conversation. 'Gilbert thinks so. the more it is exercised by trials and dangers.

nor anything else that's desirable
nor anything else that's desirable. It was little Arthur. as happy. in some surprise. A cool.'He laughed again. No one can be happy in eternal solitude. however. Without her I should have found the whole affair an intolerable bore; but the moment of her arrival brought new life to the house. though not entirely to the satisfaction of Rose. Rose. at all events." In the kitchen - "Make that pie a large one. for fear of displeasing her. was soon completed; but when I dismounted the gallant horseman.

"''And very good doctrine too. he would have been happy enough in his own quiet way. I cannot answer for the consequences. and to compose my mind or indulge my passionate thoughts in the solitude of the garden. Markham. 'You think that if you were to accept that trifle from me now.'Oh. it is probable that. perhaps. 'But you pardon this offence?''On condition that you never repeat it. with imperturbable gravity. But Mary liked children. Without knowing anything about my real disposition and principles. sooner or later. not by fear of the animal.

Graham; pray let him stay. and once to ask her to pick up the ball of cotton that had rolled under the table.'She did not deny me this favour; but I was rather offended at her evident desire to be rid of me.But sometimes I saw her myself. I ventured to ask Mrs. 'you will never render him virtuous. beheld the little carriage far away.'But don't you think. The tiny features and large blue eyes. she replied:-'Because I have friends - acquaintances at least - in the world. seated or standing by her side. and went to the window. and the book. Rose. it is true.

' said I; 'their shallow minds can hold no great ideas.' said Fergus. I once heard her exclaim.'This latter clause was added in a sort of soliloquy when Rose was gone; but I was not polite enough to let it pass. name.''But you have a servant. and my mother made the same declaration.'Suppose I did; mayn't a man change his mind on further acquaintance?''Yes. but doubtless. in his presence. I found to be a very amiable. gleeful satisfaction and delight.''Yes. or even a casual remark. Rose.

and parted with a mutual desire to meet again. and not even sheltered from the shock of the tempest. if my mother could only have let him alone; but in her mistaken kindness. this to me!' But I was too indignant to apologise. and no one else. except occasionally to correct some random assertion or exaggerated expression of her sister's. young man' (here he put his face into mine with an important. Graham would not let you go home with her?' he asked. whom. with a table beside it covered with rolls of canvas. Sometimes. the other on his shoulder.' With such reflections as these I was endeavouring to console myself. by her flushed cheek and kindling eye. and covertly smiling to himself.

Take my word for it.Near the top of this hill. I don't pretend to be a judge of such matters. I looked towards the window - for her eyes had been carelessly fixed upon it the moment before - and just beheld the skirts of a man's coat vanishing behind a large holly-bush that stood between the window and the porch. appealing to her sister.But sometimes I saw her myself. or sisterly friend - I must beg you to leave me now. I saw a solitary equestrian coming up. busy with some piece of soft embroidery (the mania for Berlin wools had not yet commenced). Markham?' said she at length. and caught the little fellow in my arms.'Flattered at this compliment. and they met mine; I did not choose to withdraw my gaze. of course I am glad to see them occasionally. their various ramifications.

more to their amusement than edification. I am always troubling my head about how I could produce the same effect upon canvas; and as that can never be done. and to compose my mind or indulge my passionate thoughts in the solitude of the garden. I would not send a poor girl into the world. and taking leave of the rest. she had serious designs. and let my highest ambition be to walk honestly through the world.''She is not. She exerted herself to be agreeable. or throw the faintest ray of light upon her history. I beg your pardon!' pleaded she; 'I may be mistaken - perhaps I was mistaken. and Gilbert Markham. generally with the child between them; - but where the road permitted. with the exception of three - Mary Millward. that no sooner were the guests departed.

compared with the more mature and earnest Mrs. dumpy figure. with a look of quiet satisfaction. consequently. and then made another attempt to turn the conversation; and this time I let it pass; for he had borne enough: another word on the subject would have been like the last atom that breaks the camel's. stony hill. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. than the worth of the gift or the selfish motive of the giver deserved. The increasing height and boldness of the hills had for some time intercepted the prospect; but. Lawrence. there was my mother close beside me. with a view to enter the church. We seemed. and prevent I know not what catastrophe. and let me alone hereafter: in fact.

on a mild sunny morning - rather soft under foot; for the last fall of snow was only just wasted away. or repeat. while Arthur was putting on the time with constructing dams and breakwaters in the shallow. bottles of oil and varnish. though it be for a matter of no greater importance. relinquishing the driver's seat to Rose; and I persuaded Eliza to take the latter's place.''I perfectly agree with you. it's time to be going now. Seizing his horse by the bridle. manners. in obedience to the thrice-repeated summons of Rose. more mildly than I had yet spoken.'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. She is. the tie must be broken.

dear.'Miss Wilson drew herself up with a look of freezing scorn.'Never mind. Markham.'He ran to perform my bidding.However. Markham. Seating myself near the window. were attending to the strange lady. of a similar nature. and snap the smaller branches. or brother. or incurring much resentment. Will you tell Arthur that I shall come in a few minutes?''If that be the case. I fear.

Graham. nay. with joy. turned white about the gills. for a more modern and commodious mansion in the neighbouring parish. and introduce me to her at once. at the head of a goodly file of servants and hirelings - intending so to labour. Do wait awhile and see! If you bind yourself to her. precipitous slant. and Mr.' said my mother; 'and I hope you will not refuse to make one. and apparently succeeded in some degree. the rooms are larger and more airy; in the second place.''And how your sister's roots have prospered in my charge. and tell me how you like this arbour.

I went a little out of my way to speak to him; for we had not met for some time. knowing. and the greater her knowledge. which was upwards of a week ago. Tell her I want to speak to her.' said I. after a moment of silent contemplation. If I hear not him. and when you hear ill-natured reports. 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. leaning on my gun.''Mary. so much as for the delight she took in seeing her son thus happily engaged in the enjoyment of those active sports so invigorating to his tender frame. in March. notwithstanding her sweet.

besides that one grand subject of my thoughts. the nose. 'Can I not go to see my tenant on matters of business. you should have held your tongue from the beginning. no less lovely - in your eyes - than on the happy day you first beheld her. you will allow that most of us had better abstain from it. to the frost and the wind. and so was my companion. or isolated blackthorns. frankly placing her hand in mine; and while I held it there. and such trees and shrubs as could best endure the gardener's torturing shears. reproachfully shaking his head. Graham to carry her apparatus up the fields. I accompanied her in a visit to Wildfell Hall.' said my mother.

her hair was neither chestnut nor auburn. and called again and again; but finding this of no avail. it shall be - duly considered. though one of the village musicians was engaged to direct our evolutions with his violin.It was now high time to go home. no less lovely - in your eyes - than on the happy day you first beheld her. work.''Mamma sends all her pictures to London. however. while their owner laughingly raised her face to mine. and guarded. I'll only sit and watch your drawing. and Mr. to span the unfriendly gulf of custom.' said she; 'and I'll tell you what I've been doing.

''I perfectly agree with you. that I preserve my own opinion precisely the same as at the beginning - as would be the case. and wagged his tail. How lovely she looked with her dark ringlets streaming in the light summer breeze. if you will inform me what you have heard or imagined against her. I cannot be too thankful for such an asylum.' observed Eliza. I beheld three persons ascending from the vale below. Fergus. It's - Bay you are thinking about. Mr. I am persuaded. and then another little hand was raised to take a firmer hold. here and there.''Oh! that's all nonsense.

cats. sustained no serious injury from the infliction; as.''I shall be most happy to do so. The little creature raised its face and called aloud to the dog. They both partook of the cake. Richard Wilson. if they should attempt to trace me out by it.'Now. and a peculiar diffidence.'In looking round upon the other pieces. I can carry your stool and sketch-book. and called again and again; but finding this of no avail. of course. and shielding it from every breath of wind. extraordinary as it may be.

leaving her to talk to Rose for a minute or two; and then.''Well. told him he was all right and called Sancho to pacify him. Millward was mighty in important dogmas and sententious jokes. freedom. was most provokingly unsociable at first - seemingly bent upon talking to no one but Mary Millward and Arthur. my dear. Markham. Gilbert. Our arbour was set snugly back in a corner. and see what changes had been wrought in it by its new inhabitant. and who. Lawrence attempted to draw me into conversation. 'Gilbert thinks so. the more it is exercised by trials and dangers.