344 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



extra horses and servants for her use, with an expensive 

 governess also, who had a carriage at her command ; not to 

 mention dress and other necessary items. Then the outlay for 

 repairs and draining on the property, with the agent's salary, 

 has amounted to a large sum annually. But I shall be ready to 

 give an account of my stewardship when required ; the point 

 for our present consideration is, whether we should not attempt 

 to make terms with our opponents, before we are forced into a 

 court of law, where all may be lost." 



" We ought, first, Mr. Harcourt, to have the opinion of the 

 best counsel, before making any overtures, and be guided by 

 their advice. Lord Malcolm is gone to consult with his solicitor 

 on these matters at my request, and I hope the case is not quite 

 so desperate as you imagine/' 



" Well, my dear madam," said Mr. Harcourt, rising, " I shall 

 be glad to know as soon as possible how you decide to act, 

 although I anticipate almost certain defeat." 



CHAPTER XLII. 



Blanche, who had been present during the latter part of this 

 controversy, after Mr. Harcourt had left, retired to her own 

 room, and locking her door, sat down and wrote a few hurried 

 lines to Beauchamp, acquainting him with what had occurred, 

 and releasing him from his engagement to herself. 



She had just sealed the letter, and given it to her maid to 

 post herself, when Mrs. Gordon entered her room, telling her 

 that Malcolm had returned with a very different story to Mr. 

 Harcourt' s, and wished to see her in the drawing-room ; " so 

 dry your tears ; for, my dearest child, depend upon it, Mr. Har- 

 court has only been frightening us to serve his own purpose, in 

 dread of having to refund all the money he has received." 



Malcolm having repeated the conversation he had with 

 Macvittie, and his opinion of the marriage certificate, turning 

 to Blanche, said, "Now, my dear girl, I think Beauchamp will 

 be offended if I do not write him all particulars, as in your 

 present position he ought to be consulted as to our future pro- 

 ceedings." 



" Our position is now so completely altered, dear Charles," 

 replied Blanche, bursting into tears, "that I have already 



