202 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



" Then you will be kind to her as usual, "when she returns ; 

 and be once again my own dear William ? " 



" Yes, my kindest of friends ; I would not pain you for the 

 world, and you shall have no cause to find fault with me again 

 to-night." 



When Blanche returned with her partner, Beauchamp rose 

 and received her with his usual kind manner, and taking her 

 hand in his, whispered, " I have been too severe upon you, dear 

 Blanche ; will you forgive my excited feelings % " 



" Yes, indeed, dear William, I do, for I know I have acted 

 very wrong, and have dreaded lest I might involve you in a 

 quarrel by my wavering conduct ; but it shall never be repeated, 

 if you will trust me for the future ; my experience of the world 

 makes me feel the want of your kind, friendly advice, which 

 never again shall be disregarded, to do what I feel to be right, 

 not what it may be convenient to do. And now, to show you 

 my contrition for treating you so cavalierly, I will, after ful- 

 filling my engagement to Captain Melville, accept no other 

 partner but yourself for the remainder of the evening. * 



" That, indeed, I cannot allow, Blanche." 



" But you cannot help it, William," she said gaily ; " my re- 

 solution is taken, and being a right one, it shall not be broken." 



" Well, dear girl, we will talk of that presently, as Melville 

 is approaching ; but bear in mind you are of our party at the 

 supper-table, where I have reserved places ; so return to us im- 

 mediately your dance is finished, or even before, if you see a 

 movement in that direction." 



Melville was rallying Blanche on her forgetfulness of her 

 engagements that evening, in the last figure of the quadrille, 

 when, seeing a rush towards the door leading to the supper- 

 room, she hastily said, "I must join my party, Captain Mel- 

 ville, this moment, which is an engagement I made before 

 entering this room, and therefore I am of course bound to keep 

 before all others." 



" Oh, never mind, there will be plenty of time yet, and I 

 will find you a place." 



" Then I must go without you, as I certainly shall not offend 

 my Aunt Gordon by not being ready to attend her as I pro- 

 mised." 



"Oh, Miss Douglas, I cannot allow you to go alone, and 

 will of course attend you." 



Constance and Mrs. Gordon, with Malcolm and Beauchamp, 

 met them as they were returning, when the latter said, " There 



