308 THE MASTER OF THE ilOUNDS. 



press his emotion, " I felt it must come to this ; but will you 

 eee me in my own room a few minutes before you leave the 

 house r' 



" Most willingly, Malcolm.'* He then left the room. 



"Can I not prevail on you to prolong your stay, Beau- 

 champ?" inquired Lady Malcolm; "must I also plead in 

 vain 1 " 



" Do not distress me, dear Lady Malcolm, by asking me to 

 do that which every feeling of my heart prompts me to do ; 

 but, indeed, it is best for us all that I should now leave you, 

 although if, at the end of a fortnight, you wish to recall me, 

 your summons shall be obeyed." 



A double knock at the hall door being heard, Beauchamp 

 rose quickly, and wished Lady Malcolm good-bye. 



'^ Come with me into the next room for a few minutes," 

 exclaimed Mrs. Gordon ; " the girls and myself must trouble 

 you with a few commissions. You are acting quite right," 

 continued Mrs. Gordon, when the door was closed ; " and much 

 as we shall lament your absence, I approve your resolution to 

 go, as it is quite necessary to convince Charles that your feelings 

 are not to be outraged with impunity, although I believe his 

 conduct has only proceeded from thoughtless waywardness. 

 And now, my dear boy, not to prolong the misery of parting, 

 God bless you, good-bye ; write to me to-morrow, and let me 

 know how your father is, and ride over to the Priory to see 

 how things are going on. Blanche and I are tired of London, 

 and shall soon return;" then folding him in her arms, Mrs. 

 Gordon rushed from the room. 



It was some little time before Beauchamp could tear himself 

 away from Blanche, whose tears and sobs choked all utterance. 



"My own, dear, precious girl, do not give way thus," he 

 murmured, pressing her to his heart ; " on my word of honour, 

 I promise you to return any day you wish, if only for a few 

 hours, to see you and Constance. Your summons shall be 

 obeyed without an hour's delay ; so if you require my presence, 

 promise to write me without fail.'' 



" I will promise to do so, my own, dearly-loved William." 



" "Now, then, dear girl, farewell ; " and with another feiweni 

 embrace bestowed on her and Constance, Beauchamp was gone. 

 Lord Malcolm used every entreaty in vain to divert his friend 

 from his purpose. 



" It must be so now, Malcolm," was his reply ; " but I have 

 promised your mother to return at the end of a fortnight, if she 



