don, and pay Miss Wellwood, the lady with
whom his uncle's daughter was placed, for her quarter's board. 'I hope
this will not be a very troublesome request,' wrote Guy; 'but I know
you had rather I did it in this way, than disobey your maxims, as to not
sending money by the post.'

The time before the day of meeting was spent in strengthening himself
against the pain it would be to refuse his confidence to Mr. Edmonstone,
and thus to throw away the last chance of reconciliation, and of Amy.
This would be the bitterest pang of all--to see them ready to receive
him, and he forced to reject their kindness.

So passed the preceding week, and with it his twenty-first birthday,
spent very differently from the way in which it would ordinarily be
passed by a youth in his position. It went by in hard study and sad
musings, in bracing himself to a resolution that would cost him all he
held dear, and, as the only means of so bracing himself, in trying to
fix his gaze more steadily beyond the earth.

Easter day steadied the gaze once more for him, and as the past week had
nerved him in the spirit of self-sacrifice, the feast day brought him
true unchanging joy, shining out of sadness, and enlightening the path
that would lead him to keep his resolution to the utmost, and endure the
want of earthly hope.

CHAPTER 25

Already in thy spirit thus divine,
Whatever weal or woe betide,
Be that high sense of duty still thy guide,
And all good powers will aid a soul like thine.
--SOUTHEY

'Now for it!' thought Guy, as he dismissed his cab, and was shown
up-stairs in the hotel. 'Give me the strength to withstand!'

The door was opened, and he beheld Mr. Edmonstone, Markham, and
another--it surely was Sebastian Dixon! All sprung up to receive him;
and Mr. Edmonstone, seizing him by both hands, exclaimed--

'Here he is himself! Guy, my boy, my dear boy, you are the most generous
fellow in the world! You have been used abominably. I wish my two hands
had been cut off before I was persuaded to write that letter, but it is
all right now. Forget and forgive--eh, Guy? You'll come home with me,
and we will write this very day for Deloraine.'

Guy was almost giddy with surprise. He held one of Mr. Edmonstone's
hands, and pressed it hard; his other hand he passed over his eyes, as
if in a dream. 'All right?' he repeated.

'All right!' said Mr. Edmonstone. 'I know where yo