“Do, Harry, go in first, and I will come into the drawing-room as soon as I can compose myself. You have made me very happy, but I must be alone for a few minutes before I can meet any one.”
They returned to the house together. Susan had gone on before.
Lady Castleton and Julia had been for some time seated in the drawing-room when Harry entered.
“I am glad to find Harry makes himself so useful to you,” observed Lady Castleton to Miss Jane, as he took his seat near Julia, who was talking to Miss Mary.
“Yes, indeed, we are much obliged to him, and hope to have the pleasure of showing his handiwork to you after luncheon,” answered Miss Jane. “He and the young friend residing with us have done nearly the whole of the ornamental part of the work, and have exhibited a great deal of skill and taste.”
Harry overheard the remark, and feared that his mother would inquire who the young friend was; but she observed instead—
“It is a great thing when naval officers are on shore if they can find employment. So few care for field sports, and as my brother, Captain Fancourt, observes, they too generally fall in love with some fair face and marry, and then have speedily to go off, and leave their young wives to pine in solitude, often for long years.”
Harry dreaded what next might be said.
“Ah, they are greatly to be pitied,” observed Miss Jane.
“My mother will be sure to suspect me the moment she enters,” thought Harry. “I almost wish that I had not persuaded her to come here; and yet she cannot but be satisfied with my choice; she and Julia must love May the moment they see her.”