'He was an only child, and lost his mother early. He was very ill
brought up, and was as impetuous and violent as Sir Guy himself, though
with much kindliness and generosity. He was only nineteen when he made
a runaway marriage with a girl of sixteen, the sister of a violin
player, who was at that time in fashion. His father was very much
offended, and there was much dreadfully violent conduct on each side.
At last, the young man was driven to seek a reconciliation. He brought
his wife to Moorworth, and rode to Redclyffe, to have an interview with
his father. Unhappily, Sir Guy was giving a dinner to the hunt, and
had been drinking. He not only refused to see him, but I am afraid he
used shocking language, and said something about bidding him go back to
his fiddling brother in-law. The son was waiting in the hall, heard
everything, threw himself on his horse, and rushed away in the dark.
His forehead struck against the branch of a tree, and he was killed on
the spot.'

'The poor wife?' asked Amabel, shuddering.

'She died the next day, when this boy was born.'

'Frightful!' said Philip. 'It might well make a reformation in old Sir
Guy.'

'I have heard that nothing could be more awful than the stillness that
fell on that wretched party, even before they knew what had happened--
before Colonel Harewood, who had been called aside by the servants,
could resolve to come and fetch away the father. No wonder Sir Guy was
a changed man from that hour.'