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her previous exhortations to Charlotte； about self…control； 'my own；
own sister！' To have Amy at home was an unspeakable comfort。
'Papa and mamma were both as kind as possible to Philip；' continued
Amabel； 'but they could not bear to enter on _that_。 So I told him you
had told all； and he was very glad。'
'He was not displeased at my betraying him？' exclaimed Laura。 'Oh； no！
he was glad； he said it was a great relief； for he was very anxious
about you； Laura。 He has been so kind to me；' said Amabel； so
earnestly； that Laura received another comfort； that of knowing that
her sister's indignation against him had all passed by。 'Now I will
read you what he says。 You see his writing is quite itself again。'
But Laura observed that Amabel only held towards her the 'Lady
Morville' on the outside； keeping the note to herself； and reading； 'I
have continued to gain strength since you went； so that there is no
further need of detaining Arnaud。 I have twice been out of doors； and
am convinced that I am equal to the journey； indeed； it is hardly
possible for me to endure remaining here any longer。' She read no
more； but folded it up； saying； 'I had rather no one saw the rest。 He
makes himself so unhappy about that unfortunate going to Sondrio； that
he says what is only painful to hear。 I am glad he is able to join his
regiment； for a change will be the best thing for him。'
She laid her head on the pillow as if she had done with the subject；
and Laura did not venture to pursue it； but went down to hear her
mother's account of her。
Mrs。 Edmonstone was feeling it a great comfort to have her son to talk
to again； and availed herself of it to tell him of Philip； while Laura
was absent； and then to return to speak of Amy on Laura's re…entrance。
She said； all through the journey； Amy had been as passive and tranquil
as possible； chiefly leaning back in the carriage in silence； excepting
that when they finally left the view of the snowy mountains； she gazed
after them as long as the least faint cloud…like summit was visible。
Still she could not sleep； except that now and then she dozed a little
in the carriage； but at night she heard every hour strike in turn； and
lay awake through all； nor had she shed one tear since her mother had
joined her。 Mrs。 Edmonstone's anxiety was very great； for she said she
knew Amy must pay for that unnatural calmness； and the longer it was
before it broke down； the worse it would be for her。 However； she was
at home； that was one thing to be thankful for； and happen what might；
it could not be as distressing as if it had been abroad。
Another night of 'calm unrest；' and Amabel rose in the morning； at her
usual hour； to put on the garments of her widowhood； where she had last
stood as a bride。 Charles was actually startled by her entering the
dressing…room； just as she used to do； before breakfast； to read with
him； and her voice was as steady as ever。 She breakfasted with the
family； and came up afterwards with Laura； to unpack her dressing…case；
and take out the little treasures that she and her husband had enjoyed
buying in the continental towns； as presents for the home party。
All this； for which she had previously prepared herself； she underwent
as quietly as possible； but something unexpected came on her。
Charlotte； trying to pet and comfort her in every possible way； brought
in all the best flowers still lingering in the garden； and among them a
last blossom of the Noisette rose； the same of which Guy had been
twisting a spray； while he first told her of his love。
It was too much。 It recalled his perfect health and vigour； his light
activity； and enjoyment of life； and something came on her of the
sensation we feel for an insect； one moment full of joyous vitality；
the next； crushed and still。 She had hitherto thought of his feverish
thirst and fainting weariness being at rest； and felt the relief； or
else followed his spirit to its repose； and rejoiced； but now the whole
scene brought back what he once was； his youthful； agile frame； his
eyes dancing in light； his bounding step； his gay whistle； the strong
hand that had upheld her on the precipice； the sure foot that had
carried aid to the drowning sailors； the arm that was to have been her
stay for life； all came on her in contrast withdeath！ The thought
swept over her； carrying away every other； and she burst into tears。
The tears would have their course； she could not restrain them when
once they began； and her struggles to check them only brought an
increase of them。 Her sobs grew so violent that Laura； much alarmed；
made a sign to Charlotte to fetch her mother； and Mrs。 Edmonstone；
coming in haste； found it was indeed the beginning of a frightful
hysterical attack。 The bodily frame had been overwrought to obey the
mental firmness and composure； and now nature asserted her rights； the
hysterics returned again and again； and when it seemed as if exhaustion
had at length produced quiet； the opening of a door； or a sound in the
distance； would renew all again。
It was not till night had closed in that Mrs。 Edmonstone was at all
satisfied about her； and had at length the comfort of seeing her fall
into a sound deep sleep； such an unbroken dreamless sleep as had
scarcely visited her since she first went to Recoara。 Even this sleep
did not restore her； she became very unwell； and both Dr。 Mayerne and
her mother insisted on her avoiding the least exertion or agitation。
She was quite submissive； only begging earnestly to be allowed to see
Mr。 Ross； saying she knew it would do her good rather than harm； and
promising to let him leave her the instant she found it too much for
her； and though Mrs。 Edmonstone was reluctant and afraid； they agreed
that as she was so reasonable and docile； she ought to be allowed to
judge for herself。
She begged that he might come after church on All Saints' day。 He
came； and after his first greeting of peace； Mrs。 Edmonstone signed to
him to read at once； instead of speaking to her。 The beautiful lesson
for the day overcame Mrs。 Edmonstone so much that she was obliged to go
out of Amabel's sight； but as the words were read； Amy's face recovered
once more the serenity that had been swept away by the sight of the
flowers。 Peace had returned； and when the calm every…day words of the
service were over； she held out her hand to Mr。 Ross； and said； 'Thank
you； that was very nice。 Now talk to me。'
It was a difficult request； but Mr。 Ross understood her； and talked to
her as she sought； in a gentle； deep； high strain of hope and faith；
very calm and soothing； and with a fatherly kindness that was very
pleasant from him who had baptized her； taught her； and whom she had
last seen blessing her and her husband。 It ended by her looking up to
him when it was time for him to go； and saying； '