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her face； conveying even more encouragement than her tone。 Amy raised
her head； and moved as if to leave the room。
'Don't go；' he said； earnestly； 'unless you wish it。'
Amy did not wish it； especially now that she had her mother to save her
confusion； and she sat on a footstool； holding her mother's hand；
looking up to Guy； whenever she felt bold enough； and hanging down her
head when he said what showed how much more highly he prized her than
silly little Amy could deserve。
'You know what I am come to say；' he began； standing by the mantel…
shelf； as was his wont in his conferences with Mrs。 Edmonstone； and he
repeated the same in substance as he had said to Amy in the garden；
though with less calmness and coherence； and far more warmth of
expression； as if； now that she was protected by her mother's presence；
he exercised less force in self…restraint。
Never was anyone happier than was Mrs。 Edmonstone； loving Guy so
heartily； seeing the beauty of his character in each word； rejoicing
that such affection should be bestowed on her little Amy； exulting in
her having won such a heart； and touched and gratified by the free
confidence with which both had at once hastened to pour out all to her；
not merely as a duty； but in the full ebullition of their warm young
love。 The only difficulty was to bring herself to speak with prudence
becoming her position； whilst she was sympathizing with them as
ardently as if she was not older than both of them put together。 When
Guy spoke of himself as unproved； and undeserving of trust； it was all
she could do to keep from declaring there was no one whom she thought
so safe。
'While you go on as you have begun； Guy？'
'If you tell me to hope！ Oh； Mrs。 Edmonstone； is it wrong that an
earthly incentive to persevere should have power which sometimes seems
greater than the true one？'
'There is the best and strongest ground of all for trusting you；' said
she。 'If you spoke keeping right only for Amy's sake； then I might
fear； but when she is second； there is confidence indeed。'
'If speaking were all！' said Guy。
'There is one thing I ought to say；' she proceeded； 'you know you are
very young； and thoughthough I don't know that I can say so in my own
person； a prudent woman would say； that you have seen so little of the
world； that you may easily meet a person you would like better than
such a quiet little dull thing as your guardian's daughter。'
The look that he cast on Amy was worth seeing； and then； with a smile；
he answered
'I am glad you don't say it in your own person。'
'It is very bold and presumptuous in me to say anything at all in
papa's absence' said Mrs。 Edmonstone； smiling； 'but I am sure he will
think in the same way； that things ought to remain as they are； and
that it is our duty not to allow you to be； or to feel otherwise than
entirely at liberty。'
'I dare say it may be right in you；' said Guy； grudgingly。 'However； I
must not complain。 It is too much that you should not reject me
altogether。'
To all three that space was as bright a gleam of sunshine as ever
embellished life； so short as to be free from a single care； a
perfectly serenely happy present； the more joyous from having been
preceded by vexations； each of the two young things learning that there
was love where it was most precious。 Guy especially； isolated and
lonely as he stood in life； with his fear and mistrust of himself； was
now not only allowed to love； and assured beyond his hopes that Amy
returned his affection； but found himself thus welcomed by the mother；
and gathered into the family where his warm feelings had taken up their
abode； while he believed himself regarded only as a guest and a
stranger。
They talked on； with happy silences between； Guy standing all the time
with his branch of roses in his hand； and Amy looking up to him； and
trying to realize it； and to understand why she was so very； very
happy。
No one thought of time till Charlotte rushed in like a whirlwind；
crying
'Oh； here you are！ We could not think what had become of you。 There
has Deloraine been at the door these ten minutes； and Charlie sent me
to find you； for he says if you are too late for Mrs。 Henley's dinner；
she will write such an account of you to Philip as you will never get
over。'
Very little of this was heard； there was only the instinctive
consternation of being too late。 They started up； Guy threw down his
roses； caught Amy's hand and pressed it； while she bent down her head；
hiding the renewed blush； he dashed out of the room； and up to his own；
while Mrs。 Edmonstone and Charlotte hurried down。 In another second；
he was back again； and once more Amy felt the pressure of his hand on
hers
'Good…bye！' he said； and she whispered another 'Good…bye！' the only
words she had spoken。
One moment more he lingered；
'My Verena！' said he； but the hurrying sounds in the hall warned him
he sprang down to the drawing…room。 Even Charles was on the alert；
standing； leaning against the table； and looking eager； but Guy had not
time to let him speak； he only shook hands； and wished good…bye； with a
sort of vehement agitated cordiality； concealed by his haste。
'Where's Amy？' cried Charlotte。 'Amy！ Is not she coming to wish him
good…bye？'
He said something； of which 'up…stairs' was the only audible word； held
Mrs。 Edmonstone's hand fast； while she said； in a low voice'You shall
hear from papa to…morrow；' then sprung on his horse； and looked up。
Amy was at the window； he saw her head bending forward； under its veil
of curls； in the midst of the roses round the lattice； their eyes met
once more； he gave one beamy smile； then rode off at full speed； with
Bustle racing after him； while Amy threw herself on her knees by her
bed； and with hands clasped over her face； prayed that she might be
thankful enough； and never be unworthy of him。
Every one wanted to get rid of every one else except Mrs。 Edmonstone；
for all but Charlotte guessed at the state of the case； and even she
perceived that something was going on。 Lady Eveleen was in a state of
great curiosity； but she had mercy； she knew that they must tell each
other before it came to her turn； and very good…naturedly she invited
Charlotte to come into the garden with her； and kept her out of the way
by a full account of her last fancy ball； given with so much spirit and
humour that Charlotte could not help attending。
Charles and Laura gained little by this kind manoeuvre； for their
mother was gone up again to Amy； and they could only make a few
conjectures。 Charles nursed his right hand； and asked Laura how hers
felt？ She looked up from her work； to which she had begun to apply
herself diligently； and gazed at him inquiringly； as if to see whether
he intended anything。
'For my par