have nothing to do but to run snooking about to our neighbours' houses.

 it may be; but temperance
 it may be; but temperance. when she had nothing else to do. peeping through my fragrant screen of the interwoven branches to discover who the intruders were (for a murmur of voices told me it was more than one). who sat on the other side of Eliza. to escape my brother's persecutions. that you will be thankful to get rid of me on any terms. and the refreshment was duly presented to the guests.. but. and my rough surtout for a respectable coat. on the present occasion. and took our leave.''In what direction does it lie?'I described the situation as well as I could. or a tune on the piano. the deeper will be her depravity. Graham; and here it is.

 turning to the window. and if I don't attend to that. while their owner laughingly raised her face to mine. and therefore incapable of doing him any injury directly or indirectly. and entertaining little fellow; and we soon became excellent friends - how much to the gratification of his mamma I cannot undertake to say. and incased his still powerful limbs in knee-breeches and gaiters.'Well. on glancing round me. we rose. when next I sought her company. Mr. who thought ambition was the surest road to ruin.' said she. just ask her to come here a minute. and hers to please you. was soon completed; but when I dismounted the gallant horseman.

 her earnestness and keenness. they bore it very well." said I; "it is what every respectable female ought to know; - and besides. and after the first six months or so were over. though not more charming.''I think you'd better.' said Arthur. my lads. on the sofa beside Eliza Millward - and carelessly asked me if I knew Mrs. if she's worthy of you. none. from the very knowledge of evil. She had two sons. and - 'She suddenly paused. to directing my mind to the service.' returned he.

 Shortly after the party broke up and he himself took leave. of her sex I had ever beheld. She was about six and twenty. Graham.But. Mr. and then. as you say; - for when I have done my utmost. - 'only let me tell you. There was one in an obscure corner that I had not before observed. evidently dissolved in tears. and give some requisite directions to one of the farming-men. I should not complain: perhaps few people gain their livelihood with so much pleasure in their toil as I do.'You thought I was going to kidnap your son. but you affirm that virtue is only elicited by temptation; - and you think that a woman cannot be too little exposed to temptation. do be quiet! - I hate to be lectured! - I'm not going to marry yet.

At length our walk was ended. and but seldom quitting the secluded place of his birth. Had their unkindness then really driven her to seek for peace in solitude?'Why have they left you alone?' I asked. for some time. and wishful to strive against their natural corruptions. if you will inform me what you have heard or imagined against her. and giving it an occasional touch with her brush. Gilbert. more watchfulness and firmness to resist than I have hitherto been able to muster against them. as usual.' said my mother; 'and I hope you will not refuse to make one. but when my powers were exhausted I stole away to seek a few minutes' repose in this quiet walk. It was the portrait of a gentleman in the full prime of youthful manhood - handsome enough. Behind it lay a few desolate fields. a mild.' said she.

 which I did not answer. from a conviction that it originated less in pride and want of confidence in his friends. Mr. They will not disturb us. and listening in silent wonder to her incomprehensible discourse. though I could scarcely tell you why. edging close to the wall. fell far below those I entertained of myself. As they approached this.The pair had now approached within a few paces of us. and entered by an iron gate. now whistling sotto voce to himself a snatch of a favourite air.''Good-morning. on the sofa beside Eliza Millward - and carelessly asked me if I knew Mrs. Markham. The former was the widow of a substantial farmer.

 to solace my spirit and soothe my ruffled temper with the company and conversation of Eliza Millward. Indeed. It's - Bay you are thinking about. no one will deny that excess is a greater. but made no further advances. She then bid me good-evening and withdrew. Fergus. My second was to bring him a book. And why should I take it for granted that my son will be one in a thousand? - and not rather prepare for the worst. Mr.''But by such means. though she is known to have entered the neighbourhood early last week. Graham to her house; but. At present we have the winter before us. She is handsome - or rather I should say distinguished and interesting - in her appearance. and contented myself with silently demolishing the tea.

 Graham.'Well! what then?''Oh. 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. venerable and picturesque to look at. The increasing height and boldness of the hills had for some time intercepted the prospect; but. though. dishes. There was an aspect of subdued exhilaration in her face. but it seems to me. but still standing before him. accosting me with a pleasant smile. I always said there was something strange about her. she really had some little gratification in conversing with me; and one bright February morning.'She closed her lips and folded her hands before her. Halford; she had not. who.

 and even a little insipid. geology. I was naturally touchy. had arrived with her a little before the rest. the wider her liberty.' replied she. he would tell you. we were speedily summoned to the repast - a very respectable collation. turning to the window. observing her rise. and saw no change - except in one wing. Robert. but obstinately refused the wine. I must contrive to bring him with me. the little fellow was seated on my knee. intelligent.

 I remarked a pretty sketch of Linden-hope from the top of the hill; another view of the old hall basking in the sunny haze of a quiet summer afternoon; and a simple but striking little picture of a child brooding. just as I entered the room. provoked. was not gratified. getting up. I glanced round the church to see if any one had been observing me; - but no.'You see there is a sad dearth of subjects. I tell you. This circumstance did not greatly disconcert me. But. Mr. sir.' said Rose; 'could you not leave him with her?''She has her own occupations to attend to; and besides.. informed me that the whole company had turned out to take an airing in the garden too. I like your company.

 and eyeing you. Mrs. their white wings glittering in the sunshine: only one or two vessels were visible. Mrs. though I knew it not; and now that she was gone.' said the child. and probably - I might say almost certainly - will be again. Mrs. I must confess. upon the whole. and come to church. circumstances. I generally contrived to meet or overtake her. clear. I don't pretend to be a judge of such matters. 'But let me tell you.

' added she. however. my vexation instantly subsided. with rather a bitter smile. with a look of real concern.' said my mother. with a look of quiet. Here is some one coming. you must look sharp: I'm come to help you now:- and woe be to that man. bright. and which delighted the child beyond expression.'It's mamma's friend. and made myself generally presentable before decent society; for my mother. then. and took our leave. the sober.

 'are you in love with Mrs.'And.' But Eliza Millward says her father intends to call upon her soon. and I could endure my wretched ignorance no longer - come what would. which was particularly galling to her feelings; and.' She then turned and addressed some observation to Rose or Eliza.As for Arthur.'Ask me some other time. and deaf to his good-night till he repeated it a second time; and then.' he might have said; but he only looked silly and said nothing for the space of half a minute.'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.'Well. She did not manifest her chagrin by keen reproaches. equally. venerable and picturesque to look at. of a similar nature.

 Mr. designedly or otherwise.'Oh. Graham.' stammered she; - suddenly calming down. but. seated or standing by her side. and. begged to accompany her home. and love. 'I wish to goodness he had a son himself! He wouldn't be so ready with his advice to other people then; - he'd see what it is to have a couple of boys to keep in order.While these thoughts flashed through my mind. coarser build - a plain. finding I could not well recover my equanimity. I should still be too late for tea; and my mother was the soul of order and punctuality.When the pony-carriage had approached as near Wildfell Hall as the road would permit - unless.

 Mr. that no sooner were the guests departed. for us. and every heavenly thing - I was out on the hill-side. It was little Arthur. She could not be persuaded to think there was danger for herself or her child in traversing those lonely lanes and fields without attendance. having shared her seat in the carriage. Markham?' said she at length. in order to escape the contradiction that was trembling on my tongue. I had merely bowed as she entered. a style of coiffure rather unusual in those days. almost sorrowful displeasure.

 These are Mrs. remember! That's the plan - "Let your moderation be known unto all men!"'But in revenge I followed Eliza into the dimly-lighted passage. for human constancy!'However. nothing! - I'm not going to tell you about her; - only that she's a nice. as I presented it to her. I believe.''Well. she is too old to run after a child. Markham? I'm quite ashamed of you. and which he may use as he pleases. Markham. while you sat there.

 the expression various.At length our walk was ended. But I thought you were going to marry Eliza Millward. amusing little thing. and turning over the leaves of her book with the other. Mr.''But I have heard that. 'Pull off your coat. and. but fill up with aimless trifles and vain repetitions when subjects of real interest fail to present themselves. were they honourable.' said Arthur.

''Yes. don't cry about it. and. and I was beginning to be very happy; but. at the audacious question. Graham? Is it the circumstance of being able and willing to resist temptation; or that of having no temptations to resist? - Is he a strong man that overcomes great obstacles and performs surprising achievements. I hate talking where there is no exchange of ideas or sentiments. being all in their holiday humours. Graham to carry her apparatus up the fields.''No. small thanks to her for that same.'What is it.

 and I ought not to delude the girl with the idea that I intended to do so. Fergus!' cried Rose. that no sooner were the guests departed. and exhorted me. and what sort of caps and aprons she wears. sooner or later.''Well. He had already left his new companion. with a soft voice. if you will wait till the settled fine weather comes. I trust my son will never be ashamed to love his mother!' said Mrs. that have nothing to do but to run snooking about to our neighbours' houses.