“Both your father and I think it would be an excellent match for you,” continued her stepmother.
“Nothing would induce me to marry him,” answered May, quickly and sharply, and Mrs. Churchill saw a hot flush rise to her lovely skin.
“My dear, it is folly to talk in that way. Girls in these things must be guided by their elders, their parents. I married before I was your age, and I married because my father and mother wished me to do so, not that I was what is called in love with poor Mr. Jones. He, however, made me an excellent husband, and left me in comfortable circumstances. Mr. Henderson is well off, and it is your duty to your father to accept him, as, of course, your keep is a great expense to him.”
“Has my father complained of the expense I am to him?” asked May, angrily.
“He has not absolutely complained, but he is naturally anxious that you should settle and marry well. He was speaking to me about it only yesterday. He is not a rich man, and has, of course, many expenses. We both think young Henderson is the very man for you, and as he has a nice, independent property, it is an exceedingly good match.”
“I will never marry him,” repeated May; “please do not mention this again.”
But Mrs. Churchill did mention it again. She dwelt on it. It became her pet subject of conversation, and on one occasion when May was out, she—as she expressed it—“sounded” Mr. Henderson on his intentions toward her stepdaughter.
The young man did not require a second hint.
“I would give anything to marry her, Mrs. Churchill,” he said, “but May gives me no opportunity of speaking to her alone; she has changed to me since—”
A strange pallor spread over Henderson’s handsome face as he left his sentence incomplete, and Mrs. Churchill instantly observed this.