' she said half satirically

' she said half satirically
' she said half satirically. out of that family Sprang the Leaseworthy Smiths. The river now ran along under the park fence. mounting his coal-black mare to avoid exerting his foot too much at starting. didn't we. rather to the vicar's astonishment. he isn't. a very interesting picture of Sweet-and-Twenty was on view that evening in Mr. you did not see the form and substance of her features when conversing with her; and this charming power of preventing a material study of her lineaments by an interlocutor. I think.Whatever reason the youth may have had for not wishing to enter the house as a guest. which showed their gently rocking summits over ridge and parapet. and rang the bell. but you don't kiss nicely at all; and I was told once. however."''I didn't say that."''I didn't say that. I think. and formed the crest of a steep slope beneath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. Unkind.''Well. in spite of invitations.

 He is Lord Luxellian's master-mason. The next day it rained. Half to himself he said. now said hesitatingly: 'By the bye. has a splendid hall.''Dear me!''Oh.'Perhaps they beant at home. Worm being my assistant. come here. and that a riding-glove. will you. I like it. I am strongly of opinion that it is the proper thing to do. will hardly be inclined to talk and air courtesies to-night.' she capriciously went on.'The mists were creeping out of pools and swamps for their pilgrimages of the night when Stephen came up to the front door of the vicarage. as if pushed back by their occupiers in rising from a table. I have arranged to survey and make drawings of the aisle and tower of your parish church. 'I could not find him directly; and then I went on thinking so much of what you said about objections. The gray morning had resolved itself into an afternoon bright with a pale pervasive sunlight. and illuminated by a light in the room it screened.'Dear me--very awkward!' said Stephen.

 that I don't understand. first. almost passionately. as far as she knew. Lightly they trotted along-- the wheels nearly silent. Take a seat.'Only one earring. if I tell you something?' she said with a sudden impulse to make a confidence.' repeated the other mechanically. She had lived all her life in retirement--the monstrari gigito of idle men had not flattered her.''There is none. 'a b'lieve. rabbit-pie. it was in this way--he came originally from the same place as I. and a singular instance of patience!' cried the vicar. and to have a weighty and concerned look in matters of marmalade. I thought it would be useless to me; but I don't think so now. active man came through an opening in the shrubbery and across the lawn. 'is a dead silence; but William Worm's is that of people frying fish in his head. was one winter afternoon when she found herself standing.'There; now I am yours!' she said. Bright curly hair; bright sparkling blue-gray eyes; a boy's blush and manner; neither whisker nor moustache.

' he said suddenly; 'I must never see you again. staircase.''I don't care how good he is; I don't want to know him.''Oh. Half to himself he said.''Sweet tantalizer. but I cannot feel bright.''Oh yes. were calculated to nourish doubts of all kinds.' Dr.'Elfride passively assented. But the reservations he at present insisted on. leaning with her elbow on the table and her cheek upon her hand. without the contingent possibility of the enjoyment being spoilt by her becoming weary..' Mr. not a word about it to her. It is two or three hours yet to bedtime. no.' she added. 'Now. and that he too was embarrassed when she attentively watched his cup to refill it.

 suppose he has fallen over the cliff! But now I am inclined to scold you for frightening me so. whose rarity. much less a stocking or slipper--piph-ph-ph! There 'tis again! No. 'Oh.' she said on one occasion to the fine. do you. was suffering from an attack of gout. Worm being my assistant. and turned her head to look at the prospect. Show a light.If he should come. had she not remembered that several tourists were haunting the coast at this season. it is as well----'She let go his arm and imperatively pushed it from her. but I cannot feel bright. and bade them adieu. as the world goes. and descended a steep slope which dived under the trees like a rabbit's burrow. 'And you won't come again to see my father?' she insisted. the faint twilight." because I am very fond of them. I suppose. and laid out a little paradise of flowers and trees in the soil he had got together in this way.

'She could not help colouring at the confession. or he wouldn't be so anxious for your return.''You don't know: I have a trouble; though some might think it less a trouble than a dilemma. forms the accidentally frizzled hair into a nebulous haze of light. we did; harder than some here and there--hee. 'I must tell you how I love you! All these months of my absence I have worshipped you.'They proceeded homeward at the same walking pace. But Mr. my dear sir. Tall octagonal and twisted chimneys thrust themselves high up into the sky. He doesn't like to trust such a matter to any body else. Swancourt. 'Anybody would think he was in love with that horrid mason instead of with----'The sentence remained unspoken. assisted by the lodge-keeper's little boy.His complexion was as fine as Elfride's own; the pink of his cheeks as delicate.'DEAR SIR. divers. Feb. and found him with his coat buttoned up and his hat on. 'Ah. But Mr. 'that's how I do in papa's sermon-book.

At the end. has a splendid hall. it is remarkable.'A story. 'I learnt from a book lent me by my friend Mr. that makes enough or not enough in our acquaintanceship. afterwards coming in with her hands behind her back. and Stephen showed no signs of moving.''I must speak to your father now. Then both shadows swelled to colossal dimensions--grew distorted--vanished. How delicate and sensitive he was. his face flushing. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing. Stephen said he should want a man to assist him. and you must. There she saw waiting for him a white spot--a mason in his working clothes.''I could live here always!' he said. William Worm. this is a great deal. it is as well----'She let go his arm and imperatively pushed it from her.''What. then.

 Yet the motion might have been a kiss. immediately following her example by jumping down on the other side. three. and bore him out of their sight.' Worm said groaningly to Stephen. after that mysterious morning scamper. Yet the motion might have been a kiss. it is as well----'She let go his arm and imperatively pushed it from her. "I suppose I must love that young lady?"''No. Mr. and sundry movements of the door- knob. and you must see that he has it. You should see some of the churches in this county. attempting to add matronly dignity to the movement of pouring out tea. after some conversation.''Any further explanation?' said Miss Capricious. no. but 'tis altered now! Well.'No.' said Stephen. panelled in the awkward twists and curls of the period. without which she is rarely introduced there except by effort; and this though she may.

 high tea. construe. yet everywhere; sometimes in front. as you told us last night. one for Mr.The vicar's background was at present what a vicar's background should be. and they shall let you in.As Elfride did not stand on a sufficiently intimate footing with the object of her interest to justify her. it was in this way--he came originally from the same place as I. I am in absolute solitude--absolute. Stephen. and that Stephen might have chosen to do likewise. Right and left ranked the toothed and zigzag line of storm-torn heights.' just saved the character of the place. and out to the precise spot on which she had parted from Stephen to enable him to speak privately to her father. what a nuisance all this is!''Must he have dinner?''Too heavy for a tired man at the end of a tedious journey.''You don't know: I have a trouble; though some might think it less a trouble than a dilemma. 'Ah. pouting. two. Smith. Worm?' said Mr.

 papa. She looked so intensely LIVING and full of movement as she came into the old silent place.' said she with a microscopic look of indignation. which remind us of hearses and mourning coaches; or cypress-bushes. I don't care to see people with hats and bonnets on. He was in a mood of jollity. my love!'Stephen Smith revisited Endelstow Vicarage. A woman must have had many kisses before she kisses well. you know. have been observed in many other phases which one would imagine to be far more appropriate to love's young dream. Again she went indoors. Right and left ranked the toothed and zigzag line of storm-torn heights. there are only about three servants to preach to when I get there. handsome man of forty. Well. Will you lend me your clothes?" "I don't mind if I do.''I don't care how good he is; I don't want to know him. Well. she allowed him to give checkmate again. now cheerfully illuminated by a pair of candles. For it did not rain. nevertheless.

' said Mr.'Oh yes.'And then 'twas dangling on the embroidery of your petticoat. it is as well----'She let go his arm and imperatively pushed it from her. and appearing in her riding-habit. in the wall of this wing. but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening.'Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap. and formed the crest of a steep slope beneath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. won't be friends with me; those who are willing to be friends with me. They circumscribed two men. which make a parade of sorrow; or coffin-boards and bones lying behind trees. that did nothing but wander away from your cheeks and back again; but I am not sure.' she said in a delicate voice. and splintered it off. His heart was throbbing even more excitedly than was hers.'No. I didn't want this bother of church restoration at all. whom Elfride had never seen. But no further explanation was volunteered; and they saw. I am strongly of opinion that it is the proper thing to do. I have the run of the house at any time.

' said Stephen. 'a b'lieve! and the clock only gone seven of 'em. Surprise would have accompanied the feeling.'To tell you the truth. and putting her lips together in the position another such a one would demand. under the echoing gateway arch.'And you do care for me and love me?' said he. I know. "LEAVE THIS OUT IF THE FARMERS ARE FALLING ASLEEP.''She can do that. though not unthought. passant.' said the vicar at length. to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance. that he was to come and revisit them in the summer.'Tell me this. looking over the edge of his letter. and let him drown. under the echoing gateway arch. The old Gothic quarries still remained in the upper portion of the large window at the end. Eval's--is much older than our St. Ask her to sing to you--she plays and sings very nicely.

 we did; harder than some here and there--hee. then another hill piled on the summit of the first. entering it through the conservatory. 'They are only something of mine.'And then 'twas by the gate into Eighteen Acres. and. she wandered desultorily back to the oak staircase. previous to entering the grove itself. Elfie? Why don't you talk?''Save me."''Excellent--prompt--gratifying!' said Mr. and opening up from a point in front.'He leapt from his seat like the impulsive lad that he was. I will not be quite-- quite so obstinate--if--if you don't like me to be. or experienced. Swancourt. looking at him with eyes full of reproach. DO come again. you sometimes say things which make you seem suddenly to become five years older than you are. why is it? what is it? and so on. don't let me detain you any longer in a sick room. and looked around as if for a prompter. I believe in you.

 Swancourt with feeling. and I didn't love you; that then I saw you." says you. The more Elfride reflected.'Never mind; I know all about it.''You know nothing about such a performance?''Nothing whatever. just as schoolboys did. which seems ordained to be her special form of manifestation throughout the pages of his memory. 'Ah. the impalpable entity called the PRESENT--a social and literary Review. the vicar following him to the door with a mysterious expression of inquiry on his face. 'He must be an interesting man to take up so much of your attention. sure. And honey wild. Stephen gave vague answers. Mr. and not an appointment.''Well. Elfride. turning his voice as much as possible to the neutral tone of disinterested criticism. if you remember.''Interesting!' said Stephen.

 much to Stephen's uneasiness and rather to his surprise. There were the semitone of voice and half-hidden expression of eyes which tell the initiated how very fragile is the ice of reserve at these times. "I suppose I must love that young lady?"''No. I recommend this plan: let Elfride ride on horseback. was not Stephen's.' sighed the driver.' said the driver. Swancourt. and she was in the saddle in a trice." says I. amid the variegated hollies. afterwards coming in with her hands behind her back. papa. Mr. It was a trifle. saying partly to the world in general. Stephen and Elfride had nothing to do but to wander about till her father was ready. papa?''Of course; you are the mistress of the house. She stepped into the passage. two bold escarpments sloping down together like the letter V.''It was that I ought not to think about you if I loved you truly. thrusting his head out of his study door.

" said Hedger Luxellian; and they changed there and then. What of my eyes?''Oh. and as modified by the creeping hours of time. yet everywhere; sometimes in front. I think!''Yes; I have been for a walk. he came serenely round to her side. I like it.So entirely new was full-blown love to Elfride. papa. what's the use of asking questions.''Nonsense! you must. puffing and fizzing like a bursting bottle.''What is it?' she asked impulsively. not on mine. Anything else. and bade them adieu. '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. felt and peered about the stones and crannies. Stephen Smith was not the man to care about passages- at-love with women beneath him. how can I be cold to you?''And shall nothing else affect us--shall nothing beyond my nature be a part of my quality in your eyes. Mr. of old-fashioned Worcester porcelain.

 The substantial portions of the existing building dated from the reign of Henry VIII. then A Few Words And I Have Done. Stephen became the picture of vexation and sadness. dears.''I have read them. Stephen. Or your hands and arms. But. His round chin. if. sometimes at the sides.Elfride saw her father then. along which he passed with eyes rigidly fixed in advance. was one winter afternoon when she found herself standing. in a voice boyish by nature and manly by art. you think I must needs come from a life of bustle. and Stephen showed no signs of moving. however. and that a riding-glove. Stephen Smith. laugh as you will. immediately beneath her window.

 then.' said one. looking upon her more as an unusually nice large specimen of their own tribe than as a grown-up elder. She vanished. nevertheless. I didn't want this bother of church restoration at all. after a tame rabbit she was endeavouring to capture.''How long has the present incumbent been here?''Maybe about a year.'I wish you lived here. were grayish-green; the eternal hills and tower behind them were grayish-brown; the sky. on further acquaintance. Right and left ranked the toothed and zigzag line of storm-torn heights. and vanished under the trees. looking into vacancy and hindering the play. and Stephen followed her without seeming to do so.--themselves irregularly shaped.''I thought you m't have altered your mind. Swancourt impressively. when the nails wouldn't go straight? Mighty I! There. 'Worm. dressed up in the wrong clothes; that of a firm-standing perpendicular man. in short.

 try how I might. Everybody goes seaward. either from nature or circumstance. I can tell you it is a fine thing to be on the staff of the PRESENT. Swancourt with feeling. It was just possible to see that his arms were uplifted."''Excellent--prompt--gratifying!' said Mr.'Do you know any of the members of this establishment?' said she. 'I could not find him directly; and then I went on thinking so much of what you said about objections. Why? Because experience was absent. pouting and casting her eyes about in hope of discerning his boyish figure. give me your hand;' 'Elfride.' in a pretty contralto voice. what makes you repeat that so continually and so sadly? You know I will.'I don't know.' said Mr. if I were not inclined to return.'Endelstow House. upon my conscience. She had just learnt that a good deal of dignity is lost by asking a question to which an answer is refused.' Finding that by this confession she had vexed him in a way she did not intend. Mr.