MALCOLM OFFENDS BOB CONYERS. 301 



for the time to come, and so I shall tell him plainly enough. I 

 don't like being told black is white ; but the fact is, Beauchamp, 

 you and I have outstayed our welcome ; and our visits to 

 Grosvenor Square have ceased to be agreeable." 



"Who told you so, Mr. Conyers?" asked Malcolm, having, 

 unperceived, entered the room. 



" My own common sense, Lord Malcolm, tells me that when 

 an old, tried friend's conduct for acting consistently and 

 uprightly is ridiculed and pooh-poohed, as your lordship has 

 thought proper to do this evening, his presence can be no longer 

 desirable." 



" I do not choose to be dictated to, Mr. Conyers, by you or 

 any man, in the course I ought to pursue." 



" I have never ventured to dictate to your lordship since 

 the time I took the liberty of giving you a few lessons in riding 

 and other athletic exercises; and these, perhaps, are pooh- 

 poohed now as antiquated precepts." 



" I shall never forget your many acts of kindness to me 

 when a boy, Mr. Conyers, or those of later years," replied 

 Malcolm, considerably mollified. 



" Very well, my lord ; then if you will balance them against 

 the attentions I have received from Lady Malcolm and yourself 

 since my short stay in town, our account perhaps will stand 

 nearly cancelled. And now, my lord, as you prefer new 

 acquaintances to old faces, Beauchamp and myself propose 

 returning home to-morrow." 



" Stay, Conyers," as he was rising to leave the room, " I 

 cannot part thus with one who has been to me like an elder 

 brother. What would you have me do ? " 



"Nothing, my lord. You know as well as myself what 

 you ought to do \ and if you have that respect and regard for 

 Will Beauchamp and his sister which you profess, you know 

 perfectly well what your behaviour should be to any man who 

 had dared to pass a premeditated slight upon your future 

 brother-in-law ; and now, Mrs. Gordon," said Conyers, shaking 

 her by the hand, " I must wish you good-bye, and beg you to 

 thank Lady Malcolm for all her kindness and hospitality," 

 with which he hastily left the room, exclaiming, " Come, Beau- 

 champ, I will wait two minutes for you in the hall." 



Beauchamp rose quickly, and, taking Aunt Gordon's hand, 

 said — 



" I shall call to-morrow at twelve to see Lady Malcolm, and 

 wish Constance good-bye before I leave town." 



