'Ah, that's a pity; I was sorry not to find you in the drawing-room,
but I thought you would have liked just to see him,' said Mr.
Edmonstone, disappointed, and apologizing.

'I had rather have had some notice of your intention,' said Charles, 'I
would have made myself fit to be seen.'

'I am sorry. I thought you would have liked his coming,' said poor Mr.
Edmonstone, only half conscious of his offence; 'but I see you are not
well this evening.'

Worse and worse, for it was equivalent to openly telling Charles he was
out of humour; and seeing, as he did, his mother's motive, he was still
further annoyed when she hastily interposed a question about Sir Guy.

'You should only hear them talk about him at Redclyffe,' said Mr
Edmonstone. 'No one was ever equal to him, according to them. Every
one said the same--clergyman, old Markham, all of them. Such attention
to his grandfather, such proper feeling, so good-natured, not a bit of
pride--it is my firm belief that he will make up for all his family
before him.'

Charles set up his eyebrows sarcastically.

'How does he get on with Philip?' inquired Laura.

'Excellently. Just what could be wished. Philip is delighted with
him; and I have been telling Guy all the way home what a capital friend
he will be, and he is quite inclined to look up to him.' Charles made