214 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



but have some pity on this bitter disappointment to all my 

 long-cherished hopes, and at least do not discard me as a friend, 

 though you will not now listen to me as a lover. I can never, 

 while life lasts, cease to be deeply interested in one to whom I 

 would have devoted that life, if permitted." 



But Blanche, hearing footsteps in the hall, fled hastily 

 through another door, and sought her own room. 



It is always a painful thing for a woman to refuse any man, 

 but doubly so when that man has qualities to command esteem 

 and admiration ; and Blanche now devoutly wished Lord 

 Danby had never been known to her, or that she had been 

 spared the necessity of inflicting pain on one so truly estimable. 

 Little did she think, at that very moment, how agonising 

 were the feelings of that dear one for whom she had rejected 

 him ; but we must now relate what caused Beauchamp to 

 feel thus. 



It so happened that he arrived at the Priory about ten 

 minutes after Lord Danby, and giving his horse to a servant in 

 the stable-yard, walked round to the hall door. In doing so, 

 he passed the drawing-room window, and a glance into the 

 room revealed to his astonished sight Lord Danby sitting on 

 the sofa with Blanche, and holding her hand in his. Beau- 

 champ's brain was almost on fire at the sight ; he rushed back 

 into the stable-yard, seized his horse from the astonished groom, 

 who was taking him into the stable, and with a look of fury in 

 his eyes rode rapidly away. At the lodge-gates he met Mal- 

 colm, who exclaimed, " Why, Beauchamp, what on earth is the 

 matter 1 you look scared and pale as death. My dear fellow, 

 what has happened 1 " 



"You have deceived me, Lord Malcolm, and brought me 

 here to be insulted — scorned — disgraced. Not five minutes 

 since have I seen Blanche Douglas sitting on the sofa, with 

 Lord Danby's hand in hers. Let me pass," as Malcolm at- 

 tempted to detain him * " fool ! idiot though I have been, that 

 sight has crazed — has maddened me !" 



' 'For Heaven's sake ,stop one moment, Beauchamp ; on my 

 honour, I have not deceived you," exclaimed Malcolm. But he 

 was gone, riding furiously towards home. 



Malcolm returned instantly to the house, and sought 

 Blanche in the drawing-room ; she was not there. He then 

 ran up-stairs, calling her name loudly. In a moment she 

 appeared from her room. 



" What do you want, Charles ? " she asked. 



