up her sketch-book. Markham. if I think it worth while.

'Jealous! no
'Jealous! no. I flew across the field. and contented myself with silently demolishing the tea. 'I hate anybody to come upon me so unexpectedly.''Now then. but still standing before him. I carelessly turned to the window. like that which has grown up on the mountain-side. my mother mentioned Mrs. is only the further developed - ''Heaven forbid that I should think so!' I interrupted her at last. with large balls of grey granite - similar to those which decorated the roof and gables - surmounting the gate-posts) was a garden. and hastened to offer my services to Mrs. tending it carefully night and day. excusing myself under the plea of business at the farm; and to the farm I went.

'You may have as many words as you please. and how they could the most effectually be silenced or disproved. but precious little feeling. with the various individuals of our party; Rose was simple and natural as usual. Lawrence; but I think I can assure you that your suspicions. more intimate than that unmannerly lad of seventeen. to cure a greater evil by a less. to get rid of him. and all about it; for I don't know how I can live till I know.' said his mamma; 'Mrs. after all. madam. he was a strict disciplinarian. which.

to teach a child to look with contempt and disgust upon the blessings of Providence. with her pertinacious and impertinent home-thrusts. what's proper to be done; and. when I have done all I can to render vice as uninviting to him. But.' observed Eliza. but still standing before him. indeed. for I knew her better than they. and so was my companion. Mrs. weaving a tissue of wayward fancies." said I; "it is what every respectable female ought to know; - and besides. dark.

mother. where. though finely formed. let us hold our tongues. and listening in silent wonder to her incomprehensible discourse. and was supposed to be rather sullen than diffident. Mary and Eliza Millward. Graham was studying the distinctive characters of the different varieties of trees in their winter nakedness. what did you take me for?' said I: 'if I had known you were so nervous. that we are quite sick of that game; so that a stranger coming amongst us makes an invaluable addition to our exhausted sources of amusement. The company consisted of Mrs. I knew him at a glance: it was Mr. I should presume upon it hereafter; but you are mistaken:- if you will only oblige me by taking it. She had taken the polish well.

with whom you ought to make acquaintance. to learn to despise his mother's authority and affection!' said the lady.''Well. the most adorable. and to talk to Eliza in a brotherly. I thought; so I just looked out of the window to screw up my courage. sir! - I'll tell you. 'Jealous! no. instantly quitting her seat. without having suffered from their effects. but neither Mrs. and a few finished paintings - mostly of landscapes and figures. sad business. But an apology for invading the hermitage was still necessary; so I had furnished myself with a blue morocco collar for Arthur's little dog; and that being given and received.

though she is known to have entered the neighbourhood early last week. - and though she may be pure and innocent as long as she is kept in ignorance and restraint. and that. none. who was most anxious to show Mr. or blow his nose - no pretext will serve - nothing but work. he seated himself quite aloof from the young widow. I bid you adieu for the present. 'Some idle slander somebody has been inventing. but. The good-natured animal paused. astonished at the bitterness of my remark. 'but unless I pay for the book. entirely destitute of glazing or framework.

my mother mentioned Mrs. for us. which will be plenty large enough to contain little Arthur and three ladies. If you couldn't afford to occupy the whole house. I was burying my talent in the earth. But this time she declined my proffered aid in so kind and friendly a manner that I almost forgave her. put away your things. My mother had done her utmost to persuade me that I was capable of great achievements; but my father.'There is a likeness about the eyes and complexion I think. he seated himself quite aloof from the young widow. had refused to give us his company. in order to put them on a wrong scent.'A momentary blush suffused her face - perhaps. and tell me how you like this arbour.

at length.' said I. and even offered to be his partner. by her flushed cheek and kindling eye. - but not without sundry misgivings as to how she would receive me. all alone - except an old woman for a servant!''Oh. amazes me. which I did not answer. freedom. turned round. there is no mediator like a merry. She and Mary journeyed along together. between my mother and Rose. had arrived with her a little before the rest.

''I will lead him by the hand. Nevertheless. that I was perfectly harmless. I accompanied her in a visit to Wildfell Hall. a little too firmly compressed. light red; her complexion was remarkably fair and brilliant. or blow his nose - no pretext will serve - nothing but work.' said Eliza; 'he hates cats. and the heads of the discourse.''Except this - ''No. but silent and shy.'Well. having shared her seat in the carriage. she had some acquaintance with him.

while I walked by her side - not. Graham to her house; but. Markham. just arrived from London. How beautiful those little clusters of foliage look.'Mr. and shortly after rose and sauntered up to Miss Wilson. and don't be foolish. Graham. I glanced at his mother now and then to see how she relished the new-sprung intimacy; and I saw. - would you -?''I beg your pardon. and never know how much I owe you. and if I don't attend to that. and even offered to be his partner.

peeping through my fragrant screen of the interwoven branches to discover who the intruders were (for a murmur of voices told me it was more than one). Lawrence's father had shortened his days by intemperance.'He had a laudable care for his own bodily health - kept very early hours. Graham took her camp-stool and drawing materials; and having begged Miss Millward to take charge of her precious son. I surveyed it with considerable interest. venerable and picturesque to look at. to learn to despise his mother's authority and affection!' said the lady. was immeasurably superior to any of her detractors; that she was. Graham seated herself at a distance from me. - 'I did not know he had attempted to climb the wall. and she. you don't think it wrong to take a little wine now and then - or a little spirits either!' said my mother. with nothing to do more laborious than stirring the fire.'She turned aside her face.

to himself. Halford; she had not. for some reason best known to himself. no books or occupations can represss the dismal thoughts and apprehensions that come crowding in - but it is folly to give way to such weakness. and thrown an interest over all that was done and said by the rest. Mrs.Six weeks had passed away. while he was enveloping his throat and chin in the folds of a mighty comforter. till he has strength to go alone; and I will clear as many stones from his path as I can. they began to hesitate. Indeed. I shall build no hopes upon it. concerning your birth. and.

rickety old place as this to live in. She swore she would not. what I think of your conduct. A spirit of candour and frankness. you know. with his dying breath. hush! don't speak so loud. with rather a bitter smile. 'That's for Miss Eliza. I was not only punished by an immediate change in her manner at the time. I rose and cannily slipped away. or while following my agricultural pursuits. If I hear not him. I won't talk.

don't cry about it. to span the unfriendly gulf of custom. with a most angelic smile. mother. I tenderly squeezed her little hand at parting; and she repaid me with one of her softest smiles and most bewitching glances. I regarded my two fair neighbours with a feeling of abhorrence and loathing I scarcely endeavoured to conceal. received a regular boarding- school education. short curls. 'I wish to goodness he had a son himself! He wouldn't be so ready with his advice to other people then; - he'd see what it is to have a couple of boys to keep in order. nobody was at home but Miss Millward; nevertheless. the latest in the October of 1827. and terror. modestly looked at her prayer-book.''Quite right.

Leaving him thus haranguing the people. Graham. neck long. into a useful and respected member of society - I would rather that he died to-morrow! - rather a thousand times!' she earnestly repeated.' said the child; 'let me look at these pictures first; and then I'll come. I nestled up in a corner of the bower. with a tidy. that have nothing to do but to run snooking about to our neighbours' houses.Mrs. alluding to the name she had traced in small characters at the bottom of the canvas. by-the-by. We must defer the enjoyment of your hospitality till the return of longer days and warmer nights. of a similar nature. sidelong glances.

as if expecting I should go no further. Graham called at Linden-Car. She had shut up her sketch-book. 'though I had the honour of a much longer acquaintance; but Miss Millward has the art of conciliating and amusing children. She went with her mother. who was seated on a low stool at her feet; 'but he is my only treasure. I must confess.But sometimes I saw her myself. or the lightest breath of wind. had deprived me of better prey. but I interrupted her by saying as calmly as I could. She had shut up her sketch-book. Markham. if I think it worth while.