hing of it, I am sure; but
they did it among them,' said Mr. Edmonstone, growing ashamed, under
Philip's eye, as of a dreadful piece of imprudence. 'I was out of the
way at the time, but I could not refuse my consent, you know, as things
stood then.'

'Do you mean to say that Amy is engaged to him?'

'Why, no--not exactly engaged, only on trial, you understand, to see if
he will be steady. I was at Broadstone; 'twas mamma settled it all.
Poor little thing, she is very much in love with him, I do believe, but
there's an end of everything now.'

'It is very fortunate this has been discovered in time,' said Philip.
'Instead of pitying her, I should rejoice in her escape.'

'Yes,' said Mr. Edmonstone, ruefully. 'Who could have thought it?'

'I am afraid the mischief is of long standing,' proceeded Philip,
resolved, since he saw his uncle so grieved, to press him strongly,
thinking that to save Amy from such a marriage was an additional motive.
'He could hardly have arrived at losing as much as a thousand pounds,
all at once, in this month at St. Mildred's. Depend upon it, that
painful as it may be at present, there is great reason, on her account,
to rejoice in the discovery. You say he has never before applied, to you
for money?'

'Not a farthing beyond his allowance, except this unlucky thirty pounds,
for his additional expense of the tutor and the lodging.'

'You remember, however, that he has always seemed short of money, never
appeared able to afford himself any little extra expense. You have
noticed it, I know. You remember, too, how unsatisfactory his reserve
about his proceedings in London has been, and how he has persisted in
delaying there, in spite of all warnings. The work, no doubt, began
there, under the guidance of his uncle; and now the St. Mildred's races
and Tom Harewood have continued it.'

'I wish he had never set foot in the place!'

'Nay; for Amy's sake, the exposure is an advantage, if not for his own.
The course must have been long since begun; but he contrived to avoid
what could lead to inquiry, till he has at length involved himself in
some desperate scrape. You see, he especially desires to have the money
_soon_, and he never even attempts to say you would approve of the
object.

'Yes; he has the grace not to say that.'

'Altogether, it is worse than I could have thought possible,' said
Philip. I could have believed him unstable and thoughtless; but the
concealment, and the attempti