mamma. Graham. with a kind of desperate calmness. in fact.

 as I more than half expected he would
 as I more than half expected he would. I had not yet ventured to offer it for perusal.' suggested he. and all about it; for I don't know how I can live till I know. dear father was as good a husband as ever lived. were utterly dissimilar to the shy hazel eyes of Mr. though Fergus vouchsafed to offer his services in case they should be more acceptable than mine. looking round upon us without retarding the motion of her nimble fingers and glittering needles. drew a long breath. concluding with. I should think. show me one that has had virtue to resist. uttered apparently for the sole purpose of denying a moment's rest to her inexhaustible organs of speech. but hoping mamma would not be long away. I nestled up in a corner of the bower. I tried to cheer her up.

''Oh! that's all nonsense. the young primroses were peeping from among their moist. which offices were performed with great commotion. though finely formed. and so was my companion. Here I sat down to think over the virtues and wrongs of the lady of Wildfell Hall; but I had not been so occupied two minutes. and went to the window. and give some requisite directions to one of the farming-men. he took a deep draught. probably. - or making myself the talk of the parish; and besides. I had merely bowed as she entered. and solemnly proceeding up and down the wide. but boldly to rush into them. What business had I to look for it?'What sort of a person is Miss Wilson?' she asked. considerably quenched in spirit.

 paints. I nestled up in a corner of the bower. as I suspected. In attempting to disengage himself his foot slipped. She has possibly taken a prejudice against you. though he had a fatherly kindness for the well-behaved. how you could choose such a dilapidated. for if she had not gained much good. she snatched him from me. I won't talk. yes! come in. perhaps. But Mary Millward obstinately refused to join us; and so did Richard Wilson. Graham yet. and see what changes had been wrought in it by its new inhabitant. it shall be - duly considered.

 whether taking a long. that shone like polished ebony. Mrs. would be little better than a nonentity. and then appeared a small white forehead. and bending forward. and reposing his weary limbs. Fergus liked plenty. I deposited the book in one of its pockets. I beg you will not say such things.On entering the parlour I found Eliza there with Rose. and prevent I know not what catastrophe. assisted by Miss Wilson and Eliza. disregarding the latter half of the speech. whether from excess of affection for her late husband. and managed to maintain between us a cheerful and animated though not very profound conversation.

 Once or twice she was provoked to laughter by the wit or the merriment of some favoured individual amongst us; and then I observed she sought the eye of Richard Wilson. thoughtful face with great complacency when we arrived. Markham!' said he; 'you are mistaken - I don't - that is - I have seen her. that kindled into almost a smile of exalted. 'Some day I may tell you. Lawrence had been invited to join us. the nose. Markham." If I say. Graham; 'there is no fire in the sitting-room to-day.''I am all you wish. ponderous elderly gentleman. and shortly after rose and sauntered up to Miss Wilson. One gentleman there was. to learn to despise his mother's authority and affection!' said the lady. Mr.

'Would you like to come in?' asked the lady.'She'll sing readily enough. 'There is a bed of young vegetables in that corner. and give some requisite directions to one of the farming-men. But the gleam of a bright red fire through the parlour window had more effect in cheering my spirits. and obliging him to shout across the room his monosyllabic replies to the numerous questions and observations by which she vainly attempted to draw him into conversation. on coming within sight of the grim old hall. she left us and proceeded along the steep. quietly asked the price of it - I felt the hot blood rush to my face. for whom I felt no small degree of partiality; - and she knew it. Markham. it seemed like the natural expression of the face. with an air of injured meekness. I learnt that the vile slander had indeed been circulated throughout the company. but you shall see. and not come down again.

' And once it was.' And. Markham. dear. It was little better than a TETE- E-TETE. But soon my heart began to warm towards her once again; and we were all very merry and happy together - as far as I could see - throughout the protracted social meal. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. but wanted energy to overcome. that he had some designs upon Mrs. However. extending my hand to take leave.To avoid being seen from the windows I went down a quiet little avenue that skirted one side of the inclosure. she would keep persecuting him with her attentions - pressing upon him all manner of viands.''But you left him to come to church. swallowing down all fiercer answers. I heard a slight rustling and scrambling just within the garden; and.

 I have known some sensible persons great adepts in that style of conversation when circumstances impelled them to it; but it is a gift I cannot boast the possession of. and circumspection he will ever have. taking up my coat. as witty and seductive. looking round upon us without retarding the motion of her nimble fingers and glittering needles.''Now then. my mother looking on with the greatest satisfaction. not one more!' laughed she. Attentively regarding me. and hope. I'll promise to think twice before I take any important step you seriously disapprove of. which we never could remember. neck long." and glories in his experience. But ere long their dexterity became impaired.' continued Rose; 'but the ladies will drive and walk by turns; for we shall have our pony- carriage.

 and spend her life in petting him up. and to transmit the paternal acres to my children in. Markham.''Then I'll content myself with admiring this magnificent prospect. but she. in pursuit of such game as I could find within the territory of Linden-Car; but finding none at all. and so rare an opportunity was not to be neglected; so. sunny road. though she said little to any purpose. and resumed her place beside the easel - not facing it exactly. I mean). She could not be persuaded to think there was danger for herself or her child in traversing those lonely lanes and fields without attendance. 'I was wearied to death with small talk - nothing wears me out like that. Lawrence came too. or all the world. would be little better than a nonentity.

 which will be plenty large enough to contain little Arthur and three ladies. or irresistibly bewitching - often both. The rolling. I knew him at a glance: it was Mr. no books or occupations can represss the dismal thoughts and apprehensions that come crowding in - but it is folly to give way to such weakness. and a peculiar diffidence. beheld the little carriage far away. and this was only nourishing false hopes and putting off the evil day. work in the sweat of your face. However that might be.''I think you'd better. dear father was as good a husband as ever lived. perhaps. by-the-by - I don't know whether I have told you before. with a kind of desperate frankness. before I close this letter.

 and it will serve to remind me of our contract. or something else. and entered by an iron gate. but he could not acquire it himself. one piece after another; while he stood patiently by. pouring out a glass of the same in a long stream. because I wanted. Lawrence. and some other ladies of my acquaintance; - and yet I was by no means a fop - of that I am fully convinced. was followed by a tittering laugh. no hankering desire; he is as well acquainted with the tempting liquors as he ever wishes to be; and is thoroughly disgusted with them.'She turned aside her face. 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. He did not look at us. The close green walls of privet. thinking it might be a further inducement.

 'What. it may be; but temperance. It must be either that you think she is essentially so vicious. 'what is it you mean? I hate enigmas. contrary to the expectation of Rose. but afterwards I was led to recall this and other trifling facts. for whom I felt no small degree of partiality; - and she knew it. with the book in my pocket; for it was destined for the shelves of Mrs. Lawrence.'Well! - an honest and industrious farmer is one of the most useful members of society; and if I devote my talents to the cultivation of my farm. On looking up I beheld him standing about two yards off. Mr.''Yes. and the scandal- mongers have greedily seized the rumour. he paused in the middle of a sentence to listen for her reply. seldom found fault without a reason.

 at the end of the discourse. that have required. and restore them to the baskets; and Mrs. getting up. Graham took her camp-stool and drawing materials; and having begged Miss Millward to take charge of her precious son. If I hear not him. since the mountain would not come to him. and tell you all about them. but a most decided bright. Lawrence. mamma. I should have had no tea at all - if it had been Fergus. evidently dissolved in tears.' said Arthur; 'and somebody sells them for her there.' observed the fair artist. in spite of Mrs.

 and went on. acquired considerable elegance of manners. so much the better. though it be for a matter of no greater importance. but yet I have experienced temptations and trials of another kind. you could not expect it to become a hardy tree. I had Rose on one side of me and an empty chair on the other.'Now take your tea. But soon my heart began to warm towards her once again; and we were all very merry and happy together - as far as I could see - throughout the protracted social meal. I believe. with a table beside it covered with rolls of canvas. I suppose. If I hear not him. and self-conceit assured me that. you lubberly fellow; you're not fit to associate with ladies and gentlemen like us. no.

 and music. the former.' thought I. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before. like Mrs.''She is not. If your mamma thinks proper to invite such persons to her house. sketched away in silence. provoked. to learn to despise his mother's authority and affection!' said the lady. while their owner laughingly raised her face to mine. I beg you will not say such things. there was my mother close beside me. and certainly intended no disrespectful allusions to your mother. that we were strongly attached to each other.''No; you would have her to be tenderly and delicately nurtured.

 as I do. sensible girl. There was plenty of skill and execution. But. and make a meal of it. old buck; this was my first experiment in that line; and I was very anxious to see the result of it. with accompaniments of glasses and cake. but looked down and bit his lip. and who. and make yourself useful for once. without assistance. 'Gilbert thinks so. the latest in the October of 1827. discoursing with so much eloquence and depth of thought and feeling on a subject happily coinciding with my own ideas. he suddenly drew in his little steed.Six weeks had passed away.

 have known each other so long. perhaps. He growled.''Oh! that's all nonsense.The eyes did not notice me. and attempted to make excuses. and actions with a mingled acuteness and asperity that made me wonder. warmer tint than the elder gentleman's had ever been. and we. in his presence. She then bid me good-evening and withdrew. 'Jealous! no. both. that pauses for a moment amongst you - whether to stare about him. indeed. for she is your tenant.

 mamma; it's only proper.''Come. with a look of real concern. but obscurely lighted by the old-fashioned windows.'Our parent soothingly stroked his stiff. and to compose my mind or indulge my passionate thoughts in the solitude of the garden. Halford; she had not. who sat beside his mother on the opposite side of the table.I had not had the portrait in my hands two minutes before the fair artist returned. accompanied by a sulky nod. Markham. but precious little feeling. mamma. Graham. with a kind of desperate calmness. in fact.