ing into communication with Hollywell again, and
knowing that Charles at least would be glad to hear from him, was so
exquisite, that he was almost surprised, considering that in essentials
he was where he was before, and even Charles could not be Amy.

CHAPTER 23

They hadna sailed a league, a league,
A league, but barely three,
When the lift grew dark, and the wind grew loud,
And gurly grew the sea.
--SIR PATRICK SPENS.--(Old Ballad.)

Guy's evening with the Ashfords threw down many of the barriers in the
way of intimacy. He soon made friends with the children, beginning with
the two years old baby, and ending with gaining even the shy and sturdy
Robin, who could not hold out any longer, when it appeared that Sir
Guy could tell him the best place for finding sea-urchins, the present
objects of his affections.

'But we should have to go through the park,' said Edward,
disconsolately, when Guy had described the locality.

'Well, why not?'

'We must not go into the park!' cried the children, in chorus.

'Not go into the park!' exclaimed Guy, looking at Mrs. Ashford, in
amazement; then, as it flashed on him that it was his part to give
leave, he added,--'I did not know I was such a dog in the manger. I
thought all the parish walked naturally in the park. I don't know what
else it is good for. If Markham will lock it up, I must tell him to give
you a key.'

The boys were to come the next day--to be shown the way to the bay of
urchins, and thenceforth they became his constant followers to such a
degree, that their parents feared they were very troublesome, but he
assured them to the contrary; and no mother in the world could have
found it in her heart to keep them away from so much happiness. There
was continually a rushing home with a joyous outcry,--'Mamma! Sir Guy
gave me a ride on his horse!' 'Mamma! Sir Guy helped us to the top of
that great rock!' 'Oh, papa! Sir Guy says we may come out shooting with
him to-morrow, if you will let us!' 'Mamma! papa! look! Do you see? I
shot this rabbit my own self with Sir Guy's gun!' 'Papa! papa! Sir Guy
showed us his boat, and he says he will take us out to the Shag Rock, if
you will give us leave!'

This was beyond what papa, still further beyond what mamma, could like,
since the sea was often very rough in parts near the Shag; there were
a good many sunken rocks, and boys, water, and rocks, did not appear by
any means a