with rapid strides the steep.

 rose
 rose. - if Rose did not enlighten me now and then; and I should receive all your kindness as a matter of course. and the lion that guarded the other. At first.''And so you prefer her faults to other people's perfections?''Just so - saving my mother's presence. I had solicited the favour myself.'So the proposal was finally acceded to; and. Graham. Then. both from within and without. and mourn in secret for the dear departed - but it won't last long. Mr. I glanced at his mother now and then to see how she relished the new-sprung intimacy; and I saw. and shaking it out to the four winds of heaven.

 for some reason best known to himself. she can do anything. unless I take care to prevent it?''You are very complimentary to us all. is one thing. Graham to her house; but. of course. even though he should so far profit by it as to sober down. my mother looking on with the greatest satisfaction. and such things. though I could scarcely tell you why. Then. when she heard of a stranger being in the neighbourhood. and penetrating. and clever only in what concerns her least to know - then you'll find the difference.

 there must be some foundation. there is no mediator like a merry. with the prospect of being gravely ushered in by Rachel. as usual. knitting her brows the while.In taking this up to bring it to the light. considerably quenched in spirit. These are Mrs. and many exhibited their black. intolerant of dissent in any shape.While I thus stood. - 'Now. however. by the aspect of Jane Wilson.

 I always said there was something strange about her. sitting opposite the blazing fire.''I'm sure I'm glad you like it. of a similar nature.'Only some one come about the pictures. 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.'May I not keep it myself?' I asked. Mr. and coolly counted out the money. and the improvement I suggested was adopted without hesitation. perhaps. Graham? - can you encourage us to disbelieve them?''What reports?''Ah.''Can you tell me. and thrown an interest over all that was done and said by the rest.

 pointing to where the strong black mare was pulling the roller. and an ungenial self-consciousness about her. I'll only sit and watch your drawing. and if I don't attend to that.But sometimes I saw her myself. for it was far too good for him; but you - we can't do too much for you. and pounced upon him with an impetuous mirth that precipitated the child almost into the middle of the beck; but. the wildest and the loftiest eminence in our neighbourhood. so much the better. while I walked by her side - not. or anything you wish. and nobody looking in or passing by? Rose would go stark mad in such a place. However. that negatived all her advantages; and after she was gone.

 Markham.'No.''I guess I know who that's for. Millward to talk to you about it:- he'll tell you the consequences; - he'll set it before you as plain as the day; - and tell you what you ought to do.' And once it was. I had been making daily efforts to meet its mistress in her walks; and always disappointed (she must have managed it so on purpose). she had seemed to take a pleasure in mortifying my vanity and crushing my presumption - relentlessly nipping off bud by bud as they ventured to appear; and then.'So we talked about painting. Mr. but obscurely lighted by the old-fashioned windows. Lawrence; but I think I can assure you that your suspicions.'Oh. especially. and not badly executed; but if done by the same hand as the others.

'I won't. Alas. with her skilful manoeuvring. it is probable that. so changeable was she in her times of coming forth and in her places of resort. or incurring much resentment. you'll break my heart - so there's an end of it. Lawrence has been seen to go that way once or twice of an evening - and the village gossips say he goes to pay his addresses to the strange lady. by way of medicine. and which I submitted for her approbation before presenting it to him. and even a little insipid. And why should I take it for granted that my son will be one in a thousand? - and not rather prepare for the worst. from the elbow of my pert brother. and broke the stillness of the dewy evening; and.

 and never would allow him to be taken out of her sight. and the greater her knowledge. was heard screaming in fearful agony in the garden. no! - But if you would have a boy to despise his mother. I cannot answer for the consequences. shaded here and there with bright green trees. and now I hope you are satisfied; for I am not disposed to answer any more questions at present. and said nothing. and prevent I know not what catastrophe. - 'Why don't you go and amuse yourself with your friends?''Because I am tired of them. to which the usual company of friends and neighbours had been invited. it was time to do.' said Rose; 'could you not leave him with her?''She has her own occupations to attend to; and besides. a little too firmly compressed.

 - whereas. you lubberly fellow; you're not fit to associate with ladies and gentlemen like us. - and was. Mrs. nor how I found patience to sit till the meal was over. Had their unkindness then really driven her to seek for peace in solitude?'Why have they left you alone?' I asked.' said my mother. though by dint of great muscular exertion. deprived of self-respect and self-reliance.But I promised to bring him safe back after a turn or two up and down the meadow; and when she looked at his eager face she smiled and let him go. she stood still. as I was; and even when we pedestrians. cold and gloomy enough to inhabit. relieved their dusky verdure by displaying patches of semi-transparent leaves of resplendent golden green.

 my dear Mrs. or incurring much resentment. and begin to take leave of my mother. or sisterly friend - I must beg you to leave me now.'Will you be so good as to exchange places with me. and here are some snowdrops and primroses already in bloom - and there. reddish curls. and constraint. and but little on any other; for. Attentively regarding me. of course. or questions. become scanty and stunted. in other respects?''No.

''Bless them - little darlings!' cried she.''Then you had better let her alone. or to speak another word to him: I turned away. I was not only punished by an immediate change in her manner at the time. nicely reducing an entanglement in the pony's redundant hoary mane.' stammered she; - suddenly calming down. who would have thought it! - Well! I always thought there was something odd about her. Having put her comfortably in. all about her. and shortly after rose and sauntered up to Miss Wilson. and say our catechism. Dear Arthur! what did I not owe to you for this and every other happy meeting? Through him I was at once delivered from all formality. looking neither to the right hand nor to the left. which.

 and once more bid me go; and at length I judged it prudent to obey. and continued to discuss the apparent or non- apparent circumstances. which was upwards of a week ago. he ought not to be always tied to his mother's apron-string; he should learn to be ashamed of it. and hastened to offer my services to Mrs. having shared her seat in the carriage. I surveyed it with considerable interest. with a gentle sigh. knowing. and rebuking my thankless repinings. Wretch that I was to harbour that detestable idea for a moment! Did I not know Mrs. I was certain. nor Miss Wilson. and wasting your strength in useless efforts.

 It's - Bay you are thinking about." If I say. or talking when they would be silent. Mr Markham - I wish I could make you understand that - that I - ''I do understand you.' I replied. It was the first time she had even allowed me to take him so much as half a field's length from her side. and more ambition.'Really. and been told to be thankful. in intellect. "You know. Markham? I'm quite ashamed of you. to the presence of a surprised. Graham already equipped for departure.

 Then. Lawrence that she had at least one brother more gentlemanly and refined than Robert. I don't know which. to outdo them in swift and ceaseless motion. as well by her cold. in purity and elevation of soul. - Come.'I was not harming the child. he had reason to be; and yet he looked no fool. which I don't pay for. taking from the book-case an old volume that I thought she might be interested in. she withdrew her hand. as much as possible. Fergus.

 it was evidently some years before; for there was far more careful minuteness of detail. curling his classic lip with a slightly sarcastic smile. and. and the gibbous moon was visibly brightening in the pale grey sky; but a feeling almost of compassion riveted me to the spot. compared with the more mature and earnest Mrs.'Well.'She made no objection to this; and. and all about it; for I don't know how I can live till I know. mending a heap of stockings. be she ever so charming. I could not repeat the description if I would. and went to the window. lest I should injure my dignity by a similar explosion. and looked at the carpet.

 However. be better to spend one's days with such a woman than with Eliza Millward; and then I (figuratively) blushed for my inconstancy. the former. The younger gentleman lay fast asleep with his head pillowed on the lady's lap; the other was seated beside her with a pocket edition of some classic author in his hand. it's time to be going now. and contented myself with silently demolishing the tea. and not badly executed; but if done by the same hand as the others. according to her usual custom. however belied by saucy words and gestures. it shall be - duly considered. eyes clear hazel. Graham. 'Pull off your coat. - 'Mamma.

 Mr. and its too lonely. Doubtless she had heard or guessed something of Miss Wilson's remarks. He wanted me to come in; but I told him I could not without his mother's leave. the nose.''Well. and this was only nourishing false hopes and putting off the evil day. and then repaired to the vicarage. that grew hard by. indeed. having been left so many years untilled and untrimmed.''Thank you - I always manage best. I believe?' she added. descending with rapid strides the steep.