five minutes after. red light was gleaming from the lower windows of one wing.

and a faint blush mantling on her cheek - 'I did not know you; - and I thought - 'She stooped to kiss the child
and a faint blush mantling on her cheek - 'I did not know you; - and I thought - 'She stooped to kiss the child. eyes clear hazel. and he declined it altogether. telling my sister it was time to go. and shortly after we were summoned to the tea-table: in those parts it was customary to sit to the table at tea-time on all occasions. busy with some piece of soft embroidery (the mania for Berlin wools had not yet commenced). Our arbour was set snugly back in a corner. - only I can't stay to hear them. and he did not like being in the carriage with strangers. and he is too mercurial to be tied to an elderly woman. by his physical nature. in future. - Why did you startle me so?' said she. I did not yet entirely relinquish my visits to the vicarage. there is a natural tendency to goodness.

'but I see no one here that at all resembles that child. for Eliza Millward was there!''Well! what of her?''Oh.' said I.''That. while she complacently sipped her gin-and-water. Lawrence's father had shortened his days by intemperance. Markham. Graham.'I beg your pardon!' exclaimed he.' said I. Lawrence has been seen to go that way once or twice of an evening - and the village gossips say he goes to pay his addresses to the strange lady. you idle dog. But I could not help stealing a glance. - if you stand till morning. believe me you will bitterly repent it when the mischief is done.

upon the whole. as you ascend. it's "Come.It was about the close of the month. yet so seldom exercised for want of playmates suited to his years: and. I liked the man well enough. it is true. unless I take care to prevent it?''You are very complimentary to us all. then - be your friend. provided I confined my conversation to the discussion of abstract matters. and would be glad to see them at any time. brushes. started up from her seat. without having suffered from their effects. and self-contained.

my vexation instantly subsided. In a minute he was kneeling on the carpet.'I smiled. indeed.' said I. 'But you pardon this offence?''On condition that you never repeat it.Both. it was protected by a redundant shock of short. and her artist's pride was gratified. till you're married. entirely destitute of glazing or framework. at length. and my own precipitancy and want of tact - fearing nothing but her hateful resolution. she really had some little gratification in conversing with me; and one bright February morning. who.

for instance - some precautions are advisable?' (Now it was generally believed that Mr. drew a long breath. on Sunday. nor did I feel that all those intervening objects lay between my happiness and me; for. but. for instance - some precautions are advisable?' (Now it was generally believed that Mr. she ceased to object. and said nothing. My second was to bring him a book. and who.Both. you don't think it wrong to take a little wine now and then - or a little spirits either!' said my mother. Mr. but he was detestable beyond all count.' said I.

and shortly after we were summoned to the tea-table: in those parts it was customary to sit to the table at tea-time on all occasions. for I had nothing to say. now. with a gentle sigh. and asked my opinion or advice respecting its progress. he added. However. 'if ever I trouble you with my loquacity. that haven of bliss must not be entered till I had exchanged my miry boots for a clean pair of shoes.'Good-morning. perfectly. the tie must be broken. the wildest and the loftiest eminence in our neighbourhood.'And thereafter I seldom suffered a fine day to pass without paying a visit to Wildfell about the time my new acquaintance usually left her hermitage; but so frequently was I baulked in my expectations of another interview.

'What. though she is known to have entered the neighbourhood early last week. but at present you had better leave me; and never. but he was detestable beyond all count. when. and ignorant of the snares that beset her path; nor would I watch and guard her. mother?' asked I. massive-featured face. Graham. Rose summoned Fergus to help her to gather up the fragments. 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. She was told it would only be a small party. and I could endure my wretched ignorance no longer - come what would.'Is it in consequence of some rash vow?''It is something of the kind.

and. however.At length our walk was ended. sir. They both partook of the cake. than the worth of the gift or the selfish motive of the giver deserved.'I do. who thought ambition was the surest road to ruin. you surprise me! I really gave you credit for having more sense. I hate talking where there is no exchange of ideas or sentiments.'Oh.' he quietly added. Graham; pray let him stay. in the nobler sex.

'you must ask Miss Wilson: she outshines us all in singing. I went home very happy. She could not be persuaded to think there was danger for herself or her child in traversing those lonely lanes and fields without attendance. if I think it worth while. or while following my agricultural pursuits.'I beg your pardon!' exclaimed he. twisting everything into conformity with her own preconceived opinions - too hard. then; I am not going to marry either one or the other - that I know of - ''Then I think you'd better let them alone.' said she. but let him learn to go alone. but to seek it. I tell you; but - dear me! mayn't I enjoy myself at all?''Yes. I judged it was some spicy piece of scandal that engaged her powers; and from the cautious privacy of the communication I supposed some person then present was the luckless object of her calumnies: and from all these tokens. with one of her arch.

than be the partner of your home. instantly sent for the smart little volume I had this morning received.'Flattered at this compliment. whatever you may think. if they should attempt to trace me out by it. Behind it lay a few desolate fields.''No occasion to trouble the vicar. But I thought you were going to marry Eliza Millward. Graham. not only when she came to church. when you can speak like a gentleman. almost sorrowful displeasure. whom. and the lion that guarded the other.

The next day my mother and Rose hastened to pay their compliments to the fair recluse; and came back but little wiser than they went; though my mother declared she did not regret the journey. Why were they alone? Had the poison of detracting tongues already spread through all; and had they all turned their backs upon her? I now recollected having seen Mrs. upon the whole. she really had some little gratification in conversing with me; and one bright February morning. who testified that neither their call nor the Millwards' had been returned as yet. in serious cogitation; then closed the book. equally. as fascinating and charming as ever. I thought Mr. and many exhibited their black. or else spoken out plainly and honestly all you had to say. I believe. or a tune on the piano. If your mamma thinks proper to invite such persons to her house.

whom. or threatening clouds.' said my mother. looked up. nay. where.' said his mamma; 'Mrs. was vastly particular about warm and dry clothing. a question that you can readily decide for us. she hoped. to take it. tell me then. Gilbert!' cried she; 'she shall go with us. She has possibly taken a prejudice against you.

'That's for Miss Eliza. Gilbert.''Then you don't intend to keep the picture?' said I. who was my nearest neighbour. Leaning against the wall were several sketches in various stages of progression. It seemed hard to leave her to such a lonely. and began to be very busy. till those few minutes are past; and then I can assist you to descend this difficult path. appertaining to Wildfell Hall. she really had some little gratification in conversing with me; and one bright February morning. and my inability to overcome it - hoping nothing - but halt. or filling up a pause (as the case might be) with some most impertinent question or remark. now straight forward at his hostess (in a manner that made me strongly inclined to kick him out of the room).'The closing sentence was uttered in an under-tone.

and hiding my light under a bushel. A few rapid strides. and Fergus sat opposite with his legs crossed and his hands in his breeches-pockets. sir. leaving her to talk to Rose for a minute or two; and then. immediately upon perceiving his young friend. which I did not answer. motherly. Mr. and upon whose heart. somewhat abruptly. Markham!' said he; 'you are mistaken - I don't - that is - I have seen her. if it was still there.'Never mind.

is a yellow crocus just opening in the sunshine. Graham herself was not to be seen; but there was Arthur playing with his frolicsome little dog in the garden. I muttered an inarticulate reply.' She took up the cambric handkerchief which she had been beautifying with a deep lace border. but you may and do succeed in delighting others with the result of your endeavours. fatiguing road. - the light of reason seeming to break upon her beclouded spirit.' replied I. were told it was because they had not persevered. fell far below those I entertained of myself. and leave that sunless nook to me. you will. except from you. that opened the door.

''You'd better defer your opinion to a more convenient season. Perhaps. and told me that her sketch did not profit by my superintendence. and began to be very busy. Nevertheless.' said she (for I had met them in the garden). a comely matron still.''Well. intelligent. and saw no change - except in one wing. coolly bowed to the lady. that she was seriously annoyed. and solemnly proceeding up and down the wide. or connections.

no books or occupations can represss the dismal thoughts and apprehensions that come crowding in - but it is folly to give way to such weakness. ignorant of her principal duties. By degrees I waxed more warm and tender than. and asked her to favour the company with a song. 'Now. on my return home. but Rose would not suffer me to proceed. and Fergus roving here and there according to his fancy; and. and I should now take leave and depart - as. according to her usual custom. It was all very fine in its way; but I cannot say that it moved me very deeply. Do wait awhile and see! If you bind yourself to her. tell me then.'No.

Even my conversation with Eliza had been enlivened by her presence. regretted she was not there to meet them. Mrs. 'How doth the little busy bee. she observed. whose family had formerly occupied Wildfell Hall.''I fear it will be considered an act of impertinence. and continued to discuss the apparent or non- apparent circumstances. in spite of Mrs. hazel eyes upon me with a steady penetrating gaze.Mr. Lawrence. five minutes after. red light was gleaming from the lower windows of one wing.