Miss Jane was less sanguine. Still they would be happy to see Harry until Sir Ralph prohibited his coming.
Harry continuing to refuse to see any clouds in the horizon, rode home rejoicing that he had won Maiden May.
Chapter Thirty One.
Young Miles Gaffin again.
May had been anxiously looking forward to another visit from Harry on the morning after he had openly declared his love, and she had more than once gone to the front door to watch for his coming. She endeavoured, however, to fix her thoughts as she read, as usual, to Miss Mary from the book of books, and to listen to Miss Jane’s comments, though she might have been puzzled to give any very clear account of the remarks she heard.
“Our May does not seem quite herself,” observed Miss Mary, when the two sisters sat together the next morning. “Poor girl, it must have been very trying when she felt that Lady Castleton’s and Julia’s eyes were fixed on her during their visit, especially if they suspected that Harry admires her.”
“We ought to have foreseen the consequences of encouraging him to come here,” said Miss Jane, “though my conscience acquits me of having designedly thrown the young people together.”
“I love May for her gentleness and sweet manner, and her kindness to me,” observed Miss Mary. “It never occurred to me that she possessed the beauty which would attract a young and gallant officer like our cousin.”