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of your guardian。'
Guy recollected Philip's remonstrance； and it crossed him whether his
guardian might be of the same mind； but he felt confident in having
told all to Mrs。 Edmonstone。
'How did you know I was here？' he asked。
'I learnt it in a most gratifying way。 Mr。 Redford； without knowing
our connectionfor on that I will always be silentmentioned that the
finest tenor he had ever known； in an amateur； belonged to his pupil；
Sir Guy Morville。 You can imagine my feelings at finding you so near；
and learning that you had inherited your dear mother's talent and
taste。'
The conversation was long； for there was much to hear。 Mr。 Dixon had
kept up a correspondence at long intervals with Markham； from whom he
heard that his sister's child survived； and was kindly treated by his
grandfather； and inquiring again on the death of old Sir Guy； learnt
that he was gone to live with his guardian； whose name； and residence
Markham had not thought fit to divulge。 He had been much rejoiced to
hear his name from the music…master； and he went on to tell how he had
been misled by the name of Morville into addressing the captain； who
had a good deal of general resemblance to Guy's father； a fine tall
young man； of the same upright； proud deportment。 He supposed he was
the son of the Archdeacon； and remembering how strongly his own
proceedings had been discountenanced at Stylehurst； had been much
disconcerted； and deeming the encounter a bad omen； had used more
caution in his advances to his nephew。 It was from sincere affection
that he sought his acquaintance； though very doubtful as to the
reception he might meet； and was both delighted and surprised at such
unembarrassed； open…hearted affection。
The uncle and nephew were not made to understand each other。 Sebastian
Dixon was a man of little education； and when； in early youth； his
talents had placed him high in his own line； he had led a careless；
extravagant life。 Though an evil friend； and fatal counsellor； he had
been truly attached to Guy's father； and the secret engagement； and
runaway marriage with his beautiful sister； had been the romance of his
life； promoted by him with no selfish end。 He was a proud and
passionate man； and resenting Sir Guy's refusal to receive his sister
as a daughter； almost as much as Sir Guy was incensed at the marriage；
had led his brother…in…law to act in a manner which cut off the hope of
reconciliation； and obliged Archdeacon Morville to give up his cause。
He had gloried in supporting his sister and her husband； and enabling
them to set the old baronet at defiance。 But young Morville's
territorial pride could not brook that he should be maintained； and
especially that his child； the heir of Redclyffe； should be born while
he was living at the expense of a musician。 This feeling； aided by a
yearning for home； and a secret love for his father； mastered his
resentment； he took his resolution； quarrelled with Dixon； and carried
off his wife； bent with desperation on forcing his father into
receiving her。
Sebastian had not surmounted his anger at this step when he learnt its
fatal consequences。 Ever since that time； nothing had prospered with
him： he had married and sunk himself lower； and though he had an
excellent engagement； the days were past when he was the fashion； and
his gains and his triumphs were not what they had been。 He had a long
list of disappointments and jealousies with which to entertain Guy；
who； on his side； though resolved to like him； and dreading to be too
refined to be friends with his relations； could not feel as thoroughly
pleased as he intended to have been。
Music was； however； a subject on which they could meet with equal
enthusiasm； and by means of this； together with the aid of his own
imagination； Guy contrived to be very happy。 He stayed with his uncle
as long as he could； and promised to spend a day with him in London； on
his way to Oxford； in October。
The next morning； when Philip knew that Guy would be with his tutor； he
walked to Hollywell； came straight up to his aunt's dressing…room；
asked her to send Charlotte down to practise； and； seating himself
opposite to her； began
'What do you mean to do about this unfortunate rencontre？'
'Do you mean Guy and his uncle？ He is very much pleased； poor boy！ I
like his entire freedom from false shame。'
'A little true shame would be hardly misplaced about such a
connection。'
'It is not his fault； and I hope it will not be his misfortune；' said
Mrs。 Edmonstone。
'That it will certainly be；' replied Philip； 'if we are not on our
guard； and； indeed； if we are； there is little to be done with one so
wilful。 I might as well have interfered with the course of a
whirlwind。'
'No； no； Philip； he is too candid to be wilful。'
'I cannot be of your opinion； when I have seen him rushing into this
acquaintance in spite of the warnings he must have had hereto say
nothing of myself。'
'Nay； there I must defend him； though you will think me very unwise； I
could not feel that I ought to withhold him from taking some notice of
so near a relation。'
Philip did think her so unwise； that he could only reply； gravely
'We must hope it may produce no evil effects。'
'How？' she exclaimed； much alarmed。 'Have you heard anything against
him？'
'You remember； of course； that Guy's father was regularly the victim of
this Dixon。'
'Yes； yes； hut he has had enough to sober him。 Do you know nothing
more？' said Mrs。 Edmonstone； growing nervously anxious lest she had
been doing wrong in her husband's absence。
'I have been inquiring about him from old Redford； and I should judge
him to be a most dangerous companion； as； indeed； I could have told
from his whole air； which is completely that of a roué。'
'You have seen him； then？'
'Yes。 He paid me the compliment of taking me for Sir Guy； and of
course made off in dismay when he discovered on whom he had fallen。 I
have seldom seen a less creditable…looking individual。'
'But what did Mr。 Redford say？ Did he know of the connection？'
'No； I am happy to say he did not。 The fellow has decency enough not
to boast of that。 Well； Redford did not know much of him personally：
he said he had once been much thought of； and had considerable talent
and execution； but taste changes； or he has lost something； so that；
though he stands tolerably high in his profession； he is not a leader。
So much for his musical reputation。 As to his character； he is one of
those people who are called no one's enemy but their own； exactly the
introduction Guy has hitherto happily wanted to every sort of
mischief。'
'I think；' said Mrs。 Edmonstone； trying to console herself； 'that Guy
is too much afraid of small faults to be invited by larger evils。
While he punishes himself