'Thank you,' said Guy, 'but I don't play.'

'Not play--eh?' Well, we will teach you in the spinning of a ball, and
I'll have my little Amy to help me against you and Philip.'

'No, thank you,' repeated Guy, colouring, 'I am under a promise.'

'Ha! Eh? What? Your grandfather? He could see no harm in such play
as this. For nothing, you understand. You did not suppose I meant
anything else?'

'0 no, of course not,' eagerly replied Guy; 'but it is impossible for
me to play, thank you. I have promised never even to look on at a game
at billiards.'

'Ah, poor man, he had too much reason.' uttered Mr. Edmonstone to
himself, but catching a warning look from his wife, he became suddenly
silent. Guy, meanwhile, sat looking lost in sad thoughts, till,
rousing himself, he exclaimed, 'Don't let me prevent you.'

Mr. Edmonstone needed but little persuasion, and carried Philip off to
the billiard-table in the front hall.

'0, I am so glad!' cried Charlotte, who had, within the last week,
learnt Guy's value as a playfellow. 'Now you will never go to those
stupid billiards, but I shall have you always, every rainy day. Come
and have a real good game at ball on the stairs.'

She already had hold of his hand, and would have dragged him off at
once, had he not waited to help Charles back to his sofa; and in the