tone to the most rigorous measures.

Philip, meanwhile, was trying to practise great moderation and
forbearance, not bringing forward at first what was most likely to
incense Mr. Edmonstone, and without appearance of animosity in his cool,
guarded speech. There was no design in this, he meant only to be just;
yet anything less cool would have had far less effect.

When he shut the dining-room door, he found his uncle wavering, touched
by the sight of his little Amy, returning to his first favourable view
of Guy's letter, ready to overlook everything, accept the justification,
and receive his ward on the same footing as before, though he was at
the same time ashamed that Philip should see him relent, and desirous
of keeping up his character for firmness, little guessing how his nephew
felt his power over him, and knew that he could wield him at will.

Perceiving and pitying his feebleness, and sincerely believing strong
measures the only rescue for Amy, the only hope for Guy, Philip found
himself obliged to work on him by the production of another letter from
his sister. He would rather, if possible, have kept this back, so much
did his honourable feeling recoil from what had the air of slander and
mischief-making; but he regarded firmness on his uncle's part as the
only chance for Guy or for his cousin, and was resolved not to let him
swerve from strict justice.

Mrs. Henley had written immediately after Guy's outburst in her house,
and, taking it for granted that her brother would receive a challenge,
she wrote in the utmost alarm, urging him to remember how precious he
was to her, and not to depart from his own principles.

'You would not be so mad as to fight him, eh?' said Mr. Edmonstone,
anxiously. 'You know better--besides, for poor Amy's sake.'

'For the sake of right,' replied Philip, 'no. I have reassured my
sister. I have told her that, let the boy do what he will, he shall
never make me guilty of his death.'

'You have heard from him, then?'

'No; I suppose a night's reflection convinced him that he had no
rational grounds for violent proceedings, and he had sense enough not to
expose himself to such an answer as I should have given. What caused his
wrath to be directed towards me especially, I cannot tell, nor can my
sister,' said Philip, looking full at his uncle; 'but I seem to have
come in for a full share of it.'

He proceeded to read the description of Guy's passion, and the
expressions he had