250 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



"Then, I suppose, "Will Beauchamp, I must cry 'peccavi! 9 

 and beg that vulgar woman's pardon." 



" No, Selina ; only spare her for the future." 



"Very well, I will let her off as easy as possible on your 

 account ; and now tell me when you and Blanche are to be 

 married, as since the trial, when you took her up in your arms 

 and carried her out of court, every one says it is a settled thing ; 

 the affair with Hooknose created a suspicion, which your other 

 act confirmed." 



" Every one is wrong, then, Selina, for it is not a settled 

 thing yet ; and I can no more tell you when we are to be 

 married than you can." 



"Ah, Master Will, it's no use attempting to throw dust 

 in my eyes, for Blanche tells by her looks what she will not 

 confess with her lips ; and that little affair with Lord Danby 

 satisfied him, as well as myself, that you are the winner of the 

 prize." 



" Should that be the case, Selina, you will not be kept in the 

 dark ; but we are now talking of what never may and cannot 

 happen for some time, knowing the Harcourts' love and esteem 

 for your humble servant. But people say that you and Conyers 

 are down on the list matrimonial — what sav you, guiltv or not 

 guilty?" 



" I shall not plead at all, Will, and keep you in the dark, as 

 you do me." 



" Well, Selina, curiosity is not one of my besetting sins ; so 

 I can afford to wait, and will only add, that, were I a woman, 

 I should prefer Bob Conyers to every other man in the county 

 — but here he comes — don't tell him, however, what I say, and 

 I will go and hunt for Blanche, to stand your vis-a-vis." 



Beauchamp soon returned with his fair partner, now radiant 

 with smiles and in high spirits, leaning on his arm in all the 

 confidence of her deep and all-absorbing affection. 



"Now, dear girl," he whispered, "you look again like my 

 own dear Blanche," as her eyes met his with an expression of 

 soft, unutterable love ; " and don't ever doubt the power of 

 fascination you possess to hold me for ever to your side." 



" If you begin to flatter me, I shall begin to doubt you 

 Mr. Will." 



" Well, then, I will lecture you instead." 



" No, William, I will listen to no lectures to-night." 



" Then I will advise you that Selina has been trying to fish 

 out of me all about our engagement, on which I have given her 



