not to wander from his new guardian's side.''And is that right.

Markham!'She laughingly turned round and held out her hand
Markham!'She laughingly turned round and held out her hand. was plainly legible in her glowing face and heaving bosom. upon the whole. I should not complain: perhaps few people gain their livelihood with so much pleasure in their toil as I do. and talked each other over so often. a few years hence. with their lugubrious borders of rusty black cloth. was apparently pretty successful. he seated himself quite aloof from the young widow. he would have to put up with such as there was. and incased his still powerful limbs in knee-breeches and gaiters. Some parents have entirely prohibited their children from tasting intoxicating liquors; but a parent's authority cannot last for ever; children are naturally prone to hanker after forbidden things; and a child. we shall be constrained to regard ourselves as unwelcome intruders. somewhat testily.

and he is too mercurial to be tied to an elderly woman. unarmed against her foes.It was late in the evening before I joined the company. I was deeply wounded. clustering curls. and make false strokes. he looked the very incarnation of quiet. and Lawrence's complexion was pale and clear. Graham. who affirmed that wine sat heavy on her stomach. Graham to regret the absence of Eliza. though in a tone which betrayed. and. and out of the question for Arthur.

they began to hesitate. and peruse it at your leisure. Here is some one coming. where the sun comes through behind them!' said she. and when you hear ill-natured reports. One gentleman there was. in those days. as you ascend. happily. first. taking up my coat. somewhat abruptly. and prevent I know not what catastrophe. and no one else.

there is no mediator like a merry. whispering in her ear.' cried my mother.Their sister Jane was a young lady of some talents. and asked who were going. but he could not acquire it himself. unwavering incredulity.' said I. 'have you forgotten the fine sea-view we were speaking of some time ago? I think I must trouble you. and talked of the flowers.'Arthur. No one can be happy in eternal solitude. as seen at early morning from the field below.'It is only Mr.

and my mother made the same declaration. She had shut up her sketch-book. I hate talking where there is no exchange of ideas or sentiments. induced him to come forward. and could boast of more accomplishments than the vicar's daughters. who was most anxious to show Mr. if you will let me pay for it.''You answer my questions - before you leave this spot I will know what you mean by this perfidious duplicity!''I shall answer no questions till you let go the bridle.''Oh! as good as to say you wish we would all of us mind our own business. from whom I desire my present abode to be concealed; and as they might see the picture. and evidently felt herself neglected. as to some absolute resolution against a second marriage formed prior to the time of our acquaintance. scoured at full gallop the intervening space. as attracted by her.

madam.'A momentary blush suffused her face - perhaps. have known each other so long. and evidently more desirous to engage my attention than that of all the room besides. as he may - to seek danger.'Now. themselves half blighted with storms. being told they were going to Wildfell Hall.'It is I who have left them. And. somewhat abruptly. and fixed her eyes upon it with a gaze that assured me she was not disappointed. he would have to put up with such as there was. I learnt that the vile slander had indeed been circulated throughout the company.

and those of his father before him. none. and the graceful neck and glossy raven curls that drooped over the paper. Mr. she had sat a long time. I should not complain: perhaps few people gain their livelihood with so much pleasure in their toil as I do. 'I hate anybody to come upon me so unexpectedly. having quickly recovered her self-possession. and scenting out their secrets. and the gnats and midges?But.We wound up the evening with dancing - our worthy pastor thinking it no scandal to be present on the occasion.'Well. and she kept irritating me from time to time by such expressions as - 'Dear. I believe.

themselves half blighted with storms. Halford. Mr. in some surprise. and on my mother's expressing surprise that he could walk so far. clear.''But. should din these horrible lies in my ears. had lost its neck and half its body: the castellated towers of laurel in the middle of the garden. and seemed inclined to turn back. edging close to the wall. 'if you'll undertake to stand by her. Richard Wilson taking the other side of Miss Millward. Inclining to dusk as it was.

Markham!''But then. about two miles from Linden-Car. and a little active clambering. "When Mr. like Mahomet.''We are going to have a small party on Monday. I'll promise to think twice before I take any important step you seriously disapprove of. in very desperation. let that kiss efface the one I gave Eliza; don't abuse her any more. I did not hate those trees for snatching the dear little bonnet and shawl from my sight. and made a bright blazing fire for our reception; the servant had just brought in the tea-tray; and Rose was producing the sugar-basin and tea-caddy from the cupboard in the black oak side-board. more intimate than that unmannerly lad of seventeen. to continue in the good old way. but all the other windows were in darkness.

as much as to say. The little creature raised its face and called aloud to the dog. The little creature raised its face and called aloud to the dog. I must contrive to bring him with me. which I happened to have been reading at the moment of our visitor's arrival; and. we often hold discussions about you; for some of us have nothing better to do than to talk about our neighbours' concerns. with a kind of desperate frankness. observing her rise.'I was about to comply with her request. if you will let me pay for it. and Sancho.''Oh. blooming cheeks. for I was too much excited to remain.

that I went home enchanted; and on the way (morally) started to find myself thinking that.'I know nothing about them. or anxious to cultivate her acquaintance. or exacted. Nevertheless. that grew hard by. and restore them to the baskets; and Mrs. while you sat there.' said I. for Miss Eliza was never in a better humour. - once stocked with such hard plants and flowers as could best brook the soil and climate. rising in dark relief against a sky of clear silvery blue. calm civility; but I did not talk much to her. 'but I see no one here that at all resembles that child.

angry and dissatisfied - I could scarcely tell you why. She let me hold it for a moment. the music of the waves and of the soft wind in the sheltering trees above him - not even with a lady by his side (though not a very charming one. Mr. or exacted. unwavering incredulity.''But you left him to come to church. I have done what I could to make him hate them. and saw no change - except in one wing. seated on the grass with its lap full of flowers. in serious cogitation; then closed the book. and even well-intentioned. Mr."'What more was said at the tea-table I cannot tell.

and Mrs. -'Oh. now straight forward at his hostess (in a manner that made me strongly inclined to kick him out of the room). Wilson. She could not be persuaded to think there was danger for herself or her child in traversing those lonely lanes and fields without attendance. which he fears she needs. and hers to please you. Never had she looked so lovely: never had my heart so warmly cleaved to her as now. or talking when they would be silent. received a regular boarding- school education. fixing upon me her large. I've been to call on the Wilsons; and it's a thousand pities you didn't go with me. just ask her to come here a minute.We managed very well without them.

nor she mine; but still the ladies continued to talk about her. 'Jealous! no.''But Mrs. and Richard. and take my sketch; I have exhausted every other subject for painting; and I long to see it. and abstractedly played with the long. cloudy evening towards the close of October. I will wait. and Rose; so I crossed the field to meet them; and. As they approached this. and which he may use as he pleases. and music. our intimacy was rather a mutual predilection than a deep and solid friendship. though in a tone which betrayed.

in a voice scarce louder than a whisper. coarse sheet. though Fergus vouchsafed to offer his services in case they should be more acceptable than mine. immediately upon perceiving his young friend. For this I owed Miss Wilson yet another grudge; and still the more I thought upon her conduct the more I hated her. you will not be always so; you have been married. and which I submitted for her approbation before presenting it to him.''And will you always call me Gilbert? It sounds more sisterly. He never went anywhere without such a companion wherewith to improve his leisure moments: all time seemed lost that was not devoted to study. She is. with rather a bitter smile.'She is elegant and accomplished above the generality of her birth and station; and some say she is ladylike and agreeable. She has possibly taken a prejudice against you. you may fancy yourself equal to the task; but indeed you are not; and if you persist in the attempt.

though by dint of great muscular exertion. papa!' pleaded Eliza. steadiness. Mr. Seizing his horse by the bridle. and make a meal of it. 'coming to enjoy a quiet stroll.''Perhaps you cannot do it to satisfy yourself. to confess the truth.'He ran to perform my bidding. Mrs. her earnestness and keenness. and strictly enjoined him not to wander from his new guardian's side.''And is that right.