4 ^HE MASTER OF THE HOUKDS. 



many called handsome, with, a fine curly head of dark hair, 

 which, of course, in the eyes of the fair sex passed for some- 

 thing j and withal, not to dwell too long on a description of his 

 personal or mental qualities, he was a general favourite with all 

 classes, high and low, rich and poor ; and to his decided popu- 

 larity the cause of fox-hunting in that district was undoubtedly 

 indebted for its progressive influence. 



Although young to occupy the position of master of fox- 

 hounds, he had been brought up from boyhood to the profession, 

 and initiated by his father into the mysteries of the noble 

 science, which, truth to say, proved a far more attractive study 

 than Latin or Greek ; and yet William Bsauchamp had made 

 such progress in the dead languages at the university, that he 

 took his degree with flying colours, and, as his friend Bob 

 Conyers used to affirm, he would have been in the first flight, 

 but for a prolonged liver attack, which at last became so serious, 

 that he was recommended by his doctor and tutor also to give 

 up reading, and take again to the saddle ; " and a deuced good 

 change, too," said Bob, "or there had been a capital fellow 

 spoilt/' 



]\Ir. Beauchamp, the father, was one of the old school — 

 cheerful, generous, kind-hearted, and much given to hosj)itality. 

 In personal appearance he was about the middle height, well 

 formed, and of a fresh complexion ; he had been one of the 

 handsomest men of his time ; but when this tale commences, 

 having nearly reached the age of man, he had become less 

 elegant in form, and feeling his years, handed over all authority 

 in the hunting establishment to his only son, between whom 

 and his father the most atfectionate cordiality existed, proceed- 

 ing from a similarity of disposition and pursuits. One daughter, 

 Constance, a pretty girl of nineteen, completed the family circle, 

 Mrs. Beauchamp having been dead some years. 



Constance, although highly accomplished in arts and sciences 

 feminine, was a superior horsewoman, possessing, with a beau- 

 tiful seat and hand on horseback, nerve sufficient to mount and 

 manage the most refractory animal of the genus equine. Her 

 figure, rather under than over the general standard of women, 

 was cast in Nature's most perfect mould ; her features regular, 

 and of the Grecian order, with a profusion of dark, glossy Jiair, 

 and finely-arched eyebrows. In society she was rather reserved, 

 although of deep and afiectionate feelings ; but with her friendg 

 and relations joyous and communicative. Utterly devoid of 

 afiectation, she was generally beloved by her neighbours, and 



