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He saw bright blossoms put forth； as the boy grew older； but they were
not yet fruits； and he did not dare to believe they ever would be。 The
strength of will which had； in his own case； been the slave of his
passions； had been turned inward to subdue the passions themselves； but
this was only the beginningthe trial was not yet come。 He could hope
his grandson might repent； but this was the best that he dared to think
possible。 He could not believe that a Morville could pass unscathed
through the world； or that his sins would not be visited on the head of
his only descendant； and the tone of his narration was throughout such
as might almost have made the foreboding cause its own accomplishment。
The effect was beyond what he had expected； for a soul deeply dyed in
guilt； even though loathing its own stains； had not the power of
conceiving how foul was the aspect of vice； to one hitherto guarded
from its contemplation； and living in a world of pure； lofty day…
dreams。 The boy sat the whole time without a word； his face bent down
and hidden by his clasped hands； only now and then unable to repress a
start or shudder at some fresh disclosure； and when it was ended； he
stood up； gazed round； and walked uncertainly； as if he did not know
where he was。 His next impulse was to throw himself on his knee beside
his grandfather； and caress him as he used to when a child。 The 'good…
night' was spoken； and Guy was shut into his room； with his
overwhelming emotions。
His grandfather a blood…stained； remorseful man！ The doom was
complete； himself heir to the curse of Sir Hugh； and fated to run the
same career； and as he knew full well； with the tendency to the family
character strong within him； the germs of these hateful passions ready
to take root downwards and bear fruit upwards； with the very
countenance of Sir Hugh； and the same darkening； kindling eyes； of
which traditions had preserved the remembrance。
He was crushed for awhile。 The consciousness of strength not his own；
of the still small voice that could subdue the fire； the earthquake；
and the whirlwind； was slow in coming to him； and when it came； he；
like his grandfather； had hope rather of final repentance than of
keeping himself unstained。
His mind had not recovered the shock when his grandfather died；died
in faith and fear； with good hope of accepted repentance； but unable to
convey the assurance of such hope to his grandson。 Grief for the only
parent he had ever known； and the sensation of being completely alone
in the world； were joined to a vague impression of horror at the
suddenness of the stroke； and it was long before the influence of
Hollywell； or the elasticity of his own youthfulness； could rouse him
from his depression。
Even then it was almost against his will that he returned to enjoyment；
unable to avoid being amused； but feeling as if joy was not meant for
him； and as if those around were walking 'in a world of light；' where
he could scarcely hope to tread a few uncertain steps。 In this
despondency was Guy's chief danger； as it was likely to make him deem a
struggle with temptation fruitless； while his high spirits and powers
of keen enjoyment increased the peril of recklessness in the reaction。
It was Mrs。 Edmonstone who first spoke with him cheerfully of a
successful conflict with evil； and made him perceive that his
temptations were but such as is common to man。 She had given him a
clue to discover when and how to trust himself to enjoy； the story of
Sintram had stirred him deeply； and this very day； Amy's words；
seemingly unheeded and unheard； had brought home to him the hope and
encouragement of that marvellous tale。
They had helped him in standing； looking steadfastly upwards； and
treading down not merely evil； but the first token of coming evil；
regardless of the bruises he might inflict on himself。 Well for him if
he was constant。
Such was Guy's inner life； his outward life； frank and joyous； has been
shown； and the two flowed on like a stream； pure as crystal； but into
which the eye cannot penetrate from its depth。 The surface would be
sometimes obscured by cloud or shade； and reveal the sombre wells
beneath； but more often the sunshine would penetrate the inmost
recesses； and make them glance and sparkle； showing themselves as clear
and limpid as the surface itself。
CHAPTER 6
Can piety the discord heal；
Or stanch the death…feud's enmity？Scott
It must not be supposed that such a history of Guy's mind was expressed
by himself； or understood by Mrs。 Edmonstone； but she saw enough to
guess at his character； perceive the sort of guidance he needed； and be
doubly interested in him。 Much did she wish he could have such a
friend as her brother would have been； and hope that nothing would
prevent a friendship with her nephew。
The present question about the horse was； she thought； unfortunate；
since； though Guy had exercised great self…denial； it was no wonder
Philip was annoyed。 Mr。 Edmonstone's vexation was soon over。 As soon
as she had persuaded him that there had been no offence； he strove to
say with a good grace； that it was very proper； and told Guy he would
be a thorough book…worm and tremendous scholar； which Guy took as an
excellent joke。
Philip had made up his mind to be forbearing； and to say no more about
it。 Laura thought this a pity； as they could thus never come to an
understanding； but when she hinted it； he wore such a dignified air of
not being offended； that she was much ashamed of having tried to direct
one so much better able to judge。 On his side Guy had no idea the
trouble he had caused； so； after bestowing his thanks in a gay； off…
hand way； which Philip thought the worst feature of the case； he did
his best to bring Hecuba back into his mind； drive the hunters out of
it； and appease the much…aggrieved William of Deloraine。
When all William's manoeuvres resulted in his master's not hunting at
all； he was persuaded it was Mr。 Edmonstone's fault； compassionated Sir
Guy with all his heart； and could only solace himself by taking
Deloraine to exercise where he was most likely to meet the hounds。 He
further chose to demonstrate that he was not Mr。 Edmonstone's servant；
by disregarding some of his stable regulations； but as soon as this
came to his master's knowledge； a few words were spoken so sharp and
stern； that William never attempted to disobey again。
It seemed as if it was the perception that so much was kept back by a
strong force； that made Guy's least token of displeasure so formidable。
A village boy； whom be caught misusing a poor dog； was found a few
minutes after； by Mr。 Ross； in a state of terror that was positively
ludicrous； though it did not appear that Sir Guy had said or done much
to alarm him； it was only the light in his eyes； and the strength of
repressed indignation in his short broken words that had made the
impression。
It appeared as if the force of his anger might be fearful； if once it
broke forth without control； yet at the same time be had a gentleness
and attention； alike to small and great； which； with his high spirit
and good nature； his very sweet voice and pleasant smile； made him a
peculiarly winning and engaging person； and few who saw him could help
being interested in him。
No wonder he had become in the eyes of the Edmonstones almost a part of
their family。 Mrs。 Edmonstone had assumed a motherly control over him；
to which he submitted with a sort of affectionate gratitude。
One day Philip remarked； that he never saw any one so restless as Guy；
who could neither talk nor listen without playing with something。
Scissors； pencil； paper…knife； or anything that came in his way； was
sure to be twisted or tormented； or if nothing else was at hand； he
opened and shut his own knife so as to put all the spectators in fear
for his fingers。
'Yes；' said Laura； 'I saw how it tortured your eyebrows all the time
you were translating Schiller to us。 I wondered you were not put out。'
'I consider that to be put outby which you mean to have the intellect
at the mercy of another's follyis beneath a reasonable creature；'
said Philip； 'but that I was annoyed； I do not deny。 It is a token of
a restless； ill…regulated mind。'
'Restless； perhaps；' said Mrs。 Edmonstone 'but not necessarily ill…
regulated。 I should think it rather a sign that he had no one to tell
him of the tricks which mothers generally nip in the bud。'
'I was going to say that I think he fidgets less；' said Laura； 'but I
think his chief contortions of the scissors have been when Philip has
been here。'
'They have； I believe；' said her mother； I was thinking of giving him a
hint。'
'Well； aunt； you are a tamer of savage beasts if yo