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the heir of redclyffe-第81节

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usual; and the words shortened and blotted:





'DEAR G。;I ought not to do this; but I must; I have tyrannized over 

Charlotte; and obtained the wherewithal。  Write me a full account of 

your gallant conduct。  I saw it first in A。's face。  It has done you 

great good with my father。  I will write more when I can。  I can't get 

on now。  'C。 M。 E。'





He might well say he had first seen it in his sister's face。  She had 

brought him the paper; and was looking for something he wanted her to 

read to him; when 'Redclyffe Bay' met her eye; and then came the whole 

at one delightful glance。  He saw the heightened colour; the exquisite 

smile; the tear…drop on the eyelash。



'Amy! what have you there?'



She pointed to the place; gave the paper into his hand; and burst into 

tears; the gush of triumphant feeling。  Not one was shed because she 

was divided from the hero of the shipwreck; they were pure unselfish 

tears of joy; exultation; and thankfulness。  Charles read the history; 

and she listened in silence; then looked it over again with him; and 

betrayed how thoroughly she had been taught the whole geography of 

Redclyffe Bay。  The next person who came in was Charlotte; and as soon 

as she understood what occupied them; she went into an ecstasy; and 

flew away with the paper; rushing with it straight into her father's 

room; where she broke into the middle of his letter…writing; by reading 

it in a voice of triumph。



Mr。 Edmonstone was delighted。  He was just the person who would be far 

more taken with an exploit of this kind; such as would make a figure in 

the world; than by steady perseverance in well…doing; and his heart was 

won directly。  His wrath at the hasty words had long been diminishing; 

and now was absolutely lost in his admiration。  'Fine fellow! noble 

fellow!' he said。  'He is the bravest boy I ever heard of; but I knew 

what was in him from the first。  I wish from my heart there was not 

this cloud over him。  I am sure the whole story has not a word of truth 

in it; but he won't say a word to clear himself; or else we would have 

him here again to…morrow。'



This was the first time Mr。 Edmonstone had expressed anything of real 

desire to recall Guy; and it was what Charles meant in his letter。



The tyranny over Charlotte was exercised while the rest were at dinner; 

and they were alone together。  They talked over the adventure for the 

tenth time that day; and Charles grew so excited that he vowed that he 

must at once write to Guy; ordered her to give him the materials; and 

when she hesitated; forced her into it; by declaring that he should get 

up and reach the things himself; which would be a great deal worse。  

She wanted to write from his dictation; but he would not consent; 

thinking that his mother might not consider it proper; and he began 

vigorously; but though long used to writing in a recumbent posture; he 

found himself less capable now than he had expected; and went on 

soliloquizing thus: 'What a pen you've given me; Charlotte。  There goes 

a blot!  Here; another dip; will you! and take up that with the 

blotting paper before it becomes more like a spider。'



'Won't you make a fresh beginning?'



'No; that has cost me too much already。  I've got no more command over 

my fingers。  Here we go into the further corner of the paper。  Well!  

C。 M。 E。  There 'tisdo it up; will you?  If he can read it he'll be 

lucky。  How my arms ache!'



'I hope it has not hurt you; Charlie; but I am sure he will be very 

glad of it。  Oh!  I am glad you said that about Amy。'



'Who told you to read it; Puss?'



'I could not help it; 'tis so large。'



'I believe I _didn't_ _ought_ to have said it。  Don't tell her I did;' 

said Charles; 'but I couldn't for the life of meor what is more to 

the purpose; for the trouble of ithelp putting it。  He is too true a 

knight not to hear that his lady; not exactly smiled; but cried。'



'He is a true knight;' said Charlotte; emphatically; as with her best 

pen; and with infinite satisfaction; she indited the 'Sir Guy Morville; 

Bart。; Redclyffe Park; Moorworth;' only wishing she could lengthen out 

the words infinitely。



'Do you remember; Charlie; how we sat here the first evening he came; 

and you took me in about the deadly feud?'



'It was no take…in;' said Charles; 'only the feud is all on one side。'



'Oh; dear! it has been such a stupid winter without Guy;' sighed 

Charlotte; 'if this won't make papa forgive him; I don't know what 

will。'



'I wish it would; with all my heart;' said Charles; 'but logically; if 

you understand the word; Charlotte; it does not make much difference to 

the accusation。  It would not exactly be received as exculpatory 

evidence in a court of justice。'



'You don't believe the horrid stories?'



'I believe that Guy has gamed quite as much as I have myself; but I 

want to see him cleared beyond the power of Philip to gainsay or 

disbelieve it。  I should like to have such a force of proof as would 

annihilate Philip; and if I was anything but what I am; I would have 

it。  If you could but lend me a leg for two days; Charlotte。'



'I wish I could。'



'One thing shall be done;' proceeded Charles: 'my father shall go and 

meet him in person when he comes of age。  Now Don Philip is out of the 

way; I trust I can bring that about。'



'If he would but come here!'



'No; that must not be; as mamma says; till there is some explanation; 

but if I was but in my usual state; I would go with papa and meet him 

in London。  I wonder if there is any chance of it。  The 28th of March

ten weeks off!  If I can but get hold of those trusty crutches of mine 

by that time I'll do; and I'll do; and I'll do。  We will bring back 

Amy's knight with flying colours。'



'Oh how happy we should be!'



'If I only knew what sort of sense that Markham of his may have; I 

would give him a hint; and set him to ferret out at St。 Mildred's。  Or 

shall I get Dr。 Mayerne to order me there for change of air?'



So schemed Charles; while Guy; on his side; busied himself at Redclyffe 

as usual; took care and thought for the cabin…boyreturned Lord 

Thorndale's call without finding him at homesaw the school finished; 

and openedand became more intimate with the Ashfords。



He said he should not come home at Easter; as he should be very busy 

reading for his degree; and as his birthday this year fell in Holy 

Week; there could be no rejoicings; besides; as he was not to have his 

property in his own hands till he was five…and…twenty; it would make no 

difference to the people。  The Ashfords agreed they had rather he was 

safe at home for the vacation; and were somewhat anxious when he spoke 

of coming home to settle; after he had taken his degree。



For his own part he was glad the season would prevent any rejoicings; 

for he was in no frame of mind to enter into them and his birthday had 

been so sad a day for his grandfather; that he had no associations of 

pleasure connected with it。



Markham understood the feeling; liked it; and shared it; only saying 

that they would have their day of rejoicing when he married。  Guy could 

not answer; and the old steward remarked the look of pain。



'Sir Guy;' said he; 'is it that which is wrong with you?  Don't be 

angry with an old man for asking the question; but I only would hope 

and trust you are not getting into any scrape。'



'Thank you; Markham;' said Guy; after an effort; 'I cannot tell you 

about it。  I will only set you at rest by saying it is nothing you 

could think I ought to be ashamed of。'



'Then whywhat has come between?  What could man or woman object to in 

you?' said Markham; regarding him proudly。



'These unhappy suspicions;' said Guy。



I can't make it out;' said Markham。 'You must have been doing something 

foolish to give rise to them。'



Guy told nearly what he had said on the first day of his return; but 

nothing could be done towards clearing up the mystery; and he returned 

to Oxford as usual。



March commenced; and Charles; though no longer absolutely recumbent; 

and able to write letters again; could not yet attempt to use his 

crutches; so that all his designs vanished; except that of persuading 

his father to go to London to meet Guy and Markham there; and transact 

the business consequent on his ward's attaining his majority。   He 

trusted much to Guy's personal influence; and said to his father; 'You 

know no one has seen him yet but Philip; and he would tell things to 

you that he might not to him。'



It was an argument that delighted Mr。 Edmonstone。



'Of course I have more weight and experience; andand poor Guy is very 

fond of us。  Eh; Charlie?'



So Charles wrote to make an appointment for Guy to meet his guardian 

and Markham in London on Easter Tuesday。  'If you will clear up the 

gambling story;' he wrote; 'all may y

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