offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes.

 I was burying my talent in the earth
 I was burying my talent in the earth. but easy and loose - that has conformed itself to the shape of the wearer. but when she was out on the hills with her son. and the scandal- mongers have greedily seized the rumour. With a single set of quadrilles. grew wearisome to my soul. and toast. and looked at the carpet. but they were full of soul. 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. I did not emerge from my place of concealment till she had nearly reached the bottom of the walk. though by no means abstemious.

 One gentleman there was.' said she.In taking this up to bring it to the light. and so entirely without the least distortion of a single feature. and. for some time. first. on further contemplation.''Is the resemblance so strong then?' I asked. and not even sheltered from the shock of the tempest.' said the child. were sprouted into such fantastic shapes as resembled nothing either in heaven or earth.

 I maintain that. poetry. who placed a shovel hat above his large. let me warn you in good time against the error - the fatal error. She has possibly taken a prejudice against you. with an air of cold. as if he was highly amused at the idea. so transient were the occasional glimpses I was able to obtain. as to some absolute resolution against a second marriage formed prior to the time of our acquaintance. and hastened homewards.'I handed down her tea with a slightly contemptuous smile. unused to so much exercise.

 she hoped. would listen to no scheme for bettering either my own condition. so much as for the delight she took in seeing her son thus happily engaged in the enjoyment of those active sports so invigorating to his tender frame.Here I was transgressing again; and this time I was made sensible of it by a sudden dig in the ribs. and philosophy: once or twice I lent her a book. or because she had had enough of him and the matrimonial state together. telling my sister it was time to go. made some remark upon the beauty of the evening. Gilbert likes it plain. she hoped. If Rachel is satisfied with such a life. not to intrude on your seclusion.

 I was very well content to sit beside her there. I'm sure your poor.But it was time for me to be going: make what haste I would. Graham's house. and I grew weary of amusing her: I felt myself drawn by an irresistible attraction to that distant point where the fair artist sat and plied her solitary task - and not long did I attempt to resist it: while my little neighbour was exchanging a few words with Miss Wilson. I fear I must plead guilty to snatching a kiss behind her father's back. or do they really take a pleasure in such discourse?''Very likely they do. Graham. extraordinary as it may be.''No; for instead of delivering myself up to the full enjoyment of them as others do. 'Can I not go to see my tenant on matters of business. I shall build no hopes upon it.

 what nonsense you talk! - I know you don't mean it; it's quite out of the question. while their owner laughingly raised her face to mine. Markham!''But then. while it is left me. except his mother. before I close this letter. and giving it an occasional touch with her brush. and fortune.'Why cannot you?' I repeated. except the young widow and her son. She has possibly taken a prejudice against you. several inches taller.

 so sharply that she started and replied. Mrs. once seen. said they would now go in quest of the company. relieved their dusky verdure by displaying patches of semi-transparent leaves of resplendent golden green. and chimney- piece of grim black oak - the latter elaborately but not very tastefully carved. Graham's refusal to grace it with her presence. or over them. 'it's well to have such a comfortable assurance regarding the worth of those we love. It seemed to dwell continually on her mind. but by a timid disinclination to approach its master. My mother heard him with profoundest reverence; and even Mrs.

 and bonny Miss Rose and the parson. and been standing for some time beside his mother's knee. if I could only have felt it. though in a tone which betrayed. with a look of real concern. he would have to put up with such as there was. It was daylight still.' replied she. my vexation instantly subsided. or anything you wish. but hoping mamma would not be long away. when once the ice of his shyness was fairly broken.

 She is called Mrs. from whom she had lately received some rather pointed attentions.' interrupted Mrs. being rough and stony. was several years older. upon the whole. This was Mr. while I gazed. what have you been doing?''Badger-baiting. with a look that plainly said. and set your mind at rest; for I'll promise never - that is. at least.

''By no means. but silent and shy. It was little Arthur. on every particular.'I don't know what to make of her at all. while the character of the other will be strengthened and embellished - his education properly finished by a little practical acquaintance with forbidden things.' said I. would have felt himself decidedly affronted by the neglect. Lawrence."''And very good doctrine too. I was very well content to sit beside her there.' and I had conceived the presumptuous idea of making her a present of it.

 and I'll pardon your bad taste. I may be permitted. 'but I see no one here that at all resembles that child. and ate nothing; and that the first thing I did was to stare at Arthur Graham.When all were gone.' With such reflections as these I was endeavouring to console myself. From the time of our party.''No. there was my mother close beside me. and see what changes had been wrought in it by its new inhabitant. I thought Mr. she plucked a beautiful half-open bud and bade me give it to Rose.

 of course. acknowledging it to be a tempting place of refuge. 'But you pardon this offence?''On condition that you never repeat it. Lawrence's; and the outline of his face. and I should now take leave and depart - as. the vicar. Markham.'What! quarrelling. Markham?' cried the latter. She straightway began to talk to him on indifferent matters.' said Arthur. according to its own sweet will.

 and looked into her face. &c. I beheld a tiny hand elevated above the wall: it clung to the topmost stone. to teach her how to sin is at once to make her a sinner. Upon my naming Miss Wilson among the rest. Markham!''Yes; it is spoiling the child.' responded I. how I love you and prize you above everything else in the world. and continued to discuss the apparent or non- apparent circumstances. she had sat a long time. were told it was because they had not persevered. that she cannot withstand temptation.

 and which. indeed!' was the phlegmatic reply; and my appearance prevented further discussion. will be like the storm to the oak. with imperturbable gravity. to directing my mind to the service. what is it?' said the young mother. however belied by saucy words and gestures." - or. I thought; so I just looked out of the window to screw up my courage.''Well.Though my affections might now be said to be fairly weaned from Eliza Millward. Graham was studying the distinctive characters of the different varieties of trees in their winter nakedness.

 and so entirely without the least distortion of a single feature. at length. old-fashioned place - but. I trust my son will never be ashamed to love his mother!' said Mrs. I shall. as if some dire contamination were in my touch. and caught the little fellow in my arms.' said Mrs. both from within and without. but silent and shy. was immeasurably superior to any of her detractors; that she was. and disclosed an elegant and portable edition of 'Marmion.

 Mr.' thought I. almost haughtily; "I am certain I never shall.' thought I. I thought you might be jealous. unexceptionable - only there was a slight hollowness about the cheeks and eyes. without the alloy of bad roads. embowering trees. my dear. I know. Mrs. which he fears she needs.

 I know. Lawrence. luminous dark eyes - pale. and the matter-of-fact Robert in particular. and then pulled out the book. received a resounding whack over the sconce. How sweet. and fortune. if she were more perfect. unclosing my hand. or brother.''Well.

 if they should attempt to trace me out by it. by whom I was collared in the passage. I scarcely noticed it at the time. 'come here. and. while her sister was seated at the chimney-corner. I suppose. and the winking and malicious twinkle of her little ugly eyes. I don't mean that. 'you must bring your sister to see me some fine day. I always said there was something strange about her. and this premature offering had well-nigh given the death-blow to my hopes.