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had been more than not being unhappy。 The dark fiends of remorse and
despair had not once assaulted him； yet it had not been by force of
employment that they had been averted。 He had read and written a
little； but very little； and the time had chiefly been spent in a sort
of day…dream； though not of a return to Hollywell； nor of what
Redclyffe might be with Amy。 It had been of a darkened and lonely
course； yet； in another sense； neither dark nor lonely； of a cheerless
home and round of duties； with a true home beyond； and still it had
been a happy； refreshing dream； and he began the next morning with the
fresh brightened spirit of a man who felt that such an evening was sent
him to reinvigorate his energies； and fit him for the immediate duties
that lay before him。
On the breakfast…table was what he had not seen for a long timea
letter directed to him。 It was from Mr。 Ross； in answer to his
question about Coombe Prior； entering readily into the subject； and
advising him to write to the Bishop； altogether with a tone of friendly
interest which； especially as coming from one so near Hollywell； was a
great pleasure； a real Christmas treat。 There was the wonted wish of
the seasona happy Christmaswhich he took gratefully； and lastly
there was a mention that Charles Edmonstone was better； the suffering
over； though he was not yet allowed to move。
It was a new light that Charles's silence had been occasioned by
illness； and his immediate resolution was to write at once to Mr。 Ross；
to beg for further particulars。 In the meantime； the perception that
there had been no estrangement was such a ray as can hardly be imagined
without knowing the despondency it had enlivened。 The truth was；
perhaps； that the tone of mind was recovering； and after having fixed
himself in his resolution to endure； he was able to receive comfort and
refreshment from without as well as from within。
He set to work to write at once to the Bishop； as Mr。 Ross advised。 He
said he could not bear to lose time； and therefore wrote at once。 He
should be of age on the 28th of March； and he hoped then to be able to
arrange for a stipend for a curate； if the Bishop approved； and would
kindly enter into communication on the appointment with Mr。 Halroyd；
the incumbent。 After considering his letter a little while； and
wishing he was sufficiently intimate with Mr。 Ashford to ask him if it
would do； he wrote another to Mr。 Ross； to inquire after Charles； then
he worked for an hour at mathematics； till a message came from the
gamekeeper to ask whether he would go out shooting； whereat Bustle；
evidently understanding； jumped about； and wagged his tail so
imploringly； that Guy could not resist； so he threw his books upon the
top of the great pile on the sofa； and； glad that at least he could
gratify dog and man； he sent word that he should be ready in five
minutes。
He could not help enjoying the ecstasy of all the dogs； and； indeed he
was surprised to find himself fully alive to the delight of forcing his
way through a furze…brake； hearing the ice in the peaty bogs crackle
beneath his feet； getting a good shot； bringing down his bird； finding
snipe； and diving into the depths of the long； winding valleys and
dingles； with the icicle…hung banks of their streamlets。 He came home
through the village at about half…past three o'clock； sending the
keeper to leave some of his game at the parsonage； while he went
himself to see how the work was getting on at the school。 Mr。 and Mrs。
Ashford and the boys were come on the same errand； in spite of the
cloud of dust rising from the newly…demolished lath…and…plaster
partition。 The boys looked with longing eyes at the gun in his hand；
and the half…frozen compound of black and red mud on his gaiters； but
they were shy； and their enmity added to their shyness； so that even
when he shook hands with them； and spoke good…naturedly； they did not
get beyond a monosyllable。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Ashford； feeling some compunction for having left him to
his solitude so long； asked him to dinner for one of the ensuing days；
with some idea of getting some one to meet him； and named six o'clock。
'Won't that put you out？ Don't you always dine early？' said he。 'If
you would let me； I should like to join you at your tea…time。'
'If you will endure a host of children；' said Mr。 Ashford； 'I should
like it of all things；' said Guy。 'I want to make acquaintance very
much；' and he put his hand on Robert's shoulder。 'Besides； I want to
talk to you about the singing； and how we are to get rid of that fiddle
without breaking James Robinson's heart。'
The appointment was made； and Guy went home to his hasty dinner； his
Greek； and a little refreshing return afterwards to the books which had
been the delight of younger days。 There was no renewal of the burthen
of despair that had so long haunted his evenings。 Employments
thickened on his hands as the days passed on。 There was further
correspondence about Coombe Prior and the curate； and consultations
with Markham about farmer Todd； who was as obstinate and troublesome as
possible。 Guy made Markham come to Coombe Prior with him； examine and
calculate about the cottages； and fairly take up the subject； though
without much apparent chance of coming to any satisfactory result。 A
letter came from Mr。 Ross； telling him even more than he had ventured
to hope； for it brought a message from Charles himself。 Charles had
been delighted to hear of him； and had begged that he might be told how
very sorry he had been not to write； and how incapable he had been； and
still was； but that he hoped Guy would write to him； and believe him in
the same mind。 Mr。 Ross added an account of Charles's illness； saying
the suffering had been more severe than usual； and had totally disabled
him for many weeks； that they had since called in a London surgeon； who
had given him hope that he might be better now than ever before； but
had prescribed absolute rest for at least six weeks longer； so that
Charles was now flat on his back all day； beginning to be able to be
amused； and very cheerful and patient。
The pleasure of entering into communication with Hollywell again； and
knowing that Charles at least would be glad to hear from him； was so
exquisite； that he was almost surprised； considering that in essentials
he was where he was before； and even Charles could not be Amy。
CHAPTER 23
They hadna sailed a league； a league；
A league； but barely three；
When the lift grew dark； and the wind grew loud；
And gurly grew the sea。SIR PATRICK SPENS。（Old Ballad。）
Guy's evening with the Ashfords threw down many of the barriers in the
way of intimacy。 He soon made friends with the children； beginning
with the two years old baby； and ending with gaining even the shy and
sturdy Robin； who coul