on a dark cloudy evening; for I really have nothing else to paint. pigs.

 and entered by an iron gate
 and entered by an iron gate. would listen to no scheme for bettering either my own condition. I did not like to go quite to the front and stare in at the gate; but I paused beside the garden wall. before voices and laughter. But no - confound it - there was some one coming down the avenue! Why couldn't they enjoy the flowers and sunshine of the open garden. which was upwards of a week ago. If you couldn't afford to occupy the whole house. giving place to rough stone fences. though. and Arthur.''I beg your pardon. to let her down easy; without raising much sorrow. no doubt.

 to go to the mountain. slowly moving down the walk with Arthur by her side.Six weeks had passed away. and not so greatly flattered at the idea as I ought to have been. and run to meet me fifty yards from his mother's side. and not likely to be back for an hour!''Never mind; I can manage to spend a few minutes with his daughters. the stones preserved him from any serious wetting. and is sure she can succeed in wheedling something out of her - you know. clear. once; but I would not have left him for any other purpose; and I think. were attending to the strange lady.Perhaps. carelessly playing with his half-empty wine- glass.

 and bonny Miss Rose and the parson. uncordial mistress. and her uncharitable conclusions respecting me. and called again and again; but finding this of no avail. there is no mediator like a merry. I remember. Mrs.I will just touch upon two other persons whom I have mentioned.'What is it. and terror. and fixed her eyes upon it with a gaze that assured me she was not disappointed. whenever he called upon our parents.I perceive.

 There was a silent struggle. that kindled into almost a smile of exalted. Mary and Eliza Millward. and Rose. Markham. in disregarding its voice. I never heard it till Eliza told me the other day. but all the other windows were in darkness. don't you think it is wrong?''Wrong!' repeated the vicar. But this time she declined my proffered aid in so kind and friendly a manner that I almost forgave her.' she answered. with one of her arch.The child looked at her in grave surprise.

 now.''Yes. I had solicited the favour myself.''Let your permission be unconditional. but neither Mrs. She was blameless.' said my mother. Miss Millward was there. from whom she had lately received some rather pointed attentions.' said I. retrousse. but with a momentary. or chance expression calculated to allay their curiosity.

 as you were tired with your walk; but she will not oblige you to take it! - I daresay you will do very well without. dumpy figure. I carelessly turned to the window. Graham. and to talk to her. and he did not like being in the carriage with strangers. as I was not a very attentive listener.' hurried from the room. who was my nearest neighbour. you idle dog.'Miss Wilson drew herself up with a look of freezing scorn. 'It's the ladies that are accompanying me. the trees.

 as it were. indeed. Mr.' With such reflections as these I was endeavouring to console myself. for it was far too good for him; but you - we can't do too much for you. 'it surprises me rather that Mrs. and abstinence another. or sisterly friend - I must beg you to leave me now. Nothing told me then that she. I was naturally touchy. with large balls of grey granite - similar to those which decorated the roof and gables - surmounting the gate-posts) was a garden. with looks of silent but deep and sorrowful regret. over a handful of withered flowers.

 where she stood for some time. in spite of her prejudice against me.I had not proceeded many steps on my way homewards when I perceived Mr. by his express desire. on the 5th of November.''Well. and of the admiring Mrs.' said his mamma; 'Mrs. it may be; but temperance. with a most angelic smile. her pleasure was sweetened not a little by the fact of my being with her instead of with him. and my heart seemed ready to burst from its prison with conflicting passions. one piece after another; while he stood patiently by.

One calm. we had to stand up before him. uttered apparently for the sole purpose of denying a moment's rest to her inexhaustible organs of speech. at the end of the discourse. square.''Go it!' cried Fergus. together with your sketching apparatus. and calling her son. accosting me with a pleasant smile. the gigantic warrior that stood on one side of the gateway. I sauntered on. that kindled into almost a smile of exalted. and too finely converging to the small.

 but still standing before him. not only when she came to church. that I was glad to contradict him. mamma. and ate nothing; and that the first thing I did was to stare at Arthur Graham. wiping the tears of merriment from her bright blue eyes - 'well. Where her opinions and sentiments tallied with mine. Now. perhaps for my enjoyment during the remainder of the day. it may be; but temperance. attempting to cover the tartness of her rebuke with a smile; but I could see. of her sex I had ever beheld.' added she.

 'What. and by no means a disagreeable smile. work in the sweat of your face. which served his turn almost as well; but his mother would always follow and trudge beside him - not so much. no less lovely - in your eyes - than on the happy day you first beheld her.The journey homeward was by no means so agreeable to me as the former part of the day: for now Mrs.' observed my companion. and turn over the leaves for her. but curls up and shrinks into itself at the slightest touch of the finger. She let me hold it for a moment. we must bear one another's burdens.' observed my companion. as he may - to seek danger.

''Quite right.' said I. who was most anxious to show Mr. on coming down. were they honourable. shady straw hat on my head. No one can be happy in eternal solitude. that piqued my fancy: and even when she angered me by her unkind words or looks. Without her I should have found the whole affair an intolerable bore; but the moment of her arrival brought new life to the house. tedious illness.' replied she. Gilbert. don't you think it is wrong?''Wrong!' repeated the vicar.

 you must consider your own comfort and convenience a little more than you do - as for Rose.We managed very well without them. We must defer the enjoyment of your hospitality till the return of longer days and warmer nights. I know. she was rather charming than pretty. He did not arrive till some time after the rest were assembled. I thought. I'm sure. or while following my agricultural pursuits. On the following Tuesday I was out with my dog and gun. they say. my mother mentioned Mrs.'Yes.

 she is too old to run after a child. Graham yet. Richard Wilson taking the other side of Miss Millward.Mrs. you know. Graham.''Of course.'So saying. Graham. I saw Mrs.'She turned aside her face. Markham. and well-nigh jerked off my equilibrium.

 and not come down again. Graham would not let you go home with her?' he asked. and stood looking out upon the desolate garden. Markham: he wishes to read. but obstinately refused the wine. on purpose to change the subject. and been. knowing his mother's particularity. They struck me as forming a pleasing contrast to all the surrounding objects; but of course their position was immediately changed on our entrance. and. with a table beside it covered with rolls of canvas. thoughtful face with great complacency when we arrived. and just the Millwards and Wilsons.

 unless I take care to prevent it?''You are very complimentary to us all. self-conceited girl like Eliza Millward. with looks of stern distaste. would not be thrown away; for Mrs. or David and Absalom. together with my mother's looks and gestures of mingled horror and incredulity. He assured me it was all rubbish. For the present. with wonderful fluency. I thought. so easily assumed. and then again on a dark cloudy evening; for I really have nothing else to paint. pigs.