108 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



Malcolm* *' But now, come, shake hands, old fellow ; I can't 

 afford to quarrel with you." 



The friendly parting was exchanged on all sides, when 

 Malcolm and Blanche turned their horses' heads, the former 

 suddenly exclaiming, "What can be the matter with Will 

 Beauchamp, Blanche ? I never saw such an alteration in any 

 man since we last met ; he looks as if he had been crossed in 

 love. Wliat can be the matter with him ? '* 



" I really cannot tell, Charles." 



" Do you think he is in love, Blanche ? " he again asked. 



" How should I know, Charles ? " she answered, while the 

 crimson mounted to her very temples. 



" You do know something more than you choose to tell me, 

 dear Blanche," as he looked inquiringly into her face, which she 

 endeavoured to turn away, to conceal her confusion. " Only tell 

 me one thing, my dearest girl," continued Malcolm, as he placed 

 his hand affectionately on hers ; " by our friendship and cousinly 

 affection for each other, by my brotherly love for you, tell me, 

 dear Blanche, in confideuce, as your own dear brother — can 

 you, do you love Will Beauchamp 1 " There was no reply. 



" Thank Heaven !" ejaculated Malcolm, fervently; "I am 

 now the happiest man in existence. Will Beauchamp's conduct 

 is explained ; he loves, as he ever must, deeply and unalterably 

 where his affections have been once bestowed; but, poor fellow ! 

 he thinks he loves hopelessly — he is too unpretending and 

 modest to believe that the rich heiress, Miss Douglas, will ever 

 condescend to accept him as a lover. Yes, dear Blanche ; this 

 must be the real state of the case. I have known Beauchamp 

 from a boy ; he is high-spirited, of sound principles, honest and 

 open as the day, and generous, even to a fault ; yet withal as 

 proud as Lucifer, where his conduct may be questioned as 

 equivocal ; and here it is — here's the rub, my dear Blanche- 

 he dreads to be called a fortune-hunter, although ever so 

 attached to you." 



At this moment they were interrupted by Mark Rosier 

 jumping over a stile into the road, close to Lord Malcolm. 



*' Ah, Mark," said his lordship, "how fares it with you since 

 we last met 1 " 



" It would have fared badly enough, my lord, but for the 

 young squire, who saved my poor old father and mother from 

 the workhouse," 



" Indeed, Mark," said Lord Malcolm, seriously ; " how could 

 tjiis happsn V 



