knew, was Guy's
delight, and further, what she would not tell herself, was that he
chiefly cared for showing it to her. It was so natural to call him to
admire everything beautiful, and ask if it was equal to Redclyffe, that
she found herself already turning to him to participate in his pleasure,
as he pointed out all that was to be seen; but she recollected, blushed,
and left her mother to speak. He had much to show. There was a hanging
wood on one side of the hill, whence he had brought her more than one
botanical prize, and she must now visit their native haunts. It was too
great a scramble for Mrs. Edmonstone, with all her good will; Eveleen
was to be kept still, and not to tire herself; Laura did not care for
botany, nor love brambles, and Amy was obliged to stand and look into
the wood, saying, 'No, thank you, I don't think I can,' and then run
back to Mary and Charles; while Charlotte was loudly calling out that it
was delightful fun, and that she was very stupid. In another minute Guy
had overtaken her, and in his gentle, persuasive voice, was telling her
it was very easy, and she must come and see the bird's-nest orchises.
She would have liked it above all things, but she thought it very kind
of Guy not to seem angry when she said, 'No, thank you.'

Mary, after what she had seen yesterday, could not guess at the real
reason, or she would have come with her; but she thought Amy was tired,
and would rather not. Poor Amy was tired, very tired, before the walk
was over, but her weary looks made it worse, for Guy offered her his
arm. 'No thank you,' she said, 'I am getting on very well;' and she
trudged on resolutely, for her mother was in the carriage, and to lag
behind the others would surely make him keep with her.

Mrs. Edmonstone was very sorry for her fatigue, but Amy found it a good
excuse for not wandering in the garden, or joining in the music. It
had been a very uncomfortable day; she hoped she had done right; at any
rate, she had the peaceful conviction of having tried to do so.

The next day, Amy was steady to her resolution. No reading with the two
youths, though Charles scolded her; sitting in her room till Guy was
gone out, going indoors as soon as she heard him return, and in the
evening staying with Charles when her sisters and cousins went out; but
this did not answer, for Guy came and sat by them. She moved away as
soon as possible, but the more inclined she was to linger, the more she
thought s