A DISCLOSURE. 367 



" Har court would not stand to his terms ; so I quashed the 

 thing off-hand with that double-dealing old humbug." 



"Then you have made an ass of me, Ayrshire, also, as I 

 have seen Mangle on the matter, whom, I have no doubt, will 

 accept your proposal for his client, and I am to call again in 

 Lincoln's Inn this evening." 



" It cannot be helped now, Bayntun, the thing is at an 

 end." 



" Not quite, Ayrshire ; my part . of the contract has been 

 performed." 



(i Oh, I understand ; we can talk of that another day, as I 

 am in a great hurry now to keep an engagement, and my horse 

 is waiting." 



Lord Henry, nettled at this cool treatment, determined to 

 find out more ; and meeting Lord Malcolm soon after in the 

 Park, asked some questions about his cousin, whether there was 

 any truth in the report of her being engaged to Lord Ayrshire. 



" Not the slightest," was the reply. 



" Indeed, Malcolm, are you quite sure 1 " 



" Positive, Bayntun ; but who is your news-monger 1 " 



" Well, what would you say to a hint from the man him- 

 self, that it was, or would be, the case without doubt." 



" Do you mean to imply that Ayrshire told you he had been 

 accepted by my cousin, Bayntun ? " 



There was no reply, but a knowing look and a provoking 

 smile on his face, which at once rousing Lord Malcolm's temper, 

 he hastily said : 



" Lord Ayrshire was flatly refused by Miss Douglas, who 

 has been engaged to my friend, Beauchamp, for the last six 

 months, to my certain knowledge — there, Bayntun, I conclude 

 that is plain enough, and strong enough to check any further 

 idle boasting about her." 



" Is the thing quite settled, Malcolm 1 " 



" Quite so," was the reply ; " and her guardian's consent 

 obtained." 



" What a fool Ayrshire has made of me, then," exclaimed 

 Lord Henry ; and, without hesitation, he related all that had 

 occurred between them, and his interview with Mangle. 



"Upon my word, Bayntun, this beats horse-dealing, with 

 those two fellows bantering and bargaining for my cousin as if 

 she was to be put up to auction, and knocked down to the 

 highest bidder — confound it, sir, this is too bad ; and I will ex- 

 pose their audacious proceedings to the world." 



