favourable signs in the character that was winning so much upon her.




CHAPTER 5



A cloud was o'er my childhood's dream,
I sat in solitude;
I know not how--I know not why,
But round my soul all drearily
There was a silent shroud.
THOUGHTS IN PAST YEARS


Mrs. Edmonstone was anxious to hear Mr. Lascelle's opinion of his
pupil, and in time she learnt that he thought Sir Guy had very good
abilities, and a fair amount of general information; but that his
classical knowledge was far from accurate, and mathematics had been
greatly neglected. He had been encouraged to think his work done when
he had gathered the general meaning of a passage, or translated it into
English verse, spirited and flowing, but often further from the
original than he or his tutor could perceive. He had never been taught
to work, at least as other boys study, and great application would be
requisite to bring his attainments to a level with those of far less
clever boys educated at a public school.

Mr. Lascelles told him so at first; but as there were no reflections on