WHAT SHALL BE DONE? 143 



The doctor soon returned, telling Mrs. Gordon, with a very 

 grave face, that the man was dangerously wounded by a ball 

 through, his body, although he believed no vital part had been 

 injured ; yet that he required great care and attention, and 

 ought immediately to be placed in bed. 



"Do exactly as you consider best," replied Mrs. Gordon, 

 " and tell the housekeeper to have everything prepared for him 

 without delay." 



"Thank you, my dear madam, for your kindness," said 

 Morgan, as he again left the room ; when Malcolm rushed in, 

 with consternation depicted on his face, and instantly folded 

 Blanche in his embrace, exclaiming, "My poor, dear girl ! what 

 an escape you have had from that villain ! But, Will Beau- 

 champ, are you much hurt, my brave, noble fellow ? I heard 

 the whole account from Harcourt's footman." 



" Oh, not much, Malcolm, as you may see, by my enjoying a 

 cup of tea." 



The story was again told, when Malcolm said — 



" Upon my word ! what with Lord Mervyn's keepers, and 

 Mr. Harcourt's coachman, this is a most serious affair, and I 

 will have it sifted to the bottom." 



"Perhaps," suggested Mrs. Gordon, "for dear Blanche's 

 sake, we had better let it pass as quiet as possible, and keep a 

 strict watch over her for the future." 



"And allow these villains to escape exposure ! But, besides, 

 dear aunt, Lord Mervyn would assuredly take advantage of our 

 weakness, and say the matter was hushed up by mutual consent ; 

 that Blanche was a consenting party to an elopement with 

 Lord Vancourt, and which, he would assert, was only prevented 

 by Beauchamp's interference — and this Lord Vancourt reported 

 to be a married man ! My dear aunt, you must see, Blanche's 

 fair fame would be tarnished for ever by such an insinuation 

 even. 'No, no ! it's impossible to compromise this business ; 

 and I am resolved, for the honour of both our families — my 

 cousin's and my own — that a thorough investigation shall take 

 place. It is my province, as one of her nearest relatives, to 

 clear her from all complicity or connivance with Lord Yan- 

 court ; and, my dear aunt, it must and shall be done ! " 



"Well, Charles, I believe you take the right view of the 

 case, which is too serious to be passed over ; but I think Mr. 

 Harcourt will endeavour to hush it up on account of his friend, 

 Lord Mervyn, and to screen himself, as his servant was con- 

 cerned also." 



