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hurt by what has passed。'
'I knowI know；' said Guy； colouring deeply； and all irritation
disappearing from voice and manner； 'I know there is no excuse for me。
I can only repeat that I am heartily sorry for whatever I may have
said； either of him or of you。'
'Of course；' returned Philip； 'I should never think of resenting what
you may have said in a moment of irritation； especially as you express
regret for it。 Consider it as entirely overlooked on my part。'
Guy was nearly choked in uttering a 'Thank you；' which did not sound；
after all； much like acceptance of forgiveness。
'Now to the real matter at issue；' said Philip： 'the application for
the money； which so amazed Mr。 Edmonstone。'
'I do not see that it is the point；' said Guy； 'I wanted it for a
scheme of my own： he did not think fit to let me have it； so there is
an end of the matter。'
'Mr Edmonstone does not think so。 He wishes to be convinced that you
have not spent it beforehand。'
'What would you have beyond my word and honour that I have not？'
exclaimed Guy。
Far be it from me to say that he doubts it；' said Philip； and as at
those words the flash of the Morville eye darted lightning； he expected
that the next moment； 'Do you？' would be thundered forth； and he could
not； with truth； answer ' No；' but it was one of his maxims that a man
need never be forced into an open quarrel； and he tranquilly continued…
…'but it is better not to depend entirely on assertion。 Why do you not
bring him full proofs of your good intention； and thus restore yourself
to his confidence？'
'I have said that I am bound not to mention the purpose。'
'Unfortunate！' said Philip； then； while Guy bit his lip till it bled；
the pain really a relief； by giving some vent to his anger at the
implied doubt； he went on；'If it is impossible to clear this up； the
next advice I would give is； that you should show what your expenditure
has been； lay your accounts before him； and let them justify you。'
Most people would have resented this as an impertinent proposal； were
it only that doing so would have served to conceal the awkward fact
that the accounts had not been kept at all。 Guy had never been taught
to regard exactness in this respect as a duty； had no natural taste for
precision； and did not feel responsible to any person； nor if he had
kept any； could he have shown them； without exposing his uncle。 To
refuse； would； however； be a subterfuge； and after a moment； he made an
effort； and confessed he had none to show； though he knew Philip would
despise him for it as a fool； and probably take it as positive evidence
against him。
It would have been more bearable if Philip would but have said 'How
foolish；' instead of drily repeating 'Unfortunate！'
After a pause； during which Guy was not sufficiently master of himself
to speak； Philip added'Then this matter of the thousand pounds is to
be passed over？ You have no explanation to offer？'
'No：' and again he paused。 'When my word is not accepted； I have no
more to say。 But this is not the point。 What I would know is； what
are the calumnies that accuse me of having gamed？ If you really wish
to do me a service； you will give me an opportunity of answering these
precious proofs。'
'I will' answered Philip； who could venture on doing so himself；
though； for his sister's sake； it was unsafe to trust Mr。 Edmonstone；
with whom what was not an absolute secret was not a secret at all。 'My
uncle knows that a thirty pound cheque of his； in your name； was paid
by you to a notorious gamester。'
Guy did not shrink； as he simply answered'It is true。'
'Yet you have neither played； nor betted； nor done anything that could
come under the definition of gambling？'
'No。'
'Then why this payment？'
'I cannot explain that。 I know appearances are against me；' replied
Guy steadily； and with less irritation than he had hitherto shown。 I
once thought my simple word would have sufficed； but； since it seems
that will not do； I will not again make what you call assertions。'
'In fact； while you profess a desire to be open and sincere； a mystery
appears at every turn。 What would you have us do？'
'As you think fit；' he answered proudly。
Philip had been used to feel men's wills and characters bend and give
way beneath his superior force of mind。 They might； like Charles；
chafe and rage； but his calmness always gave him the ascendant almost
without exertion； and few people had ever come into contact with him
without a certain submission of will or opinion。 With Guy alone it was
not so； he had been sensible of it once or twice before； he had no
mastery； and could no more bend that spirit than a bar of steel。 This
he could not bear； for it obliged him to be continually making efforts
to preserve his own sense of superiority。
'Since this is your ultimatum；' he said'since you deny your
confidence； and refuse any reply to these charges； you have no right to
complain of suspicion。 I shall do my best； both as your true friend；
and as acting with your guardian's authority； to discover all that may
lead to the elucidation of the mystery。 In the first place； I am
desired to make every inquiry here as to your conduct and expenditure。
I hope they will prove satisfactory。'
'I am very much obliged to you；' answered Guy； his voice stern and
dignified； and the smile that curled his lip was like Philip's own。
Philip was positively annoyed； and desirous to say something to put him
down； but he had not committed himself by any vehemence； and Philip was
too cool and wise to compromise his own dignity； so he rose to go；
saying； 'Good night！ I am sorry I cannot induce you to act in the only
way that can right you。'
'Good night！' replied Guy； in the same dignified manner in which he had
spoken ever since his passion had been surmounted。
They parted； each feeling that matters were just where they were
before。 Philip went back to his inn； moralizing on the pride and
perverseness which made it impossible to make any impression on a
Redclyffe Morville； whom not even the fear of detection could lead to
submission。
Next morning； while Philip was hastily breakfasting； the door opened；
and Guy entered； pale and disturbed； as if he had been awake all night。
'Philip！' said he； in his frank； natural voice； 'I don't think we
parted last night as your good intentions deserved。'
'0； ho！' thought Philip； 'the fear of an investigation has brought him
to reason；' and he said； 'Well； I am very glad you see things in a
truer light this morning；' then asked if he had breakfasted。 He had；
and his cousin added；
'Have you anything to say on the matter we discussed last night？'
'No。 I can only repeat that I am not guilty； and wait for time to show
my innocence。 I only came to see you once more；