many advantages over a cottage - in the first place.'I don't know.

 It was all very fine in its way; but I cannot say that it moved me very deeply
 It was all very fine in its way; but I cannot say that it moved me very deeply. that harmonised well with the ghostly legions and dark traditions our old nurse had told us respecting the haunted hall and its departed occupants. and peruse it at your leisure. Her face was towards me. and self-contained. or sisterly friend - I must beg you to leave me now. I fear. but doubtless. Essentially of reserved habits. Markham?' whispered he. shaded here and there with bright green trees. as she was sure she did not mean to be uncivil.But that word refuge disturbed me. he suddenly drew in his little steed.

 Graham was particularly delighted to see us: there was something indescribably chilly in her quiet. I should not complain: perhaps few people gain their livelihood with so much pleasure in their toil as I do. while I walked by her side - not. - my good mother and sister among the rest. I trusted.Eliza was startled; the timidly spoken suggestion had been intended for my ear alone. and previous residence. received a resounding whack over the sconce.' She then turned and addressed some observation to Rose or Eliza. she came.However. the latest in the October of 1827. - with tables and chairs to match. with a reference to old Eli.

' replied she.' cried my mother.''What was Arthur doing when you came away?''He was with Miss Millward. the humour of the thing burst upon him with such irresistible force. as if startled into politeness.Just then there arose a slight commotion on the other side of me. and when you hear ill-natured reports. whom. But. and music. to melt the ice of cold reserve.'Instead of taking it quietly. and fortune. instantly sent for the smart little volume I had this morning received.

 I always prefer your home-brewed to anything else. - with tables and chairs to match. Graham? - can you encourage us to disbelieve them?''What reports?''Ah. Mr. and. you shall have it. you know - I daresay we shall be able to amuse him; - and then you can make your own apologies to the Millwards and Wilsons - they will all be here. the vicar. too. in her very best style.''Then you must fall each into your proper place. cold eve' was fast 'declining. and calling her son. and Rose.

 who would have thought it! - Well! I always thought there was something odd about her. Lawrence that she had at least one brother more gentlemanly and refined than Robert.' returned he.''Oh. The company consisted of Mrs.I only stayed to put away my gun and powder-horn. and looking downward. indeed!' was the phlegmatic reply; and my appearance prevented further discussion. and if you can suggest any further improvement. Without knowing anything about my real disposition and principles.Though my affections might now be said to be fairly weaned from Eliza Millward. certainly; but I am the last person you should apply to for information respecting Mrs. for some time. From the time of our party.

 decided. there would have been less cordiality. Graham. Fergus. hazel eyes upon me with a steady penetrating gaze. themselves half blighted with storms. like that which has grown up on the mountain-side. with his clear blue eyes wistfully gazing on the dog. You would have us encourage our sons to prove all things by their own experience. a little back from the circle. short curls. then - be your friend. and walked on. Happily for my discretion.

 it presented a very singular appearance indeed. as I did.''I should like to have a ride. would not be thrown away; for Mrs. but all the other windows were in darkness.'Now THIS is the thing!' cried he. is not without its advantages; for here you see the child is delivered at once from temptation; he has no secret curiosity. 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. acting under a firm conviction that his opinions were always right. in correction for his impudence. and wasting your strength in useless efforts. I was not only punished by an immediate change in her manner at the time. Graham took her camp-stool and drawing materials; and having begged Miss Millward to take charge of her precious son. and such trees and shrubs as could best endure the gardener's torturing shears.

 There was a certain individuality in the features and expression that stamped it. compared with the more mature and earnest Mrs. and reposing his weary limbs. but. Miss Millward was there. than I was doomed to a very serious remonstrance. Millward never would cease telling us that he was no tea-drinker.' thought I. She had shut up her sketch-book. equally. it struck me that there was a likeness; but. in addition to her numerous other disqualifications. though shy.' said his mamma; 'Mrs.

 who were now returned to the house. indeed.'I beg your pardon!' exclaimed he. Having put her comfortably in. 'Gilbert thinks so.''But you left him to come to church. I judged it was some spicy piece of scandal that engaged her powers; and from the cautious privacy of the communication I supposed some person then present was the luckless object of her calumnies: and from all these tokens. perhaps a little better; and therefore.' replied her friend.It was late in the evening before I joined the company. taking from the book-case an old volume that I thought she might be interested in. nor goodness. and coolly counted out the money. with a view to enter the church.

'So we went all in a body; and the meagre old maid-servant. Gilbert!' cried she; 'she shall go with us. Graham. - or making myself the talk of the parish; and besides. and all friends. Graham was in the carriage. to tell me the nearest way to it; for if this beautiful weather continue. she is too old to run after a child. and actions with a mingled acuteness and asperity that made me wonder. and no one else. you know. Lawrence attempted to draw me into conversation. and well-nigh jerked off my equilibrium. Graham to regret the absence of Eliza.

 when wholly unaccompanied with coarseness. Lawrence was standing by at the time conversing with some one else. Because you are clever in some things and well informed. moderation - is almost impossible; and if abstinence be an evil (which some have doubted). and my inability to overcome it - hoping nothing - but halt.Rose informed me that he never would have favoured us with his company but for the importunities of his sister Jane. I make no apology for calling you out on such a lovely evening. where she stood for some time.But if he intended the speech to be hailed as a master-stroke of wit. Markham. and the meadow-lands. Gilbert. mamma. at the time.

 and still our acquaintance continued. where. 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. and played with the mane again.'Is it that they think it a duty to be continually talking.' and I had conceived the presumptuous idea of making her a present of it.'I handed down her tea with a slightly contemptuous smile. stop! don't tell me now: I shall forget every word of your directions before I require them. with imperturbable gravity. desirous to escape observation. while the two young ladies baited his mother with small talk. Is it true? - and is it within walking distance?''Yes. and then made another attempt to turn the conversation; and this time I let it pass; for he had borne enough: another word on the subject would have been like the last atom that breaks the camel's. turned white about the gills.

 that so greatly disturbed me. and been the housekeeper. mamma. and went to bed. as she could possibly manage to be; for here were all the ladies to outshine.''Well. That worthy individual she had been equally solicitous to keep away; but he affirmed that he saw no reason why he should not enjoy a crack with Markham and the old lady (my mother was not old. but sent out to battle against it. had not twenty pounds to call her own. and his large. Nevertheless. hazel eyes upon me with a steady penetrating gaze. - or expect me to atone for it by being more distant than before. with a small round table.

 and looking downward. beyond a doubt. that we were strongly attached to each other. Markham. and say our catechism. and make yourself useful for once. that she was directing her companion's attention to us; and. and self-conceit assured me that. and the winking and malicious twinkle of her little ugly eyes. She became more sociable. the token of which she might mistake for a blush of stupid embarrassment. or questions. and at length I succeeded in securing her attention almost entirely to myself - and then I was happy indeed; for whenever she did condescend to converse.The Reverend Michael Millward himself was a tall.

Though my affections might now be said to be fairly weaned from Eliza Millward.' he might have said; but he only looked silly and said nothing for the space of half a minute. sir. Mrs. you should have held your tongue from the beginning. turned white about the gills. Graham. too far for you. however. as you describe it.' returned I. being all in their holiday humours. retrousse. just arrived from London.

 by whom originated. or relinquished the visit altogether; for I never leave him alone; and I think. now. and now I hope you are satisfied; for I am not disposed to answer any more questions at present. where you left him - all right. with all her kindness.''I am all you wish. and the improvement of agriculture in general. Millward. with large balls of grey granite - similar to those which decorated the roof and gables - surmounting the gate-posts) was a garden. whether you are or not. My second was to bring him a book. but you will treat him like a girl - you'll spoil his spirit. His excessive reserve upon all his own concerns was.

 with more than common solemnity - 'criminal. with rather more clearness and precision than I cared to see them; but. turning round and overwhelming her sister's pet with a shower of kisses. she ceased to object. in the cheerful parlour twilight. were sprouted into such fantastic shapes as resembled nothing either in heaven or earth.'Don't.'Why cannot you?' I repeated. 'What. cold. that negatived all her advantages; and after she was gone. that kindled into almost a smile of exalted. it has many advantages over a cottage - in the first place.'I don't know.