to go to Oxford
about it; but Mr. Thorndale did not profess to understand it, as of
course Morville said as little of it as he could. Thereupon all began to
admire the aforesaid Morville, already known by report, and whose fine
countenance and sensible conversation confirmed all that had been said
of him.

And as, after his interference, Mr. Markham's opposition became surly,
as well as sturdy, and Sir Guy's name was sure to stand arrayed against
them whichever way they turned, the younger part of the family learnt to
regard him somewhat in the light of an enemy, and their elders awaited
his majority with more of fear than of hope.

'Mamma!' cried Edward Ashford, rushing in, so as to bring the first news
to his mother, who had not been to the early service, 'I do believe Sir
Guy is come!'

'Sir Guy was at church!' shouted Robert, almost at the same moment.

Mr. Ashford confirmed the intelligence.

'I saw him speaking, after church, to some of the old men, so afterwards
I went to ask old John Barton, and found him with tears in his eyes,
positively trembling with delight, for he said he never thought to have
heard his cheery voice again, and that he was coming down by and by to
see the last letter from Ben, at sea.'

'That is very nice! Shall you call?'

'Yes. Even if he is only here for a day or two, it will be better to
have made the acquaintance.'

Mr. Ashford went to the Park at two in the afternoon, and did not return
till near four.

'Well,' said he, 'it is as James Thorndale says, there is something very
prepossessing about him.'

'Have you been there all this time?'

'Yes. He was not at home; so I left my card, and was coming away, when I
met him at the turn leading to the Cove. He need not have seen me unless
he had liked, but he came up in a good-natured cordial way, and thanked
me for coming to call.'

'Is he like his cousin?'

'Not in the least; not nearly so tall or so handsome, but with a very
pleasant face, and seeming made up of activity, very slight, as if he
was all bone and sinew. He said he was going to see the Christmas ox
at the farm, and asked me to come with him. Presently we came to a high
gate, locked up. He was over it in an instant, begged me to wait while
he ran on to the farm for the key, and was back in a second with it.'

'Did he enter on any of the disputed subjects!'

'He began himself about the school, saying the house should be altered
directly; and talked over the