128 THE MASTER OF THE HOUXDS. 



text, and quietly, though positively, rejected his proposal; nor 

 would she admit the hope of time (the last plank to a wrecked 

 lover) effecting a more favourable change in his favour. 



" I am really surprised at you," said Mrs. Harcourt at last, 

 rising indignantly, "that, after all our kindness, you should 

 show so little respect to our wishes." Blanche hastily rushed 

 from the room, and in a moment afterwards found herself in 

 her cousin's arms, who was waiting in the corridor. 



"Now Blanche, dear," he said, kissing her flushed cheek, 

 " run up, like a good girl, and put on your bonnet ; I shall wait 

 in the hall." 



" Oh, Charles, I feel so unhappy from having displeased 

 Aunt Harcourt that I shall remain in my room." 



" You shall do no such thing, Blanche ; and unless you join 

 me in the hall within ten minutes, I will come up to your room 

 and fetch you. I won't let you cry and fret about all this got- 

 up humbug." 



Blanche soon re-appeared, and the fresh air, with Malcolm's 

 cheerful and cheering society, soon made her feel more com- 

 posed. 



" Stuff and nonsense about offending your aunt," exclaimed 

 he. " So you are to marry to suit her convenience, are you ? 

 and swear to love and obey a man you don't care a rap about — 

 more, positively dislike % By all that's sacred, would not such 

 an act be absolute perjury 1 My dear Blanche, the very idea is 

 horrible — positively revolting to any pure-minded woman ; and 

 if either your guardian or aunt venture on this subject with me, 

 they shall have a lecture they will not very easily forget." 



" Oh, don't say anything about it to them, Charles." 



" Not unless they begin, depend upon it ; but now we will 

 talk of something else, as I feel thoroughly disgusted with the 

 whole affair." 



Whilst the two cousins were enjoying their walk, Mr. and 

 Mrs. Harcourt were concocting their reply to Lord Vancourt, 

 and verifying the old adage of " too many cooks spoiling the 

 broth , " for with the lady's interference and amendments, the 

 meaning of the letter was so ambiguous, that it might be taken 

 either as a refusal or acceptance of his lordship's proposals. 

 The document, however, such as it was, was at length despatched, 

 and received by Lord Vancourt, who was sitting over the fire 

 with Lord Mervyn and Vernon in the library, previous to 

 dressing for dinner. 



His lordship hastily broke the seal and scanned rapidly the 



