THE FtJGinVES. 175 



epeecli ; thanking Coventry and Sir Lucius for the high com- 

 pliment paid to his father and himself, and expressing his hopes 

 that "they might always deserve the good opinion of their 

 brother fox-hunters, as well as the gentlemen of the county who 

 did not participate in their sport." This speech was much ap- 

 plauded, and soon after the gentlemen returned to the ball- 

 room ; Mr. Harcourt beginning to entertain a more favourable 

 opinion of Beauchamp, from the evident cordiality with which 

 his name was received by so large and respectable a company. 



Blanche was sitting with Mrs. Harcourt and her Aunt Gor- 

 don, when Captain Markham approaching them, the former 

 inquired the meaning of the shouting at the supper-table, which 

 had almost deafened her. 



" Eh ! aw ! yeeas ! rather uproarious ! bad taste, I dare say. 

 Drank Will Beauchamp's health and fox-hunting — couldn't stop 

 the fellows — would have it — hip ! hip ! and all that sort of 

 thing. Gwynne said, he was a demmed plucky, high-spirited 

 young fellow, after that little affair of yours, Miss Douglas, on 

 the common ; — everybody agreed with him — three cheers 

 more, — but didn't forget the ladies — Mrs. Gordon's health dranlc 

 vociferously. Now, Miss Douglas, — believe I have the honour 

 — next quadrille." With which the Captain walked off with 

 the heiress. 



The ball was kept uj) until three o'clock in the morning, when 

 the company dispersed ; Sir Lucius declaring, in fox-hunting 

 parlance, " that Mrs, Gordon's party was the run of the season."" 



CHAPTER XVIII 



We must now devote a little space to the fugitives, Lord Van- 

 court and Vernon. The former dreading pursuit from the 

 determined resolution of Beauchamp (of whose prowess and 

 courage, from Vernon's sneers, he had formed rather an 

 erroneous opinion, until brought into contact with him), sj)ed 

 on his journey without stopping until he reached London, 

 putting up at an hotel in a retired part of the city, from which 

 he removed the next day, to a lodging near the Begent's Park, 

 which his valet engaged for his master under the assumed name 

 of Captain Hammond, where he remained until his fractures were 

 sufficiently reduced to enable him to start for the Coatinent, 



