212 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



absence can ever change ; but you know his keen, sensitive 

 feelings, and often-expressed resolution never to stand in your 

 way, if he thought you preferred another more eligible than 

 himself. Poor fellow ! I know what he must have suffered 

 lately, since we dined at Barton Court, and I noticed his 

 deep, thoughtful looks fixed on you and Lord Danby when 

 sitting together. But now, dear Blanche, he will soon return, 

 when he knows your feelings are unchanged." 



After this conversation, Mrs. Gordon sought Malcolm, and, 

 telling him of her explanation with Blanche, begged him to ride 

 directly to Bampton, and entreat William Beauchamp to come 

 over to the Priory the next day. Malcolm lost no time in 

 finding his friend ; and having at last satisfied his scruples and 

 allayed his suspicions, which were hard to overcome, he 

 obtained his promise to comply with Mrs. Gordon's request. 

 This same afternoon, Lord Danby, after his very agreeable 

 tete-d-tete with Blanche, and construing her pleased and some- 

 times embarrassed looks into a warmer sentiment, coupling with 

 these also his kind reception at the Priory and Beauchamp' s 

 apparent indifference, all combined impressing him with the 

 idea that he could not now sue in vain, he rode directly to 

 Throseby, and finding Mr. Harcourt at home, proposed for his 

 ward, and was, of course without much hesitation, accepted. 

 After expressing his grateful thanks to Mr. Harcourt, Lord 

 Danby begged permission to plead his own cause in person to 

 Miss Douglas, before his formal proposal should be made 

 known. 



" Certainly, my lord," replied Mr. Harcourt ; " if you par- 

 ticularly wish it, I can have no positive objection to such a 

 request, provided you are quite sure of the duke's approbation." 



" I have already consulted him on the subject, Mr. Har- 

 court, and there is his reply," handing, him a letter from his 

 father. 



" This is perfectly satisfactory, my lord," replied Mr. Har- 

 court, " and you have our best wishes for your success." 



The next morning, about eleven o'clock, Lord Danby directed 

 his course to the Priory. Blanche was sitting by herself in the 

 drawing-room (her aunt having, as usual after breakfast, gone 

 to her poultry-yard), when the door opened, and he was 

 announced, She would gladly have made any excuse to leave 

 the room, but that being impossible without great apparent 

 rudeness, she sat down with a tremor and embarrassment so 

 very visible and unlike her usual manner, that it could not 



