By this time the young man had handed May out, and she was standing on the flags, purse in hand, ready to pay the cabman. "Never mind the cabman!" again screamed the lady from the door-steps. "Nephew Ralph will pay him, and get in your luggage. Come in, my dear, and welcome; any friend of Mr. Temple's is most welcome here." May accordingly ascended the door-steps, and her hand was shaken most warmly, first by Miss Webster, and then by Miss Eliza. They were thin, elderly women, with pleasant faces, and were evidently pleased to see their young guest. "You must be tired with your long journey, and hungry, too," continued Miss Webster. "We have a little bit of hot supper ready for you. Jane," this was to the servant, "tell cook to dish up the partridges, and mind she has the plates hot. Come in, my dear--this is the dining-room--or would you rather go upstairs and take off your hat first?" May accepted the last offer, and was accordingly ushered into a most comfortable bedroom, where everything was ready for her occupation. After pointing out the hot water, and telling her to be sure to ring for what she wanted, Miss Webster then withdrew. Upon this May bathed her face, and let down her long hair, and in a few minutes appeared down-stairs, looking so fresh and bright no one would have supposed that she had just had a long journey. The tall young man was standing on the hearth-rug as she entered the dining-room, for a cheerful fire was burning in the grate, and he bowed when May appeared, and offered her a chair. "This is our nephew, Mr. Ralph Webster," said Miss Eliza, for Miss Webster happened to be out of the room, looking after the supper. "Miss Churchill, Mr. Webster." Miss Eliza having accomplished this introduction to her satisfaction, sighed softly, and looked first at May's blooming face and then at her nephew's. "What a handsome couple!" she was thinking, and again she sighed. By some mischance, Miss Eliza's proper destiny had never been fulfilled. She ought to have been one of the couple, and her whole nature pointed in that direction. She was sentimental, tender-hearted, and affectionate, and yet in her middle-age she was still unwedded. But she had no jealousy of younger women. On the contrary, the suppressed maternal instincts in her heart seemed to bloom forth when she beheld a fair young face. She also regarded her tall nephew with something like the affection of a mother. But though he might be so in her eyes, Mr. Ralph Webster could not justly be called "handsome." He had, however, an intelligent, clever face, with marked features and dark gray penetrating eyes. His manner was self-reliant and quick. Altogether a keen-looking man, with a face well-suited to his profession, for he was a barrister; a hard-working barrister, who had already accomplished a fair amount of success. "And you have had a long journey?" he said, leaning on the back of a chair and addressing May Churchill.