264 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



baronet, who had likewise expended his stock of ammunition 

 on Constance with little better success. 



" Well, Bayntun," inquired Martingale, " what do you think 

 of the heiress ? " 



" Nonplussed, my dear fellow — can't make her out ; fine, 

 handsome girl, with splendid eyes and beautiful complexion, 

 that is all I know ; but for conversation, whether from reserve 

 or shyness, I could not get her to speak a dozen words." 



" She don't fancy you, I suppose, Bayntun — not good- 

 looking enough." 



" Well, as to that, Martingale, I flatter myself that is not 

 the reason, unless every mirror I look into is a false reflector. 

 But how did you fare with Miss Beauchamp 1 " 



" Oh, well enough whilst we conversed on country affairs, 

 fox-hunting, riding, &c. ; but we came to a dead stop at the 

 very threshold of the Opera House ; in short, these two girls are 

 only just fresh up from the country ; but we shall soon alter 

 them to town paces and town faces also." 



" Well, Martingale, I'm for the heiress, mind, who with her 

 ten thousand a year would suit my book exactly." 



" Ah, I dare say, Bayntun, and make up for that devilish 

 bad book you made on the St. Leger of last year. That was a 

 most untoward event, my dear fellow ; and if you go often at 

 that killing pace, ten thousand a year won't hold out with you 

 very long. Moreover, Malcolm, although a capital fellow, is a 

 cannie Scot at bottom, unco' sharp about the siller, and, depend 

 upon it, he will take proper care that his cousin's money is made 

 safe enough to herself before she marries." 



" If I can win the young lady over to my side, Martingale, 

 the odds against Malcolm are fifty to one ; so I shall tiy my 

 luck, at any rate." 



As Lord Henry retired from Lady "Malcolm's carriage, Lord 

 Danby, who had been watching for the opportunity, drew up on 

 the same side, and his sudden appearance caused the colour to 

 rise on Blanche's cheeks, from the remembrance of their last 

 parting at the Priory. The whole occurrences of that eventful 

 day instantly rising to her mind, caused such a revulsion of 

 feeling that her agitation became perceptible to Lady Malcolm, 

 as she could scarcely at first reply to Lord Danby' s salutation ; 

 but, soon recovering herself, she answered his several inquiries 

 with such indifference and coolness as to convince him that the 

 sentence she had been forced to pronounce was not likely to be 

 reversed or re- considered. Danby, on witnessing her confusion 



