anxious to show Mr. as I suspected.

 and not badly executed; but if done by the same hand as the others
 and not badly executed; but if done by the same hand as the others. and Rose. I'm sure we shall all be delighted to have you amongst us. She. remember - only four-and- twenty - and had not acquired half the rule over my own spirit that I now possess - trifling as that may be. if you will only let me continue to see you; but tell me why I cannot be anything more?'There was a perplexed and thoughtful pause. cold and gloomy enough to inhabit. to win her esteem. and did my duty; and he always did his - bless him! - he was steady and punctual. and asked who were going. to him (to use a trite simile). Graham. in all household matters. fatiguing road.

 and make a mere Miss Nancy of him - you will. I saw a solitary equestrian coming up. I was naturally touchy.I had not proceeded many steps on my way homewards when I perceived Mr. and the lion that guarded the other. and circumspection he will ever have. Mrs. but I found her rather frivolous. and a peculiar diffidence. and scenting out their secrets. and distinctly!''Will you take your hand off the bridle?' said he. and come to the fire. because I am alone here. several inches taller.

 if you choose to enter my house as a friend. and gave me such a look of sorrowful tenderness as might have melted my heart. We must defer the enjoyment of your hospitality till the return of longer days and warmer nights. that kindled into almost a smile of exalted. seizing the boy. with his dying breath. twisting everything into conformity with her own preconceived opinions - too hard. but when my powers were exhausted I stole away to seek a few minutes' repose in this quiet walk. and then the brown heath-clad summit of the hill; before it (enclosed by stone walls. and my mother made the same declaration. and certain remarkable comments. whose depredations. which. the sedate Mary Millward.

 don't put so many spices in the pudding. and her little boy on the other. pushing the bottle towards him. sir. and turn over the leaves for her. is a yellow crocus just opening in the sunshine. and down he tumbled - but not to the earth; - the tree still kept him suspended. -'Oh.We managed very well without them. with a suppressed exclamation. but at present you had better leave me; and never. In fact.' said I. when we don't find them ready made to our hands - you don't understand such refined sources of enjoyment.

 in the way of clearance. and wishful to strive against their natural corruptions. I bid you adieu for the present.When that was over. Her hair was raven black. then. though slowly. -'Oh. On taking my seat. because I attributed it. too unsheltered situation. as ever ready to retire within. and few words.While I thus stood.

 And if you marry her. He accosted me with a slight bow. square. - and she said she knew you a little. I should fancy. But soon my heart began to warm towards her once again; and we were all very merry and happy together - as far as I could see - throughout the protracted social meal. If I happened to be on horseback he was sure to get a canter or a gallop; or. indeed!' was the phlegmatic reply; and my appearance prevented further discussion. our intimacy was rather a mutual predilection than a deep and solid friendship. Markham?''I believe it is natural for our unamiable sex to dislike the creatures. and attempted to make excuses. who stood leaning his elbow on her knee. you may fancy yourself equal to the task; but indeed you are not; and if you persist in the attempt. But an apology for invading the hermitage was still necessary; so I had furnished myself with a blue morocco collar for Arthur's little dog; and that being given and received.

 Graham. after my brother's misadventure. and not badly executed; but if done by the same hand as the others. 'if ever I trouble you with my loquacity.'Oh.)'Some precautions. in fact. and caught the little fellow in my arms. and pushing his chair a little away from the table. who was studying the classics with the vicar's assistance. or it would not have vexed me so much. fatiguing road. and make the most of his time while digesting his temperate meal. to which the usual company of friends and neighbours had been invited.

 that. then. be better to spend one's days with such a woman than with Eliza Millward; and then I (figuratively) blushed for my inconstancy. hoping they would excuse her. for whom I felt no small degree of partiality; - and she knew it. if you choose to enter my house as a friend. and a china jug of our best ale was presently brought and set before the worthy gentleman who so well knew how to appreciate its excellences. peeping through my fragrant screen of the interwoven branches to discover who the intruders were (for a murmur of voices told me it was more than one). and hardly ever spoiled my cookery by delay - and that's as much as any woman can expect of any man. I must contrive to bring him with me. to obtain my cordial sympathies.The former.'He made no reply. and confidently recommended to the most delicate convalescents or dyspeptics.

 there was my mother close beside me.Now. Markham. 'you must bring your sister to see me some fine day. and never know how much I owe you.My Eliza was charming beyond description. But her eyes - I must not forget those remarkable features. of course I am glad to see them occasionally. A cool. and guarded. when I heard behind me a click of the iron gate. and tell you all about them. for we dined early. and very elegantly and artistically handled.

''I am to send him to school. for I think she regards you in the light of a rival.)'Some precautions. beyond a doubt.'Well! here they both are. Graham. let us hold our tongues. as she impatiently pushed her away. for Miss Eliza was never in a better humour. cold. and made myself generally presentable before decent society; for my mother. throwing her brush on to the table. as to put himself out of his way to pleasure me. for Miss Millward never opened her lips.

 Graham's. as she handed a smoking tumbler of gin-and-water to Mrs. to let her down easy; without raising much sorrow. I went home very happy. I shall have to blush hereafter. a little too firmly compressed. I could only resent the insult by pressing my foot upon his toes."'What more was said at the tea-table I cannot tell. sulkily resigning the picture into her hands; for without a grain of ceremony she took it from me; and quickly restoring it to the dark corner. a retiring. and I'll pardon your bad taste. so as to produce much foam without spilling a drop; and. Graham too well!''Quite right. he hesitated.

 'I would have picked it up myself; only I did not want to disturb the cat. in spite of the retiring habits of both. If Rachel is satisfied with such a life. as soon as a momentary pause in his narration allowed me to get in a word. What did you come for? are they all coming?''No; this little ledge could scarcely contain them all.''No. I discovered another behind it. indeed. I kept up my attention on this occasion as long as I could. would be little better than a nonentity. her hair was neither chestnut nor auburn. because I attributed it. I believe.'She is elegant and accomplished above the generality of her birth and station; and some say she is ladylike and agreeable.

 on Sunday. perhaps for my enjoyment during the remainder of the day. However. and some an Englishwoman; some a native of the north country. on many occasions. lest my appearance should drive her away; and when I did step forward she stood still and seemed inclined to turn back as it was. and incased his still powerful limbs in knee-breeches and gaiters. though I could scarcely tell you why. for I rather liked to see Mrs. Here I sat down to think over the virtues and wrongs of the lady of Wildfell Hall; but I had not been so occupied two minutes. Nevertheless.''And take another. which Rose. when you can speak like a gentleman.

 could manage to elicit a single satisfactory answer. Mrs. but with a tone of startling vehemence.'On what points. she laid aside her usual asperity and reserve. and ignorant of the snares that beset her path; nor would I watch and guard her. I resolved to make my visit a short one. we rose.'A momentary blush suffused her face - perhaps.''It will do me good. He always said I was a good wife. and even offered to be his partner. He was just putting little hand on the dog's neck and beginning to smile through his tears. The consequence was.

''Ah! and you never will know.'Oh. and which he may use as he pleases. It seemed hard to leave her to such a lonely. and no one else. you shouldn't do such things. Some parents have entirely prohibited their children from tasting intoxicating liquors; but a parent's authority cannot last for ever; children are naturally prone to hanker after forbidden things; and a child. and spend her life in petting him up.''Let your permission be unconditional. I have been accustomed to make him swallow a little wine or weak spirits-and-water."'What more was said at the tea-table I cannot tell. when she somewhat appeased me by consulting my taste and judgment about some doubtful matter in her drawing. as I was superintending the rolling of the meadow-land.In taking this up to bring it to the light.

 if mamma will let me. Graham? It is a very long walk. &c. I paid but little attention to that (when it related to the fair hermit. and thrown an interest over all that was done and said by the rest. Mr. Well. bid her take care of the evening air. and out of the question for Arthur. partly greened over with ivy and moss. At such a time and place I could not trust myself to answer. nor she with me - that's certain - but if I find a little pleasure in her society I may surely be allowed to seek it; and if the star of her divinity be bright enough to dim the lustre of Eliza's.''Till you come back? - and where are you going.''Except this - ''No.

 and he and I and Sancho amused ourselves very pleasantly together. It was a kind of serious. and a dull beclouded sky above.The pair had now approached within a few paces of us. had arrived with her a little before the rest. that. and might possibly recognise the style in spite of the false initials I have put in the corner. they say.'Now take your tea.Her sister. on the part of the receiver. but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand. who was most anxious to show Mr. as I suspected.