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'I don't think he will give trouble in parish matters； and in personal
intercourse he will be sure to be most agreeable。 I wish I knew there
was nothing amiss。 It seems strange for him to come here for the
vacation； instead of going to his guardian's； as usual； and altogether
he had an air of sadness and depression； not like a youth； especially
such an active one。 I am afraid something is wrong； those engaging
people are often unstable。 One thing I forgot to tell you。 We were
walking through that belt of trees on the east side of the hill； when
he suddenly called out to ask how came the old ash…tree to be marked。
Markham answered in his gruff way； it was not his doing； but the
Captain's。 He turned crimson； and began some angry exclamation； but as
Markham was going on to tell something else about it； he stopped him
short； saying； 'Never mind！ I dare say it's all right。 I don't want
to hear any more！' And I don't think he spoke much again till we got
into the village。 I am afraid there is some misunderstanding between
the cousins。'
'Or more likely Mr。 Markham is teaching him some jealousy of his heir。
We could not expect two Captain Morvilles in one family； and I am glad
it is no worse。'
All that the Ashfords further saw of their young baronet made an
impression in his favour； every difficulty raised by the steward
disappeared； their plans were forwarded； and they heard of little but
his good…nature to the poor people； but still they did not know how far
to trust these appearances； and did not yet venture to form an opinion
on him； or enter into intimacy。
'So the singers will not come to us on Christmas Eve； because they say
they must go to the Park；' said Edward； rather savagely。
'I was thinking；' said Mrs。 Ashford； 'how forlorn it will be for that
poor youth to spend his Christmas…day alone in that great house。 Don't
you think we might ask him to dinner？'
Before Mr。 Ashford could answer； the boys made such an uproar at the
proposal of bringing a stranger to spoil their Christmas； that their
parents gave up the idea。
It was that Christmas…day that Guy especially dreaded； as recalling so
many contrasts both with those passed here and at Hollywell。 Since his
return； he had been exerting himself to attend to what he felt to be
his duty； going about among his people； arranging for their good or
pleasure； and spending a good deal of time over his studies。 He had
written to Mr。 Ross； to ask his advice about Coombe Prior； and had set
Markham； much against his will； to remonstrate with Farmer Todd about
the repairs； but though there was a sort of satisfaction in doing these
thingsthough the attachment of his dependants soothed him； and
brought a new sense of the relation between himself and themthough
views of usefulness were on each side opening before himyet there was
a dreariness about everything； he was weary even while he undertook and
planned energetically； each new project reminding him that there was no
Amy to plan with him。 He could not sufficiently care for them。
Still more dreary was his return to his old haunts； and to the scenery
which he loved so devotedlythe blue sea and purple hills； which had
been like comrades and playfellows； before he had known what it was to
have living companions。 They used to be everything to him； and he had
scarcely a wish beyond； afterwards his dreams had been of longing
affection for them； and latterly the idea of seeing Amy love them and
admire them had been connected with every vision of them； and now the
sight of the reality did but recall the sense that their charm had
departed； they could no longer suffice to him as of old； and their
presence brought back to him； with fresh pangs of disappointment； the
thought of lost happiness and ruined hopes； as if Amy alone could
restore their value。
The depression of his spirits inclined him to dwell at present more on
the melancholy history of his parents than on anything else。 He had
hitherto only heard the brief narration of his grandfather； when he
could ask no questions； but he now obtained full particulars from
Markham； who； when he found him bent on hearing all； related
everything； perhaps intending it as a warning against the passions
which； when once called into force； he dreaded to find equally
ungovernable in his present master。
Mr。 Morville had been his great pride and glory； and； in fact； had been
so left to his care； as to have been regarded like a son of his own。
He had loved him； if possible； better than Guy； because he had been
more his own； he had chosen his school； and given him all the reproofs
which had ever been bestowed on him with his good in view； and how he
had grieved for him was never known to man。 It was the first time he
had ever talked it over； and he described； with strong； deep feeling；
the noble face and bearing of the dark…eyed； gallant…looking stripling；
his generosity and high spirit tainted and ruined by his wild temper
and impatience of restraint。 There seemed to have been a great
sweetness of disposition； excellent impulses； and so strong a love of
his father； in spite of early neglect and present resentment； as showed
what he might have been with only tolerable training； which gave Guy's
idea of him more individuality than it had ever had before； and made
him better understand what his unhappy grandfather's remorse had been。
Guy doubted for a moment whether it had not been selfish to make
Markham narrate the history of the time when be had suffered so much；
and Markham； when he had been led into telling it； and saw the
deepening sadness on his young master's countenance； wished it had not
been told； and ended by saying it was of no use to stir up what was
better forgotten。
He would have regretted the telling it still more if he had known how
Guy acted it all over in his solitude； picturing his father standing an
outcast at the door of his own home； yielding his pride and resentment
for the sake of his wife； ready to do anything； yearning for
reconciliation； longing to tread once more the friendly； familiar hall；
and meeting only the angry repulse and cruel taunt！ He imagined the
headlong passion； the despair； the dashing on his horse in whirlwind…
like swiftness； then the blowthe fallthe awful stillness of the
form carried back to his father's house； and laid on that table a dead
man！ Fierce wraththen another world！ Guy worked himself up in
imagining the horror of the scene； till it was almost as if he had been
an actor in it。
Yet he had never cared so much for the thought of his father as for his
mother。 His yearning for her which he had felt in early days at
Hollywell； had returned in double force； as he now fancied that she
would have been here to comfort him； and to share his grief； to be a
Mrs。 Edmonstone； whose love no fault and no offence