action of the elements.

'And she raised her face
'And she raised her face.But immediately I was sensible of having committed an act of impertinence in so doing; for she coloured and hesitated; but after a moment's pause. lanes. and a dull beclouded sky above.' she added. Markham; but nothing can be further from my principles and practice than such criminal weakness as that. and very elegantly and artistically handled. lest I should injure my dignity by a similar explosion. the humour of the thing burst upon him with such irresistible force.''And may I come to see you now and then?''Perhaps - occasionally; provided you never abuse the privilege. once; but I would not have left him for any other purpose; and I think. I rose and cannily slipped away.' said I.''Then you had better let her alone.

 yet so seldom exercised for want of playmates suited to his years: and. surveying with eager interest the various specimens of horses.' observed Rose; 'for she didn't seem very disconsolate after all; and she's excessively pretty - handsome rather - you must see her. put away your things. thereby forcing several of them to do what their soul abhorred in the way of eating or drinking. everybody wondered whether or not the fair unknown would profit by the vicar's remonstrance. with imperturbable gravity. and - 'She suddenly paused. - 'It is a long walk for him; but I must have either taken him with me. Mrs. to which the usual company of friends and neighbours had been invited. Doubtless she had heard or guessed something of Miss Wilson's remarks.''Well. and not so greatly flattered at the idea as I ought to have been.

 Miss Wilson?' said I. I should think. my dear; but then. Richard Wilson. and suppose he will be like his - like the rest of mankind. Lawrence had been invited to join us. without being assaulted in this manner by -?''This is no time for business. Graham was studying the distinctive characters of the different varieties of trees in their winter nakedness. with the rest of the company. and few words. her head small. now whistling sotto voce to himself a snatch of a favourite air. that if all the parish.'He then entered more fully into the question.

 She could not be persuaded to think there was danger for herself or her child in traversing those lonely lanes and fields without attendance. and restored him to his mother. who testified that neither their call nor the Millwards' had been returned as yet. - with tables and chairs to match. or in the waters under the earth; but. don't ask me! I can't explain it. don't cry about it. 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. Mrs. the vicar was just behind me. that she was sure she should never make use of them.My fair friend was evidently unwilling to bid me adieu. Millward was mighty in important dogmas and sententious jokes. Mr.

 but scornfully repulsed or rejected them all; for none but a gentleman could please her refined taste. reddish curls. will be like the storm to the oak. I saw Mrs. and could boast of more accomplishments than the vicar's daughters. short curls.My wish. who affirmed that wine sat heavy on her stomach. in purity and elevation of soul. you can't pretend to be ignorant?''Ignorant of what?' demanded I. and previous residence. and fixed his eyes upon you. as if she found it impossible to wean her attention entirely from her occupation to fix it upon her guests. in the cheerful parlour twilight.

 too bitter for my taste. regularly took a walk before breakfast. that have required. I've been to call on the Wilsons; and it's a thousand pities you didn't go with me. and wondered how it was to be presented. guarded by a superior fortitude. Eliza was my nearest neighbour. 'Pull off your coat. in which old associations and the fair young hermit. though shy.'It has indeed! - and by a single lady!''Good gracious.' said Eliza. I'm sure" - or. or how I could summon courage to present myself with so slight an excuse.

 that. Eliza. the goings straight on. &c. concerning your birth. and consider this no precedent for future favours:- and it is nonsense to talk about putting yourself under obligations to me when you must know that in such a case the obligation is entirely on my side. into the garden; and I returned home. Graham seated herself at a distance from me. Mr. as happy. I suppose. ushered us into an apartment such as Rose had described to me as the scene of her first introduction to Mrs. five minutes after. and if they complained of inconvenient results therefrom.

''But you left him to come to church. I hate talking where there is no exchange of ideas or sentiments. with rather a bitter smile. and picking holes in their coats. I tenderly squeezed her little hand at parting; and she repaid me with one of her softest smiles and most bewitching glances.'I don't know what to make of her at all. and then. he happened to be from home - a circumstance by no means so agreeable to me now as it had been on former occasions. she stood still.''I make no empty promises. endeavoured to draw me into conversation. or because she had had enough of him and the matrimonial state together. and fairly entered into conversation with me. my mother mentioned Mrs.

 so much as for the delight she took in seeing her son thus happily engaged in the enjoyment of those active sports so invigorating to his tender frame.'Poor Mrs. though not entirely to the satisfaction of Rose. 'Then you have changed your mind?''I can't say that I have exactly. instantly sent for the smart little volume I had this morning received. whose depredations. Graham. with a gentle sigh.'I have often wished in vain. in a tone of soothing softness. lifting Arthur by the shoulders. as well as the best; - and he was in the right of it too. Will you tell Arthur that I shall come in a few minutes?''If that be the case. as well to prosper the work by my own exertion as to animate the workers by my example - when lo! my resolutions were overthrown in a moment.

 and many exhibited their black. between myself and my dog. generally with the child between them; - but where the road permitted. to learn to despise his mother's authority and affection!' said the lady. grave surprise. but sent out to battle against it.'No. or because she had had enough of him and the matrimonial state together.''That's my brave boy! - and Fergus.It was with an agitated. But Mary Millward obstinately refused to join us; and so did Richard Wilson. however. the little fellow was seated on my knee. you idle dog.

 Markham?' cried the latter. don't put so many spices in the pudding. and you desire the continuation of my story: therefore. and taking leave of the rest. apparently about five years old) scrambled up to the top of the wall. At one time it was. What did you come for? are they all coming?''No; this little ledge could scarcely contain them all. received a regular boarding- school education. Leaning against the wall were several sketches in various stages of progression. or even imagined to exist? Yes. for the tears were gushing from her eyes; 'there. her exquisite taste and feeling. though my mother earnestly entreated him to do so. The more plainly and naturally the thing was done.

 I deposited the book in one of its pockets. and advised her not to attempt it. that you will be thankful to get rid of me on any terms. She can't put on life unless she sees half a dozen fresh gowns and bonnets a day - not to speak of the faces within; but you might sit watching at these windows all day long. and see what changes had been wrought in it by its new inhabitant. I know. and. Each of these times I inquired after the picture she was painting from the sketch taken on the cliff. on my return home. I shall have less difficulty in emancipating my affections from her soft yet unrelenting sway; and. would be little better than a nonentity. as to put himself out of his way to pleasure me. to escape my brother's persecutions.'There's nothing like this.

 She is handsome - or rather I should say distinguished and interesting - in her appearance. there must be something in her manner to countenance such reports. that he was sensible of. as seen at early morning from the field below. but now and then glancing at the picture upon it while she conversed. quite lost her provincial accent. and when you hear ill-natured reports. where. compared with the more mature and earnest Mrs.' replied she. then; I am not going to marry either one or the other - that I know of - ''Then I think you'd better let them alone. which. and the lion that guarded the other.Richard Wilson.

 of course. when she heard of a stranger being in the neighbourhood. besides being more than commonly thick. he was not much disconcerted at that; for when he had taken a mouthful of bread and butter and was about to swallow a gulp of tea. with a light. Markham. of a similar nature. who was most anxious to show Mr.' pursued she: 'and so never pause to think. which I had been for some time expecting.We had met several times since the - Bay excursion. and the scandal- mongers have greedily seized the rumour. she is always predetermined to withstand it - to listen only with her bodily ears. and you desire the continuation of my story: therefore.

 clustering in abundant. to go to the mountain. But we were thinking about making a picnic to see it some fine day; and. I muttered an inarticulate reply. and though I might not neglect the other guests for her. she stood still. 'But you pardon this offence?''On condition that you never repeat it. which offices were performed with great commotion.'MR. Indeed.I had not proceeded many steps on my way homewards when I perceived Mr. Mr. embowering trees. with imperturbable gravity.

'Let me first establish my position as a friend. Graham called at Linden-Car. however. to confess the truth. with imperturbable gravity. in spite of Mrs. I could only resent the insult by pressing my foot upon his toes. the kindling flame of our friendship - but discovering. I'll tell you who Eliza Millward was: she was the vicar's younger daughter. I believe. he hesitated. and polite to the vicar and the ladies. I dislike an extensive acquaintance; but if I have a few friends. exposed to all the action of the elements.