His great comfort was, that Guy
was less ill than he had been himself, and that there was no present
danger; otherwise, he could never have endured the conviction that all
had been caused by his own imprudence. Imprudence! Philip was brought
very low to own that such a word applied to him, yet it would have been
well for him had that been the chief burthen on his mind. Was it only an
ordinary service of friendship and kindred that Guy had, at the peril
of his own life, rendered him? Was it not a positive return of good
for evil? Yes, evil! He now called that evil, or at least harshness and
hastiness in judgment, which he had hitherto deemed true friendship and
consideration for Guy and Amy. Every feeling of distrust and jealousy
had been gradually softening since his recovery began; gratitude had
done much, and dismay at Guy's illness did more. It would have been
noble and generous in Guy to act as he had done, had Philip's surmises
been correct, and this he began to doubt, though it was his only
justification, and even to wish to lose it. He had rather believe Guy
blameless. He would do so, if possible; and he resolved, on the first
opportunity, to beg him to give him one last assurance that all was
right, and implicitly believe him. But how was it possible again
to assume to be a ruler and judge over Guy after it was known
how egregiously he himself had erred? There was shame, sorrow,
self-humiliation, and anxiety wherever he turned, and it was no wonder
that depression of spirits retarded his recovery.

It was not till the tenth day after Guy's illness had begun that Philip
was able to be dressed, and to come into the next room, where Amabel had
promised to dine with him. As he lay on the sofa, she thought he looked
even more ill than in bed, the change from his former appearance being
rendered more visible, and his great height making him look the more
thin. He was apparently exhausted with the exertion of dressing, for he
was very silent all dinner-time, though Amabel could have better talked
to-day than for some time past, since Guy had had some refreshing sleep,
was decidedly less feverish, seemed better for nourishing food, and said
that he wanted nothing but a puff of Redclyffe wind to make him well.
He was pleased to hear of Philip's step in recovery, and altogether, Amy
was cheered and happy.

She left her cousin as soon as dinner was over, and did not come to him
again for nearly an hour and a half. She wa