346 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



cousin a portionless bride ; not another word of remonstrance, 

 Blanche — (as she was again beginning to decline his offer) — if 

 you love me ; you know my obstinate disposition, and in this I 

 will have my way." 



" But, my dear Charles " 



" But, my dear Blanche, I must now wish you good morning, 

 and mind you don't fret any more ; " and Malcolm, taking up 

 his hat, left the room. 



Notwithstanding the remonstrances of Mrs. Gordon, and 

 entreaties of Constance, Blanche could not be prevailed on to 

 accept her cousin's generous offer ; and her aunt, forbearing to 

 harass her further on this painful subject, concluded the con- 

 versation by expressing her hopes that she might not be placed 

 under the necessity of offending her cousin by a refusal. " The 

 contingency will not, I trust, ever arrive, my dear girl ; and, in 

 the meantime, pray raise no further objection to Charles." 



There was another point upon which she was equally resolved 

 to break off her engagement with Beauchamp, and she implored 

 her aunt to spare her the agony of an interview with him, should 

 lie arrive in London. Four days had now passed ; Blanche, 

 from distress of mind and excessive agitation, became restless 

 and nervous to an alarming degree ; she could scarcely be pre- 

 vailed upon to touch anything either at breakfast or dinner ; 

 she would see no one but her immediate relations, and sat for 

 hours together in her own room, in dread of Beauchamp's 

 arrival. il Oh, dear aunt," she exclaimed on the fourth evening, 

 " why does he not come 1 what can have detained him 1 Oh, 

 how I wish your sad interview with him was over ; I shall feel 

 more resigned when that is past ; I shall indeed, aunt." 



" I fear not, my poor child, and dread your sinking into 

 hopeless despondency ; and he, poor fellow ! what misery awaits 

 him!" 



At this moment, a loud knock at the door reverberated 

 through the hall, on which Blanche sprang from her chair : 

 " Oh, aunt, he is come, that is his knock ; pray, be quick, and 

 return to me as soon as possible." 



Mrs. Gordon descended to the drawing-room, where, pale 

 and haggard, stood Beauchamp, talking to Lady Malcolm and 

 his sister. At her entrance he turned quickly round, and 

 grasping her hand, inquired hastily, " Where is Blanche ? " 



" In her own room, dear William, and I am sorry to say, so 

 very unwell that I fear you cannot see her." 



" Then, if not now, I can see her to-morrow morning ? " 



