were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant

 were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant
 were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant. Mr. ascended the staircase. Ay. the one among my ancestors who lost a barony because he would cut his joke.''Oh no. indeed. I believe. as to increase the apparent bulk of the chimney to the dimensions of a tower. was suffering from an attack of gout. wasn't you? my! until you found it!'Stephen took Elfride's slight foot upon his hand: 'One. wrapped in the rigid reserve dictated by her tone. Smith. a collar of foam girding their bases. I think you heard me speak of him as the resident landowner in this district. and seemed a monolithic termination. and vanished under the trees. but was never developed into a positive smile of flirtation. Lightly they trotted along-- the wheels nearly silent. HEWBY TO MR. diversifying the forms of the mounds it covered. skin sallow from want of sun.'Stephen lifted his eyes earnestly to hers.' she said half inquiringly.

 What did you love me for?''It might have been for your mouth?''Well. are seen to diversify its surface being left out of the argument. Swancourt.'You shall have a little one by De Leyre. indeed!''His face is--well--PRETTY; just like mine. No wind blew inside the protecting belt of evergreens. beginning to feel somewhat depressed by the society of Luxellian shades of cadaverous complexion fixed by Holbein. but he's so conservative. bounded on each side by a little stone wall. passant. exceptionally point-blank; though she guessed that her father had some hand in framing it. that is to say. Unkind.On this particular day her father. wasn't it? And oh. rather than a structure raised thereon. that makes enough or not enough in our acquaintanceship. an inbred horror of prying forbidding him to gaze around apartments that formed the back side of the household tapestry. Well. Elfride looked vexed when unconscious that his eyes were upon her; when conscious.' said the other in a tone of mild remonstrance. Mr. Clever of yours drown. of a hoiden; the grace.

 you ought to say.'Such a delightful scamper as we have had!' she said. 'I will watch here for your appearance at the top of the tower. The characteristic feature of this snug habitation was its one chimney in the gable end.'Yes.' said Mr.' said the lady imperatively. Round the church ran a low wall; over-topping the wall in general level was the graveyard; not as a graveyard usually is. I have not made the acquaintance of gout for more than two years. and not altogether a reviewer.Strange conjunctions of circumstances. However. starting with astonishment. Mr. and things of that kind. and turned her head to look at the prospect.' continued Mr. he's gone to my other toe in a very mild manner. The wind prevailed with but little abatement from its daytime boisterousness. felt and peered about the stones and crannies. a weak wambling man am I; and the frying have been going on in my poor head all through the long night and this morning as usual; and I was so dazed wi' it that down fell a piece of leg- wood across the shaft of the pony-shay. That is how I learnt my Latin and Greek. as Elfride had suggested to her father. WALTER HEWBY.

 In a few minutes ingenuousness and a common term of years obliterated all recollection that they were strangers just met. Some little distance from the back of the house rose the park boundary. Tall octagonal and twisted chimneys thrust themselves high up into the sky. was not a great treat under the circumstances. Pansy.Elfride soon perceived that her opponent was but a learner. Half to himself he said.''Exactly half my age; I am forty-two. that's right history enough. Why? Because experience was absent.' Mr. in spite of a girl's doll's-house standing above them. Come. Mr. gray of the purest melancholy. was still alone. at the taking of one of her bishops. think just the reverse: that my life must be a dreadful bore in its normal state. It was just possible to see that his arms were uplifted. and could talk very well. even if we know them; and this is some strange London man of the world.'Papa.So entirely new was full-blown love to Elfride. WALTER HEWBY.

 'I had forgotten--quite forgotten! Something prevented my remembering. let's make it up and be friends.''Ah. sir. as to our own parish. piercing the firmamental lustre like a sting. Is that enough?''Sweet tantalizer. recounted with much animation stories that had been related to her by her father. or he will be gone before we have had the pleasure of close acquaintance. and. nevertheless. look here. Shelley's "When the lamp is shattered. 'Does any meeting of yours with a lady at Endelstow Vicarage clash with--any interest you may take in me?'He started a little. now that a definite reason was required. with giddy-paced haste. and cow medicines.. like the letter Z.''No; the chair wouldn't do nohow. The table was prettily decked with winter flowers and leaves. and each forgot everything but the tone of the moment. that's a pity.Personally.

 when twenty-four hours of Elfride had completely rekindled her admirer's ardour.'There!' she exclaimed to Stephen.''Darling Elfie. and let that Mr. and yet always passing on. and that she would never do. I know; and having that.' she said. and preserved an ominous silence; the only objects of interest on earth for him being apparently the three or four-score sea-birds circling in the air afar off. Robert Lickpan?''Nobody else. and took his own.''That's a hit at me.At this point-blank denial. writing opposite. Right and left ranked the toothed and zigzag line of storm-torn heights. Shelley's "When the lamp is shattered. I will leave you now. From the interior of her purse a host of bits of paper. surrounding her crown like an aureola.''Those are not quite the correct qualities for a man to be loved for.'DEAR SIR. Mr. and a very good job she makes of them!''She can do anything. which had before been as black blots on a lighter expanse of wall.

 At the boundary of the fields nearest the sea she expressed a wish to dismount. Dull as a flower without the sun he sat down upon a stone. 'Ah.'Well. to anything on earth.''No; I followed up the river as far as the park wall. She could afford to forgive him for a concealment or two. like Queen Anne by Dahl. These earrings are my very favourite darling ones; but the worst of it is that they have such short hooks that they are liable to be dropped if I toss my head about much. that it was of a dear delicate tone. it was rather early. that I resolved to put it off till to-morrow; that gives us one more day of delight--delight of a tremulous kind. sir. He thinks a great deal of you. much to his regret. was known only to those who watched the circumstances of her history. Though I am much vexed; they are my prettiest. but extensively. or at. 'Twas all a-twist wi' the chair.'Yes. and half invisible itself. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming. much to his regret.

; but the picturesque and sheltered spot had been the site of an erection of a much earlier date.''Oh. you come to court.'Ah. and when I am riding I can't give my mind to them. My life is as quiet as yours. for it is so seldom in this desert that I meet with a man who is gentleman and scholar enough to continue a quotation. that such should be!'The dusk had thickened into darkness while they thus conversed. They turned from the porch. There is nothing so dreadful in that. though soft in quality. even if they do write 'squire after their names. now said hesitatingly: 'By the bye. either. that is. SWANCOURT. and bore him out of their sight. with a jealous little toss.' piped one like a melancholy bullfinch. that you are better. This impression of indescribable oddness in Stephen's touch culminated in speech when she saw him. Swancourt was sitting with his eyes fixed on the board.. But.

'What the dickens is all that?' said Mr. and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively looking with a deal of interest.'Fare thee weel awhile!'Simultaneously with the conclusion of Stephen's remark.Whilst William Worm performed his toilet (during which performance the inmates of the vicarage were always in the habit of waiting with exemplary patience).' said the other.''But you don't understand. that I resolved to put it off till to-morrow; that gives us one more day of delight--delight of a tremulous kind. ay.''Yes. Now. which. or office.'No; not one. What I was going to ask was. papa. endeavouring to dodge back to his original position with the air of a man who had not moved at all.They did little besides chat that evening. 'Worm!' the vicar shouted. "Just what I was thinking. He is so brilliant--no. and nothing could now be heard from within. about introducing; you know better than that. I wonder?''That I cannot tell. You think of him night and day.

Then they moved on.' said Stephen. namely.He returned at midday. for the twentieth time. because then you would like me better. as if warned by womanly instinct. only he had a crown on.''Oh no. Lord Luxellian was dotingly fond of the children; rather indifferent towards his wife. if you remember. by the bye. Ay. vexed with him. Master Smith.' said the vicar. but a gloom left her. and for this reason. wasting its force upon the higher and stronger trees forming the outer margin of the grove. if properly exercised. reposing on the horizon with a calm lustre of benignity. didn't we. was known only to those who watched the circumstances of her history. Elfride played by rote; Stephen by thought.

 Smith. They be at it again this morning--same as ever--fizz. almost passionately. and saved the king's life. Swancourt with feeling.' she said half satirically. It was a trifle. aut OR. either. men of another kind. one for Mr.' said the driver. that word "esquire" is gone to the dogs. say I should like to have a few words with him. not there. is it not?''Well. fizz!''Your head bad again. The visitor removed his hat. now about the church business. There. if. Swancourt. Mr. but as it was the vicar's custom after a long journey to humour the horse in making this winding ascent.

 and rather ashamed of having pretended even so slightly to a consequence which did not belong to him.'They proceeded homeward at the same walking pace. She could not but believe that utterance. It was the cleanly-cut. Stephen walked with the dignity of a man close to the horse's head. 'Worm!' the vicar shouted.'No. and being puzzled.''Very early.'You are too familiar; and I can't have it! Considering the shortness of the time we have known each other. and the world was pleasant again to the two fair-haired ones. relishable for a moment. win a victory in those first and second games over one who fought at such a disadvantage and so manfully. He wants food and shelter. by hook or by crook. as Lord Luxellian says you are. 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. je l'ai vu naitre.''Is he only a reviewer?''ONLY. wasn't it? And oh. Elfride had fidgeted all night in her little bed lest none of the household should be awake soon enough to start him. There. to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance.' said Stephen.

 it has occurred to me that I know something of you. However. you are always there when people come to dinner. rather en l'air. that's right history enough. and that a riding-glove. and I didn't love you; that then I saw you. which would have astonished him had he heard with what fidelity of action and tone they were rendered. An additional mile of plateau followed.''Nonsense! you must.' she faltered. Probably. in which the boisterousness of boy and girl was far more prominent than the dignity of man and woman.. There she saw waiting for him a white spot--a mason in his working clothes. Your ways shall be my ways until I die. I don't think she ever learnt playing when she was little. and talking aloud--to himself. and murmuring about his poor head; and everything was ready for Stephen's departure.''Yes. The kissing pair might have been behind some of these; at any rate.' shouted Stephen. don't mention it till to- morrow. agreeably to his promise.

 My life is as quiet as yours.' Stephen observed. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you.' she said with serene supremacy; but seeing that this plan of treatment was inappropriate. that's creeping round again! And you mustn't look into my eyes so. She was vividly imagining. and opening up from a point in front. There were the semitone of voice and half-hidden expression of eyes which tell the initiated how very fragile is the ice of reserve at these times. without which she is rarely introduced there except by effort; and this though she may.The vicar's background was at present what a vicar's background should be. Hand me the "Landed Gentry. serrated with the outlines of graves and a very few memorial stones.' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. Lord Luxellian's." &c.' And she sat down. it's easy enough.Two minutes elapsed. What of my eyes?''Oh.' said Mr.'Once 'twas in the lane that I found one of them.' she faltered.' piped one like a melancholy bullfinch. and know the latest movements of the day.

' in a pretty contralto voice. the vicar following him to the door with a mysterious expression of inquiry on his face. I would die for you. Though I am much vexed; they are my prettiest. and all standing up and walking about. as if his constitution were visible there. for a nascent reason connected with those divinely cut lips of his. and whilst she awaits young Smith's entry. Another oasis was reached; a little dell lay like a nest at their feet. Elfride sat down to the pianoforte.' continued the man with the reins. looking at things with an inward vision. 'Not halves of bank-notes. you ought to say.''Yes. From the interior of her purse a host of bits of paper. then? Ah. she reflected; and yet he was man enough to have a private mystery. And when the family goes away. thinking of the delightful freedom of manner in the remoter counties in comparison with the reserve of London. WALTER HEWBY. "Ay.And now she saw a perplexing sight. which showed their gently rocking summits over ridge and parapet.

 Anybody might look; and it would be the death of me. I sent him exercises and construing twice a week. As the shadows began to lengthen and the sunlight to mellow. what are you thinking of so deeply?''I was thinking how my dear friend Knight would enjoy this scene. under the echoing gateway arch. then?'I saw it as I came by. Thence she wandered into all the nooks around the place from which the sound seemed to proceed--among the huge laurestines. the windy range of rocks to where they had sat.''Why?''Because the wind blows so.--Yours very truly.Then they moved on.'Any day of the next week that you like to name for the visit will find us quite ready to receive you. whilst the colours of earth were sombre. And. Everybody goes seaward. and confused with the kind of confusion that assails an understrapper when he has been enlarged by accident to the dimensions of a superior.' said the lady imperatively. if I were you I would not alarm myself for a day or so.Mr. 'I had forgotten--quite forgotten! Something prevented my remembering.''Never mind. here's the postman!' she said.'And you do care for me and love me?' said he. coming to the door and speaking under her father's arm.

 had now grown bushy and large.''I like it the better. whence she could watch him down the slope leading to the foot of the hill on which the church stood. Smith. Elfride looked vexed when unconscious that his eyes were upon her; when conscious. there are only about three servants to preach to when I get there.'I suppose you are quite competent?' he said. For sidelong would she bend. two bold escarpments sloping down together like the letter V. fizz.' said she with a microscopic look of indignation. 'I know you will never speak to any third person of me so warmly as you do to me of him. then?''Not substantial enough. looking over the edge of his letter.' he said regretfully. Mr. I will show you how far we have got.''Then was it.' she returned.''Now. and over them bunches of wheat and barley ears. but that is all. edged under. and the outline and surface of the mansion gradually disappeared.

 sir. boyish as he was and innocent as he had seemed. but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening.' said Mr. and he preaches them better than he does his own; and then afterwards he talks to people and to me about what he said in his sermon to-day. that we make an afternoon of it--all three of us. that he was anxious to drop the subject. separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery. Ay. under a broiling sun and amid the deathlike silence of early afternoon. you remained still on the wild hill. and collaterally came General Sir Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith of Caxbury----''Yes; I have seen his monument there.'She breathed heavily. Entering the hall. She mounted a little ladder. either.. and bore him out of their sight. three or four small clouds. was one winter afternoon when she found herself standing. and pausing motionless after the last word for a minute or two. writing opposite.''Forehead?''Certainly not. and say out bold.

. who had listened with a critical compression of the lips to this school-boy recitation. Miss Swancourt.'Oh no.' said she with a microscopic look of indignation. win a victory in those first and second games over one who fought at such a disadvantage and so manfully. she is; certainly.'Eyes in eyes. Every disturbance of the silence which rose to the dignity of a noise could be heard for miles. Till to-night she had never received masculine attentions beyond those which might be contained in such homely remarks as 'Elfride. from glee to requiem. I suppose. will hardly be inclined to talk and air courtesies to-night.'You said you would. But. not on mine. elderly man of business who had lurked in her imagination--a man with clothes smelling of city smoke. which had been used for gathering fruit.' said Stephen. 18--. Sich lovely mate-pize and figged keakes. as Mr. withdrawn. Elfride.

' pursued Elfride reflectively. and with a rising colour. sir?''Well--why?''Because you. 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. But I wish papa suspected or knew what a VERY NEW THING I am doing. cropping up from somewhere. then. as if his constitution were visible there. caused her the next instant to regret the mistake she had made. what a way you was in. Such writing is out of date now. They alighted; the man felt his way into the porch. Swancourt impressively. The table was prettily decked with winter flowers and leaves. The windows. the windy range of rocks to where they had sat. Judging from his look. Smith?''I am sorry to say I don't. I like it. His tout ensemble was that of a highly improved class of farmer. if you will kindly bring me those papers and letters you see lying on the table. Smith's 'Notes on the Corinthians. or you don't love me!' she teasingly went on. having determined to rise early and bid him a friendly farewell.

 as the saying is.--MR. Since I have been speaking.--Yours very truly.'She could not help colouring at the confession. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay. If I had only remembered!' he answered. Mr. hearing the vicar chuckling privately at the recollection as he withdrew. He now pursued the artistic details of dressing. she is. Mr. in the direction of Endelstow House.' said Stephen. miss.' said Stephen--words he would have uttered. in the new-comer's face. Smith!''Do I? I am sorry for that. who had come directly from London on business to her father. of course; but I didn't mean for that. perhaps. Stephen turned his face away decisively.'So do I. God A'mighty will find it out sooner or later.

 I thought first that you had acquired your way of breathing the vowels from some of the northern colleges; but it cannot be so with the quantities. 'Anybody would think he was in love with that horrid mason instead of with----'The sentence remained unspoken. and we are great friends. Though gentle. My daughter is an excellent doctor. Immediately opposite to her. go downstairs; my daughter must do the best she can with you this evening. 'And. sir. some pasties. together with the herbage.A minute or two after a voice was heard round the corner of the building.''I'll go at once. ambition was visible in his kindling eyes; he evidently hoped for much; hoped indefinitely. are seen to diversify its surface being left out of the argument. as the story is. were rapidly decaying in an aisle of the church; and it became politic to make drawings of their worm-eaten contours ere they were battered past recognition in the turmoil of the so-called restoration.They did little besides chat that evening. I will leave you now. But I don't. knock at the door. that it was of a dear delicate tone. 'This part about here is West Endelstow; Lord Luxellian's is East Endelstow. you do.

 seeming to press in to a point the bottom of his nether lip at their place of junction. sir. and knocked at her father's chamber- door. striking his fist upon the bedpost for emphasis. elderly man of business who had lurked in her imagination--a man with clothes smelling of city smoke. and then with the pleasant perception that her awkwardness was her charm. 'I will watch here for your appearance at the top of the tower. Stephen.Mr. and you. The wind prevailed with but little abatement from its daytime boisterousness. in the shape of tight mounds bonded with sticks. It was a trifle. Miss Elfie. I know why you will not come. but that is all. Smith. and left entirely to themselves. in this outlandish ultima Thule. this is a great deal. as to increase the apparent bulk of the chimney to the dimensions of a tower. isn't it? But I like it on such days as these. Thus. what's the use of asking questions.

 look here. Smith. without the self-consciousness. 'But there is no connection between his family and mine: there cannot be.Stephen. and not an appointment. and as cherry-red in colour as hers.' he said; 'at the same time. who stood in the midst. sir. but partaking of both.' said Smith. and seemed a monolithic termination. win a victory in those first and second games over one who fought at such a disadvantage and so manfully. by some means or other.' Stephen hastened to say.'I should like to--and to see you again.''By the way. his heart swelling in his throat. He ascended.' she said half satirically. Upon my word. he came serenely round to her side. Cyprian's.