Part 24 (2/2)

It was some time before he made his way back to the house, where his friend Headland had got before him, and was now engaged with Julia and other friends in arranging the sets to be formed by ladies and gentlemen, and in which some of the daughters of the upper cla.s.s of tenantry and shopkeepers would take their place.

Harry excused himself from leading out a partner on the plea that he had so many duties to perform, and before long he again found himself approaching the spot where Adam and his wife were standing. As he did so he saw a man come up to them and make a low bow, beginning to speak to May, at which she turned away with a look of annoyance, not unmingled with scorn, while she put her arm into that of the dame.

So Harry interpreted the expression of her countenance. Had it not been for this Harry would have hesitated to approach.

”I am sure, Miss, I do not wish to offend you, and I have a thousand pardons to ask,” he heard the stranger say. ”It's all a mistake to suppose that I intended to be otherwise than polite and respectful.”

The dame, as she drew May nearer to her, looked up at her husband, and was going to speak. Adam made a step or two towards the young man, and looking him firmly in the face, said--

”This is not the place where I can treat you as you deserve; but there is only one thing I have to say, that is to take yourself off, and don't come near our Maiden May if you wish to keep a whole skin on your back.”

Young Miles, for it was he, knowing that he was perfectly safe from personal violence in Texford Park, putting on a swaggering look, was about to reply, when he saw Harry coming up, and observed an angry frown on the young officer's brow.

”I'll make you pay dearly for this, old fellow,” he muttered between his teeth, and turning round, slunk away towards the nearest group of persons, among whom he soon concealed himself.

”Who was that young man?” asked Harry, glancing in the direction Miles had gone. ”He seems to have caused you some annoyance,” and he looked at May, who however did not reply.

The dame spoke for her.

”He is an audacious young fellow, who came to Hurlston a few days ago, and has had the impertinence to speak to our Maiden May when she was alone out walking; and if it had not been for our Jacob, I don't know what she would have done. He is the son of the miller at Hurlston, and we have reason to think he would speak to her again if he had the chance, so she has had to keep inside the grounds at Downside ever since, till she came out with my husband and me, and we little thought he would have been here; but it only shows what he is capable of.”

”What, did that fellow dare to speak to you against your wish?”

exclaimed Harry, indignantly. ”I must take measures to prevent his doing so again. If the miller cannot keep him in order, I must beg Mr Grooc.o.c.k to desire him to send the fellow away again. You say he only came here lately,” he added, turning to the dame.

”Yes, Mr Harry, he only came to Hurlston lately, though he was born and bred in the place. He was sent away after his mother's death some four years ago, and has not been back that I know of till lately.”

”Depend on it he shall not cause you any further annoyance,” said Harry, again addressing May, ”and pray do not let the matter trouble you further. I scarcely dare ask whether you are still resolved not to dance?”

”Quite as resolved as at first,” answered May. ”Even if I greatly wished to do so, I could not break my promise to my kind friends.”

Harry took notice of her reply.

”Surely she would not speak of them as her kind friends if she was in their service,” he thought, and he longed to ascertain the position she held in his cousins' family. Her costume gave him no clue, but her manner, her tone of voice, and her mode of expressing herself, showed him that she was a person of education. He was greatly puzzled. He longed to ask her more questions, but was afraid of appearing inquisitive.

”When the people begin to get tired of their present amus.e.m.e.nts, we are going to have some boat racing on the lake, and as soon as it grows dark there are to be fireworks, which will have a pretty effect on the water.

I hope that you will remain to see them,” he said.

”I regret that we cannot do so,” answered May. ”Neither of the ladies are well, and I never like to be absent, especially from Miss Mary, long at a time, as Miss Jane having a cold there is no one else to read to her.”

”Are you fond of reading?” asked Harry.

”Yes. Indeed, it is the chief source of amus.e.m.e.nt I have,” answered May. ”I have read, I believe, every book the Miss Pembertons possess, and with their usual kindness they have procured a good many fresh ones for me. Though Miss Jane is not an admirer of the French, she allowed me to study their language, so that I can read it with ease, though I fear that I should find myself greatly at a loss were I to attempt to speak it.”

”When you have the opportunity of hearing it spoken, I am sure you will soon get over that difficulty,” observed Harry.

”I hope to do so if I am ever able to mix with French people, or to obtain a French master.”

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