ost dangerous companion; as, indeed, I could have told from
his whole air, which is completely that of a roue.'

'You have seen him, then?'

'Yes. He paid me the compliment of taking me for Sir Guy, and of course
made off in dismay when he discovered on whom he had fallen. I have
seldom seen a less creditable-looking individual.'

'But what did Mr. Redford say? Did he know of the connection?'

'No; I am happy to say he did not. The fellow has decency enough not
to boast of that. Well, Redford did not know much of him personally: he
said he had once been much thought of, and had considerable talent and
execution, but taste changes, or he has lost something, so that, though
he stands tolerably high in his profession, he is not a leader. So much
for his musical reputation. As to his character, he is one of those
people who are called no one's enemy but their own, exactly the
introduction Guy has hitherto happily wanted to every sort of mischief.'

'I think,' said Mrs. Edmonstone, trying to console herself, 'that Guy is
too much afraid of small faults to be invited by larger evils. While
he punishes himself for an idle word, he is not likely to go wrong in
greater matters.'

'Not at present.'

'Is the man in debt or difficulties? Guy heard nothing of that, and I
thought it a good sign.'

'I don't suppose he is. He ought not, for he has a fixed salary, besides
what he gets by playing at concerts when it is not the London season.
The wasting money on a spendthrift relation would be a far less evil
than what I apprehend.'

'I wish I knew what to do! It is very unlucky that your uncle is from
home.'

'Very.'

Mrs. Edmonstone was frightened by the sense of responsibility, and was
only anxious to catch hold of something to direct her.

'What would you have me do?' she asked, hopelessly.

'Speak seriously to Guy. He must attend to you: he cannot fly out with a
woman as he does with me. Show him the evils that must result from such
an intimacy. If Dixon was in distress, I would not say a word, for he
would be bound to assist him but as it is, the acquaintance can serve no
purpose but degrading Guy, and showing him the way to evil. Above all,
make a point of his giving up visiting him in London. That is the sure
road to evil. A youth of his age, under the conduct of a worn-out
roue, connected with the theatres! I can hardly imagine anything more
mischievous.'

'Yes, yes; I will speak to him,' said Mrs. Edmonstone,