PRELIMINARIES ARRANGED. 151 



standing the surgeon's remonstrances, and drive rapidly on the 

 road to London." 



Whilst Melville was telling his story to Mrs. Gordon, 

 Malcolm, Beauchamp, and Conyers were in consultation about 

 the prisoners, who had been kept at the Priory all night with 

 a constable. 



"Being a magistrate for the county," said Beauchamp, 

 " Bob can take down the wounded man's depositions, who is 

 willing to confess everything, by Morgan's account ; and upon 

 this, the other two, with Mark's statement and mine, can be 

 remanded and brought before the Bench, which sits the day 

 after to-morrow, when I will endeavour to attend. But bear 

 in mind they are well handcuffed, or a rescue will be attempted 

 by Lord Mervyn's agents, although I shall give Mark some 

 hints also." 



" Who is to prosecute 1 " asked Bob Conyers. 



" I shall, of course," replied Malcolm, " for I know Harcourt 

 will shirk, to save his own and Mervyn's character. And now, 

 Beauchamp, I think, if well enough, you had better return home 

 to-day with your father, or that spiteful Mrs. Harcourt will 

 declare we are only keeping you here on account of Blanche. I 

 intend to take up my abode at the Priory, and shall remain 

 until all this is settled ; in short, I am so disgusted with the 

 Harcourts that I have sent for all my traps, and do not intend 

 just yet, if ever again, to enter their house." 



" Quite right, Malcolm," replied Bob ; " it is the most shame- 

 ful, disgraceful affair I have ever known, and no one will 

 believe but that Harcourt and Mervyn had some concern in the 

 plot ; and my dear pet Blanche ! what a fate has she escaped 



with that d d rascal ! Melville says you served my lord 



out for it, however, Will, with a split nose and a broken arm. 

 Gad ! I should like to have seen you hit him off his legs, as 

 Mark tells, like a ninepin." 



"I was mad enough to have killed him," replied Beau- 

 champ. 



" And I wish you had," interposed Malcolm, "as he tried 

 hard to murder you." 



" I am thankful no lives are lost ; and now we will go down 

 till the governor is ready ; but recollect, Malcolm, Blanche is 

 now under your protection." 



" It is not likely I shall forget either her interest or yours, 

 old fellow," replied Malcolm ; " and I expect you to take care 

 of Constance for me." 



