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To Oxford； then； went Guy； his second letter announced that he had done
tolerably well on his examination； and it came round to the
Edmonstones； that it was a great pity he had not gone up for honours；
as he would certainly have distinguished himself。
Redclyffe was； of course； in a state of great excitement at the news
that Sir Guy was going to be married。 Markham was very grand with the
letter that announced it； and could find nothing to grumble about but
that the lad was very young； and it was lucky it was no worse。
Mrs。 Ashford was glad it was so good a connection； and obtained all the
intelligence she could from James Thorndale； who spoke warmly of the
Hollywell family in general； and； in particular； said that the young
ladies looked after schools and poor people；that Miss Edmonstone was
very handsome and clevera very superior person； but as to Miss
Amabel； he did not know that there was anything to say about her。 She
was just like other young ladies； and very attentive to her invalid
brother。
Markham's enmity to Mr。 Ashford had subsided at the bidding of his
master； and he informed him one day； with great cordiality； that Sir
Guy would be at home the next。 He was to sleep that night at Coombe
Prior； and ride to Redclyffe in the morning； and； to the great delight
of the boys； it was at the parsonage door that he dismounted。
Mrs。 Ashford looked up in his bright face； and saw no more of the shade
that had perplexed her last winter。 His cheeks were deeper red as she
warmly shook hands with him； and then the children sprung upon him for
their old games；the boys claiming his promise； with all their might；
to take them out to the Shag。 She wondered when she should venture to
talk to him about Miss Amabel。 He next went to find Markham； and met
him before he reached his house。 Markham was too happy not to grant
and grumble more than ever。
'Well； Sir Guy； so here you are！ You've lost no time about it；
however。 A fine pair of young housekeepers； and a pretty example of
early marriages for the parish！'
Guy laughed。 'You must come and see the example； Markham。 I have a
message from Mr。 and Mrs。 Edmonstone； to ask you to come to Hollywell
at Whitsuntide。'
Grunt！ 'You are making a fool of me； Sir Guy。 What's a plain old man
like me to do among all your lords and ladies； and finery and flummery？
I'll do no such thing。'
'Not to oblige me？'
'Oblige you？ Nonsense！ Much you'll care for me！'
'Nay； Markham； you must not stay away。 You； my oldest and best
friend；my only home friend。 I owe all my present happiness to you；
and it would really be a great disappointment to me if you did not
come。 She wishes it； too。'
'Well； Sir Guy；' and the grunt was of softer tone； 'if you do choose to
make a fool of me； I can't help it。 You must have your own way； though
you might have found a friend that would do you more credit。'
'Then I may say that you will come？'
'Say I am very much obliged to Mr。 and Mrs。 Edmonstone for their
invitation。 It is very handsome of them。'
'Then you will have the settlements ready by that time。 You must；
Markham。'
'I'll see about it。'
'And the house must be ready to come home to at once。'
'You don't know what you are talking of； Sir Guy！' exclaimed Markham；
at once aghast and angry。
'Yes； I do。 We don't intend to turn the house upside down with new
furniture。'
'You may talk as you please； Sir Guy； but I know what's what； and it is
mere nonsense to talk of bringing a lady to a house in this condition。
A pretty notion you have of what is fit for your bride！ I hope she
knows what sort of care you mean to take of her！'
'She will be satisfied；' said Guy。 'She particularly wishes not to
have everything disarranged； I only must have two rooms furnished for
her。'
'But the place wants painting from head to foot； and the roof is in
such a state'
'The roof？ That's serious！'
'Serious； I believe so。 You'll have it about your ears in no time； if
you don't look sharp。'
'I'll look this minute；' said Guy； jumping up。 'Will you come with
me？'
Up he went； climbing about in the forest of ancient timbers； where he
could not but be convinced that there was more reason than he could
wish in what Markham said； and that his roof was in no condition to
bring his bride to。 Indeed it was probable that it had never been
thoroughly repaired since the time of old Sir Hugh； for the Morvilles
had not been wont to lay out money on what did not make a display。 Guy
was in dismay； he sent for the builder from Moorworth； calculated times
and costs； but； do what he would； he could not persuade himself that
when once the workmen were in Redclyffe； they would be out again before
the autumn。
Guy was very busy during the fortnight he spent at home。 There were
the builder and his plans； and Markham and the marriage settlements；
and there were orders to be given about the furniture。 He came to Mrs。
Ashford about this； conducted her to the park； and begged her to be so
kind as to be his counsellor； and to superintend the arrangement。 He
showed her what was to be Amy's morning…roomnow bare and empty； but
with the advantages of a window looking south； upon the green wooded
slope of the park； with a view of the church tower； and of the moors；
which were of very fine form。 He owned himself to be profoundly
ignorant about upholstery matters； and his ideas of furniture seemed to
consist in prints for the walls； a piano； a bookcase； and a couch for
Charles。
'You have heard about Charles？' said he； raising his bright face from
the list of needful articles which he was writing； using the window…
seat as a table。
'Not much；' said Mrs。 Ashford。 'Is he entirely confined to the sofa？'
'He cannot move without crutches； but no one could guess what he is
without seeing him。 He is so patient； his spirits never flag； and it
is beautiful to see how considerate he is； and what interest he takes
in all the things he never can share； poor fellow。 I don't know what
Hollywell would be without Charlie！ I wonder how soon he will be able
to come here！ Hardly this year； I am afraid； for things must be
comfortable for him； and I shall never get them so without Amy； and
then it will be autumn。 Well； what next？ Oh； you said window…
curtains。 Some blue sort of stuff； I suppose； like the drawing…room
ones at Hollywell。 What's the name of it？'
In fact； Mrs。 Ashford was much of his opinion； that he never would make
things comfortable without Amy； though he gave his best attention to
the inquiries that were continually made of him； and where he had an
idea； carried it out to the utmost。 He knew much better what he was
about in the arrangements for Coombe Prior； where he had installed his
friend； Mr。 Wellwood； and set on foot many pla