218 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



cr 



" and as you are so dainty, I shall order a couple of my sprin 

 chickens to be dressed especially for you." 



u Then I must send to let my father and Constance know I 

 do not dine at home." 



" Oh, yes, of course," replied Malcolm, " and I shall go over 

 and dine at Bampton in your place, my boy, and make love to 

 Constance all the evening, as you were in such a state this 

 morning I could not speak a word to her." 



After luncheon, Malcolm again mounted his horse, to allay 

 the old squire's apprehensions about his son, not doubting the 

 servants had noticed his very excited manner ; and Beauchamp 

 with Blanche strolled out together for a walk, and did not 

 return until nearly five o'clock ; so agreeably passed the time, 

 that they were scarcely aware of the lateness of the hour. It 

 would be difficult to point out the happiest of those three 

 persons, who after dinner drew round to the fireside at the 

 Priory that evening. Mrs. Gordon being in high spirits, could 

 not forbear joking Beauchamp on his jealousy. 



"Why, William, at this rate you will be in a lunatic asylum 

 within a week of Blanche's first appearance at Almack's; you 

 really must school yourself to meet these things with com- 

 placency, if not with indifference; for Blanche will undoubtedly 

 attract many admirers (irrespective of her fortune), and she 

 cannot prevent people falling in love with her, or proposing." 



" Indeed, dear aunt, I feel more and more every day how 

 undeserving I am of her preference, and that feeling makes me 

 wretched ; she is so far, so very far beyond my deserts, that I 

 know I have no right to aspire to that dear hand, which I 

 dread sometimes to think can never be mine." 



" Never, dear William, believe me," replied Blanche, " shall 

 this hand (placing it in his) belong to any other than your- 

 self; titles, rank, honours are nothing to me, in comparison 

 with your love. Oh ! William, don't again doubt my entire 

 devotion to yourself, or you will, indeed, make me miserable."' 



" Heaven bless you, my own darling girl, for that avowal," 

 as he raised her hand to his lips, and the tears started to his 

 eyes from uncontrollable emotion. 



"Come, come, my dear boy," said Mrs. Gordon, "your 

 nerves are sadly shattered by this morning's work ; pray do not 

 torment yourself any more in this foolish manner." 



" I ivill not go to London, aunt," added Blanche, " unless 

 William goes too ; and to save him any anxiety, I had rather 

 not go at all." 



