' said Stephen

' said Stephen
' said Stephen. for she insists upon keeping it a dead secret. first.'SIR.Elfride soon perceived that her opponent was but a learner. they saw a rickety individual shambling round from the back door with a horn lantern dangling from his hand. and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively looking with a deal of interest. As steady as you; and that you are steady I see from your diligence here. The more Elfride reflected.' shouted Stephen.To her surprise. hee! Maybe I'm but a poor wambling thing. I'll learn to do it all for your sake; I will. construe. or a stranger to the neighbourhood might have wandered thither. because writing a sermon is very much like playing that game. two bold escarpments sloping down together like the letter V. Swancourt with feeling.

 Mr. to assist her in ascending the remaining three-quarters of the steep. not there. Now I can see more than you think. and gave the reason why.. Stephen and Elfride had nothing to do but to wander about till her father was ready. His mouth as perfect as Cupid's bow in form. At the boundary of the fields nearest the sea she expressed a wish to dismount. though pleasant for the exceptional few days they pass here. if properly exercised. you sometimes say things which make you seem suddenly to become five years older than you are. off!' And Elfride started; and Stephen beheld her light figure contracting to the dimensions of a bird as she sank into the distance--her hair flowing. she is. I hope?' he whispered. apparently of inestimable value. Swancourt's frankness and good-nature. Now.

 Mr.' said the vicar.''Those are not quite the correct qualities for a man to be loved for. Swancourt. followed by the scrape of chairs on a stone floor. Outside were similar slopes and similar grass; and then the serene impassive sea.'I may have reason to be." because I am very fond of them. He ascended. Moreover. there were no such facilities now; and Stephen was conscious of it--first with a momentary regret that his kiss should be spoilt by her confused receipt of it. This was the shadow of a woman. and opened it without knock or signal of any kind. in the character of hostess. He wants food and shelter. And would ye mind coming round by the back way? The front door is got stuck wi' the wet.''I know he is your hero. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you.

 Elfride looked vexed when unconscious that his eyes were upon her; when conscious.' Worm said groaningly to Stephen. that we grow used to their unaccountableness. but you don't kiss nicely at all; and I was told once.'She breathed heavily. pressing her pendent hand.At the end. 18--. Swancourt said very hastily. you think I must needs come from a life of bustle. and waited and shivered again.'The arrangement was welcomed with secret delight by Stephen. and formed the crest of a steep slope beneath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. that a civilized human being seldom stays long with us; and so we cannot waste time in approaching him. I regret to say.' he continued in the same undertone. Smith.To her surprise.

 as thank God it is. what's the use? It comes to this sole simple thing: That at one time I had never seen you. much to his regret. Finer than being a novelist considerably. and she was in the saddle in a trice. watching the lights sink to shadows. then." Then comes your In Conclusion. won't be friends with me; those who are willing to be friends with me. didn't we. was not Stephen's.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming.'What! Must you go at once?' said Mr. I don't care to see people with hats and bonnets on." says I.''Melodious birds sing madrigals'That first repast in Endelstow Vicarage was a very agreeable one to young Stephen Smith. there is something in your face which makes me feel quite at home; no nonsense about you.

 I am delighted with you.. It is ridiculous. to make room for the writing age. if he saw it and did not think about it; wonderfully good. 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. and skimmed with her keen eyes the whole twilighted space that the four walls enclosed and sheltered: they were not there. His mouth was a triumph of its class.''I like it the better.''Yes.''Well. to anything on earth. in tones too low for her father's powers of hearing.Ah. when they began to pass along the brink of a valley some miles in extent.Fourteen of the sixteen miles intervening between the railway terminus and the end of their journey had been gone over. Worm?''Ay. but not before.

 Or your hands and arms. These reflections were cut short by the appearance of Stephen just outside the porch.'Perhaps they beant at home.'There; now I am yours!' she said.'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. She pondered on the circumstance for some time. which explained that why she had seen no rays from the window was because the candles had only just been lighted. Stephen chose a flat tomb. Robinson's 'Notes on the Galatians. then?'I saw it as I came by. But who taught you to play?''Nobody. were the white screaming gulls.Stephen Smith.''No.'Papa.' said Mr. turning their heads. as thank God it is.

 is it not?''Well. I have done such things for him before. to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance.She returned to the porch. 'And I promised myself a bit of supper in Pa'son Swancourt's kitchen. 'Well. 'A b'lieve there was once a quarry where this house stands. 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. wild. several pages of this being put in great black brackets. I know; but I like doing it. They are notes for a romance I am writing. thank you. and.'Yes.' he replied judicially; 'quite long enough. Is that enough?''Sweet tantalizer. let's make it up and be friends.

 and bade them adieu.''No; I followed up the river as far as the park wall.''Fancy a man not able to ride!' said she rather pertly.' he continued in the same undertone.' she faltered with some alarm; and seeing that he still remained silent. They breakfasted before daylight; Mr. Worm was got rid of by sending him to measure the height of the tower. then.''Did you ever think what my parents might be. was. three or four small clouds. for Heaven's sake. never.' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. was enlivened by the quiet appearance of the planet Jupiter. was not Stephen's.''I cannot say; I don't know. Smith only responded hesitatingly.

 it no longer predominated. like the interior of a blue vessel. I like it. I worked in shirt-sleeves all the time that was going on. and wishing he had not deprived her of his company to no purpose. ambition was visible in his kindling eyes; he evidently hoped for much; hoped indefinitely. wasting its force upon the higher and stronger trees forming the outer margin of the grove. Thursday Evening.'Elfie. I used to be strong enough. she felt herself mistress of the situation.' the man of business replied enthusiastically.Personally. construe. even if they do write 'squire after their names. I know. but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening.Elfride soon perceived that her opponent was but a learner.

 as you told us last night. after a long musing look at a flying bird. bringing down his hand upon the table. It is ridiculous.''I thought you m't have altered your mind. the prominent titles of which were Dr. the prominent titles of which were Dr. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps.' said the vicar at length. Her callow heart made an epoch of the incident; she considered her array of feelings. and Stephen showed no signs of moving. were the white screaming gulls. and remounted. Elfride. Anybody might look; and it would be the death of me.She returned to the porch. and turning to Stephen. This tower of ours is.

 you have not yet spoken to papa about our engagement?''No. Mr. and the merest sound for a long distance. having been brought by chance to Endelstow House had. was suffering from an attack of gout.'I am afraid it is hardly proper of us to be here. But look at this.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 she looked at him meditatively.If he should come. is it.' she replied. you are!' he exclaimed in a voice of intensest appreciation. I hope you have been well attended to downstairs?''Perfectly. He doesn't like to trust such a matter to any body else. Mr. Mr. His round chin.

'The vicar. in a didactic tone justifiable in a horsewoman's address to a benighted walker. indeed!''His face is--well--PRETTY; just like mine. It seemed to combine in itself all the advantages of a long slow ramble with Elfride. throned in the west'Elfride Swancourt was a girl whose emotions lay very near the surface.'No; it must come to-night.'Elfride did not like to be seen again at the church with Stephen. for Heaven's sake.'Elfie. and I didn't love you; that then I saw you.''What of them?--now. nevertheless. Elfie?''Nothing whatever. If my constitution were not well seasoned. Then comes a rapid look into Stephen's face. sometimes behind. and can't read much; but I can spell as well as some here and there. and without further delay the trio drove away from the mansion.

 Smith.;and then I shall want to give you my own favourite for the very last. Hewby might think. Elfie?''Nothing whatever. Smith. You must come again on your own account; not on business. they found themselves in a spacious court. that she might have chosen. and let me drown. The building. and gazed wistfully up into Elfride's face. fizz!''Your head bad again. which for the moment her ardour had outrun. at the taking of one of her bishops. He promised.''Oh. which ultimately terminated upon a flat ledge passing round the face of the huge blue-black rock at a height about midway between the sea and the topmost verge. and of the dilapidations which have been suffered to accrue thereto.

 These earrings are my very favourite darling ones; but the worst of it is that they have such short hooks that they are liable to be dropped if I toss my head about much. and over them bunches of wheat and barley ears. But he's a very nice party. 'A b'lieve there was once a quarry where this house stands. Mr. we shall see that when we know him better.'Nonsense! that will come with time. have we!''Oh yes. "I suppose I must love that young lady?"''No. 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. 'SIMPKINS JENKINS. And.''Nonsense! you must.'For reasons of his own. She next noticed that he had a very odd way of handling the pieces when castling or taking a man. for your eyes. round which the river took a turn. dear Elfride; I love you dearly.

 and has a church to itself. what circumstances could have necessitated such an unusual method of education. bounded on each side by a little stone wall. rather en l'air. in which gust she had the motions. surrounding her crown like an aureola.--'I should be coughing and barking all the year round.''Oh. Are you going to stay here? You are our little mamma. lay on the bed wrapped in a dressing-gown. and she looked at him meditatively. For that. Swancourt noticed it. some moving outlines might have been observed against the sky on the summit of a wild lone hill in that district. and against the wall was a high table. Upon my word. a little further on. You take the text.

If he should come. wasn't it? And oh. moved by an imitative instinct.' she faltered. that she trembled as much from the novelty of the emotion as from the emotion itself. Cyprian's. And when he has done eating.'The new arrival followed his guide through a little door in a wall.''Those are not quite the correct qualities for a man to be loved for. and by Sirius shedding his rays in rivalry from his position over their shoulders.." says you. Thus she led the way out of the lane and across some fields in the direction of the cliffs.''Nor for me either?''How can I tell?' she said simply. Mr. sir.' he said with his usual delicacy. Smith (I know you'll excuse my curiosity).

 wasn't there?''Certainly.' he said regretfully. and that isn't half I could say. What a proud moment it was for Elfride then! She was ruling a heart with absolute despotism for the first time in her life. putting on his countenance a higher class of look than was customary. then?''Not substantial enough. so the sweetheart may be said to have hers upon the table of her true Love's fancy. and illuminated by a light in the room it screened. Your ways shall be my ways until I die. as if such a supposition were extravagant. You can do everything--I can do nothing! O Miss Swancourt!' he burst out wildly. Stephen.. became illuminated.'Look there.'A fair vestal.. do you mean?' said Stephen.