was something very sweet, very noble,
in his way of telling all.'

Another pang for Laura. But no! it was only poverty that was to blame.
Philip would speak as plainly if his prospects were as fair.

'Oh, I hope it will do well,' said she.

'It must,--it will!' cried Mrs. Edmonstone, giving way to her joyful
enthusiasm of affection. 'It is nonsense to doubt, knowing him as we do.
There is not a man in the world with whom I could be so happy to trust
her.'

Laura could not hear Guy set above all men in the world, and she
remembered Philip's warning to her, two years ago.

'There is much that is very good and very delightful about him,' she
said, hesitatingly.

'You are thinking of the Morville temper,' said her mother; 'but I am
not afraid of it. A naturally hot temper, controlled like his by strong
religious principle, is far safer than a cool easy one, without the
principle.'

Laura thought this going too far, but she felt some compensation due
to Guy, and acknowledged how strongly he was actuated by principle.
However--and it was well for her--they could not talk long, for Eveleen
and Charlotte were approaching, and she hastily asked what was to be
done about telling Eva, who could not fail to guess something.

'We must tell her, and make her promise absolute secrecy,' said Mrs.
Edmonstone. 'I will speak to her myself; but I must wait till I have
seen papa. There is no doubt of what he will say, but we have been
taking quite liberties enough in his absence.'

Laura did not see her sister till luncheon, when Amy came down, with
a glow on her cheeks that made her so much prettier than usual, that
Charles wished Guy could have seen her. She said little, and ran up
again as soon as she could. Laura followed her; and the two sisters
threw their arms fondly round each other, and kissed repeatedly.

'Mamma has told you? said Amy. 'Oh, it has made me so very happy; and
every one is so kind.'

'Dear, dear Amy!'

'I'm only afraid--'

'He has begun so well--'

'Oh, nonsense! You cannot think I could be so foolish as to be afraid
for him! Oh no! But if he should take me for more than I am worth. O
Laura, Laura! What shall I do to be as good and sensible as you! I must
not be silly little Amy any more.'

'Perhaps he likes you best as you are?'

'I don't mean cleverness: I can't help that,--and he knows how stupid
I am,--but I am afraid he thinks there is more worth in me. Don't you
know, he has a sort of suns