“To obey our father and not to act against his commands; but I will not obey him in doing a sinful act by marrying any one else whom I do not love. I can, therefore, with a clear conscience urge you not to persuade May to marry you until our father gives his consent, though I do not for a moment advise you to give her up.”
“You are a clever casuist, Julia,” exclaimed Harry.
Chapter Forty One.
A Ride with General Sampson.
On reaching Downside, Harry and Julia were told that Miss Jane was in the house, and that Miss Mary and May were in the garden.
“Go in and see cousin Jane,” said Harry to his sister, as he assisted her to dismount. “I will go into the garden.”
Without giving Julia the option of accompanying him, he hurried off in search of his blind cousin and her companion. He saw them seated on a bench under the shade of some overhanging trees. May was reading with her eyes bent down on the book. She was so absorbed in the subject that she did not hear Harry’s approach.
Miss Mary’s quick ear, however, soon detected the sound of his footsteps.