ght it best to remain at
Redclyffe, since Philip had so much to do there; and besides, events
were occurring at Kilcoran which would have prevented his visit, even
without his illness.

One of the first drives that Charles and Philip took, after the latter
was equal to any exertion, was to Thorndale. There Charles was much
amused by the manner in which Philip was received, and he himself, for
his sake; and as he said to Amabel on his return, there was no question
now, that the blame of spoiling Philip did not solely rest at Hollywell.

Finding only Lady Thorndale at home, and hearing that Lord Thorndale was
in the grounds, Philip went out to look for him, leaving Charles on the
sofa, under her ladyship's care. Charles, with a little exaggeration,
professed that he had never been so flattered in his whole life, as
he was by the compliments that reflected on him as the future
brother-in-law of Philip; and that he had really begun to think even
Laura not half sensible enough of her own happiness. Lady Thorndale
afterwards proceeded to inquiries about the De Courcy family, especially
Lady Eveleen; and Charles, enlightened by Charlotte, took delight in
giving a brilliant description of his cousin's charms, for which he
was rewarded by very plain intimations of the purpose for which her son
James was gone to Kilcoran.

On talking the visit over, as they drove home, Charles asked Philip if
he had guessed at his friend's intentions. 'Yes,' he answered.

'Then you never took the credit of it. Why did you not tell us?'

'I knew it from himself, in confidence.'

'Oh!' said Charles, amusing himself with the notion of the young man's
dutifully asking the permission of his companion, unshaken in allegiance
though the staff might be broken, and the book drowned deeper than did
ever plummet sound. Philip spoke no more, and Charles would ask no
more, for Philip's own affairs of the kind were not such as to encourage
talking of other people's. No explanation was needed why he should now
promote an attachment which he had strongly disapproved while James
Thorndale was still in the army.

A day or two after, however, came a letter from Charlotte, bringing
further news, at which Charles was so amazed, that he could not help
communicating it at once to his companions.

'So! Eveleen won't have him!'

'What?' exclaimed both.

'You don't mean that she has refused Thorndale?' said Philip.

'Even so!' said Charles. 'Charlotte says he