Part 26 (1/2)

Harry was somewhat surprised to hear her speak in such unmeasured terms of her daughter's good qualities.

”The worthy woman naturally appreciates her daughter, and in her honest pride feels that she can never speak too highly of her,” he thought.

While she was speaking the door opened, and May entered, looking bright and blooming as usual, and Harry thought her even more lovely than the day before. She started, and the colour rose slightly to her cheeks, as she saw him. She evidently did not expect to find a visitor.

Harry naturally enquired if she had enjoyed the fete.

”Yes. She had been amused at all events,” she answered with a smile.

”And it was a pleasure to be able afterwards to describe it to the Miss Pembertons. I mentioned meeting you, sir,” she added, ”and they look forward to seeing you before long.”

Harry of course said he was on his way to pay his respects to his cousins, but being uncertain as to their house, had called at her father's to enquire which it was.

”Our May will be able to show it to you, Mr Harry,” said the dame.

”She seldom likes to be long away from the ladies, and I suppose will soon be going back there.”

May hesitated. She did not look upon Mr Castleton as a stranger, but she naturally felt a degree of timidity at the thoughts of walking with him alone. When, however, she looked up into his frank open countenance, after he had sat talking for some time, the feeling vanished.

He told Adam how well he recollected his trip in the _Nancy_, and declared that even now he should like to take another. Then he remembered the little blue-eyed girl he had seen rush into Adam's arms, utterly regardless of his wet clothes.

Maiden May smiled.

”I remember that I was dreadfully frightened at seeing the boat coming in, thinking you would all be lost.”

She was about to make another remark, which would possibly have greatly puzzled Harry, when looking up at the clock, she exclaimed--

”I had no idea it had been so late. I got leave to run down and see you for a few minutes, mother, and ought to have been back again by this time.”

Harry instantly rose.

”I hope that I have not detained you; but if you will kindly, as your mother proposes, show me the Miss Pembertons' house, I shall be grateful to you.”

May replied that she should be happy to do so, and Harry wis.h.i.+ng the fisherman and his wife good-bye, went to look for the boy who had charge of his horse. May, stopping to say a few words to the dame, came out by the time he had returned to the door of the cottage.

Harry, instead of mounting, taking the rein in his hand, walked by her side.

The subject of their conversation might seem commonplace, though perhaps it was interesting to themselves. Harry was at length led to speak of some of his adventures at sea, from a question May had asked him, and on mentioning one of the battles in which he was engaged, he was surprised to find that his companion was thoroughly well acquainted with the details as well as with all the events which had lately taken place.

During the walk Harry could not accuse himself of having said anything which could have been construed into making love to the fisherman's fair daughter.

On reaching Downside May went into the house to send for the gardener to hold his horse, and to announce his visit. The two ladies came to the door to welcome him.

”I should have known you by your voice,” said Miss Mary, taking his hand, ”though you have grown from a boy into a man since we met you last. But there is something I discern in a voice which never alters: yours is the tone I like to hear.”

”We must not flatter Harry, and I do not do it,” observed Miss Jane. ”I see the same expression in his countenance which won my regard when he was a mids.h.i.+pman. You recollect him, May, do you not?”

”I recognised Mr Castleton at once yesterday,” said May without hesitation. ”I should have been ungrateful had I not,” and May turned her blue eyes towards the young officer.

His met them, and, strange to say, May speedily withdrew hers, while a slight blush rose on her cheeks.

”I am indebted to Miss Halliburt for finding my way here so easily,”