"Though your visits are rare we are glad to see you whenever you do come, Sir Ralph," she said, rising and putting out her hand, which the baronet lifted to his lips with his usual courtly politeness. "Here is Sir Ralph, Mary," added Miss Jane. Miss Mary rose as did May in a graceful way, standing with one hand on the chair, as she felt an unusual trepidation seize her. The baronet advanced, fixing his eyes on her, and then having pressed Miss Mary's hand, he made her one of his most courtly bows. "Let me introduce our young friend to you," said Miss Jane, who had observed Sir Ralph's glance of admiration. He was of too unbending a nature, however, to allow May's beauty to alter his determination. He entered into conversation, however, with the freedom of a man of the world, making the ladies believe that his visit was only one of courtesy. His critical taste could not help being satisfied with May's manners and the remarks she made, as much as it had been by her beauty, and she began to feel that regard for him which she naturally wished to have for the father of her intended husband. The baronet, rising, said in a more formal tone than he had hitherto used-- "I must beg of you, Miss Pemberton, a few minutes private conversation before I bid you farewell." "If you wish it we will go to the dining-room, or Mary and May will leave us alone." "Not on any account would I have them quit the drawing-room," answered Sir Ralph, and stepping up to Miss Mary he lifted her hand to his lips, bowing at the same time to May, with that courtesy which he considered her beauty demanded, though his cold look gave her an unsatisfactory feeling. "I am obliged to you for allowing me an interview in private," he said, as soon as he and Miss Jane were seated in the dining-room. "I wish to make enquiries with regard to the young person residing with you, and with whom, it appears, my son Harry has fallen in love. With all respect to you you must be aware that I cannot consider a person in her situation in any way a suitable wife for a son of mine, and though I do not wish to throw blame upon you, I cannot help feeling that you have been guilty of indiscretion, to use no stronger term, in allowing the young people to meet in the way it appears they have done. I should have expected, under the circumstances, that you would not have invited him to the house, and had he called of his own accord would have kept the young lady out of his way. I must therefore hold you responsible for the consequences." The tone of this address--so unlike that in which Sir Ralph had been speaking in the drawing-room--took Miss Jane considerably aback; but she was not to be easily brow-beaten even by her cousin.