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and she listened in silence； then looked it over again with him； and
betrayed how thoroughly she had been taught the whole geography of
Redclyffe Bay。 The next person who came in was Charlotte； and as soon
as she understood what occupied them； she went into an ecstasy； and
flew away with the paper； rushing with it straight into her father's
room； where she broke into the middle of his letter…writing； by reading
it in a voice of triumph。
Mr。 Edmonstone was delighted。 He was just the person who would be far
more taken with an exploit of this kind； such as would make a figure in
the world； than by steady perseverance in well…doing； and his heart was
won directly。 His wrath at the hasty words had long been diminishing；
and now was absolutely lost in his admiration。 'Fine fellow！ noble
fellow！' he said。 'He is the bravest boy I ever heard of； but I knew
what was in him from the first。 I wish from my heart there was not
this cloud over him。 I am sure the whole story has not a word of truth
in it； but he won't say a word to clear himself； or else we would have
him here again to…morrow。'
This was the first time Mr。 Edmonstone had expressed anything of real
desire to recall Guy； and it was what Charles meant in his letter。
The tyranny over Charlotte was exercised while the rest were at dinner；
and they were alone together。 They talked over the adventure for the
tenth time that day； and Charles grew so excited that he vowed that he
must at once write to Guy； ordered her to give him the materials； and
when she hesitated； forced her into it； by declaring that he should get
up and reach the things himself； which would be a great deal worse。
She wanted to write from his dictation； but he would not consent；
thinking that his mother might not consider it proper； and he began
vigorously； but though long used to writing in a recumbent posture； he
found himself less capable now than he had expected； and went on
soliloquizing thus： 'What a pen you've given me； Charlotte。 There goes
a blot！ Here； another dip； will you！ and take up that with the
blotting paper before it becomes more like a spider。'
'Won't you make a fresh beginning？'
'No； that has cost me too much already。 I've got no more command over
my fingers。 Here we go into the further corner of the paper。 Well！
C。 M。 E。 There 'tisdo it up； will you？ If he can read it he'll be
lucky。 How my arms ache！'
'I hope it has not hurt you； Charlie； but I am sure he will be very
glad of it。 Oh！ I am glad you said that about Amy。'
'Who told you to read it； Puss？'
'I could not help it； 'tis so large。'
'I believe I _didn't_ _ought_ to have said it。 Don't tell her I did；'
said Charles； 'but I couldn't for the life of meor what is more to
the purpose； for the trouble of ithelp putting it。 He is too true a
knight not to hear that his lady； not exactly smiled； but cried。'
'He is a true knight；' said Charlotte； emphatically； as with her best
pen； and with infinite satisfaction； she indited the 'Sir Guy Morville；
Bart。； Redclyffe Park； Moorworth；' only wishing she could lengthen out
the words infinitely。
'Do you remember； Charlie； how we sat here the first evening he came；
and you took me in about the deadly feud？'
'It was no take…in；' said Charles； 'only the feud is all on one side。'
'Oh； dear！ it has been such a stupid winter without Guy；' sighed
Charlotte； 'if this won't make papa forgive him； I don't know what
will。'
'I wish it would； with all my heart；' said Charles； 'but logically； if
you understand the word； Charlotte； it does not make much difference to
the accusation。 It would not exactly be received as exculpatory
evidence in a court of justice。'
'You don't believe the horrid stories？'
'I believe that Guy has gamed quite as much as I have myself； but I
want to see him cleared beyond the power of Philip to gainsay or
disbelieve it。 I should like to have such a force of proof as would
annihilate Philip； and if I was anything but what I am； I would have
it。 If you could but lend me a leg for two days； Charlotte。'
'I wish I could。'
'One thing shall be done；' proceeded Charles： 'my father shall go and
meet him in person when he comes of age。 Now Don Philip is out of the
way； I trust I can bring that about。'
'If he would but come here！'
'No； that must not be； as mamma says； till there is some explanation；
but if I was but in my usual state； I would go with papa and meet him
in London。 I wonder if there is any chance of it。 The 28th of March
ten weeks off！ If I can but get hold of those trusty crutches of mine
by that time I'll do； and I'll do； and I'll do。 We will bring back
Amy's knight with flying colours。'
'Oh how happy we should be！'
'If I only knew what sort of sense that Markham of his may have； I
would give him a hint； and set him to ferret out at St。 Mildred's。 Or
shall I get Dr。 Mayerne to order me there for change of air？'
So schemed Charles； while Guy； on his side； busied himself at Redclyffe
as usual； took care and thought for the cabin…boyreturned Lord
Thorndale's call without finding him at homesaw the school finished；
and openedand became more intimate with the Ashfords。
He said he should not come home at Easter； as he should be very busy
reading for his degree； and as his birthday this year fell in Holy
Week； there could be no rejoicings； besides； as he was not to have his
property in his own hands till he was five…and…twenty； it would make no
difference to the people。 The Ashfords agreed they had rather he was
safe at home for the vacation； and were somewhat anxious when he spoke
of coming home to settle； after he had taken his degree。
For his own part he was glad the season would prevent any rejoicings；
for he was in no frame of mind to enter into them and his birthday had
been so sad a day for his grandfather； that he had no associations of
pleasure connected with it。
Markham understood the feeling； liked it； and shared it； only saying
that they would have their day of rejoicing when he married。 Guy could
not answer； and the old steward remarked the look of pain。
'Sir Guy；' said he； 'is it that which is wrong with you？ Don't be
angry with an old man for asking the question； but I only would hope
and trust you are not getting into any scrape。'
'Thank you； Markham；' said Guy； after an effort； 'I cannot tell you
about it。 I will only set you at rest by saying it is nothing you
could think I ought to be ashamed of。'
'Then whywhat has come between？ What could man or woman object to in
you？' said Markham； regarding him proudly。
'These unhappy suspicions；' said Guy。
I can't make it out；' said Markham。 'You must have been doing something
foolish to give rise to them。'
Guy told nearly what he had said on the first day of his return； but
no