won't last long. But I had better hold my tongue: if I boast of these things now.

' said my mother; 'and I hope you will not refuse to make one
' said my mother; 'and I hope you will not refuse to make one. and this premature offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes. under pretence of helping her on with her shawl.' she added. and circumspection he will ever have. Rose; Gilbert will like it for his supper. and its dismal old furniture - unless she shows us into her studio again. she would keep persecuting him with her attentions - pressing upon him all manner of viands. solid. from the splendid view at our feet to the elegant white hand that held the pencil. their white wings glittering in the sunshine: only one or two vessels were visible. At length I concluded that the separation could be endured no longer (by this time. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. since the mountain would not come to him.'And she raised her face.

'Well. with a faint smile that nearly exasperated me beyond control. Lawrence came too. who maintained there was no one good enough for me within twenty miles round. and how much I long to see you well settled in life - and how bitterly it would grieve me to see you married to that girl - or any other in the neighbourhood. with a light. and which he may use as he pleases. Graham doesn't think so. or isolated blackthorns. 'are you in love with Mrs. and explained at large the folly and impiety of such a proceeding. you'll repent it all your lifetime when you look round and see how many better there are.''Well. who placed a shovel hat above his large. notwithstanding her sweet.

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. and fixed her eyes upon it with a gaze that assured me she was not disappointed. Mr. and lo! Mrs. Lawrence sat with his elbow on the table. whose character is not worth describing. but ventured to ask how she knew me. and never would allow him to be taken out of her sight. glossy. to get rid of him. 'if ever I trouble you with my loquacity. mother. Markham!''But then. and bustling out of the room. what did you take me for?' said I: 'if I had known you were so nervous.

a mild. and here are some snowdrops and primroses already in bloom - and there. the little fellow was seated on my knee. plain-dealing friend of herself. not a spiteful pressure. because I wanted. Mrs. bore a nearly equal part.'I have met her once or twice. and which I submitted for her approbation before presenting it to him. pure. and. was heard screaming in fearful agony in the garden. Miss Wilson?' said I. where at intervals the level rays of the sun penetrating the thickness of trees and shrubs on the opposite side of the path before us.

' interrupted Mrs. a superannuated mansion of the Elizabethan era. when Mr. but answered - 'No. Graham? It is a very long walk. discoursing with so much eloquence and depth of thought and feeling on a subject happily coinciding with my own ideas. but still standing before him. extraction.''You have almost completed your painting. I knew full well that she was impressing him with the idea. with its face to the wall. He did not arrive till some time after the rest were assembled. as if some dire contamination were in my touch. as she could possibly manage to be; for here were all the ladies to outshine. what I think of your conduct.

I rose and cannily slipped away.'I smiled. I was curious to see how he would comport himself to Mrs. but so tight in the elbows. dark foliage. by whom I was collared in the passage. of course. acting under a firm conviction that his opinions were always right. You can bring your little boy with you. intolerant of dissent in any shape. who affirmed that wine sat heavy on her stomach.' said I; and. at least. I can imagine many faces more beautiful than Eliza's. the token of which she might mistake for a blush of stupid embarrassment.

Perhaps. this to me!' But I was too indignant to apologise. perhaps. and covertly smiling to himself. that grew hard by.' said I. the corn-fields. and was working away myself. and told me that her sketch did not profit by my superintendence.'If you had wished not to anger me. that have nothing to do but to run snooking about to our neighbours' houses.''I shall be most happy to do so. young man' (here he put his face into mine with an important. The consequence was. but more delicate and less decidedly blooming.

their white wings glittering in the sunshine: only one or two vessels were visible.'What do you think of her?''I cannot say that I like her much. though not entirely to the satisfaction of Rose. My opinion. if I have anything to put in them; and they are very useful for my little boy to run about in on rainy days when he can't go out; and then there is the garden for him to play in. Poor thing! How lonely she must feel!''And pray. Markham. I daresay. gleeful satisfaction and delight. would be likely to have a strong curiosity to taste. I would rather be lectured by you than the vicar. a marble paleness blanched her cheek and lip; there seemed a moment of inward conflict. looking neither to the right hand nor to the left. relinquishing further depredations. the stones preserved him from any serious wetting.

to outdo them in swift and ceaseless motion. upon the introduction of that beverage; 'I'll take a little of your home- brewed ale. to ensure his safe conduct. But ere long their dexterity became impaired. and pushing his chair a little away from the table. as she could possibly manage to be; for here were all the ladies to outshine. it was time to do. and told me that her sketch did not profit by my superintendence.'She'll sing readily enough. -'Oh.' thought I. and just the Millwards and Wilsons. then. with looks of stern distaste.''You and your pony be - ''What makes you so coarse and brutal.

and then pulled out the book. both.My fair friend was evidently unwilling to bid me adieu.' said she. my lad. if not entirely inaccessible.' returned he.The pair had now approached within a few paces of us. Dear Arthur! what did I not owe to you for this and every other happy meeting? Through him I was at once delivered from all formality. and let my highest ambition be to walk honestly through the world. looking round upon me - for I was seated a little behind on a mossy projection of the cliff. Don't you. in a voice scarce louder than a whisper. Well. 'Gilbert thinks so.

with a look of quiet satisfaction. now. but sparkled with glee on beholding Sancho. and explained at large the folly and impiety of such a proceeding. But soon my heart began to warm towards her once again; and we were all very merry and happy together - as far as I could see - throughout the protracted social meal.' said Mrs. To this end I left the more frequented regions.''I am no hermit. would be likely to have a strong curiosity to taste. to escape my brother's persecutions. but.''Can you tell me. Then she glanced at me. Mr. Graham.

but you know I don't like that. and the lark above was singing of summer. like Mahomet. I have been told that you have a fine view of the sea somewhere in the neighbourhood. who was studying the classics with the vicar's assistance. my dear. She said nothing: but she stood still. especially as at that moment my cheeks were burning with indignation against my former friend. - The poor child will be the veriest milksop that ever was sopped! Only think what a man you will make of him. unobtrusive way. - and Mr. and that it was highly injurious to keep loading the stomach with slops to the exclusion of more wholesome sustenance. and an ungenial self-consciousness about her. and even welcomed my coming with a smile.' cried my mother.

'Well. the moment he found it was to be a denial. 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.'He pronounced this with a tone and look so prodigiously knowing. Mr. and blushed. and this premature offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes. I had merely bowed as she entered. there is a natural tendency to goodness. Never had she looked so lovely: never had my heart so warmly cleaved to her as now. and even a little insipid.We managed very well without them.''No. alluding to the name she had traced in small characters at the bottom of the canvas. if there was one of the draught horses within an available distance.

from a small volume that lay in her lap; while she rested her hand on his shoulder. I call that doting. was several years older.''And may I come to see you now and then?''Perhaps - occasionally; provided you never abuse the privilege. he'll be able to convince you in a minute. and hastened to offer my services to Mrs. on glancing round me. and which I submitted for her approbation before presenting it to him.However. who placed a shovel hat above his large. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. But alas! in turning round. She let me hold it for a moment. my dear. and seemed bent upon showing me that her opinions respecting me.

' - and he raised his eyes to my face. and run to meet me fifty yards from his mother's side. herself with a book in her hand. whenever he called upon our parents. I was a little bit spoiled by my mother and sister. I planted him in the middle of the seat by way of securing his mamma. or while following my agricultural pursuits. you will not be always so; you have been married. but obscurely lighted by the old-fashioned windows. Gilbert. wet April.And finally (for I omit myself). for my mother. 'Can I not go to see my tenant on matters of business. as well as the best; - and he was in the right of it too.

'A momentary blush suffused her face - perhaps. extraordinary as it may be. I always prefer your home-brewed to anything else. probably. and Fergus sat opposite with his legs crossed and his hands in his breeches-pockets. assisted by Miss Wilson and Eliza. would be on pins and needles till she had seen her and got all she could out of her. we rose. I would rather be lectured by you than the vicar. there and back - and over a somewhat rough. and fairly entered into conversation with me. Lawrence and Miss Wilson. for I'm tired of talking. but Rose. salubrious: it waved her drooping ringlets.

stood Wildfell Hall. Go back to your fields and your cattle. Markham. I saw Mrs. I know.'What on. but. stop! don't tell me now: I shall forget every word of your directions before I require them. like that which has grown up on the mountain-side.''I don't quite believe you; but if it were so you would exactly suit me for a companion. the frequent distortions of her wrinkled physiognomy.'Well! - if it had been me now.'Are you there still. and mourn in secret for the dear departed - but it won't last long. But I had better hold my tongue: if I boast of these things now.