muchthat
you
should
not
reject
me
altogether
.
'
To
all
three
that
space
was
as
bright
a
gleam
of
sunshine
as
ever
embellished
life
,
so
short
as
to
be
free
from
a
single
care
,
a
perfectly
serenely
happy
present
,
the
more
joyous
from
having
been
preceded
by
vexations
,
each
of
the
two
young
things
learning
that
there
was
love
where
it
was
most
precious
.
Guy
especially
,
isolated
and
lonely
as
he
stood
in
life
,
with
his
fear
and
mistrust
of
himself
,
was
now
not
only
allowed
to
love
,
and
assured
beyond
his
hopes
that
Amy
returned
his
affection
,
but
found
himself
thus
welcomed
by
her
mother
,
and
gathered
into
the
family
where
his
warm
feelings
had
taken
up
their
abode
,
while
he
believed
himself
regarded
only
as
a
guest
and
a
stranger
.
They
talked
on
,
with
happy
silences
between
,
Guy
standing
all
the
time
with
his
branch
of
roses
in
his
hand
,
and
Amy
looking
up
to
him
,
and
trying
to
realize
it
,
and
to
understand
why
she
was
so
very
,
very
happy
.
No
one
thought
of
time
till
Charlotte
rushed
in
,
like
a
whirlwind
,
crying
,
—
'
Oh
,
here
you
are
!
We
could
not
think
what
had
become
of
you
.
There
has
Deloraine
been
at
the
door
these
ten
minutes
,
and
Charlie
sent
me
to
find
you
,
for
he
says
if
you
are
too
late
for
Mrs.
Henley
's
dinner
,
she
will
write
such
an
account
of
you
to
Philip
as
you
will
never
get
over
.
'
Very
little
of
this
was
heard
,
there
was
only
the
instinctive
consternation
of
being
too
late
.
They
started
up
,
Guy
threw
down
his
roses
,
caught
Amy
's
hand
,
and
pressed
it
,
while
she
bent
down
her
head
,
hiding
the
renewed
blush
;
he
dashed
out
of
the
room
,
and
up
to
his
own
,
while
Mrs.
Edmonstone
and
Charlotte
hurried
down
.
In
another
second
,
he
was
back
again
,
and
once
more
Amy
felt
the
pressure
of
his
hand
on
hers
,
—
'
Good-bye
!
'
he
said
,
and
she
whispered
another
'
Good-bye
!
'
the
only
words
she
had
spoken
.
One
moment
more
he
lingered
,
—
'
My
Verena
!
'
said
he
;
but
the
hurrying
sounds
in
the
hall
warned
him
,
—
he
sprang
down
to
the
drawing-room
.
Even
Charles
was
on
the
alert
,
standing
,
leaning
against
the
table
,
and
looking
eager
;
but
Guy
had
not
time
to
let
him
speak
,
he
only
shook
hands
,
and
wished
good-bye
,
with
a
sort
of
vehement
agitated
cordiality
,
concealed
by
his
haste
.
'
Where
's
Amy
?
'
cried
Charlotte
.
'
Amy
!
Is
not
she
coming
to
wish
him
good-bye
?
'
He
said
something
,
of
which
'
upstairs
'
was
the
only
audible
word
;
held
Mrs.
Edmonstone
's
hand
fast
,
while
she
said
in
a
low
voice
,
—
'
You
shall
hear
from
papa
to-morrow
,
'
then
sprung
on
his
horse
,
and
looked
up
.
Amy
was
at
the
window
,
he
saw
her
head
bending
forward
,
under
its
veil
of
curls
,
in
the
midst
of
the
roses
round
the
lattice
;
their
eyes
met
once
more
,
he
gave
one
beamy
smile
,
then
rode
off
at
full
speed
,
with
Bustle
racing
after
him
,
while
Amy
threw
herself
on
her
knees
by
her
bed
,
and
with
hands
clasped
over
her
face
prayed
that
she
might
be
thankful
enough
,
and
never
be
unworthy
of
him
.
Every
one
wanted
to
get
rid
of
every
one
else
except
Mrs.
Edmonstone
;
for
all
but
Charlotte
guessed
at
the
state
of
the
case
,
and
even
she
perceived
that
something
was
going
on
.
Lady
Eveleen
was
in
a
state
of
great
curiosity
;
but
she
had
mercy
,
she
knew
that
they
must
tell
each
other
before
it
came
to
her
turn
,
and
very
good
naturedly
she
invited
Charlotte
to
come
into
the
garden
with
her
,
and
kept
her
out
of
the
way
by
a
full
account
of
her
last
fancy
ball
,
given
with
so
much
spirit
and
humour
that
Charlotte
could
not
help
attending
.
Charles
and
Laura
gained
little
by
this
kind
manoeuvre
,
for
their
mother
was
gone
up
again
to
Amy
,
and
they
could
only
make
a
few
conjectures
.
Charles
nursed
his
right
hand
,
and
asked
Laura
how
hers
felt
?
She
looked
up
from
her
work
,
to
which
she
had
begun
to
apply
herself
diligently
,
and
gazed
at
him
inquiringly
,
as
if
to
see
whether
he
intended
anything
.
'
For
my
part
,
'
he
added
,
'
I
certainly
thought
he
meant
to
carry
off
the
hands
of
some
of
the
family
.
'
'
I
suppose
we
shall
soon
hear
it
explained
,
'
said
Laura
,
quietly
.
'
Soon
!
If
I
had
as
many
available
legs
as
you
,
would
I
wait
for
other
people
's
soon
?
'
'
I
should
think
she
had
rather
be
left
to
mamma
,
'
said
Laura
,
going
on
with
her
work
.
'
Then
you
do
think
there
is
something
in
it
?
'
said
Charles
,
peering
up
in
her
face
;
but
he
saw
he
was
teazing
her
,
recollected
that
she
had
long
seemed
out
of
spirits
,
and
forebore
to
say
any
more
.
He
was
,
however
,
too
impatient
to
remain
longer
quiet
,
and
presently
Laura
saw
him
adjusting
his
crutches
.
'
O
Charlie
!
I
am
sure
it
will
only
be
troublesome
.
'
'
I
am
going
to
my
own
room
,
'
said
Charles
,
hopping
off
.
'
I
presume
you
do
n't
wish
to
forbid
that
.
'
His
room
had
a
door
into
the
dressing-room
,
so
that
it
was
an
excellent
place
for
discovering
all
from
which
they
did
not
wish
to
exclude
him
,
and
he
did
not
believe
he
should
be
unwelcome
;
for
though
he
might
pretend
it
was
all
fun
and
curiosity
,
he
heartily
loved
his
little
Amy
.
The
tap
of
his
crutches
,
and
the
slow
motion
with
which
he
raised
himself
from
step
to
step
,
was
heard
;
and
Amy
,
who
was
leaning
against
her
mother
,
started
up
,
exclaiming
,
—
'
O
mamma
,
here
comes
Charlie
!
May
I
tell
him
?
I
am
sure
I
ca
n't
meet
him
without
.
'
'
I
suspect
he
has
guessed
it
already
,
'
said
Mrs.
Edmonstone
,
going
to
open
the
door
,
just
as
he
reached
the
head
of
the
stairs
,
and
then
leaving
them
.
'
Well
,
Amy
,
'
said
he
,
looking
full
at
her
carnation
cheeks
,
'
are
you
prepared
to
see
me
turn
lead-coloured
,
and
fall
into
convulsions
,
like
the
sister
with
the
spine
complaint
.
'
'
O
Charlie
!
You
know
it
.
But
how
?
'
Amy
was
helping
him
to
the
sofa
,
laid
him
down
,
and
sat
by
him
on
the
old
footstool
;
he
put
his
arm
round
her
neck
,
and
she
rested
her
head
on
his
shoulder
.
Well
,
Amy
,
I
give
you
joy
,
my
small
woman
,
'
said
he
,
talking
the
more
nonsense
because
of
the
fullness
in
his
throat
;
'
and
I
hope
you
give
me
credit
for
amazing
selfdenial
in
so
doing
.
'
'
O
Charlie
,
—
dear
Charlie
!
'
and
she
kissed
him
,
she
could
not
blush
more
,
poor
little
thing
,
for
she
had
already
reached
her
utmost
capability
of
redness
,
—
'
it
is
no
such
thing
.
'
'
No
such
thing
!
What
has
turned
you
into
a
turkey-cock
all
at
once
,
or
what
made
him
nearly
squeeze
off
my
unfortunate
fingers
?
No
such
thing
,
indeed
!
'
'
I-mean
—
I
mean
,
it
is
not
that
.
We
are
so
very
young
,
and
I
am
so
silly
.
'
'
Is
that
his
reason
?
'
'
You
must
make
me
so
much
better
and
wiser
!
Oh
,
if
I
could
but
be
good
enough
!
'
'
For
that
matter
,
I
do
n't
think
any
one
else
would
be
good
enough
to
take
care
of
such
a
silly
little
thing
.
But
what
is
the
that
,
that
it
is
,
or
is
not
?
'
'
Nothing
now
,
only
when
we
are
older
.
At
least
,
you
know
papa
has
not
heard
it
.
'
'
Provided
my
father
gives
his
consent
,
as
the
Irish
young
lady
added
to
all
her
responses
through
the
marriage
service
.
But
tell
me
all
—
all
you
like
,
I
mean
,
—
for
you
will
have
lovers
'
secrets
now
,
Amy
.
'
Mrs.
Edmonstone
had
,
meantime
,
gone
down
to
Laura
.
Poor
Laura
,
as
soon
as
her
brother
had
left
the
room
,
she
allowed
the
fixed
composure
of
her
face
to
relax
into
a
restless
,
harassed
,
almost
miserable
expression
,
and
walked
up
and
down
with
agitated
steps
.
'
O
wealth
,
wealth
!
'
—
her
lips
formed
the
words
,
without
uttering
them
—
'
what
cruel
differences
it
makes
?
All
smooth
here
!
Young
,
not
to
be
trusted
,
with
strange
reserves
,
discreditable
connexions
,
—
that
family
,
—
that
fearful
temper
,
showing
itself
even
to
her
!
All
will
be
overlooked
!
Papa
will
be
delighted
,
I
know
he
will
!
And
how
is
it
with
us
?
Proved
,
noble
,
superior
,
owned
as
such
by
all
,
as
Philip
is
,
yet
,
for
that
want
of
hateful
money
,
he
would
be
spurned
.
And
for
this
—
for
this
—
the
love
that
has
grown
up
with
our
lives
must
be
crushed
down
and
hidden
—
our
life
is
wearing
out
in
wearying
self-watching
!
'
The
lock
of
the
door
turned
,
and
Laura
had
resumed
her
ordinary
expression
before
it
opened
,
and
her
mother
came
in
;
but
there
was
anything
but
calmness
beneath
,
for
the
pang
of
self-reproach
had
come
,
—
'
Was
it
thus
that
she
prepared
to
hear
these
tidings
of
her
sister
?
'
'
Well
,
Laura
,
'
began
Mrs.
Edmonstone
,
with
the
eager
smile
of
one
bringing
delightful
news
,
and
sure
of
sympathy
.
'
It
is
so
then
?
'
said
Laura
.
'
Dear
,
dear
little
Amy
!
I
hope
'
—
and
her
eyes
filled
with
tears
;
but
she
had
learnt
to
dread
any
outbreak
of
feeling
,
conquered
it
in
a
minute
,
and
said
,
—
'
What
has
happened
?
How
does
it
stand
?
'
'
It
stands
,
at
least
as
far
as
I
can
say
without
papa
,
as
the
dear
Guy
very
rightly
and
wisely
wished
it
to
stand
.
There
is
no
positive
engagement
,
they
are
both
too
young
;
but
he
thought
it
was
not
right
to
remain
here
without
letting
us
know
his
sentiments
towards
her
.
'
A
pang
shot
through
Laura
;
but
it
was
but
for
a
moment
.
Guy
might
doubt
where
Philip
need
never
do
so
.
Her
mother
went
on
,
—
'
Their
frankness
and
confidence
are
most
beautiful
.
We
know
dear
little
Amy
could
not
help
it
;
but
there
was
something
very
sweet
,
very
noble
,
in
his
way
of
telling
all
.
'
Another
pang
for
Laura
.
But
no
!
it
was
only
poverty
that
was
to
blame
.
Philip
would
speak
as
plainly
if
his
prospects
were
as
fair
.
'
Oh
,
I
hope
it
will
do
well
,
'
said
she
.
'
It
must
,
—
it
will
!
'
cried
Mrs.
Edmonstone
,
giving
way
to
her
joyful
enthusiasm
of
affection
.
'
It
is
nonsense
to
doubt
,
knowing
him
as
we
do
.
There
is
not
a
man
in
the
world
with
whom
I
could
be
so
happy
to
trust
her
.
'
Laura
could
not
hear
Guy
set
above
all
men
in
the
world
,
and
she
remembered
Philip
's
warning
to
her
,
two
years
ago
.
'
There
is
much
that
is
very
good
and
very
delightful
about
him
,
'
she
said
hesitatingly
.
'
You
are
thinking
of
the
Morville
temper
,
'
said
her
mother
;
'
but
I
am
not
afraid
of
it
.
A
naturally
hot
temper
,
controlled
like
his
by
strong
religious
principle
,
is
far
safer
than
a
cool
easy
one
,
without
the
principle
.
'
Laura
thought
this
going
too
far
;
but
she
felt
some
compensation
due
to
Guy
,
and
acknowledged
how
strongly
he
was
actuated
by
principle
.
However
—
and
it
was
well
for
her
—
they
could
not
talk
long
,
for
Eveleen
and
Charlotte
were
approaching
,
and
she
hastily
asked
what
was
to
be
done
about
telling
Eva
,
who
could
not
fail
to
guess
something
.
'
We
must
tell
her
,
and
make
her
promise
absolute
secrecy
,
'
said
Mrs.
Edmonstone
.
'
I
will
speak
to
her
myself
;
but
I
must
wait
till
I
have
seen
papa
.
There
is
no
doubt
of
what
he
will
say
;
but
we
have
been
taking
quite
liberties
enough
in
his
absence
.
'
Laura
did
not
see
her
sister
till
luncheon
,
when
Amy
came
down
,
with
a
glow
on
her
cheeks
that
made
her
so
much
prettier
than
usual
,
that
Charles
wished
Guy
could
have
seen
her
.
She
said
little
,
and
ran
up
again
as
soon
as
she
could
.
Laura
followed
her
;
and
the
two
sisters
threw
their
arms
fondly
round
each
other
,
and
kissed
repeatedly
.
'
Mamma
has
told
you
?
'
said
Amy
.
'
Oh
,
it
has
made
me
so
very
happy
;
and
everyone
is
so
kind
.
'
'
Dear
,
dear
Amy
!
'
'
I
'm
only
afraid
—
'
'
He
has
begun
so
well
—
'
'
Oh
,
nonsense
!
You
cannot
think
I
could
be
so
foolish
as
to
be
afraid
for
him
?
Oh
,
no
!
But
if
he
should
take
me
for
more
than
I
am
worth
.
O
Laura
,
Laura
!
What
shall
I
do
to
be
as
good
and
sensible
as
you
?
I
must
not
be
silly
little
Amy
any
more
.
'
'
Perhaps
he
likes
you
best
as
you
are
?
'
'
I
do
n't
mean
cleverness
;
I
ca
n't
help
that
,
—
and
he
knows
how
stupid
I
am
,
—
but
I
am
afraid
he
thinks
there
is
more
worth
in
me
.
Do
n't
you
know
,
he
has
a
sort
of
sunshine
in
his
eyes
and
mind
,
that
makes
all
he
cares
about
seem
to
him
brighter
and
better
than
it
really
is
.
I
am
afraid
he
is
only
dressing
me
up
with
that
sunshine
.
'
'
It
must
be
strange
sunshine
that
you
want
to
make
you
better
and
brighter
than
you
are
,
'
said
Laura
,
kissing
her
.
'
I
'll
tell
you
what
it
is
,
'
said
Amy
,
folding
her
hands
,
and
standing
with
her
face
raised
,
'
it
wont
do
now
,
as
you
told
me
once
,
to
have
no
bones
in
my
character
.
I
must
learn
to
be
steady
and
strong
,
if
I
can
;
for
if
this
is
to
be
,
he
will
depend
on
me
,
I
do
n't
mean
,
to
advise
him
,
for
he
knows
better
than
anybody
;
but
to
be
—
you
know
what
—
if
vexation
or
trouble
was
to
come
!
And
,
Laura
,
think
if
he
was
to
depend
on
me
,
and
I
was
to
fail
!
Oh
,
do
help
me
to
have
firmness
and
self-command
,
like
you
!
'
'
It
was
a
long
time
ago
that
we
talked
of
your
wanting
bones
.
'
'
Yes
,
before
he
came
;
but
I
never
forget
it
.
'
Laura
was
obliged
to
go
out
with
Eveleen
.
All
went
their
different
ways
;
and
Amy
had
the
garden
to
herself
to
cool
her
cheeks
in
.
But
this
was
a
vain
operation
,
for
a
fresh
access
of
burning
was
brought
on
while
Laura
was
helping
her
to
dress
for
dinner
,
when
her
father
's
quick
steps
sounded
in
the
passage
.
He
knocked
at
her
door
,
and
as
she
opened
it
,
he
kissed
her
on
each
cheek
;
and
,
throwing
his
arm
round
her
,
exclaimed
,
—
'
Well
,
Miss
Amy
,
you
have
made
a
fine
morning
's
work
of
it
!
A
pretty
thing
,
for
young
ladies
to
be
accepting
offers
while
papa
is
out
of
the
way
.
Eh
,
Laura
?
'
Amy
knew
this
was
a
manifestation
of
extreme
delight
;
but
it
was
not
very
pleasant
to
Laura
.
'
So
you
have
made
a
conquest
!
'
proceeded
Mr.
Edmonstone
;
'
and
I
heartily
wish
you
joy
of
it
,
my
dear
.
He
is
as
amiable
and
good-natured
a
youth
as
I
would
wish
to
see
;
and
I
should
say
the
same
if
he
had
not
a
shilling
in
the
world
.
'
Laura
's
heart
bounded
;
but
she
knew
,
whatever
her
father
might
fancy
,
the
reality
would
be
very
different
if
Guy
were
as
poor
as
Philip
.
'
I
shall
write
to
him
this
very
evening
,
'
he
continued
,
'
and
tell
him
,
if
he
has
the
bad
taste
to
like
such
a
silly
little
white
thing
,
I
am
not
the
man
to
stand
in
his
way
.
Eh
,
Amy
?
Shall
I
tell
him
so
?
'
'
Tell
him
what
you
please
,
dear
papa
.
'
'
Eh
?
What
I
please
?
Suppose
I
say
we
ca
n't
spare
our
little
one
,
and
he
may
go
about
his
business
?
'
'
I
'm
not
afraid
of
you
,
papa
.
'
'
Come
,
she
's
a
good
little
thing
,
—
sha'
n't
be
teazed
.
Eh
,
Laura
,
what
do
you
think
of
it
,
our
beauty
,
to
see
your
younger
sister
impertinent
enough
to
set
up
a
lover
,
while
your
pink
cheeks
are
left
in
the
lurch
!
'
Laura
not
being
wont
to
make
playful
repartees
,
her
silence
passed
unnoticed
.
Her
feelings
were
mixed
;
but
perhaps
the
predominant
one
was
satisfaction
that
it
was
not
for
her
pink
cheeks
that
she
was
valued
.
It
had
occurred
to
Mrs.
Edmonstone
that
it
was
a
curious
thing
,
after
her
attempt
at
scheming
for
Eveleen
,
to
have
to
announce
to
her
that
Guy
was
attached
to
her
own
daughter
;
nay
,
after
the
willingness
Eveleen
had
manifested
to
be
gratified
with
any
attention
Guy
showed
her
,
it
seemed
doubtful
for
a
moment
whether
the
intelligence
would
be
pleasing
to
her
.
However
,
Eveleen
was
just
the
girl
to
like
men
better
than
women
,
and
never
to
be
so
happy
as
when
on
the
verge
of
flirting
;
it
would
probably
have
been
the
same
with
any
other
youth
that
came
in
her
way
;
and
Guy
might
fully
be
acquitted
of
doing
more
than
paying
her
the
civilities
which
were
requisite
from
him
to
any
young
lady
visitor
.
He
had
,
two
years
ago
,
when
a
mere
boy
,
idled
,
laughed
,
and
made
fun
with
her
;
but
his
fear
of
trifling
away
his
time
had
made
him
draw
back
,
before
he
had
involved
himself
in
what
might
have
led
to
anything
further
;
and
during
the
present
visit
,
no
one
could
doubt
that
he
was
pre-occupied
with
Amy
.
At
any
rate
,
it
was
right
that
Eveleen
should
know
the
truth
,
in
confidence
,
if
only
to
prevent
her
from
talking
of
any
surmises
she
might
have
.
Mrs.
Edmonstone
was
set
at
ease
in
a
moment
.
Eveleen
was
enchanted
,
danced
round
and
round
the
room
,
declared
they
would
be
the
most
charming
couple
in
the
world
;
she
had
seen
it
all
along
;
she
was
so
delighted
they
had
come
to
an
understanding
at
last
,
poor
things
,
they
were
so
miserable
all
last
week
;
and
she
must
take
credit
to
herself
for
having
done
it
all
.
Was
not
her
aunt
very
much
obliged
to
her
?
'
My
dear
Eva
!
'
exclaimed
Mrs.
Edmonstone
,
into
whose
mind
the
notion
never
entered
that
any
one
could
boast
of
such
a
proceeding
as
hers
last
night
;
but
the
truth
was
that
Eveleen
,
feeling
slightly
culpable
,
was
delighted
that
all
had
turned
out
so
well
,
and
resolved
to
carry
it
off
with
a
high
hand
.
'
To
be
sure
!
Poor
little
Amy
!
when
she
looked
ready
to
sink
into
the
earth
,
she
little
knew
her
obligations
to
me
!
Was
not
it
the
cleverest
thing
in
the
world
?
It
was
just
the
touch
they
wanted
—
the
very
thing
!
'
'
My
dear
,
I
am
glad
I
know
that
you
are
sometimes
given
to
talking
nonsense
,
'
said
Mrs.
Edmonstone
,
laughing
.
'
And
you
wont
believe
me
serious
?
You
wont
be
grateful
to
me
for
my
lucky
hit
?
'
said
Eveleen
,
looking
comically
injured
.
'
Oh
auntie
,
that
is
very
hard
,
when
I
shall
believe
to
my
dying
day
that
I
did
it
!
'
'
Why
,
Eva
,
if
I
thought
it
had
been
done
by
design
,
I
should
find
it
very
hard
to
forgive
you
for
it
at
all
,
rather
hard
even
to
accept
Guy
,
so
you
had
better
not
try
to
disturb
my
belief
that
it
was
only
that
spirit
of
mischief
that
makes
you
now
and
then
a
little
mad
.
'
'
Oh
dear
!
what
a
desperate
scolding
you
must
have
given
poor
little
Charlotte
!
'
exclaimed
Eveleen
,
quaintly
.
Mrs.
Edmonstone
could
not
help
laughing
as
she
confessed
that
she
had
altogether
forgotten
Charlotte
.
'
Then
you
will
.
You
'll
go
on
forgetting
her
,
'
cried
Eveleen
.
'
She
only
did
what
she
was
told
,
and
did
not
know
the
malice
of
it
.
There
,
you
're
relenting
!
There
's
a
good
aunt
!
And
now
,
if
you
wont
be
grateful
,
as
any
other
mamma
in
the
world
would
have
been
,
and
as
I
calculated
on
,
when
I
pretended
to
have
been
a
prudent
,
designing
woman
,
instead
of
a
wild
,
mischievous
monkey
,
at
least
you
'll
forgive
me
enough
to
invite
me
to
the
wedding
.
Oh
!
what
a
beauty
of
a
wedding
it
will
be
!
I
'd
come
from
Kilcoran
all
the
way
on
my
bare
knees
to
see
it
.
And
you
'll
let
me
bridesmaid
,
and
have
a
ball
after
it
?
'
'
There
is
no
saying
what
I
may
do
,
if
you
'll
only
be
a
good
girl
,
and
hold
your
tongue
.
I
do
n't
want
to
prevent
your
telling
anything
to
your
mamma
,
of
course
,
but
pray
do
n't
let
it
go
any
further
.
Do
n't
let
Maurice
hear
it
.
I
have
especial
reasons
for
wishing
it
should
not
be
known
.
You
know
,
it
is
not
even
an
engagement
,
and
nothing
must
be
done
which
can
make
Guy
feel
in
the
least
bound
.
'
Eveleen
promised
,
and
Mrs.
Edmonstone
knew
that
she
had
sense
and
proper
feeling
enough
for
her
promise
to
deserve
trust
.
CHAPTER
XIV
.
For
falsehood
now
doth
flow
,
And
subject
faith
doth
ebbe
,
Which
would
not
be
,
if
reason
ruled
,
Or
wisdome
wev
'd
the
webbe
.
The
daughter
of
debate
,
That
eke
discord
doth
sowe
,
Shal
reape
no
gaine
where
former
rule
Hath
taught
stil
peace
to
growe
.
Queen
Elizabeth
.
'
Athenæum
Terrace
,
St.
Mildred
's
,
August
4th
.
My
dear
Philip
—
Thank
you
for
returning
the
books
,
which
were
brought
safely
by
Sir
Guy
.
I
am
sorry
you
do
not
agree
in
my
estimate
of
them
.
I
should
have
thought
your
strong
sense
would
have
made
you
perceive
that
reasoning
upon
fact
,
and
granting
nothing
without
tangible
proof
,
was
the
best
remedy
for
a
dreamy
,
romantic
tendency
to
the
weakness
and
credulity
which
are
in
the
present
day
termed
poetry
and
faith
.
It
is
curious
to
observe
how
these
vague
theories
reduce
themselves
to
the
absurd
when
brought
into
practice
.
There
are
two
Miss
Wellwoods
here
,
daughters
of
that
unfortunate
man
who
fell
in
a
duel
with
old
Sir
Guy
Morville
,
who
seemed
to
make
it
their
business
to
become
the
general
subject
of
animadversion
,
taking
pauper
children
into
their
house
,
where
they
educate
them
in
a
way
to
unfit
them
for
their
station
,
and
teach
them
to
observe
a
sort
of
monastic
rule
,
preaching
the
poor
people
in
the
hospital
to
death
,
visiting
the
poor
at
all
sorts
of
strange
hours
.
Dr.
Henley
actually
found
one
of
them
,
at
twelve
o'clock
at
night
,
in
a
miserable
lodging-house
,
filled
with
the
worst
description
of
inmates
.
Quite
young
women
,
too
,
and
with
no
mother
or
elder
person
to
direct
them
;
but
it
is
the
fashion
among
the
attendants
at
the
new
chapel
to
admire
them
.
This
subject
has
diverted
me
from
what
I
intended
to
say
with
respect
to
the
young
baronet
.
Your
description
agrees
with
all
I
have
hitherto
seen
,
though
I
own
I
expected
a
Redclyffe
Morville
to
have
more
of
the
héros
de
roman
,
or
rather
,
of
the
grand
tragic
cast
of
figure
,
as
,
if
I
remember
right
,
was
the
case
with
this
youth
's
father
,
a
much
finer
and
handsomer
young
man
.
Sir
Guy
is
certainly
gentlemanlike
,
and
has
that
sort
of
agreeability
which
depends
on
high
animal
spirits
.
I
should
think
him
clever
,
but
superficial
,
and
with
his
mania
for
music
,
he
can
hardly
fail
to
be
merely
an
accomplished
man
.
In
spite
of
all
you
said
of
the
Redclyffe
temper
,
I
was
hardly
prepared
to
find
it
so
ready
to
flash
forth
on
the
most
inexplicable
provocations
.
It
is
like
walking
on
a
volcano
.
I
have
seen
him
two
or
three
times
draw
himself
up
,
bite
his
lip
,
and
answer
with
an
effort
and
a
sharpness
that
shows
how
thin
a
crust
covers
the
burning
lava
;
but
I
acknowledge
that
he
has
been
very
civil
and
attentive
,
and
speaks
most
properly
of
what
he
owes
to
you
.
I
only
hope
he
will
not
be
hurt
by
the
possession
of
so
large
a
property
so
early
in
life
,
and
I
have
an
idea
that
our
good
aunt
at
Hollywell
has
done
a
good
deal
to
raise
his
opinion
of
himself
.
We
shall
,
of
course
,
show
him
every
civility
in
our
power
,
and
give
him
the
advantage
of
intellectual
society
at
our
house
.
His
letters
are
directed
to
this
place
,
as
you
know
South
Moor
Farm
is
out
of
the
cognizance
of
the
post
.
They
seem
to
keep
up
a
brisk
correspondence
with
him
from
Hollywell
.
Few
guardian
's
letters
are
,
I
should
guess
,
honoured
with
such
deepening
colour
as
his
while
reading
one
from
my
uncle
.
He
tells
me
he
has
been
calling
at
Stylehurst
;
it
is
a
pity
,
for
his
sake
,
that
Colonel
Harewood
is
at
home
,
for
the
society
of
those
sons
is
by
no
means
advisable
for
him
.
I
can
hardly
expect
to
offer
him
what
is
likely
to
be
as
agreeable
to
him
as
the
conversation
and
amusements
of
Edward
and
Tom
Harewood
,
who
are
sure
to
be
at
home
for
the
St.
Mildred
's
races
.
I
hear
Tom
has
been
getting
into
fresh
scrapes
at
Cambridge
.
'
Your
affectionate
sister
,
'
Margaret
Henley
.
'
'
Athenæum
Street
,
St.
Mildred
's
,
Sept.
6th
.
'
My
dear
Philip
,
—
No
one
can
have
a
greater
dislike
than
myself
to
what
is
called
mischief-making
;
therefore
I
leave
it
entirely
to
you
to
make
what
use
you
please
of
the
following
facts
,
which
have
fallen
under
my
notice
.
Sir
Guy
Morville
has
been
several
times
at
St.
Mildred
's
,
in
company
with
Tom
Harewood
,
and
more
than
once
alone
with
some
strange
,
questionable-looking
people
;
and
not
many
days
ago
,
my
maid
met
him
coming
out
of
a
house
in
one
of
the
low
streets
,
which
it
is
hard
to
assign
a
motive
for
his
visiting
.
This
,
however
,
might
be
accident
,
and
I
should
never
have
thought
of
mentioning
it
,
but
for
a
circumstance
that
occurred
this
morning
.
I
had
occasion
to
visit
Grey
's
Bank
,
and
while
waiting
,
in
conversation
with
Mr.
Grey
,
a
person
came
in
whom
I
knew
to
be
a
notorious
gambler
,
and
offered
a
cheque
to
be
changed
.
As
it
lay
on
the
counter
,
my
eye
was
caught
by
the
signature
.
It
was
my
uncle
's
.
I
looked
again
,
and
could
not
be
mistaken
.
It
was
a
draft
for
£
30
on
Drummond
,
dated
the
12th
of
August
,
to
Sir
Guy
Morville
,
signed
C
.
Edmonstone
,
and
endorsed
in
Sir
Guy
's
own
writing
,
with
the
name
of
John
White
.
In
order
that
I
might
be
certain
that
I
was
doing
the
poor
young
man
no
injustice
,
I
outstaid
the
man
,
and
asked
who
he
was
,
when
Mr.
Grey
confirmed
me
in
my
belief
that
it
was
one
Jack
White
,
a
jockeying
sort
of
man
,
who
attends
all
the
races
in
the
country
,
and
makes
his
livelihood
by
betting
and
gambling
.
And
now
,
my
dear
brother
,
make
what
use
of
this
fact
you
think
fit
,
though
I
fear
there
is
little
hope
of
rescuing
the
poor
youth
from
the
fatal
habits
which
are
hereditary
in
his
family
,
and
must
be
strong
indeed
not
to
have
been
eradicated
by
such
careful
training
as
you
say
he
has
received
.
I
leave
it
entirely
to
you
,
trusting
in
your
excellent
judgment
,
and
only
hoping
you
will
not
bring
my
name
forward
.
Grieving
much
at
having
to
be
the
first
to
communicate
such
unpleasant
tidings
,
which
will
occasion
so
much
vexation
at
Hollywell
,
'
Your
affectionate
sister
,
'
Margaret
Henley
.
'
Captain
Morville
was
alone
when
he
received
the
latter
of
these
letters
.
At
first
a
look
divided
between
irony
and
melancholy
passed
over
his
face
,
as
he
read
his
sister
's
preface
and
her
hearsay
evidence
,
but
,
as
he
went
farther
,
his
upper
lip
curled
,
and
a
sudden
gleam
,
as
of
exultation
in
a
verified
prophecy
,
lighted
his
eye
,
shading
off
quickly
,
however
,
and
giving
place
to
an
iron
expression
of
rigidity
and
sternness
,
the
compressed
mouth
,
coldly-fixed
eye
,
and
sedate
brow
composed
into
a
grave
severity
that
might
have
served
for
an
impersonation
of
stern
justice
.
He
looked
through
the
letter
a
second
time
,
folded
it
up
,
put
it
in
his
pocket
,
and
went
about
his
usual
affairs
;
but
the
expression
did
not
leave
his
face
all
day
,
and
the
next
morning
he
took
a
day-ticket
by
the
railway
to
Broadstone
,
where
,
as
it
was
the
day
of
the
petty
sessions
,
he
had
little
doubt
of
meeting
Mr.
Edmonstone
.
Accordingly
,
he
had
not
walked
far
down
the
High
Street
before
he
saw
his
uncle
standing
on
the
step
of
the
post-office
,
opening
a
letter
he
had
just
received
.
'
Ha
!
Philip
,
what
brings
you
here
?
The
very
man
I
wanted
.
Coming
to
Hollywell
?
'
'
No
,
thank
you
,
I
go
back
this
evening
,
'
said
Philip
;
and
,
as
he
spoke
,
he
saw
that
the
letter
which
Mr.
Edmonstone
held
and
twisted
with
a
hasty
,
nervous
movement
,
was
in
Guy
's
writing
.
'
Well
,
I
am
glad
you
are
here
,
at
any
rate
.
Here
is
the
most
extraordinary
thing
!
What
possesses
the
boy
I
cannot
guess
.
Here
's
Guy
writing
to
me
for
—
What
do
you
think
?
To
send
him
a
thousand
pounds
!
'
'
Hem
!
'
said
Philip
,
in
an
expressive
tone
;
yet
,
as
if
he
was
not
very
much
amazed
;
'
no
explanation
,
I
suppose
?
'
'
No
,
none
at
all
.
Here
,
see
what
he
says
,
yourself
.
No
!
Yes
,
you
may
,
'
added
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
with
a
rapid
glance
at
the
end
of
the
letter
,
—
a
movement
first
to
retain
it
,
and
then
following
his
first
impulse
,
with
an
unintelligible
murmuring
.
Philip
read
—
'
South
Moor
,
Sept.
7th
.
'
My
dear
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
—
You
will
be
surprised
at
the
request
I
have
to
make
you
,
after
my
resolution
not
to
exceed
my
allowance
.
However
,
this
is
not
for
my
own
expenses
,
and
it
will
not
occur
again
.
I
should
be
much
obliged
to
you
to
let
me
have
£
1000
,
in
what
manner
you
please
,
only
I
should
be
glad
if
it
were
soon
.
I
am
sorry
I
am
not
at
liberty
to
tell
you
what
I
want
it
for
,
but
I
trust
to
your
kindness
.
Tell
Charlie
I
will
write
to
him
in
a
day
or
two
;
but
,
between
our
work
,
and
walking
to
St.
Mildred
's
for
the
letters
,
which
we
cannot
help
doing
every
day
,
the
time
for
writing
is
short
.
Another
month
,
however
and
what
a
holiday
it
will
be
!
Tell
Amy
she
ought
to
be
here
to
see
the
purple
of
the
hills
in
the
early
morning
;
it
almost
makes
up
for
having
no
sea
.
The
races
have
been
making
St.
Mildred
's
very
gay
;
indeed
,
we
laugh
at
Wellwood
for
having
brought
us
here
,
by
way
of
a
quiet
place
.
I
never
was
in
the
way
of
so
much
dissipation
in
my
life
.
'
Yours
very
affectionately
,
'
Guy
Morville
.
'
'
Well
,
what
do
you
think
of
it
?
What
would
you
do
in
my
place
?
Eh
,
Philip
?
What
can
he
want
of
it
,
eh
?
'
said
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
tormenting
his
ridingwhip
,
and
looking
up
to
study
his
nephew
's
face
,
which
,
with
stern
gravity
in
every
feature
,
was
bent
over
the
letter
,
as
if
to
weigh
every
line
.
'
Eh
,
Philip
?
'
repeated
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
several
times
,
without
obtaining
an
answer
.
'
This
is
no
place
for
discussion
,
'
at
last
said
Philip
,
deliberately
returning
the
letter
.
'
Come
into
the
reading-room
.
We
shall
find
no
one
there
at
this
hour
.
Here
we
are
!
'
'
Well
—
well
—
well
,
'
began
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
fretted
by
his
coolness
to
the
extreme
of
impatience
,
'
what
do
you
think
of
it
?
He
ca
n't
be
after
any
mischief
;
'
tis
not
in
the
boy
;
when
—
when
he
is
all
but
—
Pooh
!
what
am
I
saying
?
Well
,
what
do
you
think
?
'
'
I
am
afraid
it
confirms
but
too
strongly
a
report
which
I
received
yesterday
.
'
'
From
your
sister
?
Does
she
know
anything
about
it
?
'
'
Yes
,
from
my
sister
.
But
I
was
very
unwilling
to
mention
it
,
because
she
particularly
requests
that
her
name
may
not
be
used
.
I
came
here
to
see
whether
you
had
heard
of
Guy
lately
,
so
as
to
judge
whether
it
was
needful
to
speak
of
it
.
This
convinces
me
;
but
I
must
beg
,
in
the
first
instance
,
that
you
will
not
mention
her
,
not
even
to
my
aunt
.
'
'
Well
,
yes
;
very
well
.
I
promise
.
Only
let
me
hear
.
'
'
Young
Harewood
has
,
I
fear
,
led
him
into
bad
company
.
There
can
now
be
no
doubt
that
he
has
been
gambling
.
'
Philip
was
not
prepared
for
the
effect
of
these
words
.
His
uncle
started
up
,
exclaiming
,
'
Gambling
!
Impossible
!
Some
confounded
slander
!
I
do
n't
believe
one
word
of
it
!
I
wont
hear
such
things
said
of
him
,
'
he
repeated
,
stammering
with
passion
,
and
walking
violently
about
the
room
.
This
did
not
last
long
;
there
was
something
in
the
unmoved
way
,
in
which
Philip
waited
till
he
had
patience
to
listen
,
which
gradually
mastered
him
;
his
angry
manner
subsided
,
and
,
sitting
down
,
he
continued
the
argument
in
a
would-be-composed
voice
.
'
It
is
utterly
impossible
!
Remember
,
he
thinks
himself
bound
not
so
much
as
to
touch
a
billiard
cue
.
'
'
I
could
have
thought
it
impossible
,
but
for
what
I
have
seen
of
the
way
in
which
promises
are
eluded
by
persons
too
strictly
bound
,
'
said
Philip
.
'
The
moral
force
of
principle
is
the
only
efficient
pledge
.
'
'
Principle
!
I
should
like
to
see
who
has
better
principles
than
Guy
!
'
cried
Mr.
Edmonstone
.
'
You
have
said
so
yourself
,
fifty
times
,
and
your
aunt
has
said
so
,
and
Charles
.
I
could
as
soon
suspect
myself
.
'
He
was
growing
vehement
,
but
again
Philip
's
imperturbability
repressed
his
violence
,
and
he
asked
,
'
Well
,
what
evidence
have
you
?
Mind
,
I
am
not
going
to
believe
it
without
the
strongest
.
I
do
n't
know
that
I
would
believe
my
own
eyes
against
him
.
'
'
It
is
very
sad
to
find
such
confidence
misplaced
,
'
said
Philip
.
'
Most
sincerely
do
I
wish
this
could
be
proved
to
be
a
mistake
;
but
this
extraordinary
request
corroborates
my
sister
's
letter
too
fully
.
'
'
Let
me
hear
,
'
said
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
feebly
.
Philip
produced
his
letter
,
without
reading
the
whole
of
it
;
for
he
could
not
bear
the
appearance
of
gossip
and
prying
,
and
would
not
expose
his
sister
;
so
he
pieced
it
out
with
his
own
words
,
and
made
it
sound
far
less
discreditable
to
her
.
It
was
quite
enough
for
Mr.
Edmonstone
;
the
accuracy
of
the
details
seemed
to
strike
him
dumb
;
and
there
was
a
long
silence
,
which
he
broke
,
by
saying
,
with
a
deep
sigh
,
—
'
Who
could
have
thought
it
?
Poor
little
Amy
!
'
'
Amy
?
'
exclaimed
Philip
.
'
Why
,
ay
.
I
did
not
mean
to
have
said
anything
of
it
,
I
am
sure
;
but
they
did
it
among
them
,
'
said
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
growing
ashamed
,
under
Philip
's
eye
,
as
of
a
dreadful
piece
of
imprudence
.
'
I
was
out
of
the
way
at
the
time
,
but
I
could
not
refuse
my
consent
,
you
know
,
as
things
stood
then
.
'
'
Do
you
mean
to
say
that
Amy
is
engaged
to
him
?
'
'
Why
,
no
,
—
not
exactly
engaged
,
only
on
trial
,
you
understand
,
to
see
if
he
will
be
steady
.
I
was
at
Broadstone
;
'
twas
mamma
settled
it
all
.
Poor
little
thing
,
she
is
very
much
in
love
with
him
,
I
do
believe
;
but
there
's
an
end
of
everything
now
.
'
'
It
is
very
fortunate
this
has
been
discovered
in
time
,
'
said
Philip
.
'
Instead
of
pitying
her
,
I
should
rejoice
in
her
escape
.
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
ruefully
.
'
Who
could
have
thought
it
?
'
'
I
am
afraid
the
mischief
is
of
long
standing
,
'
proceeded
Philip
,
resolved
,
since
he
saw
his
uncle
so
grieved
,
to
press
him
strongly
,
thinking
that
to
save
Amy
from
such
a
marriage
was
an
additional
motive
.
'
He
could
hardly
have
arrived
at
losing
as
much
as
a
thousand
pounds
,
all
at
once
,
in
this
month
at
St.
Mildred
's
.
Depend
upon
it
,
that
painful
as
it
may
be
at
present
,
there
is
great
reason
,
on
her
account
,
to
rejoice
in
the
discovery
.
You
say
he
has
never
before
applied
to
you
for
money
?
'
'
Not
a
farthing
beyond
his
allowance
,
except
this
unlucky
thirty
pounds
,
for
his
additional
expense
of
the
tutor
and
the
lodging
.
'
'
You
remember
,
however
,
that
he
has
always
seemed
short
of
money
,
never
appeared
able
to
afford
himself
any
little
extra
expense
.
You
have
noticed
it
,
I
know
.
You
remember
,
too
,
how
unsatisfactory
his
reserve
about
his
proceedings
in
London
has
been
,
and
how
he
has
persisted
in
delaying
there
,
in
spite
of
all
warnings
.
The
work
,
no
doubt
,
began
there
,
under
the
guidance
of
his
uncle
;
and
now
the
St.
Mildred
's
races
and
Tom
Harewood
have
continued
it
.
'
'
I
wish
he
had
never
set
foot
in
the
place
!
'
'
Nay
;
for
Amy
's
sake
,
the
exposure
is
an
advantage
,
if
not
for
his
own
.
The
course
must
have
been
long
since
begun
;
but
he
contrived
to
avoid
what
could
lead
to
inquiry
,
till
he
has
at
length
involved
himself
in
some
desperate
scrape
.
You
see
,
he
especially
desires
to
have
the
money
soon
,
and
he
never
even
attempts
to
say
you
would
approve
of
the
object
.
'
'
Yes
;
he
has
the
grace
not
to
say
that
.
'
'
Altogether
,
it
is
worse
than
I
could
have
thought
possible
,
'
said
Philip
.
'
I
could
have
believed
him
unstable
and
thoughtless
;
but
the
concealment
,
and
the
attempting
to
gain
poor
Amy
's
affections
in
the
midst
of
such
a
course
—
'
'
Ay
,
ay
!
'
cried
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
now
fully
provoked
;
'
there
is
the
monstrous
part
.
He
thought
I
was
going
to
give
up
my
poor
little
girl
to
a
gambler
,
did
he
?
but
he
shall
soon
see
what
I
think
of
him
,
—
riches
,
Redclyffe
,
title
,
and
all
!
'
'
I
knew
that
would
be
your
feeling
.
'
'
Feel
!
Yes
;
and
he
shall
feel
it
,
too
.
So
,
Sir
Guy
,
you
thought
you
had
an
old
fool
of
a
guardian
,
did
you
,
whom
you
could
blind
as
you
pleased
;
but
you
shall
soon
see
the
difference
!
'
'
Better
begin
cautiously
,
'
suggested
Philip
.
'
Remember
his
unfortunate
temper
,
and
write
coolly
.
'
'
Cooly
!
You
may
talk
of
coolness
;
but
'
tis
enough
to
make
one
's
blood
boil
to
be
served
in
such
a
way
.
With
the
face
to
be
sending
her
messages
in
the
very
same
letter
!
That
is
a
pass
beyond
me
,
to
stand
coolly
to
see
my
daughter
so
treated
.
'
'
I
would
only
give
him
the
opportunity
of
saying
what
he
can
for
himself
.
He
may
have
some
explanation
.
'
'
I
'll
admit
of
no
explanation
!
Passing
himself
off
for
steadiness
itself
;
daring
to
think
of
my
daughter
,
and
all
the
time
going
on
in
this
fashion
!
I
hate
underhand
ways
!
I
'll
have
no
explanation
.
He
may
give
up
all
thoughts
of
her
.
I
'll
write
and
tell
him
so
before
I
'm
a
day
older
;
nay
,
before
I
stir
from
this
room
.
My
little
Amy
,
indeed
!
'
Philip
put
no
obstacles
in
the
way
of
this
proposal
,
for
he
knew
that
his
uncle
's
displeasure
,
though
hot
at
first
,
was
apt
to
evaporate
in
exclamations
;
and
he
thought
it
likely
that
his
good
nature
,
his
partiality
for
his
ward
,
his
dislike
to
causing
pain
to
his
daughter
,
and
,
above
all
,
his
wife
's
blind
confidence
in
Guy
,
would
,
when
once
at
home
,
so
overpower
his
present
indignation
as
to
prevent
the
salutary
strictness
which
was
the
only
hope
of
reclaiming
Guy
.
Besides
,
a
letter
written
under
Philip
's
inspection
was
likely
to
be
more
guarded
,
as
well
as
more
forcible
,
than
an
unassisted
composition
of
his
own
,
as
was
,
indeed
,
pretty
well
proved
by
the
commencement
of
his
first
attempt
.
'
My
dear
Guy
,
—
I
am
more
surprised
than
I
could
have
expected
at
your
application
.
'
Philip
read
this
aloud
,
so
as
to
mark
its
absurdity
,
and
he
began
again
.
'
I
am
greatly
astonished
,
as
well
as
concerned
,
at
your
application
,
which
confirms
the
unpleasant
reports
—
'
'
Why
say
anything
of
reports
?
'
said
Philip
.
'
Reports
are
nothing
.
A
man
is
not
forced
to
defend
himself
from
reports
.
'
'
Yes
,
—
hum
—
ha
,
—
the
accounts
I
have
received
.
No.
You
say
there
is
not
to
be
a
word
of
Mrs.
Henley
?
'
'
Not
a
word
that
can
lead
her
to
be
suspected
.
'
'
Confirms
—
confirms
—
'
sighed
Mr.
Edmonstone
.
'
Do
n't
write
as
if
you
went
on
hearsay
evidence
.
Speak
of
proofs
—
irrefragable
proofs
—
and
then
you
convict
him
at
once
,
without
power
of
eluding
you
.
'
So
Mr.
Edmonstone
proceeded
to
write
,
that
the
application
confirmed
the
irrefragable
proofs
;
then
laughed
at
himself
,
and
helplessly
begged
Philip
to
give
him
a
start
.
It
now
stood
thus
:
—
'
Your
letter
of
this
morning
has
caused
me
more
concern
than
surprise
,
as
it
unhappily
only
adds
confirmation
to
the
intelligence
already
in
my
possession
;
that
either
from
want
of
resolution
to
withstand
the
seductions
of
designing
persons
,
or
by
the
impetuosity
and
instability
of
your
own
character
,
you
have
been
led
into
the
ruinous
and
degrading
practice
of
gambling
;
and
that
from
hence
proceed
the
difficulties
that
occasion
your
application
to
me
for
money
.
I
am
deeply
grieved
at
thus
finding
that
neither
the
principles
which
have
hitherto
seemed
to
guide
you
,
nor
the
pledges
which
you
used
to
hold
sacred
,
nor
,
I
may
add
,
the
feelings
you
have
so
recently
expressed
towards
a
member
of
my
family
,
have
been
sufficient
to
preserve
you
from
yielding
to
a
temptation
which
could
never
be
presented
to
the
mind
of
any
one
whose
time
was
properly
occupied
in
the
business
of
his
education
.
'
'
Is
that
all
I
am
to
say
about
her
,
'
exclaimed
Mr.
Edmonstone
,
'
after
the
atrocious
way
the
fellow
has
treated
her
in
?
'
'
Since
it
is
,
happily
,
no
engagement
,
I
cannot
see
how
you
can
,
with
propriety
,
assume
that
it
is
one
,
by
speaking
of
breaking
it
off
.
Besides
,
give
him
no
ground
for
complaint
,
or
he
will
take
refuge
in
believing
himself
ill-used
.
Ask
him
if
he
can
disprove
it
,
and
when
he
cannot
,
it
will
be
time
enough
to
act
further
.
But
wait
—
wait
,
sir
,
'
as
the
pen
was
moving
over
the
paper
,
impatient
to
dash
forward
.
'
You
have
not
told
him
yet
of
what
you
accuse
him
.
'
Philip
meditated
a
few
moments
,
then
produced
another
sentence
.
'
I
have
no
means
of
judging
how
long
you
have
been
following
this
unhappy
course
;
I
had
rather
believe
it
is
of
recent
adoption
,
but
I
do
not
know
how
to
reconcile
this
idea
with
the
magnitude
of
your
demand
,
unless
your
downward
progress
has
been
more
rapid
than
usual
in
such
beginnings
.
It
would
,
I
fear
,
be
quite
vain
for
me
to
urge
upon
you
all
the
arguments
and
reasons
that
ought
to
have
been
present
to
your
mind
,
and
prevented
you
from
taking
the
first
fatal
step
.
I
can
only
entreat
you
to
pause
,
and
consider
the
ruin
and
degradation
to
which
this
hateful
vice
almost
invariably
conducts
its
victims
,
and
consistenly
with
my
duty
as
your
guardian
,
everything
in
my
power
shall
be
done
to
extricate
you
from
the
embarrassments
in
which
you
have
involved
yourself
.
But
,
in
the
first
place
,
I
make
it
a
point
that
you
treat
me
with
perfect
confidence
,
and
make
a
full
,
unequivocal
statement
of
your
proceedings
;
above
all
,
that
you
explain
the
circumstances
occasioning
your
request
for
this
large
sum
.
Remember
,
I
say
,
complete
candour
on
your
part
will
afford
the
only
means
of
rescuing
you
from
difficulties
,
or
of
in
any
degree
restoring
you
to
my
good
opinion
.
'
So
far
the
letter
had
proceeded
slowly
,
for
Philip
was
careful
and
deliberate
in
composition
;
and
while
he
was
weighing
his
words
,
Mr.
Edmonstone
rushed
on
with
something
unfit
to
stand
,
so
as
to
have
to
begin
over
again
.
At
last
,
the
town
clock
struck
five
;
Philip
started
,
declaring
that
if
he
was
not
at
the
station
in
five
minutes
,
he
should
lose
the
train
;
engaged
to
come
to
Hollywell
on
the
day
an
answer
might
be
expected
,
and
hastened
away
,
satisfied
by
having
seen
two
sheets
nearly
filled
,
and
having
said
there
was
nothing
more
but
to
sign
,
seal
,
and
send
it
.
Mr.
Edmonstone
had
,
however
,
a
page
of
note-paper
more
,
and
it
was
with
a
sensation
of
relief
,
that
he
wrote
,
—
'
I
wish
,
from
the
bottom
of
my
heart
,
that
you
could
clear
yourself
.
If
a
dozen
men
had
sworn
it
till
they
were
black
in
the
face
,
I
would
not
have
believed
it
of
you
that
you
could
serve
us
in
such
a
manner
,
after
the
way
you
have
been
treated
at
home
,
and
to
dare
to
think
of
my
daughter
with
such
things
on
your
mind
.
I
could
never
have
believed
it
,
but
for
the
proofs
Philip
has
brought
;
and
I
am
sure
he
is
as
sorry
as
myself
.
Only
tell
the
whole
truth
,
and
I
will
do
my
best
to
get
you
out
of
the
scrape
.
Though
all
else
must
be
at
an
end
between
us
,
I
am
your
guardian
still
,
and
I
will
not
be
harsh
with
you
.
'
He
posted
his
letter
,
climbed
up
his
tall
horse
,
and
rode
home
,
rather
heavy
hearted
;
but
his
wrath
burning
out
as
he
left
Broadstone
behind
him
.
He
saw
his
little
Amy
gay
and
lively
,
and
could
not
bear
to
sadden
her
;
so
he
persuaded
himself
that
there
was
no
need
to
mention
the
suspicions
till
he
had
heard
what
Guy
had
to
say
for
himself
.
Accordingly
,
he
told
no
one
but
his
wife
;
and
she
,
who
thought
Guy
as
unlikely
to
gamble
as
Amy
herself
,
had
not
the
least
doubt
that
he
would
be
able
to
clear
himself
,
and
agreed
that
it
was
much
better
to
keep
silence
for
the
present
.
CHAPTER
XV
.
'
Tis
not
unknown
to
you
,
Antonio
,
How
much
I
have
disabled
mine
estate
,
By
something
showing
a
more
swelling
port
Than
my
faint
means
would
grant
continuance
.
Merchant
of
Venice
.
St.
Mildred
's
was
a
fashionable
summer
resort
,
which
the
virtues
of
a
mineral
spring
,
and
the
reputation
of
Dr.
Henley
,
had
contributed
to
raise
to
a
high
degree
of
prosperity
.
It
stood
at
the
foot
of
a
magnificent
range
of
beautifully
formed
hills
,
where
the
crescents
and
villas
,
white
and
smart
,
showed
their
own
insignificance
beneath
the
purple
peaks
that
rose
high
above
them
.
About
ten
miles
distant
,
across
the
hills
,
was
Stylehurst
,
the
parish
of
the
late
Archdeacon
Morville
,
and
the
native
place
of
Philip
and
his
sister
Margaret
.
It
was
an
extensive
parish
,
including
a
wide
tract
of
the
hilly
country
;
and
in
a
farm-house
in
the
midst
of
the
moorland
,
midway
between
St.
Mildred
's
and
the
village
of
Stylehurst
,
had
Mr.
Wellwood
fixed
himself
with
his
three
pupils
.
Guy
's
first
visit
was
of
course
to
Mrs.
Henley
,
and
she
was
,
on
her
side
,
prepared
by
her
brother
to
patronize
him
as
Philip
would
have
done
in
her
place
.
Her
patronage
was
valuable
in
her
own
circle
;
her
connexions
were
good
;
the
Archdeacon
's
name
was
greatly
respected
;
she
had
a
handsome
and
well-regulated
establishment
,
and
this
,
together
with
talents
which
,
having
no
family
,
she
had
cultivated
more
than
most
women
have
time
to
do
,
made
her
a
person
of
considerable
distinction
at
St.
Mildred
's
.
She
was
,
in
fact
,
the
leading
lady
of
the
place
—
the
manager
of
the
book-club
,
in
the
chair
at
all
the
charitable
committees
,
and
the
principal
person
in
society
,
giving
literary
parties
,
with
a
degree
of
exclusiveness
that
made
admission
to
them
a
privilege
.
She
was
a
very
fine
woman
,
handsomer
at
two-and-thirty
than
in
her
early
bloom
;
her
height
little
less
than
that
of
her
tall
brother
,
and
her
manner
and
air
had
something
very
distinguished
.
The
first
time
Guy
saw
her
,
he
was
strongly
reminded
both
of
Philip
and
of
Mrs.
Edmonstone
,
but
not
pleasingly
.
She
seemed
to
be
her
aunt
,
without
the
softness
and
motherly
affection
,
coupled
with
the
touch
of
naïveté
that
gave
Mrs.
Edmonstone
her
freshness
and
loveableness
;
and
her
likeness
to
her
brother
included
that
decided
,
self-reliant
air
,
which
became
him
well
enough
,
but
which
did
not
sit
as
appropriately
on
a
woman
.
Guy
soon
discovered
another
resemblance
—
for
the
old
,
unaccountable
impatience
of
Philip
's
conversation
,
and
relief
in
escaping
from
it
,
haunted
him
before
he
had
been
a
quarter
of
an
hour
in
Mrs.
Henley
's
drawing-room
.
She
asked
after
the
Hollywell
party
;
she
had
not
seen
her
cousins
since
her
marriage
,
and
,
happily
for
his
feelings
,
passed
over
Laura
and
Amy
as
if
they
were
nonentities
;
but
they
were
all
too
near
his
heart
for
him
to
be
able
with
patience
to
hear
'
poor
Charles
's
'
temper
regretted
,
and
still
less
the
half-sarcastic
,
half-compassionate
tone
in
which
she
implied
that
her
aunt
spoilt
him
dreadfully
,
and
showed
how
cheap
she
held
both
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Edmonstone
.
Two
years
ago
,
Guy
could
not
have
kept
down
his
irritation
;
but
now
he
was
master
of
himself
sufficiently
to
give
a
calm
,
courteous
reply
,
so
conveying
his
own
respect
for
them
,
that
Mrs.
Henley
was
almost
disconcerted
.
Stylehurst
had
great
interest
for
Guy
,
both
for
the
sake
of
Archdeacon
Morville
's
kindness
,
and
as
the
home
,
which
Philip
regarded
with
affection
,
that
seemed
the
one
softening
touch
in
his
character
.
So
Guy
visited
the
handsome
church
,
studied
the
graveyard
,
and
gathered
the
traditions
of
the
place
from
the
old
sexton
's
wife
,
who
rejoiced
in
finding
an
auditor
for
her
long
stories
of
the
good
Archdeacon
,
Miss
Fanny
,
and
Mr.
Philip
.
She
shook
her
head
,
saying
times
were
changed
,
and
,
'
Miss
Morville
that
was
,
never
came
neist
the
place
.
'
The
squire
,
Colonel
Harewood
,
was
an
old
friend
of
his
grandfather
's
,
and
therefore
was
to
be
called
on
.
He
had
never
been
wise
,
and
had
been
dissipated
chiefly
from
vacancy
of
mind
;
he
was
now
growing
old
,
and
led
a
quieter
life
,
and
though
Guy
did
not
find
him
a
very
entertaining
companion
,
he
accepted
his
civilities
readily
,
for
his
grandfather
's
sake
.
When
his
sons
came
home
,
Guy
recognised
in
them
the
description
of
men
he
was
wont
to
shun
at
Oxford
,
as
much
from
distaste
as
from
principle
;
but
though
he
did
not
absolutely
avoid
them
,
he
saw
little
of
them
,
being
very
busy
,
and
having
pleasant
companions
in
his
fellow
pupils
.
It
was
a
very
merry
party
at
South
Moor
,
and
Guy
's
high
spirits
made
him
the
life
of
everything
.
The
first
time
Mr.
Wellwood
went
to
call
on
his
cousins
at
St.
Mildred
's
,
the
daughters
of
that
officer
who
had
fallen
by
the
hand
of
old
Sir
Guy
,
he
began
repeating
,
for
the
twentieth
time
,
what
an
excellent
fellow
Morville
was
;
then
said
he
should
not
have
troubled
them
with
