Lady Castleton was evidently more than ever puzzled. Knowing the world she was now very certain that this fair stranger was her son's chief attraction to Downside, and determined to cross-question him on the first opportunity. They returned to the house where, after sitting a few minutes, Lady Castleton begged that her carriage might be ordered. As Harry handed his mother into it, she said quietly--"I am not surprised that you take so much interest in grotto building. You will follow us soon, I hope." "Oh yes," answered Harry, telling the coachman to drive on. "We shall have time for a little more work," he said, entering the hall where Miss Jane stood watching her departing guests. May resumed her hat and accompanied him to the grotto. "I feel as if I was acting the hypocrite to my kind friends. I ought to tell them, Harry, and not allow you to come here under false pretences." "They cannot object to my coming even though you are the attraction. We will tell them at once." May and Harry, as may be supposed, did very little work; they would probably have been less successful than usual had they attempted it. At length his watch told him that it was nearly time to return to Texford. They went into the house and found the ladies in the drawing-room. May sat down next to Miss Mary and took her hand. "I ought to lose no time in telling you what has occurred," she said, trying to maintain her calmness. "Mr Castleton has asked me to marry him." "My dear!" exclaimed the two Miss Pembertons, in different keys, Miss Jane fixing her eyes on Harry. "What have you said in reply?" asked Miss Mary. "Do you suppose that I could refuse him." "I see, my dear, that you have not," observed Miss Jane, "judging from his countenance. We love you both, and I am sure no two young people could be better suited to each other. But when we invited Harry here we did not dream of such a result. Have you both considered well the consequences." Yes, Harry declared that he had thought them over seriously. "At all events, cousin Jane," he exclaimed, jumping up and taking her hand, "you and cousin Mary will not object to my continuing to come here." "You know we ought to do so should your father and mother not approve of your intentions." Harry replied that now his mother and sister had seen May, they could not fail to love her. "Of that I have no doubt," whispered Miss Mary, pressing May's hand. Miss Jane was less sanguine. Still they would be happy to see Harry until Sir Ralph prohibited his coming. Harry continuing to refuse to see any clouds in the horizon, rode home rejoicing that he had won Maiden May. CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. YOUNG MILES GAFFIN AGAIN.