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'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； that I might feel we
parted friends。'
'I shall always hope to be a true friend。'
'I did not come here for altercation；' said Guy （an answer rather to
the spirit than the words）； 'so I will say no more。 If you wish to see
me again； you will find me in my rooms。 Good…bye。'
Philip was puzzled。 He wondered whether Guy had come wishing to
propitiate him； but had found pride indomitable at the last moment； or
whether he had been showing himself too severely just to admit
entreaty。 He would be able to judge better after he had made his
inquiries； and he proceeded with them at once。 He met with no such
replies as he expected。 Every one spoke of Sir Guy Morville in high
terms； as strict in his habits of application； and irreproachable in
conduct。 He was generally liked； and some regret was expressed that he
lived in so secluded a manner； forming so few intimacies； but no one
seemed to think it possible that anything wrong could be imputed to
him。 Philip could even perceive that there was some surprise that such
inquiries should be made at all； especially by so young a man as
himself。 Mr。 Wellwood； the person whom he most wished to see； was not
at Oxford； but was at home preparing for his ordination。
Nor could Philip get nearer to the solution of the mystery when he went
to the tradesmen； who were evidently as much surprised as the tutors；
and said he always paid in ready money。 Captain Morville felt like a
lawyer whose case is breaking down； no discoveries made； nothing done；
but he was not one whit convinced of his cousin's innocence； thinking
the college authorities blind and careless； and the tradesmen combined
to conceal their extortions； or else that the mischief had been done at
St。 Mildred's。 He was particularly provoked when he remembered Guy's
invitation to him to come to his rooms； knowing； as he must have done；
what would be the result of his inquiry。
Philip was conscious that it would have been kind to have gone to say
that； so far； he had found nothing amiss； but he did not like giving
Guy this passing triumph。 It made no difference in his real opinion；
and why renew a useless discussion？ He persuaded himself that he had
left himself no time； and should miss the train； and hastened off to
the station； where he had to wait a quarter of an hour； consoling
himself with reflecting
'After all； though I might have gone to him； it would have been
useless。 He is obstinate； and occasions of irritating his unfortunate
temper are above all to be avoided。'
One short year after； what would not Philip have given for that quarter
of an hour！
By six o'clock he was at St。 Mildred's； greeted with delight by his
sister； and with cordiality by Dr。 Henley。 They were both proud of
him； and every tender feeling his sister had was for Philip； her pet；
and her pupil in his childhood； and her most valued companion and
counsellor through her early womanhood。
She had a picked dinner…party to meet him； for she knew the doctor's
conversation was not exactly the thing to entertain him through a whole
evening； and the guests might well think they had never seen a
handsomer or more clever brother and sister than Mrs。 Henley and
Captain Morville。 The old county families； if they did wonder at her
marriage； were always glad to meet her brother； and it was a great
pleasure to him to see old friends。
Only once did his sister； in the course of the evening； make him feel
the difference of their sentiments； and that was about Miss Wellwood。
Philip defended her warmly； and when he heard that there was a plan
getting up for excluding her from the hospital； he expressed strong
disapprobation at the time； and after the guests were gone； spoke upon
the subject with his sister and her husband。 The doctor entered into
no party questions； and had only been stirred up to the opposition by
his wife； he owned that the Miss Wellwoods had done a great deal of
good； and made the nurses do their duty better than he had ever known；
and was quite ready to withdraw his opposition。 Mrs。 Henley argued
about opinions； but Philip was a match for her in her own line； and the
end of it was； that though she would not allow herself to be convinced；
and shook her head at her brother's way of thinking； he knew he had
prevailed； and that Miss Wellwood would be unmolested。
There was not another person in the world to whom Margaret would have
yielded； and it served to restore him to the sense of universal
dominion which had been a little shaken by his conversation with Guy。
'Sir Guy was a great deal with the Wellwoods；' said Mrs。 Henley。
'Was he； indeed？'
'0； you need not think of _that_。 It would be too absurd。 The
youngest must be twice his age。'
'I was not thinking of any such thing；' said Philip； smiling； as he
thought of the very different course Guy's affections had taken。
'I did hear he was to marry Lady Eveleen de Courcy。 Is there anything
in that report？'
'No； certainly not。'
'I should pity the woman who married him； after the specimen I saw of
his temper。'
'Poor boy！' said Philip。
'Lady Eveleen has been a great deal at Hollywell； has she not？ I
rather wondered my aunt should like to have her there； considering all
things。'
'What things； sister？'
'Considering what a catch he would be for one of the Edmonstone girls。'
'I thought you had just been pitying the woman who should marry him。
Perhaps my aunt had Lady Eveleen there to act as a screen for her own
daughters。'
'That our good…natured aunt should have acted with such ultra…
prudence！' said Margaret； laughing at his grave ironical tone。 'Lady
Eveleen is very pretty； is she not？ A mere beauty； I believe？'
'Just so； she is much admired； but Guy is certainly not inclined to
fall in love with her。'
'I should have thought him the very man to fall in love young； like his
father。 Do you think there is any chance for either of the
Edmonstones？ Laura's beauty he spoke of； but it was not in a very
lover…like way。 Do you admire Laura so much？'
'She is very pretty。'
'And little Amy？'
'She is a mere child； and will hardly ever be anything more； but she is
a very good little amiable thing。'
'I wish poor Charles's temper was improved。'
'So do I； but it is very far from improvement at present； in
consequence of his zeal for Guy。 Guy has been very attentive and good
natured to him； and has quite won his heart； so that I should
positively honour him for his championship if it was not in great
degree out of opposition to his father and myself。 To…morrow；
Margaret； you must give me some guide to the most probable quarters for
learning anything respecting this poor boy's