home; but the first thing I heard in the morning was, that he was gone
to offer them to a farmer, to keep the birds from his fruit.'

'Did he do it of his own accord?' asked Laura.

'That was just what I wanted to know; but any hint about them brought
such a cloud over his face that I thought it would be wanton to
irritate him by questions. However, I must be going. Good-bye, Amy, I
hope your Camellia will have another blossom before I come back. At
least, I shall escape the horticultural meeting.'

'Good-bye,' said Charles. 'Put the feud in your pocket till you can
bury it in old Sir Guy's grave, unless you mean to fight it out with
his grandson, which would be more romantic and exciting.'

Philip was gone before he could finish. Mrs. Edmonstone looked
annoyed, and Laura said, 'Charlie, I wish you would not let your
spirits carry you away.'

'I wish I had anything else to carry me away!' was the reply.

'Yes,' said his mother, looking sadly at him. 'Your high spirits are a
blessing; but why misuse them? If they are given to support you
through pain and confinement, why make mischief with them?'

Charles looked more impatient than abashed, and the compunction seemed
chiefly to rest with Amabel.

'Now,' said Mrs. Edmonstone, 'I must go and see after my poor little
prisoner.'