210 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



as you feel inclined — field open to all — no poaching — win her^ 

 if you can — wortli having — lots of tin — capital chance — Mar- 

 chioness of Danby — sure to take." 



"I do not regard her fortune, Markham, and believe she 

 would not marry me for my title, unless my first impressions of 

 her character are very erroneous. But it is quite premature my 

 talking in this manner upon so short an acquaintance." 



A few nights after, Mrs. Gordon, Lord Malcolm, and Blanche, 

 with the Beauchamp family, dined at Barton Court, and after 

 dinner Lord Danby paid particular attention to Miss Douglas, 

 sitting near her the greater part of the evening, evidently 

 fascinated by her unaffected manners and exceeding loveliness ; 

 in fact, from that time he fell really in love with her. Beau- 

 champ, guessing what was passing in Lord Danby's mind, kept 

 at a distance, from that feeling of hauteui* which jealousy 

 engenders ; and Mrs. Gordon witnessed with alarm his contract- 

 ing brows and compressed lips. Selina Markham, also, noticing 

 his grave deportment and thoughtful looks, whispered — 



" What is the matter with you to-night. Will Beauchamp ? 

 You look like a judge with his black cap on, about to pronounce 

 sentence of death on some unhappy culprit. I read your 

 thoughts — the culprit is Danby — another lord to shoot, eh, 

 Win?" 



" Nonsense, Selina." 



" Sense, Will Beauchamp ; I have been watching your 

 savage looks at the little flirtation going on in that quiet 

 corner between Blanche and Danby ; but don't be alarmed — he 

 is not the fellow to run away with her, or attempt it — all right 

 and above board this time. But seriously speaking, Beauchamp, 

 if you are, as I believe, tru/iy in love with Blanche, make me 

 your confidant, and I will soon check my lord from further 

 advances." 



" Thank you, Selina, for your friendly intentions, but 

 Blanche is free to choose whom she pleases." 



" Is it so, William 1 Are you not already engaged 1 " 

 There was no reply. " I had hoped," added Selina, " that you 

 were ; but take my advice, don't be a spooney, but propose at 

 once." 



" And be at once rejected by Harcourt. No, no, Selina, I 

 have too much pride for that ; but say no more now, or we 

 shall be overheard." 



From that night Lord Danby became a frequent visitor at 

 the Priory, wheie his very quiet, gentlemanly manners and 



