"That is my cousin, Mary Bartley. May I introduce her to you?"
"Of course. What a sweet face!"
So the ladies were introduced, and Julia praised Mary's sketch, and Mary asked leave to add her to it, hanging, with pensive figure, over a tombstone. Julia took an admirable pose, and Mary, with her quick and facile fingers, had her on the paper in no time. Walter asked her, in a whisper, what she thought of her model.
"I like her," said Mary. "She is rather pretty."
"Rather pretty! Why, she is an acknowledged beauty."
"A beauty? The idea! Long black thing!"
Then they rode all together to the farm. There Mary was all innocent hospitality, and the obnoxious Julia kissed her at parting, and begged her to come and see her at the Hall.
Mary did call, and found her with a young gentleman of short stature, who was devouring her with his eyes, but did not overflow in discourse, having a slight impediment in his speech. This was Mr. Percy Fitzroy. Julia introduced him.
"And where are you staying, Percy?" inquired she.
"At the D—D—Dun Cow."