without
effect, and losing him in the crowd coming out, saw him no more till
just before dinner-time. He had steeled himself to endure all that she
and the Doctor could inflict on him that evening, and he had a hope of
persuading Amabel that it would be only doing justice to her child to
let him restore her father's inheritance, which had come to him through
circumstances that could not have been foreseen. He was determined to do
nothing like an act of possession of Redclyffe till he had implored her
to accept the offer; and it was a great relief thus to keep it in doubt
a little longer, and not absolutely feel himself profiting by Guy's
death and sitting in his seat. Not a word, however, must be said to let
his sister guess at his resolution, and he must let her torture him in
the meantime. He was vexed at having been startled into betraying his
suffering, and was humiliated at the thought of the change from that
iron imperturbability, compounded of strength, pride, and coldness in
which he had once gloried.

Dr. Henley met him with a shake of the hand, and hearty exclamation:--

'I congratulate you, Sir Philip Morville.'

'No; that is spared me,' was his answer.

'Hem! The baronetcy?'

'Yes,' said Margaret, 'I thought you knew that only goes to the direct
heir of old Sir Hugh. But you must drop the "captain" at least. You will
sell out at once?'

He patiently endured the conversation on the extent and beauty of
Redclyffe, wearing all the time a stern, resolute aspect, that his
sister knew to betoken great unhappiness. She earnestly wished to
understand him, but at last, seeing how much her conversation increased
his headache, she desisted, and left him to all the repose his thoughts
could give him. He was very much concerned at the tone of the note from
his uncle, as if it was intended to show that all connection with the
family was to be broken off. He supposed it had been concerted with some
one; with Charles, most likely,--Charles, who had judged him too truly,
and with his attachment to Guy, and aversion to himself, was doubtless
strengthening his father's displeasure, all the more for this hateful
wealth. And Laura? What did she feel?

Monday morning brought another letter. At first, he was struck with
the dread of evil tidings of Amabel or her babe, especially when he
recognized Charles's straggling handwriting; and, resolved not to be
again betrayed, he carried it up to read in his own room before his