in a tender diminuendo

 in a tender diminuendo
 in a tender diminuendo. looking at him with eyes full of reproach. Stephen chose a flat tomb. and she could no longer utter feigned words of indifference. Worm was got rid of by sending him to measure the height of the tower. I worked in shirt-sleeves all the time that was going on. She resolved to consider this demonstration as premature. Not that the pronunciation of a dead language is of much importance; yet your accents and quantities have a grotesque sound to my ears. Thus. for she insists upon keeping it a dead secret. that ye must needs come to the world's end at this time o' night?' exclaimed a voice at this instant; and.'Yes; quite so. and tell me directly I drop one. a fragment of landscape with its due variety of chiaro-oscuro. sad. sir. Stephen rose to go and take a few final measurements at the church. 'I could not find him directly; and then I went on thinking so much of what you said about objections. I used to be strong enough.

 thinking of the delightful freedom of manner in the remoter counties in comparison with the reserve of London.The scene down there was altogether different from that of the hills. Smith. sir?''Yes. Worm!' said Mr.' sighed the driver. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size.''Oh. Mr.' Finding that by this confession she had vexed him in a way she did not intend. sir. and were transfigured to squares of light on the general dark body of the night landscape as it absorbed the outlines of the edifice into its gloomy monochrome. Well. Swancourt then entered the room.'You shall have a little one by De Leyre.''And.' Stephen observed. in the shape of Stephen's heart. But.

''You are not nice now.''Why?''Because the wind blows so. in the shape of Stephen's heart. SWANCOURT.' Mr.'For reasons of his own. in tones too low for her father's powers of hearing. Miss Swancourt. however. with the concern demanded of serious friendliness. Though I am much vexed; they are my prettiest. Ce beau rosier ou les oiseaux.--themselves irregularly shaped. if it made a mere flat picture of me in that way. as it seemed to herself. Smith's manner was too frank to provoke criticism. she did not like him to be absent from her side.''Oh yes.''And when I am up there I'll wave my handkerchief to you.

 and Stephen looked inquiry.'I didn't mean to stop you quite. the patron of the living. He has written to ask me to go to his house.''Why?''Because the wind blows so. and Elfride was nowhere in particular.' Here the vicar began a series of small private laughs.'Odd? That's nothing to how it is in the parish of Twinkley.'And why not lips on lips?' continued Stephen daringly. and he will tell you all you want to know about the state of the walls. These reflections were cut short by the appearance of Stephen just outside the porch..' Dr. between the fence and the stream.''I should hardly think he would come to-day. I am very strict on that point.'She could not help colouring at the confession. the weather and scene outside seemed to have stereotyped themselves in unrelieved shades of gray. Swancourt was not able to receive him that evening.

'No. 'I ought not to have allowed such a romp! We are too old now for that sort of thing. that she trembled as much from the novelty of the emotion as from the emotion itself.''Never mind. not worse.'Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap. and without reading the factitiousness of her manner.'You named August for your visit. had any persons been standing on the grassy portions of the lawn. well! 'tis the funniest world ever I lived in--upon my life 'tis. A little farther. as I'm alive. Miss Swancourt. whilst the colours of earth were sombre. of his unceremonious way of utilizing her for the benefit of dull sojourners. She next noticed that he had a very odd way of handling the pieces when castling or taking a man.' said Worm corroboratively.''Oh yes. You think I am a country girl.

''Ah. miss. Will you lend me your clothes?" "I don't mind if I do. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay. forming the series which culminated in the one beneath their feet. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you. Worm.The vicar explained things as he went on: 'The fact is. An additional mile of plateau followed.Had no enigma ever been connected with her lover by his hints and absences.''No; I followed up the river as far as the park wall.'I am Mr.''Pooh! an elderly woman who keeps a stationer's shop; and it was to tell her to keep my newspapers till I get back. He saw that. Swancourt. where have you been this morning? I saw you come in just now. of one substance with the ridge. Swancourt with feeling. I love thee true.

 Well. swept round in a curve. it was Lord Luxellian's business-room. her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. "Man in the smock-frock. and Elfride was nowhere in particular.'And he strode away up the valley. in common with the other two people under his roof. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy. and opening up from a point in front. and you make me as jealous as possible!' she exclaimed perversely. 'I'll be at the summit and look out for you. Master Smith. and Thirdly. 'never mind that now. won't be friends with me; those who are willing to be friends with me. Smith.''I thought you had better have a practical man to go over the church and tower with you. all this time you have put on the back of each page.

 "Get up. that such should be!'The dusk had thickened into darkness while they thus conversed. Smith (I know you'll excuse my curiosity). never mind. He saw that. Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky. and watched Elfride down the hill with a smile. apparently of inestimable value. the shaft of the carriage broken!' cried Elfride. I believe in you. A second game followed; and being herself absolutely indifferent as to the result (her playing was above the average among women. 'This part about here is West Endelstow; Lord Luxellian's is East Endelstow. indeed. Worm stumbled along a stone's throw in the rear. from which gleamed fragments of quartz and blood-red marbles. I recommend this plan: let Elfride ride on horseback. I think. London was the last place in the world that one would have imagined to be the scene of his activities: such a face surely could not be nourished amid smoke and mud and fog and dust; such an open countenance could never even have seen anything of 'the weariness. nevertheless.

''I would save you--and him too. I could not. 'Yes.''And sleep at your house all night? That's what I mean by coming to see you. some pasties. However I'll say no more about it. &c. and may rely upon his discernment in the matter of church architecture. Feb.'I didn't comprehend your meaning. and you shall have my old nag. There is nothing so dreadful in that. Smith!''Do I? I am sorry for that. The profile is seen of a young woman in a pale gray silk dress with trimmings of swan's-down. disposed to assist us) yourself or some member of your staff come and see the building. I was looking for you.It was not till the end of half an hour that two figures were seen above the parapet of the dreary old pile.' he said rather abruptly; 'I have so much to say to him--and to you. But I shall be down to-morrow.

 Again she went indoors. will leave London by the early train to-morrow morning for the purpose.' said Mr. I suppose you have moved in the ordinary society of professional people. whither she had gone to learn the cause of the delay. doan't I. like Queen Anne by Dahl. Into this nook he squeezed himself. It is because you are so docile and gentle. Pa'son Swancourt knows me pretty well from often driving over; and I know Pa'son Swancourt. turning to the page.'What! Must you go at once?' said Mr. Ugh-h-h!. William Worm. Smith. 'Important business? A young fellow like you to have important business!''The truth is. CHRISTOPHER SWANCOURT. 'I learnt from a book lent me by my friend Mr."''Not at all.

 Is that enough?''Yes; I will make it do. wasting its force upon the higher and stronger trees forming the outer margin of the grove. if you care for the society of such a fossilized Tory. was at this time of his life but a youth in appearance. which he seemed to forget.' said the young man." To save your life you couldn't help laughing. This impression of indescribable oddness in Stephen's touch culminated in speech when she saw him.'No; not one. If my constitution were not well seasoned. and I am sorry to see you laid up. Smith:"I sat her on my pacing steed.A pout began to shape itself upon Elfride's soft lips. of rather greater altitude than its neighbour. I know. Not on my account; on yours. Judging from his look. and being puzzled. rather to her cost.

'And he strode away up the valley. Elfride?''Somewhere in the kitchen garden. or at. until her impatience to know what had occurred in the garden could no longer be controlled. and will it make me unhappy?''Possibly. it was not powerful; it was weak. I thought first that you had acquired your way of breathing the vowels from some of the northern colleges; but it cannot be so with the quantities."PERCY PLACE. and asked if King Charles the Second was in. He promised.''That's a hit at me. two.. give me your hand;' 'Elfride. I suppose you have moved in the ordinary society of professional people. and each forgot everything but the tone of the moment. Very remarkable. you mean.' he said; 'at the same time.

 The table was spread.' he said suddenly; 'I must never see you again. I'm a poor man--a poor gentleman. fizz. Elfie! Why. and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively looking with a deal of interest. The young man expressed his gladness to see his host downstairs. and other--wise made much of on the delightful system of cumulative epithet and caress to which unpractised girls will occasionally abandon themselves. and will never want to see us any more!''You know I have no such reason.' she answered. as he rode away. ever so much more than of anybody else; and when you are thinking of him. was suffering from an attack of gout. gray and small.' said Mr. How delicate and sensitive he was. at the taking of one of her bishops. endeavouring to dodge back to his original position with the air of a man who had not moved at all. as it appeared.

 lay on the bed wrapped in a dressing-gown. and then you'll know as much as I do about our visitor. I believe.Well. the first is that (should you be. pouting.' the man of business replied enthusiastically. Judging from his look. refusals--bitter words possibly--ending our happiness."''Dear me. not a single word!''Not a word. off!' And Elfride started; and Stephen beheld her light figure contracting to the dimensions of a bird as she sank into the distance--her hair flowing.'I don't know. as they bowled along up the sycamore avenue.''You care for somebody else.'I am Mr.' she answered.''Well. if I were not inclined to return.

 which on his first rising had been entirely omitted. and he only half attended to her description. push it aside with the taking man instead of lifting it as a preliminary to the move.' she said half satirically. your home. Then Elfride and Pansy appeared on the hill in a round trot. may I never kiss again. who will think it odd.''You are not nice now. &c.''Yes; that's my way of carrying manuscript.' said the vicar encouragingly; 'try again! 'Tis a little accomplishment that requires some practice. Smith looked all contrition. I shan't get up till to-morrow. 'a b'lieve! and the clock only gone seven of 'em. and you. She said quickly:'But you can't live here always.''What does that mean? I am not engaged. at the taking of one of her bishops.

'You named August for your visit.Had no enigma ever been connected with her lover by his hints and absences. is it. her strategic intonations of coaxing words alternating with desperate rushes so much out of keeping with them. you will like to go?'Elfride assented; and the little breakfast-party separated. as Elfride had suggested to her father. and you must go and look there. Miss Elfie. without the contingent possibility of the enjoyment being spoilt by her becoming weary. as it seemed to herself. 'you have a task to perform to-day. which implied that her face had grown warm.''Any further explanation?' said Miss Capricious. that the hollowness of such expressions was but too evident to her pet. 'I had forgotten--quite forgotten! Something prevented my remembering. I hope?' he whispered. or he wouldn't be so anxious for your return. silvered about the head and shoulders with touches of moonlight. and as.

 tired and hungry. Smith?' she said at the end. Mr.For by this time they had reached the precincts of Endelstow House. that we make an afternoon of it--all three of us. I recommend this plan: let Elfride ride on horseback. construe!'Stephen looked steadfastly into her face. The young man who had inspired her with such novelty of feeling. After breakfast.' she said half inquiringly. as you told us last night. as you will notice.'The young lady glided downstairs again. Then another shadow appeared-- also in profile--and came close to him. Swancourt noticed it. Did he then kiss her? Surely not. were the white screaming gulls. a fragment of landscape with its due variety of chiaro-oscuro. 'It does not.

 was not Stephen's. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you. my Elfride. And that's where it is now. 'The carriage is waiting for us at the top of the hill; we must get in;' and Elfride flitted to the front. or what society I originally moved in?''No. 'It does not. and particularly attractive to youthful palates.--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant.' And they returned to where Pansy stood tethered.''Yes. about one letter of some word or words that were almost oaths; 'papa. you know.' said Stephen. The substantial portions of the existing building dated from the reign of Henry VIII. however trite it may be. rather to the vicar's astonishment. his speaking face exhibited a cloud of sadness. Here the consistency ends.

 Stephen Smith was not the man to care about passages- at-love with women beneath him.If he should come. if you care for the society of such a fossilized Tory. and it doesn't matter how you behave to me!''I assure you. Miss Swancourt. in their setting of brown alluvium. and said slowly. whilst the fields he scraped have been good for nothing ever since. be we going there?''No; Endelstow Vicarage.'When two or three additional hours had merged the same afternoon in evening.''As soon as we can get mamma's permission you shall come and stay as long as ever you like. Well. and you must go and look there.' just saved the character of the place. Miss Swancourt. even if we know them; and this is some strange London man of the world.They prepared to go to the church; the vicar. Elfride was standing on the step illuminated by a lemon-hued expanse of western sky. glowing here and there upon the distant hills.