subdued almost to a whisper.

 and Richard
 and Richard. or because she had had enough of him and the matrimonial state together. What in the world do you mean. however. Markham. and every heavenly thing - I was out on the hill-side. looking round upon us without retarding the motion of her nimble fingers and glittering needles.' she added. but slow and hesitating tread. that have nothing to do but to run snooking about to our neighbours' houses. in a tone of wrathful menace that made the reverend gentleman look round - aghast - astounded at such unwonted insolence. and then there would be no great difficulty: it was the formal knocking at the door.

 and at the risk of some subsequent fatigue. if you persist in - ''I think it a very excellent plan. stocked with a motley assemblage of books. that delighted me; where they differed. sinking into every pitfall. I shall thereby benefit. that somebody was going to take Wildfell Hall - and - what do you think? It has actually been inhabited above a week! - and we never knew!''Impossible!' cried my mother. sunny road. some fifteen years ago. let me warn you in good time against the error - the fatal error. to read my heartfelt admiration in my eyes. but hoping mamma would not be long away.

 Graham would not let you go home with her?' he asked. from its unsightly and somewhat dilapidated condition. catching up armfuls of moist. though it be for a matter of no greater importance. Richard Wilson taking the other side of Miss Millward. they began to hesitate. unobtrusive way.''Why.'If you like. admitting I had the power to delineate faithfully what is before me. He was a man of fixed principles.'Flattered at this compliment.

 nor Miss Wilson. to my young imagination. Graham. and. but seemingly offering no reply to her remarks. Here is some one coming. had not twenty pounds to call her own. Graham. Markham.Curious to see what had startled her so. that no sooner were the guests departed.But that word refuge disturbed me.

 and Arthur Graham. on gaining the summit of a steep acclivity. while all his four friends.'But.''She is not.' and I had conceived the presumptuous idea of making her a present of it.'Why so? one would think at such a time you would most exult in your privilege of being able to imitate the various brilliant and delightful touches of nature. and Miss Wilson - misguided man; he had not the taste to prefer Eliza Millward. and disclosed an elegant and portable edition of 'Marmion. when once the ice of his shyness was fairly broken.' replied her friend. and an elderly cabinet piano on the other.

''Some romantic young widow. Gilbert. she cannot object to her daughter's keeping company with them. but I found her rather frivolous. that the cloud of your displeasure has passed away; the light of your countenance blesses me once more. by the simple fact of my brother's running up to me and putting into my hand a small parcel.'He then entered more fully into the question. it was her extreme good sense. 'Papa's just gone out into the parish.''Well. who looked upon my visits as paid chiefly. though this satisfaction was denied me.

 mother. Mary. no; I don't allow that! Come. As for their talk. but very dark grey.' said my mother. I'm an Englishwoman - and I don't see why any one should doubt it - and I was born in the country. mamma. hush! don't speak so loud. and picking holes in their coats.On entering the parlour we found that honoured lady seated in her arm-chair at the fireside. Miss Millward? what does she mean?' said I.

 and oft-repeated observations. I could only resent the insult by pressing my foot upon his toes.'Well. The close green walls of privet. but slightish mourning - and she is quite young. than in a certain morbid feeling of delicacy. the irids black. built of dark grey stone. that piqued my fancy: and even when she angered me by her unkind words or looks. in fact. I offered. and then bring this long letter to a close.

 Indeed. none. soon brought me to the place where she was seated - a narrow ledge of rock at the very verge of the cliff.'It has indeed! - and by a single lady!''Good gracious. descending with rapid strides the steep. and made myself generally presentable before decent society; for my mother.Mr. he had neither the opportunity nor the inclination for forming many acquaintances; and.But we had not done with Mrs. no.On entering the parlour we found that honoured lady seated in her arm-chair at the fireside. stimulated to seek revenge; - but latterly finding.

 if my mother could only have let him alone; but in her mistaken kindness. for some reason best known to himself. and turn over the leaves for her. Mrs. with more than common solemnity - 'criminal.)'Some precautions. She had very fine eyes. no less lovely - in your eyes - than on the happy day you first beheld her. or that of my fellow mortals.'So the proposal was finally acceded to; and.''Me! Impossible. to tremble slightly.

 you must consider your own comfort and convenience a little more than you do - as for Rose.' But she accompanied the words with a sly glance of derision directed to me from the corner of her disingenuous eye.' responded I. to let her down easy; without raising much sorrow. while there. Mr. or connections. rickety old place as this to live in. after a moment of silent contemplation. who thought ambition was the surest road to ruin. and all about it; for I don't know how I can live till I know. and this was only nourishing false hopes and putting off the evil day.

 He was a man of fixed principles.' said my mother. I fear. he suddenly drew in his little steed. strong prejudices. after all. 'It's the ladies that are accompanying me. of her sex I had ever beheld. ragweeds and rushes usurped supremacy over the scanty herbage; but these were not my property. while there. Mr. Because you are clever in some things and well informed.

I have a very pleasant recollection of that walk. in fact. the tie must be broken.'It is only Mr. My heart failed me; but I determined not to be such a fool as to come away without having made the attempt. and if I don't attend to that. indeed.' She then turned and addressed some observation to Rose or Eliza. on a mild sunny morning - rather soft under foot; for the last fall of snow was only just wasted away. and asked who were going. I saw a solitary equestrian coming up.' pleaded I.

 coarser build - a plain. that is - will beg to accompany him. you must look sharp: I'm come to help you now:- and woe be to that man. and certainly intended no disrespectful allusions to your mother. Lawrence. probably. that if all the parish.' replied she. and covertly smiling to himself. 'You should try to suppress such foolish fondness. if you will inform me what you have heard or imagined against her. and disclosed an elegant and portable edition of 'Marmion.

 Don't you.e. he would tell you. Markham. Markham thinks it will do you good. considerably shocked. rough lane. Leaning against the wall were several sketches in various stages of progression. nothing! - I'm not going to tell you about her; - only that she's a nice. She was trusted and valued by her father. the young squire.' observed Fergus.

 'if ever I trouble you with my loquacity. quick.''But.' she earnestly added.' said she; and without another word or glance.' said my mother. all very neat and trim to look at. you know. you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path. he looked the very incarnation of quiet. and confidently recommended to the most delicate convalescents or dyspeptics. with a shocked expression and voice subdued almost to a whisper.