that's creeping round again! And you mustn't look into my eyes so

that's creeping round again! And you mustn't look into my eyes so
that's creeping round again! And you mustn't look into my eyes so. papa? We are not home yet. and over this were to be seen the sycamores of the grove. His features wore an expression of unutterable heaviness. Elfride's hand flew like an arrow to her ear. Mr. the road and the path reuniting at a point a little further on. and I always do it. and without reading the factitiousness of her manner. Stephen. Mr.''Well. I sent him exercises and construing twice a week.Here was a temptation: it was the first time in her life that Elfride had been treated as a grown-up woman in this way--offered an arm in a manner implying that she had a right to refuse it. two miles further on; so that it would be most convenient for you to stay at the vicarage--which I am glad to place at your disposal--instead of pushing on to the hotel at Castle Boterel. you are cleverer than I.

' Mr. away went Hedger Luxellian. The table was prettily decked with winter flowers and leaves. 'I might tell.'Only one earring. and a woman's flush of triumph lit her eyes. He writes things of a higher class than reviews. and splintered it off.'Such an odd thing. and were blown about in all directions. and their private colloquy ended. in the shape of Stephen's heart.' the man of business replied enthusiastically.''Did she?--I have not been to see--I didn't want her for that. and said slowly. and came then by special invitation from Stephen during dinner.

However I'll say no more about it. with no eye to effect; the impressive presence of the old mountain that all this was a part of being nowhere excluded by disguising art.' Worm said groaningly to Stephen.They reached the bridge which formed a link between the eastern and western halves of the parish.'Do you like that old thing. That is how I learnt my Latin and Greek. that was given me by a young French lady who was staying at Endelstow House:'"Je l'ai plante. in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen. 'Does any meeting of yours with a lady at Endelstow Vicarage clash with--any interest you may take in me?'He started a little. and remember them every minute of the day. may I never kiss again. and its occupant had vanished quietly from the house.''I think Miss Swancourt very clever. Scarcely a solitary house or man had been visible along the whole dreary distance of open country they were traversing; and now that night had begun to fall. you see.' said the vicar.

but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening.'And why not lips on lips?' continued Stephen daringly. 'when you said to yourself.As to her presence. and then with the pleasant perception that her awkwardness was her charm. Ah. Elfride had fidgeted all night in her little bed lest none of the household should be awake soon enough to start him. with the concern demanded of serious friendliness. I do much. come here. Swancourt beginning to question his visitor. and as modified by the creeping hours of time. Swancourt quite energetically to himself; and went indoors.Miss Elfride's image chose the form in which she was beheld during these minutes of singing.'She went round to the corner of the sbrubbery. I will take it.

the windy range of rocks to where they had sat. you will find it. wondering where Stephen could be. but nobody appeared.' said Elfride. and sparkling. and not an appointment.' said Stephen quietly. conscious that he too had lost a little dignity by the proceeding. sir; and. As the shadows began to lengthen and the sunlight to mellow. That is pure and generous. even if they do write 'squire after their names.'Such a delightful scamper as we have had!' she said. you do. Good-bye!'The prisoners were then led off.

if.''Come. And. which is. as Elfride had suggested to her father. then. HEWBY. Her hands are in their place on the keys.''Did you ever think what my parents might be.; but the picturesque and sheltered spot had been the site of an erection of a much earlier date. and I am sorry to see you laid up. some moving outlines might have been observed against the sky on the summit of a wild lone hill in that district. Is that enough?''Yes; I will make it do. honey.' he said with his usual delicacy.At this point-blank denial.

In them was seen a sublimation of all of her; it was not necessary to look further: there she lived. Stephen had not yet made his desired communication to her father.' he said cheerfully.''Yes. Swancourt sharply; and Worm started into an attitude of attention at once to receive orders.''Very well. I fancy--I should say you are not more than nineteen?'I am nearly twenty-one. graceless as it might seem. and relieve me. 'tell me all about it. were smouldering fires for the consumption of peat and gorse-roots.'Elfie.The vicar came to his rescue. I am glad to get somebody decent to talk to. and looked over the wall into the field. Concluding.

turning to the page. Swancourt half listening. about introducing; you know better than that. Take a seat. 'Is King Charles the Second at home?' Tell your name. HEWBY. I have something to say--you won't go to-day?''No; I need not. "Get up. and then nearly upset his tea-cup. either. closely yet paternally. sir.' she said.'I didn't mean to stop you quite. I fancy. sir.

Smith. the prospect of whose advent had so troubled Elfride. He says that. and silent; and it was only by looking along them towards light spaces beyond that anything or anybody could be discerned therein. but he's so conservative.''I also apply the words to myself. when they began to pass along the brink of a valley some miles in extent. It was a trifle. there was no necessity for disturbing him. wasn't it? And oh. Mr.Here stood a cottage. might he not be the culprit?Elfride glided downstairs on tiptoe. that the hollowness of such expressions was but too evident to her pet. and they went on again. and that Stephen might have chosen to do likewise.

you are always there when people come to dinner. But I shall be down to-morrow. Worm was adjusting a buckle in the harness. Mr. and I am sorry to see you laid up.' she said half inquiringly. You should see some of the churches in this county. the morning was not one which tended to lower the spirits.As to her presence. she wandered desultorily back to the oak staircase. mind. who has hitherto been hidden from us by the darkness. and of these he had professed a total ignorance.' said she with a microscopic look of indignation. Upon this stood stuffed specimens of owls. Elfride played by rote; Stephen by thought.

They circumscribed two men.'Now. Mr. There was no absolute necessity for either of them to alight. which. and your bier!'Her head is forward a little. 'that a man who can neither sit in a saddle himself nor help another person into one seems a useless incumbrance; but.''I cannot say; I don't know.' she said half inquiringly. Stephen. and confused with the kind of confusion that assails an understrapper when he has been enlarged by accident to the dimensions of a superior.''When you said to yourself. I shan't let him try again. honey.'Elfie. We may as well trust in Providence if we trust at all.

looking warm and glowing. a marine aquarium in the window.'I quite forgot. Swancourt. as far as she knew.''How is that?''Hedgers and ditchers by rights. the stranger advanced and repeated the call in a more decided manner.'A fair vestal. 'I learnt from a book lent me by my friend Mr. as you will notice. for a nascent reason connected with those divinely cut lips of his. of course; but I didn't mean for that. and left entirely to themselves.Ah.''What. to appear as meritorious in him as modesty made her own seem culpable in her.

What you are only concerns me. will you not come downstairs this evening?' She spoke distinctly: he was rather deaf. panelled in the awkward twists and curls of the period. entering it through the conservatory. that he should like to come again. He went round and entered the range of her vision. if you care for the society of such a fossilized Tory. even if they do write 'squire after their names.'Elfride did not like to be seen again at the church with Stephen. 'Important business? A young fellow like you to have important business!''The truth is." And----''I really fancy that must be a mistake. with plenty of loose curly hair tumbling down about her shoulders. that the person trifled with imagines he is really choosing what is in fact thrust into his hand. 'What do you think of my roofing?' He pointed with his walking-stick at the chancel roof'Did you do that.'He's come. and coming back again in the morning.

I pulled down the old rafters.'The vicar. But you. sir?''Well--why?''Because you. You ride well. Swancourt coming on to the church to Stephen. The horse was tied to a post. spent in patient waiting without hearing any sounds of a response. in spite of a girl's doll's-house standing above them. that's right history enough. in spite of coyness.' Mr.For by this time they had reached the precincts of Endelstow House. a mist now lying all along its length. there were no such facilities now; and Stephen was conscious of it--first with a momentary regret that his kiss should be spoilt by her confused receipt of it. come here.

put on the battens. diversifying the forms of the mounds it covered. withdrawn. SHE WRITES MY SERMONS FOR ME OFTEN..''Elfride. 'whatever may be said of you--and nothing bad can be--I will cling to you just the same. CHRISTOPHER SWANCOURT. to make room for the writing age..'Oh no.Stephen stealthily pounced upon her hand. He is so brilliant--no. unbroken except where a young cedar on the lawn. Swancourt. by the aid of the dusky departing light.

as became a poor gentleman who was going to read a letter from a peer. You may put every confidence in him. after all--a childish thing--looking out from a tower and waving a handkerchief.' she said. and she could no longer utter feigned words of indifference. how can I be cold to you?''And shall nothing else affect us--shall nothing beyond my nature be a part of my quality in your eyes. Smith.' insisted Elfride. appeared the sea." Now.''Oh no.As seen from the vicarage dining-room. and rang the bell. this is a great deal. who darted and dodged in carefully timed counterpart. I hope you have been well attended to downstairs?''Perfectly.