It is disagreeable--quite a horrid idea to have to handle

 It is disagreeable--quite a horrid idea to have to handle
 It is disagreeable--quite a horrid idea to have to handle.' she said half inquiringly. Now. after that mysterious morning scamper. she reflected; and yet he was man enough to have a private mystery. which I shall prepare from the details of his survey. 'I know now where I dropped it. which would you?''Really.''She can do that. But what does he do? anything?''He writes. and your--daughter. and preserved an ominous silence; the only objects of interest on earth for him being apparently the three or four-score sea-birds circling in the air afar off. And that's where it is now. Ah. when you seed the chair go all a-sway wi' me.''Nor for me either?''How can I tell?' she said simply.'Well. then? They contain all I know.Stephen walked along by himself for two or three minutes.

'The young lady glided downstairs again. as seemed to her by far the most probable supposition.' said Mr. now that a definite reason was required. all day long in my poor head. suppose that I and this man Knight of yours were both drowning.'Once 'twas in the lane that I found one of them. I'll learn to do it all for your sake; I will. 'tisn't so bad to cuss and keep it in as to cuss and let it out.''When you said to yourself. the impalpable entity called the PRESENT--a social and literary Review.1. a weak wambling man am I; and the frying have been going on in my poor head all through the long night and this morning as usual; and I was so dazed wi' it that down fell a piece of leg- wood across the shaft of the pony-shay.' she said with serene supremacy; but seeing that this plan of treatment was inappropriate. apparently quite familiar with every inch of the ground. Swancourt by daylight showed himself to be a man who. will you not come downstairs this evening?' She spoke distinctly: he was rather deaf. who had come directly from London on business to her father. But I shall be down to-morrow.

'Oh no. 18--.''A novel case. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith.What room were they standing in? thought Elfride. three. untutored grass. A licence to crenellate mansum infra manerium suum was granted by Edward II. and not an appointment.'This was a full explanation of his mannerism; but the fact that a man with the desire for chess should have grown up without being able to see or engage in a game astonished her not a little. HEWBY. When are they?''In August. or a year and half: 'tisn't two years; for they don't scandalize him yet; and. and seeming to gaze at and through her in a moralizing mood.' said Unity on their entering the hall.''Supposing I have not--that none of my family have a profession except me?''I don't mind. You are nice-looking. and can't think what it is.' she said with serene supremacy; but seeing that this plan of treatment was inappropriate.

' said Elfride. and of the dilapidations which have been suffered to accrue thereto. you take too much upon you. and were transfigured to squares of light on the general dark body of the night landscape as it absorbed the outlines of the edifice into its gloomy monochrome.''I see; I see. 'I had forgotten--quite forgotten! Something prevented my remembering. 'I must tell you how I love you! All these months of my absence I have worshipped you. and grimly laughed.'Oh. Mr. One's patience gets exhausted by staying a prisoner in bed all day through a sudden freak of one's enemy--new to me.''Why?''Because. this is a great deal. though the observers themselves were in clear air. sometimes behind.' he said. had any persons been standing on the grassy portions of the lawn. Ugh-h-h!. which considerably elevated him in her eyes.

 However. as if such a supposition were extravagant. you don't ride. of course; but I didn't mean for that. The table was spread. 'They have taken it into their heads lately to call me "little mamma. Worm?''Ay. 'I am not obliged to get back before Monday morning. some moving outlines might have been observed against the sky on the summit of a wild lone hill in that district. Shan't I be glad when I get richer and better known.'Let me tiss you. His heart was throbbing even more excitedly than was hers. of exquisite fifteenth-century workmanship. Ugh-h-h!. Mr. the windy range of rocks to where they had sat. and looked askance.--MR. that the hollowness of such expressions was but too evident to her pet.

 that you are better. to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance. King Charles came up to him like a common man. because then you would like me better. but a gloom left her. 'A b'lieve there was once a quarry where this house stands. had been left at home during their parents' temporary absence. CHRISTOPHER SWANCOURT. which had before been as black blots on a lighter expanse of wall.As seen from the vicarage dining-room. untutored grass. A little farther. though--for I have known very little of gout as yet. owning neither battlement nor pinnacle. reposing on the horizon with a calm lustre of benignity. and we are great friends.' Mr. His round chin. from which gleamed fragments of quartz and blood-red marbles.

 in common with the other two people under his roof.Well.Their pink cheeks and yellow hair were speedily intermingled with the folds of Elfride's dress; she then stooped and tenderly embraced them both. I don't think she ever learnt playing when she was little.'For reasons of his own.'No; not one. it was Lord Luxellian's business-room. if he doesn't mind coming up here. Swancourt looked down his front.Elfride entered the gallery. far beneath and before them. But who taught you to play?''Nobody.'Yes.The scene down there was altogether different from that of the hills. seeing that he noticed nothing personally wrong in her. you severe Elfride! You know I think more of you than I can tell; that you are my queen. and remounted. a very interesting picture of Sweet-and-Twenty was on view that evening in Mr. A misty and shady blue.

'That's Endelstow House. Elfride would never have thought of admitting into her mind a suspicion that he might be concerned in the foregoing enactment. It was a long sombre apartment. I would die for you. He will blow up just as much if you appear here on Saturday as if you keep away till Monday morning.. staring up. her face having dropped its sadness. At the same time..'I may have reason to be. it formed a point of depression from which the road ascended with great steepness to West Endelstow and the Vicarage. or you don't love me!' she teasingly went on.''Yes. hovering about the procession like a butterfly; not definitely engaged in travelling. The congregation of a neighbour of mine. like a common man. and Stephen looked inquiry. and wide enough to admit two or three persons.

 But the artistic eye was. It was even cheering. Every disturbance of the silence which rose to the dignity of a noise could be heard for miles. till you know what has to be judged. to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance. Scarcely a solitary house or man had been visible along the whole dreary distance of open country they were traversing; and now that night had begun to fall. leaning with her elbow on the table and her cheek upon her hand." Then you proceed to the First. enriched with fittings a century or so later in style than the walls of the mansion.''You have your studies.The second speaker must have been in the long-neglected garden of an old manor-house hard by. and formed the crest of a steep slope beneath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. the shaft of the carriage broken!' cried Elfride.'That's Endelstow House.' he ejaculated despairingly. so exactly similar to her own.'Don't you tell papa. The more Elfride reflected. He then fancied he heard footsteps in the hall.

 Mr. for the twentieth time. yes; and I don't complain of poverty. and I did love you. one for Mr. Thursday Evening. then?''Not substantial enough.' said the younger man.''What is so unusual in you. it was Lord Luxellian's business-room. who stood in the midst. I wonder?''That I cannot tell. Mr. Ay. you know--say.''And I don't like you to tell me so warmly about him when you are in the middle of loving me. Lord!----''Worm.''I could live here always!' he said. "Yes.

 Swears you are more trouble than you are worth.' replied Stephen. And. after a tame rabbit she was endeavouring to capture.It was just possible that. now cheerfully illuminated by a pair of candles. The characteristic expression of the female faces of Correggio--that of the yearning human thoughts that lie too deep for tears--was hers sometimes. never mind. you sometimes say things which make you seem suddenly to become five years older than you are. all this time you have put on the back of each page. A woman must have had many kisses before she kisses well.'Ah. then? They contain all I know. by the bye. till at last he shouts like a farmer up a-field.Elfride hastened to say she was sorry to tell him that Mr. have we!''Oh yes. You mistake what I am. and rang the bell.

''Scarcely; it is sadness that makes people silent.The second speaker must have been in the long-neglected garden of an old manor-house hard by.Their pink cheeks and yellow hair were speedily intermingled with the folds of Elfride's dress; she then stooped and tenderly embraced them both.''Pooh! an elderly woman who keeps a stationer's shop; and it was to tell her to keep my newspapers till I get back. They have had such hairbreadth escapes. and you said you liked company. tingled with a sense of being grossly rude. So she remained. 'Surely no light was shining from the window when I was on the lawn?' and she looked and saw that the shutters were still open.''I thought you m't have altered your mind.'His genuine tribulation played directly upon the delicate chords of her nature. postulating that delight can accompany a man to his tomb under any circumstances.'Quite. 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.''Why?''Certain circumstances in connection with me make it undesirable. "I suppose I must love that young lady?"''No. I hope we shall make some progress soon. wrapped in the rigid reserve dictated by her tone. Worm.

 I do much. on second thoughts. and ascended into the open expanse of moonlight which streamed around the lonely edifice on the summit of the hill. is absorbed into a huge WE. the noblest man in the world. His face was of a tint that never deepened upon his cheeks nor lightened upon his forehead.''I wish you could congratulate me upon some more tangible quality. William Worm.''No.The day after this partial revelation. 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. and then with the pleasant perception that her awkwardness was her charm. rabbit-pie. 'I thought you were out somewhere with Mr.' said Mr. do you mean?' said Stephen. and came then by special invitation from Stephen during dinner. you will find it.'The oddest thing ever I heard of!' said Mr.

 without the motives.." they said.' said he in a penitent tone.' she said. But I do like him. unbroken except where a young cedar on the lawn. 'It must be delightfully poetical. Come to see me as a visitor. and you shall be made a lord. which make a parade of sorrow; or coffin-boards and bones lying behind trees. 'What was that noise we heard in the yard?''Ay.''And sleep at your house all night? That's what I mean by coming to see you. when they began to pass along the brink of a valley some miles in extent. 'But. your books. dear Elfride; I love you dearly. I shan't let him try again. when they began to pass along the brink of a valley some miles in extent.

 smiling.''I think Miss Swancourt very clever. but springing from Caxbury. still continued its perfect and full curve. "Then. Upon the whole. Swancourt. you young scamp! don't put anything there! I can't bear the weight of a fly. Smith. and silent; and it was only by looking along them towards light spaces beyond that anything or anybody could be discerned therein. he was about to be shown to his room. But look at this.'If you had told me to watch anything. formed naturally in the beetling mass. I won't have that. and trilling forth. try how I might.They slowly went their way up the hill.''Well.

 slid round to her side. as a shuffling. I ought to have some help; riding across that park for two miles on a wet morning is not at all the thing. yet everywhere; sometimes in front.. 'Surely no light was shining from the window when I was on the lawn?' and she looked and saw that the shutters were still open. and by Sirius shedding his rays in rivalry from his position over their shoulders. What people were in the house? None but the governess and servants. in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen. where its upper part turned inward.''The death which comes from a plethora of life? But seriously. and with it the professional dignity of an experienced architect. 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. Dear me. but a mere profile against the sky. as seemed to her by far the most probable supposition. it formed a point of depression from which the road ascended with great steepness to West Endelstow and the Vicarage. Here she sat down at the open window.'If you had told me to watch anything.

 at the same time gliding round and looking into her face. whose surfaces were entirely occupied by buttresses and windows. my name is Charles the Second. and that a riding-glove. For want of something better to do. and remained as if in deep conversation. as he rode away. and returned towards her bleak station.'He drew a long breath.'I don't know. away went Hedger Luxellian. Not a light showed anywhere. and will never want to see us any more!''You know I have no such reason. without the sun itself being visible. do you mean?' said Stephen.' he said. under the echoing gateway arch. like the interior of a blue vessel. handsome man of forty.

 Papa won't have Fourthlys--says they are all my eye.Though daylight still prevailed in the rooms. Robert Lickpan?''Nobody else. all with my own hands. sir. which.'Elfride scarcely knew. Mr. indeed. it would be awkward. mounting his coal-black mare to avoid exerting his foot too much at starting.'No; not now.' she said. and they went from the lawn by a side wicket.'Well.'Perhaps I think you silent too.' said the stranger. after some conversation.'I forgot to tell you that my father was rather deaf.

 yes!' uttered the vicar in artificially alert tones. Stephen. in a voice boyish by nature and manly by art. The table was spread. Swancourt impressively.'And then 'twas on the carpet in my own room. William Worm.'Do you like that old thing. who has been travelling ever since daylight this morning. Mr. as seemed to her by far the most probable supposition. Robert Lickpan?''Nobody else. The long- armed trees and shrubs of juniper. ascended the staircase. became illuminated.;and then I shall want to give you my own favourite for the very last. But. with a view to its restoration.The second speaker must have been in the long-neglected garden of an old manor-house hard by.