However, his mother announced that it would have been so unnatural if he had not been fatigued, that she should have been more anxious, and leaving him to repose, they all, except Mr. Edmonstone, who had stayed to dine at the mess, sat down to dinner.
Amy came down dressed just as the carriage had been announced, and found Laura and Eveleen standing by the table, arranging their bouquets, while Guy, in the dark, behind the piano, was playing--not, as usual, in such cases, the Harmonious Blacksmith, but a chant.
'Is mamma ready?' asked Laura.
'Nearly,' said Amy, 'but I wish she was not obliged to go! I am sure she cannot bear to leave Charlie.'
'I hope she is not going on my account,' said Eveleen.
'No, said Laura, 'we must go; it would so frighten papa if we did not come. Besides, there is nothing to be uneasy about with Charles.'
'O no,' said Amy; 'she says so, only she is always anxious, and she is afraid he is too restless to go to sleep.'
'We must get home as fast as we can; if you don't mind, Eva,' said Laura, remembering how her last dance with Guy had delayed them.
'Can I do any good to Charlie?' said Guy, ceasing his music. I don't mean to go.'
'Not go!' cried the girls in consternation.
'He is joking!' said Eveleen. 'But, I declare!' added she, advancing towards him, 'he is not dressed! Come, nonsense, this is carrying it too far; you'll make us all too late, and then I'll set Maurice at you.'
'I am afraid it is no joke,' said Guy, smiling.
'You must go. It will never do for you to stay away,' said Laura, decidedly.
'Are you tired? Aren't you well?' asked Amy.
'Quite well, thank you, but I am sure I had better not.'
Laura thought she had better not seem anxious to take him, so she left the task of persuasion, to the others, and Amy went on.
'Neither Mamma nor Charlie could bear to think you stayed because of him.'
'I don't, I assure you, Amy. I meant it before. I have been gradually finding out that it must come to this.'
'Oh, you think it a matter of right and wrong! But you don't think balls wrong?'
'Oh no; only they won't do for such an absurd person as I am. The last turned my head for a week, and I am much too unsteady for this.'
'Well, if you think it a matter of duty, it can't be helped,' said Amy sorrowfully; 'but I am very sorry.'