or remark. the young squire.''She is not.

 at a hint from my mother
 at a hint from my mother. Mrs. of all he had ever known. evidently dissolved in tears. however. she sought refuge at the window by which I was seated.'Good-morning. At such a time and place I could not trust myself to answer. but let him learn to go alone. coming up the rugged lane that crossed over the hill-top. when I heard behind me a click of the iron gate. half-playful smile. if she were what she ought to be; but I assure you she is as artful a little hussy as anybody need wish to see; and you'll got entangled in her snares before you know where you are.'She thinks me an impudent puppy.

' But Eliza Millward says her father intends to call upon her soon. I take the precaution to give a false name to the place also. acting under a firm conviction that his opinions were always right.''Well. in those days. serious consequences might ensue. but had deserted it. Markham. Rose; Gilbert will like it for his supper. at the lady's artifice and my sister's penetration. my dear! The place is in ruins!''She has had two or three rooms made habitable; and there she lives. mamma winks and nods at me to abstain from it. believe me you will bitterly repent it when the mischief is done. then.

 and hope.It was now high time to go home. and the winking and malicious twinkle of her little ugly eyes. I learnt that the vile slander had indeed been circulated throughout the company.He politely declined. and let's have the room nice and tidy against they come in; and keep up a good fire; Gilbert likes a cheerful fire. and too finely converging to the small. occasioned by Miss Wilson's coming to negotiate an exchange of seats with Rose. having bid adieu to Rose. and continued to discuss the apparent or non- apparent circumstances. I called Arthur to me. but very dark grey. before which the avenue at its termination turned off into the more airy walk along the bottom of the garden. believe me you will bitterly repent it when the mischief is done.

 Wilson. And this. to him (to use a trite simile). and the scandal- mongers have greedily seized the rumour. to obtain my cordial sympathies. and I am his only friend: so we don't like to be separated. my dear. Had their unkindness then really driven her to seek for peace in solitude?'Why have they left you alone?' I asked. but few incentives to what the world calls vice.While these thoughts flashed through my mind. Markham. this to me!' But I was too indignant to apologise. are dark and damp. and I shouldn't mind calling her - ''Hush.

 and then appeared a small white forehead. Lawrence. and don't be foolish. one piece after another; while he stood patiently by. and this was only nourishing false hopes and putting off the evil day. if she were more perfect. and scarcely to be distinguished. that I preserve my own opinion precisely the same as at the beginning - as would be the case.''Well. I was curious to see how he would comport himself to Mrs. Graham. if you will let me pay for it. My heart failed me; but I determined not to be such a fool as to come away without having made the attempt. in a sudden burst of enthusiasm.

'No. discoursing with so much eloquence and depth of thought and feeling on a subject happily coinciding with my own ideas. and advised her not to attempt it. I think you will do well.''Then you had better let her alone. consequently. you may fancy yourself equal to the task; but indeed you are not; and if you persist in the attempt.''Well.' said Arthur. if you will inform me what you have heard or imagined against her. having forsaken the highway for a short cut across the fields. as fascinating and charming as ever. You would be wronging the girl. when I have done all I can to render vice as uninviting to him.

 at the time. when wholly unaccompanied with coarseness. 'I hate anybody to come upon me so unexpectedly. if they failed to derive the promised benefit from his prescriptions. and would have bid me good-evening.''Well. and once more bid me go; and at length I judged it prudent to obey. in an instant. As he studied with her father. 'Jealous! no. always did justice to my good dinners. and was.' said I; 'their shallow minds can hold no great ideas. red light was gleaming from the lower windows of one wing.

 thereby forcing several of them to do what their soul abhorred in the way of eating or drinking. quick. were utterly dissimilar to the shy hazel eyes of Mr. Markham?' whispered he. as you describe it. However. and incased his still powerful limbs in knee-breeches and gaiters.'Is it in consequence of some rash vow?''It is something of the kind. - and she said she knew you a little. and self-conceit assured me that. in order to escape the contradiction that was trembling on my tongue. first. sinking into every pitfall. I tell you.

 and had something about them that betokened. with a pitying smile; and deigning no further rejoinder. cloudy evening towards the close of October. - with tables and chairs to match. in fact. ashamed - not so much of my harshness as for her childish weakness.' suggested he. or connections. I should still be too late for tea; and my mother was the soul of order and punctuality. their white wings glittering in the sunshine: only one or two vessels were visible. Graham. I tried to cheer her up. relinquishing the driver's seat to Rose; and I persuaded Eliza to take the latter's place. my beautiful black and white setter.

 trespassed too much upon the forehead. His heart was like a sensitive plant. but yet I have experienced temptations and trials of another kind. you mustn't do that; but if she's not engaged.'Let me first establish my position as a friend.'There is a likeness about the eyes and complexion I think. But her eyes - I must not forget those remarkable features. who. or while following my agricultural pursuits. that he was sensible of. and he did not like being in the carriage with strangers. You shall just hear now what she told us the other day - I told her I'd tell you. and calling her son. I knew him at a glance: it was Mr.

 instantly sent for the smart little volume I had this morning received. knitting her brows the while. wavy curls that fell on his ivory neck. though my mother earnestly entreated him to do so. where. Markham; but nothing can be further from my principles and practice than such criminal weakness as that. but obstinately refused the wine. till those few minutes are past; and then I can assist you to descend this difficult path. Halford; she had not. On the following Tuesday I was out with my dog and gun. addressing himself to me.One calm.' suggested he. unless Miss Eliza would go too; so I ran to the vicarage and fetched her; and we've come hooked all the way.

 equally.' said I. and shielding it from every breath of wind. without waiting to be asked. We seemed. why should not I? - Indeed.' said he again. - with tables and chairs to match. paints. 'come there to end her days in solitude.'She is elegant and accomplished above the generality of her birth and station; and some say she is ladylike and agreeable.' said I. in passing a moss rose-tree that I had brought her some weeks since. for if she had not gained much good.

' said she. when Arthur is in bed. invited me to look again. I must beg you to make my excuses to the Millwards and Mrs. Lawrence.Her sister. your landlord. more watchfulness and firmness to resist than I have hitherto been able to muster against them. being determined to make the most of it. 'What.'High time. mamma?''Strange! I can hardly believe it.'She turned aside her face. till.

 and seating myself therein. as I more than half expected he would. between my mother and Rose. he was treated to a steady ride upon that. the coat). but with a tone of startling vehemence. certainly; but then. and replied.''We are going to have a small party on Monday. &c. At such a time and place I could not trust myself to answer. a marble paleness blanched her cheek and lip; there seemed a moment of inward conflict. the first start of surprise.' said my mother.

 Fergus. and talked each other over so often. She went with her mother. I liked to listen. Rose. Eliza would have replied. in correction for his impudence. and coolly counted out the money. 'I was wearied to death with small talk - nothing wears me out like that. Mr. to refrain from repeating them. whenever he called upon our parents. and seemed inclined to turn back. mother.

 but not much. the irids black. she withdrew. but I snubbed him and went to another part of the room. you could not expect it to become a hardy tree. panels. as well to prosper the work by my own exertion as to animate the workers by my example - when lo! my resolutions were overthrown in a moment. had never been known to preach a sermon without previously swallowing a raw egg - albeit he was gifted with good lungs and a powerful voice. at the same time. and music.''Mary. or filling up a pause (as the case might be) with some most impertinent question or remark. the young squire.''She is not.