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falling into his eyes； he asked her to cut the front lock off。 There
was something sad in doing this； for that 'tumble…down wave；' as
Charlotte called it； was rather a favourite of Amy's； it always seemed
to have so much sympathy with his moods； and it was as if parting with
it was resigning him to a long illness。 However； it was too
troublesome not to go； and he looked amused at the care with which she
folded up the glossy； brown wave； and treasured it in her dressing…
case； then she read to him a few verses of a psalm； and he soon fell
into another doze。
There was little more of event； day after day。 The fever never ran as
high as in Philip's case； and there was no delirium。 There was almost
constant torpor； but when for any short space he was thoroughly
awakened； his mind was perfectly clear； though he spoke little； and
then only on the subject immediately presented to him。 There he lay
for one quiet hour after another； while Amy sat by him； with as little
consciousness of time as he had himself； looking neither forward nor
backward； only to the present； to give him drink； bathe his face and
hands； arrange his pillows； or read or repeat some soothing verse。 It
always was a surprise when meal times summoned her to attend to Philip；
when she was asked for the letters for the post； when evening twilight
gathered in； or when she had to leave the night…watch to Arnaud； and go
to bed in the adjoining room。
This was a great trial； but he would not allow her to sit up； and her
own sense showed her that if this was to be a long illness； it would
not do to waste her strength。 She knew he was quiet at night； and her
trustful temper so calmed and supported her； that she was able to
sleep； and thus was not as liable to be overworked as might have been
feared； and as Philip thought she must be。
She always appeared in his room with her sweet face mournful and
anxious； but never ruffled； or with any air of haste or discomfiture；
desirous as she was to return to her husband； for； though he frequently
sent her to take care of herself or of Philip； she knew that while she
was away he always grew more restless and uncomfortable； and his look
of relief at her re…entrance said as much to her as a hundred
complaints of her absence would have done。
Philip was in the meantime sorely tried by being forced to be entirely
inactive and dependent； while he saw Amabel in such need of assistance；
and so far from being able to requite Guy's care； he could only look on
himself as the cause of their distress； and an addition to ita
burthen instead of a help。 If he had been told a little while ago what
would be the present state of things； he would almost have laughed the
speaker to scorn。 He would never have thought a child as competent as
Amy to the sole management of two sick persons； and he not able either
to advise or cheer her。 Yet he could not see anything went wrong that
depended on her。 His comforts were so cared for； that he was often
sorry she should have troubled herself about them； and though he could
have little of her company； he never was allowed to feel himself
deserted。 Anne； Arnaud； the old Italian nurse； or Amy herself； were
easily summoned； and gave him full care and attention。
He was； however； necessarily a good deal alone； and though his cousin's
books were at his disposal； eyes and head were too weak for reading；
and he was left a prey to his own thoughts。 His great comfort was；
that Guy was less ill than he had been himself； and that there was no
present danger； otherwise； he could never have endured the conviction
that all had been caused by his own imprudence。 Imprudence！ Philip
was brought very low to own that such a word applied to him； yet it
would have been well for him had that been the chief burthen on his
mind。 Was it only an ordinary service of friendship and kindred that
Guy had； at the peril of his own life； rendered him？ Was it not a
positive return of good for evil？ Yes； evil！ He now called that evil；
or at least harshness and hastiness in judgment； which he had hitherto
deemed true friendship and consideration for Guy and Amy。 Every
feeling of distrust and jealousy had been gradually softening since his
recovery began； gratitude had done much； and dismay at Guy's illness
did more。 It would have been noble and generous in Guy to act as he
had done； had Philip's surmises been correct； and this he began to
doubt； though it was his only justification； and even to wish to lose
it。 He had rather believe Guy blameless。 He would do so； if possible；
and he resolved； on the first opportunity； to beg him to give him one
last assurance that all was right； and implicitly believe him。 But how
was it possible again to assume to be a ruler and judge over Guy after
it was known how egregiously he himself had erred？ There was shame；
sorrow； self…humiliation； and anxiety wherever he turned； and it was no
wonder that depression of spirits retarded his recovery。
It was not till the tenth day after Guy's illness had begun that Philip
was able to be dressed； and to come into the next room； where Amabel
had promised to dine with him。 As he lay on the sofa； she thought he
looked even more ill than in bed； the change from his former appearance
being rendered more visible； and his great height making him look the
more thin。 He was apparently exhausted with the exertion of dressing；
for he was very silent all dinner…time； though Amabel could have better
talked to…day than for some time past； since Guy had had some
refreshing sleep； was decidedly less feverish； seemed better for
nourishing food； and said that he wanted nothing but a puff of
Redclyffe wind to make him well。 He was pleased to hear of Philip's
step in recovery； and altogether； Amy was cheered and happy。
She left her cousin as soon as dinner was over； and did not come to him
again for nearly an hour and a half。 She was then surprised to find
him finishing a letter； resting his head on one hand； and looking wan；
weary； and very unhappy。
'Have you come to letter writing？'
'Yes；' he answered； in a worn； dejected tone； 'I must ask you to direct
this； I can't make it legible；'
No wonder； so much did his hand tremble； as he held out the envelope。
'To your sister？' she asked。
'No； to yours。 I never wrote to her before。 There's one enclosed to
your father； to tell all。'
'I am glad you have done it；' answered Amy； in a quiet tone of sincere
congratulation。 'You will be better now it is off your mind。 But how
tired you are。 You must go back to bed。 Shall I call Arnaud？'
'I must rest first'and his voice failing； he laid back on the sofa；
closed his eyes； turned ashy pale； and became so faint that she could
not leave him； and was obliged to apply every restorative within reach
before she could bring him back to a state of