"I will state it as briefly as possible," continued Croft.

"In consequence of your visit to me at the the Springs, I set out, the day before yesterday, to make another attempt to call on Miss March, the first one having been frustrated, as you may remember, by the information we received at the gate in regard to Miss March's indisposition, which, as I have heard nothing more of it, I hope was of no importance." "Of none whatever," said Junius.
"When I was within a mile or so of Midbranch," continued Croft, "I met Mr Brandon, who requested me not to come to his house, and, in fact, to cease my visits altogether." "What!" cried Keswick, very much surprised.

"That is not at all like Mr Brandon.

What reason could he have for treating you in such a manner ?" "The very best in the world," said Croft.

"Having, as the guardian of his niece, asked me the object of my visit to Miss March, and, having been informed by me that it was my intention to propose matrimony to the lady, he requested that I would not visit at his house." "On what ground did he base his objection to your visit ?" asked Keswick.
"He made no objection to me; he simply stated that he did not desire me to come, because he wished his niece to marry you." "Quite plainly spoken," remarked Keswick.
"Nothing could be more so," replied Croft.