166 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 



" Oh, I see," said the squire ; " Mrs. Gordon likes some- 

 tliing lighter ; champagne or burgundy — which shall it be ? " 



" Neither for me, Mr. Beauchamp, as I have taken enough 

 already." 



" Pooh ! pooh ! you shall taste both. Thomas, a bottle of 

 champagne and one of burgundy ; and mind the cork is sound.'* 



" Yes, sir," as the old butler toddled out of the room. 



" That's right, squire ! " exclaimed Conyers ; " ladies never 

 refuse champagne, and I am just in the humour for a glass or 

 two myself" 



" Keally, Mr. Conyers, you seem to have joined in a conspiracy 

 to make us all tipsy to-night," replied Mrs. Gordon. 



" Oh, no, my dear madam ; we only wish to make your eyes 

 and dear Blanche's sparkle a little more brilliantly." 



" Now, Mrs. Gordon," said Mr. Beauchamp, as Thomas 

 appeared with two long-necked bottles, " which first — champagne 

 or burgundy 1 " 



" Champagne, if I must take any ; " and immediately a 

 tall glass sparkled by the side of each lady, which in courtesy 

 could not be refused. 



"We shall do now," said the old squire, "and the ladies 

 shall not be obliged by me to take any more than one glass of 

 burgundy after dinner." 



When the ladies were rising from the table, Mrs. Gordon 

 said, " Malcolm, you must not be late to-night, as I have once 

 or twice observed, in our drives, a tall, stout man on horseback 

 loitering behind the carriage, which makes me feel rather 

 nervous." A quiet smile passed over William Beauchamp's 

 features as she said this, which Blanche noticing, asked in a 

 low tone if he knew who this person was. 



" Yes, my dear girl," as he rose to open the door, and stood 

 with her for a moment outside ; " you need not feel alarmed. 

 It is Mark Rosier, Avho is your guard day and night wherevei 

 you go." 



" Oh, dear William," she said, putting her hand in his, 

 " how kind and considerate thus to watch over me." 



" Mark is only my substitute whilst I am disabled, and 

 when able I shall guard you myself." 



" No, dear William ; that you must not do. I never can 

 repay you for all your anxiety and trouble about me." 



" You can guess the reward, dear girl, which will more than 

 repay me." 



" I am all your own, now, William," she said, blushing, '^ and 



