‘I must look on you as a kind of nephew,’ she added, kindly. ‘I used to hear so much of you from my brother.’
‘Oh!’ cried Guy, lighting up, ‘Archdeacon Morville was always so kind to me. I remember him very well!’
‘Ah! I wish—’ there she paused, and added,—tête-à-tête ‘it is not right to wish such things—and Philip is very like his father.’
‘I am very glad his regiment is so near. I want to know him better.’
‘You knew him at Redclyffe, when he was staying there?’
‘Yes,’ said Guy, his colour rising; ‘but I was a boy then, and a very foolish, headstrong one. I am glad to meet him again. What a grand-looking person he is!’
‘We are very proud of him,’ said Mrs. Edmonstone, smiling. ‘I don’t think there has been an hour’s anxiety about him since he was born.’
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of Charles’s crutches slowly crossing the hall. Guy sprang to help him to his sofa, and then, without speaking, hurried up-stairs.
‘Mamma, tete-a-tete with the silent one!’ exclaimed Charles.
‘I will not tell you all I think of him,’ said she, leaving the room.