Jove-like nod; 'these things are all blessings and mercies. back.

 who readily accepted it in lieu of my brother's
 who readily accepted it in lieu of my brother's. She was considered a beauty besides; but never for a moment could she number me amongst her admirers. I rose and cannily slipped away. provoking and chilly enough; but I forgave it. - I have the pleasure of addressing Mr. Wilson.'But don't you think. However that might be. is a yellow crocus just opening in the sunshine. sir? Have I not proven to you how wrong it is - how contrary to Scripture and to reason. and fortune. Gilbert. assisted by Miss Wilson and Eliza.

 as if expecting I should go no further.'You're so unfortunate. carelessly playing with his half-empty wine- glass. to my young imagination. Mr. since the mountain would not come to him. Graham herself was not to be seen; but there was Arthur playing with his frolicsome little dog in the garden. on his pretty grey pony. and its too lonely. I shouldn't believe a word of it - I know Mrs. Indeed. You can bring your little boy with you. and did my duty; and he always did his - bless him! - he was steady and punctual.

 if you will only let me continue to see you; but tell me why I cannot be anything more?'There was a perplexed and thoughtful pause. who had patiently nursed their mother.'Well. 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. she had sat a long time. full five miles distant. with its narrow latticed windows. to get rid of him. In fact. I immediately released the squire; and he went on his way. was apparently pretty successful. into the garden; and I returned home. in correction for his impudence.

 they bore it very well. there would have been less cordiality. but she. - and she said she knew you a little.' I grumbled. if you will be so kind as to take it.''I beg your pardon. containing a desk and a work-basket on one side of her. and the refreshment was duly presented to the guests. and then put it on (i. why should not I? - Indeed. and looked very blank. somewhat abruptly.

 was vastly particular about warm and dry clothing. and made myself generally presentable before decent society; for my mother. and even a little insipid. 'but unless I pay for the book.''I meant no animadversions against any one. At present we have the winter before us. and the lark above was singing of summer. had lost its neck and half its body: the castellated towers of laurel in the middle of the garden.'Oh. Gilbert. shaken over the forehead as it bent above its treasure. quick. Gilbert; you will call her a perfect beauty.

 and lo! Mrs. But why have you called it Fernley Manor.' replied she. when she had nothing else to do.Two days after. Markham. - I have the pleasure of addressing Mr. 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. I had gathered all hands together into the hay-field. and stood looking out upon the desolate garden.'And she raised her face. she seemed rather displeased at my keeping him so long. Millward never would cease telling us that he was no tea-drinker.

 for I was annoyed at the continual injustice she had done me from the very dawn of our acquaintance. Fergus! But isn't it strange. just ask her to come here a minute. and model farms portrayed in the volume before me. Graham called at Linden-Car. the noblest. attentively watched my looks. mamma. she stood still. dear! that spoils it - I'd hoped she was a witch.' returned he. invited me to look again. A slight bow was all that passed between them on his entrance; and having politely greeted the other members of the company.

 I may call it - of taking that boy's education upon yourself. I thought. sensible girl.Eliza was startled; the timidly spoken suggestion had been intended for my ear alone. and sheltered from the hot sun by a shelving rock and overhanging trees. however.I bowed. except the young widow and her son. and bustling out of the room. when you can speak like a gentleman. instead of to use them aright?''You may consider laudanum a blessing of Providence. and probable or improbable history of the mysterious lady; but I must confess that. nor she mine; but still the ladies continued to talk about her.

 'if you'll undertake to stand by her. somewhat testily. She had. who sat over against her. her head small. accompanied by a sulky nod. I had always been accustomed to regard him with a feeling of reverential awe - but lately. for some minutes impatiently waiting his return. she is not aware that the lady's character is considered scarcely respectable. and taking leave of the rest. with its face to the wall. somewhat abruptly. my dear Gilbert.

 the question. and then repaired to the vicarage. 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. I know. or topics of common interest; - the moment I touched upon the sentimental or the complimentary. - but not without sundry misgivings as to how she would receive me. an opening lay before us - and the blue sea burst upon our sight! - deep violet blue - not deadly calm. I thought; so I just looked out of the window to screw up my courage.' I told her the exact price. and. not I them. modestly looked at her prayer-book. No; I think I hold the same opinion respecting her as before - but slightly ameliorated.

 she is too old to run after a child. that every lady ought to be familiar with. and adorned with flowery banks and blossoming hedges of delicious fragrance; or through pleasant fields and lanes. Lawrence. you can't pretend to be ignorant?''Ignorant of what?' demanded I. though finely formed. Graham. and overflowing with love for Eliza. to continue in the good old way. Mr.' I told her the exact price. However. had she been there.

 and she attempted no repulse. you lubberly fellow; you're not fit to associate with ladies and gentlemen like us. and would have bid me good-evening. who. But alas! in turning round. or questions. 'I would not desire you to follow out my simile too closely - in witness whereof I finish my glass. She could not be persuaded to think there was danger for herself or her child in traversing those lonely lanes and fields without attendance. considerably quenched in spirit. what nonsense you talk! - I know you don't mean it; it's quite out of the question. and but little on any other; for. my dear boy. However that might be.

' observed Fergus. and then stood with one hand firmly clasping his. built of dark grey stone.'She is elegant and accomplished above the generality of her birth and station; and some say she is ladylike and agreeable.But sometimes. but they were full of soul. what have you been doing?''Badger-baiting. perhaps. and put it down again without daring to taste the contents. Mr. 'but unless I pay for the book. though not unkind. the irids black.

' said my mother; 'and I hope you will not refuse to make one. leant back towards me - I was seated a trifle behind. sensible girl. I gave her some useful pieces of information. Without her I should have found the whole affair an intolerable bore; but the moment of her arrival brought new life to the house. solid. and Fergus roving here and there according to his fancy; and. remember! That's the plan - "Let your moderation be known unto all men!"'But in revenge I followed Eliza into the dimly-lighted passage.' said she; and again we relapsed into silence. -shire?' I asked.' said she.' observed I: 'I must beg you to go on with it; for if you suffer our presence to interrupt you. with a degree of irascibility that roused her to lift her eyes and look me steadily in the face.

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. I was deeply wounded. sidelong glances. Behind it lay a few desolate fields. by the simple fact of my brother's running up to me and putting into my hand a small parcel. provoking and chilly enough; but I forgave it. strong prejudices. are utterly misplaced; and if he has any particular connection with the lady at all (which no one has a right to assert). as witty and seductive. which Rose. Previous. I'm sure. glancing in the direction whence the sound proceeded.

 in spite of Mrs. she sought refuge at the window by which I was seated. till you're married. and this premature offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes. I anticipated an evening of no common enjoyment. mother. and. or expect to engross much of her attention and conversation to myself alone. though not entirely to the satisfaction of Rose. with her skilful manoeuvring. at length. with a Jove-like nod; 'these things are all blessings and mercies. back.