A MORTIFYING REFUSAL. 325 



of the name of the person whom Miss Douglas prefers to the 

 Marquis of Ayrshire." 



" That, at present, I am not in a position to reveal, Mr. 

 Harcourt." 



" It is manifest, however, that your ladyship is aware there 

 is such a person, and, as the guardian of Miss Douglas, I hope 

 Lady Malcolm will not think me too presuming in saying that 

 I have a right to know the gentleman's name — probably Mr. 

 Beauchamp, or some needy adventurer in want of her fortune." 



" Needy adventurers, Mr. Harcourt, are not very likely to 

 obtain my sanction, auy more than your own, and it is neither 

 decorous nor complimentary in you to speak in such terms to 

 me, who take an equal, if not superior, interest in my niece's 

 welfare. Yet, as her guardian, I will tell you thus much ; the 

 person to whom I allude has as yet made no direct proposal to me 

 for her hand, and therefore it would be premature to mention his 

 name ; but I may say that he is heir to one of the richest earl- 

 doms in England, and in other respects quite unexceptionable." 



" I am to understand, then, that your ladyship, for my ward, 

 positively declines the Marquis of Ayrshire ? " 



" Believing that her affections are engaged elsewhere, and 

 certainly knowing that his lordship would not be accepted, I 

 think it would be needless to give any other answer," replied 

 Lady Malcolm, " although we both must feel highly flattered by 

 his lordship's preference." 



Mr. Harcourt, failing to obtain any further information, 

 soon after took his leave, and communicated the result of his 

 interview with Lady Malcolm by letter to his lordship, whose 

 annoyance and irritation at being rejected was so visible that 

 his sister divined the cause. 



" I guess the contents of the letter just delivered, George," 

 she said — " a refusal from Miss Douglas." 



" Yes, my dear Charlotte, it is indeed true, and I feel more 

 chagrined and angry than pained, although I must confess to 

 have taken a deeper interest in Miss Douglas than any girl I 

 have ever known ; but pray, for my reputation at the clubs, 

 don't give a hint even to Arnmore about this business, and I 

 will see Harcourt directly, and obtain his silence also. Were it 

 known in fashionable circles, my travels must be resumed, as I 

 should be the laughing-stock of half London. The fastidious 

 Marquis rejected by a country girl ! would be handed and 

 bandied about by all the Lady Marys and Lady Fannys, render- 

 ing my presence here quite insupportable." 



