delighted to find an opponent worth playing with, and henceforth there
were games almost every morning or evening, though Sir Guy seemed not
to care much about them, except for the sake of pleasing him.

When left to himself, Guy spent his time in reading or in walking about
the lanes alone. He used to sit in the bay-window of the drawing-room
with his book; but sometimes, when they least expected it, the girls
would find his quick eyes following them with an air of amused
curiosity, as Amabel waited on Charles and her flowers, or Laura drew,
wrote letters, and strove to keep down the piles of books and
periodicals under which it seemed as if her brother might some day be
stifled--a vain task, for he was sure to want immediately whatever she
put out of his reach.

Laura and Amabel both played and sung, the former remarkably well, and
the first time they had any music after the arrival of Sir Guy, his
look of delighted attention struck everyone. He ventured nearer, stood
by the piano when they practised, and at last joined in with a few
notes of so full and melodious a voice, that Laura turned round in
surprise, exclaiming, 'You sing better I than any of us!'

He coloured. 'I beg your pardon,' he said, 'I could not help it; I
know nothing of music.'

'Really!' said Laura, smiling incredulously.

'I don't even know the notes.'

'Then you must have a very good ear. Let us try again.'