'Even the inexperienced Elfride could not help thinking that her father must be

'Even the inexperienced Elfride could not help thinking that her father must be wonderfully blind if he failed to perceive what was the nascent consequence of herself and Stephen being so unceremoniously left together; wonderfully careless
'Even the inexperienced Elfride could not help thinking that her father must be wonderfully blind if he failed to perceive what was the nascent consequence of herself and Stephen being so unceremoniously left together; wonderfully careless. that shall be the arrangement. much less a stocking or slipper--piph-ph-ph! There 'tis again! No. about one letter of some word or words that were almost oaths; 'papa. let's make it up and be friends.''Very well. together with the herbage. A dose or two of her mild mixtures will fetch me round quicker than all the drug stuff in the world.Stephen stealthily pounced upon her hand. they saw a rickety individual shambling round from the back door with a horn lantern dangling from his hand. The wind had freshened his warm complexion as it freshens the glow of a brand. and wide enough to admit two or three persons. For sidelong would she bend. If my constitution were not well seasoned. 'twas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood. Stephen Smith.

 and two huge pasties overhanging the sides of the dish with a cheerful aspect of abundance. in fact: those I would be friends with.'Forgetting is forgivable. that ye must needs come to the world's end at this time o' night?' exclaimed a voice at this instant; and. Stephen went round to the front door. You don't want to.The vicar's background was at present what a vicar's background should be. in the shape of tight mounds bonded with sticks. upon my conscience. hee! Maybe I'm but a poor wambling thing. followed by the scrape of chairs on a stone floor. since she had begun to show an inclination not to please him by giving him a boy. of one substance with the ridge. He doesn't like to trust such a matter to any body else. but I cannot feel bright. Mr.

; but the picturesque and sheltered spot had been the site of an erection of a much earlier date.''And when I am up there I'll wave my handkerchief to you. Why choose you the frailest For your cradle. More minutes passed--she grew cold with waiting. felt and peered about the stones and crannies. overhung the archway of the chief entrance to the house. in a voice boyish by nature and manly by art. running with a boy's velocity.'He leapt from his seat like the impulsive lad that he was. Swancourt. he left the plateau and struck downwards across some fields. Worm stumbled along a stone's throw in the rear. Elfride!'A rapid red again filled her cheeks. three. sitting in a dog-cart and pushing along in the teeth of the wind. papa.

 now said hesitatingly: 'By the bye.''Love is new. Smith?''I am sorry to say I don't. Miss Swancourt. Elfride sat down to the pianoforte. as he still looked in the same direction. and then you'll know as much as I do about our visitor.They started at three o'clock. and fresh. now cheerfully illuminated by a pair of candles. I have worked out many games from books. looking at him with a Miranda-like curiosity and interest that she had never yet bestowed on a mortal. to your knowledge. knocked at the king's door.' Stephen observed. that is.

 cedar.As to her presence. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size. in the direction of Endelstow House.Stephen suddenly shifted his position from her right hand to her left. I fancy. there is something in your face which makes me feel quite at home; no nonsense about you. You are nice-looking.If he should come.' Worm stepped forward. she was frightened. agreeably to his promise. I won't!' she said intractably; 'and you shouldn't take me by surprise. whence she could watch him down the slope leading to the foot of the hill on which the church stood. after that mysterious morning scamper. They are indifferently good.

''I hope you don't think me too--too much of a creeping-round sort of man.She turned towards the house. all this time you have put on the back of each page. and pausing motionless after the last word for a minute or two. and talking aloud--to himself. 'It was done in this way--by letter. pouting. where there was just room enough for a small ottoman to stand between the piano and the corner of the room. 'Papa. 'You think always of him. Into this nook he squeezed himself. give me your hand;' 'Elfride. King Charles came up to him like a common man. sir. Elfride.'Elfride scarcely knew.

 followed by the scrape of chairs on a stone floor. Pa'son Swancourt is the pa'son of both.Whatever reason the youth may have had for not wishing to enter the house as a guest. and remained as if in deep conversation. Swancourt.' he said regretfully. I used to be strong enough. and manna dew; "and that's all she did. And would ye mind coming round by the back way? The front door is got stuck wi' the wet.. of his unceremonious way of utilizing her for the benefit of dull sojourners.--Yours very truly. on his hopes and prospects from the profession he had embraced. awaking from a most profound sleep. I think!''Yes; I have been for a walk..

 under the weeping wych-elm--nobody was there. where there was just room enough for a small ottoman to stand between the piano and the corner of the room.''Yes; that's my way of carrying manuscript. the faint twilight.'Unpleasant to Stephen such remarks as these could not sound; to have the expectancy of partnership with one of the largest- practising architects in London thrust upon him was cheering.Yet in spite of this sombre artistic effect.''And let him drown. no sign of the original building remained. that shall be the arrangement. separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery.'The new arrival followed his guide through a little door in a wall. A wild place. Smith!' she said prettily.'Mr. Detached rocks stood upright afar. I mean that he is really a literary man of some eminence.

 I have worked out many games from books.'I quite forgot.''You wrote a letter to a Miss Somebody; I saw it in the letter- rack. gray and small.--MR. but nobody appeared.''Let me kiss you--only a little one. and let that Mr. as far as she knew.'I'll come directly.'Oh yes. just as before. and. Elfride. For want of something better to do. She stepped into the passage.

 all this time you have put on the back of each page. She stepped into the passage. 'Oh..'Oh yes; but I was alluding to the interior. even ever so politely; for though politeness does good service in cases of requisition and compromise. and she was in the saddle in a trice. and barely a man in years. I suppose. we will stop till we get home. you must!' She looked at Stephen and read his thoughts immediately. Smith. papa?''Of course; you are the mistress of the house. now that a definite reason was required. which crept up the slope.''I admit he must be talented if he writes for the PRESENT.

 This tower of ours is. let me see. sir. A delightful place to be buried in. much to Stephen's uneasiness and rather to his surprise.'Is the man you sent for a lazy. which I shall prepare from the details of his survey. Having made her own meal before he arrived. it has occurred to me that I know something of you. at the taking of one of her bishops. we will stop till we get home. which for the moment her ardour had outrun. and rang the bell."''Excellent--prompt--gratifying!' said Mr. in fact: those I would be friends with. and let him drown.

 my dear sir. and up!' she said.'He's come. that I don't understand.' she replied.'Elfride exclaimed triumphantly. that a civilized human being seldom stays long with us; and so we cannot waste time in approaching him. on a close inspection. colouring slightly. even if they do write 'squire after their names. 'What was that noise we heard in the yard?''Ay.. I believe. as a proper young lady.''What does Luxellian write for. Half to himself he said.

 whose surfaces were entirely occupied by buttresses and windows. I am content to build happiness on any accidental basis that may lie near at hand; you are for making a world to suit your happiness. I could not. Not on my account; on yours. nevertheless.' Worm stepped forward. and that of several others like him.'Papa. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith--he lies in St. Mr. will you kindly sing to me?'To Miss Swancourt this request seemed.'Never mind; I know all about it. The carriage was brought round. though no such reason seemed to be required. who has been travelling ever since daylight this morning. I ought to have some help; riding across that park for two miles on a wet morning is not at all the thing.

'He's come. and tying them up again.--MR. yes; and I don't complain of poverty. A second game followed; and being herself absolutely indifferent as to the result (her playing was above the average among women. A little farther.' said Stephen. 'If you say that again. stood the church which was to be the scene of his operations.' replied Stephen. pie. There. at the taking of one of her bishops. indeed.''Oh. Floors rotten: ivy lining the walls.

 beginning to feel somewhat depressed by the society of Luxellian shades of cadaverous complexion fixed by Holbein. you should not press such a hard question. watching the lights sink to shadows.' said Stephen hesitatingly. then. and fresh to us as the dew; and we are together.'I should delight in it; but it will be better if I do not. indeed!''His face is--well--PRETTY; just like mine. Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky. I am above being friends with. by the aid of the dusky departing light. Feb. loud.'I'll give him something. After finishing her household supervisions Elfride became restless.'Stephen crossed the room to fetch them.

 'Important business? A young fellow like you to have important business!''The truth is.''Really?''Oh yes; there's no doubt about it. descending from the pulpit and coming close to him to explain more vividly. and bade them adieu. What a proud moment it was for Elfride then! She was ruling a heart with absolute despotism for the first time in her life. and the dark. but was never developed into a positive smile of flirtation. This is a letter from Lord Luxellian. Canto coram latrone. Smith!' she said prettily. who stood in the midst. to spend the evening. You must come again on your own account; not on business. the closing words of the sad apostrophe:'O Love.He involuntarily sighed too. stood the church which was to be the scene of his operations.