The Heir of Redclyffe .  By the Author of ' The Two Guardians '... In Two Volumes  VOL. I .  CHAPTER I .  In such pursuits if wisdom lies , Who , Laura , can thy taste despise ? Gay .  The drawing-room of Hollywell House was one of the favoured apartments , where a peculiar air of home seems to reside , whether seen in the middle of summer , all its large windows open to the garden , or , as when our story commences , its bright fire , and stands of fragrant green-house plants contrasted with the wintry fog and leafless trees of November .  There were two persons in the room — a young lady , who sat drawing at the round table , and a youth , lying on a couch near the fire , surrounded with books and newspapers , and a pair of crutches near him .  Both looked up with a smile of welcome at the entrance of a tall , fine-looking young man , whom each greeted with ' Good morning , Philip .  ' ' Good morning , Laura .  Good morning , Charles ; I am glad you are down stairs again !  How are you today ?  '  ' No way remarkable , thank you , ' was the answer , somewhat wearily given by Charles .  ' You walked ?  ' said Laura .  ' Yes .  Where 'smy uncle ?  I called at the post-office , and brought a letter for him .  It has the Moorworth post-mark , ' he added , producing it .  ' Where 'sthat ?  ' said Charles .  ' The post-town to Redclyffe ; Sir Guy Morville 'splace .  '  ' That old Sir Guy !  What can he have to do with my father ?  '  ' Did you not know , ' said Philip , ' that my uncle is to be guardian to the boy — his grandson ?  '  ' Eh ?  No , I did not ?  '  ' Yes , ' said Philip ; ' when old Sir Guy made it an especial point that my father should take the guardianship , he only consented on condition that my uncle should be joined with him ; so now my uncle is alone in the trust , and I cannot help thinking something must have happened at Redclyffe .  It is certainly not Sir Guy 'swriting .  '  ' It must wait , unless your curiosity will carry you out in search of papa , ' said Charles ; ' he is somewhere about ; zealously supplying the place of Jenkins .  '  ' Really , Philip , ' said Laura , ' there is not telling how much good you have done him by convincing him of Jenkins 'dishonesty .  To say nothing of the benefit of being no longer cheated , the pleasure of having to overlook the farming is untold .  '  Philip smiled , and came to the table where she was drawing .  ' Do you know this 'place ?  ' said she , looking up in his face .  ' Stylehurst itself !  What is it taken from ?  '  ' From this pencil sketch of your sister 's, which I found in mamma 'sscrap-book .  '  ' You are making it very like , only the spire is too slender , and that tree — ca n't you alter the foliage ?  — it is an ash .  '  ' Is it ?  I took it for an elm .  '  ' And surely those trees in the foreground should be greener , to throw back the middle distance .  That is the peak of South Moor exactly , if it looked further off .  '  She began the alterations , while Philip stood watching her progress , a shade of melancholy gathering on his face .  Suddenly , a voice called ' Laura !  Are you there ?  Open the door , and you will see .  '  On Philip 'sopening it , in came a tall camellia ; the laughing face and light , shining curls of the bearer peeping through the dark green leaves .  ' Thank you !  Oh , is it you , Philip ?  Oh , do n't take it .  I must bring my own camellia to show Charlie .  '  ' You make the most of that one flower , ' said Charles .  ' Only see how many buds !  ' and she placed it by his sofa .  ' Is it not a perfect blossom , so pure a white , and so regular !  And I am so proud of having beaten mamma and all the gardeners , for not another will be out this fortnight ; and this is to go to the horticultural show .  Sam would hardly trust me to bring it in , though it was my nursing , not his .  '  ' Now , Amy , ' said Philip , when the flower had been duly admired , ' you must let me put it into the window for you .  It is too heavy for you .  '  ' Oh , take care , ' cried Amabel , but too late ; for , as he took it from her , the solitary flower struck against Charles 'slittle table , and was broken off .  ' O Amy , I am very sorry .  What a pity !  How did it happen ?  '  ' Never mind , ' she answered ; ' it will last a long time in water .  '  ' It was very unlucky — I am very sorry — especially because of the horticultural show .  '  ' Make all your apologies to Sam , ' said Amy , ' his feelings will be more hurt than mine .  ' I dare say my poor flower would have caught cold at the show , and never held up its head again .  '  Her tone was gay ; but Charles , who saw her face in the glass , betrayed her by saying , ' Winking away a tear , O Amy !  '  ' I never nursed a dear gazelle !  ' quoted Amy ; with a merry laugh ; and before any more could be said , there entered a middle-aged gentleman , short and slight , with a fresh , weather-beaten good-natured face , grey whiskers , quick eyes , and a hasty , undecided air in look and movement .  He greeted Philip heartily , and the letter was given to him .  ' Ha !  Eh ?  Let us look .  Not old Sir Guy 'shand .  Eh ?  What can be the matter ?  What ?  Dead !  This is a sudden thing .  '  ' Dead !  Who ?  Sir Guy Morville ?  '  ' Yes , quite suddenly — poor old man .  ' Then stepping to the door , he opened it , and called , ' Mamma !  just step here a minute , will you , mamma !  '  The summons was obeyed by a tall , handsome lady , and behind her crept , with doubtful steps , as if she knew not how far to venture , a little girl of eleven , her turned up nose and shrewd face full of curiosity .  She darted up to Amabel ; who , though she shook her head , and held up her finger , smiled and took the little girl 'shand , listening meanwhile to the announcement , ' Do you hear this , mamma ?  Here 'sa shocking thing !  Sir Guy Morville dead , quite suddenly .  '  ' Indeed !  Well , poor man , I suppose no one ever repented or suffered more than he .  Who writes ?  '  ' His grandson — poor boy !  I can hardly make out his letter .  ' Holding it half a yard from his eyes , so that all could see a few lines of hasty , irregular writing , in a forcible hand , bearing marks of having been penned under great distress and agitation , he read aloud : —  " Dear Mr. Edmonstone — My dear grandfather died at six this morning .  He had an attack of apoplexy yesterday evening , and never spoke again , though for a short time he knew me .  We hope he suffered little .  Markham will make all arrangements .  We propose that the funeral should take place on Tuesday ; I hope you will be able to come .  I would write to my cousin , Philip Morville , if I knew his address ; but I depend on you for saying all that ought to be said .  Excuse this illegible letter , — I hardly know what I write .  ' Yours very sincerely ,  ' Guy Morville .  ' ' ' Poor fellow !  ' said Philip , ' he writes with a great deal of proper feeling .  '  ' How very sad for him to be left alone there !  ' said Mrs. Edmonstone .  ' Very sad — very , ' said her husband .  ' I must start off to him at once — yes , at once .  Should you not say so , eh !  Philip ?  '  ' Certainly .  I think I had better go with you .  It would be the correct thing , and I should not like to fail in any token of respect for poor old Sir Guy .  '  ' Of course — of course , ' said Mr. Edmonstone ; ' it would be the correct thing .  I am sure he was always very civil to us , and you know you are next heir after this boy .  '  Little Charlotte made a sort of jump , lifted her eyebrows , and stared at Amabel .  Philip answered .  ' That is not worth a thought ; but since he and I are now the only representatives of the two branches of the house of Morville , it shall not be my fault if the enmity is not forgotten .  '  ' Buried in oblivion , would sound more magnanimous , ' said Charles , at which Amabel laughed so uncontrollably that she was forced to hide her head on her little sister 'sshoulder .  Charlotte laughed too , an imprudent proceeding , as it attracted attention .  Her father smiled , saying , half-reprovingly , — ' So you are there , inquisitive pussy-cat ?  ' And at her mother 'squestion , — 'Charlotte , what business have you here ?  ' she stole back to her lessons , looking very small , without the satisfaction of hearing her mother 'scompassionate words , — 'Poor child !  '  ' How old is he ?  ' asked Mr. Edmonstone , returning to the former subject .  ' He is of the same age as Laura — seventeen and a-half , ' answered Mrs. Edmonstone .  ' Do n't you remember my brother saying what a satisfaction it was to see such a noble baby as she was , after such a poor little miserable thing as the one at Redclyffe ?  '  ' He is grown into a fine , spirited fellow , ' said Philip ,  ' I suppose we must have him here , ' said Mr. Edmonstone .  ' Should you not say so — eh , Philip ?  '  ' Certainly ; I should think it very good for him .  Indeed , his grandfather 'sdeath has happened at a most favourable time for him .  The poor old man had such a dread of his going wrong that he kept him — '  ' I know — as tight as a drum .  '  ' With strictness that I should think very bad for a boy of his impatient temper .  It would have been a very dangerous experiment to send him at once among the temptations of Oxford , after such discipline and solitude as he has been used to .  '  ' Do n't talk of it , ' interrupted Mr. Edmonstone , spreading out his hands in a deprecating manner .  ' We must do the best we can with him , for I have got him on my hands till he is five-and-twenty — his grandfather has tied him up till then .  If we can keep him out of mischief , well and good ; if not , it ca n't be helped .  '  ' You have him all to yourself , ' said Charles .  ' Ay , to my sorrow .  If your poor father was alive , Philip , I should be free of all care .  I 'vea pretty deal on my hands , ' he proceeded , looking more important than troubled .  ' All that great Redclyffe estate is no sinecure , to say nothing of the youth himself .  If all the world will come to me , I ca n't help it .  I must go and speak to the men , if I am to be off to Redclyffe to-morrow .  Will you come , Philip ?  '  ' I must go back soon , thank you , ' replied Philip .  ' I must see about my leave ; only we should first settle when to set off .  '  This arranged , Mr. Edmonstone hurried away , and Charles began by saying , ' Is n't there a ghost at Redclyffe ?  '  ' So it is said , ' answered his cousin ; ' though I do n't think it is certain whose it is .  There is a room called Sir Hugh 'sChamber , over the gateway , but the honour of naming it is undecided between Hugo de Morville , who murdered Thomas à Becket , and his namesake the first baronet , who lived in the time of William of Orange , when the quarrel began with our branch of the family .  Do you know the history of it , aunt ?  '  ' It was about some property , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone , ' though I do n't know the rights of it .  But the Morvilles were always a fiery , violent race , and the enmity once begun between Sir Hugh and his brother , was kept up , generation after generation , in a most unjustifiable way .  Even I can remember when the Morvilles of Redclyffe used to be spoken of in our family like a sort of ogres .  '  ' Not undeservedly , I should think , ' said Philip .  ' This poor old man , who is just dead , ran a strange career .  Stories of his duels and mad freaks are still extant .  '  ' Poor man !  I believe he went all lengths , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone .  ' What was the true version of that horrible story about his son ?  ' said Philip .  ' Did he strike him ?  '  ' Oh , no !  it was bad enough without that !  '  ' How ?  ' asked Laura .  ' He was an only child , and lost his mother early .  He was very ill brought up , and was as impetuous and violent as Sir Guy himself , though with much kindliness and generosity .  He was only nineteen when he made a runaway marriage with a girl of sixteen , the sister of a violin-player who was at that time in fashion .  His father was very much offended , and there was much dreadfully violent conduct on each side .  At last , the young man was driven to seek a reconciliation .  He brought his wife to Moorworth , and rode to Redclyffe , to have an interview with his father .  Unhappily , Sir Guy was giving a dinner to the hunt , and had been drinking .  He not only refused to see him , but I am afraid he used shocking language , and said something about bidding him go back to his fiddling brother-in-law .  The son was waiting in the hall , heard everything , threw himself on his horse , and rushed away in the dark .  His forehead struck against the branch of a tree , and he was killed on the spot .  '  ' The poor wife ?  ' asked Amabel , shuddering .  ' She died the next day , when this boy was born .  '  ' Frightful !  ' said Philip .  ' It might well make a reformation in old Sir Guy .  '  ' I have heard that nothing could be more awful than the stillness that fell on that wretched party , even before they knew what had happened — before Colonel Harewood , who had been called aside by the servants , could resolve to come and fetch away the father .  No wonder Sir Guy was a changed man from that hour .  '  ' It was then that he sent for my father , ' said Philip .  ' But what made him think of doing so ?  '  ' You know Colonel Harewood 'shouse at Stylehurst ?  Many years ago , when the St. Mildred 'sraces used to be so much more in fashion , Sir Guy and Colonel Harewood .  and some men of that stamp , took that house amongst them , and used to spend some time there every year , to attend to something about the training of the horses .  There were some malpractices of their servants , that did so much harm in the parish , that my brother was obliged to remonstrate .  Sir Guy was very angry at first , but behaved better at last than any of the others .  I suspect he was struck by my dear brother 'sbold , uncompromising ways , for he took to him to a certain degree — and my brother could not help being interested in him , there seemed to be so much goodness in his nature .  I saw him once , and never did I meet any one who gave me so much the idea of a finished gentleman .  When the poor son was about fourteen , he was with a tutor in the neighbourhood , and used to be a good deal at Stylehurst , and , after the unhappy marriage , my brother happened to meet him in London , heard his story , and tried to bring about a reconciliation .  '  ' Ha !  ' said Philip ; ' did not they come to Stylehurst ?  I have a dim recollection of somebody very tall , and a lady who sung .  '  ' Yes ; your father asked them to stay there , that he might judge of her , and wrote to Sir Guy that she was a little , gentle , childish thing , capable of being moulded to anything , and representing the mischief of leaving them to such society as that of her brother , who was actually maintaining them .  That letter was never answered , but about ten days or a fortnight after this terrible accident , Colonel Harewood wrote to entreat my brother to come to Redclyffe , saying poor Sir Guy had eagerly caught at the mention of his name .  Of course he went at once , and he told me that he never , in all his experience as a clergyman , saw any one so completely broken down with grief .  '  ' I found a great many of his letters among my father 'spapers , ' said Philip ; ' and it was a very touching one that he wrote to me on my father 'sdeath .  Those Redclyffe people certainly have great force of character .  '  ' And was it then he settled his property on my uncle ?  ' said Charles .  ' Yes , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone .  ' My brother did not like his doing so , but he would not be at rest till it was settled .  It was in vain to put him in mind of his grandchild , for he would not believe it could live ; and , indeed , its life hung on a thread .  I remember my brother telling me how he went to Moorworth to see it — for it could not be brought home — in hopes of bringing back a report that might cheer its grandfather , but how he found it so weak and delicate that he did not dare to try to make him take interest in it .  It was not till the child was two or three years old , that Sir Guy ventured to let himself grow fond of it .  '  ' Sir Guy was a very striking person , ' said Philip ; ' I shall not easily forget my visit to Redclyffe four years ago .  It was more like a scene in a romance than anything real .  The fine old red sandstone house , crumbling away in the exposed parts ; the arched gateway covered with ivy ; the great quadrangle where the sun never shone , and full of echoes ; the large hall , and black wainscoted rooms , which the candles never would light up .  It is a fit place to be haunted .  '  ' That poor boy alone there !  ' said Mrs. Edmonstone ; ' I am glad you and your uncle are going to him .  '  ' Tell us about him , ' said Laura .  ' He was the most incongruous thing there , ' said Philip .  ' There was a calm , deep melancholy about the old man , added to the grand courtesy which showed he had been what old books call a fine gentleman , that made him suit his house as a hermit does his cell , or a knight his castle ; but breaking in on this penseroso scene , there was Guy — '  ' In what way ?  ' asked Laura .  ' Always in wild spirits , rushing about , playing antics , provoking those solemn echoes with shouting , whooping , singing , whistling .  There was something in that whistle of his that always made me angry !  '  ' How did this suit old Sir Guy ?  '  ' It was curious to see how Guy could rattle on to him , pour out the whole history of his doings , laughing , rubbing his hands , springing about with animation — all with as little answer as if he had been talking to a statue .  '  ' Do you mean that Sir Guy did not like it ?  '  ' He did , in his own way .  There was now and then a glance or a nod , to show that he was attending ; but it was such slight encouragement that any less buoyant spirits must have been checked .  '  ' Did you like him , on the whole ?  ' asked Laura .  ' I hope he has not this tremendous Morville temper ?  Oh , you do n't say so .  What a grievous thing .  !  '  ' He is a fine fellow , ' said Philip ; ' but I did not think Sir Guy managed him well .  Poor old man , he was quite wrapt up in him , and only thought how to keep him out of harm 'sway .  He would never let him be with other boys , and kept him so fettered by rules , so strictly watched , and so sternly called to account , that I cannot think how any boy could stand it .  '  ' Yet , you say , he told everything freely to his grandfather , ' said Amy .  ' Yes , ' added her mother , ' I was going to say that , as long as that went on , I should think all safe .  '  ' As I said before , ' resumed Philip , ' he has a great deal of frankness , much of the making of a fine character ; but he is a thorough Morville .  I remember something that will show you his best and worst sides .  You know Redclyffe is a beautiful place , with magnificent cliffs overhanging the sea , and fine woods crowning them .  On one of the most inaccessible of these crags there was a hawk 'snest , about half way down , so that looking from the top of the precipice , we could see the old birds fly in and out .  Well , what does Master Guy do , but go down this headlong descent after the nest .  How he escaped alive no one could guess ; and his grandfather could not bear to look at the place afterwards — but climb it he did , and came back with two young hawks , buttoned up inside his jacket .  '  ' There 'sa regular brick for you !  ' cried Charles , delighted .  ' His heart was set on training these birds .  He turned the library upside down in search of books on falconry , and spent every spare moment on them .  At last , a servant left some door open , and they escaped .  I shall never forget Guy 'spassion ; I am sure I do n't exaggerate when I say he was perfectly beside himself with anger .  '  ' Poor boy !  ' said Mrs. Edmonstone .  ' Served the rascal right , ' said Charles .  ' Nothing had any effect on him till his grandfather came out , and , at the sight of him , he was tamed in an instant , hung his head , came up to his grandfather , and said — ' I am very sorry .  ' Sir Guy answered , ' My poor boy , ' and there was not another word .  I saw Guy no more that day , and all the next he was quiet and subdued .  But the most remarkable part of the story is to come .  A couple of days afterwards , we were walking in the woods , when , at the sound of Guy 'swhistle , we heard a flapping and rustling , and beheld , tumbling along , with their clipped wings , these two identical hawks , very glad to be caught .  They drew themselves up proudly for him to stroke them , and their yellow eyes looked at him with positive affection .  '  ' Pretty creatures !  ' said Amabel .  ' That is a very nice end to the story .  '  ' It is not the end , ' said Philip .  ' I was surprised to see Guy so sober , instead of going into one of his usual raptures .  He took them home ; but the first thing I heard in the morning was , that he was gone to offer them to a farmer , to keep the birds from his fruit .  '  ' Did he do it of his own accord ?  ' asked Laura .  ' That was just what I wanted to know ; but any hint about them brought such a cloud over his face that I thought it would be wanton to irritate him by questions .  However , I must be going .  Good bye , Amy , I hope your camellia will have another blossom before I come back .  At least , I shall escape the horticultural meeting .  '  ' Good bye , ' said Charles .  ' Put the feud in your pocket till you can bury it in old Sir Guy 'sgrave , unless you mean to fight it out with his grandson , which would be more romantic and exciting .  '  Philip was gone before he could finish .  Mrs. Edmonstone looked annoyed , and Laura said , ' Charlie , I wish you would not let your spirits carry you away .  '  ' I wish I had anything else to carry me away !  ' was the reply .  ' Yes , ' said his mother , looking sadly at him .  ' Your high spirits are a blessing , but why misuse them ?  If they are given to support you through pain and confinement , why make mischief with them ?  '  Charles looked more impatient than abashed , and the compunction seemed chiefly to rest with Amabel .  ' Now , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone , ' I must go and see after my poor little prisoner .  '  ' Ah !  ' said Laura , as she went ; ' it was no kindness in you to encourage Charlotte to stay , Amy , when you know how often that inquisitive temper has got her into scrapes .  '  ' I suppose so , ' said Amy , regretfully ; ' but I had not the heart to send her away .  '  ' That is just what Philip says , that you only want bones and sinews in your character to — '  ' Come , Laura , ' interrupted Charles , ' I wo n't hear Philip 'scriticisms of my sisters .  I had rather she had no bones at all , than that they stuck out and ran into me .  There are plenty of angles already in the world , without sharpening hers .  '  He possessed himself of Amy 'sround , plump , childish hand , and spread out over it his still whiter , and very bony fingers , pinching her ' soft pinky cushions , ' as he called them , ' not meant for studying anatomy upon .  '  ' Ah !  you two spoil each other sadly , ' said Laura , smiling , as she left the room .  ' And what do Philip and Laura do to each other ?  ' said Charles .  ' Improve each other , I suppose , ' said Amabel in a shy simple tone , at which Charles laughed heartily .  ' I wish I was as sensible as Laura !  'said she , presently , with a sigh .  ' Never was a more absurd wish , ' said Charles , tormenting her hand still more , and pulling her curls ; ' unwish it forthwith .  Where should I be without silly little Amy ?  If everyone weighed my wit before laughing , I should not often be in disgrace for my high spirits , as they call them .  '  ' I am so little younger than Laura , ' said Amy , still sadly , though smiling .  ' Folly , ' said Charles ; ' you are quite wise enough for your age , while Laura is so prematurely wise , that I am in constant dread that nature will take her revenge by causing her to do something strikingly foolish !  '  'Nonsense !  ' cried Amy , indignantly .  ' Laura do anything foolish !  '  ' What I should enjoy , ' proceeded Charles , ' would be to see her over head and ears in love with this hero , and Philip properly jealous .  '  ' How can you say such things , Charlie ?  '  ' Why ?  was there ever a beauty who did not fall in love with her father 'sward ?  '  ' Yes ; but she ought to live alone with her very old father and horribly grim maiden aunt .  '  ' Very well , Amy , you shall be the maiden aunt .  ' And as Laura returned at that moment , he announced to her that they had been agreeing that no hero ever failed to fall in love with his guardian 'sbeautiful daughter .  ' If his guardian had a beautiful daughter , ' said Laura , resolved not to be disconcerted .  ' Did you ever hear such barefaced fishing for compliments ?  ' said Charles ; but Ambel , who did not like her sister to be teazed , and was also conscious of having wasted a good deal of time , sat down to practice .  Laura returned to her drawing ; and Charles , with a yawn , listlessly turned over a newspaper , while his fair delicated features , which would have been handsome but that they were blanched , sharpened , and worn with pain , gradually lost their animated and rather satirical expression , and assumed an air of weariness and discontent .  Charles was at this time nineteen , and for the last ten years had been afflicted with a disease in the hip-joint , which , in spite of the most anxious care , caused him frequent and severe suffering , and had occasioned such a contraction of the limb as to cripple him completely , while his general health was so much affected as to render him an object of constant anxiety .  His mother had always been his most devoted and indefatigable nurse , giving up everything for his sake , and watching him night and day .  His father attended to his least caprice , and his sisters were , of course , his slaves ; so that he was the undisputed sovereign of the whole family .  The two elder girls had been entirely under a governess till a month or two before the opening of our story , when Laura was old enough to be introduced ; and the governess departing , the two sisters became Charles 'scompanions in the drawing-room , while Mrs. Edmonstone , who had a peculiar taste and talent for teaching , undertook little Charlotte 'slessons herself .  CHAPTER II .  If the ill spirit have so fair a house , Good things will strive to dwell with't . The Tempest .  One of the pleasantest rooms at Hollywell was Mrs. Edmonstone 'sdressing-room — large and bay-windowed , over the drawing-room , having little of the dressing-room but the name , and a toilet-table with a black and gold japanned glass , and curiously shaped boxes to match ; her room opened into it on one side , and Charles 'son the other ; it was a sort of upstairs parlour , where she taught Charlotte , cast up accounts , spoke to servants , and wrote notes , and where Charles was usually to be found , when unequal to coming down stairs .  It had an air of great snugness , with its large folding-screen , covered with prints and caricatures of ancient date , its book-shelves , its tables , its peculiarly easy armchairs , the great invalid sofa , and the grate , which always lighted up better than any other in the house .  In the bright glow of the fire , with the shutters closed and curtains drawn , lay Charles on his couch , one Monday evening , in a gorgeous dressing-gown of a Chinese pattern , all over pagodas , while little Charlotte sat opposite to him , curled up on a foot-stool .  He was not always very civil to Charlotte ; she sometimes came into collision with him , for she , too , was a pet , and had a will of her own , and at other times she could bore him ; but just now they had a common interest , and he was gracious .  ' It is striking six , so they must soon be here .  I wish mamma would let me go down ; but I must wait till after dinner .  '  ' Then , Charlotte , as soon as you come in , hold up your hands , and exclaim , ' What a guy !  ' There will be a compliment !  '  ' No , Charlie ; I promised mamma and Laura that you should get me into no more scrapes .  '  ' Did you ?  The next promise you make had better depend upon yourself alone .  '  ' But Amy said I must be quiet , because poor Sir Guy will be too sorrowful to like a racket ; and when Amy tells me to be quiet , I know that I must indeed .  '  ' Most true , ' said Charles , laughing .  ' Do you think you shall like Sir Guy ?  '  ' I shall be able to determine , ' said Charles , sententiously , ' when I have seen whether he brushes his hair to the right or left .  '  ' Philip brushes his to the left .  '  ' Then , undoubtedly , Sir Guy will brush his to the right .  '  ' Is there not some horrid story about those Morvilles of Redelyffe ?  ' asked Charlotte .  ' I asked Laura , and she told me not to be curious , so I knew there was something in it ; and then I asked Amy , and she said it would be no pleasure to me to know .  '  ' Ah !  I would have you prepared .  '  ' Why , what is it ?  Oh !  dear Charlie !  are you really going to tell me ?  '  ' Did you ever hear of a deadly feud ?  '  ' I have read of them in the history of Scotland .  They went on hating and killing each other for ever .  There was one man who made his enemy 'schildren eat out of a pig trough , and another who cut off his head — '  ' His own ?  '  ' No , his enemy 's, and put it on the table , at breakfast , with a piece of bread in its mouth .  '  ' Very well ; whenever Sir Guy serves up Philip 'shead at breakfast , with a piece of bread in his mouth , let me know .  '  Charlotte started up .  ' Charles , what do you mean ?  Such things do n't happen now .  '  ' Nevertheless , there is a deadly feud between the two branches of the house of Morville .  '  ' But it is very wrong , ' said Charlotte , looking frightened .  ' Wrong ?  Of course it is .  '  'Philip wont do anything wrong .  But how will they ever get on ?  '  ' Do n't you see ?  It must be our serious endeavour to keep the peace , and prevent occasions of discord .  '  ' Do you think anything will happen ?  '  ' It is much to be apprehended , ' said Charles , solemnly .  At that moment the sound of wheels was heard , and Charlotte flew off to her private post of observation , leaving her brother delighted at having mystified her .  She returned on tip-toe .  ' Papa and Sir Guy are come , but not Philip ; I ca n't see him anywhere .  '  ' Ah !  you have not looked in Sir Guy 'sgreat coat pocket .  '  ' I wish you would not plague me so ?  You are not in earnest ?  '  The pettish , inquiring tone was exactly what delighted him , and he continued to teaze her in the same style till Laura and Amabel came running in with their report of the stranger .  ' He is come !  ' they cried , with one voice .  ' Very gentlemanlike !  ' said Laura .  ' Very pleasant looking , ' said Amy .  ' Such fine eyes !  '  ' And so much expression , ' said Laura .  ' Oh !  '  The exclamation , and the start which accompanied it , were caused by hearing her fathers voice close to the door , which had been left partly open .  ' Here is poor Charles , ' it said ; ' come in and see him ; get over the first introduction — eh , Guy ?  ' And before he had finished , both he and the guest were in the room , and Charlotte full of mischievous glee at her sister 'sconfusion .  ' Well , Charlie boy , how goes it ?  ' was his father 'sgreeting .  ' Better , eh ?  Sorry not to find you downstairs , but I have brought Guy to see you .  ' Then , as Charles sat up and shook hands with Sir Guy , he continued — ' A fine chance for you , as I was telling him , to have a companion always at hand ; a fine chance ?  — eh , Charlie ?  '  ' I am not so unreasonable as to expect any one to be always at hand , ' said Charles , smiling , as he looked up at the frank open face and lustrous hazel eyes turned on him with compassion at the sight of his crippled , helpless figure , and with a bright cordial promise of kindness .  As he spoke , a pattering sound approached , the door was pushed open , and while Sir Guy exclaimed , ' O , Bustle !  Bustle !  I am very sorry , ' there suddenly appeared a large beautiful spaniel , with a long silky black and white coat , jetty curled ears , tan spots above his intelligent eyes , and tan legs , fringed with silken waves of hair .  There he stood , wagging his tail at having found his master , but crouching and looking beseeching at meeting no welcome , while Sir Guy seemed much distressed at his intrusion .  ' O you beauty !  ' cried Charles .  ' Come here , you fine fellow .  '  Bustle only looked wistfully at his master , and moved nothing but his feather of a tail .  ' Ah !  I was afraid you would repent of your kindness , ' said Sir Guy to Mr. Edmonstone .  ' Not at all , not at all !  ' was the answer ; ' mamma never objects to indoor pets , eh , Amy ?  ' A tender subject , papa , ' said Laura ; ' poor Pepper !  '  Amy , ashamed of her disposition to cry at the remembrance of the dear departed rough terrier , bent down to hide her glowing face , and held out her hand to the dog , which at last ventured to advance , still creeping with his body curved till his tail was foremost , looking imploringly at his master , as if to entreat his pardon .  ' Are you sure you do n't dislike it ?  ' inquired Sir Guy , of Charles .  ' I !  O no. Here , you fine creature .  '  ' Come , then , behave like a rational dog , since you are come , ' said Sir Guy ; and Bustle , resuming the deportment of a spirited and well-bred spaniel , no longer crouched and curled himself into the shape of a comma , but bounded , wagged his tail , thrust his nose into his master 'shand , and then proceeded to reconnoitre the rest of the company , paying especial attention to Charles , putting his fore paws on the sofa , and rearing himself up to contemplate him , with a grave , polite curiosity that was very diverting .  ' Well , old fellow , ' said Charles , ' did you ever see the like of such a dressing-gown ?  Are you satisfied ?  Give me your paw , and let us swear an eternal friendship .  '  ' I am quite glad to see a dog in the house again , ' said Laura ; and after a few more compliments , Bustle and his master followed Mr. Edmonstone out of the room .  ' One of my father 'swell-judged proceedings , ' murmured Charles .  ' That poor fellow had rather have gone a dozen miles further than have been lugged in here !  Really , if papa chooses to inflict such dressing-gowns on me , he should give me notice before he brings men and dogs to make me their laughingstock !  '  ' An unlucky moment , ' said Laura .  ' Will my cheeks ever cool ?  '  ' Perhaps he did not hear , ' said Amabel , consolingly .  ' You did not ask about Philip , ' said Charlotte , with great earnestness .  ' He is staying at Thorndale , and then going to St. Mildred 's, ' said Laura .  ' I hope you are relieved , ' said her brother ; and she looked in doubt whether she ought to laugh .  ' And what do you think of Sir Guy ?  '  ' May he only be worthy of his dog !  ' replied Charles .  ' Ah !  ' said Laura , ' many men are neither worthy of their wives nor of their dogs .  '  ' Dr .  Henley , I suppose , is the foundation of that aphorism , ' said Charles .  ' If Margaret Morville could marry him , she could hardly be too worthy , ' said Laura .  ' Think of throwing away Philip 'swhole soul !  '  ' O Laura , she could not lose that , ' said Amabel .  Laura looked as if she knew more , but at that moment both her father and mother entered , the former rubbing his hands , as he always did when much pleased , and sending his voice before him , as he exclaimed , ' Well , Charlie , well , young ladies , is not he a fine fellow — eh ?  '  ' Rather under sized , ' said Charles .  ' Eh ?  He 'llgrow .  He is not eighteen , you know ; plenty of time ; a very good height ; you ca n't expect everyone to be as tall as Philip ; but he is a capital fellow .  And how have you been — any pain ?  '  'Hem — rather , ' said Charles , shortly , for he hated answering kind inquiries , when out of humour .  ' Ah , that 'sa pity ; I was sorry not to find you in the drawing-room , but I thought you would have liked just to see him , ' said Mr. Edmonstone , disappointed and apologizing .  ' I had rather have had some notice of your intention , ' said Charles ; ' I would have made myself fit to be seen .  '  ' I am sorry .  I thought you would have liked his coming , ' said poor Mr. Edmonstone , only half conscious of his offence ; ' but I see you are not well this evening .  '  Worse and worse , for it was equivalent to openly telling Charles he was out of humour ; and seeing , as he did , his mother 'smotive , he was still further annoyed when she hastily interposed a question about Sir Guy .  ' You should only hear them talk about him at Redclyffle , ' said Mr. Edmonstone .  ' No one ever was equal to him , according to them .  Everyone said the same — clergyman , old Markham , all of them .  Such attention to his grandfather , such proper feeling , so good-natured , not a bit of pride — it is my firm belief that he will make up for all his family before him .  '  Charles set up his eye-brows sarcastically .  ' How does he get on with Philip ?  ' inquired Laura .  ' Excellently .  Just what could be wished .  Philip is delighted with him ; and I have been telling Guy all the way home what a capital friend he will be , and he is quite inclined to look up to him .  ' Charles made an exaggerated gesture of astonishment , unseen by his father .  ' I told him to bring his dog .  He would have left it , but they seemed so fond of each other , I thought it was a pity to part them , and that I could promise it should be welcome here ; eh , mamma ?  '  ' Certainly .  I am very glad you brought it .  '  ' We are to have his horse and man in a little while .  A beautiful chesnut — anything to raise his spirits .  He is terribly cut up about his grandfather .  '  It was now time to go down to dinner ; and after Charles had made faces of weariness and disgust at all the viands proposed to him by his mother , almost imploring him to like them , and had at last ungraciously given her leave to send what he could not quite say he disliked , he was left to carry on his teazing of Charlotte , and his grumbling over the dinner , for about the space of an hour , when Amabel came back to him , and Charlotte went down .  ' Hum !  ' he exclaimed .  ' Another swan of my father 's.  '  ' Did not you like his looks ?  '  ' I saw only an angular hobbetyhoy .  '  ' But everyone at Redclyffe speaks so well of him .  '  ' As if the same things were not said of every heir to more acres than brains !  However , I could have swallowed everything but the disposition to adore Philip .  Either it was gammon on his part , or else the work of my father 'simagination .  '  ' For shame , Charlie .  '  ' Is it within the bounds of probability that he should be willing , at the bidding of his guardian , to adopt as Mentor his very correct and sententious cousin , a poor subaltern , and the next in the entail !  Depend upon it , it is a fiction created either by papa 'shopes or Philip 'sself-complacency , or else the unfortunate youth must have been brought very low by strait-lacing and milk and water .  '  ' Mr .  Thorndale is willing to look up to Philip .  '  ' I do n't think the Thorndale swan very — very much better than a tame goose , ' said Charles ; ' but the coalition is not so monstrous in his case , since Philip was a friend of his own picking and choosing , and so his father 'sadoption did not succeed in repelling him .  But that Morville should receive this 'young man 'scompanion , ' on the word of a guardian whom he never set eyes on before , is too incredible — utterly mythical , I assure you , Amy .  And how did you get on at dinner ?  '  ' O the dog is the most delightful creature I ever saw , so sensible and well mannered .  '  ' It was of the man that I asked .  '  ' He said hardly anything , and sometimes started if papa spoke to him suddenly .  He winced as if he could not bear to be called Sir Guy , so papa said we should call him only by his name , if he would do the same by us .  I am glad of it , for it seems more friendly , and I am sure he wants to be comforted .  '  ' Do n't waste your compassion , my dear ; few men need it less .  With his property , those moors to shoot over , his own master , and with health to enjoy it , there are plenty who would change with him , for all your pity , my silly little Amy .  '  ' Surely not , with that horrible ancestry .  '  ' All very well to plume oneself upon .  I rather covet that ghost myself .  ' Well , if you watched his face , I think you would be sorry for him .  '  ' I am tired of the sound of his name !  One fifth of November is enough in the year .  Here , find something to read to me among that trumpery .  '  Amy read till she was summoned to tea , when she found a conversation going on about Philip , on whose history Sir Guy did not seem fully informed .  Philip was the son of Archdeacon Morville , Mrs. Edmonstone 'sbrother , an admirable and superior man , who had been dead about five years .  He left three children , Margaret and Fanny , twenty-five and twenty-three years of age and Philip , just seventeen .  The boy was at the head of his school , highly distinguished for application and good conduct ; he had attained every honour there open to him , won golden opinions from all concerned with him , and made proof of talents which could not have failed to raise him to the highest university distinctions .  He was absent from home at the time of his father 'sdeath , which took place after so short an illness that there had been no time to summon him back to Stylehurst .  Very little property was left to be divided among the three ; and as soon as Philip perceived how small was the provision for his sisters , he gave up his hopes of university honours , and obtained a commission in the army .  On hearing this , Sir Guy started forward , ' Noble !  ' he cried , ' and yet what a pity !  If my grandfather had but known it — '  ' Ah !  I was convinced of that , ' broke in Mr. Edmonstone , ' and so I am sure was Philip himself ; but in fact he knew we should never have given our consent , so he acted quite by himself , wrote to Lord Thorndale , and never said a word , even to his sisters , till the thing was done .  I never was more surprised in my life .  '  ' One would almost envy him the opportunity of making such a sacrifice , ' said Sir Guy , ' yet one must lament it .  ' It was done in a hasty spirit of independence , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone ; ' I believe if he had got a fellowship at Oxford , it would have answered much better .  '  ' And now that poor Fanny is dead , and Margaret married , there is all his expensive education thrown away , and all for nothing , ' said Mr. Edmonstone .  ' Ah , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone , ' he planned for them to go on living at Stylehurst , so that it would still have been his home .  It is a great pity , for his talent is thrown away , and he is not fond of his profession .  '  ' You must not suppose , though , that he is not a practical man , ' said Mr. Edmonstone ; ' I had rather take his opinion than any one 's, especially about a horse , and there is no end to what I hear about his good sense , and the use he is of to the other young men .  '  ' You should tell about Mr. Thorndale , papa , ' said Laura .  ' Ah !  that is a feather in master Philip 'scap ; besides , he is your neighbour , at least — his father is .  '  ' I suppose you know Lord Thorndale ?  ' said Mrs. Edmonstone , in explanation .  ' I have seen him once at the Quarter Sessions , ' said Sir Guy ; ' but he lives on the other side Moorworth , and there was no visiting .  '  ' Well , this youth , James Thorndale , the second son , was Philip 'sfag .  '  ' Philip says he was always licking him !  ' interposed Charlotte .  ' He kept him out of some scrape or other , ' continued Mr. Edmonstone .  ' Lord Thorndale was very much obliged to him , had him to stay at his house , took pretty much to him altogether .  It was through him that Philip applied for his commission , and he has put his son into the same regiment , on purpose to have him under Philip 'seye .  There he is at Broadstone , as gentlemanlike a youth as I would wish to see .  We will have him to dinner some day , and Maurice , too — eh , mamma ?  Maurice — he is a young Irish cousin of my own , a capital fellow at the bottom , but a regular thoroughgoing rattle .  That was my doing .  I told his father that he could not do better than put him into the — th .  Nothing like a steady friend and a good example , I said , and Kilcoran always takes my advice , and I do n't think he has been sorry .  Maurice has kept much more out of scrapes of late .  '  ' O papa , ' exclaimed Charlotte , ' Maurice has been out riding on a hired horse , racing with Mr. Gordon , and the horse tumbled down at the bottom of East-hill , and broke its knees .  '  ' That 'sthe way , ' said Mr. Edmonstone , ' the instant my back is turned .  '  Thereupon the family fell into a discussion of home affairs , and thought little more of their silent guest .  CHAPTER III .  The hues of bliss more brightly glow Chastised by sober tints of woe . Gray .  ' What use shall I make of him ?  ' said Charles to himself , as he studied Sir Guy Morville , who sat by the table , with a book in his hand .  He had the unformed look of a growing boy , and was so slender as to appear taller than he really was .  He had an air of great activity ; and though he sat leaning back , there was no lounging in his attitude , and at the first summons , he roused up with an air of alert attention that recalled to mind the eager head of a listening greyhound .  He had no pretension to be called handsome ; his eyes were his best feature ; they were very peculiar , of a light hazel , darker towards the outside of the iris , very brilliant , the whites tinted with blue , and the lashes uncommonly thick and black ; the eyebrows were also very dark , and of a sharply-defined , angular shape , but the hair was much lighter , loose , soft , and wavy ; the natural fairness of the complexion was shown by the whiteness of the upper part of the forehead , though the rest of the face , as well as the small taper hands , were tanned by sunshine and sea-breezes , into a fresh , hardy brown , glowing with read on the cheeks .  ' What use shall I make of him ?  ' proceeded Charles 'sthoughts .  ' He wont be worth his salt if he goes on in this way ; he has got a graver specimen of literature there than I ever saw Philip himself read on a week-day ; he has been puritanized till he is good for nothing ; I 'lltrouble myself no more about him !  ' He tried to read , but presently looked up again .  ' Plague !  I ca n't keep my thoughts off him .  That sober look does not sit on that sun-burnt face as if it were native to it ; those eyes do n't look as if the Redclyffe spirit was extinguished .  '  Mrs. Edmonstone came in , and , looking round , as if to find some occupation for her guest , at length devised setting him to play at chess with Charles .  Charles gave her an amiable look , expressing that neither liked it ; but she was pretty well used to doing him good against his will , and trusted to its coming right in time .  Charles was a capital chess-player , and seldom found any one who could play well enough to afford him much real sport , but he found Sir Guy more nearly a match than often fell to his lot ; it was a bold dashing game , that obliged him to be on his guard , and he was once so taken by surprise as to be absolutely check-mated .  His ill humour evaporated , he was delighted to find an opponent worth playing with and thenceforth there were games almost every morning or evening , though Sir Guy seemed not to care much about them , except for the sake of pleasing him .  When left to himself , Guy spent his time in reading or in walking about the lanes alone .  He used to sit in the bay-window of the drawing-room with his book ; but sometimes , when they least expected it , the girls would find his quick eyes following them with an air of amused curiosity , as Amabel waited on Charles and her flowers , or Laura drew , wrote letters , and strove to keep down the piles of books and periodicals under which it seemed as if her brother might some day be stifled — a vain task , for he was sure to want immediately whatever she put out of his reach .  Laura and Amabel both played and sung , the former remarkably well , and the first time they had any music after the arrival of Sir Guy , his look of delighted attention struck everyone .  He ventured nearer , stood by the piano when they practised , and at last joined in with a few notes of so full and melodious a voice , that Laura turned round in surprise , exclaiming , ' You sing better than any of us !  '  He coloured .  ' I beg your pardon , ' he said , ' I could not help it ; I know nothing of music .  '  ' Really !  ' said Laura , smiling incredulously .  ' I do n't even know the notes .  '  ' Then you must have a very good ear .  Let us try again .  '  The sisters were again charmed and surprised , and Guy looked gratified , as people do at the discovery of a faculty which they are particularly glad to possess .  It was the first time he appeared to brighten , and Laura and her mother agreed that it would do him good to have plenty of music , and to try to train that fine voice .  He was beginning to interest them all greatly by his great helpfulness and kindness to Charles , as he learnt the sort of assistance he required , as well as by the silent grief that showed how much attached he must have been to his grandfather .  On the first Sunday , Mrs. Edmonstone , coming into the drawing-room at about half-past five , found him sitting alone by the fire , his dog lying at his feet .  As he started up , she asked if he had been here in the dark ever since church time ?  ' I have not wanted light , ' he answered with a sigh , long , deep , and irrepressible , and as she stirred the fire , the flame revealed to her the traces of tears .  She longed to comfort him , and said —  ' This Sunday twilight is a quiet time for thinking .  '  ' Yes , ' he said , ' how few Sundays ago — ' and there he paused .  ' Ah !  you had so little preparation .  '  ' None .  That very morning he had done business with Markham , and had never been more clear and collected .  '  ' Were you with him when he was taken ill ?  ' asked Mrs. Edmonstone , perceiving that it would be a relief to him to talk .  ' No ; it was just before dinner .  I had been shooting , and went into the library to tell him where I had been .  He was well then , for he spoke , but it was getting dark , and I did not see his face .  I do n't think I was ten minutes dressing , but when I came down , he had sunk back in his chair .  I saw it was not sleep — I rang — and when Arnaud came , we knew how it was .  ' His voice became low with strong emotion .  ' Did he recover his consciousness ?  '  ' Yes , that was the comfort , ' said Guy , eagerly .  ' It was after he had been bled that he seemed to wake up .  He could not speak or move , but he looked at me — or — I do n't know what I should have done .  ' The last words were almost inaudible from the gush of tears that he vainly struggled to repress , and he was turning away to hide them , when he saw that Mrs. Edmonstone 'swere flowing fast .  ' You had great reason to be attached to him !  ' said she as soon as she could speak .  ' Indeed , indeed I had .  ' And after a long silence — ' He was everything to me , everything from the first hour I can recollect .  He never let me miss my parents .  How he attended to all my pleasures and wishes , how he watched and cared for me , and bore with me , even I can never know .  '  He spoke in short half sentences of intense feeling , and Mrs. Edmonstone was much moved by such affection in one said to have been treated with an excess of strictness , much compassionating the lonely boy , who had lost every family tie in one .  ' When the first pain of the sudden parting has passed , ' said she , ' you will like to remember the affection which you knew how to value .  '  ' If I had but known !  ' said Guy , ' but there was I , hasty , reckless , disregarding his comfort , rebelling against — O , what would I not give to have those restraints restored !  '  ' It is what we all feel in such losses , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone .  ' There is always much to wish otherwise ; but I am sure you can have the happiness of knowing you were his great comfort .  '  ' It was what I ought to have been .  '  She knew that nothing could have been more filial and affectionate than his conduct , and tried to say something of the kind , but he would not listen .  ' That is worst of all , ' he said ; ' and you must not trust what they say of me .  They would be sure to praise me , if I was anything short of a brute .  '  A silence ensued , while Mrs. Edmonstone was trying to think of some consolation .  Suddenly Guy looked up , and spoke eagerly : —  ' I want to ask something — a great favour — but you make me venture .  You see how I am left alone — you know how little I can trust myself .  Will you take me in hand — let me talk to you — and tell me if I am wrong , as freely as if I were Charles ?  I know it is asking a great deal , but you knew my grandfather , and it is in his name .  '  She held out her hand , and with tears answered , — ' Indeed I will , if I see any occasion .  '  ' You will let me trust to you to tell me when I get too vehement ?  above all , when you see my temper failing ?  Thank you ; you do n't know what a relief it is !  '  ' But you must not call yourself alone .  You are one of us now .  '  ' Yes ; since you have made that promise , ' said Guy , and for the first time she saw the full beauty of his smile — a sort of sweetness and radiance of which eye and brow partook almost as much as the lips .  It alone would have gained her heart .  ' I must look on you as a kind of nephew , ' she added , kindly .  ' I used to hear so much of you from my brother .  '  ' Oh !  ' cried Guy , lighting up , ' Archdeacon Morville was always so kind to me .  I remember him very well !  '  ' Ah !  I wish — ' there she paused , and added , — ' it is not right to wish such things — and Philip is very like his father .  '  ' I am very glad his regiment is so near .  I want to know him better .  '  ' You knew him at Redclyffe , when he was staying there ?  '  ' Yes , ' said Guy , his colour rising ; ' but I was a boy then , and a very foolish , headstrong one .  I am glad to meet him again .  What a grand-looking person he is !  '  ' We are very proud of him , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone , smiling .  ' I do n't think there has been an hour 'sanxiety about him since he was born .  '  The conversation was interrupted by the sound of Charles 'scrutches slowly crossing the hall .  Guy sprung to help him to his sofa , and then , without speaking , hurried up-stairs .  'Mamma , tête-à-tête with the silent one !  ' exclaimed Charles .  ' I will not tell you all I think of him , ' said she , leaving the room .  ' Hum !  ' soliloquized Charles .  ' That means that my lady mother has adopted him , and thinks I should laugh at her , or straightway set up a dislike to him , knowing my contempt for heroes and hero-worship .  It 'sa treat to have Philip out of the way , and if it was but possible to get out of hearing of his perfections , I should have some peace .  If I thought this fellow had one spice of the kind , I 'dnever trouble my head about him more , — and yet I do n't believe he has such a pair of hawk 'seye for nothing !  '  The hawk 'seyes , as Charles called them , shone brighter from that day forth , and their owner began to show more interest in what passed around .  Laura was much amused by a little conversation she held with him one day , when a party of their younger neighbours were laughing and talking nonsense round Charles 'ssofa .  He was sitting a little way off , in silence , and she took advantage of the loud laughing to say : —  ' You think this is not very satisfactory ?  ' And as he gave a quick glance of inquiry , — ' Do n't mind saying so .  Philip and I often agree that it is a pity to spend so much time in laughing at nothing — at such nonsense .  '  ' Is it nonsense ?  '  ' Listen — no , do n't , it is too silly .  '  'Nonsense must be an excellent thing if it makes people so happy , ' said Guy , thoughtfully .  ' Look at them ; they are like — not a picture — that has no life — but a dream — or , perhaps , a scene in a play .  '  ' Did you never see anything like it ?  '  ' Oh , no !  All the morning calls I ever saw were formal , every one stiff , and speaking by rote , or talking politics .  How glad I used to be to get on horseback again !  But to see these — why , it is like the shepherd 'sglimpse at the pixies !  — as one reads a new book , or watches what one only half understands — a rook 'sparliament , or a gathering of sea-fowl on the Shag Rock .  '  ' A rook 'sparliament ?  '  ' The people at home call it a rook 'sparliament when a whole cloud of rooks settle on some bare , wide common , and sit there as if they were consulting , not feeding , only stalking about with drooping wings , and solemn , black cloaks .  '  ' You have found a flattering simile , ' said Laura , ' as you know that rooks never open their mouths without cause .  '  Guy had never heard the riddle , but he caught the pun instantly , and the clear , merry sound of his hearty laugh surprised Charles , who instantly noted it as another proof that there was some life in him .  Indeed , each day began to make it evident that he had , on the whole , rather a superabundance of animation than otherwise .  He was quite confidential with Mrs. Edmonstone , on whom he used to lavish , with boyish eagerness , all that interested him , carrying her the passages in books that pleased him , telling her about Redclyffe affairs , and giving her his letters from Markham , the steward .  His head was full of his horse , Deloraine , which was coming to him under the charge of a groom , and the consultations were endless about the means of transport , Mr. Edmonstone almost as eager about it as he was himself .  He did not so quickly become at home with the younger portion of the family , but his spirits rose every day .  He whistled as he walked in the garden , and Bustle , instead of pacing soberly behind him , now capered , nibbled his pockets , and drew him into games of play which Charles and Amabel were charmed to overlook from the dressing-room window .  There was Guy , leaping , bounding , racing , rolling the dog over , tripping him up , twitching his ears , tickling his feet , catching at his tail , laughing at Bustle 'ssprings , contortions , and harmless open-mouthed attacks , while the dog did little less than laugh too , with his intelligent amber eyes , and black and red mouth .  Charles began to find a new interest in his listless life in the attempt to draw Guy out , and make him give one of his merry laughs .  In this , however , he failed when his wit consisted in allusions to the novels of the day , of which Guy knew nothing .  One morning he underwent a regular examination , ending in , —  ' Have you read anything ?  '  ' I am afraid I am very the ignorant of modern books .  '  ' Have you read the ancient ones ?  ' asked Laura .  ' I 'vehad nothing else to read .  '  ' Nothing to read but ancient books !  ' exclaimed Amabel , with a mixture of pity and astonishment .  ' Sanchoniathon , Manetho , Berosus , and Ocellus Lucanus ?  ' said Guy , smiling .  ' There , Amy , ' said Charles ; ' if he has the Vicar among his ancient books , you need not pity him .  '  ' It is like Philip , ' said Laura ; ' he was brought up on the old standard books , instead of his time being frittered away on the host of idle modern ones .  '  ' He was free to concentrate his attention on Sir Charles Grandison , ' said Charles .  ' How could any one do so ?  ' said Guy .  ' How could any one have any sympathy with such a piece of self-satisfaction ?  '  ' Who could ?  Eh , Laura ?  ' said Charles .  ' I never read it , ' said Laura , suspecting malice .  ' What is your opinion of perfect heroes ?  ' continued Charles .  ' Here comes one , ' whispered Amy to her brother , blushing at her piece of naughtiness , as Philip Morville entered the room .  After the first greetings , and inquiries after his sister , whom he had been visiting , Laura told him what they had been saying of the advantage of a scanty range of reading .  ' True , ' said Philip ; ' I have often been struck by finding how ignorant people are , even of Shakspeare ; and I believe the blame chiefly rests on the cheap rubbish in which Charlie is nearly walled up there .  '  ' Ay , ' said Charles , ' and who haunts that rubbish at the beginning of every month ?  I suppose to act as pioneer , though whether any one but Laura heeds his warnings , remains to be proved .  '  ' Laura does heed ?  ' asked Philip , well pleased .  ' I made her read me the part of Dombey that hurts women 'sfeelings most , just to see if she would go on — the part about little Paul — and I declare , I shall think the worse of her ever after — she was so stony-hearted , that to this day , she does not know whether he is dead or alive .  '  ' I ca n't quite say I do n't know whether he lived or died , ' said Laura , ' for I found Amy in a state that alarmed me , crying in the green-house , and I was very glad to find it was nothing worse than little Paul .  '  ' I wish you would have read it , ' said Amy ; and looking shyly at Guy , she added — ' Wont you ?  '  ' Well done , Amy !  ' said Charles .  ' In the very face of the young man 'scompanion !  '  ' Philip does not really think it wrong , ' said Amy .  ' No , ' said Philip ; ' those books open fields of thought ; and , as their principles are negative , they ar not likely to hurt a person well armed with the truth .  '  'Meaning , ' said Charles , ' that Guy and Laura have your gracious permission to read Dombey .  '  ' When Laura has a cold or toothache .  '  ' And I ?  ' said Guy .  ' I am not so sure about the expediency for you , ' said Philip ; ' it would be a pity to begin with Dickens , when there is so much of a higher grade equally new to you .  I suppose you do not understand Italian .  '  ' No , ' said Guy , abruptly , and his dark eyebrows contracted .  Philip went on .  ' If you did , I should not recommend you the translation of Ipromessi Sposi , one of the most beautiful books in any language .  You have it in English , I think , Laura .  '  Laura fetched it ; Guy , with a constrained 'thank you , ' was going to take it up , rather as if he was putting a force upon himself , when Philip more quickly took the first volume , and eagerly turned over the pages — ' I ca n't stand this , ' he said , ' where is the original ?  '  It was soon produced ; and Philip , finding the beautiful history of Fra Cristoforo , began to translate it fluently , and with an admirable choice of language that silenced Charles 'sattempts to interrupt and criticise .  Soon Guy , who had at first lent only reluctant attention , was entirely absorbed , his eyebrows relaxed , a look of earnest interest succeeded , his countenance softened , and when Fra Cristoforo humbled himself , exchanged forgiveness , and received il pane del perdono , tears hung on his eye-lashes .  The chapter was finished , and , with a smothered exclamation of admiration , he joined the others in begging Philip to proceed .  The story thus read was very unlike what it had been to Laura and Amy when they puzzled it out as an Italian lesson , or to Charles , when he carelessly tossed over the translation in search of Don Abbondio 'shumours ; and thus between reading and conversation , the morning passed very agreeably .  At luncheon , Mr. Edmonstone asked Philip to come and spend a day or two at Hollywell , and he accepted the invitation for the next week .  ' I will make Thorndale drive me out , if you will give him a dinner .  '  ' Of course , of course , ' said Mr. Edmonstone , ' we shall be delighted .  We were talking of asking him , a day or two ago , eh , mamma ?  '  ' Thank you , ' said Philip ; ' a family party is an especial treat to him , ' laying a particular stress on the word 'family party , ' and looking at his aunt .  At that moment the butler came in , saying , ' Sir Guy 'sservant is come , and has brought the horse , sir .  '  ' Deloraine come !  ' cried Guy , springing up .  ' Where ?  '  ' At the door , sir .  '  Guy darted out , Mr. Edmonstone following .  In another instant , however , Guy put his head into the room again .  ' Mrs .  Edmonstone , wo n't you come and see him ?  Philip , you have not seen Deloraine .  '  Off he rushed , and the others were just in time to see the cordial look of honest gladness with which William , the groom , received his young master 'sgreeting , and the delighted recognition between Guy , Bustle , and Deloraine .  Guy had no attention for anything else till he had heard how they had prospered on the journey ; and then he turned to claim his friends 'admiration for the beautiful chesnut , his grandfather 'sbirthday present .  The ladies admired with earnestness that compensated for want of knowledge , the gentlemen with greater science and discrimination ; indeed Philip , as a connoisseur , could not but , for the sake of his own reputation , discover something to criticise .  Guy 'sbrows drew together again , and his eyes glanced as if he was much inclined to resent the remarks , as attacks at once on Deloraine and on his grandfather ; but he said nothing , and presently went to the stable with Mr. Edmonstone to see about the horse 'saccommodations .  Philip stood in the hall with the ladies .  ' So I perceive you have dropped the title already , ' observed he , to Laura .  ' Yes , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone , replying for her daughter , ' it seemed to give him pain , by reminding him of his loss , and he was so strange and forlorn just at first , that we were glad to do what we could to make him feel himself more at home .  '  ' Then you get on pretty well now ?  '  The reply was in chorus with variations — ' Oh , excellently !  '  ' He is so entertaining , ' said Charlotte .  ' He sings so beautifully , ' said Amabel .  ' He is so right minded , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone .  ' So very well informed , ' said Laura .  Then it all began again .  ' He plays chess so well , ' said Amy .  'Bustle is such a dear dog , ' said Charlotte .  ' He is so attentive to Charlie , ' said Mrs. Edmonstone , going into the drawing-room to her son .  ' Papa says he will make up for the faults of all his ancestors , ' said Amabel .  ' His music !  oh , his music !  ' said Laura .  ' Philip , ' said Charlotte , earnestly , ' you really should learn to like him .  '  ' Learn , impertinent little puss ?  ' said Philip , smiling , ' why should I not like him ?  '  ' I was sure you would try , ' said Charlotte , impressively .  '