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'own；' it overcame her embarrassment and alarm； and wishes he would not
choose such a time for speaking。'
'How shall I？' said she。
'Employ yourself。 Employ and strengthen your mind！'
'How shall I； and without you？'
'Find something to prevent you from dwelling on the future。 That
drawing is dreamy work； employing the fingers and leaving the mind
free。'
'I have been trying to read； but I cannot fix my mind。'
'Suppose you take what will demand attention。 Mathematics； algebra。 I
will send you my first book of algebra； and it will help you to work
down many useless dreams and anxieties。'
'Thank you； pray do； I shall be very glad of it。'
'You will find it give a power and stability to your mind； and no
longer have to complain of frivolous occupation。'
'I don't feel frivolous now；' said Laura； sadly； 'I don't know why it
is that everything is so altered； I am really happier； but my light
heart is gone。'
'You have but now learnt the full powers of your soul； Laura； you have
left the world of childhood； with the gay feelings which have no
depth。'
'I have what is better；' she whispered。
'You have； indeed。 But those feelings must be regulated； and
strengthening the intellect strengthens the governing power。'
Philip； with all his sense； was mystifying himself； because he was
departing from right； the only true 'good sense。' His right judgment
in all things was becoming obscured； so he talked metaphysical jargon；
instead of plain practical truth； and thought he was teaching Laura to
strengthen her powers of mind； instead of giving way to dreams； when he
was only leading her to stifle meditation； and thus securing her
complete submission to himself。
She was happier after this conversation； and better able to pay
attention to the guests； nor did she feel guilty when obliged to play
and sing in the eveningfor she knew he must own that she could do no
otherwise。
Lady Eveleen gave； however； its brilliancy to the party。 She had
something wonderfully winning and fascinating about her； and Philip
owned to himself that it took no small resolution on the part of Mr。
Thorndale to keep so steadily aloof from the party in the bay window；
where she was reigning like a queen； and inspiring gaiety like a fairy。
She made Guy sing with her； it was the first time he had ever sung；
except among themselves； as Mrs。 Edmonstone had never known whether he
would like to be asked； but Eveleen refused to sing some of the Irish
melodies unless he would join her； and without making any difficulty he
did so。 Mrs。 Brownlow professed to be electrified； and Eveleen
declaring that she knew she sung like a peacock； told Mrs。 Brownlow
that the thing to hear was Sir Guy singing glees with Laura and Amy。
Of course； they were obliged to sing。 Mrs。 Brownlow was delighted； and
as she had considerable knowledge of music； they all grew eager and
Philip thought it very foolish of Guy to allow so much of his talent
and enthusiasm to display themselves。
When all the people were gone； and the home party had wished each other
good…night； Philip lingered in the drawing…room to finish a letter。
Guy； after helping Charles up…stairs； came down a few moments after； to
fetch something which he had forgotten。 Philip looked up；'You
contributed greatly to the entertainment this evening；' he said。
Guy coloured； not quite sure that this was not said sarcastically； and
provoked with himself for being vexed。
'You think one devoid of the sixth sense has no right to speak；' said
Philip。
'I can't expect all to think it； as I do； one of the best things in
this world or out of it；' said Guy； speaking quickly。
'I know it is so felt by those who understand its secrets；' said
Philip。 'I would not depreciate it； so you may hear me patiently； Guy。
I only meant to warn you； that it is often the means of bringing
persons into undesirable intimacies； from which they cannot disentangle
themselves as easily as they enter them。'
A flush crossed Guy's cheek； but it passed； and he simply said'I
suppose it may。 Good…night。'
Philip looked after him； and pondered on what it was that had annoyed
himmanner； words； or advice。 He ascribed it to Guy's unwillingness
to be advised； since he had observed that his counsel was apt to
irritate him； though his good sense often led him to follow it。 In the
present case； Philip thought Mrs。 Brownlow and her society by no means
desirable for a youth like Guy； and he was quite right。
Philip and his friend went the next morning； and in the afternoon Laura
received the book of algebraa very original first gift from a lover。
It came openly； with a full understanding that she was to use it by his
recommendation； her mother and brother both thought they understood the
motive； which one thought very wise； and the other very characteristic。
Lord Kilcoran and Lady Eveleen also departed。 Eveleen very sorry to
go； though a little comforted by the prospect of seeing Laura so soon
in Ireland； where she would set her going in all kinds of
'rationalitiesreading； and school teaching； and everything else。'
'Ay；' said Charles； when all were out of hearing but his mother； 'and I
shrewdly suspect the comfort would be still greater if it was Sir Guy
Morville who was coming。'
'It would be no bad thing；' said his mother： 'Eveleen is a nice
creature with great capabilities。'
'Capabilities！ but will they ever come to anything？'
'In a few years；' said Mrs。 Edmonstone； 'and he is a mere boy at
present； so there is plenty of time for both to develop themselves。'
'Most true； madame mere； but it remains to be proved whether the liking
for Sir Guy； which has taken hold of my lady Eveleen； is strong enough
to withstand all the coquetting with young Irishmen； and all the idling
at Kilcoran。'
'I hope she has something better to be relied on than the liking for
Sir Guy。'
'You may well do so； for I think he has no notion of throwing off his
allegiance to youhis first and only love。 He liked very well to make
fun with Eva； but he regarded her rather as a siren； who drew him off
from his Latin and Greek。'
'Yes； I am ashamed of myself for such a fit of match…making！ Forget
it； Charlie； as fast as you can。'
CHAPTER 11
This warld's wealth； when I think o't；
Its pride； and a' the lave o't；
Fie； fie on silly coward man；
That he should be the slave o't。BURNS
In another week Mr。 Edmonstone and his eldest daughter were to depart
on their Irish journey。 Laura； besides the natural pain in leaving
home； was sorry to be no longer near Philip； especially as it was not
likely that he would be still at Broadstone on their return； yet she
was so restless and dissatisfied； that any change was welcome； and the
fear of betraying herself almost took