THE ABDUCTION PREVENTED. 137 



The hint was enough ; the valet shut his master in, and 

 springing on the box, the four horses bore them rapidly away 

 from the scene of their disaster. The other poachers rushed 

 quickly to the rescue of their leader, who was still grappling 

 with one of his assailants, and the affair was soon brought to a 

 close, although the issue of the combat, with heavy odds against 

 them, had been determined already by the courage and prowess 

 of Mark and the young squire, who fought like lions robbed of 

 their prey. 



"Now, Mark," said Beauchamp, "let your fellows hold 

 these villains in custody, whilst I go to Miss Douglas." 



Poor Blanche sat trembling in the carriage from excessive 

 fright, almost unconscious of what was going on, when Beau- 

 champ, opening the door, said, " Thank Heaven, you are safe, 

 dearest Blanche ! Lord Vancourt has fled, and the poachers 

 have secured the rest." 



By the sudden transition from fright to joy, with other 

 tumultuous feelings rushing through her heart, Blanche fell 

 back on the seat iainting, when Alice cried out, " Quick, Mr. 

 Beauchamp — support her in your arms whilst I get some salts 

 from my pocket." In a moment her head was resting on his 

 breast, while her maid was applying restoratives, which soon 

 roused her from her swoon. 



" Oh, where am I ? " she faintly asked. 



" Safe, my dear girl, in Will Beauchamp's arms," was the 

 Bofb reply ; " are you afraid of him, dear Blanche ? " as she 

 struggled to rise. 



" Oh, no, dear William — my kind, my noble preserver; but 

 I am better now ; let us return to dear Aunt Gordon." 



" That you shall, directly ; I will be with you again in a 

 moment." 



Ordering Mark to bring the prisoners with the horses to the 

 Priory, and telling the coachman to drive back there imme- 

 diately, Beauchamp entered the carriage ; and Alice, saying she 

 would rather be outside to see they did not take a wrong turn 

 again, left the lovers together, and got up behind with the 

 footman, who had all the time been standing at the horses* 

 heads, to prevent their running away during the fight. 



As they sat side by side, the blood from Beauchamp's wound 

 trickled down on Blanche's arm, who, feeling the moisture, 

 raised it to the light of the lamp. " Good heavens, William ! " 

 she exclaimed, turning pale, and in great alarm, "you ar« 

 bleeding ! oh, tell me where you ^re hurt ! " 



