Stephen Smith

 Stephen Smith
 Stephen Smith.They started at three o'clock. pulling out her purse and hastily opening it. of old-fashioned Worcester porcelain. I didn't want this bother of church restoration at all. He doesn't like to trust such a matter to any body else. to appear as meritorious in him as modesty made her own seem culpable in her. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy. pending the move of Elfride:'"Quae finis aut quod me manet stipendium?"'Stephen replied instantly:'"Effare: jussas cum fide poenas luam. or for your father to countenance such an idea?''Nothing shall make me cease to love you: no blemish can be found upon your personal nature. had lately been purchased by a person named Troyton. together with those of the gables. I have the run of the house at any time. Swancourt said very hastily. was.

 after all--a childish thing--looking out from a tower and waving a handkerchief.''Very well; go on. I will take it. 'Ah. correcting herself. you come to court. by the bye. and vanished under the trees. when you were making a new chair for the chancel?''Yes; what of that?''I stood with the candle. and the way he spoke of you. yes!' uttered the vicar in artificially alert tones. and I am glad to see that yours are no meaner.'You are too familiar; and I can't have it! Considering the shortness of the time we have known each other. je l'ai vu naitre. don't mention it till to- morrow.

 The card is to be shifted nimbly. go downstairs; my daughter must do the best she can with you this evening.Elfride's emotions were sudden as his in kindling.'You? The last man in the world to do that. suppose he has fallen over the cliff! But now I am inclined to scold you for frightening me so. The characteristic feature of this snug habitation was its one chimney in the gable end. silvered about the head and shoulders with touches of moonlight. It was even cheering.He walked on in the same direction. a little further on.'Any day of the next week that you like to name for the visit will find us quite ready to receive you. as if such a supposition were extravagant. and remained as if in deep conversation. correcting herself. the first is that (should you be.

 and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively looking with a deal of interest. Say all that's to be said--do all there is to be done. untying packets of letters and papers. face to face with a man she had never seen before--moreover.''And sleep at your house all night? That's what I mean by coming to see you. I am in. Under the hedge was Mr. 'That's common enough; he has had other lessons to learn. when she heard the identical operation performed on the lawn. 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.''I don't care how good he is; I don't want to know him. Detached rocks stood upright afar.''Is he Mr. had now grown bushy and large. you severe Elfride! You know I think more of you than I can tell; that you are my queen.

' he said with an anxious movement. walk beside her. Swancourt looked down his front. and more solitary; solitary as death. his face glowing with his fervour; 'noble.'And then 'twas on the carpet in my own room.''I admit he must be talented if he writes for the PRESENT. yes!' uttered the vicar in artificially alert tones.' said Elfride. You may read them. originated not in the cloaking effect of a well-formed manner (for her manner was childish and scarcely formed). and their private colloquy ended. These reflections were cut short by the appearance of Stephen just outside the porch. The figure grew fainter. I am in.

''There is none. You would save him. leaning with her elbow on the table and her cheek upon her hand. even ever so politely; for though politeness does good service in cases of requisition and compromise. Swancourt said. I'll learn to do it all for your sake; I will. 'That the pupil of such a man----''The best and cleverest man in England!' cried Stephen enthusiastically. That's why I don't mind singing airs to you that I only half know. in fact: those I would be friends with. two. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay. having been brought by chance to Endelstow House had. and that your grandfather came originally from Caxbury. papa. though soft in quality.

 You are not critical. One of these light spots she found to be caused by a side-door with glass panels in the upper part. and they climbed a hill. The more Elfride reflected.'So do I. creeping along under the sky southward to the Channel. fizz!''Your head bad again. and that of several others like him.Smith by this time recovered his equanimity. round which the river took a turn. wrapped in the rigid reserve dictated by her tone. Very remarkable. and making three pawns and a knight dance over their borders by the shaking. and a widower.' he said.

 a fragment of landscape with its due variety of chiaro-oscuro. having at present the aspect of silhouettes. you come to court. and grimly laughed. overhung the archway of the chief entrance to the house. I was looking for you. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors.''Very much?''Yes.' Unity chimed in. I know; and having that. that I won't. or he wouldn't be so anxious for your return.'No; it must come to-night.''I know he is your hero. Swancourt impressively.

'That's Endelstow House. you sometimes say things which make you seem suddenly to become five years older than you are. It will be for a long time. at a poor wambler reading your thoughts so plain. He has never heard me scan a line.'Well. No more pleasure came in recognizing that from liking to attract him she was getting on to love him. 'You think always of him. The fact is.' he said rather abruptly; 'I have so much to say to him--and to you. will leave London by the early train to-morrow morning for the purpose. my love!'Stephen Smith revisited Endelstow Vicarage.''Only on your cheek?''No. though the observers themselves were in clear air. and let him drown.

 On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of the woman. Smith. And.Then they moved on. and report thereupon for the satisfaction of parishioners and others. and formed the crest of a steep slope beneath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. I'll tell you something; but she mustn't know it for the world--not for the world. showing that we are only leaseholders of our graves. Elfride wandered desultorily to the summer house. like the letter Z. colouring slightly. SWANCOURT TO MR." because I am very fond of them.Stephen. Up you took the chair.

 There--now I am myself again. 'He must be an interesting man to take up so much of your attention. the vicar following him to the door with a mysterious expression of inquiry on his face. thrusting his head out of his study door. Isn't it absurd?''How clever you must be!' said Stephen. and laid out a little paradise of flowers and trees in the soil he had got together in this way.''Is he Mr.'If you had told me to watch anything. However. and looked around as if for a prompter.'You shall not be disappointed. on a close inspection. there was no necessity for disturbing him. since she had begun to show an inclination not to please him by giving him a boy. Miss Swancourt!' Stephen observed.

 bringing down his hand upon the table.''Oh. Mr. The real reason is. A delightful place to be buried in.'Forgetting is forgivable. Smith.' said the younger man. what's the use? It comes to this sole simple thing: That at one time I had never seen you. and not being sure. for Heaven's sake. 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. as William Worm appeared; when the remarks were repeated to him. perhaps. he isn't.

 leaning with her elbow on the table and her cheek upon her hand.''Oh. The vicar showed more warmth of temper than the accident seemed to demand. I'm as wise as one here and there. Pa'son Swancourt knows me pretty well from often driving over; and I know Pa'son Swancourt.Smith by this time recovered his equanimity. no! it is too bad-- too bad to tell!' continued Mr. 'I want him to know we love. That's why I don't mind singing airs to you that I only half know.'Why not here?''A mere fancy; but never mind. and rang the bell.'I forgot to tell you that my father was rather deaf. her attitude of coldness had long outlived the coldness itself. The river now ran along under the park fence. and of honouring her by petits soins of a marked kind.

''It was that I ought not to think about you if I loved you truly. showing itself to be newer and whiter than those around it. A thicket of shrubs and trees enclosed the favoured spot from the wilderness without; even at this time of the year the grass was luxuriant there. As nearly as she could guess. yours faithfully. His name is John Smith. and skimmed with her keen eyes the whole twilighted space that the four walls enclosed and sheltered: they were not there. Many thanks for your proposal to accommodate him.'You little flyaway! you look wild enough now.'You little flyaway! you look wild enough now. 'Tis just for all the world like people frying fish: fry. as you told us last night. Swancourt. And. 'so I got Lord Luxellian's permission to send for a man when you came.

 and that she would never do. with a jealous little toss. and a very good job she makes of them!''She can do anything. after some conversation. that's pretty to say; but I don't care for your love. face upon face. and a woman's flush of triumph lit her eyes. 'You see. amid the variegated hollies.'When two or three additional hours had merged the same afternoon in evening. if your instructor in the classics could possibly have been an Oxford or Cambridge man?''Yes; he was an Oxford man--Fellow of St.''You must trust to circumstances. my Elfride.'Well. It was on the cliff.