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devoting himself to suit his talk to his audience； was wrapped in the
deepest meditation； now and then taking out a letter and referring to
it。
This letter was the reply jointly compounded by Mr。 Edmonstone and
Charles； and the subject of his consideration was； whether he should
accept the invitation to the wedding。 Charles had taken care fully to
explain how the truth respecting the cheque had come out； and Philip
could no longer suspect that it had been a fabrication of Dixon's； but
while Guy persisted in denial of any answer about the thousand pounds；
he thought the renewal of the engagement extremely imprudent。 He was
very sorry for poor little Amy； for her comfort and happiness were； he
thought； placed in the utmost jeopardy； with such a hot temper； under
the most favourable circumstances； and there was the further peril；
that when the novelty of the life with her at Redclyffe had passed off；
Guy might seek for excitement in the dissipation to which his uncle had
probably already introduced him。 In the four years' probation； he saw
the only hope of steadying Guy； or of saving Amy； and he was much
concerned at the rejection of his advice； entirely for their sakes； for
he could not condescend to be affronted at the scornful； satirical tone
towards himself； in which Charles's little spitefulness was so fully
apparent。
The wedding was a regular sacrifice； and Amabel was nothing but a
victim； but an invitation to Hollywell had a charm for him that he
scarcely could resist。 To see Laura again； after having parted； as he
thought； for so many years； delighted him in anticipation； and it would
manifest his real interest in his young cousins； and show that he was
superior to taking offence at the folly of Charles or his father。
These were his first thoughts and inclinations； his second were； that
it was contrary to his principles to sanction so foolish and hasty a
marriage by his presence； that he should thus be affording a triumph to
Guy； and to one who would use it less moderatelyto Charles。 It would
be more worthy of himself； more consistent with his whole course of
conduct； to refuse his presence； instead of going amongst them when
they were all infatuated； and unable to listen to sober counsel。 If he
stayed away now； when Guy should have justified his opinion； they would
all own how wisely he had acted； and would see the true dignity which
had refused； unlike common minds； to let his complaisance draw him into
giving any sanction to what he so strongly disapproved。 Laura； too；
would pass through this trying time better if she was not distracted by
watching him； she would understand the cause of his absence； and he
could trust her to love and comprehend him at a distance； better than
he could trust her to hear the marriage…service in his presence without
betraying herself。 Nor did he wish to hear her again plead for the
confession of their engagement； and； supposing any misadventure should
lead to its betrayal； what could be more unpleasant than for it to be
revealed at such a time； when Charles would so turn it against him；
that all his influence and usefulness would be for ever at an end？
Love drew him one way； and consistency another。 Captain Morville had
never been so much in the condition of Mahomet's coffin in his life；
and he grew more angry with his uncle； Charles； and Guy； for having put
him in so unpleasant a predicament。 So the self…debate lasted all the
way to Kilcoran and he only had two comfortsone； that he had sent the
follower who was always amenable to good advice； safe out of the way of
Lady Eveleen； to spend his leave of absence at Thorndalethe other；
that Maurice de Courcy was； as yet； ignorant of the Hollywell news； and
did not torment him by talking about it。
This satisfaction； however； lasted no longer than till their arrival at
Kilcoran； for； the instant they entered the drawing…room； Lady Eveleen
exclaimed； '0 Maurice； I have been so longing for you to come！ Captain
Morville； I hope you have not told him； for I can't flatter myself to
be beforehand with you； now at least。'
'He has told me nothing；' said Maurice； 'indeed； such bad company has
seldom been seen as he has been all the way。'
'You don't mean that you don't know it？ How delightful！ 0； mamma！
think of knowing something Captain Morville does not！'
'I am afraid I cannot flatter you so far；' said Philip； knowing this
was no place for allowing his real opinion to be guessed。
'Then you do know？' said Lady Kilcoran； sleepily； 'I am sure it is a
subject of great rejoicing。'
'But what is it； Eva？ Make haste and tell；' said Maurice。
'No； you must guess！'
'Why； you would not be in such a way about it if it was not a wedding。'
'Right； Maurice； now； who is it？'
'One of the Edmonstones； I suppose。 'Tis Laura？'
'Wrong！'
'What； not Laura！ I thought she would have been off first。 Somebody's
got no taste； then； for Laura is the prettiest girl I know。'
'Ah！ your heart has escaped breaking this time； Maurice。 It is that
little puss； Amy； that has made a great conquest。 Now guess。'
'Oh！ young Morville； of course。 But what possessed him to take Amy；
and leave Laura？'
'Perhaps Laura was not to be had。 Men are so self…sufficient； that
they always think they may pick and choose。 Is it not so； Captain
Morville？ I like Sir Guy better than most men； but Laura is too good
for any one I know。 If I could make a perfect hero； I would at once；
only Charles would tell me all the perfect heroes in books are bores。
How long have you known of it； Captain Morville？'
'For the last ten days。'
'And you never mentioned it？'
'I did not know whether they intended to publish it。'
'Now； Captain Morville； I hope to make some progress in your good
opinion。 Of course； you believe I can't keep a secret； but what do you
think of my having known it ever since last summer； and held my tongue
all that time？'
'A great effort； indeed；' said Philip； smiling。 'It would have been
greater； I suppose； if the engagement had been positive； not
conditional。'
'Oh！ every one knew what it must come to。 No one could have the least
fear of Sir Guy。 Yes； I saw it all。 I gave my little aid； and I am
sure I have a right to be bridesmaid； as I am to be。 Oh！ won't it be
charming？ It is to be the grandest wedding that ever was seen。 It is
to be on Whit…Tuesday； and papa is going to take me and Aunt Charlotte；
for old Aunt Mabel says Aunt Charlotte must go。 There are to be six
bridesmaids； and a great party at the breakfast； everything as splendid
as possible； and I made Mrs。 Edmonstone promise from the first that we
should have a ball。 You must go； Maurice。'
'I shall be on the high seas！'
'Oh yes； that is horrid！ But you don't sail with the regiment； I
think； Captain Morville。 Yo