told you when we began, and it would be a mere farce to do it alone. I
could not make myself, if I would.'

'Can't you make yourself do what you please?' said Guy, as if it was the
simplest thing in the world.

'Not a bit, if the other half of me does not like it. I forget it, or
put it off, and it comes to nothing. I do declare, though, I would get
something to break my mind on, merely as a medical precaution, just to
freshen myself up, if I could find any one to do it with. No, nothing in
the shape of a tutor, against that I protest.'

'Your sisters,' suggested Guy.

'Hum'! Laura is too intellectual already, and I don't mean to poach on
Philip's manor; and if I made little Amy cease to be silly, I should do
away with all the comfort I have left me in life. I don't know, though,
if she swallowed learning after Mary Ross's pattern, that it need do her
much harm.'

Amy came into the room at the moment. 'Amy, here is Guy advising me to
take you to read something awfully wise every day, something that will
make you as dry as a stick, and as blue--'

'As a gentianella,' said Guy.

'I should not mind being like a gentianella,' said Amy. 'But what
dreadful thing were you setting him to do?'

'To make you read all the folios in my uncle's old library,' said
Charles. 'All that Margaret has in keeping against Philip has a house of
his own.'

'Sancho somebody, and all you talked of when first you came?' said Amy.

'We were talking of the hour's reading that Charlie and I have had
together lately,' said Guy.

'I was thinking how Charlie would miss that hour,' said Amy; 'and we
shall be very sorry not to have you to listen to.'

'Well, then, Amy, suppose you read with me?'

'Oh, Charlie, thank you! Should you really like it?' cried Amy,
colouring with delight. 'I have always thought it would be so very
delightful if you would read with me, as James Ross used with Mary, only
I was afraid of tiring you with my stupidity. Oh, thank you!'

So it was settled, and Charles declared that he put himself on honour to
give a good account of their doings to Guy, that being the only way of
making himself steady to his resolution; but he was perfectly determined
not to let Philip know anything about the practice he had adopted,
since he would by no means allow him to guess that he was following his
advice.

Charles had certainly grown very fond of Guy, in spite of his propensity
to admire Philip, satisfying himself by maintai