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it appeared that Charles had heard； but had woven the announcement into
a dream。
This concert filled Guy's head。 His only grief was that it was to be in
the evening； so that Charles could not go to it； and his wonder was not
repressed at finding that Philip did not mean to favour it with his
presence； since Guy would suffice for squire to Mrs。 Edmonstone and her
daughters。
In fact； Philip was somewhat annoyed by the perpetual conversation
about the concert； and on the day on which it was to take place
resolved on making a long expedition to visit the ruins of an old
abbey； far out of all reports of it。 As he was setting out； he was
greeted； in a very loud voice； by Mr。 Gordon。
'Hollo； Morville！ how are you？ So you have great doings to…night； I
hear！' and he had only just forced himself from him； when he was again
accosted； this time in a hasty； embarrassed manner；
'I beg your pardon； sir； but the ties of relationship'
He drew himself up as if he was on parade； faced round； and replied
with an emphatic 'Sir！' as he behold a thin； foreign…looking man； in a
somewhat flashy style of dress； who； bowing low； repeated
breathlessly；
'I beg your pardonSir Guy Morville； I believe！'
'Captain Morville； sir！'
'I beg your pardonI mistook。 A thousand pardons；' and he retreated；
while Philip； after a moment's wonder； pursued his walk。
The Hollywell party entered Broadstone in a very different temper； and
greatly did they enjoy the concert； both for themselves and for each
other。 In the midst of it； while Amy was intent on the Italian words
of a song； Guy touched her hand； and pointed to a line in the
programme
Solo on the violin 。 。 。 。 MR。 S。 B。 DIXON。
She looked up in his face with an expression full of inquiry； but it
was no time for speaking； and she only saw how the colour mantled on
his cheek when the violinist appeared； and how he looked down the whole
time of the performance； only now and then venturing a furtive though
earnest glance。
He did not say anything till they were seated in the carriage； and then
astonished Mrs。 Edmonstone by exclaiming
'It must be my uncle！I am sure it must。 I'll ride to Broadstone the
first thing to…morrow； and find him out。'
'Your uncle！' exclaimed Mrs。 Edmonstone。 'I never thought of that。'
S。 B。 Dixon；' said Guy。 'I know his name is Sebastian。 It cannot be
any one else。 You know he went to America。 How curious it is！ I
suppose there is no fear of his being gone before I can come in to…
morrow。'
'I should think not。 Those musical people keep late hours。'
'I would go before breakfast。 Perhaps it would be best to go to old
Redford； he will know all about him； or to the music…shop。 I am so
glad！ It is the very thing I always wished。'
'Did you？' said Mrs。 Edmonstone to herself。 'I can't say every one
would be of your mind； but I can't help liking you the better for it。
I wish the man had kept further off。 I wish Mr。 Edmonstone was at
home。 I hope no harm will come of it。 I wonder what I ought to do。
Shall I caution him？ No； I don't think I can spoil his happinessand
perhaps the man may be improved。 He is his nearest relation； and I
have no right to interfere。 His own good sense will protect himbut I
wish Mr。 Edmonstone was at home。'
She therefore did not check his expressions of delight； nor object to
his going to Broadstone early the next morning。 He had just dismounted
before the inn…yard； when a boy put a note into his hand； and he was so
absorbed in its contents； that he did not perceive Philip till after
two greetings had passed unheard。 When at length he was recalled； he
started； and exclaimed； rapturously； as he put the note into his
cousin's hand；
'See hereit is himself！'
'Who？'
'My uncle。 My poor mother's own brother。'
'Sebastian Bach Dixon；' read Philip。 'Ha！ it was he who took me for
you yesterday。'
'I saw him at the concertI was sure it could be no other。 I came in
on purpose to find him； and here he is waiting for me。 Is not it a
happy chance？'
'Happy！' echoed Philip； in a far different tone。
'How I have longed for thisfor any one who could remember and tell me
of herof my mothermy poor； dear young mother！ And her own brother！
I have been thinking of it all night； and he knows I am here； and is as
eager as myself。 He is waiting for me；' ended Guy； hurrying off。
'Stop！' said Philip； gravely。 'Think before acting。 I seriously
advise you to have nothing to do with this man； at least personally。
Let me see him； and learn what he wants。'
'He wants me；' impatiently answered Guy。 'You are not his nephew。'
'Thank heaven！' thought Philip。 'Do you imagine your relationship is
the sole cause of his seeking you？'
'I don't knowI don't care！' cried Guy； with vehemence。 'I will not
listen to suspicions of my mother's brother。'
'It is more than suspicion。 Hear me calmly。 I speak for your good。 I
know this man's influence was fatal to your father。 I know he did all
in his power to widen the breach with your grandfather。'
'That was eighteen years ago；' said Guy； walking on； biting his lip in
a fiery fit of impatience。
'You will not hear。 Remember； that his position and associates render
him no fit companion for you。 Nay； listen patiently。 You cannot help
the relationship。 I would not have you do otherwise than assist him。
Let him not complain of neglect； but be on your guard。 He will either
seriously injure you； or be a burden for life。'
'I have heard you so farI can hear no more；' said Guy； no longer
restraining his impetuosity。 'He is my uncle； that I know； I care for
nothing else。 Positionnonsense！ what has that to do with it？ I will
not be set against him。'
He strode off； but in a few moments turned back； overtook Philip； said…
…
'Thank you for your advice。 I beg your pardon for my hastiness。 You
mean kindly； but I must see my uncle。' And； without waiting for an
answer； he was gone。
In short space he was in the little parlour of the music…shop； shaking
hands with his uncle； and exclaiming；
'I am so glad！ I hoped it was you！'
'It is very noble…hearted！ I might have known it would be so with the
son of my dearest sister and of my generous friend！' cried Mr。 Dixon；
with eagerness that had a theatrical air； though it was genuine feeling
that filled his eyes with tears。
'I saw your name last night' continued Guy。 'I would have tried to
speak to you at once； but I was obliged to stay with Mrs； Edmonstone；
as I was the only gentleman with her。'
'Ah！ I thought it possible you might not be able to follow the dictate
of your own heart； but this is a fortunate conjuncture； in the absence
of your guardian。'
Guy recollected Philip's remonstrance； and it crossed him whethe