--'surely, you never thought Guy had faults?'

Her colour deepened. 'Yes, Laura,' she answered, firmly. 'I could not
have understood his repentance if I had not thought so. And, dear
Laura, if you will forgive me for saying it, it would be much better for
yourself and Philip if you would see the truth.'

'I thought you forgave him,' murmured Laura.

'Oh, Laura! but does not that word "forgive" imply something? I could
not have done anything to comfort him that day, if I had not believed
he had something to be comforted for. It can't be pleasant to him to see
you think his repentance vain.'

'It is noble and great.'

'But if it was not real, it would be thrown away. Besides, dear Laura,
do let me say this for once. If you would but understand that you let
him lead you into what was not right, and be really sorry for that, and
show mamma that you are, I do think it would all begin much more happily
when you are married.'

'I could never have told, till I was obliged to betray myself,' said
Laura. 'You know, Amy, it was no engagement. We never wrote to each
other, we had but one walk; it was no business of his to speak till he
could hope for papa's consent to our marriage. It would have been all
confusion if he had told, and that would have been only that we had
always loved each other with all our hearts, which every one knew
before.'

'Yet, Laura, it was what preyed on him when he thought he was dying.'

'Because it was the only thing like a fault he could think of,' said
Laura, excited by this shade of blame to defend him vehemently--'because
his scruples are high and noble and generous.'

She spoke so eagerly, that the baby's voice again broke on the
conversation, and she was obliged to go away; but though her idolatry
was complete, it did not seem to give full satisfaction or repose. As to
Philip, though his love for her was unchanged, it now and then was
felt, though not owned by him, that she was not fully a helpmeet, only
a 'Self'; not such a 'Self' as he had left at St. Mildred's, but still
reflecting on him his former character, instead of aiding him to a new
one.

CHAPTER 43

But nature to its inmost part
Faith had refined; and to her heart
A peaceful cradle given,
Calm as the dew drops free to rest
Within a breeze-fanned rose's breast
Till it exhales to heaven.
--WORDSWORTH

It had long been a promise that Mr. Edmonstone sh