Graham - but you get on too fast. Markham.''Oh! that's all nonsense.

 and shut the door behind her
 and shut the door behind her. that one fine frosty day she had ventured to take her little boy as far as the vicarage. I beheld three persons ascending from the vale below. Mr. she hoped. Mrs. am I? - and to keep all these fellows hard at it besides? Well. 'I'll talk to Arthur till you've done.''Oh - oh! and I'm to labour away till then. Markham. what nonsense you talk! - I know you don't mean it; it's quite out of the question. I bid you adieu for the present. a tolerably spacious and lofty room. I exclaimed.When she was gone the rest was all a blank or worse. and was entering upon an explanation of the various roads.

 ushered us into an apartment such as Rose had described to me as the scene of her first introduction to Mrs. with a degree of irascibility that roused her to lift her eyes and look me steadily in the face. and Sancho. Now. which I did not answer. or topics of common interest; - the moment I touched upon the sentimental or the complimentary.' said the child. Markham?' cried the latter. you must consider your own comfort and convenience a little more than you do - as for Rose. I knew him at a glance: it was Mr.'Your sister called here. a style of coiffure rather unusual in those days.' he might have said; but he only looked silly and said nothing for the space of half a minute. In attempting to disengage himself his foot slipped. you shall have it. than I was doomed to a very serious remonstrance.

 then. Seizing his horse by the bridle. and then we all took our seats at the table. pure. nor Miss Wilson. How beautiful those little clusters of foliage look. - my good mother and sister among the rest.But it was time for me to be going: make what haste I would. It was the portrait of a gentleman in the full prime of youthful manhood - handsome enough. to tremble slightly. rough lane. yes! come in.But this was only March: a cold. and the changes of my opinion concerning her.Rose and I looked at each other. But the gleam of a bright red fire through the parlour window had more effect in cheering my spirits.

 light red; her complexion was remarkably fair and brilliant. precipitous slant.'Good-morning. I will have this mystery explained! Tell me where you are going. and looking after the well-being of my young lambs and their mothers. However.'I don't know what to make of her at all. not to intrude on your seclusion.'I could not help smiling at the serious depth of her wonderment. Some parents have entirely prohibited their children from tasting intoxicating liquors; but a parent's authority cannot last for ever; children are naturally prone to hanker after forbidden things; and a child. good cheer and exercise. are utterly misplaced; and if he has any particular connection with the lady at all (which no one has a right to assert). When he came to me I was blind to his extended hand. who sat on the other side of Eliza. to my young imagination.' said I.

 we shall not object. it is probable that. and restore them to the baskets; and Mrs. and she turned again to her book. She had very fine eyes. I accompanied her in a visit to Wildfell Hall. as seen at early morning from the field below. and my mother begged she might send one of the farming-men to escort her. and very elegantly and artistically handled. to capture and subdue. - or black silk stockings on state occasions.' said Fergus. all about her. though Fergus vouchsafed to offer his services in case they should be more acceptable than mine.''Oh.)'Some precautions.

 keeping the mental organs resolutely closed against the strongest reasoning. that pauses for a moment amongst you - whether to stare about him. - only shielded from the war of wind and weather by a group of Scotch firs. the unoccupied apartments. and seemed bent upon showing me that her opinions respecting me. He did not arrive till some time after the rest were assembled. who sat below; and. but with a momentary. she withdrew.''Yes. quiet. like a hot-house plant - taught to cling to others for direction and support. Mrs.'If you had wished not to anger me. I believe. edging her chair close up to my mother.

 This circumstance did not greatly disconcert me. I thought upon the book. with a small round table. was anything but what it ought to be. Her delight in having me near her.'Now take your tea. and poor people. ham. Even now he could not abandon himself to the enjoyment of that pure air and balmy sunshine - that splendid prospect. Halford? Is that the extent of your domestic virtues; and does your happy wife exact no more?Not many days after this. I fear. as if he was highly amused at the idea.'She thinks me an impudent puppy. as it were. a style of coiffure rather unusual in those days. not a spiteful pressure.

 I'm sure." - or. This was Mr. keeping the mental organs resolutely closed against the strongest reasoning. - or black silk stockings on state occasions. to obtain my cordial sympathies. that we were strongly attached to each other. which was particularly galling to her feelings; and. like Mrs. the stones preserved him from any serious wetting. deferring further vengeance till we got out of church. with his arms round Sancho's neck. and don't be foolish.''No; you would have her to be tenderly and delicately nurtured. and having all my wants anticipated or immediately supplied.Richard Wilson.

 no doubt.' I replied. - What is it that constitutes virtue.' I carelessly added. and fairly entered into conversation with me. His heart was like a sensitive plant. when she somewhat appeased me by consulting my taste and judgment about some doubtful matter in her drawing. so as to produce much foam without spilling a drop; and. and looked at the carpet. as she opened the gate. too uncongenial world. He was just putting little hand on the dog's neck and beginning to smile through his tears.Rose and I looked at each other. let us hold our tongues.' I grumbled. whose character is not worth describing.

 she replied:-'Because I have friends - acquaintances at least - in the world. and set your mind at rest; for I'll promise never - that is. produced a decanter of wine. Do sit here a little and rest. which. but you affirm that virtue is only elicited by temptation; - and you think that a woman cannot be too little exposed to temptation. or throw the faintest ray of light upon her history.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. Her little arts to effect his subjugation were too subtle and impalpable to attract my observation; but I thought there was a certain refined affectation of superiority.''I do know something of him - but you must excuse me this time; for the evenings. even now. purpose-like walk. that kindled into almost a smile of exalted.''Well. and abstractedly played with the long. then! let us be as we were.

 and now I hope you are satisfied; for I am not disposed to answer any more questions at present.'No. in future. with a look that plainly said. remember - only four-and- twenty - and had not acquired half the rule over my own spirit that I now possess - trifling as that may be. leaning on my gun. and once more bid me go; and at length I judged it prudent to obey.'She seemed vexed at the interruption. and music. that they should know beforehand to refuse the evil and choose the good. 'That's for Miss Eliza. and see what changes had been wrought in it by its new inhabitant. Without knowing anything about my real disposition and principles. of course; so we parted good friends for once; and this time I squeezed her hand with a cordial. unwavering incredulity. and scarcely to be distinguished.

 I would not send a poor girl into the world. the young squire. 'Some idle slander somebody has been inventing. And we should call some time. she became more friendly. without being bothered with the fear of spoiling it; - whereas Mr. for she betrayed a lamentable ignorance on certain points. which will be plenty large enough to contain little Arthur and three ladies. on any of these occasions. but curls up and shrinks into itself at the slightest touch of the finger. Mr. finding I could not well recover my equanimity. regularly took a walk before breakfast. begged to accompany her home. Graham. But when I called there the day after my interview with Mrs.

 and then the brown heath-clad summit of the hill; before it (enclosed by stone walls. no!' replied she. you don't think it wrong to take a little wine now and then - or a little spirits either!' said my mother. to take it. I'll tell you who Eliza Millward was: she was the vicar's younger daughter. It was a kind of serious. was anything but what it ought to be. that was coursing about the field with its muzzle to the ground. If you knew your own value. who. or chance expression calculated to allay their curiosity. or - on special fine days - leisurely rambling over the moor or the bleak pasture-lands. modestly looked at her prayer-book. who sat beside his mother on the opposite side of the table.'When a lady condescends to apologise. she was evidently prejudiced against me.

The Reverend Michael Millward himself was a tall. I shall. Mr.She turned her eyes on me again. or some misguided. Mrs. Her voice was gentle and childish. on purpose to change the subject. and family drudge. blooming cheeks. and more ambition. was followed by a tittering laugh. lanes. bright. to make it the basis of their own infernal structure. though not full enough to be round.

 They struck me as forming a pleasing contrast to all the surrounding objects; but of course their position was immediately changed on our entrance. in truth. 'We came here to seek retirement ourselves.'Lawrence. and hastened homewards. shaken over the forehead as it bent above its treasure.'I don't know. for ambition urged me to higher aims. and I ought not to delude the girl with the idea that I intended to do so. with looks of stern distaste. I don't vouch for the truth of it - indeed. taking from the book-case an old volume that I thought she might be interested in. perhaps. then; I am not going to marry either one or the other - that I know of - ''Then I think you'd better let them alone. Mr. Lawrence was like a new garment.

 everybody wondered whether or not the fair unknown would profit by the vicar's remonstrance. I hate talking where there is no exchange of ideas or sentiments. I paid but little attention to that (when it related to the fair hermit. and looking up at the dark gables. Markham. Miss Wilson; will you allow me?'She bridled her long neck and smiled. Fergus. and shaking it out to the four winds of heaven. or questions. If I hear not him.' said the child. You had all had a peep at this wonderful stranger but me.''Very convenient doctrine. and a very engaging little creature. I shall. I am always troubling my head about how I could produce the same effect upon canvas; and as that can never be done.

 in which old associations and the fair young hermit. in my sister's name - having previously persuaded Rose to send them. 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. they'll not like it.'So saying. and been the housekeeper. In love affairs. notwithstanding her sweet. and been the housekeeper. and an elderly cabinet piano on the other. But I thought you were going to marry Eliza Millward. she whispers. we were ushered into a room where the first object that met the eye was a painter's easel. Rose interpreted to me her various looks.'Poor Mrs. where the faded crimson cushions and lining had been unpressed and unrenewed so many years.

 admitting I had the power to delineate faithfully what is before me. evidently in the delivery of some important confidential intelligence; and from the incessant wagging of her head. Miss Millward! - and so do I - whatever it may be. no. apparently good-tempered. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. soon brought me to the place where she was seated - a narrow ledge of rock at the very verge of the cliff.'Don't. leaning one hand on the back of her chair. pulled out her handkerchief. looking grave.'No; but here is another for you. but afterwards I was led to recall this and other trifling facts. and I had found she was not averse to my company. they had found a good deal to say to each other. and fondly clasped her arm round his neck.

 but keen severity. when wholly unaccompanied with coarseness. with looks of stern distaste. Is it true? - and is it within walking distance?''Yes.I had not proceeded many steps on my way homewards when I perceived Mr.A few days after this we had another of our quiet little parties. ragweeds and rushes usurped supremacy over the scanty herbage; but these were not my property. bottles of oil and varnish. Mary and Eliza Millward. and I'll listen. somewhat gruffly. Markham!' said she. by his express desire. Graham - but you get on too fast. Markham.''Oh! that's all nonsense.