140 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 



Constance and my father, who must be alarmed at my absence, 

 I shall be much obliged." 



" That I will do for you, William ; so remain quiet where 

 you are." 



The letter was accordingly written and despatched imme- 

 diately. 



" That reminds me that I ought to apprise Mrs. Harcourb 

 also of the events of this night, and the conduct of her protege. 

 Lord Yancourt ; although I am resolved, after this disgraceful 

 affair, Blanche shall not again return to Throseby." 



" Oh, dear aunt ! " exclaimed Blanche, " can you — will you 

 keep me with you?" 



" Yes, my love, I can and will do so, being your guardian 

 equally with ]\Ir. Harcourt." 



A servant at this moment entered the room, to say that Mr. 

 Harcourt' s coachman had run away, leaving the carriage and 

 horses in the stable-yard. 



" Eun away, did you say ? " asked Mrs. Gordon in amaze- 

 ment. 



" Yes, ma'am," replied the man ; " and Eobert the footman 

 says he thinks he was bribed by Lord Yancourt to drive Miss 

 Douglas to meet his lordship's carriage on the common." 



" Good heavens ! " exclaimed Mrs. Gordon, " what a villain ! 

 you may go, John, and send the footman to me," 



" Please, sir," said the man, addressing Beauchamp, " Mark 

 Rosier wants to speak to you." 



"Then send him here," replied Mrs. Gordon, "for Mr. 

 Beauchamp shall not leave the sofa." 



The tall, athletic, handsome poacher was soon ushered into 

 the drawing-room, where he stood near the door, with a low 

 bow to the ladies. 



" Come here, Mark," cried Beauchamp, extending his hand, 

 which the poacher seized and pressed to his lips; "you are a 

 brave, honest fellow; and to your courage this night am I 

 indebted for my life, and the safety of Miss Douglas. My gratis 

 tude for this service will end only with my own existence." 



" Master William," said Mark, "I loved you when a boj; 

 and have had much more cause to love you since I became § 

 man, and I would willingly lay down my life to serve you at any 

 time. But what's the matter, sir 1 where were you wounded 

 by that rascally lord ? " 



" He missed me^ Mark, but the other villain you knock«l 

 over shot me through the fleshy part over the ribs,'^' 



