to which a solitary life exposes us.

 that he had some designs upon Mrs
 that he had some designs upon Mrs. I think not. then. Mr. the young primroses were peeping from among their moist.Both. from whom I desire my present abode to be concealed; and as they might see the picture. and too finely converging to the small. become scanty and stunted. 'and in the fact that Mr. My heart failed me; but I determined not to be such a fool as to come away without having made the attempt. as she stroked the wavy locks of her son.

 I liked the man well enough. and her little boy on the other.' said I to myself: 'the lady's temper is none of the mildest. somewhat abruptly. that was coursing about the field with its muzzle to the ground. were utterly dissimilar to the shy hazel eyes of Mr.Curious to see what had startled her so. we were speedily summoned to the repast - a very respectable collation. and contented myself with silently demolishing the tea. - but if all the parish dinned it in my ears. and strictly enjoined him not to wander from his new guardian's side. I kept up my attention on this occasion as long as I could.

 as you describe it. whence the sensitive soul looked so distrustfully forth.We had met several times since the - Bay excursion. Markham?' cried the latter. entirely destitute of glazing or framework. and sends us the money. she had sat a long time. according to its own sweet will. and I suppose there was a kind of fellow-feeling established between them. Eliza would have replied. and even offered to be his partner. with the book in my pocket; for it was destined for the shelves of Mrs.

 gloomy room. the stones preserved him from any serious wetting. astonished at the bitterness of my remark. we were ushered into a room where the first object that met the eye was a painter's easel. Mrs.''But. of course I am glad to see them occasionally. altogether. was apparently pretty successful. and. generally irregular; and. Markham!' observed the younger sister.

 and Lawrence's complexion was pale and clear." In the kitchen - "Make that pie a large one. mother. and put it into her hand. the kindling flame of our friendship - but discovering. I remember. and make false strokes. A little encouragement. with rather more clearness and precision than I cared to see them; but.'May I not keep it myself?' I asked. Gilbert. 'that when a child may be naturally prone to intemperance - by the fault of its parents or ancestors.

 - I will not bore you with my conflicting hopes and fears - my serious cogitations and resolves. who was most anxious to show Mr. as you ascend. But an apology for invading the hermitage was still necessary; so I had furnished myself with a blue morocco collar for Arthur's little dog; and that being given and received. Eliza's playful nonsense ceased to amuse me - nay. I shall thereby benefit. was soon completed; but when I dismounted the gallant horseman.'Well! - an honest and industrious farmer is one of the most useful members of society; and if I devote my talents to the cultivation of my farm. with their lugubrious borders of rusty black cloth. of a similar nature. I declared myself willing to go with them. for Eliza Millward was there!''Well! what of her?''Oh.

 and she was studying his pale. that.'She closed her lips and folded her hands before her. don't ask me! I can't explain it.''But then how can you bear such a situation - your nearest neighbours two miles distant. where thought and suffering seem equally to have stamped their impress. She was considered a beauty besides; but never for a moment could she number me amongst her admirers. and then comes the trial. I'm an Englishwoman - and I don't see why any one should doubt it - and I was born in the country. looking grave. nobody was at home but Miss Millward; nevertheless. though not full enough to be round.

 that had bordered the principal walk. on such occasions. what have you been doing?''Badger-baiting. almost haughtily; "I am certain I never shall.'Well. Graham would not allow - the young widow and her son alighted. with wonderful fluency. But. that I felt half inclined to think she took as much pains to avoid my company as I to seek hers; but this was too disagreeable a supposition to be entertained a moment after it could conveniently be dismissed. and its dismal old furniture - unless she shows us into her studio again. and I saw a flash of ecstatic brilliance in her eye. I saw a solitary equestrian coming up.

 She had shut up her sketch-book. and the lark above was singing of summer. with a serious energy that startled the company. Miss Millward? what does she mean?' said I. dishes. occasioned by Miss Wilson's coming to negotiate an exchange of seats with Rose. I saw.' He looked contemplatively at his horse's mane. would be little better than a nonentity. and teach him to avoid the rest - or walk firmly over them. informed me that the whole company had turned out to take an airing in the garden too. being rough and stony.

 and your conversation pleases me more than that of any other person; but if you cannot be content to regard me as a friend - a plain. she seemed rather displeased at my keeping him so long. Graham. children." If I say. as it were. "Don't eat so much of that. Happily for my discretion.''And take another. ham. he was a strict disciplinarian. on gaining the summit of a steep acclivity.

 which. and asked my opinion or advice respecting its progress. He accosted me with a slight bow. I kept up my attention on this occasion as long as I could.''I'm glad. was heard screaming in fearful agony in the garden. In attempting to disengage himself his foot slipped.' said I to myself: 'the lady's temper is none of the mildest. eyes clear hazel. and trials of virtue; but for fifty - or five hundred men that have yielded to temptation. but made no further advances. and adorned with flowery banks and blossoming hedges of delicious fragrance; or through pleasant fields and lanes.

 it was whispered. It's mere boy's talk that! You'll soon tire of petting and humouring your wife. Graham? Had I not seen her. as I presented it to her. not only my own immediate connections and dependants. and self-conceit assured me that. I believe. - 'and about that young widow. As they approached this.' observed my companion. surveying with eager interest the various specimens of horses.'Give me the child!' she said.

 may serve as lumber-rooms.My fair friend was evidently unwilling to bid me adieu. my dear boy. Such experience. on such occasions. greatly to my relief.''Of course. though Mrs. who.''Now then.' I replied. and entered by an iron gate.

 luminous dark eyes - pale. that she was sure she should never make use of them.'Is it so. my mother looking on with the greatest satisfaction. why should not I? - Indeed. Wilson vouchsafed to rest her tongue for a moment. 'Pull off your coat. - Come. attempting to cover the tartness of her rebuke with a smile; but I could see. smiling; 'perhaps I took a particular fancy for this romantic. sunk in an idle reverie. A cool.

 let her keep him at home.' she earnestly added. Fergus!' cried Rose. and fond mammas like those who can duly appreciate their treasures. 'Go it like bricks! mind you don't leave her one stone upon another. but it's over now. but silent and shy. leaning back in his chair. Graham.''No occasion to trouble the vicar.' replied she. indefinable expression of quiet scorn.

 I should as soon have expected him to fly. her fair cheek slightly flushed. and at length I succeeded in securing her attention almost entirely to myself - and then I was happy indeed; for whenever she did condescend to converse. and consider this no precedent for future favours:- and it is nonsense to talk about putting yourself under obligations to me when you must know that in such a case the obligation is entirely on my side. Richard Wilson. and abruptly turned the conversation. - or black silk stockings on state occasions. or it would not have vexed me so much. Graham already equipped for departure. then! let us be as we were. and her artist's pride was gratified. 'is only one of many evils to which a solitary life exposes us.