e
heard that his sister's child survived, and was kindly treated by his
grandfather; and inquiring again on the death of old Sir Guy, learnt
that he was gone to live with his guardian, whose name, and residence
Markham had not thought fit to divulge. He had been much rejoiced to
hear his name from the music-master, and he went on to tell how he had
been misled by the name of Morville into addressing the captain, who had
a good deal of general resemblance to Guy's father, a fine tall young
man, of the same upright, proud deportment. He supposed he was the son
of the Archdeacon, and remembering how strongly his own proceedings
had been discountenanced at Stylehurst, had been much disconcerted, and
deeming the encounter a bad omen, had used more caution in his advances
to his nephew. It was from sincere affection that he sought his
acquaintance, though very doubtful as to the reception he might meet,
and was both delighted and surprised at such unembarrassed, open-hearted
affection.

The uncle and nephew were not made to understand each other. Sebastian
Dixon was a man of little education, and when, in early youth, his
talents had placed him high in his own line, he had led a careless,
extravagant life. Though an evil friend, and fatal counsellor, he had
been truly attached to Guy's father, and the secret engagement, and
runaway marriage with his beautiful sister, had been the romance of his
life, promoted by him with no selfish end. He was a proud and passionate
man, and resenting Sir Guy's refusal to receive his sister as a
daughter, almost as much as Sir Guy was incensed at the marriage, had
led his brother-in-law to act in a manner which cut off the hope of
reconciliation, and obliged Archdeacon Morville to give up his cause. He
had gloried in supporting his sister and her husband, and enabling them
to set the old baronet at defiance. But young Morville's territorial
pride could not brook that he should be maintained, and especially that
his child, the heir of Redclyffe, should be born while he was living at
the expense of a musician. This feeling, aided by a yearning for home,
and a secret love for his father, mastered his resentment; he took his
resolution, quarrelled with Dixon, and carried off his wife, bent with
desperation on forcing his father into receiving her.

Sebastian had not surmounted his anger at this step when he learnt its
fatal consequences. Ever since that time, nothing had prospered with
him: he