116 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 



Lord Vancourt had called twice whilst Blanche was out 

 riding with her cousin, which annoyed Mrs. Harcourt, and she 

 resolved, therefore, for the future, to keep her more at home, in 

 the hope of his lordship proposing, as both Mr. Harcourt and 

 herself were so pleased with him, and assured by Lord Mervyn 

 of his large fortune also, that they had made up their minds 

 to accept his proposal for their niece; and Mrs. Harcourt, 

 dreading lest Malcolm might influence his cousin in favour of 

 Beauchamp, thought the sooner the thing could be settled the 

 better. 



The next day, when Malcolm was out shooting, Lord 

 Vancourt, under the pretence of inviting him to a shooting- 

 party at the castle (which he knew very well he would not 

 accept), called again at Throsehy, and found the ladies at home ; 

 and after sitting some time, Mrs. Harcourt rose, under the 

 excuse of having mislaid her handkerchief, leaving poor Blanche 

 alone with her unwelcome admirer. 



Her embarrassment and varying colour having impressed 

 his lordship with the belief of his having inspired her with an 

 interest in his favour, he began at first speaking of the ball, 

 to lead her on, expressing a hope that she would honour him 

 with her hand in the first dance. 



"For that I am engaged," she replied. 



" The second, then, Miss Douglas % " The same answer, at 

 which my lord bit his lip, and fire flashed from his dark, 

 piercing eye, which did not escape Blanche's notice. " May I 

 plead, then, for the next, Miss Douglas 1 in which I hope for 

 better success." 



" I do not recollect that I am engaged for that, and shall be 

 happy to dance with you, provided it is a quadrille, as I do not 

 waltz." 



" I must, of course, submit to your own terms," remarked 

 bis lordship ; "and among so many advocates for your hand, I 

 consider myself highly honoured by your accepting me for your 

 partner ; " and he was proceeding in a strain of flattery and 

 adulation, every moment becoming more irksome to poor 

 Blanche, when Lord Malcolm entered the room, and she 

 instantly hurried up-stairs. To account for his lordship's un- 

 expected entrance, we must explain, that having gone out 

 shooting that morning, and posted himself on the outside of a 

 small gorse covert on the hill above the house, his attention 

 was attracted by a horse galloping on the hard gravel road, and 

 looking down, he beheld Lord Vancourt rapidly riding up to 



