58 THE ilASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



yawr 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, 

 {'he hand of Will Beauchamp lingered in that of Blanche 

 \ 'ouglas with rather a long and warm pressure, as he wished 

 her 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 " 



" Yesterckiy ; aunt sent the carriage for me, and 1 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 1 " 



