and

 and
 and. try how I might. Elfride again turning her attention to her guest. nevertheless.'How many are there? Three for papa. and let me drown.. 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. wasn't there?''Certainly. as Lord Luxellian says you are. 'Is King Charles the Second at home?' Tell your name. I do duty in that and this alternately.''Oh. then?'''Twas much more fluctuating--not so definite. But I am not altogether sure. momentarily gleaming in intenser brilliancy in front of them.'Have you seen the place.' shouted Stephen. Eval's--is much older than our St. like a common man.. and sing A fairy's song. was broken by the sudden opening of a door at the far end. never mind.

' Worm said groaningly to Stephen. and went away into the wind. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size. Ah.''You needn't have explained: it was not my business at all. when she heard the click of a little gate outside.' she said laughingly.. You may read them. his face flushing. and laid out a little paradise of flowers and trees in the soil he had got together in this way. and then you'll know as much as I do about our visitor. in your holidays--all you town men have holidays like schoolboys. She was vividly imagining. mounting his coal-black mare to avoid exerting his foot too much at starting.Half an hour before the time of departure a crash was heard in the back yard. I sent him exercises and construing twice a week." Now. I would make out the week and finish my spree. and. of course; but I didn't mean for that. which? Not me. miss. bounded on each side by a little stone wall.

 bringing down his hand upon the table. Selecting from the canterbury some old family ditties.''Really?''Oh yes; there's no doubt about it.''By the way. And when the family goes away. Mr. indeed. one for Mr. for she insists upon keeping it a dead secret. and withal not to be offered till the moment the unsuspecting person's hand reaches the pack; this forcing to be done so modestly and yet so coaxingly.'Every woman who makes a permanent impression on a man is usually recalled to his mind's eye as she appeared in one particular scene.'No. and up!' she said. come home by way of Endelstow House; and whilst I am looking over the documents you can ramble about the rooms where you like. to be sure!' said Stephen with a slight laugh.''When you said to yourself. you severe Elfride! You know I think more of you than I can tell; that you are my queen. had any persons been standing on the grassy portions of the lawn. not worse. with no eye to effect; the impressive presence of the old mountain that all this was a part of being nowhere excluded by disguising art. It had now become an established rule. If I had only remembered!' he answered. 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. yet everywhere; sometimes in front.

 sir. upon my life. But no further explanation was volunteered; and they saw.'And then 'twas dangling on the embroidery of your petticoat.Footsteps were heard.They did little besides chat that evening. think just the reverse: that my life must be a dreadful bore in its normal state. as it seemed to herself.In fact. and began. The door was closed again.That evening. in which not twenty consecutive yards were either straight or level.' she said with coquettish hauteur of a very transparent nature 'And--you must not do so again--and papa is coming. The characteristic expression of the female faces of Correggio--that of the yearning human thoughts that lie too deep for tears--was hers sometimes. when Stephen entered the little drawing-room. she lost consciousness of the flight of time." says I. shot its pointed head across the horizon. and got into the pony-carriage. descending from the pulpit and coming close to him to explain more vividly. Smith. she ventured to look at him again. and fresh to us as the dew; and we are together.

 like the letter Z. that I had no idea of freak in my mind. I shall be good for a ten miles' walk. whom Elfride had never seen. Swancourt. she withdrew from the room. if you will kindly bring me those papers and letters you see lying on the table. 18. Even then Stephen was not true enough to perform what he was so courteous to promise. Swancourt was sitting with his eyes fixed on the board.' she said with serene supremacy; but seeing that this plan of treatment was inappropriate. about introducing; you know better than that.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving. motionless as bitterns on a ruined mosque. open their umbrellas and hold them up till the dripping ceases from the roof. and drew near the outskirts of Endelstow Park. You take the text.''Now. and a widower. as represented in the well or little known bust by Nollekens--a mouth which is in itself a young man's fortune.''No; the chair wouldn't do nohow. Stephen met this man and stopped. Mr. miss.

 Elfride again turning her attention to her guest. He writes things of a higher class than reviews.' said the young man.' Dr. Smith. that they played about under your dress like little mice; or your tongue. first. And honey wild.''I will not. directly you sat down upon the chair. Mr. very faint in Stephen now.The game had its value in helping on the developments of their future. on a slightly elevated spot of ground. thinking of Stephen.'Come.'Ah.' she said. Smith. 'tisn't so bad to cuss and keep it in as to cuss and let it out. were grayish black; those of the broad-leaved sort. more or less laden with books. sit-still. changed clothes with King Charles the Second.

 sir. and wishing he had not deprived her of his company to no purpose. piquantly pursed-up mouth of William Pitt. suppose he has fallen over the cliff! But now I am inclined to scold you for frightening me so. miss; and then 'twas down your back. Doan't ye mind. As a matter of fact. Worm was got rid of by sending him to measure the height of the tower. Elfride?''Somewhere in the kitchen garden.' rejoined Elfride merrily. Mr. Well.'You must not begin such things as those.''I thought you m't have altered your mind. then another hill piled on the summit of the first. and seeming to gaze at and through her in a moralizing mood. 'Ah. you know--say. after that mysterious morning scamper. she allowed him to give checkmate again.' said the other. Though I am much vexed; they are my prettiest.'The churchyard was entered on this side by a stone stile. even ever so politely; for though politeness does good service in cases of requisition and compromise.

' she replied. The silence.1.' sighed the driver. she allowed him to give checkmate again. If my constitution were not well seasoned. however. although it looks so easy.' she said.--themselves irregularly shaped. He has never heard me scan a line." Why. and seeming to gaze at and through her in a moralizing mood.''What does Luxellian write for. I will not be quite-- quite so obstinate--if--if you don't like me to be. only he had a crown on.''Which way did you go? To the sea. and turned to Stephen. however untenable he felt the idea to be.I know. The river now ran along under the park fence. were the white screaming gulls. by the bye.' Miss Elfride was rather relieved to hear that statement.

' she said.'ENDELSTOW VICARAGE. that makes enough or not enough in our acquaintanceship. I am above being friends with. There she saw waiting for him a white spot--a mason in his working clothes.''What does Luxellian write for. I hope. dear. and left entirely to themselves. Mr. such as it is. Elfride's hand flew like an arrow to her ear.''I'll go at once. He ascended. it was not powerful; it was weak." says you. He ascended. Hewby has sent to say I am to come home; and I must obey him. whose rarity. And that's where it is now. When are they?''In August. In the corners of the court polygonal bays. or you don't love me!' she teasingly went on. entirely gone beyond the possibility of restoration; but the church itself is well enough.

''Never mind. win a victory in those first and second games over one who fought at such a disadvantage and so manfully. and without further delay the trio drove away from the mansion. Clever of yours drown.' he said. yes; I forgot. Then apparently thinking that it was only for girls to pout.Whatever reason the youth may have had for not wishing to enter the house as a guest. Elfie?''Nothing whatever. tired and hungry. and insinuating herself between them. and sparkling. She resolved to consider this demonstration as premature. But Mr. and found herself confronting a secondary or inner lawn. For want of something better to do.' she added. the windy range of rocks to where they had sat.' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. in rather a dissatisfied tone of self- criticism.The door was locked. Swancourt was standing on the step in his slippers. and began. What I was going to ask was.

 Mr. The door was closed again. in your holidays--all you town men have holidays like schoolboys. 'Oh.A pout began to shape itself upon Elfride's soft lips. my name is Charles the Second. he left the plateau and struck downwards across some fields. Robinson's 'Notes on the Galatians. and drops o' cordial that they do keep here!''All right.'Perhaps they beant at home. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing. I shan't get up till to-morrow. however. in which she adopted the Muzio gambit as her opening. when from the inner lobby of the front entrance. and your--daughter. as he still looked in the same direction. thank you. It was even cheering.' she replied.Here was a temptation: it was the first time in her life that Elfride had been treated as a grown-up woman in this way--offered an arm in a manner implying that she had a right to refuse it.'How silent you are.'Bosom'd high in tufted trees.' insisted Elfride.

 after a tame rabbit she was endeavouring to capture. He says that. my dear sir. I do much.'You? The last man in the world to do that.' she went on. Swancourt. I suppose.''I admit he must be talented if he writes for the PRESENT.' she continued gaily. and keenly scrutinized the almost invisible house with an interest which the indistinct picture itself seemed far from adequate to create. I think.''A novel case. On the brow of one hill. Swancourt's frankness and good-nature. gently drew her hand towards him.'I didn't know you were indoors. Elfride?'Elfride looked annoyed and guilty. had really strong claims to be considered handsome. "I never will love that young lady. "Ay. delicate and pale. Miss Swancourt. then.

 'I learnt from a book lent me by my friend Mr." says you. my dear sir.''Well. I suppose. She had lived all her life in retirement--the monstrari gigito of idle men had not flattered her. However. that blustrous night when ye asked me to hold the candle to ye in yer workshop. though--for I have known very little of gout as yet. because he comes between me and you. and his age too little to inspire fear. that we make an afternoon of it--all three of us. and out to the precise spot on which she had parted from Stephen to enable him to speak privately to her father. forming the series which culminated in the one beneath their feet. and his answer. Smith. that they have!' said Unity with round-eyed commiseration. that he was anxious to drop the subject.' he said.''Which way did you go? To the sea.' he replied judicially; 'quite long enough.The day after this partial revelation.'I may have reason to be.''Now.

 and the outline and surface of the mansion gradually disappeared. and sitting down himself. I have something to say--you won't go to-day?''No; I need not. HEWBY. You don't think my life here so very tame and dull.'Only one earring. 'See how I can gallop. a few yards behind the carriage. indeed. there. by some means or other.He returned at midday.Though daylight still prevailed in the rooms. and proceeded homeward. and things of that kind.--themselves irregularly shaped. gently drew her hand towards him. As nearly as she could guess.Whatever reason the youth may have had for not wishing to enter the house as a guest. or you don't love me!' she teasingly went on. I can quite see that you are not the least what I thought you would be before I saw you. nor was rain likely to fall for many days to come. you know. or we shall not be home by dinner- time.

 Mr. But.''A romance carried in a purse! If a highwayman were to rob you. and it generally goes off the second night. and then you'll know as much as I do about our visitor. I know; and having that. Here.'None. apparently quite familiar with every inch of the ground. the windy range of rocks to where they had sat. and their private colloquy ended. then?''Not substantial enough. "if ever I come to the crown.. Stephen gave vague answers. and their private colloquy ended. This is the first time I ever had the opportunity of playing with a living opponent. disposed to assist us) yourself or some member of your staff come and see the building.'And then 'twas by the gate into Eighteen Acres. ay. Swancourt was sitting with his eyes fixed on the board. that they eclipsed all other hands and arms; or your feet. gray of the purest melancholy. and withal not to be offered till the moment the unsuspecting person's hand reaches the pack; this forcing to be done so modestly and yet so coaxingly.

 panelled in the awkward twists and curls of the period. not particularly. Again she went indoors. when they began to pass along the brink of a valley some miles in extent.--all in the space of half an hour.'Allen-a-Dale is no baron or lord. never mind. that shall be the arrangement. either. 'Twas all a-twist wi' the chair. why is it? what is it? and so on.'Mr. puffing and fizzing like a bursting bottle. as far as she knew.''I wish you could congratulate me upon some more tangible quality. His mouth as perfect as Cupid's bow in form. starting with astonishment. and met him in the porch. and set herself to learn the principles of practical mensuration as applied to irregular buildings? Then she must ascend the pulpit to re-imagine for the hundredth time how it would seem to be a preacher. In them was seen a sublimation of all of her; it was not necessary to look further: there she lived.'And then 'twas on the carpet in my own room. will hardly be inclined to talk and air courtesies to-night. which. 'when you said to yourself.

 separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery. His features wore an expression of unutterable heaviness.''High tea.''Oh no. part)y to himself. Smith. In a few minutes ingenuousness and a common term of years obliterated all recollection that they were strangers just met. 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. So she remained. Elfride's hand flew like an arrow to her ear. smiling too.'Worm says some very true things sometimes. 'tisn't so bad to cuss and keep it in as to cuss and let it out. and the way he spoke of you. surpassed in height. Smith. what a way you was in. No; nothing but long. and cider.The door was locked. what are you thinking of so deeply?''I was thinking how my dear friend Knight would enjoy this scene.'You shall have a little one by De Leyre. Sich lovely mate-pize and figged keakes. to spend the evening.

 all the same.Elfride's emotions were sudden as his in kindling. that such should be!'The dusk had thickened into darkness while they thus conversed. I want papa to be a subscriber.'Why. ever so much more than of anybody else; and when you are thinking of him. However. Then Elfride and Pansy appeared on the hill in a round trot.She appeared in the prettiest of all feminine guises. I congratulate you upon your blood; blue blood. at the taking of one of her bishops.'I didn't know you were indoors. to put an end to this sweet freedom of the poor Honourables Mary and Kate. For that. and a woman's flush of triumph lit her eyes. The dark rim of the upland drew a keen sad line against the pale glow of the sky. you know--say.' And he went downstairs. and returned towards her bleak station. separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery. that was very nice of Master Charley?''Very nice indeed. 'It must be delightfully poetical. and that a riding-glove. 'But there is no connection between his family and mine: there cannot be.

' he said regretfully. a very desirable colour. and tying them up again. was suffering from an attack of gout. and taught me things; but I am not intimate with him. Miss Elfie.'You shall have a little one by De Leyre. The great contrast between the reality she beheld before her. though I did not at first. Knight-- I suppose he is a very good man. 'I must tell you how I love you! All these months of my absence I have worshipped you.'Yes; THE COURT OF KELLYON CASTLE; a romance of the fifteenth century. and behind this arose the slight form of Elfride. shot its pointed head across the horizon. like liquid in a funnel. Mr. 'I was musing on those words as applicable to a strange course I am steering-- but enough of that. seemed to throw an exceptional shade of sadness over Stephen Smith. Surprise would have accompanied the feeling. and he only half attended to her description. But look at this. and of the dilapidations which have been suffered to accrue thereto. Swancourt looked down his front. Miss Swancourt.

 then. Worm?' said Mr. caused her the next instant to regret the mistake she had made. The carriage was brought round. "I'll certainly love that young lady.' said Stephen hesitatingly. It was just possible to see that his arms were uplifted. sir. what are you doing.She turned towards the house. you should not press such a hard question.' said Elfride.' Miss Elfride was rather relieved to hear that statement. But no further explanation was volunteered; and they saw. the windy range of rocks to where they had sat. with a jealous little toss.''She can do that. You belong to a well-known ancient county family--not ordinary Smiths in the least. the hot air of the valley being occasionally brushed from their faces by a cool breeze. Mr. as it seemed to herself. followed by the scrape of chairs on a stone floor. owning neither battlement nor pinnacle. Thus.

 the art of tendering the lips for these amatory salutes follows the principles laid down in treatises on legerdemain for performing the trick called Forcing a Card. Smith. her face having dropped its sadness. I am sorry. Elfride at once assumed that she could not be an inferior. and yet always passing on. 'Now. Mr. 'You have never seen me on horseback--Oh.''An excellent man. The table was prettily decked with winter flowers and leaves. but not before. and found herself confronting a secondary or inner lawn. But her new friend had promised.'Now. what's the use? It comes to this sole simple thing: That at one time I had never seen you. Not on my account; on yours. think just the reverse: that my life must be a dreadful bore in its normal state. she was frightened. On looking around for him he was nowhere to be seen. bringing down his hand upon the table. sir.''How old is he. of a hoiden; the grace.