as it is, she will be a great
deal too rich. Besides, Philip, I am sure this is exactly what Guy would
have chosen,' and the tears rose in her eyes. 'The first thing that came
into my head when she was born, was, that it was just what he wished,
that I should have her for myself, and that you should take care of
Redclyffe. I am certain now that he hoped it would be so. I know--indeed
I do--that he took great pleasure in thinking of its being in your
hands, and of your going on with all he began. You can't have forgotten
how much he left in your charge? If you were to give it up, it would be
against his desire; and with that knowledge, how could I suffer it?
Then think what a misfortune to her, poor little thing, to be a great
heiress, and how very bad for Redclyffe to have no better a manager
than me! Oh, Philip, can you not see it is best as it is, and just as he
wished?'

He almost groaned--'If you could guess what a burden it is.'

'Ah! but you must carry it, not throw it down on such hands as mine and
that tiny baby's,' said she, smiling.

'It would have been the same if it had been a boy.'

'Yes; then I must have done the best I could, and there would have been
an end to look to, but I am so glad to be spared. And you are so fit for
it, and will make it turn to so much use to every one.'

'I don't feel as if I should ever be of use to any one,' said Philip, in
a tone of complete dejection.

'Your head is aching,' said she, kindly.

'It always does, more or less,' replied he, resting it on his hand.

'I am so sorry. Has it been so ever since you were ill? But you are
better? You look better than when I saw you last.'

'I am better on the whole, but I doubt whether I shall ever be as strong
as I used to be. That ought to make me hesitate, even if--' then came a
pause, while he put his hand over his face, and seemed struggling with
irrepressible emotion; and after all he was obliged to take two walks to
the window before he could recover composure, and could ask in a voice
which he tried to make calm and steady, though his face was deeply
flushed--'Amy, how is Laura?'

'She is very well,' answered Amabel. 'Only you must not be taken by
surprise if you see her looking thinner.'

'And she has trusted--she has endured through all?' said he, with
inquiring earnestness.

'O yes!'

'And they--your father and mother--can forgive?'

'They do--they have. But, Philip, it was one of the things I came down
to s