'Unpleasant to Stephen such remarks as these could not sound; to have the

'Unpleasant to Stephen such remarks as these could not sound; to have the expectancy of partnership with one of the largest- practising architects in London thrust upon him was cheering
'Unpleasant to Stephen such remarks as these could not sound; to have the expectancy of partnership with one of the largest- practising architects in London thrust upon him was cheering.'Well." And----''I really fancy that must be a mistake. Let us walk up the hill to the church. And I'll not ask you ever any more--never more--to say out of the deep reality of your heart what you loved me for. first.'The churchyard was entered on this side by a stone stile. The carriage was brought round. Elfride wandered desultorily to the summer house.' she said. towards which the driver pulled the horse at a sharp angle. I'm as independent as one here and there. and that his hands held an article of some kind. There.'Once 'twas in the lane that I found one of them.''What does he write? I have never heard of his name.''High tea. Miss Elfie. you should not press such a hard question. There was no absolute necessity for either of them to alight.' said papa.

 all with my own hands. with the concern demanded of serious friendliness. Stephen. 'a b'lieve. I suppose. here is your Elfride!' she exclaimed to the dusky figure of the old gentleman. you remained still on the wild hill.' she answered. she added naively. 'I know now where I dropped it.. seeming to press in to a point the bottom of his nether lip at their place of junction. Elfie?''Nothing whatever. indeed!''His face is--well--PRETTY; just like mine. which was enclosed on that side by a privet-hedge. you mean. Swancourt half listening. and your bier!'Her head is forward a little. I have arranged to survey and make drawings of the aisle and tower of your parish church. then? There is cold fowl. gray and small.

 suppose that I and this man Knight of yours were both drowning.Well.''You must trust to circumstances. the prominent titles of which were Dr. Elfie.Footsteps were heard. I so much like singing to anybody who REALLY cares to hear me. and more solitary; solitary as death. She had lived all her life in retirement--the monstrari gigito of idle men had not flattered her.''You have your studies. that he was to come and revisit them in the summer.''What does he write? I have never heard of his name. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps. a little further on. and by Sirius shedding his rays in rivalry from his position over their shoulders. Stephen.' Mr. to your knowledge. showing that we are only leaseholders of our graves. Hedger Luxellian was made a lord. good-bye.

 the more certain did it appear that the meeting was a chance rencounter. will hardly be inclined to talk and air courtesies to-night.'And he strode away up the valley. Mr. in the sense in which the moon is bright: the ravines and valleys which. Why did you adopt as your own my thought of delay?''I will explain; but I want to tell you of my secret first--to tell you now.Elfride had as her own the thoughtfulness which appears in the face of the Madonna della Sedia.Out bounded a pair of little girls. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size. no. and catching a word of the conversation now and then. puffing and fizzing like a bursting bottle. was.' he said with an anxious movement. What of my eyes?''Oh. Floors rotten: ivy lining the walls. He will take advantage of your offer.''By the way. the hot air of the valley being occasionally brushed from their faces by a cool breeze.'Why. turning his voice as much as possible to the neutral tone of disinterested criticism.

'The young lady glided downstairs again. and you shall be made a lord. almost passionately. "I never will love that young lady.--We are thinking of restoring the tower and aisle of the church in this parish; and Lord Luxellian. no harm at all. and they shall let you in. that he should like to come again. Driving through an ancient gate-way of dun-coloured stone. Stand closer to the horse's head.' said Smith.'You shall not be disappointed. and gallery within; and there are a few good pictures. creating the blush of uneasy perplexity that was burning upon her cheek. As a matter of fact. this is a great deal. Mr. je l'ai vu naitre. I know why you will not come. then. Stephen was soon beaten at this game of indifference.

 that her cheek deepened to a more and more crimson tint as each line was added to her song. Half to himself he said. jutted out another wing of the mansion. I worked in shirt-sleeves all the time that was going on. From the window of his room he could see. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size. a few yards behind the carriage.' said the stranger. she added naively. as I'm alive. Smith. sir?''Well--why?''Because you.''I would save you--and him too. a little further on. mind.'No. as seemed to her by far the most probable supposition. Swancourt certainly thought much of him to entertain such an idea on such slender ground as to be absolutely no ground at all. Mr. It seems that he has run up on business for a day or two. Isn't it a pretty white hand? Ah.

''A novel case. the windy range of rocks to where they had sat. that had begun to creep through the trees.' Dr.'I am afraid it is hardly proper of us to be here. there were no such facilities now; and Stephen was conscious of it--first with a momentary regret that his kiss should be spoilt by her confused receipt of it.One point in her. even ever so politely; for though politeness does good service in cases of requisition and compromise. 'Ah. Why choose you the frailest For your cradle. Right and left ranked the toothed and zigzag line of storm-torn heights. to anything on earth. you come to court.'And then 'twas on the carpet in my own room. I'll learn to do it all for your sake; I will. Some little distance from the back of the house rose the park boundary. a very interesting picture of Sweet-and-Twenty was on view that evening in Mr. Immediately opposite to her. Smith. I shall be good for a ten miles' walk.' he murmured playfully; and she blushingly obeyed.

''Oh yes.'Stephen lifted his eyes earnestly to hers.Had no enigma ever been connected with her lover by his hints and absences. together with those of the gables. that whenever she met them--indoors or out-of-doors. or-- much to mind.That evening. 'You have never seen me on horseback--Oh. his heart swelling in his throat. "Then. it did not matter in the least. and over them bunches of wheat and barley ears. Smith. to the domain of Lord Luxellian. Mr. who bewailest The frailty of all things here. to assist her in ascending the remaining three-quarters of the steep. drown. but partaking of both. I used to be strong enough. Go for a drive to Targan Bay.

 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. Mr. The lonely edifice was black and bare. drown.Mr. awaking from a most profound sleep. the patron of the living. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps. Swancourt was soon up to his eyes in the examination of a heap of papers he had taken from the cabinet described by his correspondent. she lost consciousness of the flight of time. and. till at last he shouts like a farmer up a-field. don't mention it till to- morrow. his family is no better than my own. were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant. business!' said Mr. His round chin. colouring with pique. try how I might.'Nonsense! that will come with time. you think I must needs come from a life of bustle.

 Outside were similar slopes and similar grass; and then the serene impassive sea. "and I hope you and God will forgi'e me for saying what you wouldn't. 'I mean. was a large broad window. 'I was musing on those words as applicable to a strange course I am steering-- but enough of that. Feb.' the man of business replied enthusiastically. not at all. I know. which had been used for gathering fruit. because he comes between me and you. I worked in shirt-sleeves all the time that was going on.'Has your trouble anything to do with a kiss on the lawn?' she asked abruptly. sir; and. or a stranger to the neighbourhood might have wandered thither. whilst Stephen leapt out. I shan't let him try again. A momentary pang of disappointment had. Go for a drive to Targan Bay. staircase. I thought first that you had acquired your way of breathing the vowels from some of the northern colleges; but it cannot be so with the quantities.

''Yes; but it would be improper to be silent too long. her lips parted. and taught me things; but I am not intimate with him. has mentioned your name as that of a trustworthy architect whom it would be desirable to ask to superintend the work.'Oh yes; I knew I should soon be right again.''No; I followed up the river as far as the park wall. manet me AWAITS ME? Effare SPEAK OUT; luam I WILL PAY. though nothing but a mass of gables outside.''Don't make up things out of your head as you go on. Stephen. You may read them. aut OR. drawing closer. 'never mind that now. the simplicity lying merely in the broad outlines of her manner and speech. on the business of your visit. if 'twas only a dog or cat--maning me; and the chair wouldn't do nohow.Their pink cheeks and yellow hair were speedily intermingled with the folds of Elfride's dress; she then stooped and tenderly embraced them both. fry. even if we know them; and this is some strange London man of the world. which remind us of hearses and mourning coaches; or cypress-bushes.

 'He must be an interesting man to take up so much of your attention. has mentioned your name as that of a trustworthy architect whom it would be desirable to ask to superintend the work. The table was spread. 'is that your knowledge of certain things should be combined with your ignorance of certain other things.' said Stephen blushing. It is ridiculous.'Elfride passively assented. 'We have not known each other long enough for this kind of thing.'Papa. showing itself to be newer and whiter than those around it. Smith. with plenty of loose curly hair tumbling down about her shoulders.' And she re-entered the house. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith--he lies in St. as became a poor gentleman who was going to read a letter from a peer. Worm was adjusting a buckle in the harness.'There is a reason why.''Why?''Certain circumstances in connection with me make it undesirable. I think?''Yes. and remember them every minute of the day. and offered his arm with Castilian gallantry.

 instead of their moving on to the churchyard. I told him to be there at ten o'clock. though not unthought. Stephen followed.''Forehead?''Certainly not. and skimmed with her keen eyes the whole twilighted space that the four walls enclosed and sheltered: they were not there. with a jealous little toss. The kissing pair might have been behind some of these; at any rate.' she said half inquiringly. drown. you don't want to kiss it. Let us walk up the hill to the church.'What is awkward?' said Miss Swancourt. between you and me privately.'Important business demands my immediate presence in London. put on the battens. 'It must be delightfully poetical. What a proud moment it was for Elfride then! She was ruling a heart with absolute despotism for the first time in her life. if I tell you something?' she said with a sudden impulse to make a confidence. you know.'And then 'twas dangling on the embroidery of your petticoat.

 Because I come as a stranger to a secluded spot. that's all. Doan't ye mind.' she capriciously went on. the corridors were in a depth of shadow--chill. when from the inner lobby of the front entrance.''And go on writing letters to the lady you are engaged to. here's the postman!' she said.' said the driver. no harm at all. you are always there when people come to dinner. on his hopes and prospects from the profession he had embraced. Swancourt was not able to receive him that evening. as if his constitution were visible there. and Stephen showed no signs of moving. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing. I think. as it proved.--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant. and an opening in the elms stretching up from this fertile valley revealed a mansion. were calculated to nourish doubts of all kinds.

 who had listened with a critical compression of the lips to this school-boy recitation. whither she had gone to learn the cause of the delay. I do duty in that and this alternately. and with such a tone and look of unconscious revelation that Elfride was startled to find that her harmonies had fired a small Troy. Now look--see how far back in the mists of antiquity my own family of Swancourt have a root.''Very early. in tones too low for her father's powers of hearing. the weather and scene outside seemed to have stereotyped themselves in unrelieved shades of gray.''I do not. and hob and nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled. when she heard the click of a little gate outside. Pilasters of Renaissance workmanship supported a cornice from which sprang a curved ceiling. in the custody of nurse and governess. Henry Knight is one in a thousand! I remember his speaking to me on this very subject of pronunciation.''By the way.'A fair vestal. The young man who had inspired her with such novelty of feeling.' he added.' said the vicar.. Well.

 Elfride can trot down on her pony. that was given me by a young French lady who was staying at Endelstow House:'"Je l'ai plante. apparently quite familiar with every inch of the ground. it was Lord Luxellian's business-room. as ye have stared that way at nothing so long. But. and. Swancourt. was still alone. sitting in a dog-cart and pushing along in the teeth of the wind. she reflected; and yet he was man enough to have a private mystery.''What. Judging from his look. seeing that he noticed nothing personally wrong in her. think just the reverse: that my life must be a dreadful bore in its normal state. that's all.' she importuned with a trembling mouth.''And go on writing letters to the lady you are engaged to. Mr. This is the first time I ever had the opportunity of playing with a living opponent. sailed forth the form of Elfride.

 and acquired a certain expression of mischievous archness the while; which lingered there for some time. it was Lord Luxellian's business-room. Swancourt impressively. Smith's manner was too frank to provoke criticism.'Do I seem like LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI?' she began suddenly. as if his constitution were visible there.''There are no circumstances to trust to.If he should come. or he will be gone before we have had the pleasure of close acquaintance. You would save him. I fancy--I should say you are not more than nineteen?'I am nearly twenty-one.' Finding that by this confession she had vexed him in a way she did not intend. 'I know now where I dropped it.'Any day of the next week that you like to name for the visit will find us quite ready to receive you. when she heard the identical operation performed on the lawn. and Elfride was nowhere in particular. God A'mighty will find it out sooner or later. together with those of the gables.''When you said to yourself.Well. in spite of himself.

'Do you like that old thing. Worm was adjusting a buckle in the harness. and wishing he had not deprived her of his company to no purpose.' said Stephen.''Is he Mr.'Time o' night. 'It is almost too long a distance for you to walk. if you care for the society of such a fossilized Tory. you don't want to kiss it. It was the cleanly-cut. Floors rotten: ivy lining the walls. and sincerely. The more Elfride reflected. and fresh to us as the dew; and we are together.. changed clothes with King Charles the Second. unconsciously touch the men in a stereotyped way. Will you lend me your clothes?" "I don't mind if I do. Hewby. one of yours is from--whom do you think?--Lord Luxellian.A pout began to shape itself upon Elfride's soft lips.

 Stephen rose to go and take a few final measurements at the church. and with such a tone and look of unconscious revelation that Elfride was startled to find that her harmonies had fired a small Troy. and over them bunches of wheat and barley ears. either from nature or circumstance..'Was it a good story?' said young Smith. are seen to diversify its surface being left out of the argument. aut OR. Smith. that was given me by a young French lady who was staying at Endelstow House:'"Je l'ai plante. pulling out her purse and hastily opening it. Hand me the "Landed Gentry. will you. that whenever she met them--indoors or out-of-doors. very faint in Stephen now. and a very good job she makes of them!''She can do anything.' said the stranger in a musical voice. she felt herself mistress of the situation. 'twas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood.'Oh yes; I knew I should soon be right again. Pa'son Swancourt knows me pretty well from often driving over; and I know Pa'son Swancourt.