BEAUCHAMP OBTAINS HARCOURT's CONSENT. 357 



" Oh, quite so, my dear Beauchamp ; but how long is it, 

 may I ask, that you have been so attached to Blanche 1 a long 

 time, I suspect, Beauchamp, eh ? or at least, she has, I think, 

 been to you." 



"Then, dear sir, there is a greater prospect of our being 

 happy together." 



"Well, my young friend, I have no objection to yourself; 

 but there are grave objections in your way. This suit, which 

 may deprive her of all her property, and then the responsibilities 

 you would incur as her husband. All these things should be 

 well considered ; and in your present position, your father, no 

 doubt, will expect you to marry a woman of fortune or rank 

 equal to your own." 



"All these objections, with ten times more, will not alter 

 my determination, provided you will consent to our union," he 

 replied. 



" As the husband of Miss Douglas, you may be called upon 

 to refund all the rents received, my dear Beauchamp, which 

 would amount to a large sum indeed. Are your funds sufficient, 

 without crippling your income, to meet such a demand 1 This 

 is really a most serious responsibility, and my advice to you, as 

 an old friend, is, to give up all thoughts of marrying under such 

 adverse circumstances." 



" The rental of property which has already been made over 

 to me by my father, Mr. Harcourt, exceeds twenty-five thousand 

 a year, besides ready money ; and if you require to see the 

 deed, with the rent-roll, it shall be produced for your satisfac- 

 tion ; but on my word, as a gentleman, this is strictly true, and 

 that has nevei- yet been questioned by any man." 



" Oh, that is quite sufficient, my dear young friend ; and if 

 my ward is really attached to you " 



" Of which, dear sir, there can be no doubt, since she has 

 accepted and referred me to you." 



" Then, my dear Beauchamp, I have no further objection to 

 urge, except that in taking her, you must also take all her 

 liabilities upon yourself" 



" Most willingly, my dear sir, were they twice as great." 



Mr. Harcourt then suggested he should .sign a little memo- 

 randum to that effect, which was worded in similar terms to 

 that he had produced for Lord Ayrshire, and having called in 

 the butler to witness Beauchamp' s signature to this document, 

 he was about to lead the way to the drawing-room, when Beau- 

 ©]iamp interposed, " You have forgotten to give me your written 



