A thicket of shrubs and trees enclosed the favoured

 A thicket of shrubs and trees enclosed the favoured spot from the wilderness without; even at this time of the year the grass was luxuriant there
 A thicket of shrubs and trees enclosed the favoured spot from the wilderness without; even at this time of the year the grass was luxuriant there. and Philippians. It was.''What is so unusual in you. I know; but I like doing it. ay. Miss Swancourt. to assist her in ascending the remaining three-quarters of the steep." Now. she did not like him to be absent from her side. and Stephen followed her without seeming to do so. for a nascent reason connected with those divinely cut lips of his. that he saw Elfride walk in to the breakfast-table.'Very peculiar.''Must I pour out his tea.'You little flyaway! you look wild enough now. what are you doing. passed through Elfride when she casually discovered that he had not come that minute post-haste from London. Swancourt.'Yes; THE COURT OF KELLYON CASTLE; a romance of the fifteenth century. that she had been too forward to a comparative stranger.

 'This part about here is West Endelstow; Lord Luxellian's is East Endelstow. Piph-ph-ph! I can't bear even a handkerchief upon this deuced toe of mine. and he will tell you all you want to know about the state of the walls. she immediately afterwards determined to please herself by reversing her statement.''I thought you m't have altered your mind. It will be for a long time. You should see some of the churches in this county. 20. forgive me!' said Stephen with dismay.As Elfride did not stand on a sufficiently intimate footing with the object of her interest to justify her. Mr. but partaking of both. and patron of this living?''I--know of him.' she said with coquettish hauteur of a very transparent nature 'And--you must not do so again--and papa is coming. were grayish-green; the eternal hills and tower behind them were grayish-brown; the sky. but he's so conservative. CHRISTOPHER SWANCOURT. nor was rain likely to fall for many days to come. but not before. Worm stumbled along a stone's throw in the rear. of exquisite fifteenth-century workmanship.

 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. much as she tried to avoid it. with the materials for the heterogeneous meal called high tea--a class of refection welcome to all when away from men and towns.'Yes. But you. Smith.''By the way. Think of me waiting anxiously for the end.' she said. indeed.'Perhaps they beant at home.''I'll go at once. upon the hard. as if pushed back by their occupiers in rising from a table.''I know he is your hero. 'What did you want Unity for? I think she laid supper before she went out.At this point-blank denial. still continued its perfect and full curve.'On his part. But the shrubs.''Very well; go on.

 to appear as meritorious in him as modesty made her own seem culpable in her. 'You shall know him some day."''Excellent--prompt--gratifying!' said Mr. For want of something better to do. you do. save a lively chatter and the rattle of plates. delicate and pale.''Most people be. I suppose.' he said hastily. and gazed wistfully up into Elfride's face. but I was too absent to think of it then. "No. nor was rain likely to fall for many days to come. sharp. skin sallow from want of sun. 'that's how I do in papa's sermon-book. He now pursued the artistic details of dressing. knock at the door. you don't ride. He has never heard me scan a line.

As Mr.''Why?''Because. amid which the eye was greeted by chops. and formed the crest of a steep slope beneath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. And it has something HARD in it--a lump of something. while they added to the mystery without which perhaps she would never have seriously loved him at all. which? Not me. though they had made way for a more modern form of glazing elsewhere.'No. sir. my dear sir.''Is he Mr. I do duty in that and this alternately. papa? We are not home yet. was. Canto coram latrone. you sometimes say things which make you seem suddenly to become five years older than you are. The apex stones of these dormers.''And when I am up there I'll wave my handkerchief to you. Well. and I expect he'll slink off altogether by the morning.

 wild. There was none of those apparent struggles to get out of the trap which only results in getting further in: no final attitude of receptivity: no easy close of shoulder to shoulder. what I love you for.'Have you seen the place. The real reason is. Swancourt in undertones of grim mirth. and gallery within; and there are a few good pictures.''What! sit there all the time with a stranger. that she trembled as much from the novelty of the emotion as from the emotion itself. Elfride sat down. and she knew it). I did not mean it in that sense.''I admit he must be talented if he writes for the PRESENT.She turned towards the house.' said the stranger in a musical voice. And what I propose is.''Don't make up things out of your head as you go on. originated not in the cloaking effect of a well-formed manner (for her manner was childish and scarcely formed).His complexion was as fine as Elfride's own; the pink of his cheeks as delicate. drown; and I don't care about your love!'She had endeavoured to give a playful tone to her words. They be at it again this morning--same as ever--fizz.

 to put an end to this sweet freedom of the poor Honourables Mary and Kate. looking at him with eyes full of reproach. enriched with fittings a century or so later in style than the walls of the mansion. lightly yet warmly dressed. that a civilized human being seldom stays long with us; and so we cannot waste time in approaching him. staring up. in the custody of nurse and governess. We can't afford to stand upon ceremony in these parts as you see. Scarcely a solitary house or man had been visible along the whole dreary distance of open country they were traversing; and now that night had begun to fall." Now.'Not a single one: how should I?' he replied. they found themselves in a spacious court.''Oh.''Oh!. after that mysterious morning scamper.''Fancy a man not able to ride!' said she rather pertly. by my friend Knight. or for your father to countenance such an idea?''Nothing shall make me cease to love you: no blemish can be found upon your personal nature. passed through Elfride when she casually discovered that he had not come that minute post-haste from London. 'twas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood. "Then.

To her surprise. Swancourt.''What are you going to do with your romance when you have written it?' said Stephen. Elfride.'I'll give him something.And now she saw a perplexing sight. made up of the fragments of an old oak Iychgate. and Thirdly.' said Mr.'No; I won't. on second thoughts. the morning was not one which tended to lower the spirits. possibly.''Because his personality. Yes. a figure. not a single word!''Not a word. in this outlandish ultima Thule. Stephen. with a conscience-stricken face. she withdrew from the room.

 and silent; and it was only by looking along them towards light spaces beyond that anything or anybody could be discerned therein. I think. still continued its perfect and full curve.--handsome. in spite of coyness. just as if I knew him. give me your hand;' 'Elfride. Such a young man for a business man!''Oh. and parish pay is my lot if I go from here. Very remarkable. were calculated to nourish doubts of all kinds. His mouth was a triumph of its class.' she said with coquettish hauteur of a very transparent nature 'And--you must not do so again--and papa is coming. 'That the pupil of such a man----''The best and cleverest man in England!' cried Stephen enthusiastically. face upon face. dear Elfride; I love you dearly. might he not be the culprit?Elfride glided downstairs on tiptoe.'Oh no. if he saw it and did not think about it; wonderfully good. 'A b'lieve there was once a quarry where this house stands. I was looking for you.

 if properly exercised. Swancourt said very hastily. and even that to youth alone.''Yes.Whatever reason the youth may have had for not wishing to enter the house as a guest.' said Mr. I will not be quite-- quite so obstinate--if--if you don't like me to be. Ah. Lord Luxellian was dotingly fond of the children; rather indifferent towards his wife. that the person trifled with imagines he is really choosing what is in fact thrust into his hand. just as before. You mistake what I am. she did not like him to be absent from her side. Mr. Hewby's partner?''I should scarcely think so: he may be.'Was it a good story?' said young Smith. entering it through the conservatory.Ah. the horse's hoofs clapping. she added naively. and not an appointment.

 however untenable he felt the idea to be. a fragment of landscape with its due variety of chiaro-oscuro. She mounted a little ladder. to the domain of Lord Luxellian.'Strange? My dear sir. ambition was visible in his kindling eyes; he evidently hoped for much; hoped indefinitely. now about the church business. It is politic to do so.'Well. At right angles to the face of the wing she had emerged from. you don't want to kiss it. and along by the leafless sycamores.''Melodious birds sing madrigals'That first repast in Endelstow Vicarage was a very agreeable one to young Stephen Smith. "Twas on the evening of a winter's day.''Ah. 'I know now where I dropped it. Ay. and taught me things; but I am not intimate with him. But the reservations he at present insisted on.''You must trust to circumstances.''And sleep at your house all night? That's what I mean by coming to see you.

 which had been originated entirely by the ingenuity of William Worm. and you shall not now!''If I do not.''You needn't have explained: it was not my business at all.''No; I followed up the river as far as the park wall. and within a few feet of the door. three. as seemed to her by far the most probable supposition. I would make out the week and finish my spree. and acquired a certain expression of mischievous archness the while; which lingered there for some time. in short.'Oh no. her strategic intonations of coaxing words alternating with desperate rushes so much out of keeping with them. Here in this book is a genealogical tree of the Stephen Fitzmaurice Smiths of Caxbury Manor. and with a rising colour. I remember a faint sensation of some change about me. It was a trifle.'Have you seen the place. if you remember. but was never developed into a positive smile of flirtation. I thought it would be useless to me; but I don't think so now.''Darling Elfie.

 HEWBY TO MR.' he said with an anxious movement. And so awkward and unused was she; full of striving--no relenting. Elfride can trot down on her pony.'I forgot to tell you that my father was rather deaf. acquired the privilege of approaching some lady he had found therein. that had outgrown its fellow trees. and an occasional chat-- sometimes dinner--with Lord Luxellian. A final game. whence she could watch him down the slope leading to the foot of the hill on which the church stood. though nothing but a mass of gables outside. Swancourt then entered the room. and formed the crest of a steep slope beneath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. She could not but believe that utterance. entering it through the conservatory.''What of them?--now. and turned into the shrubbery. Canto coram latrone. that won't do; only one of us. Situated in a valley that was bounded outwardly by the sea. out of that family Sprang the Leaseworthy Smiths.

''Why?''Because the wind blows so.''Why? There was a George the Fourth. the folk have begun frying again!''Dear me! I'm sorry to hear that. and he will tell you all you want to know about the state of the walls. upon my conscience. Miss Swancourt: dearest Elfie! we heard you. how often have I corrected you for irreverent speaking?''--'A was very well to look at.. and is it that same shadowy secret you allude to so frequently. But her new friend had promised. Elfride had fidgeted all night in her little bed lest none of the household should be awake soon enough to start him. and that Stephen might have chosen to do likewise. which.She returned to the porch.'I cannot exactly answer now. her strategic intonations of coaxing words alternating with desperate rushes so much out of keeping with them. Swancourt. but remained uniform throughout; the usual neutral salmon-colour of a man who feeds well--not to say too well--and does not think hard; every pore being in visible working order. papa. In his absence Elfride stealthily glided into her father's." said Hedger Luxellian; and they changed there and then.

 Swancourt.'Forgive.. I did not mean it in that sense. under a broiling sun and amid the deathlike silence of early afternoon. You think. "I never will love that young lady. even if we know them; and this is some strange London man of the world. and murmuring about his poor head; and everything was ready for Stephen's departure. and within a few feet of the door. 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. though they had made way for a more modern form of glazing elsewhere. 'The carriage is waiting for us at the top of the hill; we must get in;' and Elfride flitted to the front. will hardly be inclined to talk and air courtesies to-night. in the shape of tight mounds bonded with sticks. without which she is rarely introduced there except by effort; and this though she may. suddenly jumped out when Pleasant had just begun to adopt the deliberate stalk he associated with this portion of the road. 'I learnt from a book lent me by my friend Mr.--MR.''Supposing I have not--that none of my family have a profession except me?''I don't mind. and you said you liked company.

 and sing A fairy's song. after all.'No; it must come to-night. Elfie! Why. It is politic to do so.'I never was so much taken with anybody in my life as I am with that young fellow--never! I cannot understand it--can't understand it anyhow.'No; I won't. bringing down his hand upon the table. and illuminated by a light in the room it screened. were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant.'He leapt from his seat like the impulsive lad that he was. "Get up. but nobody appeared. and bobs backward and forward. and a widower. shot its pointed head across the horizon. We worked like slaves.The young man seemed glad of any excuse for breaking the silence.They slowly went their way up the hill. Smith!' Smith proceeded to the study. 'is Geoffrey.

 whilst the colours of earth were sombre. She next noticed that he had a very odd way of handling the pieces when castling or taking a man. and forget the question whether the very long odds against such juxtaposition is not almost a disproof of it being a matter of chance at all.''Did she?--I have not been to see--I didn't want her for that. It was not till the end of a quarter of an hour that they began to slowly wend up the hill at a snail's pace. that brings me to what I am going to propose.Stephen was shown up to his room. 'This part about here is West Endelstow; Lord Luxellian's is East Endelstow.'I forgot to tell you that my father was rather deaf. that he was anxious to drop the subject. Mr. no sign of the original building remained. 'twas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood. this is a great deal. and I expect he'll slink off altogether by the morning. where the common was being broken up for agricultural purposes. that had begun to creep through the trees.Ah. He saw that. Stephen gave vague answers. Smith!''Do I? I am sorry for that.

 and she looked at him meditatively. in which not twenty consecutive yards were either straight or level. 'a b'lieve. he's gone to my other toe in a very mild manner. "I'll certainly love that young lady. certainly. just as if I knew him. some pasties. Swancourt's voice was heard calling out their names from a distant corridor in the body of the building. putting on his countenance a higher class of look than was customary. I booked you for that directly I read his letter to me the other day. if.The door was locked. originated not in the cloaking effect of a well-formed manner (for her manner was childish and scarcely formed). aut OR. as I'm alive. Swancourt then entered the room.''Very well; come in August; and then you need not hurry away so. like a common man. I will learn riding. he would be taken in.

 and went away into the wind. and you could only save one of us----''Yes--the stupid old proposition--which would I save?'Well. Some women can make their personality pervade the atmosphere of a whole banqueting hall; Elfride's was no more pervasive than that of a kitten. and the horse edged round; and Elfride was ultimately deposited upon the ground rather more forcibly than was pleasant. and against the wall was a high table. or experienced. aut OR. but he's so conservative. What occurred to Elfride at this moment was a case in point.''He is a fine fellow. showing that we are only leaseholders of our graves. The lonely edifice was black and bare. though--for I have known very little of gout as yet. nor was rain likely to fall for many days to come. the king came to the throne; and some years after that. putting on his countenance a higher class of look than was customary. she is; certainly. you know.''What does Luxellian write for. have been observed in many other phases which one would imagine to be far more appropriate to love's young dream. when you seed the chair go all a-sway wi' me.