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the heir of redclyffe-第62章

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herself diligently; and gazed at him inquiringly; as if to see whether 

he intended anything。



'For my part;' he added; 'I certainly thought he meant to carry off the 

hands of some of the family。'



'I suppose we shall soon hear it explained;' said Laura; quietly。



'Soon!  If I had an many available 1egs as you; would I wait for other 

people's soon?'



'I should think she had rather be left to mamma;' said Laura; going on 

with her work。



'Then you do think there is something in it?' said Charles; peering up 

in her face; but he saw he was teasing her; recollected that she had 

long seemed out of spirits; and forbore to say any more。  He was; 

however; too impatient to remain longer quiet; and presently Laura saw 

him adjusting his crutches。



'O Charlie!  I am sure it will only be troublesome。'



'I am going to my own room;' said Charles; hopping off。  'I presume you 

don't wish to forbid that。'



His room had a door into the dressing…room; so that it was an excellent 

place for discovering all from which they did not wish to exclude him; 

and he did not believe he should be unwelcome; for though he might 

pretend it was all fun and curiosity; he heartily loved his little Amy。



The tap of his crutches; and the slow motion with which he raised 

himself from step to step; was heard; and Amy; who was leaning against 

her mother; started up; exclaiming



'0 mamma; here comes Charlie!  May I tell him?  I am sure I can't meet 

him without。'



'I suspect he has guessed it already;' said Mrs。 Edmonstone; going to 

open the door; just as he reached the head of the stairs; and then 

leaving them。



'Well; Amy;' said he; looking full at her carnation cheeks; 'are you 

prepared to see me turn lead…coloured; and fall into convulsions; like 

the sister with the spine complaint?'



'0 Charlie!  You know it。  But how?'



Amy was helping him to the sofa; laid him down; and sat by him on the 

old footstool; he put his arm round her neck; and she rested her head 

on his shoulder。



'Well; Amy;' I give you joy; my small woman;' said he; talking the more 

nonsense because of the fullness in his throat; 'and I hope you give me 

credit for amazing self…denial in so doing。'



'0 Charliedear Charlie!' and she kissed him; she could not blush 

more; poor little thing; for she had already reached her utmost 

capability of redness'it is no such thing。'



'No such thing?  What has turned you into a turkey…cock all at once or 

what made him nearly squeeze off my unfortunate fingers?  No such 

thing; indeed!'



'I meanI mean; it is not _that_。  We are so very young; and I am so 

silly。'



'Is that his reason?'



'You must make me so much better and wiser。  Oh; if I could but be good 

enough!'



For that matter; I don't think any one else would be good enough to 

take care of such a silly little thing。  But what is the that; that it 

is; or is not?'



'Nothing now; only when we are older。  At least; you know papa has not 

heard it。'



'Provided my father gives his consent; as the Irish young lady added to 

all her responses through the marriage service。  But tell me allall 

you like; I meanfor you will have lovers' secrets now; Amy。'



Mrs。 Edmonstone had; meantime; gone down to Laura。  Poor Laura; as soon 

as her brother had left the room; she allowed the fixed composure of 

her face to relax into a restless; harassed; almost miserable 

expression; and walked up and down with agitated steps。



'0 wealth; wealth!'her lips formed the words; without uttering them

'what cruel differences it makes!  All smooth here!  Young; not to be 

trusted; with strange reserves; discreditable connections;that 

family;that fearful temper; showing itself even to her!  All will be 

overlooked!  Papa will be delighted; I know he will!  And how is it 

with us?  Proved; noble; superior; owned as such by all; as Philip is; 

yet; for that want of hateful money; he would be spurned。  And。 for 

thisfor thisthe love that has grown up with our lives must be 

crushed down and hiddenour life is wearing out in wearying self…

watching!'



The lock of the door turned; and Laura had resumed her ordinary 

expression before it opened; and her mother came in: but there was 

anything but calmness beneath; for the pang of self…reproach had come

'Was it thus that she prepared to hear these tidings of her sister?'



'Well; Laura;' began Mrs。 Edmonstone; with the eager smile of one 

bringing delightful news; and sure of sympathy。



'It is so; then?' said Laura。 'Dear; dear; little Amy! I hope' and 

her eyes filled with tears; but she had learnt to dread any outbreak of 

feeling; conquered it in a minute; and said



'What has happened?  How does it stand?'



'It stands; at least as far as I can say without papa; as the dear Guy 

very rightly and wisely wished it to stand。  There is no positive 

engagement; they are both too young; but he thought it was not right to 

remain here without letting us know his sentiments towards her。'



A pang shot through Laura; but it was but for a moment。  Guy might 

doubt where Philip need never do so。  Her mother went on;



'Their frankness and confidence are most beautiful。  We know dear 

little Amy could not help it; but there was something very sweet; very 

noble; in his way of telling all。'



Another pang for Laura。  But no! it was only poverty that was to blame。  

Philip would speak as plainly if his prospects were as fair。



'Oh; I hope it will do well;' said she。



'It must;it will!' cried Mrs。 Edmonstone; giving way to her joyful 

enthusiasm of affection。  'It is nonsense to doubt; knowing him as we 

do。  There is not a man in the world with whom I could be so happy to 

trust her。'



Laura could not hear Guy set above all men in the world; and she 

remembered Philip's warning to her; two years ago。



'There is much that is very good and very delightful about him;' she 

said; hesitatingly。



'You are thinking of the Morville temper;' said her mother; 'but I am 

not afraid of it。  A naturally hot temper; controlled like his by 

strong religious principle; is far safer than a cool easy one; without 

the principle。'



Laura thought this going too far; but she felt some compensation due to 

Guy; and acknowledged how strongly he was actuated by principle。  

Howeverand it was well for herthey could not talk long; for Eveleen 

and Charlotte were approaching; and she hastily asked what was to be 

done about telling Eva; who could not fail to guess something。



'We must tell her; and make her promise absolute secrecy;' said Mrs。 

Edmonstone。  'I will speak to her myself; but I must wait till I have 

seen papa。  There is no doubt of what he will say; but we have been 

taking quite liberties enough in his absence。'



Laura did not see her sister till luncheon; when Amy came down; with a 

glow on her cheeks that made her so much prettier than usua
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