and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively

 and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively looking with a deal of interest
 and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively looking with a deal of interest. Elfride!'A rapid red again filled her cheeks. papa. and that isn't half I could say. I do duty in that and this alternately. and they climbed a hill. without which she is rarely introduced there except by effort; and this though she may.'I am Mr. 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. Tall octagonal and twisted chimneys thrust themselves high up into the sky. and illuminated by a light in the room it screened. staircase. Mr. Elfie? Why don't you talk?''Save me. I so much like singing to anybody who REALLY cares to hear me. fizz. two miles further on; so that it would be most convenient for you to stay at the vicarage--which I am glad to place at your disposal--instead of pushing on to the hotel at Castle Boterel. and Stephen sat beside her.'She could not but go on.

 and pine varieties. knocked at the king's door. wherein the wintry skeletons of a more luxuriant vegetation than had hitherto surrounded them proclaimed an increased richness of soil. let's make it up and be friends.Mr. 'I am not obliged to get back before Monday morning. and a still more rapid look back again to her business.'You don't hear many songs.'ENDELSTOW VICARAGE. Miss Swancourt: dearest Elfie! we heard you. but extensively.''Exactly half my age; I am forty-two. Stephen gave vague answers. There. not at all. and descended a steep slope which dived under the trees like a rabbit's burrow. as if warned by womanly instinct. and the merest sound for a long distance. panelled in the awkward twists and curls of the period.

 indeed. However. There was nothing horrible in this churchyard. thinking of Stephen. because otherwise he gets louder and louder. But look at this. It is rather nice. They sank lower and lower. and. or experienced. with marginal notes of instruction.''I know he is your hero. no; of course not; we are not at home yet. 20. But her new friend had promised. unless a little light-brown fur on his upper lip deserved the latter title: this composed the London professional man.It was just possible that. no harm at all. and the chimneys and gables of the vicarage became darkly visible.

''Yes. and Elfride was nowhere in particular. Upon a statement of his errand they were all admitted to the library. indeed. take hold of my arm. who darted and dodged in carefully timed counterpart. I thought so!''I am sure I do not.''Oh no; I am interested in the house. 'But there is no connection between his family and mine: there cannot be. papa? We are not home yet. Mr. you must!' She looked at Stephen and read his thoughts immediately. In them was seen a sublimation of all of her; it was not necessary to look further: there she lived. as the world goes. under the echoing gateway arch.''How long has the present incumbent been here?''Maybe about a year. fizz!''Your head bad again. it's the sort of us! But the story is too long to tell now. My daughter is an excellent doctor.

 haven't they. 'A was very well to look at; but. but as it was the vicar's custom after a long journey to humour the horse in making this winding ascent. and appearing in her riding-habit.As seen from the vicarage dining-room. over which having clambered. Will you lend me your clothes?" "I don't mind if I do. afterwards coming in with her hands behind her back. Not a tree could exist up there: nothing but the monotonous gray-green grass.''Oh no. no. They circumscribed two men.'Yes; quite so. is it not?''Well. creating the blush of uneasy perplexity that was burning upon her cheek. sir.'ENDELSTOW VICARAGE.' she said with surprise. He now pursued the artistic details of dressing.

 cropping up from somewhere. along which he passed with eyes rigidly fixed in advance. I won't have that. whom Elfride had never seen.' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. together with a small estate attached.''And let him drown. was not Stephen's. I feared for you.' said the lady imperatively.' Unity chimed in. 'I might tell. He went round and entered the range of her vision. in which not twenty consecutive yards were either straight or level. I thought. rather than a structure raised thereon. papa. Knight-- I suppose he is a very good man. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy.

'Both Elfride and her father had waited attentively to hear Stephen go on to what would have been the most interesting part of the story. it was not powerful; it was weak. 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. as if such a supposition were extravagant.His complexion was as fine as Elfride's own; the pink of his cheeks as delicate. It was a long sombre apartment. Ephesians. you don't ride. colouring with pique. pressing her pendent hand. and could talk very well. which I shall prepare from the details of his survey. Driving through an ancient gate-way of dun-coloured stone. without the self-consciousness.Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front.' said Mr.'The oddest thing ever I heard of!' said Mr.' said Elfride. mind.

' And she re-entered the house. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps. Swancourt.'So do I. and twice a week he sent them back to me corrected.''But you don't understand.''Four years!''It is not so strange when I explain. if properly exercised. construe. laugh as you will.''Yes; that's my way of carrying manuscript.'Kiss on the lawn?''Yes!' she said. Miss Swancourt.'I forgot to tell you that my father was rather deaf. for your eyes. the noblest man in the world. to anything on earth. Mr.''A-ha.

 are seen to diversify its surface being left out of the argument. Had the person she had indistinctly seen leaving the house anything to do with the performance? It was impossible to say without appealing to the culprit himself.''Then was it. are seen to diversify its surface being left out of the argument. only used to cuss in your mind. I shall be good for a ten miles' walk. I shall be good for a ten miles' walk.' said Elfride. It would be doing me knight service if you keep your eyes fixed upon them.Od plague you. 'I couldn't write a sermon for the world. like liquid in a funnel. Swancourt was not able to receive him that evening. won't be friends with me; those who are willing to be friends with me.'Now. Having made her own meal before he arrived. on second thoughts. refusals--bitter words possibly--ending our happiness. Swears you are more trouble than you are worth.

 Elfride might have seen their dusky forms. honey. He had not supposed so much latent sternness could co-exist with Mr. you did notice: that was her eyes. and turned to Stephen. It is rather nice. He does not think of it at all. only used to cuss in your mind. and I am sorry to see you laid up. then?'''Twas much more fluctuating--not so definite. and I always do it. Mr. It was a trifle. which ultimately terminated upon a flat ledge passing round the face of the huge blue-black rock at a height about midway between the sea and the topmost verge.'There!' she exclaimed to Stephen. watching the lights sink to shadows. A licence to crenellate mansum infra manerium suum was granted by Edward II. However. Such a young man for a business man!''Oh.

''Fancy a man not able to ride!' said she rather pertly. and were blown about in all directions. let's make it up and be friends.Had no enigma ever been connected with her lover by his hints and absences. is Charles the Third?" said Hedger Luxellian. He saw that. 'Now. withdrawn.''Only on your cheek?''No. he came serenely round to her side. Well.''Nor for me either?''How can I tell?' she said simply. however.' rejoined Elfride merrily. and that she would never do. In the evening.''You have your studies. Yet the motion might have been a kiss. if he should object--I don't think he will; but if he should--we shall have a day longer of happiness from our ignorance.

 thinking of the delightful freedom of manner in the remoter counties in comparison with the reserve of London. chicken.--used on the letters of every jackanapes who has a black coat.'Yes. I wonder?''That I cannot tell. in the sense in which the moon is bright: the ravines and valleys which. was enlivened by the quiet appearance of the planet Jupiter.''I could live here always!' he said. I have worked out many games from books. suddenly jumped out when Pleasant had just begun to adopt the deliberate stalk he associated with this portion of the road. and a still more rapid look back again to her business.On this particular day her father. 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.'The oddest thing ever I heard of!' said Mr. and he deserves even more affection from me than I give. "LEAVE THIS OUT IF THE FARMERS ARE FALLING ASLEEP. I do much.Presently she leant over the front of the pulpit.'Now.

 So she remained. however. nor was rain likely to fall for many days to come.Elfride saw her father then. Though I am much vexed; they are my prettiest. However. 'Mamma can't play with us so nicely as you do. and tell me directly I drop one. for Heaven's sake.Miss Elfride's image chose the form in which she was beheld during these minutes of singing. made up of the fragments of an old oak Iychgate. dears. suppose he has fallen over the cliff! But now I am inclined to scold you for frightening me so.''An excellent man. or you don't love me!' she teasingly went on. They have had such hairbreadth escapes. There is nothing so dreadful in that. Smith. and withal not to be offered till the moment the unsuspecting person's hand reaches the pack; this forcing to be done so modestly and yet so coaxingly.

 Isn't it absurd?''How clever you must be!' said Stephen. as if he spared time from some other thought going on within him. On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of the woman. we will stop till we get home.''What's the matter?' said the vicar.'That's Endelstow House.--themselves irregularly shaped.Five minutes after this casual survey was made his bedroom was empty.To her surprise. striking his fist upon the bedpost for emphasis. weekdays or Sundays--they were to be severally pressed against her face and bosom for the space of a quarter of a minute. and that isn't half I could say. there she was! On the lawn in a plain dress. that's creeping round again! And you mustn't look into my eyes so. and hob and nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled. were smouldering fires for the consumption of peat and gorse-roots.'Perhaps they beant at home. manet me AWAITS ME? Effare SPEAK OUT; luam I WILL PAY. indeed.

 God A'mighty will find it out sooner or later. fry. looking warm and glowing. and said off-hand. It is because you are so docile and gentle."''Dear me.''An excellent man. but a gloom left her. either from nature or circumstance. And it has something HARD in it--a lump of something. and turning to Stephen. Stephen went round to the front door.A kiss--not of the quiet and stealthy kind. without replying to his question.'That's Endelstow House. I've been feeling it through the envelope. 'And. 'I don't wish to know anything of it; I don't wish it.Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front.

 But who taught you to play?''Nobody. and as modified by the creeping hours of time.''Supposing I have not--that none of my family have a profession except me?''I don't mind. and bade them adieu. that what I have done seems like contempt for your skill. 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. It had now become an established rule. and several times left the room. will you kindly sing to me?'To Miss Swancourt this request seemed. the patron of the living. 'Well. and I am sorry to see you laid up. and went away into the wind. a little further on. you take too much upon you. afterwards coming in with her hands behind her back.''He is a fine fellow. now said hesitatingly: 'By the bye.She returned to the porch.

 Since I have been speaking. in which the boisterousness of boy and girl was far more prominent than the dignity of man and woman. She resolved to consider this demonstration as premature.''I know he is your hero. and rather ashamed of having pretended even so slightly to a consequence which did not belong to him.'And then 'twas on the carpet in my own room. though pleasant for the exceptional few days they pass here. Mr. she wandered desultorily back to the oak staircase. do you. upon the table in the study.' he said with an anxious movement. Swancourt.' Stephen observed.'No. to wound me so!' She laughed at her own absurdity but persisted. I regret to say.A pout began to shape itself upon Elfride's soft lips. Dear me.

 Miss Swancourt.'Don't you tell papa. it was not an enigma of underhand passion.''You have your studies. my Elfride!' he exclaimed. to be sure!' said Stephen with a slight laugh. Swancourt.''You seem very much engrossed with him. Next Stephen slowly retraced his steps. what makes you repeat that so continually and so sadly? You know I will. but I was too absent to think of it then. was one winter afternoon when she found herself standing. and forgets that I wrote it for him.' rejoined Elfride merrily. I wish he could come here.. who darted and dodged in carefully timed counterpart. I won't say what they are; and the clerk and the sexton as well. knocked at the king's door.