a change. The evenings were merry, but the mornings were
occupied. Guy went off to his room, as he used to do last winter; Laura
commenced some complicated perspective, or read a German book with a
great deal of dictionary; Amy had a book of history, and practised her
music diligently; even Charles read more to himself, and resumed the
study with Guy and Amy; Lady Eveleen joined in every one's pursuits,
enjoyed them, and lamented to Laura that it was impossible to be
rational at her own home.

Laura tried to persuade her that there was no need that she should be on
the level of the society round her, and it ended in her spending an hour
in diligent study every morning, promising to continue it when she went
home, while Laura made such sensible comments that Eveleen admired her
more than ever; and she, knowing that some were second-hand from Philip,
others arising from his suggestions, gave him all the homage paid to
herself, as a tribute to him who reigned over her whole being.

Yet she was far from happy. Her reserve towards Guy made her feel stiff
and guarded; she had a craving for Philip's presence, with a dread of
showing it, which made her uncomfortable. She wondered he had not been
at Hollywell since the bail, for he must know that she was going to
Ireland in a fortnight, and was not likely to return till his regiment
had left Broadstone.

An interval passed long enough for her not to be alone in her surprise
at his absenting himself before he at length made his appearance, just
before luncheon, so as to miss the unconstrained morning hours he used
so much to enjoy. He found Guy, Charles, and Amy, deep in Butler's
Analogy.

'Are you making poor little Amy read that?' said he.

'Bravo!' cried Charles; 'he is so disappointed that it is not Pickwick
that he does not know what else to say.'

'I don't suppose I take much in,' said Amy; 'but I like to be told what
it means.'

'Don't imagine I can do that,' said Guy.

'I never spent much time over it,' said Philip; 'but I should think you
were out of your depth.'

'Very well,' said Charles; 'we will return to Dickens to oblige you.'

'It is your pleasure to wrest my words,' replied Philip, in his own calm
manner, though he actually felt hurt, which he had never done before.
His complacency was less secure, so that there was more need for
self-assertion.

'Where are the rest?' he asked.

'Laura and Eveleen are making a dictation lesson agreeable to
Charlot