"I will try, sir."
"Very well. And now, miss, what were you doing parading about with old Copeland down town?" he said, turning suddenly to May; "a man I detest with all my soul."
"I do not know any individual of that name, sir. I missed my way this morning, and inquired of an old gentleman who was passing the address of a person I had business with. Then he offered to show me, as he was going past the place," said May, lifting her clear, truthful eyes, to his face.
"And what business, pray, led you to a part of the city so little frequented by the respectable of your sex?"
"If you will excuse me, sir, I would prefer not telling you," she said, gently.
"I insist on knowing," he exclaimed, angrily.
"You will excuse me, sir, when I tell you that it was quite a little affair of my own," replied May, in a low voice.
"Very well, madam!" said Mr. Stillinghast, bowing with a sneer; "but depend on't I shall sift this matter—it shall not rest here."
"I am grieved, dear uncle, to have offended you," began May.
"Be silent! You are full of popish tricks; I suppose you were engaged in one this morning. Go, answer the bell!" Glad to escape, May stepped the hall to open the door, and ushered in a tall, fine-looking man, who said he had business with Mr. Stillinghast. He bowed with a well-bred air to May and Helen, then to Mr. Stillinghast, who invited him to be seated.