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of relief from the fear of such misery； he could thus speak。 He could
look onward to the joy beyond； even while his cheek was still blanched
with the horror and anguish of the apprehension； and how great they had
been was shown by the broken words he uttered in his sleep； for several
nights afterwards； while by day he was always watching and cautioning
her。 Assuredly his dependence on the joy that could not be lost did
not make her doubt his tenderness； it only made her feel how far behind
him she was； for would it have been the same with her； had the danger
been his？
In a couple of days they arrived at the beautiful Lugano； and； as
usual； their first walk was to the post…office； but disappointment
awaited them。 There had been some letters addressed to the name of
Morville； but the Signor Inglese had left orders that such should be
forwarded to Como。 Amabel； in her best Italian； strove hard to explain
the difference between the captain and Sir Guy； the Cavaliere Guido； as
she translated him； who stood by looking much amused by the
perplexities of his lady's construing； while the post…master； though
very polite and sorry for the Signora's disappointment； stuck to the
address being Morville； poste restante。
'There is one good thing；' said the cavaliere； as they walked away； 'we
can find the captain now。 I'll write and ask himshall I say to meet
us at Varenna or at Bellagio？'
'Whichever suits him best； I should think。 It can't make much
difference to us。'
'Your voice has a disconsolate cadence；' said Guy； looking at her with
a smile。
'I did not mean it；' she answered； 'I have not a word to say against
it。 It is quite right； and I am sure I don't wish to do otherwise。'
'Only it is the first drawback in our real day…dream。'
'Just so； and that is all；' said Amy； 'I am glad you feel the same； not
that I want you to change your mind。'
'Don't you remember our resolution against mere pleasure…hunting？ That
adventure at Interlachen seemed to be meant to bring us up short just
as we were getting into that line。'
'You think we were？'
'I was； at least； for I know it was a satisfaction not to find a
letter； to say Redclyffe was ready for us。'
'I had rather it was Redclyffe than Philip。'
'To be sure； I would not change my own dancing leaping waves for this
clear blue looking…glass of a lake； or even those white peaks。 I want
you to make friends with those waves； Amy。 But it is a more real
matter to make friends with Philip； the one wish of my life。 Not that
I exactly expect to clear matters up； but if some move is not made now；
when it may； we shall stand aloof for life； and there will be the feud
where it was before。'
'It is quite right；' said Amy； 'I dare say that； meeting so far from
home； he will be glad to see us； and to hear the Hollywell news。 I
little thought last autumn where I should meet him again。'
On the second evening from that time； Philip Morville was walking； hot
and dusty； between the high stone walls bordering the road； and
shutting out the beautiful view of the lake； at the entrance of
Ballagio； meditating on the note he bad received from Guy； and
intending to be magnanimous； and overlook former offences for Amabel's
sake。 He would show that he considered the marriage to have cleared
off old scores； and that as long as she was happy； poor little thing；
her husband should be borne with； though not to the extent of the
spoiling the Edmonstones gave him。
Thus reflecting； he entered the town； and walked on in search of the
hotel。 He presently found himself on a terrace； looking out on the
deep blue lake； there divided by the promontory of Bellagio； into two
branches； the magnificent mountain forms rising opposite to him。 A
little boat was crossing； and as it neared the landing…place； he saw
that it contained a gentleman and lady； Englishprobably his cousins
themselves。 They looked up； and in another moment had waved their
recognition。 Gestures and faces were strangely familiar； like a bit of
Hollywell transplanted into that Italian scene。 He hastened to the
landing…place； and was met by a hearty greeting from Guy； who seemed
full of eagerness to claim their closer relationship； and ready to be
congratulated。
'How d'ye do； Philip？ I am glad we have caught you at last。 Here she
is。'
If he had wished to annoy Philip； he could hardly have done so more
effectually than by behaving as if nothing was amiss； and disconcerting
his preparations for a reconciliation。 But the captain's ordinary
manner was calculated to cover all such feelings； and as he shook
hands； he felt much kindness for Amabel； as an unconscious victim；
whose very smiles were melancholy； and plenty of them there were； for
she rejoiced sincerely in the meeting； as Guy was pleased； and a home
face was a welcome sight。
'I have your letters in my knapsack； I will unpack them as soon as we
get to the hotel。 I thought it safer not to send them in search of you
again； as we were to meet so soon。'
'Certainly。 Are there many？'
'One for each of you； both from Hollywell。 I was very sorry to have
engrossed them； but not knowing you were so near； I only gave my
surname。'
'It was lucky for us；' said Guy； 'otherwise we could not have traced
you。 We saw your name at Altdorf； and have been trying to come up with
you ever since。'
'I am glad we have met。 What accounts have you from home？'
'Excellent；' said Amy； 'Charlie is uncommonly well； he has been out of
doors a great deal； and has even dined out several times。'
'I am very glad。'
'You know he has been improving ever since his great illness。'
'You would be surprised to see how much better he moves；' said Guy； 'he
helps himself so much more。'
'Can he set his foot to the ground？'
'No；' said Amy； 'there is no hope of that； but he is more active；
because his general health is improved； he can sleep and eat more。'
'I always thought exertion would do more for him than anything else。'
Amabel was vexed； for she thought exertion depended more on health；
than health on exertion； besides； she thought Philip ought to take some
blame to himself for the disaster on the stairs。 She made no answer；
and Guy asked what Philip had been doing to…day。
'Walking over the hills from Como。 Do you always travel in this
fashion； 〃impedimentis relictis〃？'
'Not exactly；' said Guy； 'the 〃impedimenta〃 are； some at Varenna； some
at the inn with Arnaud。'
'So you have Arnaud with you？'
'Yes； and Anne Trower；' said Amy； for her maid was a Stylehurst person；
who had lived at Hollywell ever since she had been fit for service。
'She was greatly pleased to hear we were going to meet the captain。'
'We amuse ourselves with thinking how she gets on with Arnaud；' said
Guy。 'Their introduction took plac