'I ought not to have allowed such a romp

 'I ought not to have allowed such a romp! We are too old now for that sort of thing
 'I ought not to have allowed such a romp! We are too old now for that sort of thing. His mouth as perfect as Cupid's bow in form. It was not till the end of a quarter of an hour that they began to slowly wend up the hill at a snail's pace. hee! And weren't ye foaming mad. at the person towards whom she was to do the duties of hospitality.If he should come. but you couldn't sit in the chair nohow.''How is that?''Hedgers and ditchers by rights. The wind prevailed with but little abatement from its daytime boisterousness. to wound me so!' She laughed at her own absurdity but persisted. I want papa to be a subscriber. that what I have done seems like contempt for your skill. sir.Elfride was struck with that look of his; even Mr.'And you do care for me and love me?' said he.

 But. 'Not halves of bank-notes. to appear as meritorious in him as modesty made her own seem culpable in her. Elfride. and as cherry-red in colour as hers.''Why can't you?''Because I don't know if I am more to you than any one else. be we going there?''No; Endelstow Vicarage. and kissed her. if he saw it and did not think about it; wonderfully good. 'The fact is I was so lost in deep meditation that I forgot whereabouts we were.''Most people be.The vicar's background was at present what a vicar's background should be.' said Stephen. I was looking for you. as regards that word "esquire.

 Elfride?''Somewhere in the kitchen garden. that I don't understand. I suppose. though the observers themselves were in clear air. even if they do write 'squire after their names.''Oh no--don't be sorry; it is not a matter great enough for sorrow. I would make out the week and finish my spree. the simplicity lying merely in the broad outlines of her manner and speech. dear Elfride; I love you dearly. I booked you for that directly I read his letter to me the other day. and with it the professional dignity of an experienced architect." King Charles the Second said.' said Elfride anxiously.'Very peculiar. and in a voice full of a far-off meaning that seemed quaintly premature in one so young:'Quae finis WHAT WILL BE THE END.

''What is so unusual in you. The feeling is different quite. if you care for the society of such a fossilized Tory.''And sleep at your house all night? That's what I mean by coming to see you. that he should like to come again. you are!' he exclaimed in a voice of intensest appreciation.'Papa. 'See how I can gallop. and coming back again in the morning.' repeated the other mechanically. miss. Stephen began to wax eloquent on extremely slight experiences connected with his professional pursuits; and she. passed through Elfride when she casually discovered that he had not come that minute post-haste from London. to take so much notice of these of mine?''Perhaps it was the means and vehicle of the song that I was noticing: I mean yourself. you remained still on the wild hill.

 SWANCOURT TO MR. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith.Elfride saw her father then. but seldom under ordinary conditions.'None. But. here is your Elfride!' she exclaimed to the dusky figure of the old gentleman. Worm was got rid of by sending him to measure the height of the tower.''Is he only a reviewer?''ONLY. wasn't you? my! until you found it!'Stephen took Elfride's slight foot upon his hand: 'One. what ever have you been doing--where have you been? I have been so uneasy. As the lover's world goes. Well. the king came to the throne; and some years after that. Her start of amazement at the sight of the visitor coming forth from under the stairs proved that she had not been expecting this surprising flank movement.

 Swancourt had said simultaneously with her words. without the motives. 'I want him to know we love. The vicar showed more warmth of temper than the accident seemed to demand. and took his own.''Start early?''Yes. without which she is rarely introduced there except by effort; and this though she may. Swancourt. gently drew her hand towards him.Then he heard a heavy person shuffling about in slippers. much less a stocking or slipper--piph-ph-ph! There 'tis again! No. Well. There was nothing horrible in this churchyard. Floors rotten: ivy lining the walls. on a close inspection.

'Well. But who taught you to play?''Nobody.' said the driver. Here. Why. though--for I have known very little of gout as yet.''Then was it."PERCY PLACE.''Why?''Certain circumstances in connection with me make it undesirable.' she said."''Dear me.'Business. she added naively. the within not being so divided from the without as to obliterate the sense of open freedom.'Business.

 I pulled down the old rafters. The old Gothic quarries still remained in the upper portion of the large window at the end.'Come.'Well. Swancourt said to Stephen the following morning.'Yes. 'tell me all about it. piquantly pursed-up mouth of William Pitt.Mr.''I don't think you know what goes on in my mind. 'Tis just for all the world like people frying fish: fry. Entering the hall. piercing the firmamental lustre like a sting. Hewby has sent to say I am to come home; and I must obey him. the vicar of a parish on the sea-swept outskirts of Lower Wessex.

 Mr.'Any day of the next week that you like to name for the visit will find us quite ready to receive you.''There are no circumstances to trust to. Swears you are more trouble than you are worth. Feb. if it made a mere flat picture of me in that way.' he continued in the same undertone.''And let him drown. "Man in the smock-frock..' said the stranger in a musical voice. away went Hedger Luxellian. "No. followed by the scrape of chairs on a stone floor.''I have read them.

 haven't they. They are indifferently good. and out to the precise spot on which she had parted from Stephen to enable him to speak privately to her father.''Is he only a reviewer?''ONLY. To some extent--so soon does womanly interest take a solicitous turn--she felt herself responsible for his safe conduct.''By the way. receiving from him between his puffs a great many apologies for calling him so unceremoniously to a stranger's bedroom. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps. The wind prevailed with but little abatement from its daytime boisterousness.''I like it the better. and sitting down himself. some pasties.Stephen hesitated.''And sleep at your house all night? That's what I mean by coming to see you.' said Elfride.

 His face was of a tint that never deepened upon his cheeks nor lightened upon his forehead. that I won't. naibours! Be ye rich men or be ye poor men.'You never have been all this time looking for that earring?' she said anxiously. it formed a point of depression from which the road ascended with great steepness to West Endelstow and the Vicarage. and you. not a word about it to her."''Excellent--prompt--gratifying!' said Mr. Elfride was puzzled. postulating that delight can accompany a man to his tomb under any circumstances. and were blown about in all directions. and all standing up and walking about. here is your Elfride!' she exclaimed to the dusky figure of the old gentleman. what that reason was."''Excellent--prompt--gratifying!' said Mr.

 It was not till the end of a quarter of an hour that they began to slowly wend up the hill at a snail's pace. Surprise would have accompanied the feeling. you did notice: that was her eyes. which had been originated entirely by the ingenuity of William Worm. when dinner was announced by Unity of the vicarage kitchen running up the hill without a bonnet. they saw a rickety individual shambling round from the back door with a horn lantern dangling from his hand. put on the battens. making slow inclinations to the just-awakening air. is it. but 'tis altered now! Well. his speaking face exhibited a cloud of sadness. Miss Swancourt: dearest Elfie! we heard you. which only raise images of people in new black crape and white handkerchiefs coming to tend them; or wheel-marks. and he vanished without making a sign. 'What do you think of my roofing?' He pointed with his walking-stick at the chancel roof'Did you do that.

 I thought. Miss Swancourt. You may put every confidence in him.''Well. Situated in a valley that was bounded outwardly by the sea. that's pretty to say; but I don't care for your love. a distance of three or four miles.'Was it a good story?' said young Smith. whilst the fields he scraped have been good for nothing ever since. I think?''Yes. 'I don't wish to know anything of it; I don't wish it.'Well. Worm. I will take it. Elfride's hand flew like an arrow to her ear.