Great was Harry's disappointment on reaching Downside to find that May
was not there. His cousins also, he fancied, received him with less
cordiality than usual. Had he understood their feelings better, he
would have had no cause to complain.
"Sit down, Harry," said Miss Jane, in a somewhat formal tone, Harry
thought. "May has told us of your offer. You must be aware that we
have no legal control over her, but we feel it our duty not to encourage
your visits here until we know that you have the permission of Sir Ralph
and Lady Castleton, and that, we have our fears, will not be very
readily given. As far as we have the power, we purpose making the dear
girl independent, and have sent for Mr Shallard to make our wills
accordingly."
"Bless you for the thought," exclaimed Harry, starting up. "I wish you
would get Mr Shallard to make mine, and then, if I have to go to sea,
and am killed before I marry, it will be a consolation that she is
provided for."
"Nothing but generosity would have prompted you to say that," observed
Miss Mary. "We only act, my dear Harry, according to the dictates of
duty; we must not encourage a son to disobey his parents."
"Then you need not object to my coming here," answered Harry,
brightening up. "I have told my mother, and I believe that I have won
her over. She and Julia were delighted with May, as, of course, they
must have been."
Harry hoped that he had satisfied the consciences of the two good
ladies. He begged them to let him know when Mr Shallard was coming
over.
"It is very sad, Harry, to think that such a will as you propose making
should ever come into effect, for it would make May very unhappy to hear
of it."
"Then don't tell her on any account. And depend upon it, I do not
intend to be killed if I can help it; only when shot are flying about,
one may take me off as well as another man. Ships, too, sometimes
founder with all hands, or blow up, or cast on shore, or a sea washes
over the deck, and sweeps all before it, or the masts are carried away,
and crush those beneath them."
"Oh, pray do not talk of all the fearful things which happen to
sailors," exclaimed Miss Mary. "I am sure I wish that you could get Sir
Ralph's leave to marry, and come and settle quietly at Downside, instead
of roaming about over the ocean; it would be a happier life, I think."
Harry, as he pictured May as his wife, thought so too at that moment,
but could he abandon the profession he loved, and the prospects of
promotion and honour? For May he could abandon all; but would it be
wise? That was not a subject he could just then think very clearly
about.
He waited and waited, but May did not return. At last he thought of
going to work at the grotto. The ladies said they should be much
obliged if he would do so.
At length he recollected that he had promised to escort Headland and
Julia. He would ride back to Texford, and by the time he had returned
with them he hoped to find May at Downside.