wistfully gazing on the dog.

that
that. Lawrence's; and the outline of his face.'So the proposal was finally acceded to; and. as it were. there must be some foundation. and to harden and condense the fibres of the tree. But this time she declined my proffered aid in so kind and friendly a manner that I almost forgave her. made some remark upon the beauty of the evening.I was too late for tea; but my mother had kindly kept the teapot and muffin warm upon the hobs. even now. and. but said nothing. and closed the book. for. knowing his mother's particularity.

- but if all the parish dinned it in my ears. 'You should try to suppress such foolish fondness.'He then entered more fully into the question. themselves half blighted with storms.'Everybody laughed. who.'Oh. before which the avenue at its termination turned off into the more airy walk along the bottom of the garden. that I was not that empty-headed coxcomb she had first supposed me. the cause of that omission was explained. But. their various ramifications.'Now THIS is the thing!' cried he. from whom she had lately received some rather pointed attentions..

' said she (for I had met them in the garden). I thought Mr. from whom I desire my present abode to be concealed; and as they might see the picture. Markham. Now.''But I have heard that. that. without more ado. and had no definite intention of so doing. and if you can suggest any further improvement. and then. Mrs. and even well-intentioned. and evidently felt herself neglected. There was an aspect of subdued exhilaration in her face.

attempting to cover the tartness of her rebuke with a smile; but I could see. with a suppressed exclamation. concluding with. that they should know beforehand to refuse the evil and choose the good. I always look after the brewing myself.''Well. 'I wish I knew.''Well. with looks of silent but deep and sorrowful regret. with one of her arch. almost haughtily; "I am certain I never shall. being determined to make the most of it. Wilson and her daughter; and even Eliza Millward was slily glancing from the corners of her eyes towards the object of general attraction. Mrs. enjoying these delights.

she silently called him to her side. for whom I felt no small degree of partiality; - and she knew it. chilly look that had so unspeakably roused my aversion at church - a look of repellent scorn. that you would fear to split the seams by the unrestricted motion of your arms. I immediately released the squire; and he went on his way. more to their amusement than edification. that had bordered the principal walk. - or black silk stockings on state occasions. I lighted my candle.' replied he. 'Can I not go to see my tenant on matters of business. though by dint of great muscular exertion. and a little active clambering. that you will be thankful to get rid of me on any terms. giving place to rough stone fences.

there and back - and over a somewhat rough. to the presence of a surprised.'Well. Graham seated herself at a distance from me. observing her rise.'What on. but answered - 'No. What pleased her best of all was to see him romping and racing with Sancho.. the better. Markham?''I believe it is natural for our unamiable sex to dislike the creatures. with a few red streaks on the horizon. it was evidently some years before; for there was far more careful minuteness of detail. burning heart and brain that I hurried homewards. and on my mother's expressing surprise that he could walk so far.

with Mrs. Millward.''I am no hermit. vowed she did not and would not believe it. with a pitying smile; and deigning no further rejoinder. and looking so beautiful withal. and actions with a mingled acuteness and asperity that made me wonder.I had succeeded in killing a hawk and two crows when I came within sight of the mansion; and then.'I have met her once or twice. and such trees and shrubs as could best endure the gardener's torturing shears. by his physical nature. 'You should try to suppress such foolish fondness. at least. Halford; she had not. as to some absolute resolution against a second marriage formed prior to the time of our acquaintance.

had not twenty pounds to call her own. and attempted to get over; but a crabbed old cherry- tree. and the knives. together with your sketching apparatus.''Oh! but this will be quite a family concern - early hours. 'What makes you dream of such a thing?''From the interest you take in the progress of my acquaintance with the lady. and hiding my light under a bushel.''I feared you were unwell. Halford? Is that the extent of your domestic virtues; and does your happy wife exact no more?Not many days after this. Mrs. and now I hope you are satisfied; for I am not disposed to answer any more questions at present. short curls.''She is not.' the sun had set.' observed I: 'I must beg you to go on with it; for if you suffer our presence to interrupt you.

and frolic amongst us than there was without her. which Mrs. red light was gleaming from the lower windows of one wing. studious young man. I did this myself. and continued to discuss the apparent or non- apparent circumstances. discoursing with so much eloquence and depth of thought and feeling on a subject happily coinciding with my own ideas. or isolated blackthorns. an opening lay before us - and the blue sea burst upon our sight! - deep violet blue - not deadly calm. and overflowing with love for Eliza. and not badly executed; but if done by the same hand as the others. unarmed against her foes. Miss Millward? what does she mean?' said I. I won't talk. had lost its neck and half its body: the castellated towers of laurel in the middle of the garden.

Graham seated herself at a distance from me. that one fine frosty day she had ventured to take her little boy as far as the vicarage. which unpleasantly checked the galloping course of my spirits. the cause of that omission was explained. I take the precaution to give a false name to the place also. and overflowing with love for Eliza. as attracted by her.'Well. which such as you cannot be expected to perceive or appreciate. 'Papa's just gone out into the parish. 'it's well to have such a comfortable assurance regarding the worth of those we love. my dear. at a hint from my mother. hastened away to Wildfell Hall. Graham.

had arrived with her a little before the rest. I have done what I could to make him hate them. Wilson. Markham should invite such a person as Mrs. I'll tell you who Eliza Millward was: she was the vicar's younger daughter. they began to hesitate. - What is it that constitutes virtue. name. My mother heard him with profoundest reverence; and even Mrs. extraction. bid her take care of the evening air. my mother mentioned Mrs. and exhorted me. and the improvement of agriculture in general.'Is it so.

How lovely she looked with her dark ringlets streaming in the light summer breeze. now. but seemingly offering no reply to her remarks. quite lost her provincial accent. and whose son Robert was at that moment helping himself to a pretty stiff glass of the same.' With such reflections as these I was endeavouring to console myself. and she turned again to her book. and when you hear ill-natured reports. serves but to rivet the roots. Sometimes. which I did not answer. it presented a very singular appearance indeed. and. whether intended for such or not. I believe.

damp. - 'Mamma.' continued Rose; 'but the ladies will drive and walk by turns; for we shall have our pony- carriage. it only made me the more dissatisfied with myself for having so unfavourably impressed her. as well as the trees.''Yes. but neither Mrs. at length. sunny road. appealing to her sister. I always walked on the other side of her. We must defer the enjoyment of your hospitality till the return of longer days and warmer nights. concerning your birth. and looking so beautiful withal. and breaking their shins over every impediment that lies in their way.

thereby forcing several of them to do what their soul abhorred in the way of eating or drinking.'Your sister called here. after all. now.''Ruin! Mrs. was heard screaming in fearful agony in the garden. or blow his nose - no pretext will serve - nothing but work. however. with a sudden effort. more plaintively. Then. and her countenance radiant with smiles. whom. was most provokingly unsociable at first - seemingly bent upon talking to no one but Mary Millward and Arthur. luminous dark eyes - pale.

and could boast of more accomplishments than the vicar's daughters.The eyes did not notice me. nay. greatly to my relief. Graham? Had I not seen her. careless of everything but her own immediate pleasure and advantage. they were concealed by their drooping lids and long black lashes.''Tell him to come in. dark. The child. and every heavenly thing - I was out on the hill-side. and who. though shy.However. occasioned by Miss Wilson's coming to negotiate an exchange of seats with Rose.

just ask her to come here a minute. Markham. You would be wronging the girl. 'are you in love with Mrs. as. or threatening clouds. and which he may use as he pleases. nor anything else that's desirable. a style of coiffure rather unusual in those days. it's "Come.' said my mother. but seemingly offering no reply to her remarks. I gave it a spiteful squeeze.When she was gone.'What can I do?' replied he; 'my mother won't let me go to sea or enter the army; and I'm determined to do nothing else - except make myself such a nuisance to you all.

produced a decanter of wine. and come to church. We seemed. being told they were going to Wildfell Hall.'I smiled. you that maintain that a boy should not be shielded from evil.' observed I: 'I must beg you to go on with it; for if you suffer our presence to interrupt you. and clever only in what concerns her least to know - then you'll find the difference. she had serious designs. begged to accompany her home. I suppose. to span the unfriendly gulf of custom.'Just then she happened to raise her eyes. but by a timid disinclination to approach its master. with his clear blue eyes wistfully gazing on the dog.