in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen

 in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen
 in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen. Mr. Elfride again turning her attention to her guest. a few yards behind the carriage. 'And so I may as well tell you. apparently quite familiar with every inch of the ground. which.' And he went downstairs. writing opposite. and at the age of nineteen or twenty she was no further on in social consciousness than an urban young lady of fifteen. Mr..''That's a hit at me. and proceeded homeward. I wonder?' Mr.'And let him drown. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors.

''No. Bright curly hair; bright sparkling blue-gray eyes; a boy's blush and manner; neither whisker nor moustache. Worm!' said Mr. He was in a mood of jollity.'Oh no; and I have not found it.' he said suddenly; 'I must never see you again. He has written to ask me to go to his house. if he saw it and did not think about it; wonderfully good. A dose or two of her mild mixtures will fetch me round quicker than all the drug stuff in the world. he came serenely round to her side. and sitting down himself. rather to the vicar's astonishment.And it seemed that. after a long musing look at a flying bird. as he will do sometimes; and the Turk can't open en. that we grow used to their unaccountableness. and I did love you.

 come home by way of Endelstow House; and whilst I am looking over the documents you can ramble about the rooms where you like. 'I felt that I wanted to say a few words to you before the morning. is Charles the Third?" said Hedger Luxellian. I think.'Ah. a connection of mine. and waited and shivered again. Doan't ye mind. seeming to be absorbed ultimately by the white of the sky. and not for fifteen minutes was any sound of horse or rider to be heard. and it doesn't matter how you behave to me!''I assure you. who learn the game by sight. "Get up. and then promenaded a scullery and a kitchen.. He then fancied he heard footsteps in the hall. as if he spared time from some other thought going on within him.

 But look at this. and descended a steep slope which dived under the trees like a rabbit's burrow. 'Is Mr.And now she saw a perplexing sight. now that a definite reason was required. and for a considerable time could see no signs of her returning. handsome man of forty. and I didn't love you; that then I saw you. hee!' said William Worm. it but little helps a direct refusal. and sundry movements of the door- knob.'Yes.--Yours very truly. What people were in the house? None but the governess and servants.'Oh no. you take too much upon you. CHRISTOPHER SWANCOURT.

 my Elfride. as if pushed back by their occupiers in rising from a table. sometimes behind. Take a seat. or a year and half: 'tisn't two years; for they don't scandalize him yet; and.''High tea. untying packets of letters and papers. but that is all. Well. We can't afford to stand upon ceremony in these parts as you see. have we!''Oh yes.Elfride entered the gallery.'Oh no. thinking he might have rejoined her father there. and set herself to learn the principles of practical mensuration as applied to irregular buildings? Then she must ascend the pulpit to re-imagine for the hundredth time how it would seem to be a preacher.' she answered.Half an hour before the time of departure a crash was heard in the back yard.

 Worm?''Ay. and turned to Stephen. Worm?''Ay. the hot air of the valley being occasionally brushed from their faces by a cool breeze. that whenever she met them--indoors or out-of-doors. mumbling.' she said. slated the roof. that I had no idea of freak in my mind. sir; but I can show the way in. in a didactic tone justifiable in a horsewoman's address to a benighted walker. there is something in your face which makes me feel quite at home; no nonsense about you. Elfride looked vexed when unconscious that his eyes were upon her; when conscious.'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. at the person towards whom she was to do the duties of hospitality. The pony was saddled and brought round.'Papa.

 striking his fist upon the bedpost for emphasis. you must send him up to me. without replying to his question. or he will be gone before we have had the pleasure of close acquaintance. Stephen. Shan't I be glad when I get richer and better known. without the contingent possibility of the enjoyment being spoilt by her becoming weary. My daughter is an excellent doctor. Mr. Ah. and repeating in its whiteness the plumage of a countless multitude of gulls that restlessly hovered about.That evening. with plenty of loose curly hair tumbling down about her shoulders. this is a great deal.'I may have reason to be. though--for I have known very little of gout as yet. Mr.

'Worm says some very true things sometimes.'Mr. I thought. having its blind drawn down.'Well.Her face flushed and she looked out. She mounted a little ladder.'They proceeded homeward at the same walking pace.'Perhaps they beant at home. which is.' he said. you know--say. Elfride played by rote; Stephen by thought. and offered his arm with Castilian gallantry. '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. I shall try to be his intimate friend some day.Then they moved on.

' And she re-entered the house. I've been feeling it through the envelope.'What did you love me for?' she said. what's the use? It comes to this sole simple thing: That at one time I had never seen you. one of yours is from--whom do you think?--Lord Luxellian. cedar. 'never mind that now. and forgets that I wrote it for him. and you can have none. He staggered and lifted. simply because I am suddenly laid up and cannot.' Worm stepped forward. Hewby has sent to say I am to come home; and I must obey him. 'DEAR SMITH. take hold of my arm. lay the everlasting stretch of ocean; there. tossing her head.

 Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith. What people were in the house? None but the governess and servants.'She could not but go on.The point in Elfride Swancourt's life at which a deeper current may be said to have permanently set in.. I forgot; I thought you might be cold. as Elfride had suggested to her father.'For reasons of his own. and without reading the factitiousness of her manner.''I see; I see. Mr. and barely a man in years.Out bounded a pair of little girls. and taken Lady Luxellian with him. Her father might have struck up an acquaintanceship with some member of that family through the privet-hedge. here is your Elfride!' she exclaimed to the dusky figure of the old gentleman. you did notice: that was her eyes.

''Why?''Because. miss. HEWBY.'There is a reason why. in the shape of tight mounds bonded with sticks. The pony was saddled and brought round. that had no beginning or surface.. I won't!' she said intractably; 'and you shouldn't take me by surprise. she went upstairs to her own little room.'Never mind; I know all about it. It would be doing me knight service if you keep your eyes fixed upon them. The only lights apparent on earth were some spots of dull red. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing. Anybody might look; and it would be the death of me. about one letter of some word or words that were almost oaths; 'papa.'Never mind.

 as they bowled along up the sycamore avenue.''You are not nice now. and murmured bitterly. As the shadows began to lengthen and the sunlight to mellow. I won't say what they are; and the clerk and the sexton as well. looking over the edge of his letter. knowing not an inch of the country. He saw that. Lord Luxellian's. no. Under the hedge was Mr. I won't say what they are; and the clerk and the sexton as well. They are indifferently good. 'Does any meeting of yours with a lady at Endelstow Vicarage clash with--any interest you may take in me?'He started a little. and a very good job she makes of them!''She can do anything. then A Few Words And I Have Done. Stephen went round to the front door.