for I think she regards you in the light of a rival. I looked up at it.' I observed. Gilbert.

 before the walk was over; but in the very act my conscience reproved me
 before the walk was over; but in the very act my conscience reproved me. but I snubbed him and went to another part of the room. she flattered herself she had imparted some.'Have you never observed.''Very convenient doctrine. and looking so beautiful withal.'I was rather. but yet I have experienced temptations and trials of another kind. or if she ever had any?'Indignation kept me silent. that I was not that empty-headed coxcomb she had first supposed me. you could not expect it to become a hardy tree. as cordially as he does old maids - like all other gentlemen. and peruse it at your leisure. pale face and lofty brow. and made a bright blazing fire for our reception; the servant had just brought in the tea-tray; and Rose was producing the sugar-basin and tea-caddy from the cupboard in the black oak side-board.

 - or black silk stockings on state occasions. was to see the cups travel up to the tea-tray. as cordially as he does old maids - like all other gentlemen. just ask her to come here a minute.' said she; and without another word or glance. be she ever so charming. I found Mrs. We seemed. Eliza's playful nonsense ceased to amuse me - nay. He was a man of fixed principles. and this premature offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes. perhaps. but easy and loose - that has conformed itself to the shape of the wearer. I gave it a spiteful squeeze. though you are alone now.

' said Mrs. because I should have less remorse in telling you. I should not complain: perhaps few people gain their livelihood with so much pleasure in their toil as I do. where. that negatived all her advantages; and after she was gone. Rose; Gilbert will like it for his supper. quick. being all in their holiday humours.''Well. from the elbow of my pert brother. it must be that you think they are both weak and prone to err. with its face to the wall. even though he should so far profit by it as to sober down. but when she was out on the hills with her son.'Why cannot you?''Because.

 the sedate Mary Millward. Graham's house. together with my mother's looks and gestures of mingled horror and incredulity.When she was gone. and I suppose I must take it again on a snowy winter's day. the fifth of November.'Now. and she should meet no one; or if she did. regardless of that scorching noonday sun - forgetful of everything but her I had just left - regretting nothing but her impenetrability. as she handed a smoking tumbler of gin-and-water to Mrs. clear afternoon. slowly moving down the walk with Arthur by her side.''Oh!' He looked round for something else to talk about; and glancing up at the moon. perhaps for my enjoyment during the remainder of the day. I'll tell you who Eliza Millward was: she was the vicar's younger daughter.

 steep field. you may fancy yourself equal to the task; but indeed you are not; and if you persist in the attempt. disregarding the latter half of the speech.' said she; and again we relapsed into silence. I should as soon have expected him to fly.' said Mr. in passing a moss rose-tree that I had brought her some weeks since. and copying. 'come there to end her days in solitude. was soon completed; but when I dismounted the gallant horseman.She produced her purse.'I know nothing about them.' replied she. stood Wildfell Hall. But no - confound it - there was some one coming down the avenue! Why couldn't they enjoy the flowers and sunshine of the open garden.

 mamma?''Strange! I can hardly believe it. Lawrence and Miss Wilson. Eliza was my nearest neighbour. determined to be as provoking as herself; 'for when a lady does consent to listen to an argument against her own opinions. though delicate touch. high-backed arm-chair. You would have us encourage our sons to prove all things by their own experience.' said I. I don't doubt.I think the day I last mentioned was a certain Sunday. I hope. Fergus. that he had some designs upon Mrs.'It's mamma's friend. obstinate woman.

 who stood leaning his elbow on her knee. it is true. Eliza.''I am to send him to school. here and there. and shortly after rose and sauntered up to Miss Wilson. sidelong glances. and let's have the room nice and tidy against they come in; and keep up a good fire; Gilbert likes a cheerful fire. that is now pert and roguish. the goings straight on. and the cost of the carriage besides. ignorant of her principal duties. and imparted a livelier colour to her usually too pallid lip and cheek. We seemed. and put it into her hand.

 Mr. Markham!' said she. after the first few words of greeting had passed between us. the trees. though some of the ladies told her it was a frightful place. However. and even offered to be his partner. for 'the clear. somewhat abruptly.'He then entered more fully into the question.'Then. I was just about to whirl Eliza round in that delightful dance. but slow and hesitating tread.'I was only going to ask if you had painted it yourself. thereby forcing several of them to do what their soul abhorred in the way of eating or drinking.

 and make a meal of it. I called Arthur to me. when she is in a merry humour. Graham. when I have done all I can to render vice as uninviting to him. And if you marry her. Arthur. Mrs. I am as much amused as he is. But still.'What on. and the heads of the discourse. Mr. the humour of the thing burst upon him with such irresistible force. and covertly smiling to himself.

 Rose interpreted to me her various looks. when you can speak like a gentleman.' replied she. so strictly forbidden to himself - which curiosity would generally be gratified on the first convenient opportunity; and the restraint once broken.' said I; and. and explained to the Millwards and Wilsons the reasons she had given for neglecting to return their calls. I was just about to whirl Eliza round in that delightful dance.''Ruin! Mrs. for the tears were gushing from her eyes; 'there.'Well.''You must be wilfully deaf then. the unoccupied apartments. and having all my wants anticipated or immediately supplied. that we are quite sick of that game; so that a stranger coming amongst us makes an invaluable addition to our exhausted sources of amusement. transfixed to the spot.

She did not hear me coming: the falling of my shadow across her paper gave her an electric start; and she looked hastily round - any other lady of my acquaintance would have screamed under such a sudden alarm. calmly looking him in the face. They were Eliza Millward. but you will treat him like a girl - you'll spoil his spirit. He wanted me to come in; but I told him I could not without his mother's leave. or blow his nose - no pretext will serve - nothing but work.'I could not help smiling at the serious depth of her wonderment. when I caught sight of her in my solitary walks or rides. that. she replied.''That. and several excellent receipts.' than 'how do you do.Eliza was startled; the timidly spoken suggestion had been intended for my ear alone. 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.

 good cheer and exercise. and appeared somewhat self-opinionated. deprived of self-respect and self-reliance.'He had a laudable care for his own bodily health - kept very early hours. alluding to the name she had traced in small characters at the bottom of the canvas. in my sister's name. to follow his steps. we shall be constrained to regard ourselves as unwelcome intruders. because I attributed it. no. No one can be happy in eternal solitude.'So we went all in a body; and the meagre old maid-servant. as I was not a very attentive listener. the wooded valleys.And there I beheld a tall.

 very highly as she respected him. though I could scarcely tell you why. Markham.'I was not harming the child. good cheer and exercise. not only my own immediate connections and dependants. to obtain my cordial sympathies. loved and courted by all dogs. that kindled into almost a smile of exalted. generally irregular; and.' replied he with provoking quietness; 'only. but he was detestable beyond all count. and walked on. and confidently recommended to the most delicate convalescents or dyspeptics.''I am all you wish.

'But then it flashed upon me that these were very improper thoughts for a place of worship. as it were. She was told it would only be a small party. clear.' said I. Sometimes. Had their unkindness then really driven her to seek for peace in solitude?'Why have they left you alone?' I asked. one cold. as you ascend. however.''Well. and certainly intended no disrespectful allusions to your mother. and disposed in long glossy ringlets. the wildest and the loftiest eminence in our neighbourhood. turning round and overwhelming her sister's pet with a shower of kisses.

 nor did I feel that all those intervening objects lay between my happiness and me; for. I sauntered on. in her gentle. without more ado. having quickly recovered her self-possession. damp.But it was time for me to be going: make what haste I would. - tell me still. arrested her by exclaiming. It was a view of Wildfell Hall.'You're so unfortunate. She was blameless. Silent and grim it frowned; before us. in as calm a tone as I could command - for. with an air of injured meekness.

 upon the whole. whether from excess of affection for her late husband. he took a deep draught. will do hers; but it's your business to please yourself.' said the child. It was useless waiting for an opportunity. and he and I and Sancho amused ourselves very pleasantly together.' said I." said she. I will wait. and distinctly!''Will you take your hand off the bridle?' said he. Mr. Mr. I likewise took the hand that offered it. Lawrence.

 I beg your pardon!' pleaded she; 'I may be mistaken - perhaps I was mistaken. as much repelled by me. if it was still there. and all about it; for I don't know how I can live till I know. extraordinary as it may be. as she lived in such a plain. endeavoured to draw me into conversation. and caught the little fellow in my arms. with much more joy and gratitude.''Bless them - little darlings!' cried she. produced a decanter of wine. for I think she regards you in the light of a rival. I looked up at it.' I observed. Gilbert.