ALARJIING REVELATIONS. 131 



a right to know, as we have approved Lord Vancourt' s pro- 

 posals, allowing Blanche due time for consideration." 



"My information is derived through Mr. Conyers from 

 Captain Melville, who has known Lord Vancourt for some 

 years, and he is now gone to London to obtain the necessary 

 proof of what he has asserted, as Mr. Conyers questioned the 

 truth of these reports. His last words to him were — ' As you 

 doubt my word, I engage to return at the end of a week, and 

 prove Lord Vancourt an impostor, or forfeit my honour as a 

 gentleman.' Having spoken this in a public ball-room, Cap- 

 tain Melville must (holding a commission in the army) maintain 

 or retract his assertions ; and, in the meantime, under these 

 unpleasant circumstances, Blanche will find it more comfortable 

 at the Priory than here, where, of course (after your sanction 

 to his addresses), Lord Vancourt will be calling again." 



Mrs. Harcourt, feeling alarmed at these revelations, and 

 thinking that perhaps she had been too precipitate in the affair, 

 raised no further objections to Blanche's return with Mrs. 

 Gordon, and within half an hour they were in her carriage on 

 the road to the Priory, Lord Malcolm promising to ride over 

 after luncheon and dine with them. 



Malcolm had scarcely disappeared through the lower lodge 

 gates of Throseby, before Lord Vancourt entered by the upper. 

 He was rather more formally received by the lady of the man- 

 sion than he expected, which, notwithstanding all his compli- 

 mentary speeches and expressions of deep obligation for Mr. and 

 Mrs. Harcourt's most flattering approval of his proposals, did 

 not wear away. 



" May I hope," inquired his lordship, in the most deferen- 

 tial tone, " for a short interview with Miss Douglas, as I have 

 not had the opportunity of making my proposal to her in 

 person 1 " 



"She left us this morning to remain with her aunt, Mrs. 

 Gordon, for a week," was the reply. 



Lord Vancourt bit his lip at this intelligence, and looked 

 exceedingly mortified, which Mrs. Harcourt noticing, said — 



" Your lordship must have gathered from Mr. Harcourt's 

 letter that we had failed to obtain the consent of Miss Douglas 

 to receive your addresses." 



" Indeed ! I did not so interpret its contents," replied Lord 

 Vancourt, " but was induced to think a personal interview with 

 your niece might have led to a better understanding between 

 us, and a confirmation of my most sanguine hopes." 



I 2 



