'Well, Charlotte?' said he, and the sound of his voice made her speak, but in a frightened, embarrassed whisper.
'Guy--Guy--Oh! I beg your pardon, but I wanted to--'
'Well, what?' said he, kindly.
'I wanted to make sure that you are not angry with Philip. You don't mean to keep up the feud, do you?'
'Feud?--I hope not,' said Guy, too much in earnest to be diverted with her lecture. 'I am very much obliged to him.'
'Are you really?' said Charlotte, her head a little on one side. 'I thought he had been scolding you.'
Scolding was so very inappropriate to Philip's calm, argumentative way of advising, that it became impossible not to laugh.
'Not scolding, then?' said Charlotte. 'You are too nearly grown up for that, but telling you to learn, and being tiresome.'
'I was so foolish as to be provoked at first,' answered Guy; 'but I hope I have thought better of it, and am going to act upon it.'
Charlotte opened her eyes wider than ever, but in the midst of her amazement Mrs. Edmonstone called to Guy to quit his leafy screen and come to tea.
Philip was to return to Broadstone the next day, and as Mrs. Edmonstone had some errands there that would occupy her longer than Charles liked to wait in the carriage, it was settled that Philip should drive her there in the pony phaeton, and Guy accompany them and drive back, thus having an opportunity of seeing Philip's print of the 'Madonna di San Sisto,' returning some calls, and being introduced to Mr. Lascelles, whilst she was shopping. They appointed an hour and place of meeting, and kept to it, after which Mrs. Edmonstone took Guy with her to call on Mrs. Deane, the wife of the colonel.
It was currently believed among the young Edmonstones that Mamma and Mrs. Deane never met without talking over Mr. Morville's good qualities, and the present visit proved no exception. Mrs. Deane, a kind, open-hearted, elderly lady was very fond of Mr. Morville, and proud of him as a credit to the regiment; and she told several traits of his excellent judgment, kindness of heart, and power of leading to the right course. Mrs. Edmonstone listened, and replied with delight; and no less pleasure and admiration were seen reflected in her young friend's radiant face.
Mrs. Edmonstone's first question, as they set out on their homeward drive, was, whether they had seen Mr. Lascelles?
'Yes,' said Guy, 'I am to begin to morrow, and go to him every Monday and Thursday.'