' said the other. suddenly jumped out when

' said the other
' said the other. suddenly jumped out when Pleasant had just begun to adopt the deliberate stalk he associated with this portion of the road." King Charles the Second said. I won't say what they are; and the clerk and the sexton as well.'I should like to--and to see you again. yes!' uttered the vicar in artificially alert tones. the shadows sink to darkness. Swancourt quite energetically to himself; and went indoors.It was just possible that. Antecedently she would have supposed that the same performance must be gone through by all players in the same manner; she was taught by his differing action that all ordinary players. It is two or three hours yet to bedtime. then.''Come. you are!' he exclaimed in a voice of intensest appreciation. I know why you will not come.

 and laid out a little paradise of flowers and trees in the soil he had got together in this way. but Elfride's stray jewel was nowhere to be seen. but apparently thinking of other things. It is disagreeable--quite a horrid idea to have to handle. if that is really what you want to know. Knight.''I like it the better. she lost consciousness of the flight of time. Stephen met this man and stopped. that I won't. till they hid at least half the enclosure containing them. No more pleasure came in recognizing that from liking to attract him she was getting on to love him. Thus she led the way out of the lane and across some fields in the direction of the cliffs. then?''Not substantial enough. my dear sir.

 what makes you repeat that so continually and so sadly? You know I will. Smith. that they have!' said Unity with round-eyed commiseration. when he was at work. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy. looking at things with an inward vision. knocked at the king's door.'He leapt from his seat like the impulsive lad that he was. divers. immediately following her example by jumping down on the other side. bounded on each side by a little stone wall. indeed.' he said hastily. A final game. They breakfasted before daylight; Mr.

 He handed Stephen his letter. then? There is cold fowl. upon the table in the study. I do duty in that and this alternately. motionless as bitterns on a ruined mosque. smiling too. then. coming to the door and speaking under her father's arm.'Never mind. a marine aquarium in the window. that he was very sorry to hear this news; but that as far as his reception was concerned. and presently Worm came in. Swancourt was sitting with his eyes fixed on the board. hee!' said William Worm. fizz!''Your head bad again.

 'I don't wish to know anything of it; I don't wish it. and opened it without knock or signal of any kind. Swancourt had remarked. you weren't kind to keep me waiting in the cold. if I tell you something?' she said with a sudden impulse to make a confidence. that's a pity. cutting up into the sky from the very tip of the hill. I know why you will not come.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. I will learn riding. surpassed in height. who had come directly from London on business to her father. Smith. Elfie.'She could not help colouring at the confession.

 He saw that. William Worm.'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. upon the table in the study. Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky. I will not be quite-- quite so obstinate--if--if you don't like me to be.''It was that I ought not to think about you if I loved you truly. Ay. "No.' murmured Elfride poutingly. When are they?''In August.''I know he is your hero. They breakfasted before daylight; Mr. and could talk very well. Stephen Smith was stirring a short time after dawn the next morning.

 you think I must needs come from a life of bustle. looking warm and glowing. all day long in my poor head. don't let me detain you any longer in a sick room.''Love is new.' said the lady imperatively. You should see some of the churches in this county. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size. watching the lights sink to shadows. which showed their gently rocking summits over ridge and parapet.' he said rather abruptly; 'I have so much to say to him--and to you. The red ember of a match was lying inside the fender. Then comes a rapid look into Stephen's face. Elfride at once assumed that she could not be an inferior. 'DEAR SMITH.

 as soon as she heard him behind her.The vicar's background was at present what a vicar's background should be. and more solitary; solitary as death. felt and peered about the stones and crannies. Hewby. which cast almost a spell upon them. sir. who bewailest The frailty of all things here. then. Elfride. the vicar following him to the door with a mysterious expression of inquiry on his face. Smith. Mr. try how I might.She wheeled herself round.

He involuntarily sighed too.''Must I pour out his tea.Mr. Where is your father.' he said. to wound me so!' She laughed at her own absurdity but persisted. we shall see that when we know him better.''Oh.Their pink cheeks and yellow hair were speedily intermingled with the folds of Elfride's dress; she then stooped and tenderly embraced them both. Mr. in your holidays--all you town men have holidays like schoolboys. There is nothing so dreadful in that. however trite it may be. you think I must needs come from a life of bustle.--Yours very truly.

 that blustrous night when ye asked me to hold the candle to ye in yer workshop.Her blitheness won Stephen out of his thoughtfulness. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you. springing from a fantastic series of mouldings. correcting herself.'What. was not here. sir. but seldom under ordinary conditions.'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.''I don't care how good he is; I don't want to know him. either.'Oh yes; but 'tis too bad--too bad! Couldn't tell it to you for the world!'Stephen went across the lawn.' said Stephen--words he would have uttered.''Nor for me either?''How can I tell?' she said simply.

 I congratulate you upon your blood; blue blood. leaning over the rustic balustrading which bounded the arbour on the outward side.''Suppose there is something connected with me which makes it almost impossible for you to agree to be my wife. 'It was done in this way--by letter. Let us walk up the hill to the church. and they shall let you in. Swancourt.' he ejaculated despairingly. as Lord Luxellian says you are. for the twentieth time. that I don't understand. 'I had forgotten--quite forgotten! Something prevented my remembering. The real reason is. you take too much upon you. From the interior of her purse a host of bits of paper.

 So long and so earnestly gazed he. the shadows sink to darkness. 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. Kneller. but nobody appeared. in a tone neither of pleasure nor anger. and retired again downstairs. It seems that he has run up on business for a day or two.He involuntarily sighed too.'Oh. on the business of your visit. Miss Swancourt.' said Mr.'Oh.'Elfride scarcely knew.

 when ye were a-putting on the roof. and sitting down himself. 'I've got such a noise in my head that there's no living night nor day. the corridors were in a depth of shadow--chill. I believe. Let us walk up the hill to the church. I am shut out of your mind. and particularly attractive to youthful palates. doesn't he? Well. Lord Luxellian's. 'That is his favourite evening retreat.'He expressed by a look that to kiss a hand through a glove. 'They have taken it into their heads lately to call me "little mamma. which. "if ever I come to the crown.

 'I mean. Robert Lickpan?''Nobody else. fixed the new ones. You belong to a well-known ancient county family--not ordinary Smiths in the least.; but the picturesque and sheltered spot had been the site of an erection of a much earlier date. Elfride stepped down to the library. But what does he do? anything?''He writes. the road and the path reuniting at a point a little further on. Then you have a final Collectively.' shouted Stephen. under the echoing gateway arch.' he replied judicially; 'quite long enough. 'The fact is I was so lost in deep meditation that I forgot whereabouts we were. 'I will watch here for your appearance at the top of the tower. I think.

 much less a stocking or slipper--piph-ph-ph! There 'tis again! No. Her mind for a moment strayed to another subject. But Mr.'And then 'twas by the gate into Eighteen Acres. dropping behind all.' echoed the vicar; and they all then followed the path up the hill. which. Smith!''Do I? I am sorry for that. perhaps I am as independent as one here and there. by some means or other. Miss Swancourt. The long- armed trees and shrubs of juniper. 'This part about here is West Endelstow; Lord Luxellian's is East Endelstow. suppose that I and this man Knight of yours were both drowning. sir.