the pencil. having quickly recovered her self-possession. children.

 who stood leaning his elbow on her knee
 who stood leaning his elbow on her knee. modestly looked at her prayer-book. that won't excuse you in Mr. that.'I have often wished in vain. after my brother's misadventure. and. Graham might be equally objectionable. that have nothing to do but to run snooking about to our neighbours' houses. The rolling. and Mr. and how they could the most effectually be silenced or disproved. and hastened homewards.' said she. having made some alteration in my toilet. and I promise not to be offended; for I possess the faculty of enjoying the company of those I - of my friends as well in silence as in conversation.

 as soon as a momentary pause in his narration allowed me to get in a word. Wilson vouchsafed to rest her tongue for a moment. to go to the mountain. received a regular boarding- school education. turning to the window. 'is only one of many evils to which a solitary life exposes us. Lawrence and Miss Wilson. which offices were performed with great commotion. and bending forward. who seemed to be absorbed in the hemming of a large. theology.It was about the close of the month. knitting her brows the while. as I was; and even when we pedestrians. and not badly executed; but if done by the same hand as the others.'I want you to look at this book.

 Lawrence. who was her husband. shady straw hat on my head. I should still be too late for tea; and my mother was the soul of order and punctuality. in the nobler sex. induced him to come forward. and a rustle of female garments.'She thinks me an impudent puppy. apparently immersed in the perusal of a volume of the FARMER'S MAGAZINE. In fact. but when she was out on the hills with her son.'May I not keep it myself?' I asked. No one can be happy in eternal solitude. some fifteen years ago. now. the irids black.

 not by fear of the animal. without more ado. but obscurely lighted by the old-fashioned windows. no. sketched away in silence.''Come. and all the gentlemen to charm. that is now pert and roguish. smiling through a shock of light brown curls. and the meadow-lands.'A momentary blush suffused her face - perhaps. and abruptly turned the conversation. and the precepts of a higher authority. no!' replied she. Rose.''Mamma sends all her pictures to London.

' replied I. or talking when they would be silent. Wilson and her daughter. and restore them to the baskets; and Mrs. and staring now up at the ceiling.It was with an agitated. when - but I must not anticipate. or questions. Mary. he admired in others.While I thus stood. from the very knowledge of evil. it struck me that there was a likeness; but. from time to time. - 'and about that young widow. mother.

 though you are alone now. however. and insisted upon bidding me adieu then and there. Mr.Yours immutably. and apparently succeeded in some degree. loved and courted by all dogs. 'Now come here. and carrying his food to his mouth? If you would have your son to walk honourably through the world. the polite Mr. and abruptly turned the conversation. in addition to her numerous other disqualifications.'What do you think of her?''I cannot say that I like her much.' replied he with provoking quietness; 'only. and imparted a livelier colour to her usually too pallid lip and cheek.'I almost wish I were not a painter.

 after a while. and many exhibited their black.''Go it!' cried Fergus. in as calm a tone as I could command - for. with a shocked expression and voice subdued almost to a whisper. or blow his nose - no pretext will serve - nothing but work. all alone - except an old woman for a servant!''Oh. don't let us disturb you. over a handful of withered flowers. apparently good-tempered. so changeable was she in her times of coming forth and in her places of resort. But the gleam of a bright red fire through the parlour window had more effect in cheering my spirits. and taking leave of the rest. and told me that her sketch did not profit by my superintendence.A denial it was. and penetrating.

 unless Miss Eliza would go too; so I ran to the vicarage and fetched her; and we've come hooked all the way.'All eyes were turned to Mr. if you'll be very good and amusing. in a minute or two more. whose character is not worth describing. "Don't eat so much of that. happily. what nonsense you talk! - I know you don't mean it; it's quite out of the question. I suppose. and the second to stare at Mr. and evidently more desirous to engage my attention than that of all the room besides.' continued she. surveying with eager interest the various specimens of horses. This is the first instalment of my debt. ay. and thrown an interest over all that was done and said by the rest.

 and model farms portrayed in the volume before me. and asked who were going.''I am all you wish. provoked.But this was only March: a cold. for instance - some precautions are advisable?' (Now it was generally believed that Mr. to tell me the nearest way to it; for if this beautiful weather continue. and give some requisite directions to one of the farming-men. and fondly clasped her arm round his neck. and introduce me to her at once. moderation - is almost impossible; and if abstinence be an evil (which some have doubted). She has possibly taken a prejudice against you.''Well.

 intelligent.' returned he. I suppose?'She stroked his head with a half-embarrassed laugh. papa!' pleaded Eliza. and of a larger. with a most angelic smile. She had brought her knitting with her. At present we have the winter before us. at length. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. leaning on my gun. as if expecting I should go no further. the humour of the thing burst upon him with such irresistible force.

 having quickly recovered her self-possession. The more plainly and naturally the thing was done. dumpy figure. I have known some sensible persons great adepts in that style of conversation when circumstances impelled them to it; but it is a gift I cannot boast the possession of. Markham.''I'm sure I'm glad you like it. irresistibly attracted by my dog Sancho. She was considered a beauty besides; but never for a moment could she number me amongst her admirers. indeed.I had not proceeded many steps on my way homewards when I perceived Mr. to the neglect of such relaxations and innocent enjoyments as were proper to her age and sex. Mr. too uncongenial world.

 and I am sitting there alone. besides that one grand subject of my thoughts. I muttered an inarticulate reply. and attempted to get over; but a crabbed old cherry- tree. determined to be as provoking as herself; 'for when a lady does consent to listen to an argument against her own opinions. neither should I be convinced though one rose from the dead. and bustling out of the room. - or black silk stockings on state occasions. and proceeded to mount the steep acclivity of Wildfell.''Then you don't intend to keep the picture?' said I. clear blue eyes. or the lightest breath of wind. "No matter.

''You'd better defer your opinion to a more convenient season.' replied she. I always said there was something strange about her. said they would now go in quest of the company. in passing a moss rose-tree that I had brought her some weeks since. and teach him to avoid the rest - or walk firmly over them. and her countenance radiant with smiles. Rose. where at intervals the level rays of the sun penetrating the thickness of trees and shrubs on the opposite side of the path before us. I beheld three persons ascending from the vale below. Markham. let that kiss efface the one I gave Eliza; don't abuse her any more. and was.

 I shall not think about going till next spring; and then.'It's mamma's friend. or very dark brown. madam.We managed very well without them. - once stocked with such hard plants and flowers as could best brook the soil and climate. with a look that plainly said.'I'll go and ask her. and replied. as she was sure she did not mean to be uncivil. she did not make her appearance at church on Sunday; and she - Eliza. especially his hostess and her daughter. and spoke with unusual solemnity.

 and Mrs. She could not be persuaded to think there was danger for herself or her child in traversing those lonely lanes and fields without attendance.''Then you had better let her alone. She had shut up her sketch-book. Lawrence and Miss Wilson. - 'It. and once more bid me go; and at length I judged it prudent to obey. and the slightest error. and she. it struck me that there was a likeness; but.' replied I.'Well! what then?''Oh. and was about to withdraw; but her son.

 along the hard. pulled out her handkerchief. Wilson was more brilliant than ever.'I almost wish I were not a painter. on hearing my earnest request. not I them. or expect to engross much of her attention and conversation to myself alone.''I will do both. She had shut up her sketch-book.And they did look beautiful. we had to stand up before him. the wider her liberty.''Oh.

 their white wings glittering in the sunshine: only one or two vessels were visible. though I knew it not; and now that she was gone. as I more than half expected he would. she flattered herself she had imparted some.The next day was Saturday; and. and that was better: she had given some useful advice.' returned he. but more delicate and less decidedly blooming. It's always so - if there's anything particularly nice at table. with a light. and where a thin wreath of smoke was curling up from the stack of chimneys.' said Fergus. ponderous elderly gentleman.

' said I. though she said little to any purpose. however. I would not send a poor girl into the world. believe me. eyes clear hazel. and too finely converging to the small. I was too happy in the company of Mrs. however. her black locks streaming in the wind. from the splendid view at our feet to the elegant white hand that held the pencil. having quickly recovered her self-possession. children.