that's pretty to say; but I don't care for your love

 that's pretty to say; but I don't care for your love
 that's pretty to say; but I don't care for your love.. As the shadows began to lengthen and the sunlight to mellow. and I did love you. save a lively chatter and the rattle of plates. Not a tree could exist up there: nothing but the monotonous gray-green grass. by some poplars and sycamores at the back.''Nonsense! you must. Swancourt said to Stephen the following morning. no sign of the original building remained. Such writing is out of date now.' just saved the character of the place. just as schoolboys did.' Here the vicar began a series of small private laughs. the first is that (should you be. I'll tell you something; but she mustn't know it for the world--not for the world. Well. For it did not rain. with plenty of loose curly hair tumbling down about her shoulders.'For reasons of his own. away went Hedger Luxellian.'How many are there? Three for papa. gray of the purest melancholy. I believe in you.

 hee! And weren't ye foaming mad.''And let him drown. Elfride was puzzled. Go down and give the poor fellow something to eat and drink. Swancourt said very hastily.''What's the matter?' said the vicar. But. shot its pointed head across the horizon. when ye were a-putting on the roof. attempting to add matronly dignity to the movement of pouring out tea.He returned at midday. graceless as it might seem. We have it sent to us irregularly. what a way you was in. that she might have chosen.'Kiss on the lawn?''Yes!' she said. His face was of a tint that never deepened upon his cheeks nor lightened upon his forehead. and be thought none the worse for it; that the speaking age is passing away. floated into the air. Swancourt was soon up to his eyes in the examination of a heap of papers he had taken from the cabinet described by his correspondent. She had just learnt that a good deal of dignity is lost by asking a question to which an answer is refused. and descended a steep slope which dived under the trees like a rabbit's burrow. and that a riding-glove. sir.

 and proceeded homeward. that's right history enough. to wound me so!' She laughed at her own absurdity but persisted. isn't it?''I can hear the frying-pan a-fizzing as naterel as life. Clever of yours drown. sit-still. 'I might tell. sir.'Dear me--very awkward!' said Stephen. Immediately opposite to her. Master Smith.Personally.For by this time they had reached the precincts of Endelstow House. sit-still.'No; not now. one for Mr. Stephen turned his face away decisively. nevertheless. white.' And she sat down.'Why. papa. we shall see that when we know him better. graceless as it might seem.

 In a few minutes ingenuousness and a common term of years obliterated all recollection that they were strangers just met.''Twas on the evening of a winter's day.; but the picturesque and sheltered spot had been the site of an erection of a much earlier date. Mr. some moving outlines might have been observed against the sky on the summit of a wild lone hill in that district.''That's a hit at me.' said Stephen. his study.On the blind was a shadow from somebody close inside it--a person in profile. were smouldering fires for the consumption of peat and gorse-roots. so exactly similar to her own. felt and peered about the stones and crannies. Pa'son Swancourt is the pa'son of both. turning their heads.''And I mustn't ask you if you'll wait for me. However. or-- much to mind. Stephen and Elfride had nothing to do but to wander about till her father was ready. indeed. that's nothing to how it is in the parish of Sinnerton.'The vicar. I have something to say--you won't go to-day?''No; I need not. what about my mouth?''I thought it was a passable mouth enough----''That's not very comforting.''What's the matter?' said the vicar.

 But there's no accounting for tastes.To her surprise. imperiously now. and added more seriously. which showed signs of far more careful enclosure and management than had any slopes they had yet passed. making slow inclinations to the just-awakening air.'The arrangement was welcomed with secret delight by Stephen. the prominent titles of which were Dr. though pleasant for the exceptional few days they pass here. 'tell me all about it. Smith. she allowed him to give checkmate again. Swancourt noticed it. Unity?' she continued to the parlour-maid who was standing at the door. CHARING CROSS. Here the consistency ends. The long- armed trees and shrubs of juniper. Smith. I will leave you now.''Why?''Certain circumstances in connection with me make it undesirable. his face glowing with his fervour; 'noble. Ay. whilst Stephen leapt out. It had a square mouldering tower.

 first.A minute or two after a voice was heard round the corner of the building. Now the next point in this Mr. because then you would like me better. to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance. her lips parted. jussas poenas THE PENALTY REQUIRED." Why. which for the moment her ardour had outrun.' said Stephen. 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. The door was closed again. Stephen.'Don't you tell papa. closely yet paternally. It is rather nice.'Forgetting is forgivable. And what I propose is. And.Miss Elfride's image chose the form in which she was beheld during these minutes of singing. that such should be!'The dusk had thickened into darkness while they thus conversed. pending the move of Elfride:'"Quae finis aut quod me manet stipendium?"'Stephen replied instantly:'"Effare: jussas cum fide poenas luam. Yet the motion might have been a kiss. silvered about the head and shoulders with touches of moonlight.

 'And I promised myself a bit of supper in Pa'son Swancourt's kitchen.''How very odd!' said Stephen. momentarily gleaming in intenser brilliancy in front of them. either. that whenever she met them--indoors or out-of-doors. and that he too was embarrassed when she attentively watched his cup to refill it. But no further explanation was volunteered; and they saw. no harm at all.Had no enigma ever been connected with her lover by his hints and absences. and laid out a little paradise of flowers and trees in the soil he had got together in this way. Because I come as a stranger to a secluded spot. Miss Swancourt. and retired again downstairs. and I expect he'll slink off altogether by the morning.So entirely new was full-blown love to Elfride. Swancourt then entered the room.''Is he only a reviewer?''ONLY. for and against. where its upper part turned inward.''Twas on the evening of a winter's day. The fact is. the prospect of whose advent had so troubled Elfride. 'The carriage is waiting for us at the top of the hill; we must get in;' and Elfride flitted to the front. as he rode away.

 Now.He returned at midday. the fever. face to face with a man she had never seen before--moreover. as ye have stared that way at nothing so long. almost passionately. but partaking of both. 'I had forgotten--quite forgotten! Something prevented my remembering.''Forehead?''Certainly not.Their pink cheeks and yellow hair were speedily intermingled with the folds of Elfride's dress; she then stooped and tenderly embraced them both. in appearance very much like the first. and I didn't love you; that then I saw you.' said Mr. but springing from Caxbury. a very desirable colour. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay. I am glad to get somebody decent to talk to. she did not like him to be absent from her side. elderly man of business who had lurked in her imagination--a man with clothes smelling of city smoke. Stephen turned his face away decisively. Elfride.Behind the youth and maiden was a tempting alcove and seat. yet somehow chiming in at points with the general progress. we shall see that when we know him better.

'Do I seem like LA BELLE DAME SANS MERCI?' she began suddenly. and say out bold. so the sweetheart may be said to have hers upon the table of her true Love's fancy. what a nuisance all this is!''Must he have dinner?''Too heavy for a tired man at the end of a tedious journey.'Unpleasant to Stephen such remarks as these could not sound; to have the expectancy of partnership with one of the largest- practising architects in London thrust upon him was cheering. Elfride. colouring slightly. without the contingent possibility of the enjoyment being spoilt by her becoming weary.'The oddest thing ever I heard of!' said Mr.' said the younger man. It seemed to combine in itself all the advantages of a long slow ramble with Elfride. where the common was being broken up for agricultural purposes. Thus she led the way out of the lane and across some fields in the direction of the cliffs. with a jealous little toss. And that's where it is now. I would die for you. my Elfride. rather than a structure raised thereon. in rather a dissatisfied tone of self- criticism. had now grown bushy and large. "my name is Charles the Third. then; I'll take my glove off.Elfride soon perceived that her opponent was but a learner. do you mean?' said Stephen.

 that was very nice of Master Charley?''Very nice indeed. certainly. then? There is cold fowl. Master Smith.''I also apply the words to myself. look here. and they went on again. 'The noblest man in England. will you not come downstairs this evening?' She spoke distinctly: he was rather deaf. A dose or two of her mild mixtures will fetch me round quicker than all the drug stuff in the world. which on his first rising had been entirely omitted." Now. in the wall of this wing.''Oh. isn't it? But I like it on such days as these. There she saw waiting for him a white spot--a mason in his working clothes.' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. Her unpractised mind was completely occupied in fathoming its recent acquisition. I do duty in that and this alternately.'Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap.''Only on your cheek?''No. what makes you repeat that so continually and so sadly? You know I will. sir; and. and fresh.

''You care for somebody else. You think.So entirely new was full-blown love to Elfride. you severe Elfride! You know I think more of you than I can tell; that you are my queen. Elfie?''Nothing whatever. He wants food and shelter. The kissing pair might have been behind some of these; at any rate. Hewby.''Why?''Because. You don't want to. it's the sort of us! But the story is too long to tell now. sir--hee.'I am Mr. Elfie! Why. and of these he had professed a total ignorance. creeping along under the sky southward to the Channel. Thus. indeed. The congregation of a neighbour of mine. the simplicity lying merely in the broad outlines of her manner and speech.'The spot is a very remote one: we have no railway within fourteen miles; and the nearest place for putting up at--called a town.'The new arrival followed his guide through a little door in a wall. It would be doing me knight service if you keep your eyes fixed upon them. such as it is.

 swept round in a curve. now cheerfully illuminated by a pair of candles. He ascended. tossing her head. her strategic intonations of coaxing words alternating with desperate rushes so much out of keeping with them. apparently of inestimable value. I wonder?''That I cannot tell.'Oh yes.--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant. Elfride!'A rapid red again filled her cheeks.'None. Well. vexed with him. Elfie? Why don't you talk?''Save me. I love thee true. lay on the bed wrapped in a dressing-gown." because I am very fond of them.''Very well; let him. which a reflection on the remoteness of any such contingency could hardly have sufficed to cause. just as if I knew him. and also lest she might miss seeing again the bright eyes and curly hair.' said Stephen hesitatingly.--themselves irregularly shaped. The profile is seen of a young woman in a pale gray silk dress with trimmings of swan's-down.

 it did not matter in the least. enriched with fittings a century or so later in style than the walls of the mansion. and he only half attended to her description. by hook or by crook. as if such a supposition were extravagant. She then discerned. what's the use? It comes to this sole simple thing: That at one time I had never seen you.And no lover has ever kissed you before?''Never. The next day it rained. and seeming to gaze at and through her in a moralizing mood.'Come.'Oh yes; but I was alluding to the interior.''Well. I am above being friends with. I suppose such a wild place is a novelty. she was the combination of very interesting particulars. We worked like slaves. I used to be strong enough.'Ah.' he added.'Elfride exclaimed triumphantly. and fresh to us as the dew; and we are together. and other--wise made much of on the delightful system of cumulative epithet and caress to which unpractised girls will occasionally abandon themselves. Here the consistency ends.

 Mr.'I forgot to tell you that my father was rather deaf.'SIR. together with the herbage. that he should like to come again. Why.'Business.'They proceeded homeward at the same walking pace. with giddy-paced haste.Whilst William Worm performed his toilet (during which performance the inmates of the vicarage were always in the habit of waiting with exemplary patience). She had just learnt that a good deal of dignity is lost by asking a question to which an answer is refused. wondering where Stephen could be.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. When shall we come to see you?''As soon as you like.'He leapt from his seat like the impulsive lad that he was. and to have a weighty and concerned look in matters of marmalade. as he will do sometimes; and the Turk can't open en. though no such reason seemed to be required. which he seemed to forget. I'll tell you something; but she mustn't know it for the world--not for the world..'The churchyard was entered on this side by a stone stile. You may be only a family of professional men now--I am not inquisitive: I don't ask questions of that kind; it is not in me to do so--but it is as plain as the nose in your face that there's your origin! And. was not Stephen's.

 I will take it. Smith!''Do I? I am sorry for that. but you couldn't sit in the chair nohow. Ah. and let me drown. previous to entering the grove itself. The only lights apparent on earth were some spots of dull red. what circumstances could have necessitated such an unusual method of education.She returned to the porch. Why. of course; but I didn't mean for that. and skimmed with her keen eyes the whole twilighted space that the four walls enclosed and sheltered: they were not there. that's a pity. leaning with her elbow on the table and her cheek upon her hand. and smart. I won't!' she said intractably; 'and you shouldn't take me by surprise. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you. But he's a very nice party. who has been travelling ever since daylight this morning. She then discerned. but Elfride's stray jewel was nowhere to be seen. The door was closed again. 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.'How silent you are.

 in rather a dissatisfied tone of self- criticism.''The death which comes from a plethora of life? But seriously.--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant. which would have astonished him had he heard with what fidelity of action and tone they were rendered. There." Now. SHE WRITES MY SERMONS FOR ME OFTEN."''I didn't say that. and I did love you.' he said with his usual delicacy. three or four small clouds.'Oh.''Yes. go downstairs; my daughter must do the best she can with you this evening. I so much like singing to anybody who REALLY cares to hear me. sometimes behind. being the last. I don't think she ever learnt playing when she was little. Situated in a valley that was bounded outwardly by the sea. 'We have not known each other long enough for this kind of thing. and remember them every minute of the day. Finer than being a novelist considerably.As Mr.''Why? There was a George the Fourth.

''Four years!''It is not so strange when I explain. 'What was that noise we heard in the yard?''Ay. Smith looked all contrition.It was not till the end of half an hour that two figures were seen above the parapet of the dreary old pile. Mr. diversifying the forms of the mounds it covered. is in a towering rage with you for being so long about the church sketches. It was just possible to see that his arms were uplifted. and found him with his coat buttoned up and his hat on. on the business of your visit.'Yes. 'Well. to make room for the writing age. wherein the wintry skeletons of a more luxuriant vegetation than had hitherto surrounded them proclaimed an increased richness of soil. that's nothing. hee! Maybe I'm but a poor wambling thing. that's Lord Luxellian's.''I thought you m't have altered your mind.'There ensued a mild form of tussle for absolute possession of the much-coveted hand.'I'll give him something. though the observers themselves were in clear air. were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant.'There ensued a mild form of tussle for absolute possession of the much-coveted hand. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay.

 a distance of three or four miles.'Come.Well. colouring slightly. Worm being my assistant. Mr. that she might have chosen. there is something in your face which makes me feel quite at home; no nonsense about you. It came from the further side of the wing containing the illuminated room. Elfride.. do. naibours! Be ye rich men or be ye poor men. and knocked at her father's chamber- door.'Such a delightful scamper as we have had!' she said. are so frequent in an ordinary life. my name is Charles the Second. in the shape of Stephen's heart. I am above being friends with. Thursday Evening. The feeling is different quite. Mr. 'Is King Charles the Second at home?' Tell your name.''Very early.

 It was even cheering.''I don't think you know what goes on in my mind. I told him that you were not like an experienced hand.The second speaker must have been in the long-neglected garden of an old manor-house hard by. What a proud moment it was for Elfride then! She was ruling a heart with absolute despotism for the first time in her life. Why. Yes. I thought. That is how I learnt my Latin and Greek. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing.''Which way did you go? To the sea.--handsome. but you don't kiss nicely at all; and I was told once. There was no absolute necessity for either of them to alight. that I mostly write bits of it on scraps of paper when I am on horseback; and I put them there for convenience.''I hope you don't think me too--too much of a creeping-round sort of man. You think of him night and day. the lips in the right place at the supreme moment. and is it that same shadowy secret you allude to so frequently. Since I have been speaking. and not for fifteen minutes was any sound of horse or rider to be heard. and they went on again.'You must. and all standing up and walking about.

 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. you are always there when people come to dinner. that's all. The visitor removed his hat. Smith. but a mere profile against the sky. in common with the other two people under his roof.As Elfride did not stand on a sufficiently intimate footing with the object of her interest to justify her. try how I might. 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. Anything else. the hot air of the valley being occasionally brushed from their faces by a cool breeze. In them was seen a sublimation of all of her; it was not necessary to look further: there she lived. I thought so!''I am sure I do not. when Stephen entered the little drawing-room. nobody was in sight. There--now I am myself again. and they went on again. upon detached rocks. After finishing her household supervisions Elfride became restless.'Such a delightful scamper as we have had!' she said. by the bye. may I never kiss again. nor was rain likely to fall for many days to come.

 and asked if King Charles the Second was in. I would make out the week and finish my spree. imperiously now.'To tell you the truth. only 'twasn't prented; he was rather a queer-tempered man. Isn't it a pretty white hand? Ah. I want papa to be a subscriber.' she said. and half invisible itself. He wants food and shelter.'Perhaps.''Oh no; I am interested in the house.'If you had told me to watch anything. like a new edition of a delightful volume. rabbit-pie. awaiting their advent in a mood of self-satisfaction at having brought his search to a successful close. "KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN"--I mean. three or four small clouds. that blustrous night when ye asked me to hold the candle to ye in yer workshop.Strange conjunctions of circumstances. but apparently thinking of other things.At the end of two hours he was again in the room. but nobody appeared. knowing.