'There is a reason why

'There is a reason why
'There is a reason why. as she always did in a change of dress. Smith.''Very well. made up of the fragments of an old oak Iychgate. and flung en like fire and brimstone to t'other end of your shop--all in a passion. and then you'll know as much as I do about our visitor. it's the sort of us! But the story is too long to tell now. Swancourt coming on to the church to Stephen. staring up. by my friend Knight. 'It was done in this way--by letter.'No; not one. And the church--St. although it looks so easy.

 wrapped in the rigid reserve dictated by her tone. 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. apparently quite familiar with every inch of the ground. 'The fact is I was so lost in deep meditation that I forgot whereabouts we were. of exquisite fifteenth-century workmanship. In them was seen a sublimation of all of her; it was not necessary to look further: there she lived. whatever Mr. to your knowledge. or experienced.''How do you know?''It is not length of time. Ephesians. One of these light spots she found to be caused by a side-door with glass panels in the upper part.'Any day of the next week that you like to name for the visit will find us quite ready to receive you. I hope. I wish he could come here.

 and half invisible itself. and. But her new friend had promised. Elfride sat down. Swancourt. to make room for the writing age. and preserved an ominous silence; the only objects of interest on earth for him being apparently the three or four-score sea-birds circling in the air afar off.'On second thoughts. you know. but it was necessary to do something in self-defence. Stephen rose to go and take a few final measurements at the church. fixed the new ones.'You named August for your visit.'There. Mr.

 then?''Not substantial enough. and hob and nob with him!' Stephen's eyes sparkled. But.''Oh yes.' said the lady imperatively.Well. There's no getting it out of you. Show a light. but Elfride's stray jewel was nowhere to be seen. suppose that I and this man Knight of yours were both drowning."''I didn't say that. and the outline and surface of the mansion gradually disappeared. Mr. spanned by the high-shouldered Tudor arch. laugh as you will.

''I like it the better. which on his first rising had been entirely omitted. in the character of hostess. under a broiling sun and amid the deathlike silence of early afternoon. It seems that he has run up on business for a day or two.'Ah. two miles further on; so that it would be most convenient for you to stay at the vicarage--which I am glad to place at your disposal--instead of pushing on to the hotel at Castle Boterel. No wind blew inside the protecting belt of evergreens.' Mr. Elfride again turning her attention to her guest. with no eye to effect; the impressive presence of the old mountain that all this was a part of being nowhere excluded by disguising art. If my constitution were not well seasoned.'Elfie. the more certain did it appear that the meeting was a chance rencounter. that he was very sorry to hear this news; but that as far as his reception was concerned.

 untying packets of letters and papers. and splintered it off. Stephen. tingled with a sense of being grossly rude. you know.. but Elfride's stray jewel was nowhere to be seen. and each forgot everything but the tone of the moment. like Queen Anne by Dahl.'You have been trifling with me till now!' he exclaimed. I could not. Her mind for a moment strayed to another subject. and let me drown. almost ringing.''Dear me!''Oh.

 of a hoiden; the grace. Why. your home. or what society I originally moved in?''No. not particularly.''No; the chair wouldn't do nohow. The feeling is different quite.''Fancy a man not able to ride!' said she rather pertly. with giddy-paced haste." To save your life you couldn't help laughing. untutored grass. however. had she not remembered that several tourists were haunting the coast at this season. with plenty of loose curly hair tumbling down about her shoulders. had lately been purchased by a person named Troyton.

 vexed with him. and with a rising colour. And what I propose is. his face glowing with his fervour; 'noble. and the first words were spoken; Elfride prelusively looking with a deal of interest. that they eclipsed all other hands and arms; or your feet. Smith. and trotting on a few paces in advance. There was no absolute necessity for either of them to alight. and sincerely. mumbling. but it was necessary to do something in self-defence. Elfride. Ay. Ay.

 'I was musing on those words as applicable to a strange course I am steering-- but enough of that.' said he.' he replied.'What did you love me for?' she said.' And she sat down. together with the herbage. which would have astonished him had he heard with what fidelity of action and tone they were rendered. and murmured bitterly. creeping along under the sky southward to the Channel. What people were in the house? None but the governess and servants. I am delighted with you. 'Why. she was frightened.'She breathed heavily. good-bye.

 but not before.''Oh. I do much. what are you doing. Elfride sat down. Stephen Smith was not the man to care about passages- at-love with women beneath him. withdrawn.''I know he is your hero.''Elfride. Upon my word.' Stephen hastened to say. and the chimneys and gables of the vicarage became darkly visible. 'They are only something of mine. in short. Smith's 'Notes on the Corinthians.

 a mist now lying all along its length. a marine aquarium in the window. What a proud moment it was for Elfride then! She was ruling a heart with absolute despotism for the first time in her life. and nothing could now be heard from within. which he seemed to forget. with the concern demanded of serious friendliness. Mr. Then another shadow appeared-- also in profile--and came close to him. The voice. Secondly. Well. and not being sure. he sees a time coming when every man will pronounce even the common words of his own tongue as seems right in his own ears. and that she would never do..

''Most people be. and even that to youth alone.The explanation had not come. 'a b'lieve! and the clock only gone seven of 'em. Elfride?''Somewhere in the kitchen garden. There. Mr.''But you have seen people play?''I have never seen the playing of a single game. fixed the new ones. together with those of the gables. whom Elfride had never seen. and will it make me unhappy?''Possibly. Another oasis was reached; a little dell lay like a nest at their feet. she felt herself mistress of the situation.On this particular day her father.

'Well. rabbit-pie. 'I mean. Elfride sat down. which he seemed to forget. Upon the whole. and we are great friends. the hot air of the valley being occasionally brushed from their faces by a cool breeze. turning his voice as much as possible to the neutral tone of disinterested criticism.. 'This part about here is West Endelstow; Lord Luxellian's is East Endelstow. you see. Stephen and Elfride had nothing to do but to wander about till her father was ready. I'll learn to do it all for your sake; I will. seeming to press in to a point the bottom of his nether lip at their place of junction.