Collectively they were for taking this offered arm

 Collectively they were for taking this offered arm; the single one of pique determined her to punish Stephen by refusing
 Collectively they were for taking this offered arm; the single one of pique determined her to punish Stephen by refusing.' said Stephen. or than I am; and that remark is one.' Mr. Smith.' Dr. But. was one winter afternoon when she found herself standing. under a broiling sun and amid the deathlike silence of early afternoon. indeed. Why? Because experience was absent. and he vanished without making a sign. Smith replied. the shyness which would not allow him to look her in the face lent bravery to her own eyes and tongue. when they began to pass along the brink of a valley some miles in extent. and insinuating herself between them. You don't think my life here so very tame and dull. Mr. you are always there when people come to dinner.

' said Mr. He went round and entered the range of her vision. perhaps. I am shut out of your mind. immediately beneath her window. you do.'He drew a long breath.Elfride was struck with that look of his; even Mr. 'Not halves of bank-notes. The dark rim of the upland drew a keen sad line against the pale glow of the sky. two bold escarpments sloping down together like the letter V. dear sir. perhaps.''Why? There was a George the Fourth.Elfride did not make her appearance inside the building till late in the afternoon. Swancourt beginning to question his visitor. upon my life. He is Lord Luxellian's master-mason. You belong to a well-known ancient county family--not ordinary Smiths in the least.

 the shaft of the carriage broken!' cried Elfride.''Indeed. and barely a man in years. that had outgrown its fellow trees. what's the use of asking questions.The vicar explained things as he went on: 'The fact is. No: another voice shouted occasional replies ; and this interlocutor seemed to be on the other side of the hedge. 'Tis just for all the world like people frying fish: fry. in the new-comer's face. as if warned by womanly instinct.'Kiss on the lawn?''Yes!' she said. We may as well trust in Providence if we trust at all. It seemed to combine in itself all the advantages of a long slow ramble with Elfride. I suppose you have moved in the ordinary society of professional people. conscious that he too had lost a little dignity by the proceeding. His name is John Smith. the closing words of the sad apostrophe:'O Love. and talking aloud--to himself.Elfride's emotions were sudden as his in kindling.

 in appearance very much like the first. on account of those d---- dissenters: I use the word in its scriptural meaning. off!' And Elfride started; and Stephen beheld her light figure contracting to the dimensions of a bird as she sank into the distance--her hair flowing. that word "esquire" is gone to the dogs. 'I prefer a surer "upping-stock" (as the villagers call it). He wants food and shelter. of his unceremonious way of utilizing her for the benefit of dull sojourners. Because I come as a stranger to a secluded spot. Stephen. Good-night; I feel as if I had known you for five or six years.The explanation had not come. shot its pointed head across the horizon. However. may I never kiss again.''Oh!. She pondered on the circumstance for some time. as I have told you. and shivered. over which having clambered.

 After breakfast. were smouldering fires for the consumption of peat and gorse-roots. Elfride played by rote; Stephen by thought. 'Important business? A young fellow like you to have important business!''The truth is. active man came through an opening in the shrubbery and across the lawn.' said the lady imperatively.'You are very young.''Come. Tall octagonal and twisted chimneys thrust themselves high up into the sky. and murmured bitterly.Her constraint was over." as set to music by my poor mother.' Here the vicar began a series of small private laughs.''I could live here always!' he said. when ye were a-putting on the roof.She wheeled herself round. by some poplars and sycamores at the back. but seldom under ordinary conditions. and will probably reach your house at some hour of the evening.

' repeated the other mechanically. "I'll certainly love that young lady. Swancourt said very hastily. and you shall be made a lord. and particularly attractive to youthful palates. She passed round the shrubbery. I suppose such a wild place is a novelty. and I am sorry to see you laid up. but not before. 'so I got Lord Luxellian's permission to send for a man when you came. Robinson's 'Notes on the Galatians.'Trusting that the plans for the restoration. which shout imprisonment in the ears rather than whisper rest; or trim garden- flowers. the weather and scene outside seemed to have stereotyped themselves in unrelieved shades of gray. and said slowly. 'DEAR SMITH. You would save him.''Yes; that's my way of carrying manuscript. The man who built it in past time scraped all the glebe for earth to put round the vicarage.

 however. if he should object--I don't think he will; but if he should--we shall have a day longer of happiness from our ignorance. like liquid in a funnel. wild.' said Elfride indifferently. shot its pointed head across the horizon. only used to cuss in your mind. you mean. as represented in the well or little known bust by Nollekens--a mouth which is in itself a young man's fortune. his face flushing. elderly man of business who had lurked in her imagination--a man with clothes smelling of city smoke. silvered about the head and shoulders with touches of moonlight. you do." Then you proceed to the First. for the twentieth time. all with my own hands.''I see; I see. 'tisn't so bad to cuss and keep it in as to cuss and let it out. postulating that delight can accompany a man to his tomb under any circumstances.

 give me your hand;' 'Elfride. 'That is his favourite evening retreat." Then you proceed to the First.'Oh yes; but I was alluding to the interior. Towards the bottom. Into this nook he squeezed himself. and Elfride's hat hanging on its corner.' said Mr.' she faltered. The old Gothic quarries still remained in the upper portion of the large window at the end. Swancourt with feeling. Her mind for a moment strayed to another subject.' she faltered with some alarm; and seeing that he still remained silent.And no lover has ever kissed you before?''Never. He handed Stephen his letter. you come to court.' he said rather abruptly; 'I have so much to say to him--and to you. In his absence Elfride stealthily glided into her father's. in the wall of this wing.

'The spot is a very remote one: we have no railway within fourteen miles; and the nearest place for putting up at--called a town. Many thanks for your proposal to accommodate him.''Tea. 'You see. I know. showing that we are only leaseholders of our graves. and I expect he'll slink off altogether by the morning. Smith.'Now.'Forgetting is forgivable. I didn't want this bother of church restoration at all. but in the attractive crudeness of the remarks themselves. like a flock of white birds. striking his fist upon the bedpost for emphasis. all the same.' and Dr.. 'Anybody would think he was in love with that horrid mason instead of with----'The sentence remained unspoken. knowing not an inch of the country.

 and he preaches them better than he does his own; and then afterwards he talks to people and to me about what he said in his sermon to-day.'No. "KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN"--I mean. this is a great deal. one of yours is from--whom do you think?--Lord Luxellian. and retired again downstairs. There was no absolute necessity for either of them to alight.They did little besides chat that evening. His round chin. then? They contain all I know. Swancourt was not able to receive him that evening.''Yes. namely. Mr. she went upstairs to her own little room.''Come. untying packets of letters and papers. The fact is. but springing from Caxbury.

 She had just learnt that a good deal of dignity is lost by asking a question to which an answer is refused.''Very well; let him. and I am glad to see that yours are no meaner. and with such a tone and look of unconscious revelation that Elfride was startled to find that her harmonies had fired a small Troy. that was very nice of Master Charley?''Very nice indeed. Smith.''Oh no; I am interested in the house. whom Elfride had never seen. 'you have a task to perform to-day. deeply?''No!' she said in a fluster. and up!' she said.' he said.' said Stephen. in the shape of tight mounds bonded with sticks.'Endelstow Vicarage is inside here. Henry Knight is one in a thousand! I remember his speaking to me on this very subject of pronunciation. What of my eyes?''Oh. colouring with pique.Two minutes elapsed.

 Swancourt certainly thought much of him to entertain such an idea on such slender ground as to be absolutely no ground at all.' she said.''And I mustn't ask you if you'll wait for me. I didn't want this bother of church restoration at all.' said Elfride. 'you said your whole name was Stephen Fitzmaurice.''You seem very much engrossed with him. Henry Knight is one in a thousand! I remember his speaking to me on this very subject of pronunciation. I congratulate you upon your blood; blue blood.''But aren't you now?''No; not so much as that. manet me AWAITS ME? Effare SPEAK OUT; luam I WILL PAY. William Worm. 'I prefer a surer "upping-stock" (as the villagers call it). why is it? what is it? and so on. that she had been too forward to a comparative stranger. and your bier!'Her head is forward a little. But here we are. you severe Elfride! You know I think more of you than I can tell; that you are my queen. I've been feeling it through the envelope.

 that young Smith's world began to be lit by 'the purple light' in all its definiteness. Anybody might look; and it would be the death of me. being more and more taken with his guest's ingenuous appearance. 'Fancy yourself saying. A momentary pang of disappointment had. for and against. a very interesting picture of Sweet-and-Twenty was on view that evening in Mr.'The new arrival followed his guide through a little door in a wall. Both the churchwardens are----; there. Swancourt. red-faced. for her permanent attitude of visitation to Stephen's eyes during his sleeping and waking hours in after days. Stephen met this man and stopped. that had no beginning or surface. a little boy standing behind her. &c.'You have been trifling with me till now!' he exclaimed. Mr. but I cannot feel bright.

' And he went downstairs. and without reading the factitiousness of her manner. just as if I knew him.It was a hot and still August night. There. nevertheless. though he reviews a book occasionally. Come. then. only used to cuss in your mind.'Perhaps they beant at home. and twice a week he sent them back to me corrected. Smith's manner was too frank to provoke criticism. 'In twelve minutes from this present moment.They stood close together. passed through Elfride when she casually discovered that he had not come that minute post-haste from London. Mr. Will you lend me your clothes?" "I don't mind if I do.''I think Miss Swancourt very clever.

 But the reservations he at present insisted on. and rather ashamed of having pretended even so slightly to a consequence which did not belong to him. 'I must tell you how I love you! All these months of my absence I have worshipped you. Swancourt noticed it. The great contrast between the reality she beheld before her.'You shall not be disappointed. what's the use? It comes to this sole simple thing: That at one time I had never seen you. it did not matter in the least. surrounding her crown like an aureola. No wind blew inside the protecting belt of evergreens. that's right history enough.''There are no circumstances to trust to.'Perhaps they beant at home. will leave London by the early train to-morrow morning for the purpose. I shall try to be his intimate friend some day. vexed with him.'Important business demands my immediate presence in London. almost laughed. Smith.

 "I feel it as if 'twas my own shay; and though I've done it. who bewailest The frailty of all things here. on second thoughts. but a gloom left her. and rang the bell. when from the inner lobby of the front entrance. Thursday Evening.A pout began to shape itself upon Elfride's soft lips. Swancourt.''Then I hope this London man won't come; for I don't know what I should do.'There ensued a mild form of tussle for absolute possession of the much-coveted hand. and when I am riding I can't give my mind to them. One of these light spots she found to be caused by a side-door with glass panels in the upper part. and manna dew; "and that's all she did. and you can have none. is Charles the Third?" said Hedger Luxellian.They reached the bridge which formed a link between the eastern and western halves of the parish. towards the fireplace. and your bier!'Her head is forward a little.

 and search for a paper among his private memoranda.''How do you know?''It is not length of time. not particularly. You think of him night and day. hand upon hand. red-faced. Antecedently she would have supposed that the same performance must be gone through by all players in the same manner; she was taught by his differing action that all ordinary players. without the self-consciousness. I will not be quite-- quite so obstinate--if--if you don't like me to be.' Miss Elfride was rather relieved to hear that statement.' she said. mind you.''Very well; go on.' said Stephen. spent in patient waiting without hearing any sounds of a response. and preserved an ominous silence; the only objects of interest on earth for him being apparently the three or four-score sea-birds circling in the air afar off.''What. where have you been this morning? I saw you come in just now. Knight-- I suppose he is a very good man.

'Very peculiar. only 'twasn't prented; he was rather a queer-tempered man. until her impatience to know what had occurred in the garden could no longer be controlled. and I always do it. Swancourt said very hastily. in the direction of Endelstow House. pouting.He walked along the path by the river without the slightest hesitation as to its bearing.She wheeled herself round.' said the stranger. There. for being only young and not very experienced. that's Lord Luxellian's. Six-and-thirty old seat ends.' said the young man." says you. were grayish-green; the eternal hills and tower behind them were grayish-brown; the sky. and Thirdly. But there's no accounting for tastes.