110 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



" Is there any prospect," inquired Mr. Harcourt, jocosely, 

 " of the two properties being united under one head ?" 



" One manager, do you mean 1 " 



" Yes, Charles ; exactly so — in the person of Lord Malcolm," 

 replied Mr. Harcourt, laughing. 



" That," replied Lord Malcolm, gravely, " I fear, never can 

 be, as Blanche and myself regard each other as cousins only; 

 and, to confess the truth, my affections have been long engaged 

 elsewhere, although I shall ever love her as a dear sister." 



" I am sorry to hear this confession, Charles, as Blanche's 

 father and your own always expressed a strong desire that their 

 childr-en might some day be united." 



At this moment Blanche entered the room, prepared for a 

 walk. 



" I fear," she said. " I am interrupting you and Mr. 

 Harcourt." 



" Oh, no," replied Lord Malcolm ; " I am quite ready to 

 attend you, dear Blanche." 



When they had left the house, Malcolm said, " It is just 

 what I expected from old Harcourt' s serious looks at breakfast. 

 He has been asking me whether you were likely to become 

 Lady Malcolm, and of course I told him we loved each other 

 as cousins only. But there is more manoeuvi'ing in this than 

 you suspect, my fair cousin. Wliat should have induced old 

 Harcourt to broach this subject so hastily and, I think, indeli- 

 cately, when I had been only three days in his house ? The 

 answer to me is plain enough : that ill-conditioned Mervyn, 

 with his chum Vancourt, dines here to-day, and Harcourt 

 wished to ascertain my sentiments, in case my Lord IMervyn 

 should make any allusion to his friend coming forward for the 

 heiress. That's the secret, my dear girl ; and, were it not for 

 your sake, I feel so indignant at Harcoiirt's treatment, that 

 I would leave his roof this very day." 



" Oh, pray, Charles, don't think of doing that ! " 



" No, Blanche ; I certainly will not for the next month, at 

 least, although I know now he would be rejoiced to get rid of 

 me ; but nothing shall induce me, my dear girl, to leave you to 

 be tormented by these plotters ; and Harcourt shall rue the 

 day he treated me with so little ceremony. But, for your sake, 

 as I said before, I will smother my resentment, and pay him 

 off in his own false coin." 



The same afternoon Beauchamp and his sister rode over to 

 return Lord Malcolm and Blanche's visit; and, after sitting 



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