386 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



them also the allowance he had made their mother for their 

 joint benefit, and his promise of a marriage portion to each ; 

 " but bear in mind, young ladies," he continued, " I do not wish 

 you to ' marry in haste and repent at leisure,' merely for the 

 sake of the money, which I intend shall be yours, whether you 

 marry or not, at the expiration of two years from this time ; and 

 if I hear a good account of you, that sum may be increased." 

 Then, placing twenty pounds in the hand of each, with a hand- 

 some present to the mother, Beauchamp withdrew. 



He was followed down-stairs by the younger girl, Margaret, 

 who, on opening the street door, said, " Will you tell me where 

 you live, Lord Beauchamp 1 " 



" Why do you wish to know ? " was the inquiry. 



" That I may write you those thanks which I cannot now 

 express : indeed, my lord, I feel most grateful for your great 

 kindness, which has saved us from misery and disgrace." 



" Your name is " 



" Margaret," she replied. 



" There, then, Margaret, is my card and address ; write me 

 your thoughts, not your thanks — the latter I can dispense 

 with." 



" Oh, thank you, my lord," she replied, raising her eyes, 

 glistening with tears, to his. There was so much in that 

 appealing look which reminded Beauchamp so forcibly of his 

 own dear Blanche, that he said, in his soothing tones, " Are you 

 not happy here, my poor girl ?" 



She burst instantly into tears, but made no reply. 



" Come, Margaret, suppress your sobs ; I will call for you 

 to-morrow at eleven o'clock, so be ready for me, and I will take 

 you a drive where you can tell me your wishes — but stay, I will 

 let your mother know my intentions ; '" and running up-stairs, 

 he asked her permission to take Margaret with him the next 

 day to see a lady, who, he thought, might be of service to her. 

 This was readily granted, and Beauchamp, finding Margaret 

 still below, bid her cheer up, and shaking hands with her, 

 jumped into his cab, and drove back to Grosvenor Square, 

 where, the moment his knock was heard at the door, Blanche 

 ran down to meet him in the hall. Taking her into the 

 morning-room, he said, " Ah, Blanche, I have been making a 

 fool of myself, I believe ; but you know my soft heart is always 

 dragging me into scrapes, and a woman's tears knock me over 

 at once." He then related what had passed between him and 

 Margaret. 



