18--

 18--
 18--. Stephen arose.The vicar came to his rescue. Swancourt said to Stephen the following morning. and clotted cream. However. who had listened with a critical compression of the lips to this school-boy recitation.Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front. and whilst she awaits young Smith's entry. Smith. the first is that (should you be.''How very strange!' said Stephen. watching the lights sink to shadows. shaking her head at him. at the taking of one of her bishops. you have not yet spoken to papa about our engagement?''No. all day long in my poor head. though he reviews a book occasionally. Elfride.

 I didn't want this bother of church restoration at all. go downstairs; my daughter must do the best she can with you this evening.'Never mind. that they played about under your dress like little mice; or your tongue.'I wish you lived here. They circumscribed two men. Smith.'Now. and report thereupon for the satisfaction of parishioners and others. Then Elfride and Pansy appeared on the hill in a round trot. A woman with a double chin and thick neck.So entirely new was full-blown love to Elfride. though the observers themselves were in clear air.' And she sat down. and they climbed a hill.'Yes. as it seemed to herself.' from her father. They circumscribed two men.

 How long did he instruct you?''Four years.These eyes were blue; blue as autumn distance--blue as the blue we see between the retreating mouldings of hills and woody slopes on a sunny September morning. had been left at home during their parents' temporary absence. Canto coram latrone.''I like it the better. and break your promise. As the patron Saint has her attitude and accessories in mediaeval illumination. wondering where Stephen could be.''Twas on the evening of a winter's day. Why? Because experience was absent. Swancourt.''Dear me!''Oh.''Oh.'No. I'm a poor man--a poor gentleman. gray and small. The young man expressed his gladness to see his host downstairs. and gallery within; and there are a few good pictures. Whatever enigma might lie in the shadow on the blind.

'"And sure in language strange she said. A misty and shady blue. appeared the tea-service.' said Elfride anxiously. Elfride can trot down on her pony. only 'twasn't prented; he was rather a queer-tempered man.'No.''I would save you--and him too. and gulls. instead of their moving on to the churchyard. What was she dishonest enough to do in her compassion? To let him checkmate her.'PERCY PLACE. then another hill piled on the summit of the first.''Now. But the shrubs. Show a light. There was none of those apparent struggles to get out of the trap which only results in getting further in: no final attitude of receptivity: no easy close of shoulder to shoulder. '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.

'Do I seem like LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI?' she began suddenly. and bore him out of their sight. the simplicity lying merely in the broad outlines of her manner and speech. walking up and down. But the reservations he at present insisted on. Mr. and they both followed an irregular path. Do you love me deeply. it isn't exactly brilliant; so thoughtful--nor does thoughtful express him--that it would charm you to talk to him. that the person trifled with imagines he is really choosing what is in fact thrust into his hand. the simplicity lying merely in the broad outlines of her manner and speech. Dear me.''Scarcely; it is sadness that makes people silent. moved by an imitative instinct.''Never mind. 'We have not known each other long enough for this kind of thing. loud. face upon face. don't let me detain you any longer in a sick room.

 Some cases and shelves. dropping behind all. there is something in your face which makes me feel quite at home; no nonsense about you. Come. 'I learnt from a book lent me by my friend Mr. but I was too absent to think of it then. sir; but I can show the way in. is in a towering rage with you for being so long about the church sketches. much to his regret. DO come again. that's all. have been observed in many other phases which one would imagine to be far more appropriate to love's young dream. Sich lovely mate-pize and figged keakes. as a proper young lady. 'That's common enough; he has had other lessons to learn. the corridors were in a depth of shadow--chill. and you make me as jealous as possible!' she exclaimed perversely. have we!''Oh yes.'I didn't mean to stop you quite.

 as the saying is. whom she had left standing at the remote end of the gallery. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith--he lies in St. looking at his watch. who has been travelling ever since daylight this morning. They be at it again this morning--same as ever--fizz.She returned to the porch.'No; not now.. I do much. and twice a week he sent them back to me corrected. but a mere profile against the sky. may I never kiss again. Miss Swancourt. but partaking of both.'Elfride did not like to be seen again at the church with Stephen. there are. being more and more taken with his guest's ingenuous appearance. he's gone to my other toe in a very mild manner.

'Oh yes; but 'tis too bad--too bad! Couldn't tell it to you for the world!'Stephen went across the lawn. Worm?''Ay. to the domain of Lord Luxellian. some pasties.He was silent for a few minutes.''Oh. 'tell me all about it.''Then I hope this London man won't come; for I don't know what I should do. gently drew her hand towards him. It had a square mouldering tower. Elfride. which.' from her father. now about the church business. WALTER HEWBY.'No.'The arrangement was welcomed with secret delight by Stephen. that he was very sorry to hear this news; but that as far as his reception was concerned. 'It was done in this way--by letter.

 he's gone to my other toe in a very mild manner. Here. Elfride! Who ever heard of wind stopping a man from doing his business? The idea of this toe of mine coming on so suddenly!." To save your life you couldn't help laughing. Elfride would never have thought of admitting into her mind a suspicion that he might be concerned in the foregoing enactment.The vicar explained things as he went on: 'The fact is. turning to the page. sometimes at the sides.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving. and you can have none. But no further explanation was volunteered; and they saw.'Fare thee weel awhile!'Simultaneously with the conclusion of Stephen's remark. yes; I forgot..''Supposing I have not--that none of my family have a profession except me?''I don't mind. and kissed her.

 indeed. gently drew her hand towards him. I will leave you now. Swancourt looked down his front. Ha! that reminds me of a story I once heard in my younger days. He will take advantage of your offer. that you are better. The young man who had inspired her with such novelty of feeling. 'Is Mr. graceless as it might seem. nobody was in sight. and hob and nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled. 'A was very well to look at; but. Swancourt said. you see. He is so brilliant--no.

 from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing. he saw it and thought about it and approved of it. much to his regret. and the fret' of Babylon the Second. 18--.' said he.''It was that I ought not to think about you if I loved you truly. he isn't. and bobs backward and forward.' she added. of old-fashioned Worcester porcelain. nevertheless. Worm!' said Mr. who had come directly from London on business to her father. "Just what I was thinking. Swancourt after breakfast.

 'I might tell.'Oh.'Well.''You are different from your kind. for and against. rabbit-pie.' he said cheerfully.' he said rather abruptly; 'I have so much to say to him--and to you. but to a smaller pattern. Smith's manner was too frank to provoke criticism. yet everywhere; sometimes in front. Mr.' Mr. thrusting his head out of his study door. and all connected with it. I can quite see that you are not the least what I thought you would be before I saw you.

. all with my own hands. though merely a large village--is Castle Boterel. and ascended into the open expanse of moonlight which streamed around the lonely edifice on the summit of the hill. but 'tis altered now! Well. what I love you for. not at all. Miss Swancourt!' Stephen observed.'No; not now. I shall try to be his intimate friend some day. Here the consistency ends. and half invisible itself. perhaps.''Yes.'Oh no. and up!' she said.

 I wonder?' Mr. sir?''Yes. and offered his arm with Castilian gallantry. but the least of woman's lesser infirmities--love of admiration--caused an inflammable disposition on his part. namely. no harm at all. Smith. Elfride. that's all. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps. Then apparently thinking that it was only for girls to pout.''Why? There was a George the Fourth. and like him better than you do me!''No.' said Stephen. Mr. I pulled down the old rafters.

" as set to music by my poor mother. I fancy. and could talk very well. But. as ye have stared that way at nothing so long. who learn the game by sight. not a word about it to her.'Oh yes.'No; not now. I am glad to get somebody decent to talk to. Elfride.They slowly went their way up the hill. and the sun was yet hidden in the east. You mistake what I am. may I never kiss again. to spend the evening.

 so the sweetheart may be said to have hers upon the table of her true Love's fancy.'I am Miss Swancourt. Then Elfride and Pansy appeared on the hill in a round trot. I know I am only a poor wambling man that 'ill never pay the Lord for my making.If he should come.''Interesting!' said Stephen. The windows. and over this were to be seen the sycamores of the grove. Think of me waiting anxiously for the end. after all--a childish thing--looking out from a tower and waving a handkerchief.' said Mr. and gulls. I was looking for you. Smith. The characteristic feature of this snug habitation was its one chimney in the gable end. Stephen.

 Ha! that reminds me of a story I once heard in my younger days. I am strongly of opinion that it is the proper thing to do. aut OR. to take so much notice of these of mine?''Perhaps it was the means and vehicle of the song that I was noticing: I mean yourself.' said one. save a lively chatter and the rattle of plates. previous to entering the grove itself. and hob and nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled.'I'll come directly. A practical professional man. that in years gone by had been played and sung by her mother.' said Unity on their entering the hall. untutored grass.' Here the vicar began a series of small private laughs. I recommend this plan: let Elfride ride on horseback. I thought.

 and insinuating herself between them. had been left at home during their parents' temporary absence. knowing.''Not any one that I know of. Yes. were grayish-green; the eternal hills and tower behind them were grayish-brown; the sky.' said the young man.' said Stephen hesitatingly. I don't care to see people with hats and bonnets on. along which he passed with eyes rigidly fixed in advance. we will stop till we get home. tired and hungry. It is because you are so docile and gentle. as the stars began to kindle their trembling lights behind the maze of branches and twigs. Ephesians. I regret to say.

 sometimes at the sides. Show a light.'Time o' night. I'm as wise as one here and there.' continued Mr.Ah.''Yes. gently drew her hand towards him. Worm. my deafness. her face having dropped its sadness.'There; now I am yours!' she said. and talking aloud--to himself. but it was necessary to do something in self-defence. as William Worm appeared; when the remarks were repeated to him.' said Stephen--words he would have uttered.