p her mind
to tell her daughter that they ought to set out.

Amabel replied by mentioning Philip. She deemed him a sort of trust, and
had been reposing in the thought of making him a reason for lingering in
the scene where the brightness of her life had departed from her. Mrs.
Edmonstone would not allow that she ought to remain for his sake, and
told her it was her duty to resolve to leave the place. She said, 'Yes,
but for him;' and it ended in Mrs. Edmonstone going, without telling
her, to inform him that she thought Amy ought to be at home as soon
as possible; but that it was difficult to prevail on her, because
she thought him as yet not well enough to be left. He was, of course,
shocked at being thus considered, and as soon as he next saw Amabel,
told her, with great earnestness, that he could not bear to see her
remaining there on his account; that he was almost well, and meant to
leave Recoara very soon; the journey was very easy, the sea voyage
would be the best thing for him, and he should be glad to get to the
regimental doctor at Corfu.

Amabel sighed, and knew she ought to be convinced. The very pain it gave
her to lose sight of that green, grave, the chestnut-tree, and the white
mountain; to leave the rooms and passages which still, to her ears,
were haunted by Guy's hushed step and voice, and to part with the window
where she used each wakeful night to retrace his profile as he had stood
pausing before telling her of his exceeding happiness; that very pain
made her think that opposition would be selfish. She must go some time
or other, and it was foolish to defer the struggle; she must not detain
her parents in an infected place, nor keep her mother from Charles. She
therefore consented, and let them do what they pleased,--only insisting
on Arnaud's being left with Philip.

Philip did not think this necessary, but yielded, when she urged it as
a relief to her own mind; and Arnaud, though unwilling, and used to his
own way, could make no objection when she asked it as a personal favour.
Arnaud was, at his own earnest wish, to continue in her service; and, as
soon as Philip was able to embark, was to follow her to Hollywell.

All this time nothing passed about Laura. Amabel asked several times
whether papa had spoken, but was always answered, 'Not yet;' and at last
Mrs. Edmonstone, after vainly trying to persuade him, was obliged to
give it up. The truth was, he could not begin; he was afraid of his
neph