‘Well, Charlie,’ said Laura, well pleased, I am glad you are convinced at last.’
‘Do you think I ever wanted to be convinced that we were created for no other end than to applaud Philip? I was fulfilling the object of our existence by enlarging on a remark of Guy’s, that nothing struck him more than the way in which Philip could adapt his conversation to the hearers. So the hint was not lost on me; and I came to the conclusion that it was a far greater proof of his sense than all the maxims he lavishes on us.’
‘I wonder Guy was the person to make the remark,’ said Laura; ‘for it is strange that those two never appear to the best advantage together.’
‘Oh, Laura, that would be the very reason,’ said Amy.
‘The very reason?’ said Charles. Draw out your meaning, Miss.’
‘Yes,’ said Amy, colouring, ‘If Guy—if a generous person, I mean—were vexed with another sometimes, it would be the very reason he would make the most of all his goodness.’
‘Heigh-ho!’ yawned Charles. What o’clock is it? I wonder when Guy is ever coming back from that Lascelles.’
‘Your wonder need not last long,’ said Laura; ‘for I see him riding into the stable yard.’
In a few minutes he had entered; and, on being asked if he had met Philip and Charlotte, and how they were getting on, he replied,—‘A good deal like the print of Dignity and Impudence,’ at the same time throwing back his shoulders, and composing his countenance to imitate Philip’s lofty deportment and sedate expression, and the next moment putting his head on one side with a sharp little nod, and giving a certain espiegle glance of the eye, and knowing twist of one corner of the mouth, just like Charlotte.
‘By the by,’ added he, ‘would Philip have been a clergyman if he had gone to Oxford?’