"I am not conscious, Sir Ralph, of having acted in any way in which I can blame myself," she answered, with as much dignity as she could command. "We had no design when we expressed our pleasure at seeing Harry at Downside, nor did we think of his falling in love with our young friend." "May I ask whether she is a relation, or to what family she belongs?" asked Sir Ralph, abruptly. "She is no relation, though we love her as one," said Miss Jane. "Has not your son told you her history?" "Not a word; he declined doing so," said the baronet. "It is a very romantic one," answered Miss Jane, and she described the way May had been rescued. "Judging from her appearance, she may be of gentle birth," observed Sir Ralph, "but the fact that her family have not been discovered tends to prove the contrary, and nothing you have said alters my determination not to sanction my son's marriage to a girl depending on charity for her support." "That alone interests us, and makes us more than ever ready to care for her," said Miss Jane. "We have this very day left her all the property we possess, or which may ever come to us, and she is therefore no longer helpless and dependent, as you suppose." "I should have concluded you would have wished to leave to the Castleton family what originally came from them," remarked the baronet, with some heat in his tone. "That is not a matter I am disposed to discuss," said Miss Jane. "Your daughter is, I conclude, well provided for, and we have not acted contrary to the wishes of your son Harry, who is the only other person we should have thought of making our heir." "As you think fit--as you think fit," said the baronet. "I have only now to request that you will inform your protege if she marries my son Harry she will not be received by his mother or me as a daughter, and will certainly justly compel us to discard him for his disobedience." "Do you insist on my giving such a message to the poor girl?" asked Miss Jane, feeling very indignant, but, at the same time, still hoping to soften her cousin's heart. "If you do not give it, I must myself. To tell you the truth, I came here for that purpose. It is always better to settle matters of this sort summarily." "Oh!" said Miss Jane. "Concluding that you will do as I request, I must wish you good morning," said the baronet. "I have further to beg that you will not admit my son into your house." "I can make no promises," said Miss Jane. "I will, however, give your harsh message to our young friend, though I cannot undertake to advise her how to act. I regret, Sir Ralph, that the only visit with which you have honoured us while at Texford has not terminated in a more satisfactory manner to you and to ourselves."