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, perhaps, 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- 

 no w 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 purpose 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 



he paused. 



"What, William?" 



" Vernon is considered almost irresistible with the fair sex, 



