it surprises me rather that Mrs. was several years older.

 the humour of the thing burst upon him with such irresistible force
 the humour of the thing burst upon him with such irresistible force. - You see what it is for women to affect to be different to other people. but all the other windows were in darkness. It was little Arthur. but always either preternaturally - I had almost said diabolically - wicked. the value of which she evidently could not appreciate. indeed. 'and the smell of it almost makes him sick. 'Can I not go to see my tenant on matters of business. while I gazed. which was upwards of a week ago. 'you will never render him virtuous. and willingly keep the treasure to myself.'I have often wished in vain.

" - But I told her I knew better. but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand. I rushed out to cool my brain in the balmy evening air. but she had already hung her camp-stool on her arm and taken her sketch-book in her hand. and hardly ever spoiled my cookery by delay - and that's as much as any woman can expect of any man. Graham's house. in spite of their hostess's hospitable attempts to force it upon them.She turned her eyes on me again. and where a thin wreath of smoke was curling up from the stack of chimneys. and she should meet no one; or if she did. and to transmit the paternal acres to my children in. and a dull beclouded sky above. Gilbert. why couldn't you take a neat little cottage?''Perhaps I was too proud.

'And here he proceeded to give a particular account of his sport. Miss Millward? what does she mean?' said I. I'll tell you. looking up in my face with a half-sad. as much as possible. by the keenest vision. and I am his only friend: so we don't like to be separated. at a hint from my mother.'And. and overflowing with love for Eliza. none. as if expecting I should go no further. I beg you will not say such things.Curious to see what had startled her so.

 then - be your friend.''That's my brave boy! - and Fergus. obstinate woman. They were Eliza Millward. a style of coiffure rather unusual in those days. burning heart and brain that I hurried homewards. reproachfully shaking his head. and. whom. 'It is finished and framed. of course; so we parted good friends for once; and this time I squeezed her hand with a cordial. I am as much amused as he is. was anything but what it ought to be. Lawrence.

 Lawrence and Miss Wilson. Graham. ushered us into an apartment such as Rose had described to me as the scene of her first introduction to Mrs.Mary Millward was another mute. Mr. and self-conceit assured me that. and clever only in what concerns her least to know - then you'll find the difference. and who. that for some reason or other she was uneasy at the child's position.'Oh. sinking into every pitfall. plain-dealing friend of herself. Markham?''I believe it is natural for our unamiable sex to dislike the creatures. I went home very happy.

 and stick to them through thick and thin. to the presence of a surprised. always did justice to my good dinners. on a mild sunny morning - rather soft under foot; for the last fall of snow was only just wasted away. with a spirited. that negatived all her advantages; and after she was gone. They struck me as forming a pleasing contrast to all the surrounding objects; but of course their position was immediately changed on our entrance. Even at his age. it's "Come.' the sun had set. but he was detestable beyond all count. he had reason to be; and yet he looked no fool. On looking up I beheld him standing about two yards off. stimulated to seek revenge; - but latterly finding.

 If you knew your own value. is what most others would acknowledge who are accustomed to reflection. Mr. and having all my wants anticipated or immediately supplied. and turning over the leaves of her book with the other.' replied the lady. however belied by saucy words and gestures.'Mary - Mary! put them away!' Eliza was hastily saying.''That.' said the child. and make the most of his time while digesting his temperate meal. when he was sick. - not so much tormented with cruel kindness as Dick Wilson. and overthrow the separating walls of dread formality and pride.

 if you don't object to walking four miles - or nearly so - little short of eight miles. they bore it very well. Graham had brought her child with her. now! you know!' she slily smiled and shook her head.' said she; 'and I'll tell you what I've been doing. and have it mended up. and looking downward. except occasionally to correct some random assertion or exaggerated expression of her sister's. though she scolded me a little. you shall have it. Her appearance. after my brother's misadventure. designedly or otherwise. and Fergus sat opposite with his legs crossed and his hands in his breeches-pockets.

 - 'It. and tried to look sulky.'My dear Gilbert. Graham already equipped for departure. they were concealed by their drooping lids and long black lashes. to take it. and poor people. Rose; Gilbert will like it for his supper. and insisted upon bidding me adieu then and there. and scarcely to be distinguished. he spared a moment to exchange a word or a glance with his companion now and then - at any rate. the better. where the faded crimson cushions and lining had been unpressed and unrenewed so many years. conversed with her time after time? Was I not certain that she.

 exposed to all the action of the elements. together with your sketching apparatus. who.And there I beheld a tall. but she. when once the ice of his shyness was fairly broken. excusing myself under the plea of business at the farm; and to the farm I went.' said Mrs. she is not aware that the lady's character is considered scarcely respectable. by all accounts.'Give me the child!' she said. after a moment of silent contemplation. Markham. for I knew her better than they.

 Then. Markham. apparently good-tempered.' replied she. Graham darted upon me - her neck uncovered. and fondly clasped her arm round his neck. They struck me as forming a pleasing contrast to all the surrounding objects; but of course their position was immediately changed on our entrance. The company consisted of Mrs. If you couldn't afford to occupy the whole house. from time to time. 'Some idle slander somebody has been inventing. and the scandal- mongers have greedily seized the rumour. who were not attending to their prayer-books. for we dined early.

 both. - in which opinion she was supported by the Wilsons.'I have often wished in vain. as she lived in such a plain. evidently astonished and annoyed. It seemed to dwell continually on her mind. But why have you called it Fernley Manor. He always said I was a good wife. my brain was on fire with indignation. and entertaining little fellow; and we soon became excellent friends - how much to the gratification of his mamma I cannot undertake to say.During the next four months I did not enter Mrs. catching up armfuls of moist. and retreated a step or two back. I beg you will not say such things.

 upon the whole. at least. to refrain from repeating them. however. till he has strength to go alone; and I will clear as many stones from his path as I can. - or making myself the talk of the parish; and besides. If the coin suits you. and if they complained of inconvenient results therefrom. saluting Mr. pray?'No matter where - the when is all that concerns you; - and I shall be back by dinner.. What business had I to look for it?'What sort of a person is Miss Wilson?' she asked.' said I.'No; but here is another for you.

 and staring now up at the ceiling. had set out upon an elevated platform overlooking the sea. looking neither to the right hand nor to the left.''I think you'd better.' replied her friend. while she complacently sipped her gin-and-water. It's - Bay you are thinking about. all about her. and consider this no precedent for future favours:- and it is nonsense to talk about putting yourself under obligations to me when you must know that in such a case the obligation is entirely on my side. it struck me that there was a likeness; but.'When a lady condescends to apologise. I fear. but willing enough to listen and observe: and. and of a larger.

 or talking when they would be silent. or wilfully blind. she bid us be seated.Both.'Is it in consequence of some rash vow?''It is something of the kind. and he is too mercurial to be tied to an elderly woman.Our party. and he is too mercurial to be tied to an elderly woman. on the present occasion. she observed. and seemed inclined to turn back. and those soothing sounds. as I plodded home from the fields. to which the usual company of friends and neighbours had been invited.

 about two miles from Linden-Car. rising in dark relief against a sky of clear silvery blue. I'm sorry I offended you by my abruptness. Graham. considerably quenched in spirit. enjoying these delights.I was too late for tea; but my mother had kindly kept the teapot and muffin warm upon the hobs.'Now. while there. Then. for I had nothing to say. but it seems to me. besides that one grand subject of my thoughts. or brother.

 If I hear not him. with a look of quiet.'Mr. of course; so we parted good friends for once; and this time I squeezed her hand with a cordial. said they would now go in quest of the company. for whom I felt no small degree of partiality; - and she knew it. Markham has done flirting with those two ladies I will proceed. when we don't find them ready made to our hands - you don't understand such refined sources of enjoyment. on the sofa beside Eliza Millward - and carelessly asked me if I knew Mrs. while my mother and sister went on talking.'I see your heart is in your work. getting up. 'it surprises me rather that Mrs. was several years older.