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thought she ought to go； so murmuring something about looking for
Laura； she threw on her scarf； and sprung to the window。 Her muslin
caught on the bolt； she turned； Guy was already disentangling it； and
she met his eye。 It was full of anxious； pleading inquiry； which to
her seemed upbraiding； and； not knowing what to do； she exclaimed；
hurriedly； 'Thank you； no harm done！' and darted into the garden；
frightened to feel her face glowing and her heart throbbing。 She could
not help looking back to see if he was following。 No； he was not
attempting it； he was leaning against the window； and on she hastened；
the perception dawning on her that she was hurting him； he might think
her rude； unkind； capricious； he who had always been so kind to her；
and when he was going away so soon。 'But it is right； it must be
done；' said little Amy to herself； standing still； now that she was out
of sight。 'If I was wrong before； I must bear it now； and he will see
the rights of it sooner or later。 The worst of all would be my not
doing the very _most_ _right_ to please any body。 Besides he can't
really care for missing silly little Amy when he has mamma and Charlie。
And he is going away； so it will be easier to begin right when he comes
back。 Be that as it may； it must be done。 I'll get Charlie to tell me
what he was saying about the painted glass。'
CHAPTER 13
Oh； thou child of many prayers！
Life hath quicksandslife hath snares
Care and age come unawares。
Like the swell of some sweet tune；
Morning rises into noon；
May glides onward into June。Longfellow
'What is the matter with Amy？ What makes her so odd？' asked Charles；
as his mother came to wish him good night。
'Poor little dear！ don't take any notice；' was all the answer he
received； and seeing that he was to be told no more； he held his peace。
Laura understood without being told。 She； too； had thought Guy and Amy
were a great deal together； and combining various observations； she
perceived that her mother must have given Amy a caution。 She therefore
set herself； like a good sister； to shelter Amy as much as she could；
save her from awkward situations； and； above all； to prevent her
altered manner from being remarked。 This was the less difficult； as
Eveleen was subdued and languid； and more inclined to lie on the sofa
and read than to look out for mirth。
As to poor little Amy； her task was in one way become less hard； for
Guy had ceased to haunt her； and seemed to make it his business to
avoid all that could cause her embarrassment； but in another way it
hurt her much more； for she now saw the pain she was causing。 If
obliged to do anything for her； he would give a look as if to ask
pardon； and then her rebellious heart would so throb with joy as to
cause her dismay at having let herself fall into so hateful a habit as
wishing to attract attention。 What a struggle it was not to obey the
impulse of turning to him for the smile with which he would greet
anything in conversation that interested them both； and how wrong she
thought it not to be more consoled when she saw him talking to Eveleen；
or to any of the others； as if he was doing very well without her。
This did not often happen； he was evidently out of spirits； and
thoughtful； and Amy was afraid some storm might be gathering respecting
Mr。 Sebastian Dixon； about whom there always seemed to be some
uncomfortable mystery。
Mrs。 Edmonstone saw everything； and said nothing。 She was very sorry
for them both； but she could not interfere； and could only hope she had
done right； and protected Amy as far as she was able。 She was vexed
now and then to see Eveleen give knowing smiles and significant
glances； feared that she guessed what was going on； and wondered
whether to give her a hint not to add to Amy's confusion； but her great
dislike to enter on such a subject prevailed； and she left things to
take their course； thinking that； for once； Guy's departure would be a
relief。
The approach of anything in the shape of a party of pleasure was one of
the best cures for Eveleen's ailments； and the evening before Mary's
tea…drinking； she was in high spirits； laughing and talking a great
deal； and addressing herself chiefly to Guy。 He exerted himself to
answer； but it did not come with life and spirit； his countenance did
not light up； and at last Eveleen said； 'Ah！ I see I am a dreadful
bore。 I'll go away； and leave you to repose。'
'Lady Eveleen！' he exclaimed； in consternation； 'what have I been
doingwhat have I been thinking of？'
'Nay； that is best known to yourself； though I think perhaps I could
divine；' said she； with that archness and grace that always seemed to
remove the unfavourable impression that her proceedings might have
given。 'Shall I？'
'No； no；' he answered； colouring crimson； and then trying to laugh off
his confusion； and find some answer； but without success； and Eveleen；
perceiving her aunt's eyes were upon her； suddenly recollected that she
had gone quite as far as decorum allowed； and made as masterly a
retreat as the circumstances permitted。
'Well； I have always thought a 〃penny for your thoughts〃 the boldest
offer in the world； and now it is proved。'
This scene made Mrs。 Edmonstone doubly annoyed； the next morning； at
waking with a disabling headache； which made it quite impossible for
her to attempt going to Mary Ross's fete。 With great sincerity； Amy
entreated to be allowed to remain at home； but she thought it would
only be making the change more remarkable； she did not wish Mary to be
disappointed； among so many ladies； Amy could easily avoid getting into
difficulties； while Laura would； she trusted； be able to keep Eveleen
in order。
The day was sunny； and all went off to admiration。 The gentlemen
presided over the cricket； and the ladies over 'blind man's buff' and
'thread my needle；' but perhaps Mary was a little disappointed that；
though she had Sir Guy's bodily presence； the peculiar blitheness and
animation which he usually shed around him were missing。 He sung at
church； he filled tiny cups from huge pitchers of tea； he picked up and
pacified a screaming child that had tumbled off a gatehe was as good…
natured and useful as possible； but he was not his joyous and brilliant
self。
Amy devoted herself to the smallest fry； played assiduously for three
quarters of an hour with a fat； grave boy of three； who stood about a
yard…and…a…half from her； solemnly throwing a ball into her lap； and
never catching it again； took charge of many caps and bonnets； and
walked about with Louisa Harper； a companion whom no one envied her。
In conclusion； the sky clouded over； it became chilly； and a shower
began to fall。 Laura pursued Eveleen； and Amy hunted up Charlotte from
the utmost parts of the field； where she was the ver