MRS. HARCOURT IS MOLLIFIED. 36# 



indeed, and consolatory to my feelings. He could not liave 

 married lier ^for three years, at least, without your consent ; 

 that, out of deference to my wishes, you ought to have 

 withheld." 



"And saddled myself with about fifty thousand pounds in 

 costs and arrears of rent, my dear ; where could I have found 

 the money 1 That, it seems has not entered into your calcula- 

 tion. Would you like to give up your carriage and horses, just 

 to spite Beauchamp 1 " 



" No, Mr. Harcourt, certainly not ; but you might insist 

 on her accepting Lord Ayrshire — or force Mrs. Gordon to bear 

 the expenses." 



" Pooh ! nonsense, my dear ; it is idle talking in that strain ; 

 it cannot be done. Lord Beauchamp has now become a man of 

 consequence in our county, and it is our policy to be on good 

 terms with him and his father ; besides which, he used to be a 

 favourite with you once, as well as myself, and has really done 

 nothing to forfeit our good opinion. I never objected to the 

 man, but his means ; and as your niece will be raised to the 

 rank you have desired so earnestly, it is perfectly absurd, my 

 dear, raising any further objections. You have got what you 

 coveted for your niece — rank and riches, with a magnificent 

 place ; Blanche has got the man she loved, and I have got out 

 of my difficulties ; so now, my dear, I can afford to make you a 

 present of two hundred pounds (which he laid before her), to 

 help to pay your milliner's bill, and purchase any little extras 

 you require, before we leave London." 



" Well, my love," replied the lady, quite mollified, " I dare 

 say you have acted very wisely in this business, and if you are 

 satisfied, I am content to submit to your decision." 



Mr. Harcourt had only one more little unpleasantness to 

 encounter, in his interview with the marquis, which was readily 

 disposed of by informing him the next day, when he called, 

 that his ward, Miss Douglas, had confessed her long attachment 

 to Mr., now Lord Beauchamp, and declared her resolution to 

 marry no other. 



" But surely, Mr. Harcourt, Lord Beauchamp would not 

 think of marrying Miss Douglas under existing circumstances ? ' 



" Indeed, he does, my lord, and since our interview yester- 

 day, has called here, and taken every responsibility on himself." 



" And you, Mr. Harcourt, have given your consent to the 

 marriage 1 " 



"It was useless, my lord, my attempting to refuje it, as 



