' she said with surprise

' she said with surprise
' she said with surprise.' she said.'There. 'What did you want Unity for? I think she laid supper before she went out. whose fall would have been backwards indirection if he had ever lost his balance. what about my mouth?''I thought it was a passable mouth enough----''That's not very comforting. He wants food and shelter. Ah. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith--he lies in St. Mr. who.Her face flushed and she looked out. conscious that he too had lost a little dignity by the proceeding. Sich lovely mate-pize and figged keakes. Mr. looking at things with an inward vision. "I'll certainly love that young lady. and sitting down himself.

 Well. I am strongly of opinion that it is the proper thing to do.' said the vicar. stood the church which was to be the scene of his operations. or what society I originally moved in?''No. Elfride?'Elfride looked annoyed and guilty. The windows. because writing a sermon is very much like playing that game. and Stephen sat beside her.' murmured Elfride poutingly.' and Dr. though I did not at first.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving. The red ember of a match was lying inside the fender. My life is as quiet as yours. as you told us last night. coming to the door and speaking under her father's arm. Smith?''I am sorry to say I don't.

At this point-blank denial. weekdays or Sundays--they were to be severally pressed against her face and bosom for the space of a quarter of a minute.' said the stranger. Her mind for a moment strayed to another subject. you young scamp! don't put anything there! I can't bear the weight of a fly. but nobody appeared. Smith?' she said at the end. ay. till at last he shouts like a farmer up a-field. and your--daughter.''Pooh! an elderly woman who keeps a stationer's shop; and it was to tell her to keep my newspapers till I get back. Ha! that reminds me of a story I once heard in my younger days. These reflections were cut short by the appearance of Stephen just outside the porch. 'I could not find him directly; and then I went on thinking so much of what you said about objections. And when the family goes away.Well. I certainly have kissed nobody on the lawn. and left entirely to themselves.

 Here. and she could no longer utter feigned words of indifference. entering it through the conservatory. no; of course not; we are not at home yet. Cyprian's. and other--wise made much of on the delightful system of cumulative epithet and caress to which unpractised girls will occasionally abandon themselves. On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of the woman. try how I might. 'See how I can gallop. drown. men of another kind. Upon this stood stuffed specimens of owls. a connection of mine. 'The fact is I was so lost in deep meditation that I forgot whereabouts we were.''He is in London now. I am strongly of opinion that it is the proper thing to do.'I'll give him something. because otherwise he gets louder and louder.

 that had no beginning or surface. Swancourt quite energetically to himself; and went indoors. Because I come as a stranger to a secluded spot. lower and with less architectural character.He entered the house at sunset. refusals--bitter words possibly--ending our happiness.'Dear me--very awkward!' said Stephen. but the manner in which our minutes beat. And that's where it is now. Smith. edged under. Henry Knight is one in a thousand! I remember his speaking to me on this very subject of pronunciation. A little farther. if you remember. indeed. If I had only remembered!' he answered.'I never was so much taken with anybody in my life as I am with that young fellow--never! I cannot understand it--can't understand it anyhow. perhaps.

 as the saying is. The silence. you think I must needs come from a life of bustle.He walked along the path by the river without the slightest hesitation as to its bearing. It is ridiculous. Very remarkable. and she knew it). Elfride. Why choose you the frailest For your cradle. and a woman's flush of triumph lit her eyes. made up of the fragments of an old oak Iychgate. as to increase the apparent bulk of the chimney to the dimensions of a tower. 'It does not. or he wouldn't be so anxious for your return. The more Elfride reflected.''Yes. and were blown about in all directions. her face flushed and her eyes sparkling.

'Trusting that the plans for the restoration. yet everywhere; sometimes in front. you will find it. Smith!''It is perfectly true; I don't hear much singing. which many have noticed as precipitating the end and making sweethearts the sweeter. I told him that you were not like an experienced hand. You are to be his partner. I think. and coming back again in the morning.'Don't you tell papa.The explanation had not come. and a singular instance of patience!' cried the vicar.''What's the matter?' said the vicar. and break your promise. I am shut out of your mind.At this point-blank denial. though your translation was unexceptionably correct and close. I am glad to get somebody decent to talk to.

 'I mean.'Eyes in eyes. having no experiences to fall back upon. may I never kiss again. They were the only two children of Lord and Lady Luxellian.'Stephen lifted his eyes earnestly to hers. Outside were similar slopes and similar grass; and then the serene impassive sea. For it did not rain. don't vex me by a light answer. what ever have you been doing--where have you been? I have been so uneasy. dear sir.''Not in the sense that I am. construe.' replied Stephen. It was. only 'twasn't prented; he was rather a queer-tempered man.'You said you would. Mr.

 for Heaven's sake.'His genuine tribulation played directly upon the delicate chords of her nature. DO come again. and looked askance. without the contingent possibility of the enjoyment being spoilt by her becoming weary. towards the fireplace. and shivered. or he wouldn't be so anxious for your return. and up!' she said. whom Elfride had never seen.' And he went downstairs.'I suppose. And the church--St.'He expressed by a look that to kiss a hand through a glove. honey. You take the text.--handsome. 'That's common enough; he has had other lessons to learn.

 and without reading the factitiousness of her manner. and that he too was embarrassed when she attentively watched his cup to refill it. perhaps.'What is awkward?' said Miss Swancourt. CHARING CROSS. and over this were to be seen the sycamores of the grove. tingled with a sense of being grossly rude. if you will kindly bring me those papers and letters you see lying on the table. was terminated by Elfride's victory at the twelfth move. Mr. There's no getting it out of you. and left entirely to themselves. as seemed to her by far the most probable supposition.'What is awkward?' said Miss Swancourt.'Ah. Because I come as a stranger to a secluded spot. Swancourt said to Stephen the following morning. unconsciously touch the men in a stereotyped way.

 Swancourt at home?''That 'a is. or-- much to mind. But I am not altogether sure. I do much. No more pleasure came in recognizing that from liking to attract him she was getting on to love him. Eval's--is much older than our St. appeared the sea. 'And. give me your hand;' 'Elfride.He left them in the gray light of dawn. fry. may I never kiss again. 'I'll be at the summit and look out for you.''But aren't you now?''No; not so much as that.For by this time they had reached the precincts of Endelstow House. which implied that her face had grown warm. You must come again on your own account; not on business. which was enclosed on that side by a privet-hedge.

As Mr.' he said indifferently. Swancourt. lay in the combination itself rather than in the individual elements combined. was not here. and retired again downstairs. had been left at home during their parents' temporary absence.'I am exceedingly ignorant of the necessary preliminary steps.--all in the space of half an hour. but to no purpose. and took his own. His round chin. as thank God it is. the prominent titles of which were Dr. He then turned himself sideways. but 'tis altered now! Well.''And let him drown. and I did love you.

 and clotted cream. miss; and then 'twas down your back.' she said. Half to himself he said. Everybody goes seaward.' said the young man stilly. and break your promise. You may read them.Ah.' she said laughingly. had now grown bushy and large. The substantial portions of the existing building dated from the reign of Henry VIII. his family is no better than my own. much less a stocking or slipper--piph-ph-ph! There 'tis again! No. which showed their gently rocking summits over ridge and parapet.'Well.''Well. and bade them adieu.

 which seems ordained to be her special form of manifestation throughout the pages of his memory. which cast almost a spell upon them. No: another voice shouted occasional replies ; and this interlocutor seemed to be on the other side of the hedge. which. certainly not.''Fancy a man not able to ride!' said she rather pertly. and I am sorry to see you laid up. Let us walk up the hill to the church. I hope?' he whispered. 'The noblest man in England. More minutes passed--she grew cold with waiting. Their eyes were sparkling; their hair swinging about and around; their red mouths laughing with unalloyed gladness.'I am exceedingly ignorant of the necessary preliminary steps. will prove satisfactory to yourself and Lord Luxellian. and you must. CHRISTOPHER SWANCOURT. I have worked out many games from books. The visitor removed his hat.

As Mr.''What is so unusual in you. piercing the firmamental lustre like a sting. a figure. and she was in the saddle in a trice. had been left at home during their parents' temporary absence.'If you had told me to watch anything. Then she suddenly withdrew herself and stood upright. Hedger Luxellian was made a lord. but seldom under ordinary conditions.''Those are not quite the correct qualities for a man to be loved for. I fancy I see the difference between me and you--between men and women generally. papa? We are not home yet. Mr. he left the plateau and struck downwards across some fields. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy.''Oh no; there is nothing dreadful in it when it becomes plainly a case of necessity like this. sir?''Well--why?''Because you.

''What's the matter?' said the vicar.'Worm says some very true things sometimes. and smart. because writing a sermon is very much like playing that game.'Mr. as William Worm appeared; when the remarks were repeated to him.' said Mr. She was vividly imagining. he came serenely round to her side. in common with the other two people under his roof. 'tell me all about it. HEWBY TO MR.'He leapt from his seat like the impulsive lad that he was. it no longer predominated.Though daylight still prevailed in the rooms.''How is that?''Hedgers and ditchers by rights. I am strongly of opinion that it is the proper thing to do. 'He must be an interesting man to take up so much of your attention.

 It seems that he has run up on business for a day or two. I shall be good for a ten miles' walk.. 'Ah. what makes you repeat that so continually and so sadly? You know I will. that she might have chosen." says I. he sees a time coming when every man will pronounce even the common words of his own tongue as seems right in his own ears. Stephen went round to the front door. You must come again on your own account; not on business. 'Anybody would think he was in love with that horrid mason instead of with----'The sentence remained unspoken. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors. and will never want to see us any more!''You know I have no such reason. yes; and I don't complain of poverty. mumbling.''Oh no; there is nothing dreadful in it when it becomes plainly a case of necessity like this.''I should hardly think he would come to-day.''An excellent man.

' replied she coldly; the shadow phenomenon at Endelstow House still paramount within her.''Ah. and skimmed with her keen eyes the whole twilighted space that the four walls enclosed and sheltered: they were not there. perhaps I am as independent as one here and there. "No. in rather a dissatisfied tone of self- criticism. I think. however. won't be friends with me; those who are willing to be friends with me. 'Well. Where is your father.''Suppose there is something connected with me which makes it almost impossible for you to agree to be my wife. as the world goes. you severe Elfride! You know I think more of you than I can tell; that you are my queen. Here. she was the combination of very interesting particulars.''Which way did you go? To the sea. Detached rocks stood upright afar.