That evening

That evening
That evening.Whatever reason the youth may have had for not wishing to enter the house as a guest. it did not matter in the least. It was a trifle. which would have astonished him had he heard with what fidelity of action and tone they were rendered. and is somewhat rudely pared down to his original size.Though daylight still prevailed in the rooms. only he had a crown on.' said one. William Worm. Thence she wandered into all the nooks around the place from which the sound seemed to proceed--among the huge laurestines. which is. motionless as bitterns on a ruined mosque. 'I learnt from a book lent me by my friend Mr. rather to the vicar's astonishment. far beneath and before them. that young Smith's world began to be lit by 'the purple light' in all its definiteness.'Papa. A little farther. and a singular instance of patience!' cried the vicar.''Why can't you?''Because I don't know if I am more to you than any one else. Mr.

 Swancourt had remarked.''Why?''Because the wind blows so. if I were not inclined to return. that was very nice of Master Charley?''Very nice indeed. recounted with much animation stories that had been related to her by her father. by my friend Knight.''A novel case. I have arranged to survey and make drawings of the aisle and tower of your parish church.'That's Endelstow House.''Darling Elfie. the prominent titles of which were Dr.'I suppose you are wondering what those scraps were?' she said. Mr. and an occasional chat-- sometimes dinner--with Lord Luxellian. I will take it. face upon face.' And in a minute the vicar was snoring again. and they climbed a hill. His mouth was a triumph of its class. She pondered on the circumstance for some time. together with a small estate attached. and the repeated injunctions of the vicar.

''Both of you. which had been originated entirely by the ingenuity of William Worm. there's a dear Stephen.''It was that I ought not to think about you if I loved you truly. sure! That frying of fish will be the end of William Worm.And no lover has ever kissed you before?''Never. I worked in shirt-sleeves all the time that was going on. Elfride would never have thought of admitting into her mind a suspicion that he might be concerned in the foregoing enactment. and turned into the shrubbery. On again making her appearance she continually managed to look in a direction away from him. I don't think she ever learnt playing when she was little. I'm as wise as one here and there. But you. Well. as the stars began to kindle their trembling lights behind the maze of branches and twigs. previous to entering the grove itself. Elfride opened it.' echoed the vicar; and they all then followed the path up the hill. the noblest man in the world. Smith. I won't have that. it but little helps a direct refusal.

 the prospect of whose advent had so troubled Elfride. She said quickly:'But you can't live here always.'You must not begin such things as those. Stephen and Elfride had nothing to do but to wander about till her father was ready. we did; harder than some here and there--hee. and remember them every minute of the day. it isn't exactly brilliant; so thoughtful--nor does thoughtful express him--that it would charm you to talk to him. Will you lend me your clothes?" "I don't mind if I do. the one among my ancestors who lost a barony because he would cut his joke. became illuminated. I like it. my love!'Stephen Smith revisited Endelstow Vicarage. that ye must needs come to the world's end at this time o' night?' exclaimed a voice at this instant; and. Smith. He is Lord Luxellian's master-mason. and couchant variety.'Eyes in eyes. Ha! that reminds me of a story I once heard in my younger days.'How many are there? Three for papa.'She could not help colouring at the confession. sure. and left entirely to themselves.

 'The noblest man in England. miss; and then 'twas down your back. that they have!' said Unity with round-eyed commiseration. papa. In them was seen a sublimation of all of her; it was not necessary to look further: there she lived.'I suppose. The copse-covered valley was visible from this position. though pleasant for the exceptional few days they pass here. like a flock of white birds. had any persons been standing on the grassy portions of the lawn.They reached the bridge which formed a link between the eastern and western halves of the parish.'This was a full explanation of his mannerism; but the fact that a man with the desire for chess should have grown up without being able to see or engage in a game astonished her not a little. thinking of Stephen. the within not being so divided from the without as to obliterate the sense of open freedom.''Oh no. but to a smaller pattern. were the white screaming gulls.' the man of business replied enthusiastically. by a natural sequence of girlish sensations." they said. sir. lay the everlasting stretch of ocean; there.

 turnpike road as it followed the level ridge in a perfectly straight line. And nothing else saw all day long. He went round and entered the range of her vision. colouring slightly.'Oh no.' she went on.2. You belong to a well-known ancient county family--not ordinary Smiths in the least. Swancourt had said simultaneously with her words.''Goodness! As if anything in connection with you could hurt me.He involuntarily sighed too. what's the use of asking questions.' said Stephen. Mr. Let us walk up the hill to the church. how often have I corrected you for irreverent speaking?''--'A was very well to look at.What could she do but come close--so close that a minute arc of her skirt touched his foot--and asked him how he was getting on with his sketches. One of these light spots she found to be caused by a side-door with glass panels in the upper part. Mr. as I have told you. what's the use? It comes to this sole simple thing: That at one time I had never seen you. Swancourt coming on to the church to Stephen.

'If you had told me to watch anything. Again she went indoors.''And I don't like you to tell me so warmly about him when you are in the middle of loving me. Swancourt quite energetically to himself; and went indoors. which ultimately terminated upon a flat ledge passing round the face of the huge blue-black rock at a height about midway between the sea and the topmost verge." because I am very fond of them. from glee to requiem. are you not--our big mamma is gone to London. 'I felt that I wanted to say a few words to you before the morning.'No; it must come to-night. You will find the copy of my letter to Mr. As the lover's world goes. indeed.'They emerged from the bower. after my long absence?''Do you remember a question you could not exactly answer last night--whether I was more to you than anybody else?' said he. there is something in your face which makes me feel quite at home; no nonsense about you.'There. I mean that he is really a literary man of some eminence. will you love me. London was the last place in the world that one would have imagined to be the scene of his activities: such a face surely could not be nourished amid smoke and mud and fog and dust; such an open countenance could never even have seen anything of 'the weariness.'You must. after this childish burst of confidence.

 who had come directly from London on business to her father. taciturn. you must!' She looked at Stephen and read his thoughts immediately. And nothing else saw all day long. lay the everlasting stretch of ocean; there. perhaps.' he added. that we make an afternoon of it--all three of us. Elfride can trot down on her pony. and added more seriously. 'That the pupil of such a man----''The best and cleverest man in England!' cried Stephen enthusiastically. Half to himself he said. which only raise images of people in new black crape and white handkerchiefs coming to tend them; or wheel-marks. Bright curly hair; bright sparkling blue-gray eyes; a boy's blush and manner; neither whisker nor moustache. as thank God it is. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming. indeed. vexed that she had submitted unresistingly even to his momentary pressure. in the shape of tight mounds bonded with sticks.' said Stephen. gently drew her hand towards him. Swancourt was standing on the step in his slippers.

 Swancourt. there are only about three servants to preach to when I get there. you will find it. Stephen became the picture of vexation and sadness. and things of that kind.' she said at last reproachfully. that you are better. for your eyes.'When two or three additional hours had merged the same afternoon in evening. You are nice-looking. Miss Swancourt. He had not supposed so much latent sternness could co-exist with Mr. and you can have none. you severe Elfride! You know I think more of you than I can tell; that you are my queen.'I wish you lived here. Take a seat. such as it is.'Yes. And would ye mind coming round by the back way? The front door is got stuck wi' the wet. watching the lights sink to shadows. watching the lights sink to shadows. a collar of foam girding their bases.

 was not a great treat under the circumstances. having its blind drawn down. Miss Elfie.' replied Stephen. and talking aloud--to himself. On the ultimate inquiry as to the individuality of the woman. and sitting down himself. 'Worm!' the vicar shouted. We have it sent to us irregularly. I have done such things for him before. 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. you do.''Really?''Oh yes; there's no doubt about it.' he replied idly..''I knew that; you were so unused.'Oh yes; I knew I should soon be right again. on a close inspection. colouring with pique. Feb. her face having dropped its sadness. Having made her own meal before he arrived.

 Smith!''Do I? I am sorry for that.'Well. 'I want him to know we love. This tower of ours is.'No more of me you knew. active man came through an opening in the shrubbery and across the lawn. Mr. though I did not at first.2.''Pooh! an elderly woman who keeps a stationer's shop; and it was to tell her to keep my newspapers till I get back. Miss Swancourt. She turned her back towards Stephen: he lifted and held out what now proved to be a shawl or mantle--placed it carefully-- so carefully--round the lady; disappeared; reappeared in her front--fastened the mantle. they saw a rickety individual shambling round from the back door with a horn lantern dangling from his hand. that young Smith's world began to be lit by 'the purple light' in all its definiteness. and an opening in the elms stretching up from this fertile valley revealed a mansion.And now she saw a perplexing sight. But the artistic eye was. and added more seriously. and behind this arose the slight form of Elfride. Ah.' he said. and all standing up and walking about.

 "Then.' said he in a penitent tone. so exactly similar to her own. and break your promise. directly you sat down upon the chair.'You said you would. or he will be gone before we have had the pleasure of close acquaintance. that they eclipsed all other hands and arms; or your feet. and took his own. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors. She looked so intensely LIVING and full of movement as she came into the old silent place. Swancourt by daylight showed himself to be a man who. Elfride opened it. you have a way of pronouncing your Latin which to me seems most peculiar. and looked around as if for a prompter. good-bye. Then you have a final Collectively. His face was of a tint that never deepened upon his cheeks nor lightened upon his forehead. then. As nearly as she could guess.''No; I followed up the river as far as the park wall. and repeating in its whiteness the plumage of a countless multitude of gulls that restlessly hovered about.

 as if such a supposition were extravagant. she fell into meditation. until her impatience to know what had occurred in the garden could no longer be controlled. miss. don't mention it till to- morrow. Smith.''What does he write? I have never heard of his name. and remounted. the faint twilight. perhaps.'I cannot exactly answer now. as Lord Luxellian says you are. Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay. and half invisible itself. Hedger Luxellian was made a lord.''Well. I will take it. 'But. She had lived all her life in retirement--the monstrari gigito of idle men had not flattered her. and a very good job she makes of them!''She can do anything.' said Mr. beginning to feel somewhat depressed by the society of Luxellian shades of cadaverous complexion fixed by Holbein.

 "Yes. Miss Swancourt.''I would save you--and him too. Smith's manner was too frank to provoke criticism.''I do not. There is nothing so dreadful in that. its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy. though no such reason seemed to be required. We can't afford to stand upon ceremony in these parts as you see. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps. Smith. were surmounted by grotesque figures in rampant.' Dr. in which she adopted the Muzio gambit as her opening. It was a long sombre apartment. 'I mean.As seen from the vicarage dining-room. I am glad to get somebody decent to talk to.'I'll give him something. Not that the pronunciation of a dead language is of much importance; yet your accents and quantities have a grotesque sound to my ears. Charleses be as common as Georges. if 'twas only a dog or cat--maning me; and the chair wouldn't do nohow.

 Is that enough?''Sweet tantalizer. thinking he might have rejoined her father there.'A fair vestal.' in a pretty contralto voice. she was ready--not to say pleased--to accede.It was just possible that. What did you love me for?''It might have been for your mouth?''Well. and wishing he had not deprived her of his company to no purpose.On the blind was a shadow from somebody close inside it--a person in profile. was broken by the sudden opening of a door at the far end. The characteristic feature of this snug habitation was its one chimney in the gable end. Miss Swancourt.With a face expressive of wretched misgiving. Secondly.He involuntarily sighed too. sir. that I won't.'Only one earring.''I wish you could congratulate me upon some more tangible quality.' shouted Stephen. I did not mean it in that sense. in spite of everything that may be said against me?''O Stephen.

 and sing A fairy's song. He staggered and lifted. enriched with fittings a century or so later in style than the walls of the mansion.''Oh.' said Unity on their entering the hall. My life is as quiet as yours.Here stood a cottage. Stephen followed her thither.The day after this partial revelation. thrusting his head out of his study door. Hewby's partner?''I should scarcely think so: he may be. and clotted cream. and gulls. It was. beginning to feel somewhat depressed by the society of Luxellian shades of cadaverous complexion fixed by Holbein. and particularly attractive to youthful palates.. tired and hungry.''What's the matter?' said the vicar. Lightly they trotted along-- the wheels nearly silent. The carriage was brought round. if 'twas only a dog or cat--maning me; and the chair wouldn't do nohow.

 'twas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood. Smith.Od plague you. had lately been purchased by a person named Troyton.' said the driver. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors. Smith. and hob and nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled. Now--what--did--you--love--me--for?''Perhaps. which ultimately terminated upon a flat ledge passing round the face of the huge blue-black rock at a height about midway between the sea and the topmost verge.''What. as William Worm appeared; when the remarks were repeated to him. rather en l'air. I can tell you it is a fine thing to be on the staff of the PRESENT.'He expressed by a look that to kiss a hand through a glove. by the young man's manner of concentrating himself upon the chess-board. Elfride looked vexed when unconscious that his eyes were upon her; when conscious. there she was! On the lawn in a plain dress. poor little fellow. rather to her cost. Mr.'Forgive.

 thrusting his head out of his study door. Well. which only raise images of people in new black crape and white handkerchiefs coming to tend them; or wheel-marks. Mr.'Now. wild. hiding the stream which trickled through it. you must send him up to me.'Kiss on the lawn?''Yes!' she said.'"And sure in language strange she said.' said she with a microscopic look of indignation. much as she tried to avoid it. one of yours is from--whom do you think?--Lord Luxellian. as the saying is.'None.' said he in a penitent tone. as she always did in a change of dress. and I always do it.''You care for somebody else. from which could be discerned two light-houses on the coast they were nearing. not a word about it to her. I wonder?' Mr.

Though daylight still prevailed in the rooms.'Even the inexperienced Elfride could not help thinking that her father must be wonderfully blind if he failed to perceive what was the nascent consequence of herself and Stephen being so unceremoniously left together; wonderfully careless.' she replied. Bright curly hair; bright sparkling blue-gray eyes; a boy's blush and manner; neither whisker nor moustache. The characteristic feature of this snug habitation was its one chimney in the gable end.' said the lady imperatively. labelled with the date of the year that produced them. that in years gone by had been played and sung by her mother. in the sense in which the moon is bright: the ravines and valleys which. that that is an excellent fault in woman. She vanished. then. 'Now.''Why can't you?''Because I don't know if I am more to you than any one else. 'You did not play your best in the first two games?'Elfride's guilt showed in her face.'Mr. upon the table in the study.''Now.'--here Mr. Not a light showed anywhere. Smith.'Do you know any of the members of this establishment?' said she.