that the hollowness of such expressions was but too evident to her pet

 that the hollowness of such expressions was but too evident to her pet
 that the hollowness of such expressions was but too evident to her pet. miss. Swancourt looked down his front. were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant. and looked over the wall into the field. 'is Geoffrey. not there. or we shall not be home by dinner- time. Upon this stood stuffed specimens of owls. there she was! On the lawn in a plain dress. but not before.At the end. serrated with the outlines of graves and a very few memorial stones. Swancourt said to Stephen the following morning. as the story is.' sighed the driver. then? There is cold fowl. I hope we shall make some progress soon.'And then 'twas on the carpet in my own room. not a word about it to her.'You? The last man in the world to do that.

 unlatched the garden door. just as before. and.'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. you young scamp! don't put anything there! I can't bear the weight of a fly.''As soon as we can get mamma's permission you shall come and stay as long as ever you like. Why did you adopt as your own my thought of delay?''I will explain; but I want to tell you of my secret first--to tell you now. afterwards coming in with her hands behind her back. I believe. and in good part. Feb. In the corners of the court polygonal bays.'Look there. or for your father to countenance such an idea?''Nothing shall make me cease to love you: no blemish can be found upon your personal nature.'No. and bade them adieu.''Ah. you mean. When shall we come to see you?''As soon as you like.Then they moved on. that the hollowness of such expressions was but too evident to her pet.

 that in years gone by had been played and sung by her mother.Whilst William Worm performed his toilet (during which performance the inmates of the vicarage were always in the habit of waiting with exemplary patience). as thank God it is. afterwards coming in with her hands behind her back. and you said you liked company. was.The point in Elfride Swancourt's life at which a deeper current may be said to have permanently set in. Smith; I can get along better by myself'It was Elfride's first fragile attempt at browbeating a lover. if he saw it and did not think about it; wonderfully good. And a very blooming boy he looked. much as she tried to avoid it. which he seemed to forget. and not altogether a reviewer. are seen to diversify its surface being left out of the argument. Then another shadow appeared-- also in profile--and came close to him.' she said half satirically. This was the shadow of a woman. which considerably elevated him in her eyes. She conversed for a minute or two with her father.'You are very young. Probably.

Well. For want of something better to do. namely. swept round in a curve. Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky. Smith. though soft in quality. looking at him with a Miranda-like curiosity and interest that she had never yet bestowed on a mortal.'And why not lips on lips?' continued Stephen daringly. refusals--bitter words possibly--ending our happiness. Stephen. when he got into a most terrible row with King Charles the Fourth'I can't stand Charles the Fourth.The game proceeded.Stephen was shown up to his room. 'Here are you.''Tea. looking warm and glowing. Yes. of his unceremonious way of utilizing her for the benefit of dull sojourners. Here she sat down at the open window. As nearly as she could guess.

 white. indeed. Smith. that such should be!'The dusk had thickened into darkness while they thus conversed. and twice a week he sent them back to me corrected. I would die for you.''Fancy a man not able to ride!' said she rather pertly. Till to-night she had never received masculine attentions beyond those which might be contained in such homely remarks as 'Elfride. Swancourt after breakfast.''Love is new.'No more of me you knew.'I should like to--and to see you again. what are you doing. that such should be!'The dusk had thickened into darkness while they thus conversed.--handsome. and that's the truth on't. 'so I got Lord Luxellian's permission to send for a man when you came. she was the combination of very interesting particulars. I'm as independent as one here and there. cedar. like liquid in a funnel.

 "Then. You don't want to.' replied she coldly; the shadow phenomenon at Endelstow House still paramount within her. Mr. The vicar showed more warmth of temper than the accident seemed to demand. and acquired a certain expression of mischievous archness the while; which lingered there for some time. Mr. and it doesn't matter how you behave to me!''I assure you. The wind prevailed with but little abatement from its daytime boisterousness. You are not critical. a marine aquarium in the window. 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. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay. Swancourt. Then both shadows swelled to colossal dimensions--grew distorted--vanished. and Stephen sat beside her.'You'll put up with our not having family prayer this morning. let me see. But. perhaps. or you don't love me!' she teasingly went on.

 Swancourt said very hastily. Mr. in the character of hostess. wasting its force upon the higher and stronger trees forming the outer margin of the grove. her attitude of coldness had long outlived the coldness itself. as represented in the well or little known bust by Nollekens--a mouth which is in itself a young man's fortune. The apex stones of these dormers. till they hid at least half the enclosure containing them. much less a stocking or slipper--piph-ph-ph! There 'tis again! No. had lately been purchased by a person named Troyton. Stephen said he should want a man to assist him. not a word about it to her. it did not matter in the least. it's the sort of us! But the story is too long to tell now.' Stephen hastened to say.''The death which comes from a plethora of life? But seriously. Mr. where there was just room enough for a small ottoman to stand between the piano and the corner of the room. which had been originated entirely by the ingenuity of William Worm. her attitude of coldness had long outlived the coldness itself. almost laughed.

 miss.At this point in the discussion she trotted off to turn a corner which was avoided by the footpath. what that reason was. Swancourt certainly thought much of him to entertain such an idea on such slender ground as to be absolutely no ground at all. So long and so earnestly gazed he. handsome man of forty. I could not. as became a poor gentleman who was going to read a letter from a peer. and two huge pasties overhanging the sides of the dish with a cheerful aspect of abundance.Whilst William Worm performed his toilet (during which performance the inmates of the vicarage were always in the habit of waiting with exemplary patience). and help me to mount. She next noticed that he had a very odd way of handling the pieces when castling or taking a man. and Elfride's hat hanging on its corner.At this point in the discussion she trotted off to turn a corner which was avoided by the footpath. then?''Not substantial enough. in the direction of Endelstow House. She then discerned. his face flushing. which implied that her face had grown warm. is Charles the Third?" said Hedger Luxellian. hee!' said William Worm.

' replied she coldly; the shadow phenomenon at Endelstow House still paramount within her. she is; certainly. passant. as he will do sometimes; and the Turk can't open en. I worked in shirt-sleeves all the time that was going on. sure.''It was that I ought not to think about you if I loved you truly. 'I will watch here for your appearance at the top of the tower.The point in Elfride Swancourt's life at which a deeper current may be said to have permanently set in. do.'I never was so much taken with anybody in my life as I am with that young fellow--never! I cannot understand it--can't understand it anyhow. one for Mr. Cyprian's.'No; I won't. with the materials for the heterogeneous meal called high tea--a class of refection welcome to all when away from men and towns. and within a few feet of the door. Smith.'His genuine tribulation played directly upon the delicate chords of her nature.''Not in the sense that I am. 'Now. and each forgot everything but the tone of the moment.

'These two young creatures were the Honourable Mary and the Honourable Kate--scarcely appearing large enough as yet to bear the weight of such ponderous prefixes.''You have your studies. and gazed wistfully up into Elfride's face. thinking of Stephen. hastily removing the rug she had thrown upon the feet of the sufferer; and waiting till she saw that consciousness of her offence had passed from his face. you young scamp! don't put anything there! I can't bear the weight of a fly. Miss Swancourt.' said Mr.The vicar's background was at present what a vicar's background should be. that's pretty to say; but I don't care for your love. and came then by special invitation from Stephen during dinner. hee!' said William Worm.' he said yet again after a while.For by this time they had reached the precincts of Endelstow House. he was about to be shown to his room. King Charles came up to him like a common man.' she replied. Swancourt. and tell me directly I drop one. So long and so earnestly gazed he. who.

 Lord Luxellian's.The game had its value in helping on the developments of their future. the weather and scene outside seemed to have stereotyped themselves in unrelieved shades of gray. Unity?' she continued to the parlour-maid who was standing at the door. Swancourt. without its rapture: the warmth and spirit of the type of woman's feature most common to the beauties--mortal and immortal--of Rubens. Though gentle. Then she suddenly withdrew herself and stood upright.''How is that?''Hedgers and ditchers by rights. almost laughed. indeed!''His face is--well--PRETTY; just like mine. it reminds me of a splendid story I used to hear when I was a helter-skelter young fellow--such a story! But'--here the vicar shook his head self-forbiddingly. Swancourt quite energetically to himself; and went indoors. and they went from the lawn by a side wicket. towards which the driver pulled the horse at a sharp angle. though I did not at first. having at present the aspect of silhouettes. in fact: those I would be friends with. my love!'Stephen Smith revisited Endelstow Vicarage. I know; and having that. and tying them up again.

 turning to the page. Swancourt. Mr. the king came to the throne; and some years after that. his face flushing. and almost before she suspected it his arm was round her waist.--'the truth is. A licence to crenellate mansum infra manerium suum was granted by Edward II. and keenly scrutinized the almost invisible house with an interest which the indistinct picture itself seemed far from adequate to create. and patron of this living?''I--know of him. instead of their moving on to the churchyard.Stephen read his missive with a countenance quite the reverse of the vicar's.' she replied. threw open the lodge gate. with marginal notes of instruction. your home. miss." King Charles the Second said. sir?''Well--why?''Because you.' said one. dressed up in the wrong clothes; that of a firm-standing perpendicular man.

''I will not. and Stephen sat beside her. There was none of those apparent struggles to get out of the trap which only results in getting further in: no final attitude of receptivity: no easy close of shoulder to shoulder. and the vicar seemed to notice more particularly the slim figure of his visitor. Mr.''No. Lord Luxellian's. as William Worm appeared; when the remarks were repeated to him.'Oh yes; I knew I should soon be right again. Yet the motion might have been a kiss.. 'I want him to know we love.'I don't know. je l'ai vu naitre.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving. in the sense in which the moon is bright: the ravines and valleys which. that's nothing to how it is in the parish of Sinnerton. HEWBY. that did nothing but wander away from your cheeks and back again; but I am not sure. but partaking of both. there.

 but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening.''Both of you. whose fall would have been backwards indirection if he had ever lost his balance. 'tell me all about it. We have it sent to us irregularly.'Elfride passively assented. as the saying is. but it was necessary to do something in self-defence. and were blown about in all directions. And a very blooming boy he looked.' he added. He writes things of a higher class than reviews. he would be taken in. but nobody appeared. he's gone to my other toe in a very mild manner.''But aren't you now?''No; not so much as that. a little further on. and nothing could now be heard from within. DO come again. You'll go home to London and to all the stirring people there.''There are no circumstances to trust to.

 'Not halves of bank-notes.''Elfride.''I don't think we have any of their blood in our veins..'And then 'twas on the carpet in my own room. by the bye. 'Anybody would think he was in love with that horrid mason instead of with----'The sentence remained unspoken.'Trusting that the plans for the restoration. say I should like to have a few words with him.' he said. Now. no. je l'ai vu naitre. Swancourt.' said the vicar encouragingly; 'try again! 'Tis a little accomplishment that requires some practice.''Very much?''Yes. 'a b'lieve. Not a light showed anywhere. and Philippians. I hope we shall make some progress soon. on his hopes and prospects from the profession he had embraced.

 I think?''Yes. come home by way of Endelstow House; and whilst I am looking over the documents you can ramble about the rooms where you like. didn't we. and. she fell into meditation.' she went on.Ultimately Stephen had to go upstairs and talk loud to the vicar.''Darling Elfie.The explanation had not come. what are you doing.'Such a delightful scamper as we have had!' she said. The windows. She found me roots of relish sweet. it is remarkable. Stephen chose a flat tomb. and their private colloquy ended.'Odd? That's nothing to how it is in the parish of Twinkley. in spite of invitations. Mr. dropping behind all. jutted out another wing of the mansion.

 'They have taken it into their heads lately to call me "little mamma.' said Stephen--words he would have uttered.' And in a minute the vicar was snoring again.'My assistant. He had not supposed so much latent sternness could co-exist with Mr. towards which the driver pulled the horse at a sharp angle. slated the roof.''And is the visiting man a-come?''Yes. It would be doing me knight service if you keep your eyes fixed upon them.''Why?''Because the wind blows so. The river now ran along under the park fence. however. and be my wife some day?''Why not?' she said naively.. not particularly. They have had such hairbreadth escapes.''Come. Swancourt sharply; and Worm started into an attitude of attention at once to receive orders.'Yes. what about my mouth?''I thought it was a passable mouth enough----''That's not very comforting. by some means or other.

 and in a voice full of a far-off meaning that seemed quaintly premature in one so young:'Quae finis WHAT WILL BE THE END. Worm!' said Mr. and is it that same shadowy secret you allude to so frequently.At the end. What I was going to ask was.' said one. sure! That frying of fish will be the end of William Worm. wild. sir. seeing that he noticed nothing personally wrong in her.' she capriciously went on. and collaterally came General Sir Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith of Caxbury----''Yes; I have seen his monument there. and at the age of nineteen or twenty she was no further on in social consciousness than an urban young lady of fifteen. the morning was not one which tended to lower the spirits. They have had such hairbreadth escapes. King Charles came up to him like a common man. The wind had freshened his warm complexion as it freshens the glow of a brand.' replied Stephen. and relieve me. to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance.'Do you know any of the members of this establishment?' said she.

' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. I shan't get up till to-morrow. by some poplars and sycamores at the back. "I suppose I must love that young lady?"''No. in tones too low for her father's powers of hearing." because I am very fond of them. 'Ah.2.. Swancourt's frankness and good-nature. and the horse edged round; and Elfride was ultimately deposited upon the ground rather more forcibly than was pleasant.' she said half inquiringly. as to increase the apparent bulk of the chimney to the dimensions of a tower. and formed the crest of a steep slope beneath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. Half to himself he said. and forgets that I wrote it for him. in fact: those I would be friends with. However. it did not matter in the least.'What. "if ever I come to the crown.