216 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS 



moment ; and that Charles, learning the truth from her owr 

 lips, immediately followed him, fearing he might commit some 

 rash act. 



" May Heaven avert such a calamity, my dear child !" ex- 

 claimed Mrs. Gordon ; " but pray do not give way thus ; we can 

 trust Charles, and, oh ! how fortunate he was here." 



" Indeed, dear aunt, I should never forgive myself were 

 anything to befall poor William, for I fear I may have treated 

 Lord Danby in too friendly a manner, as we all liked him so 

 much j but, until yesterday, I never thought he intended more 

 than common attention to me, and indeed, dear aunt, this 

 morning he was so suddenly announced that I could not escape 

 from the room, though, after what you told me yesterday, I 

 had resolved never to be left alone with him again." 



" My dear love, do not distress yourself so, it could not be 

 avoided, and I hope Charles will prevail on William to return." 



Fast as Lord Malcolm rode, and he slackened not his speed 

 for a moment, Beauchamp far outstripped him, and having put 

 his horse in the stable, ordered a fresh one to be saddled imme- 

 diately, going up the back stairs to his room, where, having 

 packed up a carpet bag, he sat writing a few hasty lines to his 

 father, explaining what had taken place, and his intention of 

 leaving home for a short time ; when Malcolm, bursting open 

 the door, exclaimed, " Beauchamp, why this folly, this madness 1 

 Danby has proposed, and is rejected ! — ^how could you think 

 Blanche would act otherwise ! " 



" On your honour, Malcolm, is this true ? " 



" On my life, it is ; Blanche has told me all ; that, urging 

 his suit, he seized her hand for a moment, but that she imme- 

 diately withdrew it, and positively refused his addresses." 



Beauchamp stood as if electrified, his lips and frame quiver- 

 ing with agitation, and then sunk back into a chair, over- 

 powered by conflicting sensations. 



" Here, Beauchamp," said Malcolm, pouring out a glass o:. 

 water, "drink this, my dear fellow ; all is well, believe me, and 

 now you must return to poor dear Blanche, who is almost 

 broken-hearted, fearing you have left her for ever." 



" Oh, Malcolm ! the agony of that moment ; I thought my 

 heart would burst, and now see how my hand trembles ; I am 

 quite bewildered still." 



" Then come with me, my dear Beauchamp ; a glass of wine 

 first, and then our horses." 



**I cannot go just yet, Malcolm ; my head throbs so." 



