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twenty years of loneliness and apparent neglect。 She knew him； and he
would never fail her。
Yet； when at last they went in…doors； and Amy followed her to her room；
wondering to find her so wet； and so late； who could have seen the two
sisters without reading greater peace and serenity in the face of the
younger。
Philip felt an elder brother's interest for poor little Amy。 He did
not see much of her； but he compassionated her as a victim to her
mother's imprudence； hoping she would soon be weaned from her
attachment。 He thought her a good； patient little thing； so soft and
gentle as probably not to have the strength and depth that would make
the love incurable； and the better he liked her； the more unfit he
thought her for Guy。 It would have been uniting a dove and a tiger；
and his only fear was； that when he was no longer at hand； Mr。
Edmonstone's weak good…nature might be prevailed on to sacrifice her。
He did his best for her protection； by making his uncle express a
resolution never to admit Guy into his family again； unless the
accusation of gambling was completely disproved。
The last morning came； and Philip went to take leave of Charles。 Poor
Charles was feebler by this time； and too much subdued by pain and
languor to receive him as at first； but the spirit was the same； and
when Philip wished him good…bye； saying he hoped soon to hear he was
better； he returned for answer；
'Good…bye； Philip； I hope soon to hear you are better。 I had rather
have my hip than your mind。'
He was in no condition to be answered； and Philip repeated his good…
bye； little thinking how they were to meet again。
The others were assembled in the hall。 His aunt's eyes were full of
tears； for she loved him dearly； her brother's only son； early left
motherless； whom she had regarded like her own child； and who had so
nobly fulfilled all the fondest hopes。 All his overbearing ways and
uncalled…for interference were forgotten； and her voice gave way as she
embraced him； saying；
'God bless you； Philip； wherever you may be。 We shall miss you very
much！'
Little Amy's hand was put into his； and he squeezed it kindly； but she
could hardly speak her 'good…bye；' for the tears that came； because she
was grieved not to feel more sorry that her highly…esteemed cousin； so
kind and condescending to her； was going away for so very long a time。
'Good…bye； Philip；' said Charlotte； 'I shall be quite grown up by the
time you come home。'
'Don't make such uncivil auguries； Puss；' said her father； but Philip
heard her not； for he was holding Laura's hand in a grasp that seemed
as if it never would unclose。
CHAPTER 21
I will sing； for I am sad；
For many my misdeeds；
It is my sadness makes me glad；
For love for sorrow pleads。WILLIAMS。
After his last interview with Philip； Guy returned to his rooms to
force himself into occupation till his cousin should come to
acknowledge that here； at least； there was nothing amiss。 He trusted
that when it was proved all was right in this quarter； the prejudice
with regard to the other might be diminished； though his hopes were
lower since he had found out the real grounds of the accusation；
reflecting that he should never be able to explain without betraying
his uncle。
He waited in vain。 The hour passed at which Philip's coming was
possible； Guy was disappointed； but looked for a letter； but post after
post failed to bring him one。 Perhaps Philip would write from
Hollywell； or else Mr。 Edmonstone would write； or at least he was sure
that Charles would writeCharles； whose confidence and sympathy；
expressed in almost daily letters； had been such a comfort。 But not a
line came。 He reviewed in memory his last letter to Charles； wondering
whether it could have offended him； but it did not seem possible； he
thought over all that Philip could have learnt in his visit； to see if
it could by any means have been turned to his disadvantage。 But he
knew he had done nothing to which blame could be attached； he had never
infringed the rules of college discipline； and though still backward；
and unlikely to distinguish himself； he believed that was the worst
likely to have been said of him。 He only wished his true character was
as good as what would be reported of him。
As he thought and wondered； he grew more and more restless and unhappy。
He could imagine no reason for the silence； unless Mr。 Edmonstone had
absolutely forbidden any intercourse； and it did not seem probable that
he would issue any commands in a manner to bind a grown…up son； more
especially as there had been no attempt at communication with Amy。 It
was terrible thus； without warning； to be cut off from her； and all
besides that he loved。 As long as Charles wrote； he fancied her
sitting by； perhaps sealing the letter； and he could even tell by the
kind of paper and envelope； whether they were sitting in the dressing…
room or down…stairs； but now there was nothing； no assurance of
sympathy； no word of kindness； they might all have given him up； those
unhappy words were like a barrier； cutting him off for ever from the
happiness of which he had once had a glimpse。 Was the Redclyffe doom
of sin and sorrow really closing in upon him？
If it had not been for chapel and study； he hardly knew how he should
have got through that term； but as the end of it approached； a feverish
impatience seized on him whenever the post came in； for a letter； if
only to tell him not to come to Hollywell。 None came； and he saw
nothing for it but to go to Redclyffe； and if he dreaded seeing it in
its altered state when his spirits were high and unbroken； how did he
shrink from it now！ He did； however； make up his mind； for he felt
that his reluctance almost wronged his own beloved home。 Harry Graham
wanted to persuade him to come and spend Christmas at his home； with
his lively family； but Guy felt as if gaiety was not for him； even if
he could enjoy it。 He did not wish to drown his present feelings； and
steadily； though gratefully； refused this as well as one or two other
friendly invitations。
After lingering in vain till the last day of term； he wrote to desire
that his own room and the library might be made ready for him； and that
'something' might be sent to meet him at Moorworth。
Railroads had come a step nearer； even to his remote comer of the
world； in the course of the last three years； but there was still
thirty miles of coach beyond； and these lay through a part of the
country he had never seen before。 It was for the most part bleak；
dreary moor； such as； under the cold gray wintry sky； presented nothing
to rouse him from his musings on the welcome he might have been at that
very moment receiving at Hollywell。
A sudden； dip in the high ground made it necessary for the coach to pu