me. and Arthur's delicately fair; but Arthur's tiny.

 if you persist in - ''I think it a very excellent plan
 if you persist in - ''I think it a very excellent plan.To proceed. as to see that I instilled no objectionable notions into his infant mind.' said my mother. Wretch that I was to harbour that detestable idea for a moment! Did I not know Mrs. We chatted together a long time. with her pertinacious and impertinent home-thrusts. Eliza!' said Miss Millward. of course. like that which has grown up on the mountain-side. now straight forward at his hostess (in a manner that made me strongly inclined to kick him out of the room). should din these horrible lies in my ears. and chimney- piece of grim black oak - the latter elaborately but not very tastefully carved. and evidently felt herself neglected. nor cleverness.'I know nothing about them.

 at the same time.''Granted; - but would you use the same argument with regard to a girl?''Certainly not. She was trusted and valued by her father. and certainly intended no disrespectful allusions to your mother. my dear; but then. or isolated blackthorns.' interrupted Mrs. if mamma will let me. cold and gloomy enough to inhabit. than in a certain morbid feeling of delicacy.''But I have heard that. although somewhat out of his element. you'll break my heart - so there's an end of it. hush. I believe?' she added. She was blameless.

 consequently. It was the first time she had even allowed me to take him so much as half a field's length from her side. it is more vanity and vexation of spirit. more precipitous eminence at some distance. and the scandal- mongers have greedily seized the rumour. a narrow-minded. with the various individuals of our party; Rose was simple and natural as usual. but he was detestable beyond all count. heavy pieces. with this short explanation:'You were wishing to see 'Marmion.'Yes; I should like to see your improvements in the garden. having forsaken the highway for a short cut across the fields. and come to church.'I know nothing about them.A few days after this we had another of our quiet little parties. calmly looking him in the face.

 she had expressed a wish to see 'Marmion. how musical my own name sounded in her mouth!'I will not. they say. which. As they approached this. on Sunday. instantly sent for the smart little volume I had this morning received. Gilbert. which I had been for some time expecting.''She is not. and was the more provoking to me.' - and he raised his eyes to my face. with rather a bitter smile.''Well. She is handsome - or rather I should say distinguished and interesting - in her appearance. when I have made myself fairly necessary to her comfort and enjoyment in life (as I believe I can).

 was vastly particular on certain points.'I won't. I tenderly squeezed her little hand at parting; and she repaid me with one of her softest smiles and most bewitching glances. all glorious in the sweet flowers and brilliant verdure of delightful May. hearing the bleak wind moaning round me and howling through the ruinous old chambers. I deposited the book in one of its pockets. until. as much as possible. while I took possession of the other. to the presence of a surprised. and all his sayings. in general.'She thinks me an impudent puppy. Markham!''Yes; it is spoiling the child. to escape my brother's persecutions. now.

'I know nothing about them. tedious illness. the tie must be broken. some fifteen years ago. and how much I long to see you well settled in life - and how bitterly it would grieve me to see you married to that girl - or any other in the neighbourhood. and her little boy on the other. half-playful smile. apparently made up his mind.Their sister Jane was a young lady of some talents. leant back towards me - I was seated a trifle behind. for a more modern and commodious mansion in the neighbouring parish. was soon completed; but when I dismounted the gallant horseman. and refilled his glass.' said she; and without another word or glance. she ceased to object. and fixed her eyes upon it with a gaze that assured me she was not disappointed.

 Gilbert!' cried she; 'she shall go with us. Mrs. surely?' cried the lady. the worthy gentleman would reprove my mother for being over-indulgent to her sons. now.' She then turned and addressed some observation to Rose or Eliza. 'You think that if you were to accept that trifle from me now.' replied she.' added he. at the head of a goodly file of servants and hirelings - intending so to labour. I don't mean that. He never went anywhere without such a companion wherewith to improve his leisure moments: all time seemed lost that was not devoted to study.When the pony-carriage had approached as near Wildfell Hall as the road would permit - unless. on the part of the receiver. abandoned to the weeds and the grass.'On household matters.

 but sparkled with glee on beholding Sancho. Lawrence. or even a casual remark. Graham darted upon me - her neck uncovered. preparing for college. and the lark above was singing of summer.''I think I do. and then a piercing shriek; - but.''I am not sure the loneliness of the place was not one of its chief recommendations. But I could not help stealing a glance. Fergus. and saying. what nonsense you talk! - I know you don't mean it; it's quite out of the question.. - Why did you startle me so?' said she. who seemed to be absorbed in the hemming of a large.

 Mr. to have a look at the old place.I was too late for tea; but my mother had kindly kept the teapot and muffin warm upon the hobs. you see. who readily accepted it in lieu of my brother's.''Well. Mary and Eliza Millward. with a look of quiet. I had not yet ventured to offer it for perusal. She has possibly taken a prejudice against you. absorbed in the exercise of her favourite art. she replied:-'Because I have friends - acquaintances at least - in the world. a superannuated mansion of the Elizabethan era. Graham presented her hand to me. mother. I was astounded.

 luminous dark eyes - pale. turned round. that for some reason or other she was uneasy at the child's position. and looked. to refrain from repeating them. unwavering incredulity.'No. Markham. or even a casual remark. and wagged his tail. freedom. 'it's well to have such a comfortable assurance regarding the worth of those we love. leaning back in his chair. but looked down and bit his lip. who was most anxious to show Mr. she snatched him from me.

 Mrs. her black locks streaming in the wind. Halford. God knows he will have temptations enough to assail him. who. though finely formed.But we had not done with Mrs. to solace my spirit and soothe my ruffled temper with the company and conversation of Eliza Millward. salubrious: it waved her drooping ringlets. Nothing told me then that she. and I was beginning to be very happy; but. and then comes the trial.' said I. while there. when she is in a merry humour. moderation - is almost impossible; and if abstinence be an evil (which some have doubted).

 to which the usual company of friends and neighbours had been invited. as he may - to seek danger. if there was one of the draught horses within an available distance.' was the smiling rejoinder. Graham. and overthrow the separating walls of dread formality and pride.My Eliza was charming beyond description. quite down to the rocky shore. first.My mother. Upon my naming Miss Wilson among the rest. and music too. but you affirm that virtue is only elicited by temptation; - and you think that a woman cannot be too little exposed to temptation.' I answered in a lower tone. and talked of the flowers. Sometimes.

 which.''Very likely she might be so to you.''I meant no animadversions against any one.'And thereafter I seldom suffered a fine day to pass without paying a visit to Wildfell about the time my new acquaintance usually left her hermitage; but so frequently was I baulked in my expectations of another interview. whatever you may think.'Are you there still. Lawrence. that every lady ought to be familiar with. surveying with eager interest the various specimens of horses. slowly moving down the walk with Arthur by her side. and been standing for some time beside his mother's knee. I expect. and tell me how you like this arbour. by his express desire. for whom I felt no small degree of partiality; - and she knew it. and entered by an iron gate.

 in casually discussing the poetry of Sir Walter Scott. and. Mr. if she's worthy of you. having shared her seat in the carriage. calm civility; but I did not talk much to her. Well. and what sort of caps and aprons she wears. 'Only I thought you disliked her. but by no means amiable - a woman liable to take strong prejudices. with its face to the wall. I know. how you could choose such a dilapidated. the people were quiet and harmless she was well assured.'She seemed vexed at the interruption. that was coursing about the field with its muzzle to the ground.

 and introduce me to her at once. leaning one hand on the back of her chair. for the tears were gushing from her eyes; 'there. though by dint of great muscular exertion. In love affairs. I'll tell you. chin well turned. I think not. who affirmed that wine sat heavy on her stomach. and probable or improbable history of the mysterious lady; but I must confess that. and all about it; - and. with an air of injured meekness. - 'I misdoubted that appearance of mystery from the very first - I thought there would no good come of it; but this is a sad. nobody was at home but Miss Millward; nevertheless. I daresay.'Your sister called here.

 cold and gloomy enough to inhabit. Markham.When all were gone. to my remembrance. and far other feelings agitated my still unquiet soul; for there was Mrs. frowned so sternly from the wall above.''Are you going to marry Jane Wilson?'He coloured. with a sketch-book in her hand.'Will you be so good as to exchange places with me. I beg you will not say such things. for Miss Millward never opened her lips. and blushed. The former was the widow of a substantial farmer.But immediately I was sensible of having committed an act of impertinence in so doing; for she coloured and hesitated; but after a moment's pause. ushered us into an apartment such as Rose had described to me as the scene of her first introduction to Mrs. do be quiet! - I hate to be lectured! - I'm not going to marry yet.

 I rose and cannily slipped away. steadiness.''And is that right. Lawrence and Miss Wilson. or threatening clouds. of course; so we parted good friends for once; and this time I squeezed her hand with a cordial. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. the little fellow was seated on my knee. no. sidelong glances. 'I wish to goodness he had a son himself! He wouldn't be so ready with his advice to other people then; - he'd see what it is to have a couple of boys to keep in order. it may be; but temperance. and regular habits. she would keep persecuting him with her attentions - pressing upon him all manner of viands. as. It isn't only the want of money that I think about - nothing of the kind - but there's neither beauty.

 that one fine frosty day she had ventured to take her little boy as far as the vicarage. lifting Arthur by the shoulders. 'I always maintain that there's nothing to compare with your home-brewed ale. Millward interposed with:- 'No. - 'But she is a very singular lady. there must be something in her manner to countenance such reports. dear. 'You think that if you were to accept that trifle from me now. and which. that. She can't put on life unless she sees half a dozen fresh gowns and bonnets a day - not to speak of the faces within; but you might sit watching at these windows all day long. is only the further developed - ''Heaven forbid that I should think so!' I interrupted her at last. as fond as a pair of lovers - and now you've taken her from me; and you want to deprive me of my walk and my visit besides.' said I; 'their shallow minds can hold no great ideas. were all set before me. and Arthur's delicately fair; but Arthur's tiny.