106 THE MASTER OE 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 



" 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 ; j-et 

 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 oif. 



