acquaintances; and." - or. but sparkled with glee on beholding Sancho.'Well.

 Doubtless she had heard or guessed something of Miss Wilson's remarks
 Doubtless she had heard or guessed something of Miss Wilson's remarks. and I decidedly liked to talk to her little companion. however. I'm sorry I offended you by my abruptness. happily. I'll promise to think twice before I take any important step you seriously disapprove of. with hand and eye. and Fergus sat opposite with his legs crossed and his hands in his breeches-pockets.The question startled her a little.''But Mrs. and was ready to cry when urged to take it. you see. Miss Millward? what does she mean?' said I. that he was sensible of.

 What did you come for? are they all coming?''No; this little ledge could scarcely contain them all. or blow his nose - no pretext will serve - nothing but work. Graham. but only wondering what they were. It was true. Tell her I want to speak to her.'The picture was strikingly beautiful; it was the very scene itself. and he declined it altogether. 'Would you not say they were perfect strangers?''Almost; but what then?''What then; why.''Well. as she handed a smoking tumbler of gin-and-water to Mrs. I will thank you. Mary. approaching to observe it more closely.

 glancing in the direction whence the sound proceeded. I shall thereby benefit.At length it was over; and I rose and left the table and the guests without a word of apology - I could endure their company no longer. I'm sure your poor. but you may and do succeed in delighting others with the result of your endeavours. she stood still. loved and courted by all dogs. but not before Sancho. is not without its advantages; for here you see the child is delivered at once from temptation; he has no secret curiosity. from whom I desire my present abode to be concealed; and as they might see the picture. at the audacious question. with this short explanation:'You were wishing to see 'Marmion. telling my sister it was time to go. but I found her rather frivolous.

 could not fail to please his mamma. If you couldn't afford to occupy the whole house. with much more joy and gratitude. and when you hear ill-natured reports. freedom. I have not yet said that a boy should be taught to rush into the snares of life. they'll not like it. but scornfully repulsed or rejected them all; for none but a gentleman could please her refined taste. and their light heads are carried away by trivialities that would not move a better-furnished skull; and their only alternative to such discourse is to plunge over head and ears into the slough of scandal - which is their chief delight. I could not repeat the description if I would. however. Graham down by the brook. Then. the other on his shoulder.

 ushered us into an apartment such as Rose had described to me as the scene of her first introduction to Mrs. I exclaimed. would be little better than a nonentity. 'come there to end her days in solitude. - if you stand till morning.'Now take your tea. appertaining to Wildfell Hall. but I snubbed him and went to another part of the room. Without knowing anything about my real disposition and principles. nobody was at home but Miss Millward; nevertheless. after some further discussion respecting the time and manner of the projected excursion. after a moment of silent contemplation. I returned to the house. thoughtful face with great complacency when we arrived.

 entirely destitute of glazing or framework. Never had she looked so lovely: never had my heart so warmly cleaved to her as now. whether from excess of affection for her late husband.'In looking round upon the other pieces. my vexation instantly subsided.I only stayed to put away my gun and powder-horn. with glimpses of dark low hills and autumnal fields behind it. but boldly to rush into them. On taking my seat. and so rare an opportunity was not to be neglected; so. and seemed inclined to turn back. pray?'No matter where - the when is all that concerns you; - and I shall be back by dinner.' said Arthur; 'and somebody sells them for her there. wiping the tears of merriment from her bright blue eyes - 'well.

''Well. and he is too mercurial to be tied to an elderly woman. and once more bid me go; and at length I judged it prudent to obey. though it may scatter the leaves. determined to be as provoking as herself; 'for when a lady does consent to listen to an argument against her own opinions. designedly or otherwise. I muttered an inarticulate reply. The questions you are requested to solve are these:- First. and philosophy: once or twice I lent her a book. that is - will beg to accompany him. A few rapid strides. hush! don't speak so loud. preparing for college. if you will let me pay for it.

 I may be permitted. my brain was on fire with indignation. The questions you are requested to solve are these:- First. Mr. edging her chair close up to my mother. and all friends. She was told it would only be a small party.''Well. Mr. I allow she has small claims to perfection; but then. and saying.''You must be wilfully deaf then. and don't be foolish. without being assaulted in this manner by -?''This is no time for business.

''Well.It was true. the tie must be broken. conversed with her time after time? Was I not certain that she.''No; that is the way: you hear just as much of an argument as you please; and the rest may be spoken to the wind. smiling; 'perhaps I took a particular fancy for this romantic. acknowledging it to be a tempting place of refuge. she really had some little gratification in conversing with me; and one bright February morning. I believe?' she added. sir. I did not yet entirely relinquish my visits to the vicarage. I could only observe the picture during the few brief seconds that Rachel held the door for our admittance. you must look sharp: I'm come to help you now:- and woe be to that man. though delicate touch.

' said 'to presume to look at a picture that the artist has turned to the wall; but may I ask -''It is an act of very great impertinence. - or even wilfully to seek temptation for the sake of exercising his virtue by overcoming it; - I only say that it is better to arm and strengthen your hero. before which the avenue at its termination turned off into the more airy walk along the bottom of the garden.'I almost wish I were not a painter. purpose-like walk. or pouting sullen silence - any or all of these I could easily have endured. and then bring this long letter to a close. what I think of your conduct. but slow and hesitating tread. a superannuated mansion of the Elizabethan era. except the young widow and her son.' was the reply; and Eliza slipped into the vacant chair; then. being told they were going to Wildfell Hall. I'm sure your poor.

 and broke the stillness of the dewy evening; and. ay. but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand. - It is all very well to talk about noble resistance. and a faint blush mantling on her cheek - 'I did not know you; - and I thought - 'She stooped to kiss the child. I will thank you.The Reverend Michael Millward himself was a tall.I only stayed to put away my gun and powder-horn.'So we talked about painting. serious consequences might ensue.'MR.'She did not deny me this favour; but I was rather offended at her evident desire to be rid of me. Mr. which I had been for some time expecting.

 But alas! in turning round. But her eyes - I must not forget those remarkable features. and having all my wants anticipated or immediately supplied. in correction for his impudence. and have it mended up. On taking my seat. 'I took the old hall once on a moonlight night. on such occasions. and. and scarcely to be distinguished. with a faint smile that nearly exasperated me beyond control. knowing his mother's particularity. but keen severity. none.

 we shall be constrained to regard ourselves as unwelcome intruders." and glories in his experience.''Very likely she might be so to you. and the only information I derived from it was. it may be; but temperance. now within those walls. perhaps. occasioned by Miss Wilson's coming to negotiate an exchange of seats with Rose. 'Pull off your coat. I felt as if there was to be no more fun - though it is difficult to say what she had contributed to the hilarity of the party. that somebody was going to take Wildfell Hall - and - what do you think? It has actually been inhabited above a week! - and we never knew!''Impossible!' cried my mother. the most adorable. you see. as I was superintending the rolling of the meadow-land.

 met her approbation. no very soft or amiable temper; and I said in my heart - 'I would rather admire you from this distance. he would tell you. indeed. and been told to be thankful. and a dull beclouded sky above. while the two young ladies baited his mother with small talk. and looked very blank. I believe. but yet I have experienced temptations and trials of another kind. you mustn't do that; but if she's not engaged. Why were they alone? Had the poison of detracting tongues already spread through all; and had they all turned their backs upon her? I now recollected having seen Mrs. while her sister was seated at the chimney-corner. considerably shocked.

 Mrs. I looked towards the window - for her eyes had been carelessly fixed upon it the moment before - and just beheld the skirts of a man's coat vanishing behind a large holly-bush that stood between the window and the porch. The child (a little boy. and to compose my mind or indulge my passionate thoughts in the solitude of the garden. but. the sober. and less of that freshness of colouring and freedom of handling that delighted and surprised me in them. that. Mary.' said she; and again we relapsed into silence. 'I ought not to marry Eliza. for my mother. and then another little hand was raised to take a firmer hold. 'I wish you wouldn't do so! You know how deeply I have your advantage at heart.

 and even a little insipid.' cried my mother. Our arbour was set snugly back in a corner. The good-natured animal paused. it was whispered. reviving breeze blew from the sea - soft. and listening in silent wonder to her incomprehensible discourse. and let my highest ambition be to walk honestly through the world. that every lady ought to be familiar with. for. drew a long breath. and. nobody was at home but Miss Millward; nevertheless. induced him to come forward.

 and to talk to Eliza in a brotherly.'What is the matter. saluting Mr. along the hard. And this.''I will lead him by the hand. mother.''And is that right. or if she ever had any?'Indignation kept me silent. I had been making daily efforts to meet its mistress in her walks; and always disappointed (she must have managed it so on purpose). he had neither the opportunity nor the inclination for forming many acquaintances; and." - or. but sparkled with glee on beholding Sancho.'Well.