272 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



" What ! teaching rebellion to my niece, Lord Ayrshire ? " 

 replied Lady Malcolm, laughing. 



" Not that exactly, I hope ; but as I assume to myself the 

 right of acting according to my own opinions, I am liberal 

 enough to concede the same privilege to others ; and as Miss 

 Douglas disapproves of the waltz, I must respect her judgment, 

 although pronounced against myself." 



"Then, albeit a decided waltzer yourself," rejoined Lady 

 Malcolm, " you will not stand up in its defence ?" 



" Not absolutely, and I am not quite sure that I should 

 select a waltzing young lady for my wife." 



"Very consistent indeed, my lord, inducing young girls to 

 act contrary to what you consider right, and then condemning 

 them for yielding to your own persuasions." 



" Or rather, you should say, Lady Malcolm, yielding to their 

 own inclinations, for they are quite free to say yes or no." 



Lord Ayrshire remained talking with Lady Malcolm and 

 Blanche until the waltzers had ceased their gyrations, when he 

 led her forth to take their places in the quadrille then forming ; 

 and from his having expressed opinions so congenial to her 

 own, Blanche feeling more at ease in his company, her restraint 

 and timidity gave way to greater cheerfulness and vivacity. 

 Her partner, with the tact of a man of the world, succeeded 

 without much difficulty in obtaining a tolerable insight into her 

 character and disposition by the answers returned to his various 

 questions, and he was as much charmed with her naivete of 

 mind, as he had at first sight been with her beauty and elegance 

 of person. Lord Ayrshire's attentions to Miss Douglas did not 

 fail to be noticed by Lord Henry Bayntun, and many others, 

 which drew forth the remarks — 



" Ah ! there is Ayrshire, as usual, attaching himself to the 

 new debutante, but no woman will ever come up to his require- 

 ments. Nothing short of an angel can possibly suit him — this 

 will be a three nights' devotion, perhaps, and then the old story 

 — too short or too tall — too good-looking or not good-looking 

 enough — too clever or too stupid — too forward or too shy — in 

 fact, that fellow never will be satisfied, and must remain a 

 bachelor until he gets into his dotage, when he may finish his 

 career of single blessedness by marrying his housekeeper." 



"Nothing more likely," replied Sir John Martingale ; "but 

 I advise you to give Malcolm a hint not to allow Ayrshire to 

 make a fool of his cousin." 



" I think his attentions, knowing how they must end, will 



