218 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



" and as you are so dainty, I sliall order a couple of my spring 

 eliickens to be dressed especially for you." 



" Then I must send to let my father and Constance know I 

 do not dine at home." 



" Oh, yes, of course," replied Malcolm, " and I shall go over 

 and dine at Bampton in your place, my boy, and make love to 

 Constance all the evening, as you vv^ere in such a state this 

 morning I could not speak a word to her." 



After luncheon, Malcohn again mounted his horse, to allay 

 the old squire's apprehensions about his son, not doubting the 

 servants had noticed his very excited manner ; and Beauchamp 

 -with Blanche strolled out together for a walk, and did not 

 return until nearly five o'clock ; so agreeably passed the time, 

 that they were scarcely aware of the lateness of the hour. It 

 would be difficult to point out the happiest of those three 

 persons, who after dinner drew round to the fireside at th.e 

 Priory that evening. Mrs. Gordon being in high spirits, could 

 not forbear joking Beauchamp on his jealousy. 



"Why, WiUiam, at this rate you will be in a lunatic asylum 

 within a week of Blanche's first appearance at Almack'sj you 

 really must school yourself to meet these things with com- 

 placency, if not with indifierence; for Blanche will undoubtedly 

 attract many admirers (irrespective of her fortune), and she 

 cannot prevent people falling in love with her, or proposing." 



" Indeed, dear aunt, I feel more and more every day how 

 undeserving I am of her preference, and that feeling makes mo 

 wretched ; she is so far, so very far beyond my deserts, that I 

 know I have no right to aspire to that dear hand, which I 

 dread sometimes to think can never be mine." 



" Never, dear "William, believe me," replied Blanche, " shall 

 this hand (placing it in his) belong to any other than your- 

 self; titles, rank, honours are nothing to me, in comparison 

 with your love. Oh ! William, don't again doubt my entii^e 

 devotion to yom^self, or you will, indeed, make me miserable." 



" Heaven bless you, my own darling girl, for that avowal," 

 as he raised her hand to his lips, and the tears started to his 

 eyes from uncontrollable emotion. 



"Come, come, my dear boy," said Mrs. Gordon, "youl 

 nerves are sadly shattered by this morning's work; pray do nob 

 torment yourself any more in this foolish manner." 



" I will not go to London, aunt," added Blanche, " unless 

 William goes too ; and to save him any an^ciety, I had rather 

 not go at all." 



