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excitement had carried Philip to the grave…yard as soon as he learnt
what was passing。 He could hardly return even with Arnaud's support；
and he had only just reached the sofa before he fell into a fainting…
fit。
It was long before he gave any sign of returning life； and when he
opened his eyes and saw Mrs。 Edmonstone； he closed them almost
immediately； as if unable to meet her look。 It was easier to treat him
in his swoon than afterwards。 She knew nothing of his repentance and
confession； she only knew he had abused her confidence； led Laura to
act insincerely； and been the cause of Guy's death。 She did not know
how bitterly he accused himself； and though she could not but see he
was miserable； she could by no means fathom his wretchedness； nor guess
that her very presence made him conscious how far he was fallen。 He
was so ill that she could not manifest her displeasure； nor show
anything but solicitude for his relief； but her kindness was entirely
to his condition； not to himself； and perceiving this； while he thought
his confession had been received； greatly aggravated his distress；
though he owned within himself that he well deserved it。
She found that he was in no state for being read to； he was completely
exhausted； and suffering from violent headache。 So when she could
conscientiously say that to be left quiet was the best thing for him；
she went to her daughter。
Amabel was lying on her bed； her Bible open by her； not exactly
reading； but as if she was now and then finding a verse and dwelling on
it。 Gentle and serene she looked； but would she never weep？ would
those quiet blue eyes be always sleepless and tearless？
She asked anxiously for Philip； and throughout the day he seemed to be
her care。 She did not try to get up and go to him； but she was
continually begging her mother to see about him。 It was a harassing
day for poor Mrs。 Edmonstone。 She would have been glad to have sat by
Amabel all the time； writing to Charles； or hearing her talk。 Amy had
much to say； for she wished to make her mother share the perfect peace
and thankfulness that had been breathed upon her during those last
hours with her husband； and she liked to tell the circumstances of his
illness and his precious sayings； to one who would treasure them almost
like herself。 She spoke with her face turned away； so as not to see
her mother's tears； but her mild voice unwavering； as if secure in the
happiness of these recollections。 This was the only comfort of Mrs。
Edmonstone's day； but when she heard her husband's boots creaking in
the corridor； it was a sure sign that he was in some perplexity； and
that she must go and help him to write a letter； or make some
arrangement。 Philip； too； needed attention； but excellent nurse as
Mrs。 Edmonstone was； she only made him worse。 The more he felt she was
his kind aunt still； the more he saw how he had wounded her； and that
her pardon was an effort。 The fond； spontaneous； unreserved affection…
…almost pettingwhich he had well…nigh dared to contemn； was gone； her
manner was only that of a considerate nurse。 Much as he longed for a
word of Laura； he did not dare to lead to it；indeed； he was so far
from speaking to her of any subject which touched him； that he did not
presume even to inquire for Amabel； he only heard of her through
Arnaud。
At night sheer exhaustion worked its own cure； he slept soundly； and
awoke in the morning revived。 He heard from Arnaud that Lady Morville
was pretty well； but had not slept； and presently Mrs。 Edmonstone came
in and took pains to make him comfortable； but with an involuntary
dryness of manner。 She told him his uncle would come to see him as
soon as he was up； if he felt equal to talking over some business。
Philip's brain reeled with dismay and consternation； for it flashed on
him that he was heir of Redclyffe。 He must profit by the death he had
caused； he had slain； and he must take possession of the lands which；
with loathing and horror； he remembered that he had almost coveted。
Nothing more was wanting。 There was little consolation in remembering
that the inheritance would clear away all difficulties in the way of
his marriage。 He had sinned； wealth did not alter his fault； and his
spirit could not brook that if spurned in poverty； he should be
received for his riches。 He honoured his aunt for being cold and
reserved； and could not bear the idea of seeing his uncle ready to meet
him half…way。
After the first shock he became anxious to have the meeting over； know
the worst； and hear on what ground he stood with Laura。 As soon as he
was dressed； he sent a message to announce that he was ready； and lay
on the sofa awaiting his uncle's arrival； as patiently as he could。
Mr。 Edmonstone； meantime； was screwing up his couragenot that he
meant to say a word of Laura；Philip was too unwell to be told his
opinion of him； but now he had ceased to rely on his nephew； he began
to dread him and his overbearing ways； and besides he had a perfect
horror of witnessing agitation。
At last he came； and Philip rose to meet him with a feeling of shame
and inferiority most new to him。
'Don't； don't； I beg；' said Mr。 Edmonstone； with what was meant for
dignity。 'Lie still； you had much better。 My stars！ how ill you
look！' he exclaimed； startled by Philip's altered face and figure。
'You have had a sharpish touch； but you are better； eh？'
'Yes； thank you。'
'Well； I thought I had better come and speak to you； if you felt up to
it。 Here ishere isI hope it is all right and legal； but that you
can tell better than I； and you are concerned in it anyhow。 Here is
poor Guy's will； which we thought you had better look over； if you
liked； and felt equal； eh？'
'Thank you；' said Philip； holding out his hand； but Mr。 Edmonstone
withheld it； trying his patience by an endless quantity of discursive
half…sentences； apparently without connection with each other； about
disappointment； and hopes； and being sorry； and prospects； and its
'being an unpleasant thing；' and 'best not raise his expectations：'
during all which time Philip； expecting to hear of Laura； and his heart
beating so fast as to renew the sensation of faintness； waited in vain；
and strove to gather the meaning； and find out whether he was forgiven；
almost doubting whether the confusion was in his own mind or in his
uncle's words。 However； at last the meaning bolted out in one
comprehensive sentence； when Mr。 Edmonstone thought he had sufficiently
prepared him for his disappointment；'Poor Amy is to be confined in
the spring。'
There Mr。 Edmonstone stopped short； very much afraid of the effect； but
Philip raised himself； his face brightened； as if he was greatly
relieved； and from his heart he exclaimed； 'Thank Heaven！'
'That's right！ that is very well said！' answered Mr。 Edmonston