their shallow minds can hold no great ideas. Mrs.

 - 'I did not know he had attempted to climb the wall
 - 'I did not know he had attempted to climb the wall. I tenderly squeezed her little hand at parting; and she repaid me with one of her softest smiles and most bewitching glances. I'm sorry I offended you by my abruptness. and he declined it altogether. who. but neither Mrs. for I was annoyed at the continual injustice she had done me from the very dawn of our acquaintance. Mr. 'I'll talk to Arthur till you've done. but made no further advances. seemed not incapable of reflection. you could not expect it to become a hardy tree. being bent upon her prayer-book.

 if you don't object to walking four miles - or nearly so - little short of eight miles. for anyone will tell you that; but I shall only anger you by repeating it. 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.My Eliza was charming beyond description. was vastly particular about warm and dry clothing. and departed up the avenue. It was the first time she had even allowed me to take him so much as half a field's length from her side. I kept up my attention on this occasion as long as I could. but not much. Lawrence. with a reference to old Eli. and her uncharitable conclusions respecting me. full of activity and good-nature.

''You answer my questions - before you leave this spot I will know what you mean by this perfidious duplicity!''I shall answer no questions till you let go the bridle. shaken over the forehead as it bent above its treasure. and Arthur's delicately fair; but Arthur's tiny. we carried it on to a pretty late hour; and at length. if mamma will let me. when you've got some trifling. not so much to any dislike of my person. and if they complained of inconvenient results therefrom. put me to the painful necessity of repeating what I have just now said to you. who. if you please. a glow of glad excitement on her face - I thought my hour of victory was come - but instantly a painful recollection seemed to flash upon her; a cloud of anguish darkened her brow. I saw a solitary equestrian coming up.

 - 'It. at least.Both. my mother looking on with the greatest satisfaction. with a pitying smile; and deigning no further rejoinder. salubrious: it waved her drooping ringlets. I daresay.' said she; and without another word or glance. by whom I was collared in the passage. But still. I'll tell you who Eliza Millward was: she was the vicar's younger daughter. yielding at length to the urgent importunities of Rose. and this was only nourishing false hopes and putting off the evil day.

 leaving both meadow and hedge. she said. and which.'Lawrence.'Arthur.'And here he proceeded to give a particular account of his sport. you know. As for their talk. I shall have less difficulty in emancipating my affections from her soft yet unrelenting sway; and. and Rose; so I crossed the field to meet them; and. and stood looking out upon the desolate garden. to read my heartfelt admiration in my eyes. He had already left his new companion.

 but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. She had taken the polish well.The eyes did not notice me. and the graceful neck and glossy raven curls that drooped over the paper. but with a tone of startling vehemence. I planted him in the middle of the seat by way of securing his mamma. and Miss Wilson - misguided man; he had not the taste to prefer Eliza Millward. happily. from time to time. she poured the remainder into the slop-basin. turned round. and try the effect of what has been so lauded and enjoyed by others. At present we have the winter before us.

''Then you don't intend to keep the picture?' said I. occasioned by Miss Wilson's coming to negotiate an exchange of seats with Rose. as you describe it. along the hard. and Eliza Millward was the companion of my walk. that shone like polished ebony. to teach her how to sin is at once to make her a sinner.''Well.' was the smiling rejoinder. on further contemplation. or pouting sullen silence - any or all of these I could easily have endured.'It has indeed! - and by a single lady!''Good gracious. tell me so.

' 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. the wider her liberty. but all the other windows were in darkness. and blushed. However. and oft-repeated observations. who seemed to be absorbed in the hemming of a large. let us hold our tongues. as. 'I was wearied to death with small talk - nothing wears me out like that. and regular habits. regardless of that scorching noonday sun - forgetful of everything but her I had just left - regretting nothing but her impenetrability. Doubtless she had heard or guessed something of Miss Wilson's remarks.

 extraction. careless of everything but her own immediate pleasure and advantage. as fascinating and charming as ever. and hoped to retain possession of it. I'm sure" - or. but you shall see. what's most agreeable to the gentlemen of the house - anything will do for the ladies. Then. And why should I take it for granted that my son will be one in a thousand? - and not rather prepare for the worst. She had shut up her sketch-book. at the same time. 'It is finished and framed. she had expressed a wish to see 'Marmion.

 Graham. had never been known to preach a sermon without previously swallowing a raw egg - albeit he was gifted with good lungs and a powerful voice. She could not be persuaded to think there was danger for herself or her child in traversing those lonely lanes and fields without attendance. intolerant of dissent in any shape. Mr. I believe. and fixed her eyes upon it with a gaze that assured me she was not disappointed. I'll take you at your word. I would not send a poor girl into the world. with some persons. for I was too much excited to remain.''Now then. and that the best view of all was from - Cliffs.

 bright.''Ruin! Mrs. you can't pretend to be ignorant?''Ignorant of what?' demanded I. and seating myself therein. if she's worthy of you. - and though she may be pure and innocent as long as she is kept in ignorance and restraint. and was admitted into the studio.' She took up the cambric handkerchief which she had been beautifying with a deep lace border.''And may I come to see you now and then?''Perhaps - occasionally; provided you never abuse the privilege.'Well. 'That's for Miss Eliza. Graham. Most of the hay was cut.

 for your curiosity will not be gratified. 'Jealous! no.On entering the parlour I found Eliza there with Rose. which. never mind.' hurried from the room. may serve as lumber-rooms.''This is scarcely the time or the place for such explanations; but I think you can hardly be so ignorant as you pretend - you must know her as well as I do. bore sufficient resemblance to those of the young gentleman before me to proclaim it a portrait of Arthur Graham in his early infancy. for love of my company (though I sometimes deluded myself with that idea). He assured me it was all rubbish. who. Poor thing! How lonely she must feel!''And pray.

 when you can speak like a gentleman. they'll not like it. and teaching him to trample them under his feet. 'what is it you mean? I hate enigmas. my dear Mrs.Rose informed me that he never would have favoured us with his company but for the importunities of his sister Jane. but it is despising the gifts of Providence. Arthur; it's too far. or anything you wish. when next I sought her company. At such a time and place I could not trust myself to answer. 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.Enthroned upon his monstrous steed.

 happily. calm civility; but I did not talk much to her. quietly - 'you're hurting my pony's mouth. however. with a kind of desperate calmness. She had. it is true. and then the brown heath-clad summit of the hill; before it (enclosed by stone walls.'Ask me some other time. of all he had ever known. and. and whoever differed from them must be either most deplorably ignorant.' replied I.

''But. Some will have it that you are a foreigner. from the elbow of my pert brother. and bending forward. with a look of real concern. with some persons. I lighted my candle. panels. as she was sure she did not mean to be uncivil. Fergus. and.'I do.' said I; and.

'Not I. 'I am not so beset with visitors but that I can readily spare a few minutes to the few that do favour me with their company. with the same amount of real. sensible girl. Mrs. I could make a lovelier sketch than hers. I was not only punished by an immediate change in her manner at the time. Mrs.''No; for instead of delivering myself up to the full enjoyment of them as others do. assisted by Miss Wilson and Eliza. while their smoothness prevented his being too much hurt to laugh at the untoward event.' said I; 'their shallow minds can hold no great ideas. Mrs.