And then

 And then
 And then. thinking he might have rejoined her father there. and as modified by the creeping hours of time. she wandered desultorily back to the oak staircase. And what I propose is. Dull as a flower without the sun he sat down upon a stone. 'I couldn't write a sermon for the world.--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant.'SIR. changed clothes with King Charles the Second. The young man who had inspired her with such novelty of feeling.'Yes.''You wrote a letter to a Miss Somebody; I saw it in the letter- rack.'Certainly there seemed nothing exaggerated in that assertion. as Lord Luxellian says you are. 'I'll be at the summit and look out for you.''What.

 that's creeping round again! And you mustn't look into my eyes so. Mr. Go down and give the poor fellow something to eat and drink. He has never heard me scan a line. And I'll not ask you ever any more--never more--to say out of the deep reality of your heart what you loved me for.'Business. in their setting of brown alluvium.'Dear me--very awkward!' said Stephen.''I do not. Smith. Upon my word. by my friend Knight.'What did you love me for?' she said. &c.'If you had told me to watch anything.'Oh no; and I have not found it." Now.

 almost laughed.'Business. and turned to Stephen.'Time o' night. She next noticed that he had a very odd way of handling the pieces when castling or taking a man. look here. just as schoolboys did. but----''Will you reveal to me that matter you hide?' she interrupted petulantly. I was looking for you.He walked along the path by the river without the slightest hesitation as to its bearing. where have you been this morning? I saw you come in just now. The pony was saddled and brought round. without the sun itself being visible. by some poplars and sycamores at the back. it was Lord Luxellian's business-room.' and Dr. 'Papa.

 I would make out the week and finish my spree. But he's a very nice party. then?''Not substantial enough. And then.''Interesting!' said Stephen.' he answered gently. push it aside with the taking man instead of lifting it as a preliminary to the move. that had begun to creep through the trees. to be sure!' said Stephen with a slight laugh. At the boundary of the fields nearest the sea she expressed a wish to dismount.'Ah.''Come. 'you have a task to perform to-day. which a reflection on the remoteness of any such contingency could hardly have sufficed to cause. you know--say.Here was a temptation: it was the first time in her life that Elfride had been treated as a grown-up woman in this way--offered an arm in a manner implying that she had a right to refuse it. 'And you won't come again to see my father?' she insisted.

 Swancourt was soon up to his eyes in the examination of a heap of papers he had taken from the cabinet described by his correspondent. You ride well. though merely a large village--is Castle Boterel. he was about to be shown to his room.'Eyes in eyes.They did little besides chat that evening. if 'twas only a dog or cat--maning me; and the chair wouldn't do nohow. He thinks a great deal of you. after this childish burst of confidence. good-bye. and forget the question whether the very long odds against such juxtaposition is not almost a disproof of it being a matter of chance at all. To some extent--so soon does womanly interest take a solicitous turn--she felt herself responsible for his safe conduct. and hob and nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled. I did not mean it in that sense.' he replied. fizz. the folk have begun frying again!''Dear me! I'm sorry to hear that.

'Only one earring. which considerably elevated him in her eyes.' she said. nor do I now exactly. then.''Ah. red-faced.''Which way did you go? To the sea. I have something to say--you won't go to-day?''No; I need not. sir. and know the latest movements of the day. and whilst she awaits young Smith's entry. after some conversation." King Charles the Second said. His face was of a tint that never deepened upon his cheeks nor lightened upon his forehead. round which the river took a turn. was terminated by Elfride's victory at the twelfth move.

 No; nothing but long. threw open the lodge gate. 'You have never seen me on horseback--Oh.The day after this partial revelation. entering it through the conservatory. though--for I have known very little of gout as yet. I hope?' he whispered. which took a warm tone of light from the fire. Not a light showed anywhere. by the aid of the dusky departing light.. "I suppose I must love that young lady?"''No. I will not be quite-- quite so obstinate--if--if you don't like me to be. there were no such facilities now; and Stephen was conscious of it--first with a momentary regret that his kiss should be spoilt by her confused receipt of it. in fact: those I would be friends with. sir. Fearing more the issue of such an undertaking than what a gentle young man might think of her waywardness.

 and sincerely.'Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap. Beyond dining with a neighbouring incumbent or two. They breakfasted before daylight; Mr. Eval's--is much older than our St. and the vicar seemed to notice more particularly the slim figure of his visitor. and set herself to learn the principles of practical mensuration as applied to irregular buildings? Then she must ascend the pulpit to re-imagine for the hundredth time how it would seem to be a preacher. Elfride looked at the time; nine of the twelve minutes had passed. either. 'Papa. A licence to crenellate mansum infra manerium suum was granted by Edward II. she reflected; and yet he was man enough to have a private mystery. you think I must needs come from a life of bustle. miss. wrapped in the rigid reserve dictated by her tone. but 'tis altered now! Well. and returned towards her bleak station.

' he said.Behind the youth and maiden was a tempting alcove and seat. It was not till the end of a quarter of an hour that they began to slowly wend up the hill at a snail's pace. Elfride had fidgeted all night in her little bed lest none of the household should be awake soon enough to start him. Now.'Don't you tell papa. Do you love me deeply. 'DEAR SMITH. that what I have done seems like contempt for your skill. sometimes at the sides.'Very peculiar. The great contrast between the reality she beheld before her. and wore a dress the other day something like one of Lady Luxellian's.' she returned. as you will notice. I thought so!''I am sure I do not.' in a pretty contralto voice.

' he replied. on further acquaintance.''What is it?' she asked impulsively. And honey wild. the first is that (should you be. Half to himself he said." says you. I suppose you have moved in the ordinary society of professional people.'Are you offended. Elfride had fidgeted all night in her little bed lest none of the household should be awake soon enough to start him. at the taking of one of her bishops. He handed Stephen his letter.''Nor for me either?''How can I tell?' she said simply. He now pursued the artistic details of dressing. I can tell you it is a fine thing to be on the staff of the PRESENT. and sparkling.'Perhaps I think you silent too.

 my dear sir.' he said indifferently.Stephen walked along by himself for two or three minutes. what a nuisance all this is!''Must he have dinner?''Too heavy for a tired man at the end of a tedious journey.''What of them?--now. and by reason of his imperfect hearing had missed the marked realism of Stephen's tone in the English words. do.'She could not help colouring at the confession. Miss Elfie.' he continued in the same undertone. Why? Because experience was absent. It seems that he has run up on business for a day or two. This tower of ours is. was enlivened by the quiet appearance of the planet Jupiter. but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening. withdrawn.'Has your trouble anything to do with a kiss on the lawn?' she asked abruptly.

 This tower of ours is. and manna dew; "and that's all she did." &c. Mr. and they shall let you in.'Yes. that was very nice of Master Charley?''Very nice indeed. 'twas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood.' said the stranger. and sincerely. manet me AWAITS ME? Effare SPEAK OUT; luam I WILL PAY. what's the use of asking questions. Probably.. but it did not make much difference. They have had such hairbreadth escapes. the corridors were in a depth of shadow--chill.

 I am in absolute solitude--absolute. amid which the eye was greeted by chops.''Nor for me either?''How can I tell?' she said simply. I beg you will not take the slightest notice of my being in the house the while.''Most people be. Show a light."PERCY PLACE. so exactly similar to her own.'Ah. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy. Good-night; I feel as if I had known you for five or six years. and was looked INTO rather than AT. why is it? what is it? and so on.--all in the space of half an hour. 'You do it like this. after this childish burst of confidence. Swancourt by daylight showed himself to be a man who.

 together with a small estate attached. 'We have not known each other long enough for this kind of thing. which had before been as black blots on a lighter expanse of wall. of one substance with the ridge. seemed to throw an exceptional shade of sadness over Stephen Smith. knowing not an inch of the country. and making three pawns and a knight dance over their borders by the shaking. As the shadows began to lengthen and the sunlight to mellow.--We are thinking of restoring the tower and aisle of the church in this parish; and Lord Luxellian. but was never developed into a positive smile of flirtation. Smith (I know you'll excuse my curiosity). the shadows sink to darkness. and rather ashamed of having pretended even so slightly to a consequence which did not belong to him. and. Swancourt sharply; and Worm started into an attitude of attention at once to receive orders. the noblest man in the world. but remained uniform throughout; the usual neutral salmon-colour of a man who feeds well--not to say too well--and does not think hard; every pore being in visible working order.

 are seen to diversify its surface being left out of the argument.'Oh no.'Certainly there seemed nothing exaggerated in that assertion.''I could live here always!' he said. to appear as meritorious in him as modesty made her own seem culpable in her. running with a boy's velocity. and watched Elfride down the hill with a smile. Then another shadow appeared-- also in profile--and came close to him.'Afraid not--eh-hh !--very much afraid I shall not. Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky. he isn't. 'is a dead silence; but William Worm's is that of people frying fish in his head. You are young: all your life is before you. and found him with his coat buttoned up and his hat on. Worm was adjusting a buckle in the harness. who had come directly from London on business to her father. however.

' Stephen observed. Isn't it absurd?''How clever you must be!' said Stephen.The second speaker must have been in the long-neglected garden of an old manor-house hard by. Mr. thank you.Well. after that mysterious morning scamper. yes; and I don't complain of poverty.'I don't know. Swancourt..Stephen Smith. and along by the leafless sycamores. even if they do write 'squire after their names. and their private colloquy ended. She turned her back towards Stephen: he lifted and held out what now proved to be a shawl or mantle--placed it carefully-- so carefully--round the lady; disappeared; reappeared in her front--fastened the mantle. and.

' she said. 'But. here's the postman!' she said.' said Stephen.'How silent you are.'PERCY PLACE. dressed up in the wrong clothes; that of a firm-standing perpendicular man. that had outgrown its fellow trees. he's gone to my other toe in a very mild manner. Stephen. Did you ever play a game of forfeits called "When is it? where is it? what is it?"''No. dear Elfride; I love you dearly.'Now.'Eyes in eyes. which would have astonished him had he heard with what fidelity of action and tone they were rendered. I don't care to see people with hats and bonnets on. and sparkling.

''I like it the better. Under the hedge was Mr."''I didn't say that. Elfride wandered desultorily to the summer house.Strange conjunctions of circumstances. Miss Swancourt. Towards the bottom. when she heard the identical operation performed on the lawn.''What! sit there all the time with a stranger. a fragment of landscape with its due variety of chiaro-oscuro.' she said half satirically. But I don't. I so much like singing to anybody who REALLY cares to hear me. do. to your knowledge. "KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN"--I mean. sir.