hed to know of the family. There were two unmarried daughters, and
their cousin spoke in the highest terms of their self-devoted life,
promising what Guy much wished, that they should hear what deep
repentance had followed the crime which had made them fatherless. He was
to be a clergyman, and Guy admired him extremely, saying, however, that
he was so shy and retiring, it was hard to know him well.

From not having been at school, and from other causes, Guy had made few
acquaintance; indeed, he amused Mrs. Edmonstone by fearing he had been
morose. She was ready to tell him he was an ingenious self-tormentor;
but she saw that the struggle to do right was the main spring of
the happiness that beamed round him, in spite of his self-reproach,
heart-felt as it was. She doubted whether persons more contented with
themselves were as truly joyous, and was convinced that, while thus
combating lesser temptations, the very shadow of what are generally
alone considered as real temptations would hardly come near him.

If it had not been for these talks, and now and then a thoughtful look,
she would have believed him one of the most light-hearted and merriest
of beings. He was more full of glee and high spirits than she had ever
seen him; he seemed to fill the whole house with mirth, and keep every
one alive by his fun and frolic, as blithe and untiring as Maurice de
Courcy himself, though not so wild.

Very pleasant were those summer days--reading, walking, music,
gardening. Did not they all work like very labourers at the new arbour
in the midst of the laurels, where Charles might sit and see the spires
of Broadstone? Work they did, indeed! Charles looking on from his
wheeled chair, laughing to see Guy sawing as if for his living and Amy
hammering gallantly, and Laura weaving osiers, and Charlotte flying
about with messages.

One day, they were startled by an exclamation from Charles. 'Ah, ha!
Paddy, is that you?' and beheld the tall figure of a girl, advancing
with a rapid, springing step, holding up her riding habit with one hand,
with the other whisking her coral-handled whip. There was something
distinguished in her air, and her features, though less fine than
Laura's, were very pretty, by the help of laughing dark blue eyes, and
very black hair, under her broad hat and little waving feather. She
threatened Charles with her whip, calling out--'Aunt Edmonstone said I
should find you here. What is the fun now?'

'Arbour buil