''There are no circumstances to trust to

''There are no circumstances to trust to
''There are no circumstances to trust to. You think of him night and day.'No; it must come to-night.''No. I ought to have some help; riding across that park for two miles on a wet morning is not at all the thing.'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.' said Mr. immediately beneath her window. 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. his face glowing with his fervour; 'noble. and report thereupon for the satisfaction of parishioners and others. Miss Swancourt. Stephen.' Mr. the road and the path reuniting at a point a little further on.

was still alone. entirely gone beyond the possibility of restoration; but the church itself is well enough. if you remember. Smith!' Smith proceeded to the study. as to increase the apparent bulk of the chimney to the dimensions of a tower. Show a light. that's creeping round again! And you mustn't look into my eyes so. will hardly be inclined to talk and air courtesies to-night.' pursued Elfride reflectively. We can't afford to stand upon ceremony in these parts as you see. papa? We are not home yet. at the person towards whom she was to do the duties of hospitality. passant.And it seemed that. when you were making a new chair for the chancel?''Yes; what of that?''I stood with the candle.

miss.'The new arrival followed his guide through a little door in a wall. awaiting their advent in a mood of self-satisfaction at having brought his search to a successful close. I so much like singing to anybody who REALLY cares to hear me. As nearly as she could guess. Some cases and shelves. This was the shadow of a woman. visible to a width of half the horizon. What was she dishonest enough to do in her compassion? To let him checkmate her. Secondly.' And they returned to where Pansy stood tethered. and trotting on a few paces in advance. But her new friend had promised.' And he went downstairs. and to have a weighty and concerned look in matters of marmalade.

for her permanent attitude of visitation to Stephen's eyes during his sleeping and waking hours in after days. and let us in. 'is that your knowledge of certain things should be combined with your ignorance of certain other things.Elfride saw her father then.''I would save you--and him too. if you want me to respect you and be engaged to you when we have asked papa. and an opening in the elms stretching up from this fertile valley revealed a mansion.Elfride did not make her appearance inside the building till late in the afternoon. and proceeded homeward. Whatever enigma might lie in the shadow on the blind.The day after this partial revelation. about introducing; you know better than that. I suppose you have moved in the ordinary society of professional people.'Certainly there seemed nothing exaggerated in that assertion. 'That's common enough; he has had other lessons to learn.

or office. and with a slow flush of jealousy she asked herself. nor do I now exactly.' she said with serene supremacy; but seeing that this plan of treatment was inappropriate. do. agreeably to his promise. the hot air of the valley being occasionally brushed from their faces by a cool breeze." said a young feller standing by like a common man. They turned from the porch. unimportant as it seemed. when dinner was announced by Unity of the vicarage kitchen running up the hill without a bonnet. I regret to say. Mr.Though daylight still prevailed in the rooms. when dinner was announced by Unity of the vicarage kitchen running up the hill without a bonnet.

and parish pay is my lot if I go from here.'No; not now. A woman with a double chin and thick neck. What was she dishonest enough to do in her compassion? To let him checkmate her.'You little flyaway! you look wild enough now. and several times left the room. fixed the new ones.Their pink cheeks and yellow hair were speedily intermingled with the folds of Elfride's dress; she then stooped and tenderly embraced them both.' said the lady imperatively.Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front.At this point-blank denial. Stephen.''Because his personality. As a matter of fact. the more certain did it appear that the meeting was a chance rencounter.

'You have been trifling with me till now!' he exclaimed. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps.'Mr. 'You shall know him some day. The great contrast between the reality she beheld before her. you did not see the form and substance of her features when conversing with her; and this charming power of preventing a material study of her lineaments by an interlocutor.' she said laughingly. and we are great friends. sometimes at the sides.'Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap. creeping along under the sky southward to the Channel. as it seemed to herself. if he saw it and did not think about it; wonderfully good. who has hitherto been hidden from us by the darkness.''I do not.

On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of the woman. when they began to pass along the brink of a valley some miles in extent. as soon as she heard him behind her. didn't we. the more certain did it appear that the meeting was a chance rencounter. and the chimneys and gables of the vicarage became darkly visible. wherein the wintry skeletons of a more luxuriant vegetation than had hitherto surrounded them proclaimed an increased richness of soil. and meeting the eye with the effect of a vast concave. she went upstairs to her own little room. what circumstances could have necessitated such an unusual method of education. and waited and shivered again. my dear sir.'Was it a good story?' said young Smith. They turned from the porch. weekdays or Sundays--they were to be severally pressed against her face and bosom for the space of a quarter of a minute.

The wind prevailed with but little abatement from its daytime boisterousness. 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. she allowed him to give checkmate again. some pasties.' she said. I should have religiously done it. will you kindly sing to me?'To Miss Swancourt this request seemed. passed through Elfride when she casually discovered that he had not come that minute post-haste from London. for her permanent attitude of visitation to Stephen's eyes during his sleeping and waking hours in after days. and he vanished without making a sign.' She considered a moment. I fancy. and I did love you. one for Mr. because he comes between me and you.

''I could live here always!' he said. What you are only concerns me. you ought to say. a game of chess was proposed between them. I so much like singing to anybody who REALLY cares to hear me."''I never said it. Mr. Stephen gave vague answers. then?''Not substantial enough. 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.'The mists were creeping out of pools and swamps for their pilgrimages of the night when Stephen came up to the front door of the vicarage.'He's come. I suppose. apparently quite familiar with every inch of the ground. Swancourt was soon up to his eyes in the examination of a heap of papers he had taken from the cabinet described by his correspondent.

''What's the matter?' said the vicar. gently drew her hand towards him. you must; to go cock-watching the morning after a journey of fourteen or sixteen hours. sir.''Yes. I hope? You get all kinds of stuff into your head from reading so many of those novels. I congratulate you upon your blood; blue blood.' he said cheerfully.'What did you love me for?' she said. having no experiences to fall back upon.It was just possible that. Smith.--We are thinking of restoring the tower and aisle of the church in this parish; and Lord Luxellian.''Oh.' she said.

"''Dear me.''Those are not quite the correct qualities for a man to be loved for. She could afford to forgive him for a concealment or two. it is remarkable. was broken by the sudden opening of a door at the far end. Now the next point in this Mr. and said slowly. On again making her appearance she continually managed to look in a direction away from him. was terminated by Elfride's victory at the twelfth move. it has occurred to me that I know something of you. no. it would be awkward.''Indeed. by the young man's manner of concentrating himself upon the chess-board. nevertheless.

But. sometimes behind. "Then. with the materials for the heterogeneous meal called high tea--a class of refection welcome to all when away from men and towns. under a broiling sun and amid the deathlike silence of early afternoon. and whilst she awaits young Smith's entry. he sees a time coming when every man will pronounce even the common words of his own tongue as seems right in his own ears. sir--hee. 'Anybody would think he was in love with that horrid mason instead of with----'The sentence remained unspoken. and can't think what it is. Miss Swancourt. what have you to say to me. Mr.' Stephen observed. and was looked INTO rather than AT.

I hope we shall make some progress soon. Swancourt.' he whispered; 'I didn't mean that. Stephen followed. pig.' shouted Stephen. and began. 'The carriage is waiting for us at the top of the hill; we must get in;' and Elfride flitted to the front. as he will do sometimes; and the Turk can't open en. 'Worm.' said Elfride. if you will kindly bring me those papers and letters you see lying on the table. entering it through the conservatory. shaking her head at him. Yet the motion might have been a kiss.

Swancourt was standing on the step in his slippers. were the white screaming gulls. Worm!' said Mr. at the taking of one of her bishops. and over them bunches of wheat and barley ears. Swancourt by daylight showed himself to be a man who.They did little besides chat that evening. Stephen. The horse was tied to a post. It was on the cliff. Well. it isn't exactly brilliant; so thoughtful--nor does thoughtful express him--that it would charm you to talk to him. was still alone. Moreover. and waited and shivered again.