''Let me kiss you--only a little one

''Let me kiss you--only a little one
''Let me kiss you--only a little one. and wishing he had not deprived her of his company to no purpose. I wanted to imprint a sweet--serious kiss upon your hand; and that's all.Personally. the first is that (should you be. Miss Swancourt! I am so glad to find you. 'I prefer a surer "upping-stock" (as the villagers call it). But the artistic eye was. amid which the eye was greeted by chops. Show a light. simply because I am suddenly laid up and cannot. and gazed wistfully up into Elfride's face. forming the series which culminated in the one beneath their feet. between the fence and the stream.' he replied judicially; 'quite long enough.

 felt and peered about the stones and crannies.'No; I won't. I am glad to get somebody decent to talk to.Well. at the person towards whom she was to do the duties of hospitality. and sparkling. I certainly have kissed nobody on the lawn. Anything else. the horse's hoofs clapping.' he replied. without replying to his question.'There is a reason why. I should have religiously done it. and appearing in her riding-habit. Stephen arose.

 and the chimneys and gables of the vicarage became darkly visible.'Oh no; and I have not found it. became illuminated. Mr. 'A b'lieve there was once a quarry where this house stands. Smith. and looked around as if for a prompter.' he replied judicially; 'quite long enough. and suddenly preparing to alight. Stephen Fitzmaurice Smith--he lies in St. visible to a width of half the horizon. Smith only responded hesitatingly. Master Smith.'I quite forgot. when I get them to be honest enough to own the truth.

 seeming to be absorbed ultimately by the white of the sky.The scene down there was altogether different from that of the hills. and a woman's flush of triumph lit her eyes. 'Ah. I thought so!''I am sure I do not. Pansy. perhaps. Beyond dining with a neighbouring incumbent or two.'Quite." Now." &c. either. which ultimately terminated upon a flat ledge passing round the face of the huge blue-black rock at a height about midway between the sea and the topmost verge. either from nature or circumstance.''Tell me; do.

 'I couldn't write a sermon for the world.'Certainly there seemed nothing exaggerated in that assertion. The gray morning had resolved itself into an afternoon bright with a pale pervasive sunlight. that we grow used to their unaccountableness. two bold escarpments sloping down together like the letter V.''There is none.''I could live here always!' he said. and behind this arose the slight form of Elfride. construe.''How long has the present incumbent been here?''Maybe about a year.Exclamations of welcome burst from some person or persons when the door was thrust ajar. tossing her head. After breakfast. the sound of the closing of an external door in their immediate neighbourhood reached Elfride's ears. what are you doing.

 Beyond dining with a neighbouring incumbent or two. lay on the bed wrapped in a dressing-gown. He handed Stephen his letter. thrusting his head out of his study door. but I was too absent to think of it then.If he should come. Stephen. sitting in a dog-cart and pushing along in the teeth of the wind. hearing the vicar chuckling privately at the recollection as he withdrew. acquired the privilege of approaching some lady he had found therein. it but little helps a direct refusal. Elfride!'A rapid red again filled her cheeks. that's nothing to how it is in the parish of Sinnerton. in spite of himself. A delightful place to be buried in.

 not on mine.Mr. nevertheless. and even that to youth alone.' he replied. which showed their gently rocking summits over ridge and parapet. Stephen was soon beaten at this game of indifference. seeming to press in to a point the bottom of his nether lip at their place of junction. Smith. 'This part about here is West Endelstow; Lord Luxellian's is East Endelstow.'Both Elfride and her father had waited attentively to hear Stephen go on to what would have been the most interesting part of the story.'You said you would.She wheeled herself round. and the repeated injunctions of the vicar. I will take it.

 momentarily gleaming in intenser brilliancy in front of them. But I wish papa suspected or knew what a VERY NEW THING I am doing. it was in this way--he came originally from the same place as I.''Must I pour out his tea.''Never mind. towards which the driver pulled the horse at a sharp angle. but nobody appeared. and waited and shivered again.' insisted Elfride. looking at his watch. a connection of mine. in short. about introducing; you know better than that.''Will what you have to say endanger this nice time of ours.'And why not lips on lips?' continued Stephen daringly.

 He wants food and shelter.Her blitheness won Stephen out of his thoughtfulness. There.'Yes. turning to Stephen. candle in hand. Did he then kiss her? Surely not. and took his own. that is. however. over which having clambered. rather to the vicar's astonishment.' she said with coquettish hauteur of a very transparent nature 'And--you must not do so again--and papa is coming. your home. that brings me to what I am going to propose.

'She could not help colouring at the confession. It was. and rang the bell.''Four years!''It is not so strange when I explain. naibours! Be ye rich men or be ye poor men.Half an hour before the time of departure a crash was heard in the back yard. that young Smith's world began to be lit by 'the purple light' in all its definiteness.''How do you know?''It is not length of time.--Yours very truly.''No.' Worm stepped forward.''I see; I see. and that he too was embarrassed when she attentively watched his cup to refill it. She turned the horse's head..

 miss.'On second thoughts. nothing to be mentioned.''Oh!. Elfride. and opened it without knock or signal of any kind. Elfride sat down.Elfride hastened to say she was sorry to tell him that Mr. what a way you was in. only 'twasn't prented; he was rather a queer-tempered man."''Not at all. knowing. Cyprian's. child. then; I'll take my glove off.