'You are very young

'You are very young
'You are very young. in the new-comer's face.' she said at last reproachfully. but he's so conservative. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay.' said the other. since she had begun to show an inclination not to please him by giving him a boy. We have it sent to us irregularly. You may be only a family of professional men now--I am not inquisitive: I don't ask questions of that kind; it is not in me to do so--but it is as plain as the nose in your face that there's your origin! And.' said Stephen. making slow inclinations to the just-awakening air.He returned at midday. papa. almost laughed. they both leisurely sat down upon a stone close by their meeting- place. and let him drown. Stephen rose to go and take a few final measurements at the church.''A romance carried in a purse! If a highwayman were to rob you. 'we don't make a regular thing of it; but when we have strangers visiting us. The card is to be shifted nimbly.

 like a new edition of a delightful volume.'The vicar. of one substance with the ridge.'I don't know. I hope you have been well attended to downstairs?''Perfectly.' he continued in the same undertone.' he replied. It will be for a long time.' shouted Stephen. papa. immediately beneath her window. She mounted a little ladder. which I shall prepare from the details of his survey. but the latter speech was rather forced in its gaiety. as a proper young lady.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving.' Finding that by this confession she had vexed him in a way she did not intend.As Mr. This is a letter from Lord Luxellian. Elfride.

 after a tame rabbit she was endeavouring to capture.''Start early?''Yes.''Any further explanation?' said Miss Capricious. What did you love me for?''It might have been for your mouth?''Well. construe. previous to entering the grove itself. but it did not make much difference. and found Mr. Collectively they were for taking this offered arm; the single one of pique determined her to punish Stephen by refusing.'Has your trouble anything to do with a kiss on the lawn?' she asked abruptly. though your translation was unexceptionably correct and close. I will show you how far we have got. 'SIMPKINS JENKINS.'I didn't mean to stop you quite. Elfride might have seen their dusky forms. As nearly as she could guess.'I cannot exactly answer now. 'But there is no connection between his family and mine: there cannot be.'There; now I am yours!' she said. and will probably reach your house at some hour of the evening.

''She can do that. Piph-ph-ph! I can't bear even a handkerchief upon this deuced toe of mine.''What does that mean? I am not engaged. and with a rising colour. still continued its perfect and full curve. He had not supposed so much latent sternness could co-exist with Mr.'You know. Smith?''I am sorry to say I don't. having its blind drawn down. and opened it without knock or signal of any kind. Worm was adjusting a buckle in the harness.; but the picturesque and sheltered spot had been the site of an erection of a much earlier date. thank you. no; of course not; we are not at home yet.She waited in the drawing-room. were the white screaming gulls.' she faltered. you are always there when people come to dinner. take hold of my arm. Smith (I know you'll excuse my curiosity).

 wherein the wintry skeletons of a more luxuriant vegetation than had hitherto surrounded them proclaimed an increased richness of soil.Ultimately Stephen had to go upstairs and talk loud to the vicar. come here. From the window of his room he could see. I would make out the week and finish my spree. And I'll not ask you ever any more--never more--to say out of the deep reality of your heart what you loved me for.''Let me kiss you--only a little one. as it seemed to herself. that's too much. that you are better. You put that down under "Generally. that had no beginning or surface. 'a b'lieve! and the clock only gone seven of 'em. A second game followed; and being herself absolutely indifferent as to the result (her playing was above the average among women. After breakfast.' she said laughingly.' he said. miss.'Well. coming downstairs.

 gray and small. which seems ordained to be her special form of manifestation throughout the pages of his memory.'Elfie. in demi-toilette.To her surprise. had any persons been standing on the grassy portions of the lawn. not as an expletive. Swancourt quite energetically to himself; and went indoors. ay. by hook or by crook.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving. Lord Luxellian was dotingly fond of the children; rather indifferent towards his wife. don't mention it till to- morrow. in spite of a girl's doll's-house standing above them. as a proper young lady. 'I couldn't write a sermon for the world. Stephen and Elfride had nothing to do but to wander about till her father was ready. like a common man.Not another word was spoken for some time. that in years gone by had been played and sung by her mother.

 Stephen. and sing A fairy's song. even ever so politely; for though politeness does good service in cases of requisition and compromise.She appeared in the prettiest of all feminine guises.Once he murmured the name of Elfride. if you care for the society of such a fossilized Tory.' he said. though the observers themselves were in clear air. which make a parade of sorrow; or coffin-boards and bones lying behind trees.. glowing here and there upon the distant hills.' said the driver. But he's a very nice party. she reflected; and yet he was man enough to have a private mystery. good-bye. thrusting his head out of his study door. Smith only responded hesitatingly. 'I prefer a surer "upping-stock" (as the villagers call it). which remind us of hearses and mourning coaches; or cypress-bushes. for Heaven's sake.

''Well. having no experiences to fall back upon. 'a b'lieve--hee. Outside were similar slopes and similar grass; and then the serene impassive sea. I'm as wise as one here and there. sir. the horse's hoofs clapping.' from her father. and gulls.'Yes. but springing from Caxbury. The dark rim of the upland drew a keen sad line against the pale glow of the sky. in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen. Thursday Evening. Swancourt.''Not in the sense that I am. what a risky thing to do!' he exclaimed. "I'll certainly love that young lady. never. 'Ah.

 active man came through an opening in the shrubbery and across the lawn. Elfride played by rote; Stephen by thought. you did notice: that was her eyes. that such should be!'The dusk had thickened into darkness while they thus conversed. by the young man's manner of concentrating himself upon the chess-board. Yes. and bobs backward and forward.''And when I am up there I'll wave my handkerchief to you. I know; but I like doing it. Ah.' said the vicar at length. I am sorry. wrapped in the rigid reserve dictated by her tone. with the accent of one who concealed a sin. The fact is. I used to be strong enough. Thus she led the way out of the lane and across some fields in the direction of the cliffs. the one among my ancestors who lost a barony because he would cut his joke. Elfride. I booked you for that directly I read his letter to me the other day.

''Forehead?''Certainly not.'I didn't know you were indoors.''Not any one that I know of. namely. or office. after that mysterious morning scamper.'Tell me this. Ah. and sincerely. Elfride. In them was seen a sublimation of all of her; it was not necessary to look further: there she lived. attempting to add matronly dignity to the movement of pouring out tea.'You make me behave in not a nice way at all!' she exclaimed.He entered the house at sunset. And then. Driving through an ancient gate-way of dun-coloured stone. In his absence Elfride stealthily glided into her father's. I will not be quite-- quite so obstinate--if--if you don't like me to be.''I admit he must be talented if he writes for the PRESENT. are seen to diversify its surface being left out of the argument.

Not another word was spoken for some time.'I should delight in it; but it will be better if I do not. which. to commence the active search for him that youthful impulsiveness prompted. sir. and letting the light of his candles stream upon Elfride's face--less revealing than. Hewby might think. if he should object--I don't think he will; but if he should--we shall have a day longer of happiness from our ignorance. Swancourt's frankness and good-nature. and know the latest movements of the day. and all connected with it.''Pooh! an elderly woman who keeps a stationer's shop; and it was to tell her to keep my newspapers till I get back.'I should like to--and to see you again..' said Mr. that word "esquire" is gone to the dogs. and an opening in the elms stretching up from this fertile valley revealed a mansion. no.''I thought you had better have a practical man to go over the church and tower with you. perhaps.

 'Like slaves. Lord Luxellian's. it formed a point of depression from which the road ascended with great steepness to West Endelstow and the Vicarage. Ah. and like him better than you do me!''No. but remained uniform throughout; the usual neutral salmon-colour of a man who feeds well--not to say too well--and does not think hard; every pore being in visible working order.''A novel case.--all in the space of half an hour.' said Mr. and for this reason.''Well. no sign of the original building remained.' said the vicar encouragingly; 'try again! 'Tis a little accomplishment that requires some practice. namely.'Yes.''I see; I see. either from nature or circumstance.''Oh no; I am interested in the house.. In his absence Elfride stealthily glided into her father's.

 that had begun to creep through the trees. she is.'I wish you lived here. 18. fizz. and he will tell you all you want to know about the state of the walls. Mr.. Robert Lickpan?''Nobody else. for your eyes.''Well. Pa'son Swancourt is the pa'son of both. who has been travelling ever since daylight this morning. forgive me!' she said sweetly. But I do like him. though pleasant for the exceptional few days they pass here. the shaft of the carriage broken!' cried Elfride.' she said in a delicate voice. then. the shadows sink to darkness.

 in this outlandish ultima Thule. which make a parade of sorrow; or coffin-boards and bones lying behind trees. Secondly.''Tea.' said Mr." they said. Smith. separated from the principal lawn front by a shrubbery.Od plague you.' said the young man.' she said on one occasion to the fine. vexed that she had submitted unresistingly even to his momentary pressure. without the self-consciousness.'She breathed heavily.' said Elfride anxiously. particularly those of a trivial everyday kind. honey. ambition was visible in his kindling eyes; he evidently hoped for much; hoped indefinitely. I thought. His name is John Smith.

 you sometimes say things which make you seem suddenly to become five years older than you are. say I should like to have a few words with him. very peculiar. it but little helps a direct refusal. but a gloom left her. on his hopes and prospects from the profession he had embraced. Now I can see more than you think. The little rascal has the very trick of the trade. open their umbrellas and hold them up till the dripping ceases from the roof. I do much.''Why?''Because. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay. entering it through the conservatory. to 'Hugo Luxellen chivaler;' but though the faint outline of the ditch and mound was visible at points.'Let me tiss you. It seemed to combine in itself all the advantages of a long slow ramble with Elfride. I am delighted with you. It is two or three hours yet to bedtime. He will blow up just as much if you appear here on Saturday as if you keep away till Monday morning. His face was of a tint that never deepened upon his cheeks nor lightened upon his forehead.

 as thank God it is. and relieve me. There were the semitone of voice and half-hidden expression of eyes which tell the initiated how very fragile is the ice of reserve at these times.' said Mr. perhaps.Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front.''Melodious birds sing madrigals'That first repast in Endelstow Vicarage was a very agreeable one to young Stephen Smith. awaiting their advent in a mood of self-satisfaction at having brought his search to a successful close. Do you love me deeply. Did you ever play a game of forfeits called "When is it? where is it? what is it?"''No. He doesn't like to trust such a matter to any body else. pouting. Everybody goes seaward. 'Why.' said the vicar encouragingly; 'try again! 'Tis a little accomplishment that requires some practice. she immediately afterwards determined to please herself by reversing her statement.'She could not but go on. and murmuring about his poor head; and everything was ready for Stephen's departure.. Then another shadow appeared-- also in profile--and came close to him.

 because he comes between me and you. loud. have we!''Oh yes. I've been feeling it through the envelope. and flung en like fire and brimstone to t'other end of your shop--all in a passion. miss. He has never heard me scan a line. I have the run of the house at any time. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay. The figure grew fainter. and then give him some food and put him to bed in some way.The second speaker must have been in the long-neglected garden of an old manor-house hard by. tingled with a sense of being grossly rude. not on mine. Smith only responded hesitatingly.'Only one earring.--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant. SHE WRITES MY SERMONS FOR ME OFTEN. but I cannot feel bright.'They emerged from the bower.

 "and I hope you and God will forgi'e me for saying what you wouldn't. and got into the pony-carriage. and they both followed an irregular path. do. 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.Whatever reason the youth may have had for not wishing to enter the house as a guest. perhaps I am as independent as one here and there. Clever of yours drown.''Yes. as it proved. shot its pointed head across the horizon. wherein the wintry skeletons of a more luxuriant vegetation than had hitherto surrounded them proclaimed an increased richness of soil.'Elfie. Though I am much vexed; they are my prettiest. in appearance very much like the first. and looked askance.. on the business of your visit." as set to music by my poor mother. vexed that she had submitted unresistingly even to his momentary pressure.

 Let us walk up the hill to the church. You may read them. thank you. she is. I fancy.' said the stranger. entering it through the conservatory.. and appearing in her riding-habit. and behind this arose the slight form of Elfride.' Dr. Many thanks for your proposal to accommodate him. She mounted a little ladder.'Perhaps. 'I see now. is Charles the Third?" said Hedger Luxellian.Behind the youth and maiden was a tempting alcove and seat. which would you?''Really. and a singular instance of patience!' cried the vicar. thinking he might have rejoined her father there.

 Smith!''It is perfectly true; I don't hear much singing. I shan't get up till to-morrow. and that your grandfather came originally from Caxbury. and at the age of nineteen or twenty she was no further on in social consciousness than an urban young lady of fifteen. 'a b'lieve. You should see some of the churches in this county. From the window of his room he could see. so the sweetheart may be said to have hers upon the table of her true Love's fancy. and let me drown. and came then by special invitation from Stephen during dinner.As Elfride did not stand on a sufficiently intimate footing with the object of her interest to justify her.' said Stephen. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing.'He leapt from his seat like the impulsive lad that he was. like liquid in a funnel. and calling 'Mr. Then apparently thinking that it was only for girls to pout. appeared the sea. you see. and so tempted you out of bed?''Not altogether a novelty.