A QUIET HINT FOR LORD AYRSHIRE. 287 



impulse of my own mind, without wishing to dictate to 

 others; but as you appeared to imply yesterday that any 

 expression of my very peculiar ideas would prove distasteful 

 to Lady Malcolm and yourself, you could not be surprised 

 at my choosing the lesser evil of returning home, instead 

 of hazarding an unpleasant collision with those I esteem so 

 highly." 



" By Jove ! Beauchamp, the pride of all the Malcolms and 

 Douglases who have ever existed is nothing when compared 

 with yours." 



" Call it not pride, but proper spirit, Malcolm, to resist the 

 influence of that thraldom which fashion and folly would im- 

 pose. I don't come to London to borrow the airs or brains of 

 fops and dandies, whose chief occupation is in dangling after 

 carriages in Rotten Bow." 



" ISTo, by Jove ! old fellow, that's clear enough, for you 

 looked inclined to commence a general horse- whipping yesterday, 

 particularly upon Ayrshire, for lounging with his hand on the 

 window-sill of my lady's carriage." 



" There, Malcolm, he was quite safe from any interference of 

 mine ; but if he is, as you tell me, notorious for trying to make fools 

 of all unsuspecting young girls, I shall give him to understand, 

 on the first fitting occasion, that my sister is not to be included 

 in their number, and perhaps you may give him the same hint 

 as regards your cousin. A man of his character, singling out 

 any young girl as the object of his very particular attentions, 

 merely to make her pander to his vain appetite for conquest, 

 without any serious intentions, is in my opinion deserving cen- 

 sure, if nothing stronger." 



" You are quite right, Beauchamp, and I shall certainly give 

 Ayrshire a quiet hint on this subject, which will be quite suf- 

 ficient ; so now come with me to Tattersall's for an hour, and 

 after lunch we will be at the command of the ladies." 



On turning into the yard, they encountered Lord Ayrshire, 

 with whom Malcolm shook hands, and taking him aside said, 

 "You will excuse the privilege of an old acquaintance, Ayrshire; 

 but of the two young ladies you were so closely besieging in my 

 mother's carriage yesterday, one is, as I believe you are aware, 

 my cousin, and the other the sister of my friend Beauchamp, 

 standing opposite, who is rather particular about such things, 

 as well as myself." 



"Oh ! I understand, Malcolm; you think, I suppose, I am 

 playing the old game ; but, on my word, my dear fellow, I am 



