stoforo, began to translate it fluently and with an admirable choice
of language that silenced Charles's attempts to interrupt and criticise.
Soon Guy, who had at first lent only reluctant attention, was entirely
absorbed, his eyebrows relaxed, a look of earnest interest succeeded,
his countenance softened, and when Fra Cristoforo humbled himself,
exchanged forgiveness, and received "il pane del perdono," tears hung on
his eyelashes.

The chapter was finished, and with a smothered exclamation of
admiration, he joined the others in begging Philip to proceed. The story
thus read was very unlike what it had been to Laura and Amy, when they
puzzled it out as an Italian lesson, or to Charles, when he carelessly
tossed over the translation in search of Don Abbondio's humours;
and thus between reading and conversation, the morning passed very
agreeably.

At luncheon, Mr. Edmonstone asked Philip to come and spend a day or two
at Hollywell, and he accepted the invitation for the next week. 'I will
make Thorndale drive me out if you will give him a dinner.'

'Of course, of course,' said Mr. Edmonstone, 'we shall be delighted. We
were talking of asking him, a day or two ago; eh, mamma?'

'Thank you,' said Philip; 'a family party is an especial treat to him,'
laying a particular stress on the word 'family party,' and looking at
his aunt.

At that moment the butler came in, saying, 'Sir Guy's servant is come,
and has brought the horse, sir.'

'Deloraine come!' cried Guy, springing up. 'Where?'

'At the door, sir.'

Guy darted out, Mr. Edmonstone following. In another instant, however,
Guy put his head into the room again. 'Mrs. Edmonstone, won't you come
and see him? Philip, you have not seen Deloraine.'

Off he rushed, and the others were just in time to see the cordial look
of honest gladness with which William, the groom, received his young
master's greeting, and the delighted recognition between Guy, Bustle,
and Deloraine. Guy had no attention for anything else till he had heard
how they had prospered on the journey; and then he turned to claim
his friend's admiration for the beautiful chestnut, his grandfather's
birthday present. The ladies admired with earnestness that compensated
for want of knowledge, the gentlemen with greater science and
discrimination; indeed, Philip, as a connoisseur, could not but, for the
sake of his own reputation, discover something to criticise. Guy's brows
drew together again, and his ey