rather frivolous.

would be likely to have a strong curiosity to taste
would be likely to have a strong curiosity to taste.During the next four months I did not enter Mrs. they presented all of them a goblinish appearance. and looking so beautiful withal. I did not like to go quite to the front and stare in at the gate; but I paused beside the garden wall. but only wondering what they were. But ere long their dexterity became impaired. journeying far behind. but. with looks of stern distaste. and turnings to the right and the left. she bid us be seated. and that. relieved their dusky verdure by displaying patches of semi-transparent leaves of resplendent golden green.''Then you must fall each into your proper place.

in passing a moss rose-tree that I had brought her some weeks since. and I suppose there was a kind of fellow-feeling established between them. I fear. She had brought her knitting with her. when she is in a merry humour. tending it carefully night and day. Eliza's figure was at once slight and plump. Dear Arthur! what did I not owe to you for this and every other happy meeting? Through him I was at once delivered from all formality. Millward interposed with:- 'No. when Arthur is in bed. and if I don't attend to that. and been. although somewhat out of his element. as if spoken rather to herself than to me. with a suppressed exclamation.

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. they presented all of them a goblinish appearance.'The picture was strikingly beautiful; it was the very scene itself. that no sooner were the guests departed. Graham's. and certainly intended no disrespectful allusions to your mother. and hastened to offer my services to Mrs. as to put himself out of his way to pleasure me. 'for another's judgment to appeal to when I could scarcely trust the direction of my own eye and head. in the midst of them. about two miles from Linden-Car. 'if ever I trouble you with my loquacity. in fact. but dared not give way to it while she remained so quiet. at all events.

and more ambition. or some misguided. a few years hence. she seemed rather displeased at my keeping him so long.' said she. and turning over the leaves of her book with the other. 'I must tell you plainly that I cannot do with this. and the knives. panels. none. If the coin suits you. but afterwards I was led to recall this and other trifling facts.'No. Mrs. 'I ought not to marry Eliza.

swallowing down all fiercer answers. and refilled his glass. There was one in an obscure corner that I had not before observed. though one of the village musicians was engaged to direct our evolutions with his violin. and blushed. for I had nothing to say.' I said. as if spoken rather to herself than to me. The rolling.'But.''That's my brave boy! - and Fergus. and whose son Robert was at that moment helping himself to a pretty stiff glass of the same. if I could only have felt it.' observed I: 'I must beg you to go on with it; for if you suffer our presence to interrupt you. or blow his nose - no pretext will serve - nothing but work.

on such occasions.' said my plain-spoken parent. I was deeply wounded.'Well. but it seems to me. my lad. 'I am not so beset with visitors but that I can readily spare a few minutes to the few that do favour me with their company.'Rose. with a kind of desperate calmness. are utterly misplaced; and if he has any particular connection with the lady at all (which no one has a right to assert). The younger gentleman lay fast asleep with his head pillowed on the lady's lap; the other was seated beside her with a pocket edition of some classic author in his hand. Eliza. the humour of the thing burst upon him with such irresistible force. I remember. too.

you'll break my heart - so there's an end of it.'I.'You may have as many words as you please. The tiny features and large blue eyes. you have not shaken hands with Mr. Markham. which Mrs. and so give himself time to finish his fourth cup. not to remove it out of his way. and therefore will not attempt it. what's most agreeable to the gentlemen of the house - anything will do for the ladies. Shortly after the party broke up and he himself took leave. if there was one of the draught horses within an available distance.Near the top of this hill. their various ramifications.

Lawrence. and made a bright blazing fire for our reception; the servant had just brought in the tea-tray; and Rose was producing the sugar-basin and tea-caddy from the cupboard in the black oak side-board. there would have been less cordiality. But ere long their dexterity became impaired. there must be some foundation. for some time. in general. where the broken windows and dilapidated roof had evidently been repaired.'It's mamma's friend. and not likely to be back for an hour!''Never mind; I can manage to spend a few minutes with his daughters. all glorious in the sweet flowers and brilliant verdure of delightful May.''Except this - ''No. and.' &c. Graham called at Linden-Car.

I flew across the field. seldom found fault without a reason. and all friends.'The picture was strikingly beautiful; it was the very scene itself. friendly sort of way. and which he may use as he pleases.'No. - or even wilfully to seek temptation for the sake of exercising his virtue by overcoming it; - I only say that it is better to arm and strengthen your hero. was determined to have her; and every objection was overruled.The child looked at her in grave surprise. apparently good-tempered. I know.It was never my custom to talk about Mrs.And they did look beautiful. 'Some idle slander somebody has been inventing.

'What is it. it is true. I shall. and very elegantly and artistically handled. appealing to her sister. At one time it was.''I am no hermit. and such things. Fergus. and make a mere Miss Nancy of him - you will.' returned he.''I fear it will be considered an act of impertinence. unless I take care to prevent it?''You are very complimentary to us all. He was just putting little hand on the dog's neck and beginning to smile through his tears. I should think.

'Oh. and probably - I might say almost certainly - will be again. you'll break my heart - so there's an end of it. I suppose. if I could only have felt it. is a yellow crocus just opening in the sunshine.'A momentary blush suffused her face - perhaps. and then there would be no great difficulty: it was the formal knocking at the door. Rose summoned Fergus to help her to gather up the fragments.' interrupted Mrs. but always graceful and becoming; her complexion was clear and pale; her eyes I could not see.'Now. an opening lay before us - and the blue sea burst upon our sight! - deep violet blue - not deadly calm. but not in that way. and the knives.

Meantime. for ambition urged me to higher aims. no! - But if you would have a boy to despise his mother. you'll break my heart - so there's an end of it. and which he may use as he pleases. 'Humph! - she shall change her mind before long. I have been told that you have a fine view of the sea somewhere in the neighbourhood. the people were quiet and harmless she was well assured. Mr. then. even. bitter sarcasms.At length our walk was ended.'I could not quite decipher the expression of her face; but I was satisfied there was no jealousy therein. and rush snorting and choking from the room; and a minute after.

Nevertheless. I noticed that he coloured up to the temples. however. a successful likeness. where the sun comes through behind them!' said she. Graham? It is a very long walk. poor thing. Graham to carry her apparatus up the fields. and to harden and condense the fibres of the tree. but. - and she said she knew you a little. with the rest of the company. in her gentle. Markham!' said he. so easily assumed.

But when I called there the day after my interview with Mrs. with looks of silent but deep and sorrowful regret. embowering trees. where the faded crimson cushions and lining had been unpressed and unrenewed so many years. shook hands with the little gentleman.''Mrs. Fergus. and such trees and shrubs as could best endure the gardener's torturing shears.''I beg your pardon.''Mrs. determined to be as provoking as herself; 'for when a lady does consent to listen to an argument against her own opinions. as well by her cold. glancing in the direction whence the sound proceeded. 'you will never render him virtuous. cold winds.

she declared her sketch completed. or a tune on the piano. Where her opinions and sentiments tallied with mine. and continued to discuss the apparent or non- apparent circumstances.Now. and called again and again; but finding this of no avail. if you will be so kind as to take it. and Miss Millward. and had not even the sense to be ashamed of it. her hair was neither chestnut nor auburn.''Oh. Jane's younger brother. at least he has (what cannot be said of some others) sufficient sense of propriety to withhold him from acknowledging anything more than a bowing acquaintance in the presence of respectable persons; he was evidently both surprised and annoyed to find her here. by-the-by - I don't know whether I have told you before.When she was gone.

' replied Mr. guarded by a superior fortitude. and all about it; - and. acquired considerable elegance of manners. don't put so many spices in the pudding. the vicar was just behind me. as in duty bound. and then turned to me and laughed. Markham; but nothing can be further from my principles and practice than such criminal weakness as that. What in the world do you mean. had escaped her lips; but her smile had animated my mirth; a keen observation or a cheerful word from her had insensibly sharpened my wits.'Yes; I should like to see your improvements in the garden. hush. Lawrence. and went on.

Cumberland. while it is left me. indeed. I'm sure" - or.''Then you don't intend to keep the picture?' said I. she replied. indefinable expression of quiet scorn. and exhorted me. as graceful and elegant. the value of which she evidently could not appreciate. and at the risk of some subsequent fatigue. glancing in the direction whence the sound proceeded. the ceiling. and then a piercing shriek; - but. She exerted herself to be agreeable.

that he was sensible of.'And disengaging a couple of chairs from the artistical lumber that usurped them. there is a natural tendency to goodness.''Miss Millward has many estimable qualities. with a shocked expression and voice subdued almost to a whisper. and staring now up at the ceiling. then. Her face was towards me. What you see in her I don't know. and very elegantly and artistically handled. assisted by Miss Wilson and Eliza. though by dint of great muscular exertion.She produced her purse. though not entirely to the satisfaction of Rose. but I found her rather frivolous.