144 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



"No doubt, aunt ; but half a score Harcourts and Mervyns 

 shall not prevent me discharging my duty to dear Blanche, and 

 protecting her fair name from pollution with such a man as 

 Yancourt." 



Mr. Morgan put a stop to further conversation by just then 

 returning to the drawing-room. 



" Now, squire," he said, " it is your turn, as my other patient 

 is as comfortable as he has any right to expect, if you and Lord 

 Malcolm will walk with me into the other room." 



Mrs. Gordon looking anxious, and Blanche pale, at this 

 announcement, from fear of Beauchamp's being subjected to 

 more pain, Morgan assured them they need not be alarmed ; 

 adding, with a smile — 



" Rest satisfied, ladies ; I will not hurt him for my own 

 sake, as I don't want to be double-thonged when he gets into 

 the saddle once more ;" with which the three gentlemen walked 

 off together. 



After examining and probing the wound, which caused 

 Will Beauchamp to wince a little, Morgan expressed his 

 opinion that rest and quiet must be observed for some lew 

 days ; and added — 



" You may thank your lucky star, or guardian angel, that 

 the ball struck your rib on the centre, my young friend, or you 

 had been past all surgical aid. It's a confounded rascally 

 business, altogether ; and I hope, my lord," turning to Malcolm, 

 " you won't let that old fox-killer up at the castle escape probing 

 a little." 



" You may depend, doctor, I won't spare him or any con- 

 cerned in this outrage. And now let us return to the ladies, as 

 I saw their anxious looks." 



Morgan assured Mrs. Gordon she need be under no alarm 

 on Beauchamp's account, whose wound would heal in a few 

 days ; but that he ought not to return home that night, and 

 take only gruel or tea till he saw him again in the morning. 



" Ah, my dear aunt ! " exclaimed Malcolm, when the door 

 had closed on Morgan, "Beauchamp has had a very narrow 

 escape ; and thankful must we all be to the Almighty that he 

 has been spared to us." 



" My dear, dear boy," said Aunt Gordon, affected to tears, 

 and going up and kissing him, " what should I have done with- 

 out you 1 And now yon. are dearer to me than ever." 



" Pray don't give way thus, dear aunt," whispered Beau- 

 champ ; " you will distress poor Blanche, who, I see, is ready 



