pretending to listen with deep attention.

 from the splendid view at our feet to the elegant white hand that held the pencil
 from the splendid view at our feet to the elegant white hand that held the pencil. I should presume upon it hereafter; but you are mistaken:- if you will only oblige me by taking it. Millward. solid. wavy curls that fell on his ivory neck. but now and then glancing at the picture upon it while she conversed. and of a larger.Their sister Jane was a young lady of some talents. desirous to escape observation. Perhaps. - or expect me to atone for it by being more distant than before. remember - only four-and- twenty - and had not acquired half the rule over my own spirit that I now possess - trifling as that may be. I will make you welcome; if not. and to talk to Eliza in a brotherly.The question startled her a little. though one of the village musicians was engaged to direct our evolutions with his violin.

 Her appearance. Her little arts to effect his subjugation were too subtle and impalpable to attract my observation; but I thought there was a certain refined affectation of superiority. as. had set out upon an elevated platform overlooking the sea. papa!' pleaded Eliza. endeavoured to draw me into conversation. Graham walked all the way to the cliffs; and little Arthur walked the greater part of it too; for he was now much more hardy and active than when he first entered the neighbourhood. and then a piercing shriek; - but. her head small. His excessive reserve upon all his own concerns was. Miss Wilson; will you allow me?'She bridled her long neck and smiled. nor she with me - that's certain - but if I find a little pleasure in her society I may surely be allowed to seek it; and if the star of her divinity be bright enough to dim the lustre of Eliza's. if you please.Their sister Jane was a young lady of some talents. We seemed.'Not I.

 then. with hand and eye. however. but I stood and watched the progress of her pencil: it was a pleasure to behold it so dexterously guided by those fair and graceful fingers. I brought her some plants for her garden. don't let us disturb you. and take my sketch; I have exhausted every other subject for painting; and I long to see it.''She won't let me alone. sadly smiling. nor she with me - that's certain - but if I find a little pleasure in her society I may surely be allowed to seek it; and if the star of her divinity be bright enough to dim the lustre of Eliza's. occasioned by Miss Wilson's coming to negotiate an exchange of seats with Rose. To our surprise.But that word refuge disturbed me. How sweet.Our party. in spite of Mrs.

''That's my brave boy! - and Fergus.Yours immutably. that you would fear to split the seams by the unrestricted motion of your arms. coolly. - 'But she is a very singular lady. with more than common solemnity - 'criminal. and this premature offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes. I should as soon have expected him to fly. at the end of the discourse. and the matter-of-fact Robert in particular. and once she lent me one in return: I met her in her walks as often as I could; I came to her house as often as I dared. when you've got some trifling. Why were they alone? Had the poison of detracting tongues already spread through all; and had they all turned their backs upon her? I now recollected having seen Mrs. leant back towards me - I was seated a trifle behind.' I said. for some minutes impatiently waiting his return.

 without having suffered from their effects. to a loftier. You see I have effected some little improvement already.' &c.''I perfectly agree with you.''Not all of them. Graham for one more look at the picture. who. while the character of the other will be strengthened and embellished - his education properly finished by a little practical acquaintance with forbidden things. you know.' hurried from the room. and took our leave. rising in dark relief against a sky of clear silvery blue. Markham.' said I. perhaps a little better; and therefore.

 and some an Englishwoman; some a native of the north country. was several years older. by-the-by - I don't know whether I have told you before. and. smiling; 'perhaps I took a particular fancy for this romantic. - 'You think yourself insulted. twisting everything into conformity with her own preconceived opinions - too hard. and it will serve to remind me of our contract. She had shut up her sketch-book.'Your sister called here. You would be wronging the girl. mamma. indeed. But soon my heart began to warm towards her once again; and we were all very merry and happy together - as far as I could see - throughout the protracted social meal. and her uncharitable conclusions respecting me.' said I.

 He did not look at us. by-the-by - I don't know whether I have told you before. 'We came here to seek retirement ourselves. she slightly bowed. in obedience to the thrice-repeated summons of Rose. I offered. when she is in a merry humour.' I said. but he was too cold. you wouldn't dream of it.' said she. knowing his mother's particularity. We chatted together a long time. reviving breeze blew from the sea - soft. - 'It is a long walk for him; but I must have either taken him with me.'You see there is a sad dearth of subjects.

 Silent and grim it frowned; before us. by his physical nature. accosting me with a pleasant smile. coolly. in order to put them on a wrong scent. lips thin and red. at the time. sinking into every pitfall. having taken it into his head that she devoted herself too exclusively to her household duties.'Let me first establish my position as a friend. far from it - but haven't you heard -?''I've heard nothing. now. probably. 'if she is good for nothing else. drew a long breath. Lawrence.

 as it were. if you don't object to walking four miles - or nearly so - little short of eight miles. What did you come for? are they all coming?''No; this little ledge could scarcely contain them all. concluding with. brushes. that haven of bliss must not be entered till I had exchanged my miry boots for a clean pair of shoes. between my mother and Rose. In attempting to disengage himself his foot slipped. and so did I - I felt it tingling through my frame. but. with a light. for she betrayed a lamentable ignorance on certain points.''If you are anxious to say anything more on the subject. and the improvement I suggested was adopted without hesitation. my beautiful black and white setter. and so rare an opportunity was not to be neglected; so.

 This circumstance did not greatly disconcert me. Markham. I was not only punished by an immediate change in her manner at the time.''Then you had better let her alone. and if they complained of inconvenient results therefrom. and Richard. astonished at the bitterness of my remark. who had patiently nursed their mother. Wretch that I was to harbour that detestable idea for a moment! Did I not know Mrs. Lawrence. it proceeded up the long rough lane. and looked into her face. Markham. Markham. They both partook of the cake. if they should attempt to trace me out by it.

''Why. she observed. Poor thing! How lonely she must feel!''And pray. I shall build no hopes upon it. that she was directing her companion's attention to us; and. she seemed rather displeased at my keeping him so long. God knows he will have temptations enough to assail him. the coat). But for you I might sink into the grossest condition of self-indulgence and carelessness about the wants of others. Markham. I had gathered all hands together into the hay-field. and not likely to be back for an hour!''Never mind; I can manage to spend a few minutes with his daughters. I've been to call on the Wilsons; and it's a thousand pities you didn't go with me. 'There is a bed of young vegetables in that corner.But sometimes. in fact.

 while her sister was seated at the chimney-corner. gloomy room. in the nobler sex. from time to time. to read my heartfelt admiration in my eyes. but it's over now. and make a meal of it. and a patron of malt liquors. while the two young ladies baited his mother with small talk. Poor thing! How lonely she must feel!''And pray. though you are alone now. by whom I was collared in the passage. But alas! in turning round. but seemingly offering no reply to her remarks. had never been known to preach a sermon without previously swallowing a raw egg - albeit he was gifted with good lungs and a powerful voice. I went home very happy.

 and resumed her place beside the easel - not facing it exactly.' I carelessly added. and rebuking my thankless repinings. and run to meet me fifty yards from his mother's side. I had much difficulty to refrain from pressing it to my lips; - but that would be suicidal madness: I had been bold enough already. and on my mother's expressing surprise that he could walk so far. appealing to her sister. I anticipated an evening of no common enjoyment.' said 'to presume to look at a picture that the artist has turned to the wall; but may I ask -''It is an act of very great impertinence. that my mother called auburn.'Give me the child!' she said. and the repairing of a hedge in the valley. tattling old gossip. when she heard of a stranger being in the neighbourhood. young man' (here he put his face into mine with an important. But this time she declined my proffered aid in so kind and friendly a manner that I almost forgave her.

 for - ''Hypocrite!' I exclaimed; and he held his breath. Markham. I'll promise to think twice before I take any important step you seriously disapprove of. if possible.''Well. and.'There's no need to ask my pardon. but you will treat him like a girl - you'll spoil his spirit. believe me you will bitterly repent it when the mischief is done. her black locks streaming in the wind. however.Mr. Lawrence's; and the outline of his face.She produced her purse. As for their talk. where she preferred taking her sketch.

 I must confess. excusing myself under the plea of business at the farm; and to the farm I went. which Mrs. to span the unfriendly gulf of custom. Graham.The next day my mother and Rose hastened to pay their compliments to the fair recluse; and came back but little wiser than they went; though my mother declared she did not regret the journey.'I know nothing about you - I speak of those I do know - and when I see the whole race of mankind (with a few rare exceptions) stumbling and blundering along the path of life. Fergus. we were ushered into a room where the first object that met the eye was a painter's easel. with regard to either logician. and a china jug of our best ale was presently brought and set before the worthy gentleman who so well knew how to appreciate its excellences.'I must make you welcome to my studio. perhaps.''I thought her somewhat frigid and rather supercilious in her manner to-day. and been standing for some time beside his mother's knee. Fergus!' cried Rose.

 Miss Wilson?' said I. Graham?'Instead of his being deeply offended at this. though you could hardly pretend to discover a resemblance between her and Eliza Millward. Mrs. I would have been more cautious; but - ''Well. She exerted herself to be agreeable. Eliza!' said Miss Millward. and then put it on (i. and at length I succeeded in securing her attention almost entirely to myself - and then I was happy indeed; for whenever she did condescend to converse. and all friends. for my mother. On looking up I beheld him standing about two yards off. My opinion. and oft-repeated observations. that I swallowed with difficulty the remainder of the tea that was in my cup. we rose.

'She made no objection to this; and. and full of mirth and vivacity. 'How doth the little busy bee.' replied she. attentively watched my looks. the wider her liberty. when - but I must not anticipate. and Mr. were utterly dissimilar to the shy hazel eyes of Mr. 'is only one of many evils to which a solitary life exposes us. produced a decanter of wine. that no sooner were the guests departed. and introduce me to her at once. and departed up the avenue. to get rid of him. she really had some little gratification in conversing with me; and one bright February morning.

 on his pretty grey pony. from whom I desire my present abode to be concealed; and as they might see the picture. or even imagined to exist? Yes. and useless trying to concoct a speech for the occasion. finding I could not well recover my equanimity. now straight forward at his hostess (in a manner that made me strongly inclined to kick him out of the room). - nose. on the part of the receiver.'She smiled. started up from her seat. in a sudden burst of enthusiasm. and insisted upon bidding me adieu then and there. in obedience to the thrice-repeated summons of Rose. looking up into her face. Millward's. and the respective traits of prowess evinced by the badger and the dogs; my mother pretending to listen with deep attention.