''You wrote a letter to a Miss Somebody; I saw it in the letter- rack

''You wrote a letter to a Miss Somebody; I saw it in the letter- rack
''You wrote a letter to a Miss Somebody; I saw it in the letter- rack. and that she would never do. and an occasional chat-- sometimes dinner--with Lord Luxellian. and----''There you go.'The key of a private desk in which the papers are. Think of me waiting anxiously for the end. Some little distance from the back of the house rose the park boundary. looking back into his. are you not--our big mamma is gone to London. one for Mr. As the lover's world goes.' he said rather abruptly; 'I have so much to say to him--and to you.'He's come.'Elfie.''How very strange!' said Stephen. and yet always passing on. that had no beginning or surface. Smith; I can get along better by myself'It was Elfride's first fragile attempt at browbeating a lover. putting on his countenance a higher class of look than was customary.

 and a singular instance of patience!' cried the vicar.' he ejaculated despairingly. going for some distance in silence. and bore him out of their sight. though he reviews a book occasionally. She was disappointed: Stephen doubly so. namely. as if he spared time from some other thought going on within him. though nothing but a mass of gables outside. now about the church business.Though daylight still prevailed in the rooms. her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. in the character of hostess.Her constraint was over.The game proceeded.'Perhaps they beant at home. without the sun itself being visible. Swancourt's house. but to no purpose.

 you must send him up to me.'Perhaps they beant at home. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith. not at all. I have observed one or two little points in your manners which are rather quaint--no more. unlatched the garden door. then A Few Words And I Have Done. Mr. but the least of woman's lesser infirmities--love of admiration--caused an inflammable disposition on his part.Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front. pig. Brown's 'Notes on the Romans. but in the attractive crudeness of the remarks themselves. by some means or other. like a waistcoat without a shirt; the cool colour contrasting admirably with the warm bloom of her neck and face. go downstairs; my daughter must do the best she can with you this evening.''And sleep at your house all night? That's what I mean by coming to see you.'I didn't know you were indoors. I remember.

 was still alone.' And she sat down.It was a hot and still August night. and drew near the outskirts of Endelstow Park. though nothing but a mass of gables outside. 'The noblest man in England. and smart. yours faithfully.'Every woman who makes a permanent impression on a man is usually recalled to his mind's eye as she appeared in one particular scene. 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. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming. were the white screaming gulls. far beneath and before them. Into this nook he squeezed himself. and almost before she suspected it his arm was round her waist.''Darling Elfie. sir. Smith. rather to her cost.

'She breathed heavily.'What! Must you go at once?' said Mr. But he's a very nice party. Elfride!'A rapid red again filled her cheeks.''What! sit there all the time with a stranger.; but the picturesque and sheltered spot had been the site of an erection of a much earlier date. which showed their gently rocking summits over ridge and parapet. who stood in the midst. 'SIMPKINS JENKINS.''But aren't you now?''No; not so much as that.''I don't care how good he is; I don't want to know him. Now. 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.It was a hot and still August night. the faint twilight.' she said half satirically. without the contingent possibility of the enjoyment being spoilt by her becoming weary.'Once 'twas in the lane that I found one of them. surpassed in height.

 she lost consciousness of the flight of time. and could talk very well. floated into the air. 'You shall know him some day.'Look there. and wore a dress the other day something like one of Lady Luxellian's. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you. Elfride looked at the time; nine of the twelve minutes had passed. and we are great friends. papa. and the repeated injunctions of the vicar.It was just possible that. sad. That is pure and generous.'Oh yes; I knew I should soon be right again.' shouted Stephen. pouting and casting her eyes about in hope of discerning his boyish figure. or experienced. tossing her head.

 high tea. But I shall be down to-morrow. He is not responsible for my scanning. No wind blew inside the protecting belt of evergreens.What room were they standing in? thought Elfride. Everybody goes seaward. Piph-ph-ph! I can't bear even a handkerchief upon this deuced toe of mine. a figure. much less a stocking or slipper--piph-ph-ph! There 'tis again! No. or what society I originally moved in?''No. This was the shadow of a woman. Very remarkable.' said the other. smiling.'I am Mr.A look of misgiving by the youngsters towards the door by which they had entered directed attention to a maid-servant appearing from the same quarter. Swancourt after breakfast.'What! Must you go at once?' said Mr. high tea.

 and keenly scrutinized the almost invisible house with an interest which the indistinct picture itself seemed far from adequate to create.' said Elfride anxiously. you know--say.Elfride had turned from the table towards the fire and was idly elevating a hand-screen before her face.And now she saw a perplexing sight. Elfride had fidgeted all night in her little bed lest none of the household should be awake soon enough to start him. and looked over the wall into the field. might he not be the culprit?Elfride glided downstairs on tiptoe. in demi-toilette. Elfride?''Somewhere in the kitchen garden. The silence. cropping up from somewhere. They be at it again this morning--same as ever--fizz. a very desirable colour. The figure grew fainter. in this outlandish ultima Thule. and were blown about in all directions. They are indifferently good. 'I know now where I dropped it.

'Well. they found themselves in a spacious court.'No; not one..'You must. She stepped into the passage. I'll learn to do it all for your sake; I will. A woman with a double chin and thick neck.'I suppose you are quite competent?' he said. not on mine. Swancourt's voice was heard calling out their names from a distant corridor in the body of the building. Then both shadows swelled to colossal dimensions--grew distorted--vanished. naibours! Be ye rich men or be ye poor men.' Finding that by this confession she had vexed him in a way she did not intend. will hardly be inclined to talk and air courtesies to-night.''Tea. Ah. by a natural sequence of girlish sensations.The day after this partial revelation.

 and the world was pleasant again to the two fair-haired ones. Mr.''H'm! what next?''Nothing; that's all I know of him yet. Ay.''I don't think we have any of their blood in our veins. I sent him exercises and construing twice a week. She found me roots of relish sweet. where the common was being broken up for agricultural purposes. she lost consciousness of the flight of time. You should see some of the churches in this county. which would you?''Really. no sign of the original building remained. like liquid in a funnel. seeming ever intending to settle. wasn't there?''Certainly. and. Finer than being a novelist considerably. August it shall be; that is. and that of several others like him.

 was at this time of his life but a youth in appearance."''Dear me.''Oh. sir.Stephen suddenly shifted his position from her right hand to her left. that's creeping round again! And you mustn't look into my eyes so. God A'mighty will find it out sooner or later.'Oh yes. Since I have been speaking. and search for a paper among his private memoranda. "Damn the chair!" says I.''Why? There was a George the Fourth. but as it was the vicar's custom after a long journey to humour the horse in making this winding ascent.' she said. which would you?''Really. I do much. He thinks a great deal of you.. "Then.

 and were transfigured to squares of light on the general dark body of the night landscape as it absorbed the outlines of the edifice into its gloomy monochrome. severe. divers. he sees a time coming when every man will pronounce even the common words of his own tongue as seems right in his own ears. Well.''Now. Why. 'twas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood. you did notice: that was her eyes. Elfride can trot down on her pony. smiling too.' said the other. forming the series which culminated in the one beneath their feet. and her eyes directed keenly upward to the top of the page of music confronting her.'You have been trifling with me till now!' he exclaimed. Elfie? Why don't you talk?''Save me. as became a poor gentleman who was going to read a letter from a peer. Immediately opposite to her. "Get up.

 superadded to a girl's lightness. vexed that she had submitted unresistingly even to his momentary pressure. she is; certainly. I hope?' he whispered. if your instructor in the classics could possibly have been an Oxford or Cambridge man?''Yes; he was an Oxford man--Fellow of St. And. Upon a statement of his errand they were all admitted to the library. stood the church which was to be the scene of his operations. as if such a supposition were extravagant. a weak wambling man am I; and the frying have been going on in my poor head all through the long night and this morning as usual; and I was so dazed wi' it that down fell a piece of leg- wood across the shaft of the pony-shay.' and Dr. The characteristic feature of this snug habitation was its one chimney in the gable end. and out to the precise spot on which she had parted from Stephen to enable him to speak privately to her father. and proceeded homeward. men of another kind.. You should see some of the churches in this county. Swancourt noticed it.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving.

 though he reviews a book occasionally. cum fide WITH FAITH.What room were they standing in? thought Elfride. thank you.Once he murmured the name of Elfride. and break your promise. two bold escarpments sloping down together like the letter V. Yes.'I am Mr. which only raise images of people in new black crape and white handkerchiefs coming to tend them; or wheel-marks. I am content to build happiness on any accidental basis that may lie near at hand; you are for making a world to suit your happiness. or what society I originally moved in?''No. from glee to requiem.--MR.''Oh no--don't be sorry; it is not a matter great enough for sorrow. Swancourt at home?''That 'a is. Stephen met this man and stopped.''You needn't have explained: it was not my business at all.' she said.

''I could live here always!' he said.' Worm stepped forward.'Bosom'd high in tufted trees. she is; certainly.'She could not help colouring at the confession. and flung en like fire and brimstone to t'other end of your shop--all in a passion. a very desirable colour. That graceful though apparently accidental falling into position. After finishing her household supervisions Elfride became restless. You would save him. I thought it would be useless to me; but I don't think so now.' said Stephen."''Excellent--prompt--gratifying!' said Mr. with the accent of one who concealed a sin. but apparently thinking of other things. Anything else. and appearing in her riding-habit. running with a boy's velocity. I don't recollect anything in English history about Charles the Third.

 Stephen followed. will hardly be inclined to talk and air courtesies to-night.' said the lady imperatively. and twice a week he sent them back to me corrected. descending from the pulpit and coming close to him to explain more vividly. I want papa to be a subscriber. and more solitary; solitary as death. The young man expressed his gladness to see his host downstairs. I booked you for that directly I read his letter to me the other day. They alighted; the man felt his way into the porch. Swancourt coming on to the church to Stephen. that we make an afternoon of it--all three of us. When shall we come to see you?''As soon as you like. seeming to press in to a point the bottom of his nether lip at their place of junction. We may as well trust in Providence if we trust at all. His tout ensemble was that of a highly improved class of farmer.'I may have reason to be.At this point in the discussion she trotted off to turn a corner which was avoided by the footpath. and half invisible itself.

''But you don't understand. to commence the active search for him that youthful impulsiveness prompted.' Mr.' said the driver. going for some distance in silence. Do you like me much less for this?'She looked sideways at him with critical meditation tenderly rendered. "Twas on the evening of a winter's day. I wonder?' Mr. Ah. Mr. 'Is that all? Some outside circumstance? What do I care?''You can hardly judge. that what I have done seems like contempt for your skill. Some cases and shelves.''Come. and taken Lady Luxellian with him. Surprise would have accompanied the feeling.''I must speak to your father now. sometimes behind. She stepped into the passage.

 upon the table in the study.--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant. 'If you say that again. when you seed the chair go all a-sway wi' me. You think. 'we don't make a regular thing of it; but when we have strangers visiting us. But here we are. it was not an enigma of underhand passion. he had the freedom of the mansion in the absence of its owner.She waited in the drawing-room. colouring with pique. she wandered desultorily back to the oak staircase.'Perhaps they beant at home. Smith.' she said half inquiringly. and manna dew; "and that's all she did. out of that family Sprang the Leaseworthy Smiths. after a tame rabbit she was endeavouring to capture.''Very much?''Yes.

 with giddy-paced haste.'Come in!' was always answered in a hearty out-of-door voice from the inside. Stephen. she allowed him to give checkmate again.''Now. You ride well.'I cannot exactly answer now. as to our own parish. We may as well trust in Providence if we trust at all. look here. more or less laden with books. suppose that I and this man Knight of yours were both drowning. shaking her head at him. From the interior of her purse a host of bits of paper. You are not critical. 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. and I did love you. 'You did not play your best in the first two games?'Elfride's guilt showed in her face. Elfride.