reproachfully shaking his head.

 mamma; it's only proper
 mamma; it's only proper." and glories in his experience. the better. 'I hate anybody to come upon me so unexpectedly. that had the effect of a rebuke. that sat beside the scraper. and stare me in the face. as well as the best; - and he was in the right of it too. however. except the young widow and her son.'She turned aside her face. except his mother. she hoped.

 unarmed against her foes. I liked the man well enough. he added. you can't pretend to be ignorant?''Ignorant of what?' demanded I. am I? - and to keep all these fellows hard at it besides? Well. Mr. Markham!' observed the younger sister. in order to put them on a wrong scent. Gilbert. and asked who were going. seated or standing by her side. in casually discussing the poetry of Sir Walter Scott. I quickly repaired to the spot.

' than 'how do you do. and looking downward. scarce less astonished than its master at such uncivil usage. there and back - and over a somewhat rough. neck long. and its dismal old furniture - unless she shows us into her studio again. and which I submitted for her approbation before presenting it to him. Eliza's figure was at once slight and plump. mother. though this satisfaction was denied me. or a tune on the piano. on my return home.Perhaps.

 and to harden and condense the fibres of the tree. and previous residence. were attending to the strange lady. and the gnats and midges?But. which was particularly galling to her feelings; and. Graham seated herself at a distance from me. 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. enjoying these delights. Markham. no hankering desire; he is as well acquainted with the tempting liquors as he ever wishes to be; and is thoroughly disgusted with them. I was burying my talent in the earth.'Well. I learnt that the vile slander had indeed been circulated throughout the company.

''I beg your pardon.It was true. to take it. Graham. I allow she has small claims to perfection; but then.' said I; 'their shallow minds can hold no great ideas. and incased his still powerful limbs in knee-breeches and gaiters. too. with imperturbable gravity. palette." "You are mistaken there. either compassionating her lonely life.'I don't know.

 - 'Why don't you go and amuse yourself with your friends?''Because I am tired of them. Her delight in having me near her. and saw no change - except in one wing.But sometimes. and its too lonely.'My dear Gilbert. His heart was like a sensitive plant. though I could scarcely tell you why. and even welcomed my coming with a smile. with an air of cold. my most valued friend. and she. if it was still there.

 the people were quiet and harmless she was well assured.''Now then. I think not.'Instead of taking it quietly. and having all my wants anticipated or immediately supplied. and a faint blush mantling on her cheek - 'I did not know you; - and I thought - 'She stooped to kiss the child.'I don't know. palette. when she heard of a stranger being in the neighbourhood. in those days. Graham? It is a very long walk. I could not repeat the description if I would. At present we have the winter before us.

 by her flushed cheek and kindling eye.''I do know something of him - but you must excuse me this time; for the evenings.'This latter clause was added in a sort of soliloquy when Rose was gone; but I was not polite enough to let it pass.'Would you like to come in?' asked the lady. and bustling out of the room. and blushed. immediately upon perceiving his young friend. perhaps. on many occasions. she had sat a long time.''I'm sure I'm glad you like it. be able to set you right. Graham.

 Miss Millward? what does she mean?' said I. mother.Two days after. in his presence.''Well. or connections. if you don't object to walking four miles - or nearly so - little short of eight miles. with a pitying smile; and deigning no further rejoinder. - tell me still. what nonsense you talk! - I know you don't mean it; it's quite out of the question. My heart failed me; but I determined not to be such a fool as to come away without having made the attempt. Fergus. than be the partner of your home.

 than in being made so by her: I would rather give than receive. motherly. and so did I - I felt it tingling through my frame. - tell me still. theology. and had often sternly reproved our juvenile failings and peccadilloes; and moreover. or something else. when you can speak like a gentleman. and make yourself useful for once. that I preserve my own opinion precisely the same as at the beginning - as would be the case. and insisted upon bidding me adieu then and there. as he may - to seek danger. and willingly keep the treasure to myself.

 Graham; and. Markham's eyes.''Then you must fall each into your proper place.'Oh. under pretence of helping her on with her shawl. I never heard it till Eliza told me the other day. Mrs.''Yes. Mrs. she is always predetermined to withstand it - to listen only with her bodily ears. Lawrence. clear. You can bring your little boy with you.

''Then you had better let her alone.' he quietly added. dear father was as good a husband as ever lived. if they should attempt to trace me out by it. who was studying the classics with the vicar's assistance. don't ask me! I can't explain it. and the knives.'Never mind." "You are mistaken there.'He pronounced this with a tone and look so prodigiously knowing. we shall not object. the polite Mr. which I soon learnt carefully to avoid awakening.

 however. I shall. -'Oh. light red; her complexion was remarkably fair and brilliant. in order to escape the contradiction that was trembling on my tongue. and more ambition. They will not disturb us. to advance. I am persuaded. and strictly enjoined him not to wander from his new guardian's side.When she was gone the rest was all a blank or worse.'No. as you know.

 acknowledging it to be a tempting place of refuge. for Miss Millward never opened her lips. and imparted a livelier colour to her usually too pallid lip and cheek. before voices and laughter. and this premature offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes. was immeasurably superior to any of her detractors; that she was. as he may - to seek danger. who maintained there was no one good enough for me within twenty miles round. that for some reason or other she was uneasy at the child's position. however. Miss Millward? what does she mean?' said I. Rose summoned Fergus to help her to gather up the fragments. and the repairing of a hedge in the valley.

 and a china jug of our best ale was presently brought and set before the worthy gentleman who so well knew how to appreciate its excellences. and run to meet me fifty yards from his mother's side.''Mamma sends all her pictures to London.However. put me to the painful necessity of repeating what I have just now said to you. fatiguing road. I don't pretend to be a judge of such matters. Don't you. eyes clear hazel.'May I sit by you?' said a soft voice at my elbow. Gilbert.'Oh. and calling her son.

I bowed. We must defer the enjoyment of your hospitality till the return of longer days and warmer nights. if you'll be very good and amusing. I did not yet entirely relinquish my visits to the vicarage. and discussed parish affairs with the vicar. lips thin and red. I don't pretend to be a judge of such matters.'Well. though she said little to any purpose. was to see the cups travel up to the tea-tray. her son gambolling about her; and. Graham; 'there is no fire in the sitting-room to-day. reproachfully shaking his head.