 
 as Vice-Chairman, proposed the toast of the evening in a short, 
 appropriate speech : — " Health and happiness to the two newly- 
 married couples ! " which was received with deafening cheers, 
 lasting for several minutes ; and as they were dying away, the 
 stentorian voice of Farmer Stiles was heard : " Now, gentlemen, 
 one cheer more, as you love him, for the young squire ; and 
 may God bless them both." 
 
 The shout which answered this short address may be ima- 
 gined, and the Earl, seeing the ladies almost overpowered by 
 the thunder of voices, rose to return thanks, which stilled 
 immediately the raging storm into breathless silence. The 
 short, energetic speech of the old peer again elicited rounds 
 of applause, although more subdued, from a hint passed up the 
 long table by Conyers. "The Ladies'," and "The Earl's" 
 health then followed in quick succession, after which dancing 
 recommenced, and continued with unabated strength and reso- 
 lution until four o'clock in the morning. 
 
 With the termination of these festivities and the departure 
 of his guests from Bampton, the Earl relapsed into his usual 
 quiet habits ; but as Fred spent the greater part of his time 
 at the Priory, often dining there, the loss of his children's 
 society, and the solitary fireside in the evening, began to pro- 
 duce the effects which might have been expected upon one 
 whose chief happiness depended on domestic ties and cheerful 
 faces around his table. Fred, noticing his uncle's low spirits, 
 induced him to ride over occasionally to the Priory, where his 
 usual cheerfulness returned, and it was about three weeks after 
 his children's marriage, that when walking with Mrs. Gordon 
 through her grounds, he surprised that lady by suddenly saying, 
 " My dear Mrs. Gordon, it is no use my attempting to conceal 
 the matter any longer; but the fact is, that I have become so 
 melancholy and feel so lonely in that large house since Will 
 and Con have left me, that I must either come and live at the 
 Priory, or you must come, in pity to my forlorn situation, and 
 live at Bampton." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, scarcely knowing whether the Earl was 
 serious, or only in one of his joking humours, attempted to 
 rally him for giving way to despondency on account of his 
 children's short absence — but in vain. He assured her that 
 his proposition had been well considered, and although now 
 past the age for romantic passion, he had long entertained 
 
THE EARL'S PROPOSAL TO MRS. GORDON. 407 
 
 towards her the deepest regard and affection. " In short, my 
 dear madam," he added, u your interest in my children is almost 
 as deep as my own ; and in return they regard you as their 
 mother. What a joyful surprise it would be to them all, to 
 find their hopes realised on their return home ! " 
 
 "My dear friend," replied Mrs. Gordon, "your proposition 
 has come so unexpectedly upon me, that I must have time for 
 reflection before I can give you a decisive answer ; but, believe 
 me, I am not insensible to your many excellent qualities of 
 heart and disposition." 
 
 Fred Beauchamp and the gay widow approaching, put a 
 stop to the further efforts of the Earl in pressing his suit, and 
 he had only time to entreat she would write him a favourable 
 reply in a day or two, as his future happiness was now dependent 
 on her consent. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, uninfluenced by worldly considerations or 
 ambitious views, felt sorely perplexed by the Earl's proposal. 
 She was perfectly satisfied with her own position, and the 
 thoughts of leaving her happy home, with every comfort and 
 all her pets around her, produced such painful sensations, that 
 she had nearly resolved on writing a refusal, although couched 
 in the most friendly language, with cogent reasons for declining 
 the honour he intended conferring upon her j when Lady Mal- 
 colm, observing her sister's unusual abstraction of thought and 
 nervous manner, at last drew the secret from her, and the con- 
 fession of the distressing situation in which she felt placed by 
 being compelled to give pain to one she so highly respected, 
 with the dread of that coolness which would naturally arise to 
 destroy the harmony which had hitherto existed between the 
 two families. 
 
 " My dear Margaret," continued Lady Malcolm, " you have 
 not advanced one single reasonable excuse for your purposed 
 rejection of the dear old Earl, to whom, I am convinced, you 
 are much more deeply attached than you like to confess to me ; 
 in fact, I have long observed, since his visit to me in London, 
 your evident partiality for each other. There is no necessity 
 for giving up the Priory or your pets ; but even if such a sacri- 
 fice were required, I should not hesitate in resigning all, rather 
 than give up your oldest and dearest friend. Indeed, my dear 
 sister, I am only surprised you could have hesitated for one 
 moment to accept the Earl's offer, independently of the great 
 pleasure it will afford those dear girls, Blanche and Constance, 
 as well as myself. There will be times, of course, when Charles 
 and William must be absent from this part of the country, 
 
408 THE MASTEK OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 leaving the Earl and yourself two solitary beings, in two old, 
 solitary houses ; so, my dear sister, putting feeling out of the 
 question, the most prudent step you can possibly adopt is to 
 many the Earl, and you will then be a mutual comfort to each 
 other in your declining years. Moreover, I know Charles 
 would be only too glad to live at the Priory during five or six 
 months of the year, if you will allow him, and you can depend 
 on Constance keeping everything precisely in the same order as 
 at present." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, thinking her sister had spoken very sensibly 
 on this subject, without alluding to rank or worldly advantages, 
 thanked her for her good advice, which she agreed to follow, 
 and a neatly- written little note was, in accordance therewith, 
 dispatched the next day to Bampton, which brought the Earl 
 to the Priory within an hour of its delivery, in high spirits. 
 To those interested in love scenes between the youthful and 
 ardent, the meeting of these two old friends, on this important 
 matter, might appear too tame and sedate to be rehearsed ; we 
 will, therefore, pass it over sub silentia, and merely relate the 
 result, that in a fortnight from that day, the Earl and Mrs. 
 Gordon underwent the ceremony of being joined together in 
 holy matrimony at the altar in Bampton Church, none, save 
 Lady Malcolm, Mrs. Fortescue, Fred Beauchamp, and Conyers 
 being present, and returned afterwards to Bampton House as if 
 nothing extraordinary had happened, where Aunt Gordon 
 assumed her new dignity of Countess of Annandale, without 
 in any way changing her habitual cheerfulness and suavity of 
 temper. There was not one of the old domestics in the Earl's 
 establishment (old servants being generally extremely captious 
 and impassive of innovaf ions in their departments) who did not 
 receive with unfeigned pleasure their new mistress, whose kind- 
 ness of heart and generous disposition were so well known to 
 all her inferiors. Lady Malcolm and Mrs. Eortescue returned 
 the same day to London for a short time, promising to be at 
 Bampton again the second week in September. 
 
 The news of the Earl's marriage with Mrs. Gordon caused 
 very little surprise in the neighbourhood ; the general opinion 
 being the reverse of that so often pronounced on elderly persons 
 " making fools of themselves." Here it was admitted to be 
 " the wisest thing they could have done/' by all save our not 
 over-esteemed friend, Mrs. Harcourt, who was of course pre- 
 pared with an ill-natured speech for the occasion, envenomed, 
 no doubt, by the consideration of her quondam opponent taking 
 precedence of her in all their country parties. 
 
Blanche's surprise. 409 
 
 " Only think," she observed to her husband, " of Mrs. Gordon 
 imposing upon that silly old man, and playing her cards so 
 cleverly as to become a Countess 1 What extraordinary tact 
 some widows have in match-making for themselves as well as 
 others." 
 
 " Well, my dear, I do not blame her for making so good a 
 bargain, although I have long suspected this event would take 
 place sooner or later ; and, in my opinion, the Earl has made a 
 most judicious selection." 
 
 " Oh, yes, of course," retorted the lady; " the Bampton squire 
 can do no wrong since his elevation to the peerage." 
 
 Mrs. Gordon had immediately, on accepting the Earl, written 
 to apprise Blanche of her contemplated change of name, and on 
 reading her aunt's letter, she exclaimed, " Oh, William ! what 
 do you think has occurred during our short absence from 
 home 1 " 
 
 "Something, my darling, of a joyous nature, I can gather 
 from your sparkling eyes. Perhaps Bob is married % " 
 
 " No, not yet." 
 
 " The widow has accepted Fred 1 " 
 
 11 No, dear William ; guess again." 
 
 " Then the governor has popped the question to aunty 1 " 
 
 " Oh, William," she said, demurely, " how could you fancy 
 such a thing % " 
 
 " Because, my love, I have fancied it for some five or six 
 months past, and was quite convinced it must soon happen." 
 
 " You were a true prophet, Master Will. Dear aunty will 
 soon be in name what she has ever been in love and affection 
 to us both — a mother." 
 
 " My own dear girl," said Beauchamp, catching her in his 
 arms, " this is indeed delightful intelligence ; for I often think 
 with pain how melancholy my dear father must feel without 
 his children, and we cannot now be always with him." 
 
 " And why can we not, dear William 1 " 
 
 " Because, my love, he thinks we ought to spend a certain 
 portion of the year at the Castle, and he is too wedded to 
 Bampton ever to leave it." 
 
 "Indeed," she said, "this is a very delightful place, but I 
 confess my feelings, like his, are influenced by earlier and 
 dearer associations; Bampton and Beauchamp are both hal- 
 lowed names to me." 
 
 " Ah ! you naughty child, since you have become Lady 
 Beauchamp ; but now, Blanche, seriously, we must proceed on 
 our journey to visit your Scotch dominions, where I intend 
 
410 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 committing havoc amongst the grouse, and send a supply to our 
 friends in England, that is, supposing you will allow me to be 
 absent a few hours occasionally from your presence 1 r ' 
 
 " Well, I suppose, for such a purpose, I may dispense with 
 your attendance sometimes • so now to answer aunty's letter, 
 and I am then at your commands to set out en route for my 
 fatherland." 
 
 By the 1st of September, Malcolm and Constance had 
 engaged to spend a week with Beauchamp and his bride at 
 Annandale Castle (before returning to Bampton), which they 
 reached the 31st of August, in time for the first day of part- 
 ridge shooting ; and as usual, Malcolm began joking Blanche 
 after dinner. 
 
 "Well, my love, how many quarrels have you had with 
 Beauchamp since this day month 1 " 
 
 "None at all, Charles, nor likely to have any, I hope." 
 
 " 'Pon honour, Blanche — eh ? " 
 
 " Quite true, Charles." 
 
 "Oh! I see — Beauchamp gave in at once, poor fellow ! 
 anything for a quiet life — always was that sort of man — 
 couldn't stand that little temper of yours, my dear — so knocked 
 under without striking a blow — henpecked husband, and all 
 that sort of thing." 
 
 " And pray, Charles, how did you fare with Constance 1 " 
 
 " All one way, my love — turned the bonnet-box out of 
 window at starting — fought like cat and dog for a week, till she 
 saw I would keep the upper hand, and now we go on swim- 
 mingly together, like the two old swans in the lake yonder. She 
 know's who's master now — don't you, Con 1 " appealing to his 
 wife. 
 
 " Yes, Charles," she replied, laughing, " I rather think I 
 do," with a significant smile at her sister-in-law. 
 
 " Well," remarked Malcolm, " this boxing up of two in- 
 dividuals in a travelling carriage, for I know not how long, is all 
 very well once in a man's life, and one degree better than 
 solitary confinement in a prison — but, by Jove, Beauchamp, 
 tete-a-tete breakfasts, with ditto dinners, don't suit my humour 
 at all ; so now I intend letting loose to-night — try every wine 
 in the cellar, and finish off with a bottle of port per head. 
 It's no use, my dears, sending to announce coffee, so go to your 
 rooms when you please. We intend to have a jolly evening, 
 and stagger up-stairs about one o'clock in the morning." 
 
 " You will do nothing of the kind, Charley dear," replied 
 Blanche ; "at least I am sure William will not." 
 
BLANCHE AND CONSTANCE IN THE NORTH. 411 
 
 " But he will, my love, and I'll back him up to assert his 
 rights and supremacy, in defiance of petticoat government. Oh ! 
 la ! how funny ! my Lord Beauchamp carried up-stairs roaring 
 drunk, and my Lady Beauchamp in hysterics." 
 
 " My dear Charles, how silly you still are ! " 
 
 " Yes, my love — and always hope to be ; so now pass the 
 bottle, and I'll give a toast — bumpers round — ' May we never 
 feel less happy than now ! '" 
 
 CHAPTER LT. 
 
 Whilst Beauchamp and Malcolm were walking over stubbles 
 and turnips in search of partridges, Blanche and Constance 
 were walking through the village, renewing their acquaintance 
 with their poor neighbours ; and many a silent blessing was 
 invoked by the aged and infirm, the fatherless and widow, on 
 the heads of those two sisters of charity, as they entered their 
 humble cottages. 
 
 Blanche and Beauchamp had resolved on devoting a large 
 portion of their income to ameliorate the condition of the 
 dependents on their extensive properties ; and in place of the 
 wretched hovels and small tenements, the general habitations 
 of the poor, new cottages were to be erected, on a plan drawn 
 by themselves, which allowed of two good-sized front-rooms on 
 the ground floor, with bakehouse, back-kitchen, &c, and a 
 quarter of an acre of land to each cottage. New school- rooms, 
 where wanted, were also to be provided — clothing clubs estab- 
 lished in every village and hamlet on their estates, with a large 
 subscription by themselves, and, in addition to Lord Beau- 
 champ's name standing at the head of each club or benefit 
 society, weekly provision was made by himself and Blanche for 
 all widows, orphans, and those past labouring for their own 
 support; so that of each it might be said in the words of 
 Job, " When the ear heard me, then it blessed me ; and when 
 the eye saw me, it gave witness to me : because I delivered the 
 poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to 
 help him." 
 
 The management of the whole property in the north, around 
 and belonging to the Castle, was entrusted by the Earl to his 
 son, who would admit of no intervention between the tenants 
 
412 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 and himself, in the shape of a lawyer agent ; in place of whom 
 the best practical farmer in each district was appointed by him 
 as an arbitrator in any trivial cases of dispute, and deputed to 
 send him statements of any improvements required, in buildings 
 or drainages on the farms ; but when staying at the Castle 
 applications were to be made to Lord Beauchamp, personally, 
 on all matters of this kind, by the tenants themselves ; thus 
 the friendly relations, which ought ever to exist between the 
 owner and cultivators of the soil, were established to the mutual 
 benefit of both. 
 
 However high in rank any landlord may be, whether duke, 
 marquis, or earl, he may rest assured that it is most unques- 
 tionably his interest, if not his duty, to hold the supreme 
 authority over his property in his own hands, and not subject 
 his tenants to be domineered over, and his lands deteriorated, 
 by the pretended supervision of a lawyer agent, totally 
 ignorant of all agricultural business, and who is paid a handsome 
 per centage for merely collecting the rents, writing a few letters, 
 or occasionally copying out some lease or agreement, framed by 
 men of greater experience than himself. No man can be safely 
 employed as land agent, who is not thoroughly and practically 
 acquainted with the management and cultivation of land. 
 
 After spending a fortnight at Annandale Castle, the two 
 thoroughly happy couples set out on their return to Bampton, 
 where they were received with open arms and warm embraces by 
 the Earl and his Countess. After these greetings had passed, 
 Malcolm's habitual love of fun broke forth. 
 
 "Well, I fear I shall now become like the donkey who 
 had two mammas." 
 
 " In what respect Charles ? " asked Blanche. 
 
 " Why, he became a very great donkey indeed, my love." 
 
 " Oh, that you have ever been, Charles, since I have had 
 the honour of your acquaintance." 
 
 " I tell you what it is, aunt, or mamma — whichever you 
 choose to be called — that spoilt pet of yours has become so 
 exceedingly gumptious since her promotion as Lady Beauchamp, 
 that she rules the whole roast — will have her own way in 
 everything ; and as for her husband, poor fellow — oh ! me — as 
 Mrs. Winter says — she treats him like a dog ; in short, it is 
 a most fortunate thing for him to get her back to Bampton, 
 where I hope you will now keep her in proper order once 
 more." 
 
 " Very well, Charles," replied his aunt, " then I will take 
 her to her room, and begin my first lecture/' 
 
BAMPTON HOUSE ONCE MORE. 413 
 
 It were almost superfluous to relate the joy of the Countess 
 on hearing from her own lips the confession of Blanche's 
 happiness in her union with Beauchamp. 
 
 " Then I have not over-rated him, my own dearest child 1 " 
 
 " Oh, no, dear aunt — he is so kind, so affectionate, so anxious 
 about me, that I love him, if possible, more every day." 
 
 " Thank heaven for this blessing, my darling girl," exclaimed 
 her aunt, pressing Blanche to her heart. 
 
 " Indeed, I do," she replied, " every hour in the day." 
 
 "And Constance, my love," turning to her, "I read in your 
 happy smiles that Charles also makes you a good husband." 
 
 " Yes, dear aunt ; he is everything I could desire." 
 
 The family-party at the dinner-table that evening was 
 the most joyous that can be imagined, all being in the highest 
 spirits from their happy re-union ; but Malcolm's mirth, as usual, 
 was most boisterous. The next day, Bob Conyers and Selina 
 rode over to congratulate their friends on returning to Bampton ; 
 and the latter, remarking on Blanche's improved looks and 
 vivacity of spirits, said, " Why, my dear girl, I was beginning 
 to think matrimony a very lugubrious affair, and have put off 
 that little ceremony with Bob as long as possible ; but, really, 
 my dear, whether from change of air or change of name, Lady 
 Beauchamp beats Blanche Douglas hollow, with those sparkling 
 eyes and blooming cheeks, which I never saw so brilliant 
 before." 
 
 " Oh, Selina, I know what flattery from you means — but, as 
 long as "William is satisfied with my looks, I do not regard the 
 opinions of others." 
 
 " Indeed, my dearest Blanche, I am perfectly serious and 
 sincere ; for I never saw a girl so improved as you are since 
 your marriage." 
 
 " Then, my dear Selina," said Bob, " the sooner you follow 
 her example the better — so let us name this day fortnight, and 
 I am sure all our friends here, old and young, will come over to 
 see the last of the old bachelor, Bob Conyers." 
 
 All joyfully accepting this invitation, Selina added, " You 
 must ask mamma this question, Bob — the first, I answered for 
 myself." 
 
 This point having been referred, accordingly, to Lady 
 Markham, she raised no objection ; being, like some other 
 mammas, of opinion that the marriage of their eldest daughter 
 opens the path of the other junior sisters to the hymeneal 
 altar. Sir Lionel gave a grand breakfast on the occasion, which 
 was attended by nearly all the neighbouring families, including 
 
414: THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 
 
 a large party from Bampton, now augmented by the arrival of 
 Lady Malcolm and Mrs. Fortescue. Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt 
 were invited also ; and, although with a bad grace, they deemed 
 it a good opportunity for renewing that intimacy with their 
 neighbours which the revelations made at the late trial had 
 somewhat discomposed. 
 
 Having left their cards at Bampton since their ward's 
 return, the meeting between aunt and aunt was less cat-like 
 than heretofore ; and that between aunt and niece, apparently, 
 rather affectionate. Mr. Harcourt, perhaps more sinned against 
 than sinning in the Marston Castle plot, and devoid of the 
 acrimonious feeling still entertained by his wife against Lord 
 Beauchamp, shook him most cordially by the hand, congratu- 
 lating him upon Blanche's improved looks and more cheerful 
 manner. In fact, the change in Lady Beauchamp struck every 
 one of her old acquaintance as most extraordinary. But was 
 there not a cause ? She had exchanged the harassing anxieties 
 of the last twelve months for peace and security of mind, and, 
 when leaning on her husband's arm, looked the personification 
 of happiness and contentment ; and the soft, confiding smile 
 directed to Beauchamp's face said, in plain language, "With 
 him I have found a haven and a rest," Lord Mervyn had, long- 
 before the trial, left Marston Castle for Paris, where he was to 
 be joined by his son-in-law, Vernon, and his young wife, to pass 
 the winter. The shock inflicted on Vernon's frame (never 
 very strong) caused great misgivings in his physician's mind 
 as to his entire re-establishment in health ever again ; and 
 a warmer climate being recommended, he was to pass the 
 intermediate time in Italy, before joining his father-in-law at 
 Paris. 
 
 The marriage ceremony between the Captain and Miss 
 Honoria was, by the particular desire of Mrs. "Winterbottom, 
 solemnised at St. George's Chapel, followed by a long account 
 of the loveliness of the bride and her bridesmaids, &c., the 
 next day, in the Morning Post; and a dejeuner provided on 
 a large scale from Gunter's, for their London friends and con- 
 nections, at their own house in Bryanston Square, which had 
 undergone new decorations for the brewer and his wife, who 
 both, after a fair trial, found a country life not at all to their 
 taste, and the reverse of what they expected — the lady complain- 
 ing of being shut up, during the winter months, like an owl in 
 a barn, without a neighbour dropping in once a month. In 
 short, Mr. Winterbottom had committed an egregious mistake 
 by purchasing landed property in a locality surrounded by old, 
 
THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER. 415 
 
 stiff-necked families, who would not visit his vulgar wife ; and 
 she felt most acutely the change (having no resources in herself) 
 from the gossip and prattle of London to the dull monotony oi 
 a country life. At last she told her husband — to use her own 
 expression — " she wouldn't put up, no longer, with the hoity- 
 toity airs of these proud dames." The country house, therefore, 
 was handed over to the young couple, with the reservation of 
 spending a month there in the summer, and a week or two at 
 Christmas. 
 
 The young widow, after another month's deliberation, 
 accepted Fred Beauchamp, with the Grange, who being of a 
 domestic turn and good temper, rather surpassed her expectations- 
 from his apparently thoughtless demeanour, which really pro- 
 ceeded from good humour and cheerfulness of disposition. 
 & * * * * 
 
 The 1st of November has again arrived; again is the 
 breakfast-table at Bampton House thronged with guests in 
 hunting costume. Sir Francis Burnett, Gwynne, with every 
 member of the hunt, are there, in compliment to the Earl and 
 his son, on their opening day, and a greater assemblage of 
 farmers than ever before attended the lawn meet. Sir Francis 
 whispered Beauchamp, "So, my boy, you have changed your 
 opinion about the heiress since this time twelvemonth ? " 
 
 " No, Sir Francis, of her I have ever entertained one and 
 the same opinion ; but I have followed your advice in dis- 
 regarding that of the world." 
 
 " Bight, my boy, quite right ; the world and his wife have 
 nothing to do with you and your wife." 
 
 After breakfast, the Ladies Beauchamp and Malcolm were 
 vaulted into their saddles by their respective lords, to see the 
 hounds thrown into covert, attended by a large party of gentle- 
 men—the Earl taking charge of his daughter-in-law when 
 Beauchamp began drawing for a fox. The horse provided for 
 Blanche was such as a child could ride, of the most gentle and 
 docile disposition, although quite thorough-bred, and a perfect 
 hunter ; yet withal, Beauchamp, disliking to see ladies riding 
 over fences, and in dread of any accident occurring to his beloved 
 wife, had exacted a promise from her to return home with the 
 groom as soon as the hounds should leave Park Wood. Selma 
 Conyers, in no wise sobered by marriage, ridiculed Beauchamp 
 for his timidity about Blanche, to as much purpose as heretofore ;. 
 and Blanche, wishing Selina a good day's sport and a safe 
 return to Bampton, turned her horse's head homewards. 
 
 The Park Wood foxes, being proverbially stout, and long 
 
416 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 
 
 travellers, almost invariably afforded capital runs, and although 
 so early in the season, the one selected on this day had resolved 
 to maintain the reputation of his family, although at the cost of 
 his life, being pulled down in the open after an hour and fifty 
 minutes. With blind ditches and close weather, every horse 
 had quite or more than sufficient work to keep anywhere near 
 the pack with their first fox, without requiring a second ; and 
 their riders, being in this case disposed to let well alone, did not 
 express -dissent to the order — home. 
 
 The dinner party at Bampton in the evening was on a large 
 scale, about thirty sitting down to .table ; the Countess (late 
 Mrs. Gordon) performing her part in the entertainment with 
 her usual affability, supported by her two pets, Blanche and 
 Constance, who won golden opinions from all their guests by 
 their unaffected manners and cheerful good humour. 
 
 After the ladies had retired, Bob Conyers gave the toast 
 usual on such occasions — " Fox-hunting and the Master of the 
 Hounds " — which was received with general applause. 
 
 "Gentlemen," said Conyers, rising, after silence had suc- 
 ceeded, " there is one toast more I must be allowed to propose 
 on this most auspicious day, which I am quite sure will be 
 received with enthusiasm — ' The Countess of Annandale, and the 
 Ladies Beauchamp and Malcolm.' " 
 
 " Hurrah ! " shouted Gwynne, springing to his legs, " a 
 double bumper to them — they are the right sort, Bob, like the 
 Park Wood foxes, and endeavour to combine the pleasures of 
 'The Field and the Fireside.' " 
 
 " And now," continued Conyers, when the cheers had sub- 
 sided, " our labours of love having been brought to a happy ter- 
 mination, I will wind up, on behalf of the newly made Bene- 
 dicts, in the words of Cotton : — 
 
 1 Though fools spurn Hymen's gentle powers, 
 We, who improve his golden hours, 
 By sweet experience know 
 That marriage, rightly understood, 
 Gives to the tender and the good 
 A paradise below.' " 
 
 THE END. 
 
 
 PETTER AND GALPIN, BELLE SA.UVAGE PRINTING WORKS, LUDGATE HILL, LONDON, E.C. 
 

 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 BERKELEY 
 
 Return to desk from which borrowed. 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 JMi*0W66o 
 
 *w pe* 
 
 LD 21-100wi-ll, , 49(B7146sl6)476 
 
 ^i 
 
 IDDIDV n r t 
 
\ V V \ m >; M 
 
 y v \i v v v v 
 
 \ u ~ 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF