200 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



At this moment Captain Melville approached to claim her 

 hand, when she pleaded a bad headache, and begged to be ex- 

 cused dancing with him till after supper, when, if better, she 

 would be happy to accept him as a partner. " Independent of 

 which," she said, quietly yet firmly, " I have made a great mis- 

 take in the dances to-night, and was really engaged to Mr. 

 Beauchamp before you asked me." 



As Melville, with a low bow, withdrew, Malcolm applauded 

 Blanche for her resolution in acting so firmly and honourably 

 towards her lover, even at the risk of offending others, and 

 said, " Now, Blanche, you are on even terms again ; and should 

 Beauchamp decline your proffered olive branch, I shall take 

 part against him." 



Malcolm was not long in explaining to Beauchamp his 

 cousin's regret for what had occurred, and her determination to 

 dance with no other until she had fulfilled her engagement to 

 himself; which brought him to her side immediately — softened, 

 although not satisfied. Blanche held out her hand as he ap- 

 proached, and on his sitting down, she candidly admitted her 

 fault, and want of consideration, in dancing with Lord Danby. 



" Pray say no more, Blanche ; you have a perfect right to 

 please yourself, and I have no pretensions to dictate to you ; 

 but as you were so averse to behave rudely, as you thought, to 

 Lord Danby, you will of course feel equally reluctant to offend 

 either Captain Melville or Major Hammond, to whom you told 

 me you were engaged for the next two dances ; and therefore, 

 to avoid any more unpleasantness to yourself (as I find you have 

 already refused Melville on my account), I will explain to him 

 how the matter really stood between us, and take my chance 

 after supper. Don't you think, Malcolm," asked Beauchamp, 

 appealing to him, " this is the 'proper course to pursue, to avoid 

 further remarks ? " 



An assent being given, Beauchamp went in search of Mel- 

 ville, when Malcolm observed to Blanche, "He is stiff and 

 formal still, dear girl, and my impression is you will find him so 

 for some little time ; but take my advice, don't ever dance 

 twice with a stranger to his seclusion, for he is confoundedly 

 jealous and particular in somethings, and as haughty as a prince 

 when treated with indifference ; but here he comes," as Beau- 

 champ again approached, saying Captain Melville consented to 

 take his turn after the Major; "and now, Blanche," taking a 

 card and pencil from his pocket, " if you will, on due reflection, 

 mark any one dance on the list after supper, and give it to me 



