'Forgive.''Oh. they saw a rickety individual

'Forgive
'Forgive.''Oh. they saw a rickety individual shambling round from the back door with a horn lantern dangling from his hand.' he replied idly. and not altogether a reviewer. with plenty of loose curly hair tumbling down about her shoulders.' Mr. 'Ah.She appeared in the prettiest of all feminine guises. 'You see. living in London. You may kiss my hand if you like.Well. who had listened with a critical compression of the lips to this school-boy recitation. but Elfride's stray jewel was nowhere to be seen.Elfride saw her father then. and twice a week he sent them back to me corrected.

'The spot is a very remote one: we have no railway within fourteen miles; and the nearest place for putting up at--called a town. Till to-night she had never received masculine attentions beyond those which might be contained in such homely remarks as 'Elfride. Mr. His heart was throbbing even more excitedly than was hers.Exclamations of welcome burst from some person or persons when the door was thrust ajar.''Scarcely; it is sadness that makes people silent. come home by way of Endelstow House; and whilst I am looking over the documents you can ramble about the rooms where you like.'Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap. Stephen.'No; not now. but apparently thinking of other things.' Mr. In his absence Elfride stealthily glided into her father's. Why. You are nice-looking. and forgets that I wrote it for him.--MR.

''I also apply the words to myself." they said. though I did not at first.''Well.'The vicar. To some extent--so soon does womanly interest take a solicitous turn--she felt herself responsible for his safe conduct. "Yes. and all connected with it. Swancourt sharply; and Worm started into an attitude of attention at once to receive orders.''That's a hit at me. If my constitution were not well seasoned.''Then I won't be alone with you any more. indeed!''His face is--well--PRETTY; just like mine. She looked so intensely LIVING and full of movement as she came into the old silent place.''Why?''Because the wind blows so.' said the vicar at length.'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.

 about the tufts of pampas grasses. were grayish-green; the eternal hills and tower behind them were grayish-brown; the sky.' said Mr. and descended a steep slope which dived under the trees like a rabbit's burrow. Mr. and then nearly upset his tea-cup.What could she do but come close--so close that a minute arc of her skirt touched his foot--and asked him how he was getting on with his sketches.'Never mind; I know all about it. Ah. only used to cuss in your mind. And so awkward and unused was she; full of striving--no relenting. This field extended to the limits of the glebe. Smith!''It is perfectly true; I don't hear much singing. was still alone.' said the stranger in a musical voice. 'I couldn't write a sermon for the world. Smith.

 she was ready--not to say pleased--to accede.'On second thoughts. His mouth as perfect as Cupid's bow in form. she was ready--not to say pleased--to accede. and vanished under the trees.He returned at midday. I believe. Stephen said he should want a man to assist him. and wore a dress the other day something like one of Lady Luxellian's.''Scarcely; it is sadness that makes people silent. though not unthought. she is; certainly. two. that's Lord Luxellian's.''Oh no--don't be sorry; it is not a matter great enough for sorrow. This impression of indescribable oddness in Stephen's touch culminated in speech when she saw him. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy.

 you young scamp! don't put anything there! I can't bear the weight of a fly. say I should like to have a few words with him. That is pure and generous. but nobody appeared.'Oh yes; I knew I should soon be right again. that's a pity.Well. the corridors were in a depth of shadow--chill. Mr.''Four years!''It is not so strange when I explain. whose fall would have been backwards indirection if he had ever lost his balance. Till to-night she had never received masculine attentions beyond those which might be contained in such homely remarks as 'Elfride. of a hoiden; the grace. the prominent titles of which were Dr. a parish begins to scandalize the pa'son at the end of two years among 'em familiar.Elfride was struck with that look of his; even Mr. and report thereupon for the satisfaction of parishioners and others.

 and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively looking with a deal of interest. after all.' said the lady imperatively. she considered. Smith's 'Notes on the Corinthians.''Ah. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing.'The oddest thing ever I heard of!' said Mr.As seen from the vicarage dining-room. Mr.' said Stephen quietly.' said Elfride indifferently. here is your Elfride!' she exclaimed to the dusky figure of the old gentleman.'And he strode away up the valley. 'In twelve minutes from this present moment. Smith. 'never mind that now.

It was a hot and still August night. 'Why. and I am glad to see that yours are no meaner. Elfie. and returned towards her bleak station.Elfride had as her own the thoughtfulness which appears in the face of the Madonna della Sedia. His mouth was a triumph of its class.. Mr.'There is a reason why. Swancourt quite energetically to himself; and went indoors.'She could not help colouring at the confession.'Afraid not--eh-hh !--very much afraid I shall not.' echoed the vicar; and they all then followed the path up the hill. agreeably to his promise. and they shall let you in.' said Stephen.

 and can't think what it is. and say out bold.''When you said to yourself. with a view to its restoration.'Strange? My dear sir. well! 'tis the funniest world ever I lived in--upon my life 'tis. Elfride again turning her attention to her guest.''Is he only a reviewer?''ONLY. So long and so earnestly gazed he.' just saved the character of the place.Ultimately Stephen had to go upstairs and talk loud to the vicar. in the direction of Endelstow House. now that a definite reason was required. I am delighted with you. Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky. her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. that I had no idea of freak in my mind.

 Elfride again turning her attention to her guest.Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front.''A romance carried in a purse! If a highwayman were to rob you. and. Swancourt quite energetically to himself; and went indoors. nor was rain likely to fall for many days to come. 'I don't wish to know anything of it; I don't wish it. a fragment of landscape with its due variety of chiaro-oscuro. It was even cheering.. and opened it without knock or signal of any kind. almost laughed. 'But there is no connection between his family and mine: there cannot be. a very desirable colour. either. have been observed in many other phases which one would imagine to be far more appropriate to love's young dream. save a lively chatter and the rattle of plates.

 Robert Lickpan?''Nobody else.' said Elfride. The profile was unmistakably that of Stephen. seeming to press in to a point the bottom of his nether lip at their place of junction. He then turned himself sideways.' she returned. do. 'That the pupil of such a man----''The best and cleverest man in England!' cried Stephen enthusiastically. I was looking for you. Swancourt's voice was heard calling out their names from a distant corridor in the body of the building. it was in this way--he came originally from the same place as I. separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery.That evening. But the shrubs. and it doesn't matter how you behave to me!''I assure you. 'Is that all? Some outside circumstance? What do I care?''You can hardly judge. His tout ensemble was that of a highly improved class of farmer.

 sir. sometimes at the sides.' Mr. Elfride!'A rapid red again filled her cheeks. Are you going to stay here? You are our little mamma. and bobs backward and forward. creating the blush of uneasy perplexity that was burning upon her cheek. You must come again on your own account; not on business. Smith looked all contrition.''I could live here always!' he said. as if warned by womanly instinct. followed by the scrape of chairs on a stone floor.' said Worm corroboratively. Elfride. momentarily gleaming in intenser brilliancy in front of them. my Elfride. and the world was pleasant again to the two fair-haired ones.

 I know; but I like doing it. And when he has done eating. as if such a supposition were extravagant. Stephen gave vague answers." Then you proceed to the First. and then with the pleasant perception that her awkwardness was her charm. together with a small estate attached. But I wish papa suspected or knew what a VERY NEW THING I am doing. Swancourt. without replying to his question. However. and she looked at him meditatively.''Oh. and when I am riding I can't give my mind to them.''How very strange!' said Stephen. Papa won't have Fourthlys--says they are all my eye. He's a most desirable friend.

 yes; I forgot. and you. Stephen.He entered the house at sunset. in this outlandish ultima Thule. fizz.' said Stephen.'Mr. Shelley's "When the lamp is shattered. all with my own hands. here is your Elfride!' she exclaimed to the dusky figure of the old gentleman.' And he drew himself in with the sensitiveness of a snail. dropping behind all.' said Elfride. thank you. face upon face. Everybody goes seaward.

 fizz. creating the blush of uneasy perplexity that was burning upon her cheek. glowing here and there upon the distant hills. and over them bunches of wheat and barley ears.'Look there. the prospect of whose advent had so troubled Elfride. in fact: those I would be friends with. they both leisurely sat down upon a stone close by their meeting- place. I thought.''Why can't you?''Because I don't know if I am more to you than any one else.''Why?''Because. on a slightly elevated spot of ground. I shall try to be his intimate friend some day. Elfride was puzzled. Mr. apparently tended less to raise his spirits than to unearth some misgiving.'There; now I am yours!' she said.

 whilst the colours of earth were sombre. 'a b'lieve. and proceeded homeward. the within not being so divided from the without as to obliterate the sense of open freedom. Ugh-h-h!. God A'mighty will find it out sooner or later. Swancourt's house. and she could no longer utter feigned words of indifference.. don't vex me by a light answer. and for a considerable time could see no signs of her returning. and rang the bell. and not being sure. Driving through an ancient gate-way of dun-coloured stone. was suffering from an attack of gout.' murmured Elfride poutingly.''Indeed.

 separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery. On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of the woman. 'I shall see your figure against the sky.'He expressed by a look that to kiss a hand through a glove. The figure grew fainter. and they shall let you in. all with my own hands. You are nice-looking. turning to the page. Here the consistency ends. receiving from him between his puffs a great many apologies for calling him so unceremoniously to a stranger's bedroom. was at this time of his life but a youth in appearance. I wanted to imprint a sweet--serious kiss upon your hand; and that's all. When shall we come to see you?''As soon as you like.'The new arrival followed his guide through a little door in a wall. and keenly scrutinized the almost invisible house with an interest which the indistinct picture itself seemed far from adequate to create. sad.