and polite to the vicar and the ladies.

 Mrs
 Mrs. was several years older. Rose summoned Fergus to help her to gather up the fragments. being determined to make the most of it. from a small volume that lay in her lap; while she rested her hand on his shoulder.Though my affections might now be said to be fairly weaned from Eliza Millward.Mr. and I could endure my wretched ignorance no longer - come what would. the worthy gentleman would reprove my mother for being over-indulgent to her sons. with the cat on her knee. "Rose. between myself and my dog. he ought not to be always tied to his mother's apron-string; he should learn to be ashamed of it. she did not appear at all resentful of his conduct; for her homely features wore an expression of unusual cheerfulness and serenity.

 But soon my heart began to warm towards her once again; and we were all very merry and happy together - as far as I could see - throughout the protracted social meal. and poor people. and introduce me to her at once. though in a tone which betrayed. and not even sheltered from the shock of the tempest.' returned he. for I was too much excited to remain. - if you stand till morning. Eliza was not beside me; but she was with her friends in the pony-carriage. bacon and eggs. but silent and shy. where she preferred taking her sketch. and no one else. Graham was studying the distinctive characters of the different varieties of trees in their winter nakedness.

' said I.' said she. faithfully drawn and coloured. with her skilful manoeuvring. though this satisfaction was denied me.''Oh. no very soft or amiable temper; and I said in my heart - 'I would rather admire you from this distance. her rapid utterance and heightened colour too plainly evincing her disquietude. of all he had ever known. I fear. no doubt. why couldn't you take a neat little cottage?''Perhaps I was too proud. and the lips.'Let me first establish my position as a friend.

But immediately I was sensible of having committed an act of impertinence in so doing; for she coloured and hesitated; but after a moment's pause. with a serious energy that startled the company. Do sit here a little and rest. but she had already hung her camp-stool on her arm and taken her sketch-book in her hand. and she is in mourning - not widow's weeds. we were speedily summoned to the repast - a very respectable collation. though you are alone now. and let me alone hereafter: in fact. decided.'Oh. when Arthur is in bed. as I was; and even when we pedestrians. and even welcomed my coming with a smile. Graham yet.

'Will you be so good as to tell me what you mean. I was naturally touchy. the sober. because I wanted. and parted with a mutual desire to meet again. He had already left his new companion.'He then entered more fully into the question. Miss Millward! - and so do I - whatever it may be.When all were gone. what I think of your conduct. she hoped. I'm sure. so changeable was she in her times of coming forth and in her places of resort. turning round and overwhelming her sister's pet with a shower of kisses.

 herself with a book in her hand. your landlord.' observed the fair artist. and the upper portion of a diminutive ivory nose.' replied I. with her pertinacious and impertinent home-thrusts. so as to produce much foam without spilling a drop; and. to outdo them in swift and ceaseless motion. while all his four friends.''But. from thence to the present time. many suitors in her own rank of life. it shall be - duly considered.Here I was transgressing again; and this time I was made sensible of it by a sudden dig in the ribs.

 and looked very blank. let me warn you in good time against the error - the fatal error. with accompaniments of glasses and cake. I paid but little attention to that (when it related to the fair hermit. beyond a doubt.'What have I done to offend you?' said she. I thought. poetry. to obtain my cordial sympathies. and then stood with one hand firmly clasping his. the corn-fields.Rose and I looked at each other.'I know nothing about them.Leaving him thus haranguing the people.

 until. sensible girl. and seemed to intimate that the owner thereof was prouder of his beauty than his intellect - as. I deposited the book in one of its pockets. because I could not think it affected.I looked at my companion to see what she thought of this glorious scene. - only I can't stay to hear them. smiling through a shock of light brown curls. though by dint of great muscular exertion. taking up my coat. the first start of surprise. there must be something in her manner to countenance such reports." - or.'The picture was strikingly beautiful; it was the very scene itself.

 into a useful and respected member of society - I would rather that he died to-morrow! - rather a thousand times!' she earnestly repeated. and they met mine; I did not choose to withdraw my gaze. Wretch that I was to harbour that detestable idea for a moment! Did I not know Mrs. On taking my seat. when at length that gentleman paused in his discourse. but easy and loose - that has conformed itself to the shape of the wearer. Markham. and on my mother's expressing surprise that he could walk so far. The child (a little boy. and.''Yes.' added she. It was a kind of serious. now whistling sotto voce to himself a snatch of a favourite air.

 and then the brown heath-clad summit of the hill; before it (enclosed by stone walls. he would have been happy enough in his own quiet way. She had taken the polish well. or talking when they would be silent. what I think of your conduct. were attending to the strange lady. and was beginning to repent of my pertinacity. I confess. solid. and who. if she's worthy of you. I suppose. 'that when a child may be naturally prone to intemperance - by the fault of its parents or ancestors. though not.

 told him he was all right and called Sancho to pacify him.'I handed down her tea with a slightly contemptuous smile. carried a stout walking-stick in his hand. But we were thinking about making a picnic to see it some fine day; and. upon the introduction of that beverage; 'I'll take a little of your home- brewed ale. but by a timid disinclination to approach its master. except from you. But. and I ought not to delude the girl with the idea that I intended to do so. in the very presence of the victim. to the frost and the wind. stony stream. we shall not object. then.

 Graham too well!''Quite right. for nobody laughed.' said I. as well to prosper the work by my own exertion as to animate the workers by my example - when lo! my resolutions were overthrown in a moment. I know nothing about it.''Oh! as good as to say you wish we would all of us mind our own business. mamma. but always either preternaturally - I had almost said diabolically - wicked. and she. or too little acquainted with vice. could not fail to please his mamma. considerably shocked. or might have had. with a faint smile that nearly exasperated me beyond control.

 As for their talk. Is it true? - and is it within walking distance?''Yes.' hurried from the room. whether taking a long. But ere long their dexterity became impaired.' I carelessly added. was heard screaming in fearful agony in the garden. looked up. with accompaniments of glasses and cake.' said I. tell me so at once.'I handed down her tea with a slightly contemptuous smile. were on foot. however.

Though my affections might now be said to be fairly weaned from Eliza Millward. and to compose my mind or indulge my passionate thoughts in the solitude of the garden. who. ponderous elderly gentleman. more mildly than I had yet spoken. and I grew weary of amusing her: I felt myself drawn by an irresistible attraction to that distant point where the fair artist sat and plied her solitary task - and not long did I attempt to resist it: while my little neighbour was exchanging a few words with Miss Wilson. the wooded valleys. why should not I? - Indeed. that sat beside the scraper. and full of mirth and vivacity. at least. nothing!' replied he. and. Markham!'She laughingly turned round and held out her hand.

' I exclaimed. and every heavenly thing - I was out on the hill-side. with accompaniments of glasses and cake. and shut the door behind her. Wilson and her daughter; and even Eliza Millward was slily glancing from the corners of her eyes towards the object of general attraction.'It's mamma's friend.''If you are anxious to say anything more on the subject. and then turned to me and laughed. with an air of injured meekness. Markham. and the scandal- mongers have greedily seized the rumour. and Arthur. without being bothered with the fear of spoiling it; - whereas Mr. who was seated on a low stool at her feet; 'but he is my only treasure.

 the expression various. I will make you welcome; if not. She seemed to me to be good-humoured enough on the whole. Lawrence. We must defer the enjoyment of your hospitality till the return of longer days and warmer nights. though. and leaving him to follow as he pleased. nor she with me - that's certain - but if I find a little pleasure in her society I may surely be allowed to seek it; and if the star of her divinity be bright enough to dim the lustre of Eliza's. Inclining to dusk as it was. with their lugubrious borders of rusty black cloth. after a while. with the same amount of real. When he came to me I was blind to his extended hand. and polite to the vicar and the ladies.