350 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



" No, my clear boy, rest as you are a while longer, and drink 

 some more wine — and there, I declare, that naughty child has 

 spoilt my new dress — -well, Blanche, to punish you, you must 

 take my place now by William's side ; but mind he does not 

 move until I return." 



Blanche silently placed her hand in his, and Beauchamp, 

 knowing what that implied, asked — 



" Is that mine, Blanche, without conditions of any kind 1 " 

 " Yes, my own dear William — your very own." 

 " Then give me a kiss to confirm your promise." 

 Leaning over him, she said — 

 tl Will you forgive me 1 " 



His reply was given by another warm embrace, when Mrs. 

 Gordon appeared. 



"Ah, William ! you do not want me now, I suppose ; but I 

 will have no more scenes to-night — and here is Charles come to 

 see you." 



" Ah ! my dear fellow," exclaimed Malcolm, taking his 

 hand j "so Blanche has thrown you over at last — a regular 

 back -fall. I thought how it would end with her ridiculous 

 notions. She won't be satisfied, I suppose, till she has killed 

 you outright ; but how do you feel now, old fellow ? " 



" Much better, Malcolm, thank you, since taking that glass 

 of wine." 



" Then just take another, Beauchamp — or stay — a glass of 

 brandy-and-water will do you more service, with a couple of 

 biscuits. You are overdone — that's the fact ; and, I dare say, 

 have stopped neither to eat nor drink on the road since you left 

 the Castle." 



" That is true enough, Malcolm." 



" Ay, ay, there it is — starving, fretting and travelling, with- 

 out rest for two days, are quite enough, to derange any fellow's 

 digestive organs ; and this backhanded blow from Blanche 

 knocked you clean off your legs, old fellow. Well, my clear, 

 obstinate, little cousin, it is lucky he is no worse ; but don't try 

 this game again, or you will have him in an apoplectic fit, my 

 love, and that will be beyond our remedies. It's all your doing, 

 Blanche — worrying, vexing, and tormenting him and yourself 

 about these confounded rascals : why, what on earth is the 

 difference between you — even if you had lost your money 1 (which 

 you won't — a shilling of it.) When you were rich, you would 

 have married him ; and now he is rich, he would marry you. 

 If Con had acted in this foolhardy manner, I should have 



