148 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



Mrs. Gordon's kindness to you, and your narrow escape from 

 murdering the young squire, demand a full confession of all 

 you know about this infernal business. Out with it — a clear 

 conscience makes an easy bed, and you will feel all the better 

 for it." 



" It shall be done, doctor," said the man, " let the conse- 

 quences be what they may ! " 



Blanche Douglas was so fevered from the fright and excite- 

 ment of the previous night, as to be unable to leave her room 

 until late in the day. After eleven o'clock, visitors began to 

 pour in from the neighbourhood ; the news of Blanche's at- 

 tempted abduction having spread like wildfire. Mr. and Mrs. 

 Harcourt drove over to the Priory immediately after breakfast, 

 and were loud in their expressions of astonishment at Lord 

 "Vancourt's conduct. 



" And what could you expect," asked Mrs. Gordon, " after 

 making such a fuss with that good-for-nothing man, and ac- 

 cepting him as my niece's suitor without making the least 

 inquiry about his character or connections 1 I am quite sur- 

 prised at you, Mr. Harcourt, acting so rashly ; who, as her 

 guardian, were bound to make the strictest investigation into 

 the affairs of any stranger who proposed for your ward's 

 hand ! " 



" I confess," replied Mr. Harcourt, " I trusted too much to 

 Lord Mervyn's representations ; but although Lord Vancourt 

 has acted so precipitately in this matter, yet there is no proof 

 that he is such a character as you represent him to be." 



" That proof will not be long wanting," retorted Mrs. Gordon. 



" We need not now enter into these discussions," replied Mr. 

 Harcourt, " as we have come to take Blanche home." 



" Her home," said Mrs. Gordon, " for the future, will be at 

 the Priory ; or at least until such time as the fullest inquiry is 

 made into this business, which Lord Malcolm is determined to 

 prosecute to the utmost." 



"And, pray, what has Lord Malcolm to do with it, Mrs. 

 Gordon 1 I am her guardian, and the proper person to act in 

 her defence." 



"You cannot be surprised, Mr. Harcourt, that Lord 

 Malcolm should entertain some doubts on that head, when he 

 finds your own coachman implicated in the attempted abduction 

 of his cousin, as well as Lord Mervyn's under-keepers, who are 

 now in custody. In short, under these circumstances, Lord 

 Malcolm, as her nearest relative, has resolved that Blanche 



