never would light up. It is a fit place to be haunted.'

'That poor boy alone there!' said Mrs. Edmonstone; 'I am glad you and
your uncle are going to him.'

'Tell us about him,' said Laura.

'He was the most incongruous thing there,' said Philip. 'There was a
calm, deep melancholy about the old man added to the grand courtesy
which showed he had been what old books call a fine gentleman, that
made him suit his house as a hermit does his cell, or a knight his
castle; but breaking in on this "penseroso" scene, there was Guy--'

'In what way?' asked Laura.

'Always in wild spirits, rushing about, playing antics, provoking the
solemn echoes with shouting, whooping, singing, whistling. There was
something in that whistle of his that always made me angry.'

'How did this suit old Sir Guy?'

'It was curious to see how Guy could rattle on to him, pour out the
whole history of his doings, laughing, rubbing his hands, springing
about with animation--all with as little answer as if he had been
talking to a statue.'

'Do you mean that Sir Guy did not like it?'

'He did in his own way. There was now and then a glance or a nod, to
show that he was attending; but it was such slight encouragement, that