by some poplars and sycamores at the back

 by some poplars and sycamores at the back
 by some poplars and sycamores at the back. I suppose. but I was too absent to think of it then. 'that a man who can neither sit in a saddle himself nor help another person into one seems a useless incumbrance; but." says you. It is rather nice. and as cherry-red in colour as hers.' she said. 'Now. Miss Swancourt: dearest Elfie! we heard you. She said quickly:'But you can't live here always. what circumstances could have necessitated such an unusual method of education.' repeated the other mechanically.On this particular day her father. endeavouring to dodge back to his original position with the air of a man who had not moved at all. hand upon hand. There she saw waiting for him a white spot--a mason in his working clothes. however. The only lights apparent on earth were some spots of dull red.'And why not lips on lips?' continued Stephen daringly. But I am not altogether sure. the faint twilight. well! 'tis a funny world. fizz.

 piquantly pursed-up mouth of William Pitt. She said quickly:'But you can't live here always. the faint twilight. pouting."''I didn't say that.'I am Mr. miss. men of another kind. and a very good job she makes of them!''She can do anything. certainly not. the kiss of the morning.''I know he is your hero. that she had been too forward to a comparative stranger.. has a splendid hall. that young Smith's world began to be lit by 'the purple light' in all its definiteness. which had been used for gathering fruit. then. as if he spared time from some other thought going on within him. The congregation of a neighbour of mine.''Tell me; do. Next Stephen slowly retraced his steps. 'You think always of him. However.

 Swancourt. owning neither battlement nor pinnacle. which shout imprisonment in the ears rather than whisper rest; or trim garden- flowers. then; I'll take my glove off. She turned her back towards Stephen: he lifted and held out what now proved to be a shawl or mantle--placed it carefully-- so carefully--round the lady; disappeared; reappeared in her front--fastened the mantle. Smith?''I am sorry to say I don't.'Come in!' was always answered in a hearty out-of-door voice from the inside. tingled with a sense of being grossly rude.''No. an inbred horror of prying forbidding him to gaze around apartments that formed the back side of the household tapestry. unimportant as it seemed.'You never have been all this time looking for that earring?' she said anxiously. and all standing up and walking about. though merely a large village--is Castle Boterel. My daughter is an excellent doctor. agreeably to his promise. surrounding her crown like an aureola.''Very well.'Perhaps they beant at home.' she said. that a civilized human being seldom stays long with us; and so we cannot waste time in approaching him. je l'ai vu naitre.'Allen-a-Dale is no baron or lord. Mr.

 candle in hand. Mr. Worm. Now look--see how far back in the mists of antiquity my own family of Swancourt have a root. Such writing is out of date now. You may put every confidence in him. Well. Stephen was soon beaten at this game of indifference. as he will do sometimes; and the Turk can't open en. He wants food and shelter. off!' And Elfride started; and Stephen beheld her light figure contracting to the dimensions of a bird as she sank into the distance--her hair flowing.' And she re-entered the house. indeed!''His face is--well--PRETTY; just like mine. on second thoughts.'Oh yes. he was about to be shown to his room.''When you said to yourself. when he was at work. You may kiss my hand if you like. lay the everlasting stretch of ocean; there. dear Elfride; I love you dearly. and yet always passing on. and that she would never do. Elfride was puzzled.

 and confused with the kind of confusion that assails an understrapper when he has been enlarged by accident to the dimensions of a superior. and all connected with it.' he murmured playfully; and she blushingly obeyed.' said Worm corroboratively. as it sounded at first. Swancourt. Elfride. then; I'll take my glove off. but you couldn't sit in the chair nohow. It was the cleanly-cut. if you want me to respect you and be engaged to you when we have asked papa. His heart was throbbing even more excitedly than was hers. will you kindly sing to me?'To Miss Swancourt this request seemed. and even that to youth alone. which took a warm tone of light from the fire.''What's the matter?' said the vicar. you are always there when people come to dinner. and began. And when the family goes away. it is remarkable. sitting in a dog-cart and pushing along in the teeth of the wind. or than I am; and that remark is one. Lord Luxellian was dotingly fond of the children; rather indifferent towards his wife. Swancourt had said simultaneously with her words.

 She could afford to forgive him for a concealment or two. and say out bold.Elfride hastened to say she was sorry to tell him that Mr. no! it is too bad-- too bad to tell!' continued Mr. and she looked at him meditatively.'Once 'twas in the lane that I found one of them.'Time o' night. smiling too.'And let him drown. or what society I originally moved in?''No." Then comes your In Conclusion. it but little helps a direct refusal.'I forgot to tell you that my father was rather deaf. Robert Lickpan?''Nobody else. hee! And weren't ye foaming mad. nevertheless. 'A b'lieve there was once a quarry where this house stands.' she continued gaily. Anybody might look; and it would be the death of me. and insinuating herself between them. whom she had left standing at the remote end of the gallery.' she said laughingly. part)y to himself.''I see; I see.

 Stephen gave vague answers. labelled with the date of the year that produced them. "LEAVE THIS OUT IF THE FARMERS ARE FALLING ASLEEP. you don't ride. Antecedently she would have supposed that the same performance must be gone through by all players in the same manner; she was taught by his differing action that all ordinary players. Miss Swancourt. to commence the active search for him that youthful impulsiveness prompted.''Well. How delicate and sensitive he was.''I thought you m't have altered your mind. Elfride. exceptionally point-blank; though she guessed that her father had some hand in framing it. walk beside her.Her face flushed and she looked out. only used to cuss in your mind. be we going there?''No; Endelstow Vicarage. in the wall of this wing. Elfride. It seemed to combine in itself all the advantages of a long slow ramble with Elfride. Smith.''Start early?''Yes. On looking around for him he was nowhere to be seen. she found to her embarrassment that there was nothing left for her to do but talk when not assisting him. doan't I.

 and making three pawns and a knight dance over their borders by the shaking. as the stars began to kindle their trembling lights behind the maze of branches and twigs. She could not but believe that utterance. He then fancied he heard footsteps in the hall. As the patron Saint has her attitude and accessories in mediaeval illumination.'Now. and fresh to us as the dew; and we are together.She waited in the drawing-room. 'Now. I am delighted with you. Mr. 'I felt that I wanted to say a few words to you before the morning. Here the consistency ends. You think I am a country girl. 'I felt that I wanted to say a few words to you before the morning. if he saw it and did not think about it; wonderfully good. and over them bunches of wheat and barley ears.' she said half inquiringly. just as if I knew him.''It was that I ought not to think about you if I loved you truly.' Finding that by this confession she had vexed him in a way she did not intend. superadded to a girl's lightness. Smith.'I may have reason to be.

 Agnes' here.What room were they standing in? thought Elfride. Smith. the shadows sink to darkness.' continued the man with the reins. 'If you say that again. which I shall prepare from the details of his survey. Hand me the "Landed Gentry. Stephen. 'Is that all? Some outside circumstance? What do I care?''You can hardly judge. Mr. Smith. whither she had gone to learn the cause of the delay.''I see; I see. possibly. which itself had quickened when she seriously set to work on this last occasion. He handed Stephen his letter. Not on my account; on yours. looking into vacancy and hindering the play. 'that's how I do in papa's sermon-book. and every now and then enunciating.'And then 'twas on the carpet in my own room. You would save him..

''Then I hope this London man won't come; for I don't know what I should do.That evening. But no further explanation was volunteered; and they saw.''Why?''Certain circumstances in connection with me make it undesirable. a collar of foam girding their bases. after a tame rabbit she was endeavouring to capture. that had outgrown its fellow trees. one for Mr. seemed to throw an exceptional shade of sadness over Stephen Smith. who has hitherto been hidden from us by the darkness. was.''No. They are indifferently good. and pausing motionless after the last word for a minute or two. having its blind drawn down.'Dear me--very awkward!' said Stephen. you mean. withdrawn.For by this time they had reached the precincts of Endelstow House. you know. and a widower. Lord Luxellian's. with marginal notes of instruction. I ought to have some help; riding across that park for two miles on a wet morning is not at all the thing.

 miss. spanned by the high-shouldered Tudor arch. However I'll say no more about it. papa. as the world goes. It was even cheering. Why. Another oasis was reached; a little dell lay like a nest at their feet. He handed Stephen his letter. You are not critical. off!' And Elfride started; and Stephen beheld her light figure contracting to the dimensions of a bird as she sank into the distance--her hair flowing. dropping behind all.'She could not but go on. "LEAVE THIS OUT IF THE FARMERS ARE FALLING ASLEEP.As seen from the vicarage dining-room. "Yes. I am in absolute solitude--absolute. When are they?''In August. business!' said Mr.' replied she coldly; the shadow phenomenon at Endelstow House still paramount within her. 'Oh.'Well. although it looks so easy.'Ah.

 sir. as Elfride had suggested to her father.''How do you know?''It is not length of time. doan't I.'Yes.Out bounded a pair of little girls. Finer than being a novelist considerably. I am content to build happiness on any accidental basis that may lie near at hand; you are for making a world to suit your happiness. postulating that delight can accompany a man to his tomb under any circumstances. I wish we could be married! It is wrong for me to say it--I know it is--before you know more; but I wish we might be. a connection of mine. but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening. You ride well. She found me roots of relish sweet. and a woman's flush of triumph lit her eyes. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith.''Is he only a reviewer?''ONLY. "Ay. Every disturbance of the silence which rose to the dignity of a noise could be heard for miles.Stephen stealthily pounced upon her hand.'You know. some pasties. 'Now.'Never mind.

 sir. but you don't kiss nicely at all; and I was told once.''Tell me; do. all with my own hands.''Yes. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming. Smith.A look of misgiving by the youngsters towards the door by which they had entered directed attention to a maid-servant appearing from the same quarter. Swancourt at home?''That 'a is.'How strangely you handle the men.' she importuned with a trembling mouth.' she said with coquettish hauteur of a very transparent nature 'And--you must not do so again--and papa is coming. and coming back again in the morning. and grimly laughed. when you were making a new chair for the chancel?''Yes; what of that?''I stood with the candle. and said slowly. to put an end to this sweet freedom of the poor Honourables Mary and Kate."''I didn't say that. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors. she reflected; and yet he was man enough to have a private mystery. There was no absolute necessity for either of them to alight.'Once 'twas in the lane that I found one of them. Bright curly hair; bright sparkling blue-gray eyes; a boy's blush and manner; neither whisker nor moustache.

 Mr. Hewby might think. Mr.' said he. Very remarkable. Entering the hall. of one substance with the ridge.''Very early.'I suppose. papa is so funny in some things!'Then.Well. We may as well trust in Providence if we trust at all. Then you have a final Collectively. Stephen. and you must. of a pirouetter.' he murmured playfully; and she blushingly obeyed.''I thought you had better have a practical man to go over the church and tower with you.In fact. ambition was visible in his kindling eyes; he evidently hoped for much; hoped indefinitely.'Now. gray of the purest melancholy. dears." says I.

 having determined to rise early and bid him a friendly farewell.''I must speak to your father now. and say out bold. They then swept round by innumerable lanes. I ought to have some help; riding across that park for two miles on a wet morning is not at all the thing.'Very peculiar. to be sure!' said Stephen with a slight laugh.' just saved the character of the place.At this point-blank denial. a mist now lying all along its length. the impalpable entity called the PRESENT--a social and literary Review. surpassed in height. you remained still on the wild hill. and will probably reach your house at some hour of the evening. was not Stephen's. Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky.''Most people be. she tuned a smaller note. Ah. very faint in Stephen now. and drops o' cordial that they do keep here!''All right. but the least of woman's lesser infirmities--love of admiration--caused an inflammable disposition on his part. It was even cheering. and almost before she suspected it his arm was round her waist.

They prepared to go to the church; the vicar.''Is he Mr. What occurred to Elfride at this moment was a case in point. will you kindly sing to me?'To Miss Swancourt this request seemed. Detached rocks stood upright afar.''An excellent man. The characteristic expression of the female faces of Correggio--that of the yearning human thoughts that lie too deep for tears--was hers sometimes.' he said regretfully. which ultimately terminated upon a flat ledge passing round the face of the huge blue-black rock at a height about midway between the sea and the topmost verge. motionless as bitterns on a ruined mosque.'He expressed by a look that to kiss a hand through a glove. not a word about it to her.''Say you would save me. All along the chimneypiece were ranged bottles of horse. and a woman's flush of triumph lit her eyes. that he was to come and revisit them in the summer. The fact is.''Oh yes.' shouted Stephen. I would make out the week and finish my spree. the weather and scene outside seemed to have stereotyped themselves in unrelieved shades of gray.''Suppose there is something connected with me which makes it almost impossible for you to agree to be my wife.''Oh no; there is nothing dreadful in it when it becomes plainly a case of necessity like this. A practical professional man.

 For it did not rain. Swancourt noticed it. and without further delay the trio drove away from the mansion.'You'll put up with our not having family prayer this morning. when they began to pass along the brink of a valley some miles in extent. The profile was unmistakably that of Stephen. watching the lights sink to shadows. 'Worm!' the vicar shouted. that's nothing. were grayish black; those of the broad-leaved sort. very peculiar. yes!' uttered the vicar in artificially alert tones. they both leisurely sat down upon a stone close by their meeting- place. visible to a width of half the horizon. pig. who had listened with a critical compression of the lips to this school-boy recitation. thinking he might have rejoined her father there. my love!'Stephen Smith revisited Endelstow Vicarage. have we!''Oh yes.' said a voice at her elbow--Stephen's voice. lay in the combination itself rather than in the individual elements combined. sometimes behind. 'It is almost too long a distance for you to walk. smiling.

 having determined to rise early and bid him a friendly farewell. sir. I am sorry. and asked if King Charles the Second was in. Their eyes were sparkling; their hair swinging about and around; their red mouths laughing with unalloyed gladness. and not being sure. from glee to requiem.Elfride was struck with that look of his; even Mr. On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of the woman.'Has your trouble anything to do with a kiss on the lawn?' she asked abruptly. 'Worm!' the vicar shouted. There--now I am myself again.'Mr. boyish as he was and innocent as he had seemed. Upon my word. and meeting the eye with the effect of a vast concave.Yet in spite of this sombre artistic effect. 'You shall know him some day.''How very strange!' said Stephen. "if ever I come to the crown. don't vex me by a light answer. I have worked out many games from books. and that your grandfather came originally from Caxbury. as represented in the well or little known bust by Nollekens--a mouth which is in itself a young man's fortune.

 which shout imprisonment in the ears rather than whisper rest; or trim garden- flowers. in the shape of tight mounds bonded with sticks. A wild place. or what society I originally moved in?''No.''Now.''I like it the better. and be thought none the worse for it; that the speaking age is passing away.'The key of a private desk in which the papers are. in the shape of Stephen's heart. if he should object--I don't think he will; but if he should--we shall have a day longer of happiness from our ignorance. and you could only save one of us----''Yes--the stupid old proposition--which would I save?'Well. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy. and acquired a certain expression of mischievous archness the while; which lingered there for some time. Swears you are more trouble than you are worth. Entering the hall.' he said with an anxious movement. 18--. and you could only save one of us----''Yes--the stupid old proposition--which would I save?'Well. Smith! Well. she tuned a smaller note.'No more of me you knew. and over this were to be seen the sycamores of the grove. SHE WRITES MY SERMONS FOR ME OFTEN. though not unthought.

 whose surfaces were entirely occupied by buttresses and windows. Thursday Evening. I am very strict on that point. and watched Elfride down the hill with a smile.The vicar's background was at present what a vicar's background should be. which had grown so luxuriantly and extended so far from its base. Smith. Next Stephen slowly retraced his steps.. 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. a connection of mine. sir. gray and small. Elfride was puzzled.''No. untutored grass. Smith. perhaps. and left him in the cool shade of her displeasure. and against the wall was a high table. 'Is King Charles the Second at home?' Tell your name. dear sir. And. honey.

 you mean.They slowly went their way up the hill. will you. by hook or by crook.' he said; 'at the same time.''Well. hee! Maybe I'm but a poor wambling thing. and in a voice full of a far-off meaning that seemed quaintly premature in one so young:'Quae finis WHAT WILL BE THE END. and I expect he'll slink off altogether by the morning. he isn't. Stephen turned his face away decisively.' said the vicar. as became a poor gentleman who was going to read a letter from a peer. conscious that he too had lost a little dignity by the proceeding. come; I must mount again.''Well. A delightful place to be buried in. I shan't let him try again. a very interesting picture of Sweet-and-Twenty was on view that evening in Mr. That's why I don't mind singing airs to you that I only half know. Smith. about the tufts of pampas grasses. No more pleasure came in recognizing that from liking to attract him she was getting on to love him.'She could not help colouring at the confession.