126 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



CHAPTER XII. 



The following morniug, Lords Merv^'^n and Yaii court, with 

 Vernon, held a consultation on the state of affairs ; and it waa 

 determined that Yancourt should write a proposal to Mr. Har- 

 court, the next day, for his ward. 



" I think it would be best to call at Throseby," obsei-ved 

 Lord Yancourt. 



" No," said Yernon, " that will not answer the same purpose 

 as writing — litera scrijyta inatiet. Get Harcourt to give his 

 consent on black and white, and then you are safe for any 

 contingency." 



" You are quite right, Yernon," said Lord Mervyn, ** and a 

 capital adviser in such matters." 



Accordingly, the next day, about the hour of luncheon, a 

 servant was sent over on horseback from the castle, with the 

 proposal in due form, and worded after the most approved 

 fashion, with the usual protestations of love and devotion to the 

 young lady. 



Mr. Harcourt was in the dining-room with Blanche, Mrs. 

 Harcourt, and Malcolm, when the letter was delivered to him ; 

 and having glanced over the contents, he put it -into his pocket. 



" My lord's servant is waiting for an answer, sir," said the 

 footman. 



"An answer shall be sent this afternoon," was the reply. 

 No further comment was made on the contents of the letter 

 until after luncheon, when Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt retired to 

 their own private sitting-room to deliberate. 



"I think, my dear," said the gentleman (after they had 

 decided to accept his lordship's offer), " you are the most pro^Der 

 person to speak to Blanche on this subject, and of course can 

 explain our wishes much better than I can — pointing out the 

 many advantages, in point of title and connection, and pressing 

 Blanche not to refuse so flattering a proposal." 



" Indeed," replied the lady, " I cannot think my niece will 

 act so contrary to our advice and her own interests as to refuse 

 Lord Yancourt." 



No sooner had Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt left the dining-room 

 than Blanche, with the foreboding of evil, the influence of which 

 no mortal can either explain or escape, turning to her cousin, 

 said, " I wonder, CJiarles, what that letter from Lord Yancourt 

 contains 1 " 



