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that will be the best way。'
Every word； no matter what； increased the burning of poor Amy's cheeks。
A broad accusation of flirting would have been less distressing to many
girls than this mild and delicate warning was to one of such shrinking
modesty and maidenly feeling。 She had a sort of consciousness that she
enjoyed partaking in his pursuits； and this made her sense of confusion
and shame overwhelming。 What had she been thoughtlessly doing？ She
could not speak； she could not look。 Her mother put her arm round her；
and Amy hid her head on her shoulder； and held her fast。 Mrs。
Edmonstone kissed and caressed the little fluttering bird； then saying；
'Good night； my own dear child；' unloosed her embrace。
'Good night； dear mamma；' whispered Amy。 'I am very sorry。'
'You need not be sorry； my dear； only be careful。 Good night。' And it
would be hard to say whether the mother or the daughter had the hottest
cheeks。
Poor little Amy！ what was her dismay as she asked herself； again and
again； what she had been doing and what she was to do？ The last was
plain；she knew what was right； and do it she must。 There would be an
end of much that was pleasant； and a fresh glow came over her as she
owned how very； very pleasant； but if it was not quite the thing；if
mamma did not approve； so it must be。 True； all her doings received
their zest from Guy；her heart bounded at the very sound of his
whistle； she always heard his words through all the din of a whole
party；nothing was complete without him； nothing good without his
without his approval；but so much the more shame for her。 It was a
kind of seeking him which was of all things the most shocking。 So
there should be an end of it；never mind the rest！ Amy knelt down；
and prayed that she might keep her resolution。
She did not know how much of her severity towards herself was learned
from the example that had been two years before her。 Nor did she think
whether the seeking had been mutual； she imagined it all her own doing；
and did not guess that she would give pain to Guy by withdrawing
herself from him。
The morning gave vigour to her resolution； and when Laura came to ask
what mamma thought of their project； Amy looked confusedsaid she did
not knowshe believed it would not do。 But just then in came her
mother； to say she had been considering of the expedition； and meant to
join it herself。 Amy understood； blushed； and was silently grateful。
When Laura wanted to alter her demeanour towards Guy； being perfectly
cool； and not in the least conscious； she had acted with great
judgment； seen exactly what to do； and what to leave undone； so as to
keep up appearances。 But it was not so with Amy。 She was afraid of
herself； and was in extremes。 She would not come down till the last
moment； that there might be no talking in the window。 She hardly spoke
at breakfast…time； and adhered closely to Laura and Eveleen when they
wandered in the garden。 Presently Charles looked out from the
dressing…room window； calling；
'Amy； Guy is ready to read。'
'I can't come。 Read without me；' she answered； hoping Charlie would
not be vexed； and feeling her face light up again。
The hour for the expedition came； and Amy set off walking with Laura；
because Guy was with Mrs。 Edmonstone； but presently； after holding open
a gate for Charlotte； who was on the donkey； he came up to the sisters；
and joined in the conversation。 Amy saw something in the hedgea
foxglove； she believedit would have done as well if it had been a
nettleshe stopped to gather it； hoping to fall behind them； but they
waited for her。 She grew silent； but Guy appealed to her。 She ran on
to Charlotte and her donkey； but at the next gate Guy had joined
company again。 At last she put herself under her mother's wing； and by
keeping with her did pretty well all the time she was at East…hill。
But when they went on； she was riding the donkey； and it； as donkeys
always are； was resolved on keeping a…head of the walkers； so that as
Guy kept by her side； it was a more absolute tete…a…tete than ever。
At the top of the hill they found a fine view； rich and extensive；
broad woods； fields waving with silvery barley； trim meadows； fair hazy
blue distance； and a dim line of sea beyond。 This； as Amy knew； was
Guy's delight； and further； what she would not tell herself； was that
he chiefly cared for showing it to her。 It was so natural to call him
to admire everything beautiful； and ask if it was equal to Redclyffe；
that she found herself already turning to him to participate in his
pleasure； as he pointed out all that was to be seen； but she
recollected； blushed； and left her mother to speak。 He had much to
show。 There was a hanging wood on one side of the hill； whence he had
brought her more than one botanical prize； and she must now visit their
native haunts。 It was too great a scramble for Mrs。 Edmonstone； with
all her good will； Eveleen was to be kept still； and not to tire
herself； Laura did not care for botany； nor love brambles； and Amy was
obliged to stand and look into the wood； saying； 'No； thank you； I
don't think I can；' and then run back to Mary and Charles； while
Charlotte was loudly calling out that it was delightful fun； and that
she was very stupid。 In another minute Guy had overtaken her； and in
his gentle； persuasive voice； was telling her it was very easy； and she
must come and see the bird's…nest orchises。 She would have liked it
above all things； but she thought it very kind of Guy not to seem angry
when she said； 'No； thank you。'
Mary； after what she had seen yesterday； could not guess at the real
reason； or she would have come with her； but she thought Amy was tired；
and would rather not。 Poor Amy was tired； very tired； before the walk
was over； but her weary looks made it worse； for Guy offered her his
arm。 'No thank you；' she said； 'I am getting on very well；' and she
trudged on resolutely； for her mother was in the carriage； and to lag
behind the others would surely make him keep with her。
Mrs。 Edmonstone was very sorry for her fatigue； but Amy found it a good
excuse for not wandering in the garden； or joining in the music。 It
had been a very uncomfortable day； she hoped she had done right； at any
rate； she had the peaceful conviction of having tried to do so。
The next day； Amy was steady to her resolution。 No reading with the
two youths； though Charles scolded her； sitting in her room till Guy
was gone out； going indoors as soon as she heard him return； and in the
evening staying with Charles when her sisters and cousins went out； but
this did not answer； for Guy came and sat by them。 She moved away as
soon as possible； but the more inclined she was to linger； the more she
thought she ought to go； so murmuring something about looking for
Laura； she threw on her scarf； an