358 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



consent, my dear sir, which will ratify the bargain on both 

 sides ; and if you will lend your pen a moment, I will trace a 

 few lines which you can sign." Appearing not to notice Mr. 

 Harcourt's evident annoyance at this request, Beauchamp wrote 

 a few lines, by which, among other things, Mr. Harcourt gave 

 his full, unconditional consent to the marriage of his ward with 

 Lord Beauchamp, and resigned all right and control over her 

 person, goods, and chattels, from that day, in favour of her 

 affianced husband. 



" Rather stringent conditions, Beauchamp," he observed, on 

 reading them. 



" Not half so stringent as yours, my dear sir." 



" Oh ! very well, give me the pen ; I can resign her safely 

 to your care." 



" Yes, that you certainly may, as we have always regarded 

 each other from childhood as brother and sister ; and now, my 

 dear sir," placing the paper in his pocket, " as I have a pressing 

 engagement just now, I will call on Mrs. Harcourt another 

 day." 



Beauchamp hastened directly to Blanche, who was im- 

 patiently awaiting his return, and catching her in his arms, 

 exclaimed, " Now you are indeed my very own dear Blanche ! I 

 have your guardian's consent, my love, at last, and here it is in 

 writing," producing the paper from his pocket; "there, Blanche, 

 read that precious document, conveying yourself, goods and 

 chattels, over to my sole keeping. Well, child, is not that 

 doing business in Harcourt's own style ? He did not half like 

 the conditions, yet I made him sign them." 



" But I fear, William, he made you sign something too ? " 



" Yes, my love, he did, by which I have taken all the re- 

 sponsibility of this suit, and rejoiced am I to get the control of 

 these matters into my own hands, or he, and his lawyer, Borum, 

 would have sacrificed your rights to their blundering. Now, 

 my dear, darling girl, I am the happiest fellow in existence' 

 and you shall sing me that song this evening ; < Oh, leave the 

 gay and festive scene ! ' Yes, my love, we will leave this murky 

 atmosphere, and be off to the dear old Priory again.". 



"Oh, when shall we go, dear William? I shall be so de- 

 lighted to be in the country once more." 



" Then you do not wish to attend any more gay balls, or 

 even have another night at the opera 1 " 



" No, no — I am tired to death almost of dissipation." 



"And won't you miss that gay throng of courtiers and 





