312 THE MASTER OP THE HOUNDS. 



spare your cousin this one night — are your promises so soon 

 forgotten?" 



Blanche burst into tears, and was escaping from the table, 

 when Malcolm sprang from his chair, and throwing himself 

 before her on one knee, seized her hand, exclaiming, " Oh 

 Blanche ! my dear, soft-hearted girl, will you forgive my ill- 

 timed foolery 1 but, indeed, I thought to rouse your spirits ; 

 that was my only motive, on my honour." 



" Dear Charles, I believe you," she replied ; " but my heart 

 is too full now to bear even a joke — pray let me go to my 

 room." 



*' So you shall, my love," opening the door for her ; " but do 

 you forgive me 1 " 



" She may ; but I shall not, Charles,'"' interposed Mrs. Gor- 

 don, taking her niece's arm and leading her away. 



The fourth morning after Beauchamp had left London, Mrs. 

 Gordon received a very aJffectionate letter from him, with 

 another enclosed for Blanche, written in the most affectionate 

 terms, and enjoining her to be more careful of herself for his 

 sake; telling her also that, having felt persuaded of Lady 

 Malcolm's motives in taking her to so many parties, and 

 witnessing her decreasing health and strength from such exces- 

 sive dissipation, he had deemed it expedient to make her lady- 

 ship acquainted with their relative position, which he hoped 

 would at once put a stop to that incessant whirl of gaiety. 

 After having perused the contents half a dozen times in her 

 own room, Blanche sought Mrs. Gordon. 



" There, dear aunt, I must show you this kind, affectionate 

 letter from my own dear William, which has made me so 

 very happy." 



" Then you can read mine in the meantime, my love, which 

 has put me also in high spirits." 



Next to the pleasure of seeing those we love, is the enjoy- 

 ment of seeing their handwriting when separated from us, and 

 the delight of Mrs. Gordon and her niece on perusing Beau- 

 champ's heart-stirring terms of endearment to them both (though 

 rather differently worded as applied to each) is easier to 

 imagine than describe. Lord Malcolm, after a severe lecture 

 from his aunt, now ceased his bantering tone towards his 

 cousin, endeavouring by every attention to make amends for his 

 late conduct to herself and her lover, who, it must be confessed, 

 from the recent disclosure of his high expectations, had become 

 a person of much greater importance than heretofore. Instead 



