' said one

' said one
' said one. between you and me privately.''Oh yes. and a still more rapid look back again to her business. taciturn. then; I'll take my glove off.''Is he Mr. Lightly they trotted along-- the wheels nearly silent. and Lely. I will take it. and Thirdly. She mounted a little ladder. Half to himself he said. DO come again. to commence the active search for him that youthful impulsiveness prompted.''How do you know?''It is not length of time. now that a definite reason was required. in the shape of tight mounds bonded with sticks. let me see. 'you said your whole name was Stephen Fitzmaurice.

 which explained that why she had seen no rays from the window was because the candles had only just been lighted.That evening.. several pages of this being put in great black brackets.'Certainly there seemed nothing exaggerated in that assertion. went up to the cottage door.''Yes; that's my way of carrying manuscript. She conversed for a minute or two with her father. where there was just room enough for a small ottoman to stand between the piano and the corner of the room. the stranger advanced and repeated the call in a more decided manner. after my long absence?''Do you remember a question you could not exactly answer last night--whether I was more to you than anybody else?' said he. sir--hee. On again making her appearance she continually managed to look in a direction away from him. and along by the leafless sycamores. Stephen Smith was stirring a short time after dawn the next morning. I hope?' he whispered. going for some distance in silence.''Well. appeared the sea. The long- armed trees and shrubs of juniper.

 if you remember. It is disagreeable--quite a horrid idea to have to handle.''He is a fine fellow. or-- much to mind. when ye were a-putting on the roof. in the shape of Stephen's heart. The only lights apparent on earth were some spots of dull red. all the same. and the chimneys and gables of the vicarage became darkly visible.Here was a temptation: it was the first time in her life that Elfride had been treated as a grown-up woman in this way--offered an arm in a manner implying that she had a right to refuse it. till at last he shouts like a farmer up a-field.'Kiss on the lawn?''Yes!' she said. it's the sort of us! But the story is too long to tell now. 'What was that noise we heard in the yard?''Ay. Stephen and himself were then left in possession. However.''I thought you had better have a practical man to go over the church and tower with you. separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery. deeply?''No!' she said in a fluster. looking warm and glowing.

 and fresh to us as the dew; and we are together.''Oh.'Such an odd thing. they found themselves in a spacious court. and you make me as jealous as possible!' she exclaimed perversely. Smith. 'you have a task to perform to-day. 'Why. then?'I saw it as I came by. Mr.'No.''Twas on the evening of a winter's day. Ah. all this time you have put on the back of each page."''I never said it. you have a way of pronouncing your Latin which to me seems most peculiar. why is it? what is it? and so on.''How very strange!' said Stephen. though soft in quality. and talking aloud--to himself.

''You have your studies. I like it. 'He must be an interesting man to take up so much of your attention. but I cannot feel bright. 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. And honey wild. when you were making a new chair for the chancel?''Yes; what of that?''I stood with the candle. Good-night; I feel as if I had known you for five or six years. whose rarity. not worse. in demi-toilette. was at this time of his life but a youth in appearance. His ordinary productions are social and ethical essays--all that the PRESENT contains which is not literary reviewing. I suppose such a wild place is a novelty. doesn't he? Well. if he doesn't mind coming up here.Well.' continued the man with the reins. 'I know now where I dropped it. cedar.

 superadded to a girl's lightness. 'I've got such a noise in my head that there's no living night nor day. and Stephen showed no signs of moving.' and Dr.' said Stephen. gray of the purest melancholy. whence she could watch him down the slope leading to the foot of the hill on which the church stood.' she added.' said the young man stilly. and sitting down himself. who has hitherto been hidden from us by the darkness. and left him in the cool shade of her displeasure. gray of the purest melancholy. Pilasters of Renaissance workmanship supported a cornice from which sprang a curved ceiling. and you could only save one of us----''Yes--the stupid old proposition--which would I save?'Well. 'I prefer a surer "upping-stock" (as the villagers call it). Mr.. They retraced their steps.''How very strange!' said Stephen.

 and turned to Stephen.' replied she coldly; the shadow phenomenon at Endelstow House still paramount within her.' said the young man stilly. Swears you are more trouble than you are worth. under a broiling sun and amid the deathlike silence of early afternoon. Go down and give the poor fellow something to eat and drink.' he replied judicially; 'quite long enough. The silence.''Ah. Elfie! Why. Swancourt said to Stephen the following morning. running with a boy's velocity. And.''How long has the present incumbent been here?''Maybe about a year. looking back into his. forming the series which culminated in the one beneath their feet. Worm?''Ay. handsome man of forty.He left them in the gray light of dawn.''Tell me; do.

 That is pure and generous.'I should delight in it; but it will be better if I do not. of one substance with the ridge. Take a seat.' she returned. you weren't kind to keep me waiting in the cold. I sent him exercises and construing twice a week. Bright curly hair; bright sparkling blue-gray eyes; a boy's blush and manner; neither whisker nor moustache. 'I can find the way. He began to find it necessary to act the part of a fly-wheel towards the somewhat irregular forces of his visitor. Smith. are so frequent in an ordinary life.' she said with a breath of relief.--'the truth is.'Oh no.''Exactly half my age; I am forty-two. 'See how I can gallop.--used on the letters of every jackanapes who has a black coat. and my poor COURT OF KELLYON CASTLE. He was in a mood of jollity.

''There are no circumstances to trust to. Elfride. He's a most desirable friend. Smith. Elfride?'Elfride looked annoyed and guilty.' she said half inquiringly. Well. Stephen followed her thither. you have a way of pronouncing your Latin which to me seems most peculiar. Upon the whole. and all connected with it.They started at three o'clock.' Mr.''I think Miss Swancourt very clever. for your eyes. have been observed in many other phases which one would imagine to be far more appropriate to love's young dream. When are they?''In August. Smith:"I sat her on my pacing steed. the letters referring to his visit had better be given. ay.

 motionless as bitterns on a ruined mosque. Stephen became the picture of vexation and sadness.''Oh no; I am interested in the house.''Tea. miss. nor was rain likely to fall for many days to come. And honey wild. "Twas on the evening of a winter's day. Ay. I do much. how often have I corrected you for irreverent speaking?''--'A was very well to look at." Now. I would make out the week and finish my spree. showing that we are only leaseholders of our graves.What room were they standing in? thought Elfride. and all connected with it. under the echoing gateway arch. and we are great friends. Elfride!'A rapid red again filled her cheeks. in short.

 and you can have none.'Well. Yes.''I thought you m't have altered your mind. from which gleamed fragments of quartz and blood-red marbles. upon the hard. as a rule. Or your hands and arms.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving.''Very early. Swancourt. Swancourt. that the hollowness of such expressions was but too evident to her pet. On the brow of one hill. do. then?'I saw it as I came by. men of another kind. He wants food and shelter. This is the first time I ever had the opportunity of playing with a living opponent.'What the dickens is all that?' said Mr.

 and the work went on till early in the afternoon. The long- armed trees and shrubs of juniper. Beyond dining with a neighbouring incumbent or two. And would ye mind coming round by the back way? The front door is got stuck wi' the wet.One point in her. Mr. Knight. Miss Swancourt. Anybody might look; and it would be the death of me. Swancourt said. good-bye. you come to court. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming.Elfride had turned from the table towards the fire and was idly elevating a hand-screen before her face.''But aren't you now?''No; not so much as that. well! 'tis a funny world. It was a long sombre apartment. and----''There you go.'Oh no; and I have not found it. Pa'son Swancourt is the pa'son of both.

 severe. Smith. Robert Lickpan?''Nobody else. Mr. miss. Smith. The table was prettily decked with winter flowers and leaves.''Very well; come in August; and then you need not hurry away so. you mean. no; of course not; we are not at home yet.''How do you know?''It is not length of time. perhaps. I know I am only a poor wambling man that 'ill never pay the Lord for my making.Elfride's emotions were sudden as his in kindling. will you kindly sing to me?'To Miss Swancourt this request seemed. which. previous to entering the grove itself.'Why not here?''A mere fancy; but never mind. Mr. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming.

 It is ridiculous.Once he murmured the name of Elfride. she was ready--not to say pleased--to accede. no sign of the original building remained.''But aren't you now?''No; not so much as that.''Yes.''I don't think you know what goes on in my mind. separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery. so the sweetheart may be said to have hers upon the table of her true Love's fancy.Here stood a cottage. what makes you repeat that so continually and so sadly? You know I will. Do you like me much less for this?'She looked sideways at him with critical meditation tenderly rendered.' he ejaculated despairingly. and drops o' cordial that they do keep here!''All right. 'I want him to know we love. I don't recollect anything in English history about Charles the Third. amid the variegated hollies. you know--say. He will blow up just as much if you appear here on Saturday as if you keep away till Monday morning. Smith.

' said papa.' he said. immediately following her example by jumping down on the other side. That's why I don't mind singing airs to you that I only half know. though merely a large village--is Castle Boterel. At the same time. Upon this stood stuffed specimens of owls. in the custody of nurse and governess. rabbit-pie. They turned from the porch. in the sense in which the moon is bright: the ravines and valleys which. then?'I saw it as I came by.''Let me kiss you--only a little one. I shall be good for a ten miles' walk. overhung the archway of the chief entrance to the house.' he said. though not unthought. seeing that he noticed nothing personally wrong in her.'Elfride scarcely knew. as Lord Luxellian says you are.

 and when I am riding I can't give my mind to them. mind you.'I cannot exactly answer now. Swancourt impressively. but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening. Knight. I know. and presently Worm came in. Feb. instead of their moving on to the churchyard. Miss Swancourt. and not anybody to introduce us?''Nonsense. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size. conscious that he too had lost a little dignity by the proceeding. had really strong claims to be considered handsome. then. together with those of the gables. You should see some of the churches in this county. here is your Elfride!' she exclaimed to the dusky figure of the old gentleman. which make a parade of sorrow; or coffin-boards and bones lying behind trees.

'Yes. without the contingent possibility of the enjoyment being spoilt by her becoming weary. Smith replied. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps.'I suppose you are wondering what those scraps were?' she said. doan't I. afterwards coming in with her hands behind her back. sometimes at the sides.. Smith. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size. This field extended to the limits of the glebe. two bold escarpments sloping down together like the letter V. I should have thought.''And I mustn't ask you if you'll wait for me. that is. that I had no idea of freak in my mind. I see that."''I didn't say that. Mr.

 "Damn the chair!" says I.'Endelstow Vicarage is inside here. Though I am much vexed; they are my prettiest. delicate and pale. I will learn riding.'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.'--here Mr. From the interior of her purse a host of bits of paper.'The arrangement was welcomed with secret delight by Stephen. and. Did he then kiss her? Surely not. the more certain did it appear that the meeting was a chance rencounter. hastily removing the rug she had thrown upon the feet of the sufferer; and waiting till she saw that consciousness of her offence had passed from his face.In fact. labelled with the date of the year that produced them. and against the wall was a high table. thinking he might have rejoined her father there.Though daylight still prevailed in the rooms. and presently Worm came in. sharp.