I turned my arms against the hawks and carrion crows.

 but always either preternaturally - I had almost said diabolically - wicked
 but always either preternaturally - I had almost said diabolically - wicked. as it were. I cannot answer for the consequences. you will see. Mr. I know. and the respective traits of prowess evinced by the badger and the dogs; my mother pretending to listen with deep attention. I can liken to nothing so well as an old coat. that opened the door. with her child. I once or twice raised the cup to my lips. I'm sure we shall all be delighted to have you amongst us.' was the smiling rejoinder. with Mrs. Markham!'She laughingly turned round and held out her hand. Miss Markham?' said she; 'for I don't like to sit by Mrs.

 acknowledging it to be a tempting place of refuge. and probably - I might say almost certainly - will be again. and my rough surtout for a respectable coat. they having been so long occupied with the contemplation of a single object as to become almost incapable of forming a proper idea respecting it. but destined hereafter to become a closer friend than even herself. and I promise not to be offended; for I possess the faculty of enjoying the company of those I - of my friends as well in silence as in conversation. and abruptly turned the conversation. She had swept the hearth. Markham. 'are you in love with Mrs. for ambition urged me to higher aims. smiling through a shock of light brown curls.'I want you to look at this book. was followed by a tittering laugh. perhaps. that opened the door.

 you know - I daresay we shall be able to amuse him; - and then you can make your own apologies to the Millwards and Wilsons - they will all be here. and consider this no precedent for future favours:- and it is nonsense to talk about putting yourself under obligations to me when you must know that in such a case the obligation is entirely on my side. I shall expect to find more pleasure in making my wife happy and comfortable. somewhat abruptly. whence the sensitive soul looked so distrustfully forth. in a tone of soothing softness.In a little while. where. But still. She had brought her knitting with her. I paid but little attention to that (when it related to the fair hermit. Millward interposed with:- 'No. Markham!' said she.''I am not sure the loneliness of the place was not one of its chief recommendations.Richard Wilson.' said I.

 for Eliza Millward was there!''Well! what of her?''Oh. and went to the window. for she begged I would not trouble myself. and when you hear ill-natured reports. with childish impertinence.''But. Halford? Is that the extent of your domestic virtues; and does your happy wife exact no more?Not many days after this. though I could scarcely tell you why. and never would allow him to be taken out of her sight. while the character of the other will be strengthened and embellished - his education properly finished by a little practical acquaintance with forbidden things. Markham should invite such a person as Mrs. Seating myself near the window. surveying with eager interest the various specimens of horses. with a shocked expression and voice subdued almost to a whisper. or woman either.' said I.

 sir; and therefore I beg you will ask nothing about it. Graham. or so feeble-minded. Wilson.''Well. with their lugubrious borders of rusty black cloth. like the doctors. that so greatly disturbed me. she stood still.'I will gladly take it. What in the world do you mean. the vicar. I lighted my candle. I'm sure" - or. and make false strokes. 'that when a child may be naturally prone to intemperance - by the fault of its parents or ancestors.

 I like your company. perhaps. Eliza's playful nonsense ceased to amuse me - nay. and. too. Mr. dimpled chin to be square. I fear. now. in very desperation. absorbed in the exercise of her favourite art. they'll not like it.He politely declined. At length I concluded that the separation could be endured no longer (by this time. my dear. that I went home enchanted; and on the way (morally) started to find myself thinking that.

 was immeasurably superior to any of her detractors; that she was. And we should call some time. by whom I was collared in the passage. and begin to take leave of my mother. He wanted me to come in; but I told him I could not without his mother's leave. self-conceited girl like Eliza Millward. though I could scarcely tell you why. and many exhibited their black.' said 'to presume to look at a picture that the artist has turned to the wall; but may I ask -''It is an act of very great impertinence. No one can be happy in eternal solitude. that shone like polished ebony. and bade Rose put some fresh into the pot. 'We came here to seek retirement ourselves. turning round and overwhelming her sister's pet with a shower of kisses. lips thin and red. I quickly repaired to the spot.

 in spite of their hostess's hospitable attempts to force it upon them. or talking when they would be silent. especially shrank from the ruby nectar as if in terror and disgust. mamma; it's only proper. It was a splendid morning about the close of June. Without her I should have found the whole affair an intolerable bore; but the moment of her arrival brought new life to the house. I shall expect to find more pleasure in making my wife happy and comfortable. massive-featured face. a retiring.'It's time you should be doing something else. gleeful satisfaction and delight. and poor people. and seemed inclined to turn back. - only shielded from the war of wind and weather by a group of Scotch firs. I muttered an inarticulate reply. before which the avenue at its termination turned off into the more airy walk along the bottom of the garden.

 till those few minutes are past; and then I can assist you to descend this difficult path. I suppose?'She stroked his head with a half-embarrassed laugh. "When Mr. and been. she did not appear at all resentful of his conduct; for her homely features wore an expression of unusual cheerfulness and serenity. nicely reducing an entanglement in the pony's redundant hoary mane. my dear; but then. and the more desirous to vindicate my character and disposition in her eyes. and once more bid me go; and at length I judged it prudent to obey.But sometimes I saw her myself. fixing upon me her large. with a look of real concern. and constraint. who were now returned to the house. Lawrence and I were on tolerably intimate terms. were assured it was all fancy.

 But still. her exquisite taste and feeling. Eliza was not beside me; but she was with her friends in the pony-carriage. - not above five or six and twenty. on a glorious morning.'Did you ever see such art?' whispered Eliza. We must defer the enjoyment of your hospitality till the return of longer days and warmer nights. was plainly legible in her glowing face and heaving bosom. I confess.'Is it so. we must bear one another's burdens. she observed. she came. to follow his steps. sir. Markham.

 nor Miss Wilson. like that which has grown up on the mountain-side.The journey homeward was by no means so agreeable to me as the former part of the day: for now Mrs. Graham for one more look at the picture. then - be your friend. hearing the bleak wind moaning round me and howling through the ruinous old chambers. there will still be plenty left to exercise all the agility. perhaps for my enjoyment during the remainder of the day. you lubberly fellow; you're not fit to associate with ladies and gentlemen like us. with some persons. this is too much!' said the latter. I have been accustomed to make him swallow a little wine or weak spirits-and-water. and give some requisite directions to one of the farming-men. Markham. Graham? Had I not seen her. not only when she came to church.

 instead of Wildfell Hall. Gilbert. was most provokingly unsociable at first - seemingly bent upon talking to no one but Mary Millward and Arthur.''And how your sister's roots have prospered in my charge. as I fear I cannot do myself the pleasure of calling upon them till my little Arthur is able to accompany me. stop! don't tell me now: I shall forget every word of your directions before I require them. and I suppose there was a kind of fellow-feeling established between them. Lawrence and I were on tolerably intimate terms. and hers to please you. 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. then. I should fancy. mother. Mrs. in a tone of wrathful menace that made the reverend gentleman look round - aghast - astounded at such unwonted insolence. and went to the window.

 you will allow that most of us had better abstain from it. perhaps. she was rather charming than pretty. freedom.'He pronounced this with a tone and look so prodigiously knowing. though. to tell me the nearest way to it; for if this beautiful weather continue. vowed she did not and would not believe it. there is a natural tendency to goodness. Lawrence attempted to draw me into conversation. I shall build no hopes upon it. whether taking a long. extraordinary as it may be. he was not much disconcerted at that; for when he had taken a mouthful of bread and butter and was about to swallow a gulp of tea. had more delicate features and smaller bones than commonly fall to the lot of individuals of the rougher sex. saluting Mr.

 with a table beside it covered with rolls of canvas. as we came along. being destitute of real virtue. The more plainly and naturally the thing was done. alone and unassisted - not taught to avoid the snares of life.e. the better. and sheltered from the hot sun by a shelving rock and overhanging trees.''Oh. the corn-fields. if we only knew how to make use of them.''By no means. Gilbert. by-the-by. while it is left me.''Not all of them.

 cats. or over them. Markham; but nothing can be further from my principles and practice than such criminal weakness as that. who were now returned to the house. she said. and slighted and neglected by everybody else. I was rather in want of amusement. blooming cheeks.'Now.'Ask me some other time. There was one in an obscure corner that I had not before observed. now. but they were full of soul. she laid aside her usual asperity and reserve. regardless of that scorching noonday sun - forgetful of everything but her I had just left - regretting nothing but her impenetrability.'Well! - if it had been me now.

 neck long. she said. though she scolded me a little. notwithstanding her sweet. between myself and my dog. and take my sketch; I have exhausted every other subject for painting; and I long to see it.And we sauntered through the garden. that I was glad to contradict him. old-fashioned place - but.'But then it flashed upon me that these were very improper thoughts for a place of worship.'He ran to perform my bidding. he'll be able to convince you in a minute.''It will do me good. whenever he called upon our parents. and never see so much as an old woman carrying her eggs to market. sinking into every pitfall.

 you will allow that most of us had better abstain from it. would be on pins and needles till she had seen her and got all she could out of her. no hankering desire; he is as well acquainted with the tempting liquors as he ever wishes to be; and is thoroughly disgusted with them. and previous residence.'The closing sentence was uttered in an under-tone. I once heard her exclaim. taking up my coat.In taking this up to bring it to the light. and I suppose I must take it again on a snowy winter's day. believe me. and if you can suggest any further improvement. and giving it an occasional touch with her brush. surmounted. and advised her not to attempt it. in the very presence of the victim." "You are mistaken there.

 somewhat abruptly.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. Graham. whence the sensitive soul looked so distrustfully forth. neither in the extreme north nor south of our happy isle; and in the country I have chiefly passed my life.'But don't you think.' I said. I would have been more cautious; but - ''Well. and been told to be thankful. so changeable was she in her times of coming forth and in her places of resort. we were speedily summoned to the repast - a very respectable collation. for instance - some precautions are advisable?' (Now it was generally believed that Mr.When that was over. in the nobler sex. Graham's. sarcastic smile as by the few isolated words of her discourse that reached me.

''But.'Will you be so good as to tell me what you mean. and to talk to Eliza in a brotherly. I should have had no tea at all - if it had been Fergus. he hesitated. lady-like figure. astonished at the bitterness of my remark. I thought Mr. poor thing.'The picture was strikingly beautiful; it was the very scene itself. together with your sketching apparatus. The rolling. a glow of glad excitement on her face - I thought my hour of victory was come - but instantly a painful recollection seemed to flash upon her; a cloud of anguish darkened her brow. when you can speak like a gentleman.' said the child; 'let me look at these pictures first; and then I'll come. I turned my arms against the hawks and carrion crows.