4b 



FUEL FOR MRS. HARCOURT's ENVY. 33-5 



" As you would, indeed ; why, at the very sight of Lord 

 Vancourt's pistol, you would have fallen into a fit." 



"I shall not submit to your taunts a moment longer, 

 madam," exclaimed her indignant husband, rising from his 

 chair ; " and if Lord Beauchamp were to become plain Mr. 

 Beauchamp again to-morrow, he should marry my ward with 

 my full consent ; " saying which, he left the room in a furious 

 passion. 



The day after Lord Malcolm's return to London, he met 

 Mr. Harcourt at his own door, when walking through Brook 

 Street. 



" Ah, my lord," exclaimed he, " I'm glad to see you in town 

 ,again ; we wondered where you had all gone to." 



" Only a little trip into the North, my dear sir, which is the 

 most delightful journey I ever made in my life ; and something 

 in your way, profitable, too." 



" Oh, indeed, Malcolm ; a little windfall — eh ? " 



" No, my dear sir ; an uncommonly heavy one. What 

 would you say to bagging two hundred thousand pounds 1 " 



" Oh, you are joking, Malcolm ; some of your usual fun, I 

 suppose." 



"Well, it is not a bad joke that my betrothed wife, now 

 Lady Constance Beauchamp, has been left by the old peer just 

 the sum I named — hard money in the funds." 



" What ! two hundred thousand pounds ? " 



" Yes, Mr. Harcourt, as certain as that you are standing in 

 this street, with a few odds and ends besides. These were only 

 his savings from the rents." 



"Indeed, my dear Malcolm, I am rejoiced to hear of your 

 good fortune. Then the present Earl, I conclude, has succeeded 

 to something very considerable ? " 



" The rental, to my knowledge, exceeds fifty thousand a- 

 year — so now, good morning, and pray give my compliments to 

 Mrs. Harcourt with this pleasing intelligence about the penni- 

 less fox-hunting Beauchamp." 



Nothing could exceed the surprise and delight of Lady 

 Malcolm on learning from her son the magnificent bequest of 

 the late Earl. 



" Why, my dear child, how lovely you must have appeared 

 in his eyes." 



"She was kind and affectionate to the dear old man," re- 

 plied Mrs. Gordon, " as she ever is to all who deserve her 

 love." 



