ed hastily away, and paced up and down before he could
command his countenance. All were so busy cheering, that no one heeded
his change of demeanour save Mrs. Ashford; and though, when he returned
to the place where he had been standing, his complexion was deepened,
his lip quivered, and his voice trembled in returning thanks, Mr.
Ashford only saw the emotion naturally excited by his people's
attachment.

The lady understood it better; and when she talked it over with her
husband in the evening, they were convinced the cause of his trouble
must be some unfortunate attachment, which he might think it his duty
to overcome; and having settled this, they became very fond of him, and
anxious to make Redclyffe agreeable to him.

Captain and crew departed; the little boy was better, and his hosts,
Charity and Jem Ledbury, only wished to keep him for ever; the sensation
at Redclyffe was subsiding, when one morning Markham came, in a state of
extreme satisfaction and importance, to exhibit the county paper, with
a full account of the gallant conduct of the youthful baronet. Two or
three days after, on coming home from a ride to Coombe Prior, Guy found
Lord Thorndale's card, and heard from Arnaud that 'my lord had made
particular inquiries how long he would be in the country, and had been
to the cliff to see where the wreck was.'

Markham likewise attached great importance to this visit, and went
off into a long story about his influence, and the representation
of Moorworth, or even of the county. As soon as Guy knew what he was
talking about, he exclaimed, 'Oh, I hope all that is not coming on me
yet! Till I can manage Todd and Coombe Prior, I am sure I am not fit to
manage the country!'

A few mornings after, he found on the table an envelope, which
he studied, as if playing with his eagerness. It had an East-hill
post-mark, and a general air of Hollywell writing, but it was not in the
hand of either of the gentlemen, nor was the tail of the y such as Mrs.
Edmonstone was wont to make. It had even a resemblance to Amabel's own
writing that startled him. He opened it at last, and within found the
hand he could not doubt--Charles's, namely--much more crooked than
usual, and the words shortened and blotted:--

'DEAR G.,--I ought not to do this, but I must; I have tyrannized over
Charlotte, and obtained the wherewithal. Write me a full account of your
gallant conduct. I saw it first in A.'s face. It has done you great good