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an airing； and he said； that in addition he should 'hirple about a
little to explore the ground…floor of the house。'
'We must contrive some way for him to drive out；' said Philip； as he
crossed the court with Amabel； 'and you too。 There is no walk here；
but up hill or down。'
Up…hill they went； along the path leading up the green slope； from
which the salt wind blew refreshingly。 In a few minutes； Amabel found
herself on a spot which thrilled her all over。
There lay before her Guy's own Redclyffe bay； the waves lifting their
crests and breaking； the surge resounding； the sea…birds skimming
round； the Shag Rock dark and rugged； the scene which seemed above all
the centre of his home affections； which he had so longed to show her；
that it had cost him an effort on his death…bed to resign the hope； the
leaping waves that he said he would not change for the white…headed
mountains。 And now he was lying among those southern mountains； and
she stood in the spot where he had loved to think of seeing her； and
with Philip by her side。 His sea； his own dear sea； the vision of
which had cheered； his last day； like the face of a dear old friend；
his sea； rippling and glancing on； unknowing that the eyes that had
loved it so well would gaze on it no more； the wind that he had longed
for to cool his fevered brow； the rock which had been like a playmate
in his boyhood； and where he had perilled his life； and rescued so
many。 It was one of the seasons when a whole gush of fresh perceptions
of his feelings； like a new meeting with himself； would come on her；
her best of joys； and there she stood； gazing fixedly； her black veil
fluttering in the wind； and her hands pressed close together； till
Philip； little knowing what the sight was to her； shivered； saying it
was very cold and windy； and without hesitation she turned away；
feeling that now Redclyffe was precious indeed。
She brought her mind back to listen； while Philip was considering of
means of taking Charles out of doors； he supposed there might be some
vehicle about the place； but he thought there was no horse。 Very
unlike was this to the exact Philip。 The great range of stables was
before them； where the Morvilles had been wont to lodge their horses as
sumptuously as themselves； and Amabel proposed to go and see what they
could find； but nothing was there but emptiness； till they came to a
pony in one stall； a goat in another； and one wheelbarrow in the coach…
house。
On leaving it； under the long…sheltered sunny wall； they came in sight
of a meeting between the baby taking the air in Anne's arms； and
Markham； who had been hovering about all day； anxious to know how
matters were going on。 His back was towards them； so that he was
unconscious of their approach； and they saw how he spoke to Anne；
looked fixedly at the child； made her laugh； and finally took her in
his arms； as he had so often carried her father； studying earnestly her
little face。 As soon as he saw them coming； he hastily gave her back
to Anne； as if ashamed to be thus caught； but he was obliged to grunt
and put his hand up to his shaggy eyelashes； before he could answer
Amabel's greeting。
He could hardly believe his eyes； that here was Mr。 Morville； who
yesterday was scarcely able to raise his head from the pillow； and
could attend to nothing。 He could not think what Lady Morville had
done to him； when he heard him inquiring and making arrangements about
sending for a pony carriage； appearing thoroughly roused； and the dread
of being seen or spoken to entirely passed away； Markham was greatly
rejoiced； for Mr。 Morville's illness； helplessness； and dependence upon
himself； had softened and won him to regard him kindly as nothing else
would have done； and his heart was entirely gained when； after they had
wished him good…bye； he saw Philip and Amabel walk on； overtake Anne；
Amy take the baby and hold her up to Philip； who looked at her with the
same earnest interest。 From thenceforward Markham knew that Redclyffe
was nothing but a burden to Mr。 Morville； and he could bear to see it
in his possession since like himself； he seemed to regard Sir Guy's
daughter like a disinherited princess。
This short walk fatigued Philip thoroughly。 He slept till dinner…time；
and when he awoke said it was the first refreshing dreamless sleep he
had had for weeks。 His head was much better； and at dinner he had
something like an appetite。
It was altogether a day of refreshment； and so were the ensuing ones。
Each day Philip became stronger； and resumed more of his usual habits。
From writing a few lines in Amabel's daily letter to Laura； he
proceeded to filling the envelope； and from being put to sleep by
Charles's reading； to reading aloud the whole evening himself。 The
pony carriage was set up； and he drove Charles out every day； Amabel
being then released from attending him； and free to enjoy herself in
her own way in rambles about the house and park； and discoveries of the
old haunts she knew so well by description。
She early found her way to Guy's own room； where she would walk up and
down with her child in her arms； talking to her； and holding up to her；
to be admired； the treasures of his boyhood； that Mrs。 Drew delighted
to keep in order。 One day； when alone in the sitting…room； she thought
of trying the piano he had chosen for her。 It was locked； but the key
was on her own split…ring； where he had put it for her the day he
returned from London。 She opened it； and it so happened； that the
first note she struck reminded her of one of the peculiarly sweet and
deep tones of Guy's voice。 It was like awaking its echo again； and as
it died away； she hid her face and wept。 But from that time the first
thing she did when her brother and cousin were out； was always to bring
down her little girl； and play to her； watching how she enjoyed the
music。
Little Mary prospered in the sea air； gained colour； took to springing
and laughing； and her intelligent lively way of looking about brought
out continually more likeness to her father。 Amabel herself was no
longer drooping and pining； her step grew light and elastic； a shade of
pink returned to her cheek； and the length of walk she could take was
wonderful； considering her weakness in the summer。 Every day she stood
on the cliff and looked at 'Guy's sea；' before setting out to visit the
cottages； and hear the fond rough recollections of Sir Guy； or to
wander far away into the woods or on the moor； and find the way to the
places he had loved。 One day； when Philip and Charles came in from a
drive； they overtook her in the court； her cloak over her arm； her
crape limp with spray； her cheeks brightened to a rosy glow by the
wind； and a real smile as she looked up to them。 When Charles was on
his sofa； she stooped over him and whispered； 'James and Ben Rob