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declared to me that you were resolved never to allow the engagement to
be renewed； unless he should； with the deference which is only due to
you as his guardian； consent to clear up the mystery with which he has
thought fit to invest all his pecuniary transactions； and this； it
appears； he refuses； as he persists in denying all explanation of his
demand for that large sum of money。 As to the cheque； which certainly
was applied to discreditable uses； though I will not suffer myself to
suppose that Guy was in collusion with his uncle； yet it is not at all
improbable that Dixon； not being a very scrupulous person； may； on
hearing of the difficulties in which his nephew has been placed； come
forward to relieve him from his embarrassment； in the hope of further
profit； by thus establishing a claim on his gratitude。 In fact； this
proof of secretly renewed intercourse with Dixon rather tends to
increase the presumption that there is something wrong。 I am not
writing this in the expectation that the connection should be entirely
broken off； for that； indeed； would be out of the question as things
stand at present； but for my little cousin's sake； as well as his own；
I entreat of you to pause。 They are both extremely youngso young；
that if there was no other ground； many persons would think it
advisable to wait a few years； and why not wait until the time fixed by
his grandfather for his coming into possession of his property？ If the
character of his attachment to Amabel is firm and true； the probation
may be of infinite service to him； as keeping before him； during the
most critical period of his life； a powerful motive for restraining the
natural impetuosity of his disposition； while； on the other hand； if
this should prove to have been a mere passing fancy for the first young
lady into whose society he has been thrown on terms of easy familiar
intercourse； you will then have the satisfaction of reflecting that
your care and caution have preserved your daughter from a life of
misery。 My opinion has never altered respecting him； that he is brave
and generous； with good feelings and impulses； manners peculiarly
attractive； and altogether a character calculated to inspire affection；
but impetuous and unsteady； easily led into temptation； yet obstinate
in reserve； and his temper of unchecked violence。 I wish him happiness
of every kind； and； as you well know； would； do my utmost for his
welfare； but my affection for your whole family； and my own
conscientious conviction； make me feel it my duty to offer this
remonstrance； which I hope will be regarded as by no means the result
of any ill…will； but simply of a sincere desire for the good of all
parties； such as can only be evinced by plain speaking。
'Yours affectionately；
'P。 MORVILLE。'
Ail the time Laura was reading； Guy was defending Philip against the
exaggerated abuse that Mr。 Edmonstone and Charles were pouring out；
till at last； Mrs。 Edmonstone； getting out of patience； said；
'My dear Guy； if we did not know you so well； we should almost accuse
you of affectation。'
'Then I shall go away；' said Guy； laughing as he rose。 'Can you come
out with me？' said he； in a lower tone； leaning over the back of Amy's
chair。
'No； wait a bit；' interposed Mr。 Edmonstone； 'don't take her out； or
you won't be to be found； anywhere； and I want to speak to you before I
write my letter； and go to the Union Meeting。 I want to tell Master
Philip； on the spot； that the day is fixed； and we snap our fingers at
him and his probation。 Wait till twenty…five！ I dare say！'
At 'I want to speak to you；' the ladies had made the first move towards
departure； but they were not out of hearing at the conclusion。 Guy
looked after Amy； but she would not look round； and Charles lay
twisting Bustle's curls round his fingers； and smiling to himself at
the manner in which the letter was working by contraries。 The
overthrow of Philip's influence was a great triumph for him； apart from
the way in which it affected his friend and his sister。
Mr。 Edmonstone was disappointed that Guy would not set about fixing the
day； in time for him to announce it in a letter to be written in the
course of an hour。 Guy said he had not begun on the subject with Amy；
and it would never do to hurry her。 Indeed； it was a new light to
himself that Mr。 Edmonstone would like it to take place so soon。
'Pray； when did you think it was to be？' said Mr。 Edmonstone。 'Upon my
word； I never in all my days saw a lover like you； Guy！'
'I was too happy to think about the future； besides； I did not know
whether you had sufficient confidence in me。'
'Confidence； nonsense！ I tell you if I had a dozen daughters； I would
trust them all to you。'
Guy smiled； and was infected by Charles's burst of laughing； but Mr。
Edmonstone went on unheeding'I have the most absolute confidence in
you！ I am going to write to Philip this minute； to tell him he has
played three…tailed Bashaw rather too long。 I shall tell him it is to
be very soon； at any rate； and that if he wishes to see how I value his
pragmatical advice； he may come and dance at the wedding。 I declare；
your mamma and that colonel of his have perfectly spoilt him with their
flattery！ I knew what would come of it； you all would make a prodigy
of him； till he is so puffed up； that he entirely forgets who he is！'
'Not I' said Charles； 'that can't be laid to my door。'
'But I'll write him such a letter this instant as shall make him
remember what he is； and show him who he has to deal with。 Eh；
Charlie？'
'Don't you think；' said Guy； preparing to go； 'that it might be better
to wait a day or two； till we see our way clearer； and are a little
cooler？'
'I tell you； Guy； there is no one that puts me out of patience now； but
yourself。 You are as bad as Philip himself。 Cool？ I am coolness
itself； all but what's proper spirit for a man to show when his family
is affronted； and himself dictated to； by a meddling young jackanapes。
I'll serve him out properly！'
A message called him away。 Guy stood looking perplexed and sorrowful。
'Never mind；' said Charles； 'I'll take care the letter is moderate。
Besides； it is only Philip； and he knows that letter…writing is not his
forte。'
'I am afraid things will be said in irritation； which you will both
regret。 There are justice and reason in the letter。'
'There shall be more in the answer； as you will see。'
'No； I will not see。 It is Mr。 Edmonstone's concern； not mine。 I am
the last person who should have anything to do with it。'
'Just what the individual in question would not have said。'
'Would you do one thing to oblige me； Charlie？'
'Anything but not speaking my mind to； or of； the captain。'
'That is the very thing； unluckil