The sisters were again charmed and surprised, and Guy looked gratified,
as people do at the discovery of a faculty which they are particularly
glad to possess. It was the first time he appeared to brighten, and
Laura and her mother agreed that it would do him good to have plenty of
music, and to try to train that fine voice. He was beginning to
interest them all greatly by his great helpfulness and kindness to
Charles, as he learnt the sort of assistance he required, as well as by
the silent grief that showed how much attached he must have been to his
grandfather.

On the first Sunday, Mrs. Edmonstone coming into the drawing-room at
about half-past five, found him sitting alone by the fire, his dog
lying at his feet. As he started up, she asked if he had been here in
the dark ever since church-time?

'I have not wanted light,' he answered with a sigh, long, deep, and
irrepressible, and as she stirred the fire, the flame revealed to her
the traces of tears. She longed to comfort him, and said--

'This Sunday twilight is a quiet time for thinking.'

'Yes,' he said; 'how few Sundays ago--' and there he paused.

'Ah! you had so little preparation.'

'None. That very morning he had done business with Markham, and had
never been more clear and collected.'

'Were you with him when he was taken ill?' asked Mrs. Edmonstone,
perceiving that it would be a relief to him to talk.