doubt you have ample reasons for the regard you entertain for
that young person," he began in his most bland tone. "She may be very
estimable, and her beauty is, I own, of a high order."

"It is the least of her excellences, Sir Ralph," observed Miss Jane,
resolved to meet the baronet in his own style.

"That may be," he answered, with a bow; "it is the quality, however,
which has probably attracted my son Harry. You must be aware, my good
cousins, however much he may fancy himself in love, I naturally object
to his marrying a person of unknown birth and destitute of fortune. I
objected when he was my second son, and since he has become my heir, I
am doubly opposed to the match, as I wish him to marry a lady of rank
and fortune who will contribute to his advancement in life. I am thus
candid, that you may understand my motive for the offer I have come to
make."

"We are happy to listen to anything you may have to say, Sir Ralph,"
answered Miss Jane, bowing, "though I cannot promise that we shall be
ready to accept your offer."

"You will at all events hear it before you decide, my good cousin. Not
to keep you longer in suspense, I will at once place you in possession
of my intentions. You have, I understand, lost a considerable amount of
your property, which, if I am rightly informed, you had left by will to
the young person of whom we have been speaking. Now, I am willing to
make up your loss to you so that you may leave her as well provided for
as you intended, on condition that she signs an agreement not to marry
Harry, and to refuse ever again to see him. He is somewhat of a
headstrong character, and it is the only security I can have that he
will not on his return to England induce her to become his wife."

"Is that the offer you have to make?" asked Miss Jane, in a tone of
mingled surprise and anger. "I speak for myself and my sister. We
certainly cannot accept it, and I am very certain that nothing would
induce our dear May to sign such an agreement. She has already refused
to marry Harry should you and Lady Castleton withhold your consent. She
did so, confident of Harry's love--in the belief that you would in time
relent. But you might as well plunge a dagger in her breast as ask her
to abandon the hope which now supports her of some day becoming his
wife. I beg, therefore, that you will not expect us to make so cruel a
proposal."

"Very well, my good cousins. I must take other means of prev