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to you。 He always upheld that you acted for his good。 Oh！ the way he
took it was the one comfort I had last year。'
'The acutest sting； and yet the only balm；' murmured Philip； 'see；
Laura；' and he opened the first leaf of Guy's prayer…book； which he had
been using at the christening。
A whispered 'Dear Guy！' was the best answer she could make； and the
tears were in her eyes。 'He was so very kind to me； when he saw me
that unhappy wedding…day。'
'Did Amy tell you his last words to me？'
'No；' said Laura。
'God bless you and my sister！' he repeated； so low that she could
hardly hear。
'Amy left that for you to tell；' said Laura； as her tears streamed
fast。 How can we speak of her； Philip？'
'Only as an angel of pardon and peace！' he answered。
'I don't know how to tell you of all her kindness；' said Laura； 'half
the bitterness of it seemed to be over when once she was in the house
again； and； all the winter； going into her room was like going into
some peaceful place where one must find comfort。'
'〃Spirits of peace； where are ye〃 I could have said； when I saw her
drive away at Recoara； and carry all good angels with her except those
that could not but hover round that grave。'
'How very sad it must have been！ Did'
'Don't speak of it； don't ask me of it' said Philip； hastily。 'There
is nothing in my mind but a tumult of horror and darkness that it is
madness to remember。 Tell me of yourselftell me that you have not
been hurt by all that I have brought on you。'
'Oh； no！' said Laura 'besides； that is all at an end。'
'All an end！ Laura； I fear in joining your fate to mine； you will find
care and grief by no means at an end。 You must be content to marry a
saddened； remorseful man； broken down in health and spirits； his whole
life embittered by that fatal remembrance； forced to endure an
inheritance that seems to have come like the prosperity of the wicked。
Yet you are ready to take all this？ Then； Laura； that precious； most
precious love； that has endured through all； will be the one drop of
comfort through the rest of my life。
She could but hear such words with thrills of rejoicing affection； and
on they walked； Laura trembling and struck with sorrow at the depth of
repentance he now and then disclosed； though not in the least able to
fathom it； thinking it all his nobleness of mind； justifying him to
herself； idolizing him too much to own he had ever been wrong； yet the
innate power of tact and sympathy teaching her no longer to combat his
self…reproaches； and repeat his former excuses； but rather to say
something soothing and caressing； or put in some note of thankfulness
and admiration of Amy and Guy。 This was the best thing she could do
for him； as she was not capable； like Amy； of acknowledging that his
repentance was well…founded。 She was a nurse； not a physician； to the
wounded spirit； but a very good and gentle nurse she was； and the
thorough enjoyment of her affection and sympathy； the opening into
confidence； and the freedom from doubt and suspense； were comforts that
were doing him good every hour。
The christening party consisted only of the Rosses； and Dr。 Mayerne；
who had joined them at East…hill church； and walked home with Mr。
Edmonstone。 They could not have been without him； so grateful were
they for his kindness all through their anxious winter； and Mr。
Edmonstone was well pleased to tell him on the way home that they might
look to having a wedding in the family； it had been a very long
attachment； constancy as good as a story； and he could all along have
told what was the matter； when mamma was calling in the doctor to
account for Laura's looking pale。
The doctor was not surprised at the news； for perhaps he； too； had had
some private theory about those pale looks； but； knowing pretty well
the sentiments Charles had entertained the winter before last； he was
curious to find out how he regarded this engagement。 Charles spoke of
it in the most ready cordial way。 'Well； doctor； so you have heard our
news！ I flatter myself we have as tall and handsome a pair of lovers
to exhibit here； as any in the United Kingdom； when we have fattened
him a little into condition。'
'Never was there a better match；' said Dr。 Mayerne。 'Made for each
other all along。 One could not see them without feeling it was the
first chapter of a novel。'
When Mrs。 Edmonstone came in； the doctor was a little taken aback。 He
thought her mind must be with poor Sir Guy； and was afraid the lovers
had been in such haste as to pain Lady Morville； for there was a
staidness and want of 〃epanchement du coeur〃 of answering that was very
unlike her usual warm manner。 At dinner； Mr。 Edmonstone was in high
spirits； delighted at Amy's recovery； happy to have a young man about
the house again； charmed to see two lovers together； pleased that Laura
should be mistress of Redclyffe； since it could not belong to Amy's
child； altogether； as joyous as ever。 His wife； being at ease about
Amy； did her best to smile； and even laugh； though sad at heart all the
time； as she missed the father from the christening feast； and thought
how happy she had been in that far different reunion last year。 It
might be the same with Charles； but the outward effect was exhibited in
lively nonsense； Charlotte's spirits were rising fast； and only Philip
and Laura themselves were grave and silent； she； the more so； because
she was disappointed to find that the one walk back from East…hill；
much as he had enjoyed it； had greatly tired Philip。 However； the
others talked enough without them； and Mr。 Edmonstone was very happy；
drinking the health of Miss Morville； and himself carrying a bit of the
christening cake to the mamma in the drawing…room。
There sat Amabel by the fire； knowing that from henceforth she must
exert herself to take part in the cheerfulness of the house； and
willing to join the external rejoicing in her child's christening； or
at least not to damp it by remaining up…stairs。 Yet any one but Mr。
Edmonstone would have seen more sadness than pleasure in the sweet
smile with which she met and thanked him； but they were cheerful tones
in which she replied； and in her presence everything was hushed and
gentle； subdued； yet not mournful。 The spirit of that evening was only
recognized after it was past； and then it ever grew fairer and sweeter
in recollection； so as never to be forgotten by any of those who shared
it。
CHAPTER 42
She was not changed when sorrow came；
That awed the sternest men；
It rather seemed she kept her flame
To comfort us till then。
But sorrow passed； and others smiled
With happiness once more；
And she drew back the spirit mild
She still had been before。S。 R。
Philip's marriage could not take place at once。 No one said；