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better order； and we must not throw it all on her and Eveleen。 You
think we may tell him？'
'I think he ought not to be allowed to fancy you let your name be so
used。'
A message came for Mrs。 Edmonstone； and while she was attending to it；
Amy hastened away； fully believing that her mother had authorized her
to go and explain it to Guy； and ask his pardon。 It was what she
thought the natural thing to do； and she was soon by his side； as she
saw him pacing； with folded arms； under the wall。
Much had lately been passing in Guy's mind。 He had gone on floating on
the sunny stream of life at Hollywell； too happy to observe its
especial charm till the change in Amy's manner cast a sudden gloom over
all。 Not till then did he understand his own feelings； and recognize
in her the being he had dreamt of。 Amy was what made Hollywell
precious to him。 Sternly as he was wont to treat his impulses； he did
not look on his affection as an earthborn fancy； liable to draw him
from higher things； and； therefore； to be combated； he deemed her
rather a guide and guard whose love might arm him； soothe him； and
encourage him。 Yet he had little hope； for he did not do justice to
his powers of inspiring affection； no one could distrust his temper and
his character as much as he did himself； and with his ancestry and the
doom he believed attached to his race； with his own youth and untried
principles； with his undesirable connections； and the reserve he was
obliged to exercise regarding them； he considered himself as
objectionable a person as could well be found； as yet untouched by any
positive crime； and he respected the Edmonstones too much to suppose
that these disadvantages could be counterbalanced for a moment by his
position； indeed； he interpreted Amy's coolness by supposing that there
was a desire to discourage his attentions。 No poor tutor or penniless
cousin ever felt he was doing a more desperate thing in confessing an
attachment； than did Sir Guy Morville when he determined that all
should be told； at the risk of losing her for ever； and closing against
himself the doors of his happy home。 It was not right and fair by her
parents； he thought； so to regard their daughter； and live in the same
house with his sentiments unavowed； and as to Amy herself； if his
feelings had reached such a pitch of sensitiveness that he must needs
behave like an angry lion； because her name had been dragged into an
idle joke； it was high time it should be explained； unpropitious as the
moment might be for declaring his attachment； when he had manifested
such a temper as any woman might dread。 Thus he made up his mind that；
come of it what might； he would not leave Hollywell that day till the
truth was told。 Just as he was turning to find Mrs。 Edmonstone and
'put his fate to the touch；' a little figure stood beside him； and
Amy's own sweet； low tones were saying； imploringly；
'Guy； I wanted to tell you how sorry I am you were so teased last
night。'
'Don't think of it！' said he； taken extremely by surprise
'It was our fault； I could not stop it； I should have kept Charlotte in
better order； but they would not let her hear me。 I knew it was what
you dislike particularly； and I was very sorry。'
'YouI wasI was。 But no matter now。 Amy；' he added earnestly； 'may
I ask you to walk on with me a little way？ I must say something to
you。'
Was this what 'mamma' objected to？ Oh no！ Amy felt she must stay now；
and； in truth； she was glad it was right； though her heart beat fast；
fast； faster； as Guy； pulling down a long； trailing branch of Noisette
rose； and twisting it in his hand； paused for a few moments； then spoke
collectedly； and without hesitation； though with the tremulousness of
subdued agitation； looking the while not at her； but straight before
him。
'You ought to be told why your words and looks have such effect on me
as to make me behave as I did last night。 Shame on me for such
conduct！ I know its evil； and how preposterous it must make what I
have to tell you。 I don't know now long it has been； but almost ever
since I came here； a feeling has been growing up in me towards you；
such as I can never have for any one else。'
The flame rushed into Amy's cheeks； and no one could have told what she
felt； as he paused again； and then went on speaking more quickly； as if
his emotion was less under control。
'If ever there is to be happiness for me on earth； it must be through
you； as you； for the last three years； have been all my brightness
here。 What I feel for you is beyond all power of telling you； Amy！
But I know full well all there is against meI know I am untried； and
how can I dare to ask one born to brightness and happiness to share the
doom of my family？'
Amy's impulse was that anything shared with him would be welcome； but
the strength of the feeling stifled the power of expression； and she
could not utter a word。
'It seems selfish even to dream of it；' he proceeded； 'yet I must；I
cannot help it。 To feel that I had your love to keep me safe； to know
that you watched for me； prayed for me； were my own； my Verena；oh
Amy！ it would be more joy than I have ever dared to hope for。 But
mind；' he added； after another brief pause； 'I would not even ask you
to answer me now； far less to bind yourself； even ifif it were
possible。 I know my trial is not come； and were I to render myself； by
positive act； unworthy even to think of you； it would be too dreadful
to have entangled you； and made you unhappy。 No。 I speak now； because
I ought not to remain here with such feelings unknown to your father
and mother。'
At that moment； close on the other side of the box…tree clump； were
heard the wheels of Charles's garden…chair； and Charlotte's voice
talking to him； as he made his morning tour round the garden。 Amy flew
off； like a little bird to its nest； and never stopped till； breathless
and crimson； she darted into the dressing room； threw herself on her
knees； and with her face hidden in her mother's lap； exclaimed in
panting； half…smothered； whispers； which needed all Mrs。 Edmonstone's
intuition to make them intelligible；
'0 mamma； mamma； he sayshe says he loves me！'
Perhaps Mrs。 Edmonstone was not so very much surprised； but she had no
time to do more than raise and kiss the burning face； and see； at a
moment's glance； how bright was the gleam of frightened joy； in the
downcast eye and troubled smile； when two knocks； given rapidly； were
heard； and almost at the same moment the door opened； and Guy stood
before her； his face no less glowing than that which Amy buried again
on her mother's knee。
'Come in； Guy；' said Mrs。 Edmonstone； as he stood doubtful for a moment
at the door； and there was a sweet smile of proud； joyful affection on
her face； conveying even more encouragement than her