the train at twelve o'clock, and she was resolved
that something should be done; so, as soon as her father had wished Guy
goodbye, and ridden off to his justice meeting, she entreated her mother
to come into the dressing-room, and hear what she had to say.

'Oh, mamma! the most dreadful thing has happened!' and, hiding her face,
she told her story, ending with a burst of weeping as she said how Guy
was displeased. 'And well he might be! That after all that has vexed him
this week, I should tease him with such a trick. Oh, mamma, what must he
think?'

'My dear, there was a good deal of silliness; but you need not treat it
as if it was so very shocking.'

'Oh, but it hurt him! He was angry, and now I know how it is, he is
angry with himself for being angry. Oh, how foolish I have been! What
shall I do?'

'Perhaps we can let him know it was not your fault,' said Mrs.
Edmonstone, thinking it might be very salutary for Charlotte to send her
to confess.

'Do you think so?' cried Amy, eagerly. 'Oh! that would make it all
comfortable. Only it was partly mine, for not keeping Charlotte in
better order, and we must not throw it all on her and Eveleen. You think
we may tell him?'

'I think he ought not to be allowed to fancy you let your name be so
used.'

A message came for Mrs. Edmonstone, and while she was attending to it,
Amy hastened away, fully believing that her mother had authorized her
to go and explain it to Guy, and ask his pardon. It was what she thought
the natural thing to do, and she was soon by his side, as she saw him
pacing, with folded arms, under the wall.

Much had lately been passing in Guy's mind. He had gone on floating on
the sunny stream of life at Hollywell, too happy to observe its especial
charm till the change in Amy's manner cast a sudden gloom over all. Not
till then did he understand his own feelings, and recognize in her the
being he had dreamt of. Amy was what made Hollywell precious to him.
Sternly as he was wont to treat his impulses, he did not look on his
affection as an earthborn fancy, liable to draw him from higher things,
and, therefore, to be combated; he deemed her rather a guide and guard
whose love might arm him, soothe him, and encourage him. Yet he had
little hope, for he did not do justice to his powers of inspiring
affection; no one could distrust his temper and his character as much as
he did himself, and with his ancestry and the doom he believed attached
to his race,