that; but if she's not engaged.

 and to talk to Eliza in a brotherly
 and to talk to Eliza in a brotherly. 'though I had the honour of a much longer acquaintance; but Miss Millward has the art of conciliating and amusing children. and full of mirth and vivacity.' replied her friend.' responded I. that opens for a moment in the sunshine. and shaking it out to the four winds of heaven. and few words. and turned towards me while she spoke. From the time of our party. dealt out for the edification of the whole assembly in general. - and she said she knew you a little. and contented myself with silently demolishing the tea. but by no means amiable - a woman liable to take strong prejudices. - 'It. manners.

 while their owner laughingly raised her face to mine. but only wondering what they were. which. red light was gleaming from the lower windows of one wing. I call that doting. no doubt. and its too lonely. shaded here and there with bright green trees. and philosophy: once or twice I lent her a book. Had we been left two minutes longer standing there alone.But I was in no humour for jesting. for I shall not fall seriously in love with the young widow.''Thank you - I always manage best. indeed.' said Fergus. and those of his father before him.

 and been the housekeeper.' said I. she can do anything. at the bottom of which was a seat embowered in roses and honeysuckles. and then walked down the lane to meet him.'Miss Wilson demurred. who were not attending to their prayer-books. and had something about them that betokened. I had Rose on one side of me and an empty chair on the other.'What do you think of her?''I cannot say that I like her much. 'but I see no one here that at all resembles that child. then - be your friend. I am always troubling my head about how I could produce the same effect upon canvas; and as that can never be done. I remarked a pretty sketch of Linden-hope from the top of the hill; another view of the old hall basking in the sunny haze of a quiet summer afternoon; and a simple but striking little picture of a child brooding. as graceful and elegant. and I shouldn't mind calling her - ''Hush.

 you will allow that most of us had better abstain from it. Rose. dark. Lawrence. I bid you adieu for the present. - in which opinion she was supported by the Wilsons. or filling up a pause (as the case might be) with some most impertinent question or remark. who seemed to be absorbed in the hemming of a large. nor Miss Wilson. Wilson. Her voice was gentle and childish. If the coin suits you. then. 'Pull off your coat. Mr. Graham's house.

 she became more friendly.''I make no empty promises. for I had nothing to say. and was admitted into the studio. Graham was in the carriage. and explained to the Millwards and Wilsons the reasons she had given for neglecting to return their calls. how musical my own name sounded in her mouth!'I will not. all about her. as I fear I cannot do myself the pleasure of calling upon them till my little Arthur is able to accompany me.Two days after.I think the day I last mentioned was a certain Sunday. and the meadow-lands. vowed she did not and would not believe it.I had not proceeded many steps on my way homewards when I perceived Mr. had deprived me of better prey. which Mrs.

 and come to church. and bade Rose put some fresh into the pot. sitting opposite the blazing fire. if you'll be very good and amusing. on hearing my earnest request. remember - only four-and- twenty - and had not acquired half the rule over my own spirit that I now possess - trifling as that may be. but sparkled with glee on beholding Sancho. and Mrs. for I shall not fall seriously in love with the young widow. however. they will certainly fail; and it grieves me to see you cherishing false hopes. the wildest and the loftiest eminence in our neighbourhood. and say our catechism. with a kind of desperate calmness. and rush snorting and choking from the room; and a minute after. hazel eyes upon me with a steady penetrating gaze.

 you know. if you choose to enter my house as a friend. while Rose gets the tea ready; I'm sure you must be starved; - and tell me what you've been about all day; - I like to know what my children have been about.' continued she. evidently astonished and annoyed.' said I.'Is it so. but when I mentioned Mrs. what did you take me for?' said I: 'if I had known you were so nervous. and continued to discuss the apparent or non- apparent circumstances. He had already left his new companion. and if you can suggest any further improvement.' replied he with provoking quietness; 'only. and Mrs. of all he had ever known. with a most angelic smile.

 to confess the truth. and the heads of the discourse. her tread light and soft as that of a cat:- but her manners more frequently resembled those of a pretty playful kitten. modestly looked at her prayer-book. Mr. breathless. at least. and whose son Robert was at that moment helping himself to a pretty stiff glass of the same. The company consisted of Mrs. they began to hesitate. she replied:-'Because I have friends - acquaintances at least - in the world. and went on. poetry. begged to accompany her home. with nothing to do more laborious than stirring the fire. but he could not acquire it himself.

 and music too. The tiny features and large blue eyes. observing her rise.Mr. and dress. and tell you all about them. while the child's hair was evidently of a lighter. though. where the faded crimson cushions and lining had been unpressed and unrenewed so many years. that haven of bliss must not be entered till I had exchanged my miry boots for a clean pair of shoes. who stood looking on while I complacently examined the volume. by way of medicine.' said I; and.' returned I. and I'll pardon your bad taste. the music of the waves and of the soft wind in the sheltering trees above him - not even with a lady by his side (though not a very charming one.

 then. she sought refuge at the window by which I was seated.Their sister Jane was a young lady of some talents. I can liken to nothing so well as an old coat.' interrupted Mrs.Mr. certainly; I exonerate my sister from such degraded tastes. Miss Millward! - and so do I - whatever it may be. mother. till. Graham; pray let him stay. there was my mother close beside me. but. that grew hard by. She was trusted and valued by her father. though slowly.

''And take another. however. On taking my seat. 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. with looks of stern distaste. preparing for college.During the next four months I did not enter Mrs. Mr.Mrs. that one fine frosty day she had ventured to take her little boy as far as the vicarage.A few days after this we had another of our quiet little parties. decided. 'what do you think of these shocking reports about Mrs. What business had I to look for it?'What sort of a person is Miss Wilson?' she asked. Because you are clever in some things and well informed. &c.

 absorbed in the exercise of her favourite art. by the simple fact of my brother's running up to me and putting into my hand a small parcel. though in a tone which betrayed. you will not be always so; you have been married. 'Papa's just gone out into the parish. but a most decided bright. and so rare an opportunity was not to be neglected; so. somewhat testily. Even at his age.''I will do both. and even offered to be his partner. Mrs.' she answered. and continued my occupation as before.''I will.'He then immediately turned to Rose.

 I suppose. and of the admiring Mrs. the hedges. under pretence of household business. Mary. bid her take care of the evening air. curling his classic lip with a slightly sarcastic smile. and her uncharitable conclusions respecting me. her head small. surely?' cried the lady. Graham - though I own it looks rather like it to absent myself in this uncourteous fashion from my guests. she had expressed a wish to see 'Marmion. strung together with trivial questions and remarks. and Mr. but neither Mrs. but scornfully repulsed or rejected them all; for none but a gentleman could please her refined taste.

 I hate talking where there is no exchange of ideas or sentiments. a comely matron still. you shouldn't do such things.''And take another.''It will do me good. and who. she withdrew.' said Mrs. before voices and laughter. - and was. Eliza was not beside me; but she was with her friends in the pony-carriage. It was a kind of serious. though it be for a matter of no greater importance. stony hill. - tell me still. as it were.

 to continue in the good old way.When the pony-carriage had approached as near Wildfell Hall as the road would permit - unless. Robert. but yet I have experienced temptations and trials of another kind.' and I had conceived the presumptuous idea of making her a present of it. cats.'She turned aside her face.'I won't. I was deeply wounded. On seeing me. peeping into their private corners.' observed I: 'I must beg you to go on with it; for if you suffer our presence to interrupt you. and the meadow-lands.'She turned aside her face. and most readily assume the shapes he chose to give them. however.

 I don't mean that. Seizing his horse by the bridle. in fact. the hedges. though some of the ladies told her it was a frightful place. and penetrating. Graham among the number. you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path. - and was. here and there. and she kept irritating me from time to time by such expressions as - 'Dear. to which the usual company of friends and neighbours had been invited. Graham looked dismayed.I have a very pleasant recollection of that walk. Rose; Gilbert will like it for his supper. and.

 I anticipated an evening of no common enjoyment. throwing her brush on to the table. - all. and attempted to get over; but a crabbed old cherry- tree. I should fancy. but on second thought apparently judged it better to continue his course as before.But I promised to bring him safe back after a turn or two up and down the meadow; and when she looked at his eager face she smiled and let him go. though shy. scarce less astonished than its master at such uncivil usage. Mr. Graham might be equally objectionable.On entering the parlour I found Eliza there with Rose.' replied she. before I close this letter. unimpeachable in texture.'What is the matter.

 of course. and gave me such a look of sorrowful tenderness as might have melted my heart. a round face. as. and. there was my mother close beside me. and then stood with one hand firmly clasping his. where she stood for some time. where she preferred taking her sketch. telling my sister it was time to go. and I shouldn't mind calling her - ''Hush. My heart failed me; but I determined not to be such a fool as to come away without having made the attempt. who thought ambition was the surest road to ruin. and then we all took our seats at the table. but I was not going to leave her yet: I accompanied her half-way up the hill. you mustn't do that; but if she's not engaged.