ee weel

ears. It came from the further side of the wing containing the illuminated room. She then discerned, by the aid of the dusky departing light, a figure,

hat on, awaiting their advent in a mood of self-satisfaction at having brought his search to a successful close. The carriage was brought round, and without further delay the trio drov

with such novelty of feeling, who had come directly from London on business to her father, having been brought by chance to Endelstow House had, by some means or o

ithout appealing to the culprit himself, and that she would never do. The more Elfride reflected, the more certain did it appear that the meeting was a chance rencounter, and not an appointment. On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of the woman, Elfride at once assumed that she could not be an inferior. Stephen Smith was not the man to care about passages-at-love with women b

he road ascended with great steepness to West Endelstow and the Vicarage. There was no absolute necessity for either of them to alight, but as it was the vicar's custom after a long journey to humour th

'Why, Miss Swancourt, what a risky thing to do!' he exclaimed, i

dly; the shadow phenomenon at Endels

. Then apparently thinking that it was only for girls to pout, he came serenely round to her side, and offe

he had never received masculine attentions beyond those which might be contained in such homely remarks as 'Elfride, give me your hand;' 'Elfride, take hold of my arm,' from her father. Her callow heart ma

Smith; I can get alo

e of such an undertaking than what a gentle young man might think of her waywardness

ghts, I will ta

ay up the hill, a few ya

e, Miss Swancourt!

k you silent to

ave reas

that makes people silen

le; though some might think it

' she asked

ell,' he said; 'at the same t

ness does good service in cases of requisition and compromise, it but little helps a direct refusal. 'I don't wish to know anything of it; I don't wish it,' she went on. 'The carriage is waiting for us at the top of the hi

ly alert tones, awaking from a most profou

u doing, papa? We

dge back to his original position with the air of a man who had not moved at all. 'The fact is I was so

n Smith, and the repeated injunctions of the vicar, that he was to come and revisit them

ng again the bright eyes and curly hair, to which their owner's possession of a hidden mystery added a deeper tinge of romance. To some extent-so soon does womanly interest take a solicitous turn-she felt herself responsible for his safe conduct. They breakfasted before d

ary patience), Elfride wandered desultorily to the summer house. Stephen followed her thither. The copse-covered valley was visible from this

ath Elfride constrainedly pointed out some features of the distant uplands rising irregularly opposite. But the artistic eye was, either from nature or

must never see you again, I suppose, Mi

could afford to forgive him for a concealment or two. Moreover, the shyness which

in, Mr. Smith!'

it; but it will be

hy

ction with me make it undesirab

this plan of treatment was inappropriate, she tuned a smaller note. 'Ah, I know why you will not come. You don'

have no su

s to the lady you are eng

at mean? I am

a Miss Somebody; I saw

ationer's shop; and it was to tell her

ss Elfride was rather relieved to hear that statement, neverthe

to-and to see y

hat matter you hide?' sh

not

go on, graceless

. 'Does any meeting of yours with a lady at Endelstow

and looked into the pupils of her eyes with the confidence

ot but believe that utterance. Whatever enigma might lie in the

ont door. Mr. Swancourt was standing on the step in his slippers. Worm was adjusting a buckle in

all be; that is, if you care for the society o

hesitatingly, that he s

insisted Elfride, coming to the door

guest, it no longer predominated. He promised, and bade them adieu, and got int

young fellow-never! I cannot understand it-can't understand it anyhow