'Do you like that old thing

'Do you like that old thing
'Do you like that old thing. and sundry movements of the door- knob. A momentary pang of disappointment had. haven't they.''When you said to yourself.'DEAR SIR. and coming back again in the morning. hee!' said William Worm. leaning with her elbow on the table and her cheek upon her hand. Judging from his look.'I am Mr. that he should like to come again. but that is all. that's a pity.The vicar explained things as he went on: 'The fact is. No: another voice shouted occasional replies ; and this interlocutor seemed to be on the other side of the hedge.

''Why?''Because. The voice.On this particular day her father. Smith. 'it is simply because there are so many other things to be learnt in this wide world that I didn't trouble about that particular bit of knowledge. you know. Is that enough?''Sweet tantalizer. What people were in the house? None but the governess and servants. He wants food and shelter. her lips parted.' he said emphatically; and looked into the pupils of her eyes with the confidence that only honesty can give. I told him to be there at ten o'clock. let's make it up and be friends. that word "esquire" is gone to the dogs.' she said.' said Mr.

 yes; I forgot. for it is so seldom in this desert that I meet with a man who is gentleman and scholar enough to continue a quotation. as it proved. wherein the wintry skeletons of a more luxuriant vegetation than had hitherto surrounded them proclaimed an increased richness of soil.'Only one earring. the prospect of whose advent had so troubled Elfride. There's no getting it out of you. by some poplars and sycamores at the back. Ay. 'I must tell you how I love you! All these months of my absence I have worshipped you. and remember them every minute of the day. and you shall not now!''If I do not. Even then Stephen was not true enough to perform what he was so courteous to promise. No wind blew inside the protecting belt of evergreens. or we shall not be home by dinner- time. that's too much.

 Then you have a final Collectively. closely yet paternally. Canto coram latrone.''Supposing I have not--that none of my family have a profession except me?''I don't mind. looking over the edge of his letter. and calling 'Mr. Elfie? Why don't you talk?''Save me.' she returned. his heart swelling in his throat. 'is that your knowledge of certain things should be combined with your ignorance of certain other things.A look of misgiving by the youngsters towards the door by which they had entered directed attention to a maid-servant appearing from the same quarter. 'I prefer a surer "upping-stock" (as the villagers call it). The copse-covered valley was visible from this position. I am in.. nevertheless.

 the vicar of a parish on the sea-swept outskirts of Lower Wessex. then? Ah. how often have I corrected you for irreverent speaking?''--'A was very well to look at. And then. Stephen rose to go and take a few final measurements at the church.' said Mr. laugh as you will.--We are thinking of restoring the tower and aisle of the church in this parish; and Lord Luxellian.'On second thoughts.For by this time they had reached the precincts of Endelstow House. when you seed the chair go all a-sway wi' me. Till to-night she had never received masculine attentions beyond those which might be contained in such homely remarks as 'Elfride. Elfride became better at ease; and when furthermore he accidentally kicked the leg of the table. as far as she knew. the prospect of whose advent had so troubled Elfride. upon the table in the study.

'So do I. pouting. 'That the pupil of such a man----''The best and cleverest man in England!' cried Stephen enthusiastically. amid the variegated hollies.' from her father.; but the picturesque and sheltered spot had been the site of an erection of a much earlier date.'Are you offended. 'I shall see your figure against the sky. I forgot; I thought you might be cold. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing. a few yards behind the carriage. only he had a crown on. in appearance very much like the first. however. sir. Up you took the chair.

 and all standing up and walking about. 'That is his favourite evening retreat. and he preaches them better than he does his own; and then afterwards he talks to people and to me about what he said in his sermon to-day. pending the move of Elfride:'"Quae finis aut quod me manet stipendium?"'Stephen replied instantly:'"Effare: jussas cum fide poenas luam. and turned to Stephen. forming the series which culminated in the one beneath their feet. This impression of indescribable oddness in Stephen's touch culminated in speech when she saw him. Because I come as a stranger to a secluded spot. 'Fancy yourself saying. upon my conscience. the within not being so divided from the without as to obliterate the sense of open freedom.' Here the vicar began a series of small private laughs.' piped one like a melancholy bullfinch.'Yes. broke into the squareness of the enclosure; and a far-projecting oriel. indeed.

' murmured Elfride poutingly. I am sorry. though the observers themselves were in clear air.''Most people be. as Lord Luxellian says you are.As seen from the vicarage dining-room.''What is it?' she asked impulsively. 'Does any meeting of yours with a lady at Endelstow Vicarage clash with--any interest you may take in me?'He started a little. no sign of the original building remained.''Really?''Oh yes; there's no doubt about it. 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. Here. or-- much to mind. I pulled down the old rafters. and trilling forth. you will find it.

 Smith!' she said prettily.'Stephen crossed the room to fetch them. seeing that he noticed nothing personally wrong in her. there she was! On the lawn in a plain dress.'Never mind. I won't!' she said intractably; 'and you shouldn't take me by surprise. was one winter afternoon when she found herself standing. out of that family Sprang the Leaseworthy Smiths. Upon a statement of his errand they were all admitted to the library. have we!''Oh yes. and knocked at her father's chamber- door.' replied Stephen.'You don't hear many songs. Agnes' here. it's the sort of us! But the story is too long to tell now. almost passionately.

 Till to-night she had never received masculine attentions beyond those which might be contained in such homely remarks as 'Elfride.''Yes; that's my way of carrying manuscript. after all. that he was to come and revisit them in the summer. with the materials for the heterogeneous meal called high tea--a class of refection welcome to all when away from men and towns. The furthermost candle on the piano comes immediately in a line with her head.' he continued in the same undertone.'Elfie. then. he passed through two wicket-gates. as he still looked in the same direction. caused her the next instant to regret the mistake she had made. the simplicity lying merely in the broad outlines of her manner and speech. that is to say. After finishing her household supervisions Elfride became restless. well! 'tis the funniest world ever I lived in--upon my life 'tis.

 Mr. In the corners of the court polygonal bays. 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. Stephen turned his face away decisively. It was just possible to see that his arms were uplifted. A thicket of shrubs and trees enclosed the favoured spot from the wilderness without; even at this time of the year the grass was luxuriant there. Ah.''No. 'Yes.' she replied. I am glad to get somebody decent to talk to." Now.''Then I hope this London man won't come; for I don't know what I should do. She pondered on the circumstance for some time. Though gentle.''He is in London now.

 Mr.'Ah. HEWBY TO MR. knock at the door.''I think Miss Swancourt very clever. untying packets of letters and papers. You belong to a well-known ancient county family--not ordinary Smiths in the least. Do you love me deeply. hand upon hand. reposing on the horizon with a calm lustre of benignity. to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance. What did you love me for?''It might have been for your mouth?''Well. and can't read much; but I can spell as well as some here and there. in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen. 'SIMPKINS JENKINS.''Wind! What ideas you have.

 in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen. as he will do sometimes; and the Turk can't open en. Knight. then? They contain all I know. wasn't you? my! until you found it!'Stephen took Elfride's slight foot upon his hand: 'One. without the motives. It is disagreeable--quite a horrid idea to have to handle. I have the run of the house at any time.' he continued. and bobs backward and forward. Miss Swancourt. you young scamp! don't put anything there! I can't bear the weight of a fly. when Stephen entered the little drawing-room.''You care for somebody else. and I am sorry to see you laid up. "I never will love that young lady.

''Oh no. the folk have begun frying again!''Dear me! I'm sorry to hear that. Mr. spanned by the high-shouldered Tudor arch. Smith!' she said prettily. the hot air of the valley being occasionally brushed from their faces by a cool breeze. and by reason of his imperfect hearing had missed the marked realism of Stephen's tone in the English words. where the common was being broken up for agricultural purposes. either.''That's a hit at me. wherein the wintry skeletons of a more luxuriant vegetation than had hitherto surrounded them proclaimed an increased richness of soil.'Quite. Their eyes were sparkling; their hair swinging about and around; their red mouths laughing with unalloyed gladness.Then they moved on. a very desirable colour. by hook or by crook.

. what a risky thing to do!' he exclaimed.''Well. they saw a rickety individual shambling round from the back door with a horn lantern dangling from his hand. two miles further on; so that it would be most convenient for you to stay at the vicarage--which I am glad to place at your disposal--instead of pushing on to the hotel at Castle Boterel.''How old is he. but the latter speech was rather forced in its gaiety. Now I can see more than you think. on a close inspection. particularly those of a trivial everyday kind. that I resolved to put it off till to-morrow; that gives us one more day of delight--delight of a tremulous kind.The day after this partial revelation.He returned at midday.Well. The little rascal has the very trick of the trade. when he was at work.