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'Excellent； the fever and drowsiness seem to be going off。 It must
have been a light attack； and the elders will hardly come in time for
mamma to have any nursing。 So there's Guy pretty well off one's mind。'
'And Amy？'
'This was such a long letter； and so cheerful； that she must be all
right。 What I wanted to speak to you about was Laura。 You know the
state of things。 Well； the captainI wish he was not so sorry； it
deprives one of the satisfaction of abusing himthe captain； it seems；
was brought to his senses by his illness； confessed all to Guy； and now
has written to tell the whole truth to my father。'
'Has he？ That is a great relief！'
'Not that I have seen his letter； Laura ran away with it； and has not
said a word of it。 I know it from one to papa from Amy； trying to make
the best of it； and telling how thoroughly he is cut up。 She says he
all but fainted after writing。 Fancy that poor little thing with a
great man； six foot one； fainting away on her hands！'
'I thought he was pretty well again。'
'He must be to have written at all； and a pretty tolerably bitter pill
it must have been to set about it。 What a thing for him to have had to
tell Guy； of all peopleI do enjoy that！ So； of course； Guy takes up
his cause； and sends a message； that is worth anything； as showing he
is himself better； though in any one else it would be a proof of
delirium。 My two brothers…in…law might sit for a picture of the
contrast。'
'Then you think Mr。 Edmonstone will consent？'
'To be sure； we shall have him coming home； saying
It is a fine thing to be father in…law
To a very magnificent three…tailed bashaw。
He will never hold out against Guy and Amy； and Philip will soon set up
a patent revolver； to be turned by the little god of love on the newest
scientific principles。'
'Where is Laura？' said Mary； smiling。
'I turned her out to walk with Charlotte； and I want some counsel； as
mamma says I know nothing of lovers。'
'Because I know so much？'
'You know feminine nature I want to know what is the best thing to do
for Laura。 Poor thing！ I can't bear to see her look so wretched；
worrying herself with care of me。 I have done the best I could by
taking Charlotte's lessons； and sending her out to mope alone； as she
likes best； but I wish you would tell me how to manage her。'
'I know nothing better for her than waiting on you。'
'That's hard；' said Charles； 'that having made the world dance
attendance on me for my pleasure； I must now do it for theirs。 But
what do you think about telling her of this letter； or showing it；
remembering that not a word about her troubles has passed between us？'
'By all means tell her。 You must judge about showing it； but I should
think the opening for talking to her on the subject a great gain。'
'Should you？ What； thinking as I do of the man？ Should I not be
between the horns of a dilemma if I had to speak the honest truth； yet
not hurt her feelings？'
'She has been so long shut up from sympathy； that any proof of kindness
must be a comfort。'
'Well； I should like to do her some good； but it will be a mercy； if
she does not make me fall foul of Philip！ I can get up a little
Christian charity； when my father or Charlotte rave at him； but I can't
stand hearing him praised。 I take the opportunity of saying so while I
can； for I expect he will come home as her betrothed； and then we shall
not be able to say one word。'
'No； I dare say he will be so altered and subdued that you will not be
so disposed to rail。 This confession is a grand thing。 Good…bye I
must get back to church。 Poor Laura！ how busy she has been about her
sketch there lately。'
'Yes； she has been eager about finishing it ever since Guy began to be
ill。 Good…bye。 Wish me well through my part of confidant to…night。
It is much against the grain； though I would give something to cheer up
my poor sister。'
'I am sure you would；' thought Mary to herself； as she looked back at
him： 'what a quantity of kind； right feeling there in under that odd；
dry manner； that strives to appear to love nothing but a joke。'
As soon as Charlotte was gone to bed； Charles； in accordance with his
determination； said to Laura；
'Have you any fancy for seeing Amy's letter？'
'Thank you；' and； without speaking； Laura took it。 He forbore to watch
her expression as she read。 When she had finished； her face was fixed
in silent unhappiness。
'He has been suffering a great deal； I am sure；' said Charles； kindly。
It was the first voluntary word of compassion towards Philip that Laura
had heard； and it was as grateful as unexpected。 Her face softened；
and tears gushed from her eyes as she said；
'You do not know how much。 There he is grieving for me！ thinking they
will be angry with me； and hurting himself with that！ Oh！ if this had
but come before they set off！'
'Guy and Amy will tell them of his having written。'
'Dear； dear Guy and Amy！ He speaks so earnestly of their kindness。 I
don't fear it so much now he and Guy understand each other。'
Recollecting her love； Charles refrained； only saying； 'You can rely on
their doing everything to make it better。'
'I can hardly bear to think of what we owe to them；' said Laura。 'How
glad I am that Amy was there after he wrote； when he was so much
overcome！ Amy has written me such a very kind note； I think you must
see thatit is so like her own dear self。'
She gave it to him； and he read：
'MY DEAREST；I never could tell you before how we have grieved for you
ever since we knew it。 I am so sorry I wrote such dreadful accounts；
and Guy says he wants to ask your pardon； if he ever said anything that
pained you about Philip。 I understand all your unhappiness now； my
poor dear； but it will be better now it is known。 Don't be reserved；
with Charlie； pray； for if he sees you are unhappy； he will be so very
kind。 I have just seen Philip again； and found him rested and better。
He is only anxious about you； but I tell him I know you will be glad it
is told。
'Your most affectionate sister；
'A。 F。 M。'
'Laura' said Charles； finishing the letter； 'Amy gives you very good
advice； as far as I am concerned。 I do want to be of as much use to
you as I canI mean as kind。'
'I knowI know； thank you；' said Laura； struggling with her tears。
'You have beenyou are； but'
'Ay；' thought Charles； 'I see； she won't be satisfied； if my kindness
includes her alone。 What will my honesty let me say to please her？
Oh！ I know。You must not expect me to say that Philip has； behaved
properly； Laura； nothing but being in love could justify such a
delusion； but I do say that there is greatness of mind in his
confessing it； especially at a time whe