NE WFO UNDLAND. 45 



"for those simple hops would have been readily ac- 

 " quired in an evening or two's observation, under the 

 "willing tuition of any of the merry girls. William, 

 "indeed, as I afterwards found, went to them, and ac- 

 " quitted himself comme il fant; though he had no more 

 "learned than I had. However, I believe I had some- 

 "what of the ' Puritan prejudice' myself; at least, 

 "conscience was uneasy on the point, as I had been 

 " used to hear balls classed with the theatre. 



"My familiarities with the Elsons never proceeded 

 "farther than a making of childish signals with my 

 "candle at night. My bedroom window looked across 

 "the meadow towards the Upper House, in front of 

 "which was the bedroom window of the girls. We 

 "used to signal to each other, holding the candle in the 

 "various panes of the window, in turn, in response to 

 " each other. There was no ulterior meaning attached 

 " to the movements ; it was mere child's play. They 

 "certainly began it, for I am sure I should not have 

 "ventured on such a liberty myself. Apsey, however, 

 " took greater freedoms, for if he were on the platform 

 " waiting for dinner, when they happened to be coming 

 " down the meadows to go into the town, he would way- 

 " lay them at the end of the platform (which they were 

 " obliged to cross) and not suffer them to pass, till each 

 " had paid him the toll of a kiss. It was readily yielded ; 

 "and though they affected to frown, and said, 'Mr. 

 " ■ Apsey is such a tease,' they were evidently not much 

 " discomposed, and bore him no malice, being of a for- 

 " giving disposition. The toll was taken with full 

 " publicity, in presence of us all, some of whom envied 

 " him his impudence and success. 



" In truth, Jane Elson became the unconscious object 

 " of my first boyish love. Before the autumn of this 



