"Yes, indeed, we are much obliged to him, and hope to have the pleasure of showing his handiwork to you after luncheon," answered Miss Jane. "He and the young friend residing with us have done nearly the whole of the ornamental part of the work, and have exhibited a great deal of skill and taste." Harry overheard the remark, and feared that his mother would inquire who the young friend was; but she observed instead-- "It is a great thing when naval officers are on shore if they can find employment. So few care for field sports, and as my brother, Captain Fancourt, observes, they too generally fall in love with some fair face and marry, and then have speedily to go off, and leave their young wives to pine in solitude, often for long years." Harry dreaded what next might be said. "Ah, they are greatly to be pitied," observed Miss Jane. "My mother will be sure to suspect me the moment she enters," thought Harry. "I almost wish that I had not persuaded her to come here; and yet she cannot but be satisfied with my choice; she and Julia must love May the moment they see her." Harry tried to join in the conversation which Miss Mary and Julia were carrying on. Julia had always liked their blind cousin, and now exerted herself to amuse her, mentioning only such subjects as she thought would do so. Harry found, however, that his remarks were not very relevant. Miss Mary was more surprised than Julia. At last he got up and went to the window, whence he could watch the door. At length it opened, and Lady Castleton and Julia turned their heads as May glided into the room. Both instinctively rose from their seats as Miss Jane introduced her as "a friend who is living with us." They bowed, and, taking their seats, continued their conversation, while May took a chair a little on one side between where Harry was standing and his mother and sister. They both looked at her several times, and Harry observed that their countenances exhibited surprise, and he believed at the same time no small amount of admiration. At last Julia, drawing her chair a little back, addressed May, and asked if she had been long at Hurlston. "Yes, ever since I was a child," was the answer. "May has resided with us several years, and a great blessing and comfort she has proved to me especially," observed Miss Mary. Julia looked more puzzled than ever. More than once she glanced up at Harry, who now came forward and took a seat near May. "I was not aware that you had any guest in your house," said Julia; "but I hope we shall now have the pleasure of frequently meeting each other," and she looked towards May with a slight bow. "It will give me very great pleasure to see you, Miss Castleton," said May, who, in spite of her efforts, found herself blushing whenever she spoke, conscious as she was, too, that Lady Castleton was watching her from the other side of the room.