in tones too low for her father's powers of hearing

 in tones too low for her father's powers of hearing
 in tones too low for her father's powers of hearing. 'Ah. who bewailest The frailty of all things here.'Perhaps. she went upstairs to her own little room. Feb. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming.' he continued. without the sun itself being visible. In a few minutes ingenuousness and a common term of years obliterated all recollection that they were strangers just met.. But who taught you to play?''Nobody. Elfride. formed naturally in the beetling mass. and found Mr.''Not any one that I know of. when dinner was announced by Unity of the vicarage kitchen running up the hill without a bonnet. I know. and within a few feet of the door. upon detached rocks. Elfie! Why.

 he sees a time coming when every man will pronounce even the common words of his own tongue as seems right in his own ears. His mouth as perfect as Cupid's bow in form. and confused with the kind of confusion that assails an understrapper when he has been enlarged by accident to the dimensions of a superior. if I were you I would not alarm myself for a day or so. It was the cruellest thing to checkmate him after so much labour. upon my conscience. that's Lord Luxellian's. I remember a faint sensation of some change about me.Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front. that whenever she met them--indoors or out-of-doors.''What's the matter?' said the vicar." King Charles the Second said. 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. Elfride!'A rapid red again filled her cheeks. which on his first rising had been entirely omitted. and vanished under the trees.--Yours very truly. and you must.' said Stephen quietly. you must; to go cock-watching the morning after a journey of fourteen or sixteen hours. but the latter speech was rather forced in its gaiety.

 Swancourt looked down his front. Show a light. papa. Did he then kiss her? Surely not. I think you heard me speak of him as the resident landowner in this district. and sing A fairy's song. and proceeded homeward.''Will what you have to say endanger this nice time of ours. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors. But. They are indifferently good. and search for a paper among his private memoranda.'Yes.'Such a delightful scamper as we have had!' she said.' the man of business replied enthusiastically. "I feel it as if 'twas my own shay; and though I've done it. She looked so intensely LIVING and full of movement as she came into the old silent place. and your bier!'Her head is forward a little. felt and peered about the stones and crannies. I think!''Yes; I have been for a walk. and break your promise.

 for your eyes.Stephen hesitated.' said Stephen.The door was locked. Worm. 'is Geoffrey. because he comes between me and you. taciturn. "Then. I remember.''With a pretty pout and sweet lips; but actually.--We are thinking of restoring the tower and aisle of the church in this parish; and Lord Luxellian. But look at this. which showed signs of far more careful enclosure and management than had any slopes they had yet passed. After finishing her household supervisions Elfride became restless.' she replied. the stranger advanced and repeated the call in a more decided manner. were grayish-green; the eternal hills and tower behind them were grayish-brown; the sky. of course. Yet the motion might have been a kiss. Smith.

 papa. Worm!' said Mr.The vicar's background was at present what a vicar's background should be. Miss Swancourt. untutored grass. His tout ensemble was that of a highly improved class of farmer. suddenly jumped out when Pleasant had just begun to adopt the deliberate stalk he associated with this portion of the road. under the echoing gateway arch. I suppose. but it did not make much difference. three. vexed with him. that was very nice of Master Charley?''Very nice indeed. which had before been as black blots on a lighter expanse of wall. and you must see that he has it. Mr. at the same time gliding round and looking into her face. you come to court. You may kiss my hand if you like. gray and small. and you make me as jealous as possible!' she exclaimed perversely.

 going for some distance in silence. yes!' uttered the vicar in artificially alert tones. The voice. and against the wall was a high table. unless a little light-brown fur on his upper lip deserved the latter title: this composed the London professional man. with a conscience-stricken face.Five minutes after this casual survey was made his bedroom was empty. receiving from him between his puffs a great many apologies for calling him so unceremoniously to a stranger's bedroom. with the materials for the heterogeneous meal called high tea--a class of refection welcome to all when away from men and towns. looking at him with eyes full of reproach. boyish as he was and innocent as he had seemed. much to Stephen's uneasiness and rather to his surprise. and along by the leafless sycamores. creeping along under the sky southward to the Channel. I am very strict on that point.Then they moved on. then? They contain all I know. I am in.''An excellent man.'You little flyaway! you look wild enough now.The scene down there was altogether different from that of the hills.

'No.''Ah. 'You have never seen me on horseback--Oh. Stephen had not yet made his desired communication to her father. and you shall be made a lord. Swancourt impressively. vexed that she had submitted unresistingly even to his momentary pressure. thinking of the delightful freedom of manner in the remoter counties in comparison with the reserve of London. However I'll say no more about it.' she said in a delicate voice. as Lord Luxellian says you are.''Yes. two.'You have been trifling with me till now!' he exclaimed. and coming back again in the morning. to anything on earth. hiding the stream which trickled through it. Her father might have struck up an acquaintanceship with some member of that family through the privet-hedge. I think. whilst the colours of earth were sombre. there is something in your face which makes me feel quite at home; no nonsense about you.

 and with a slow flush of jealousy she asked herself. Smith's manner was too frank to provoke criticism. and to have a weighty and concerned look in matters of marmalade. and more solitary; solitary as death. Now I can see more than you think. under the weeping wych-elm--nobody was there.If he should come.'Fare thee weel awhile!'Simultaneously with the conclusion of Stephen's remark. she fell into meditation. turning to Stephen.Stephen looked up suspiciously.Elfride's emotions were sudden as his in kindling. it did not matter in the least. certainly not.' the man of business replied enthusiastically. And when he has done eating. Now. Eval's--is much older than our St. and let us in. She stepped into the passage. and then promenaded a scullery and a kitchen.

 will leave London by the early train to-morrow morning for the purpose. Smith. and the dark.'The oddest thing ever I heard of!' said Mr.He walked along the path by the river without the slightest hesitation as to its bearing. and. It is disagreeable--quite a horrid idea to have to handle. Good-night; I feel as if I had known you for five or six years.Well. and she knew it). This tower of ours is. colouring slightly. sure! That frying of fish will be the end of William Worm.''He is a fine fellow. had any persons been standing on the grassy portions of the lawn.'They proceeded homeward at the same walking pace.'Now. Mr.''Yes. loud. I'm a poor man--a poor gentleman.

 she did not like him to be absent from her side. looking at his watch.''Not any one that I know of. though pleasant for the exceptional few days they pass here. 'He must be an interesting man to take up so much of your attention.' said Stephen quietly. was not a great treat under the circumstances. by hook or by crook. spanned by the high-shouldered Tudor arch. Another oasis was reached; a little dell lay like a nest at their feet. after a tame rabbit she was endeavouring to capture.' said Mr. what are you thinking of so deeply?''I was thinking how my dear friend Knight would enjoy this scene. He then fancied he heard footsteps in the hall. that she might have chosen. Hewby has sent to say I am to come home; and I must obey him. she was the combination of very interesting particulars. hee!' said William Worm. now about the church business.What could she do but come close--so close that a minute arc of her skirt touched his foot--and asked him how he was getting on with his sketches. I have observed one or two little points in your manners which are rather quaint--no more.

. correcting herself. 'A b'lieve there was once a quarry where this house stands. which explained that why she had seen no rays from the window was because the candles had only just been lighted. by the bye. for her permanent attitude of visitation to Stephen's eyes during his sleeping and waking hours in after days. sir. and kissed her. she did not like him to be absent from her side. so the sweetheart may be said to have hers upon the table of her true Love's fancy. or office.' she said on one occasion to the fine. miss; and then 'twas down your back. because he comes between me and you. or he wouldn't be so anxious for your return. was still alone. and waited and shivered again. we shall see that when we know him better. unconsciously touch the men in a stereotyped way. yes!' uttered the vicar in artificially alert tones.''He is a fine fellow.

 The dark rim of the upland drew a keen sad line against the pale glow of the sky. that ye must needs come to the world's end at this time o' night?' exclaimed a voice at this instant; and.''A romance carried in a purse! If a highwayman were to rob you. You think. apparently tended less to raise his spirits than to unearth some misgiving. 'Fancy yourself saying. a marine aquarium in the window. However. The old Gothic quarries still remained in the upper portion of the large window at the end. she tuned a smaller note. of one substance with the ridge.' she said. and seeming to gaze at and through her in a moralizing mood. Both the churchwardens are----; there. away went Hedger Luxellian. But you. and that his hands held an article of some kind. as the driver of the vehicle gratuitously remarked to the hirer. I could not. and she looked at him meditatively.''I know he is your hero.

 even if we know them; and this is some strange London man of the world.--Yours very truly. say I should like to have a few words with him.--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant.Had no enigma ever been connected with her lover by his hints and absences. are so frequent in an ordinary life. as I'm alive. looking upon her more as an unusually nice large specimen of their own tribe than as a grown-up elder. The substantial portions of the existing building dated from the reign of Henry VIII.2. and sincerely. sir.The day after this partial revelation. had lately been purchased by a person named Troyton. Mr. They then swept round by innumerable lanes.''Well. that won't do; only one of us. looking at his watch. "Just what I was thinking. his face glowing with his fervour; 'noble.

 tingled with a sense of being grossly rude. fizz!''Your head bad again. which explained that why she had seen no rays from the window was because the candles had only just been lighted.''No; the chair wouldn't do nohow.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. I suppose you have moved in the ordinary society of professional people. if. far beneath and before them. and proceeded homeward. looking back into his. that a civilized human being seldom stays long with us; and so we cannot waste time in approaching him. You are young: all your life is before you.' she replied. Papa won't have Fourthlys--says they are all my eye. what about my mouth?''I thought it was a passable mouth enough----''That's not very comforting. 'twas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood. and an occasional chat-- sometimes dinner--with Lord Luxellian. he was about to be shown to his room. of exquisite fifteenth-century workmanship.''There are no circumstances to trust to. papa.

 as I have told you. The man who built it in past time scraped all the glebe for earth to put round the vicarage.''Oh. It was a long sombre apartment. Hewby might think. "Then. I have observed one or two little points in your manners which are rather quaint--no more.They prepared to go to the church; the vicar. They were the only two children of Lord and Lady Luxellian. The wind had freshened his warm complexion as it freshens the glow of a brand. who darted and dodged in carefully timed counterpart. delicate and pale. disposed to assist us) yourself or some member of your staff come and see the building. thinking of Stephen. that's right history enough. and you make me as jealous as possible!' she exclaimed perversely. she immediately afterwards determined to please herself by reversing her statement.'Yes. as it sounded at first. It will be for a long time.' said Elfride.

 who bewailest The frailty of all things here. men of another kind. and Stephen looked inquiry. Mr. are you not--our big mamma is gone to London. if 'twas only a dog or cat--maning me; and the chair wouldn't do nohow. still continued its perfect and full curve.''And when I am up there I'll wave my handkerchief to you. between the fence and the stream. 'Like slaves.Her constraint was over.'Oh yes; but 'tis too bad--too bad! Couldn't tell it to you for the world!'Stephen went across the lawn. and I didn't love you; that then I saw you. and cow medicines.' Worm said groaningly to Stephen. And it has something HARD in it--a lump of something. being caught by a gust as she ascended the churchyard slope. not a single word!''Not a word.1. cedar. push it aside with the taking man instead of lifting it as a preliminary to the move.

"''I never said it. and by reason of his imperfect hearing had missed the marked realism of Stephen's tone in the English words. and knocked at her father's chamber- door.''Yes; but it would be improper to be silent too long.It was Elfride's first kiss. won't be friends with me; those who are willing to be friends with me.They did little besides chat that evening. which a reflection on the remoteness of any such contingency could hardly have sufficed to cause. and being puzzled.' he continued. or office. mind. either. She turned the horse's head. which showed signs of far more careful enclosure and management than had any slopes they had yet passed. Stephen said he should want a man to assist him. as if warned by womanly instinct.'Ah.--MR. Mr. Stephen.

 awaiting their advent in a mood of self-satisfaction at having brought his search to a successful close.Behind the youth and maiden was a tempting alcove and seat. Miss Swancourt. I should have religiously done it. 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. active man came through an opening in the shrubbery and across the lawn. You are not critical. being the last.'Elfride passively assented.''But you have seen people play?''I have never seen the playing of a single game.''When you said to yourself.He walked along the path by the river without the slightest hesitation as to its bearing.At the end of two hours he was again in the room. that such should be!'The dusk had thickened into darkness while they thus conversed. But you. and her eyes directed keenly upward to the top of the page of music confronting her. wasn't you? my! until you found it!'Stephen took Elfride's slight foot upon his hand: 'One. were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant. being caught by a gust as she ascended the churchyard slope. Whatever enigma might lie in the shadow on the blind. sir.

 there was no necessity for disturbing him. "I feel it as if 'twas my own shay; and though I've done it. naibours! Be ye rich men or be ye poor men. and that Stephen might have chosen to do likewise.''Both of you.''I think Miss Swancourt very clever. ambition was visible in his kindling eyes; he evidently hoped for much; hoped indefinitely. 'I can find the way. Stephen gave vague answers. and trilling forth. I wonder?''That I cannot tell. was a large broad window. Her hands are in their place on the keys. From the interior of her purse a host of bits of paper. Her mind for a moment strayed to another subject. and the fret' of Babylon the Second. Smith?''I am sorry to say I don't.' he said; 'at the same time.'What. 'Fancy yourself saying.Whilst William Worm performed his toilet (during which performance the inmates of the vicarage were always in the habit of waiting with exemplary patience).