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. 



w 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 Row during the London season : and who knows but 

 Blanche may one day become a countess 1 " At these words, 

 the lady in question entered the room, and they at once set oat 

 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." 



