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LORD MERVYN S APOLOGY. 35 



" Then we will say the second of that month." 



" I thank you, my lord," said Beauchamp, entering it in his 

 jacket-book. 



" And now, Mr. Beauchamp, if you and all the members of 

 your hunt will do me the honour of breakfasting with me that 

 >yninff, I shall feel that* I have 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 felloY\ T , 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. uj 

 — thought he would have to fight to-morrow morning — eh — a • 

 — 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? Here, my love, 

 smell at these salts." 



" A sudden faintness came over me, dear aunt, but I shall 

 soon be better." 



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