第4章

Andso，wearywithpleasure，andheart-

heavywithfeelingsthathadnolongeranyreasontoexist，palewithfatigue，untidywithcrush，theirprettywhitegownssulliedandpasse，eachwentherway；ineveryheartawonderwhetherthefewhilarioushoursofstrangeemotionswereworthalltheyclaimedastheirrightanddue。

Ruthhadgonehomeearlier，andEthelfoundherrestinginherroom。"Iamwornout，Ruth，"washerfirstremark。"Iamgoingtobedforthreeorfourdays。Itwasadreadfulordeal。"

"Onetowhichyoumayhavetosubmit。"

"Certainlynot。Mymarriagewillbeareligiousceremony，withhalfadozenofmynearestrelativesaswitnesses。"

"InoticedFredslipawaybeforeDorawent。Helookedill。"

"Idaresayheisill——andnowonder。

Goodnight，Ruth。Iamgoingtosleep。Tellfatherallaboutthewedding。Idon’twanttohearitnamedagain——notaslongasIlive。"

CHAPTERVI

THREEdayspassedandEthelhadregainedherhealthandspirits，butFredMostynhadnotcalledsincethewedding。Ruththoughtsomeinquiryoughttobemade，andJudgeRawdoncalledattheHollandHouse。TherehewastoldthatMr。Mostynhadnotbeenwell，andtheyoungman’scountenancepainfullyconfessedthesamething。

"MydearFred，whydidyounotsenduswordyouwereill？"askedtheJudge。

"Ihadfever，sir，andIfeareditmightbetyphoid。Nothingofthekind，however。I

shallbeallrightinadayortwo。"

Thetruthwasfarfromtyphoid，andFredknewit。Hehadlefttheweddingbreakfastbecausehehadreachedthelimitofhisendurance。Words，stingingaswhips，burnedlikehotcoalsinhismouth，andhefeltthathecouldnotrestrainthemmuchlonger。

Hasteningtohishotel，helockedhimselfinhisrooms，andpassedthenightinafrenzyofpassion。Theveryremembranceofthebridegroom’sconfidenttransportputmur-

derinhisheart——murderwhichhecouldonlypracticebyhiswishes，impotenttocompasstheirdesires。

"Iwishthefellowshot！Iwishhimhanged！Iwouldkillhimtwentytimesintwentydifferentways！AndDora！Dora！

Dora！Whatdidsheseeinhim？Whatcouldshesee？Loveher？Heknowsnothingoflove——suchloveastorturesme。"

Backwardsandforwardshepacedthefloortosuchimprecationsandejaculationsaswelledupfromthewhirlpoolofrageinhisheart，hourfollowinghour，tillintheblacknessofhismiseryhecouldnolongerspeak。

Hisbrainhadbecomestupefiedbytheiterationofinevitableloss，andsorefusedanylongertovoiceawoebeyondremedy。Thenhestoodstillandcalledwillandreasontocouncilhim。"Thiswaymadnesslies，"hethought。"Imustbequiet——Imustsleep——

Imustforget。"

Butitwasnotuntilthethirddaythatadismal，sullenstillnesssucceededthestormofrageandgrief，andheawokefromasleepofexhaustionfeelingasifhewerewitheredathisheart。Heknewthatlifehadtobetakenupagain，andthatinallitsfarceshemustplayhispart。AtfirstthethoughtofMostynHallpresenteditselfasanasylum。

Itstoodamidthickwoods，andthereweremilesofwind-blownwoldsandhillsaroundit。Hewaslordandmasterthere，noonecouldintrudeuponhissorrow；hecouldnurseitinthoselonelyroomstohisheart’scontent。

Everyday，however，thisgloomyresolutiongrewfainter，andonemorningheawokeandlaughedittoscorn。

"Frederick’shimselfagain，"hequoted，"andhemusthavebeenveryfaroffhimselfwhenhethoughtofgivinguporofrunningaway。No，FredMostyn，youwillstayhere。

’Tisacountrywheretheimpossibledoesnotexist，andtheunlikelyissuretohappen——acountrywheremarriageisnotforlifeordeath，andwheretheroadstodivorcearemanifoldandeasy。Thereareascoreofwaysandmeans。Iwillstayandthinkthemover；’twillbeoddifIcannotforceFatetochangehermind。"

AweekafterDora’smarriagehefoundhimselfabletowalkuptheavenuetotheRawdonhouse；buthearrivedtherewearyandwanenoughtoinstantlywinthesympathyofRuthandEthel，andhewasimmenselystrengthenedbythesenseofhomeandkindred，andofgenuinekindnesstowhichhefeltasortofright。HeaskedRuthifhemighteatdinnerwiththem。Hesaidhewashungry，andthehotelfaredidnottempthim。AndwhenJudgeRawdonreturnedhewelcomedhiminthesamegenerousspirit，andtheeveningpasseddelightfullyaway。Atitsclose，however，asMostynstoodglovedandhatted，andthecarriagewaitedforhim，hesaidafewwordstoJudgeRawdonwhichchangedthementalandsocialatmosphere。

"Iwishtohavealittletalkwithyou，sir，onabusinessmatterofsomeimportance。

AtwhathourcanIseeyouto-morrow？"

"Iamengagedalldayuntilthreeintheafternoon，Fred。SupposeIcallonyouaboutfourorhalf-past？"

"Verywell，sir。"

ButbothEthelandRuthwonderedifitwas"verywell。"Ashadow，fleetingasthought，hadpassedoverJudgeRawdon’sfacewhenheheardtherequestforabusinessinterview，andaftertheyoungman’sdeparturehelosthimselfinareveriewhichwasevidentlynotahappyone。Buthesaidnothingtothegirls，andtheywerenotaccustomedtoquestionhim。

Thenextmorning，insteadofgoingdirecttohisoffice，hestoppedatMadam，hismoth-

er’shouseinGramercyPark。Avisitatsuchanearlyhourwasunusual，andtheoldladylookedathiminalarm。

"Wearewell，mother，"hesaidassherose。"Icalledtotalktoyouaboutalittlebusiness。"WhereuponMadamsatdown，andbecamesuddenlyabouttwentyyearsyounger，for"business"wasawordlikeawatch-cry；shecalledallhersensestogetherwhenitwasutteredinherpresence。

"Business！"sheejaculatedsharply。

"Whosebusiness？"

"IthinkImaysaythebusinessofthewholefamily。"

"Nay，Iamnotinit。MybusinessisjustasIwantit，andIamnotgoingtotalkaboutit——onewayortheother。"

"IsnotRawdonCourtofsomeinteresttoyou？Ithasbeenthehomeandseatofthefamilyformanycenturies。Agoodmany。

Mostynwomenhavebeenitsmistress。"

"IneverheardofanyMostynwomanwhowouldnothavebeenfarhappierawayfromRawdonCourt。ItwasaCalvarytothemall。

TherewaslittleNannieMostyn，whodiedwithherfirstbabybecauseSquireAnthonystruckherinadrunkenpassion；andtheproudAlethiaMostyn，whosufferedtwentyyears’martyrdomfromSquireJohn；andSara，whotookthirtythousandpoundstoSquireHubert，toflingawayatthegreentable；andHarriet，whowasmadebyherhusband，SquireHumphrey，tojumpafencewhenouthuntingwithhim，andwasbroughthomecrippledandscarredforlife——alovelygirloftwentywhowentthroughagoniesforelevenyearswithoutaughtofloveandhelp，anddiedalonewhilehewasfollowingafox；

andtherewasprettyBarbaraMostyn————"

"Come，come，mother。IdidnotcallherethismorningtoheartheRawdonsabused，andyouforgetyourownmarriage。Itwasahappyone，Iamsure。OneRawdon，atleast，mustbeexcepted；andIthinkItreatedmywifeasagoodhusbandoughttotreatawife。"

"Notyou！YoutreatedMaryverybadly。"

"Mother，notevenfromyou————"

"I’llsayitagain。Thelittlegirlwasdyingforayearormore，andyouweresobusymakingmoneyyouneversawit。Ifshesaidorlookedalittlecomplaint，youmovedrestless-likeandtoldher`shemopedtoomuch。’AstheendcameIspoketoyou，andyoupooh-poohedallIsaid。Shewentsuddenly，Iknow，tomostpeople，butsheknewitwasherlastday，andshelongedsotoseeyou，thatIsentaservanttohurryyouhome，butshediedbeforeyoucouldmakeupyourmindtoleaveyour`cases。’SheandIwerealonewhenshewhisperedherlastmessageforyou——alovingone，too。"

"Mother！Mother！Whyrecallthatbitterday？Ididnotthink——IswearIdidnotthink————"

"Nevermindswearing。IwasjustremindingyouthattheRawdonshavenotbeenthefinestspecimensofgoodhusbands。Theymakelandlords，andjudges，andsoldiers，andevenloom-lordsofaveryrespectablesort；

buthusbands！Lordhelptheirpoorwives！

Soyousee，asaMostynwoman，IhavenospecialinterestinRawdonCourt。"

"Youwouldnotlikeittogooutofthefamily？"

"Ishouldnotworrymyselfifitdid。"

"IsupposeyouknowFredMostynhasamortgageonitthatthepresentSquireisunabletolift。"

"Aye，Fredtoldmehehadeightythousandpoundsontheoldplace。Itoldhimhewasafooltoputhismoneyonit。"

"Oneofthefinestmanorsandmanor-

housesinEngland，mother。"

"Ihaveseenit。Iwasbornandbroughtupnearenoughtoit，Ithink。"

"Eightythousandpoundsisabagatellefortheplace；yetifFredforcesasale，itmaygoforthat，orevenless。Ican’tbeartothinkofit。"

"Whynotbuyityourself？"

"Iwouldliftthemortgageto-morrowifI

hadthemeans。Ihavenotatpresent。"

"Well，Iaminthesamebox。YouhavejustspokenasiftheMostynsandRawdonshadanequalinterestinRawdonCourt。

Verywell，then，itcannotbefarwrongforFredMostyntohaveit。ManyaMostynhasgonethereaswifeandslave。IwoulddearlyliketoseeoneMostyngoasmaster。"

"Ishallgetnohelpfromyou，then，I

understandthat。"

"I’mMostynbybirth，I’monlyRawdonby，marriage。Thebirth-bandtiesmefasttomyfamily。"

"Goodmorning，mother。Youhavefailedmeforthefirsttimeinyourlife。"

"Ifthemoneyhadbeenforyou，Edward，oryours————"

"Itis——good-by。"

Shecalledhimbackperemptorily，andhereturnedandstoodattheopendoor。

"Whydon’tyouaskEthel？"

"IdidnotthinkIhadtheright，mother。"

"MorerighttoaskherthanI。Seewhatshesays。She’sRawdon，everyinchofher。"

"PerhapsImay。Ofcourse，Icansellsecurities，butitwouldbeatasacrificeagreatsacrificeatpresent。"

"Ethelhasthecash；and，asIsaid，sheisRawdon——I’mnot。"

"Iwishmyfatherwerealive。"

"Hewouldn’tmoveme——youneedn’tthinkthat。WhatIhavesaidtoyouIwouldhavesaidtohim。SpeaktoEthel。I’llbeboundshe’lllistenifRawdoncallsher。"

"Idon’tliketospeaktoEthel。"

"Itisn’twhatyouliketodo，it’swhatyoufindyou’llhavetodo，thatcarriestheday；

andagoodthing，too，considering。"

"Goodmorning，again。Youarenotquiteyourself，Ithink。"

"Well，Ididn’tsleeplastnight，sothere’snowonderifI’mabitcrossthismorning。

ButifIlosemytemper，Ikeepmyunderstanding。"

Shewasreallycrossbythistime。Hersonhadputherinapositionshedidnotliketoassume。NoloveforRawdonCourtwasinherheart。ShewouldratherhaveadvancedthemoneytobuyanAmericanestate。ShehadbeenlittlepleasedatFred’smortgageontheoldplace，buttotheAmericanRawdonsshefeltitwouldproveawhiteelephant；andtheappealtoEthelwasadvisedbecauseshethoughtitwouldamounttonothing。Inthefirstplace，theJudgehadthestrictestideaofthesacrednessofthechargecommittedtohimasguardianofhisdaughter’sfortune。

Inthesecond，EthelinheritedfromherYorkshireancestryanintensesenseofthevalueandobligationsofmoney。ShewasanardentAmerican，andnotlikelytospenditonanoldEnglishmanor；and，furthermore，Madam’spenetrationhaddiscoveredagrowingdislikeinhergranddaughterforFredMostyn。

"She’dneverabidehimforalifelongneighbor，"theoldladydecided。"ItistheRawdonprideinher。TheRawdonmenhavecondescendedtogotoMostynforwivesmanyandmanyatime，butneveroncehavetheMostynmenmarriedaRawdongirl——proud，set-upwomen，asfarasIremember；andEthelhasawaywithherjustlikethem。Fredisgoodenoughandniceenoughforanygirl，andIwonderwhatisthematterwithhim！

Itisaweekandmoresincehewashere，andthenhewasn’tabitlikehimself。"

AtthismomentthebellrangandsheheardFred’svoiceinquiring"ifMadamwasathome。"Instantlyshedivinedthemotiveofhiscall。TheyoungmanhadcometotheconclusiontheJudgewouldtrytoinfluencehismother，andbeforemeetinghimintheafternoonhewishedtohavesomeideaofthetrendmatterswerelikelytotake。Hispolicy——cunning，Madamcalledit——didnotpleaseher。Sheimmediatelyassuredherselfthat"shewouldn’tgoagainstherownfleshandbloodforanyone，"andhiswanfaceandgeneralairofwretchednessfurtherantagonizedher。Sheaskedhimfretfully"whathehadbeendoingtohimself，for，"sheadded，"it’smainlywhatwedotoourselvesthatmakesussick。WasitthateverlastingweddingoftheDenninggirl？"

Heflushedangrily，butansweredwithmuchofthesamedesiretoannoy，"Isupposeitwas。Ifeltitverymuch。Dorawastheloveliestgirlinthecity。Therearenoneleftlikeher。"

"ItwillbeagoodthingforNewYorkifthatisthecase。I’mnotonethatwantsthecitytomyself，butIcanspareDoraSTANHOPE，andfeelthebetterforit。"

"ThemostbeautifulofGod’screatures！"

"You’vesurelylostyoursightoryourjudgment，Fred。Sheisjustadusky-skinnedgirl，withbig，browneyes。Youcanpickhersortupbythethousandinanylargecity。

Andawandering-hearted，giddycreature，too，thatwillspreadasshegoes，nodoubt。I’msorryforBasilStanhope，hedidn’tdeservesuchafate。"

"Indeed，hedidnot！Itisbeyondmeasuretoogoodforhim。"

"I’vealwaysheardthatafflictionisthesurestwaytoheaven。Dorawillleadhimthatroad，anditwillbemoresurethanpleasant。

Poorfellow！He’llsoonbeasreadytocursehiswedding-dayasJobwastocursehisbirthday。Acostlywifeshewillbetokeep，andmiseryinthekeepingofher。ButifyoucametotalktomeaboutDoraSTANHOPE，I’llceasetalking，forIdon’tfinditanygreatentertainment。"

"IcametotalktoyouaboutSquireRawdon。"

"WhatabouttheSquire？KeepitinyourmindthatheandIweresweetheartswhenwewerechildren。Ihaven’tforgottenthatfact。"

"YouknowRawdonCourtismortgagedtome？"

"I’veheardyousayso——morethanonce。"

"IintendtoforeclosethemortgageinSeptember。IfindthatIcangettwiceyes，threetimes——theinterestformymoneyinAmericansecurities。"

"Howdoyouknowtheyaresecurities？"

"BryceDenninghasputmeuptoseveralgoodthings。"

"Well，ifyouthinkgoodthingscancomethatroad，youareabiggerfoolthanIeverthoughtyou。"

"Fool！Madam，Iallownoonetocallmeafool，especiallywithoutreason。"

"Reason，indeed！WhatreasonwasthereinyourdillydallyingafterDoraDenningwhenshewasengaged，andthenmakingyourselflikeaghostforheraftersheismarried？

AsforthegoodthingsBryceDenningoffersyouinexchangeforagrandEnglishmanor，takethem，andthenifIcalledyounotfoolbefore，Iwillcallyoufoolinyourteethtwiceover，andmuchtoogoodforyou！Aye，I

couldcallyouaworsenamewhenIthinkoftheoldSquire——he’stwoyearsolderthanI

am——beingturnedoutofhislifelonghome。

Whereishetogoto？"

"IfIbuytheplace，forofcourseitwillhavetobesold，heiswelcometoremainatRawdonCourt。"

"Andhewoulddeservetodoitifhewerethatlow-minded；butifIknowSquirePercival，hewillgotothepoor-housefirst。Fred，youwouldsurelyscornsuchadirtythingassellingtheoldmanoutofhouseandhome？"

"Iwantmymoney，orelseIwantRawdonManor。"

"AndIhavenoobjectionseithertoyourwantingitorhavingit，but，forgoodness’

sake，waituntildeathgivesyouadecentwarrantforbuyingit。"

"Iamafraidtodelay。TheSquirehasbeenverycoolwithmelately，andmyagenttellsmetheTyrrel-Rawdonshavebeenvisitinghim，alsothathehasaskedagreatmanyquestionsabouttheJudgeandEthel。Heisevidentlytryingtopreventmegettingpossession，andIknowthatoldNicholasRawdonwouldgivehiseyelidstoownRawdonCourt。AstotheJudge————"

"Mysonwantsnoneofit。Youcanmakeyourmindeasyonthatscore。"

"IthinkIbehavedverydecently，though，ofcourse，noonegivesmecreditforit；forassoonasIsawImustforecloseinordertogetmyownIthoughtatonceofEthel。ItseemedtomethatifwecouldloveeachotherthemoneyclaimsofMostynandtheinheritedclaimsofRawdonwouldbothbesatisfied。

Unfortunately，IfoundthatIcouldnotloveEthelasawifeshouldbeloved。"

"AndIcantellyou，Fred，thatEthelnevercouldhavelovedyouasahusbandshouldbeloved。Shewasagooddealdisappointedinyoufromtheveryfirst。"

"IthoughtImadeafavorableimpressiononher。"

"Inaway。Shesaidyouplayedthepianonicely；butEthelisallforhandsomemen，tall，erectsix-footers，withalittleswingandswaggertothem。Shethoughtyousmallandfinicky。ButEthel’srichenoughtohaveherfancy，Ihope。"

"Itislittlematternowwhatshethought。

Ican’tpleaseeveryone。"

"No，it’sratherhardertodothatthanmostpeoplethinkitis。Iwouldpleasemyconsciencefirstofall，Fred。That’sthepointworthmentioning。AndIshalljustremindyouofonethingmore：yourmoneyallinalumponRawdonManorissafe。Itisinoneplace，andinsuchshapeasitcan’trunawaynorbesmuggledawaybyanyman’strickery。

Now，then，turnyoureightythousandpoundsintodollars，anddividethemamongascoreofsecurities，andyou’llsoonfindoutthatafortunemaybeeasilysquanderedwhenitisinagreatmanyhands，andthatwhatlookssatisfactoryenoughwhenreckoneduponpaperdoesn’toftenrealizeinhardmoneytothesametune。I’vesaidallnowIamgoingtosay。"

"Thankyoufortheadvicegivenme。I

willtakeitasfarasIcan。ThisafternoontheJudgehaspromisedtotalkoverthebusinesswithme。"

"TheJudgeneversawRawdonCourt，andhecaresnothingaboutit，buthecangiveyoucounselaboutthe`goodthings’BryceDenningoffersyou。Andyoumaysafelylistentoit，for，rightorwrong，Iseeplainlyitisyourownadviceyouwilltakeinthelongrun。"

MostynlaughedpleasantlyandwentbacktohishoteltothinkoverthefactsgleanedfromhisconversationwithMadam。Inthefirstplace，heunderstoodthatanyovertactagainstSquireRawdonwouldbedeeplyresentedbyhisAmericanrelatives。Butthenheremindedhimselfthathisownrelationshipwiththemwasmerelysentiment。Hehadnownothingtohopeforinthewayofmoney。Madam’sapparentlyspontaneousandtruthfulassertion，thattheJudgecarednothingforRawdonCourt，was，however，verysatisfactorytohim。Hehadbeenfoolishenoughtothinkthatthethinghedesiredsopassionatelywasofequalvalueintheestimationofothers。Hesawnowthathewaswrong，andhethenrememberedthathehadneverfoundJudgeRawdontoevinceeitherinterestorcuriosityaboutthefamilyhome。

Ifhehadbeenakeenobserver，theJudge’sfacewhenhecalledmighthavegivenhiscomfortablefeelingssomepause。Itwascontracted，subtle，intricate，buthecameforwardwithacongratulationonMostyn’simprovedappearance。"Afewweeksattheseasidewoulddoyougood，"headded，andMostynanswered，"IthinkofgoingtoNewportforamonth。"

"Andthen？"

"Iwantyouropinionaboutthat。McLeanadvisesmetoseethecountry——togotoChicago，St。Louis，Denver，crosstheRockies，andontoCalifornia。Itseemsasifthatwouldbeagrandsummerprogramme。ButmylawyerwritesmethatthemaninchargeatMostyniscuttingtoomuchtimberandisgenerallytooextravagant。ThenthereisthequestionofRawdonCourt。Myfinanceswillnotletmecarrythemortgageonitlonger，unlessIbuytheplace。"

"Areyouthinkingofthatasprobable？"

"Yes。Itwillhavetobesold。AndMostynseemstobethenaturalownerafterRawdon。

TheMostynshavemarriedRawdonssofrequentlythatwearealmostlikeonefamily，andRawdonCourtlies，asitwere，atMostyn’sgate。TheSquireisnowold，andtooeasilypersuadedforhisownwelfare，andIheartheTyrrel-Rawdonshavebeenvisitinghim。Suchathingwouldhavebeenincredibleafewyearsago。"

"WhoaretheTyrrel-Rawdons？Ihavenoacquaintancewiththem。"

"TheyarethedescendantsofthatTyrrel-

Rawdonwhoacenturyagomarriedahandsomegirlwhowasonlyaninnkeeper’sdaughter。Hewasofcoursedisownedanddisinherited，andhischildrensanktothelowestsocialgrade。Thenwhenpower-loomweavingwasintroducedtheywenttothemills，andoneofthemwascleverandsavedmoneyandbuiltalittlemillofhisown，andhissonbuiltamuchlargerone，andmadeagreatdealofmoney，andbecameMayorofLeeds。ThenextgenerationsawtheTyrrel-

Rawdonsthelargestloom-lordsinYorkshire。

Oneoftheyoungestgenerationwasmyopponentinthelastelectionandbeatme——aRadicalfellowbeatstheConservativecandidatealwayswhereweaversandspinnersholdthevotebutIthoughtitmydutytoupholdtheMostynbanner。YouknowtheMostynshavealwaysbeenToriesandConservatives。"

"Excuseme，butIamafraidIamignorantconcerningMostynpolitics。ItakelittleinterestintheEnglishparties。"

"Naturally。Well，IhopeyouwilltakeaninterestinmyaffairsandgivemeyouradviceaboutthesaleofRawdonCourt。"

"Ithinkmyadvicewouldbeuseless。Inthefirstplace，IneversawtheCourt。Myfatherhadanoldpictureofit，whichhassomehowdisappearedsincehisdeath，butI

cannotsaythateventhispictureinterestedmeatall。YouknowIamanAmerican，bornonthesoil，andveryproudofit。Then，asyouareacquaintedwithalltheinsandoutsofthedifficultiesandembarrassments，andI

knownothingatallaboutthem，youwouldhardlybefoolishenoughtotakemyopinionagainstyourown。IsupposetheSquireisinfavorofyourbuyingtheCourt？"

"Inevernamedthesubjecttohim。I

thoughtperhapshemighthavewrittentoyouonthematter。Youarethelastmaleofthehouseinthatline。"

"HehasneverwrittentomeabouttheCourt。Then，Iamnotthelastmale。Fromwhatyousay，IthinktheTyrrel-RawdonscouldeasilysupplyanheirtoRawdon。"

"Thatisthethingtobeavoided。Itwouldbeagreatoffensetothecountyfamilies。"

"Whyshouldtheybeconsidered？A

RawdonisalwaysaRawdon。"

"Butacottonspinner，sir！Ameremill-

owner！"

"Well，Idonotfeelwithyouandtheothercountypeopleinthatrespect。Ithinkacottonspinner，givingbreadtoathousandfamilies，isavastlymorerespectableandimportantmanthanafox-hunting，idlelandlord。

Amill-owningRawdonmightdoadealofgoodinthesleepyoldvillageofMonk-Rawdon。"

"YoursentimentsareAmerican，notEnglish，sir。"

"AsItoldyou，welookatthingsfromverydifferentstandpoints。"

"Doyoufeelinclinedtoliftthemortgageyourself，Judge？"

"Ihavenotthepower，evenifIhadtheinclinationtodoso。Mymoneyiswellinvested，andIcouldnot，atthistime，turnbondsandsecuritiesintocashwithoutmakingasacrificenottobecontemplated。Iconfess，however，thatiftheCourthastobesold，IshouldliketheTyrrel-Rawdonstobuyit。Idaresaythepictureoftheoffendingyouthisstillinthegallery，andIhaveheardmymothersaythatwhatisanother’salwaysyearnsforitslord。DrivenfromhisheritageforLove’ssake，itwouldbeatleastinterestingifGoldgavebacktohischildrenwhatLovelostthem。"

"Thatispuresentiment。SurelyitwouldbemorenaturalthattheMostynsshouldsucceedtheRawdons。Wehave，asitwere，boughttherightwithatleastadozenintermarriages。"

"Thatalsoispuresentiment。Goldatlastwillcarrythesuccession。"

"Butnotyourgold，Iinfer？"

"Notmygold；certainlynot。"

"ThankyouforyourdecisivewordsTheymakemycourseclear。"

"Thatiswell。Astoyoursummermovements，Iamequallyunabletogiveyouadvice。

Ithinkyouneedtheseaforamonth，andafterthatMcLean’sschemeisgood。

AndareturntoMostyntolookafteryouraffairsisequallygood。IfIwereyou，I

shouldfollowmyinclinations。Ifyouputyourheartintoanything，itiswelldoneandenjoyed；ifyoudoathingbecauseyouthinkyououghttodoit，failureanddisappointmentareoftentheresults。Sodoasyouwanttodo；itistheonlyadviceIcanofferyou。"

"Thankyou，sir。Itisveryacceptable。I

mayleaveforNewportto-morrow。Ishallcallontheladiesinthemorning。"

"Iwilltellthem，butitisjustpossiblethatthey，too，gotothecountryto-morrow，tolookafteralittlecottageontheHudsonweoccupyinthesummer。Good-by，andIhopeyouwillsoonrecoveryourusualhealth。"

ThentheJudgeliftedhishat，andwithacourteousmovementlefttheroom。Hisfacehadthesamesuaveurbanityofexpression，buthecouldhardlyrestrainthepassioninhisheart。Placidashelookedwhenheenteredhishouse，hethrewoffallpretensesassoonashereachedhisroom。TheYorkshirespiritwhichEthelhaddeclaredfoundhimoutonceinthreehundredandsixty-fourdaysandtwenty-threehourswastheninfullpos-

session。TheAmericanJudgehaddisappeared。

Helookedaslikehisancestorsasanythingoutsideofapaintedpicturecoulddo。Hisflushedface，hisflashingeyes，hispassionateexclamations，thestampofhisfoot，theblowofhishand，thethreateningattitudeofhiswholefigurewasbutareplicaofhisgreat-grandfather，AnthonyRawdon，givingRadicalsatthehustingsorcarelesskeepersatthekennels"abitofhismind。"

"`Mostyn，seemstobethenaturalownerofRawdon！RawdonCourtliesatMostyn’sgate！NaturalthattheMostynsshouldsucceedtheRawdons！Boughttherightbyadozenintermarriages！’Confoundtheimpudentrascal！DoeshethinkIwillseeSquireRawdonroguedoutofhishome？NotifIcanhelpit！NotifEthelcanhelpit！

Notifheavenandearthcanhelpit！He’sadownrightrascal！Acool，unruffled，impudentrascal！"Andtheseejaculationswerefollowedbyabitter，biting，blastinghailstormofsuchepithetsascouldonlybewrittenwithoneletterandadash。

Butthepassionofimprecationcooledandsatisfiedhisangerinthisitsfirstimpetuousoutbreak，andhesatdown，claspedthearmsofhischair，andgavehimselfaperemptoryorderofcontrol。Inashorttimeherose，bathedhisheadandfaceincoldwater，andbegantodressfordinner。Andashestoodbeforetheglasshesmiledattherestoredcolorandcalmofhiscountenance。

"Youareaprudentlawyer，"hesaidsarcastically。"Howmanyactionablewordshaveyoujustuttered！IfthedevilandFredMostynhavebeenlistening，theycan，asmothersays，`getthelawonyou’；butI

thinkEthelandIandthelawwillbeamatchevenforthedevilandFredMostyn。"Then，asheslowlywentdownstairs，herepeatedtohimself，"MostynseemstobethenaturalownerofRawdon。No，sir，neithernaturalnorlegalowner。RawdonCourtliesatMostyngate。Notyet。MostynliesatRawdongate。NaturalthattheMostynsshouldsucceedtheRawdons。PowerofGod！Neitherinthisgenerationnorthenext。"

AndatthesamemomentMostyn，havingthoughtoverhisinterviewwithJudgeRawdon，walkedthoughtfullytoawindowandmutteredtohimself："Whateverwasthematterwiththeoldman？Politeasacourtier，butsomethingwaswrong。Theroomfeltasiftherewasaniceberginit，andhekepthisrighthandinhispocket。Ibe-

lievehewasafraidIwouldshakehandswithhim——itisEthel，Isuppose。Naturallyheisdisappointed。WantedheratRawdon。Well，itisapity，butIreallycannot！Oh，Dora！

Dora！Myheart，myhungryandthirstyheartcallsyou！Burningwithlove，dyingwithlonging，Iamwaitingforyou！"

Thedinnerpassedpleasantlyenough，butbothEthelandRuthnoticedtheJudgewasunderstrongbutwell-controlledfeeling。

Whileservantswerepresentitpassedforhighspirits，butassoonasthethreewerealoneinthelibrary，theexcitementtookatonceaseriousaspect。

"Mydears，"hesaid，standingupandfacingthem，"IhavehadaverypainfulinterviewwithFredMostyn。HeholdsamortgageoverRawdonCourt，andisgoingtopressitinSeptember——thatis，heproposestoselltheplaceinordertoobtainhismoney——andthepoorSquire！"Heceasedspeaking，walkedacrosstheroomandbackagain，andappearedgreatlydisturbed。

"WhatoftheSquire？"askedRuth。

"Godknows，Ruth。Hehasnootherhome。"

"Whyisthisthingtobedone？Istherenowaytopreventit？"

"Mostynwantsthemoney，hesays，toinvestinAmericansecurities。Hedoesnot。

Hewantstoforceasale，sothathemaybuytheplaceforthemortgage，andtheneitherkeepitforhispride，ormorelikelyresellittotheTyrrel-Rawdonsfordoublethemoney。"

Thenwithgraduallyincreasingpassionherepeatedinalow，intensevoicetheremarkswhichMostynhadmade，andwhichhadsoinfuriatedtheJudge。Beforehehadfinishedspeakingthetwowomenhadcaughthistemperandspirit。Ethel’sfacewaswhitewithanger，hereyesflashing，herwholeattitudefulloffight。Ruthwastroubledandsorrowful，andshelookedanxiouslyattheJudgeforsomesolutionofthecondition。ItwasEthelwhovoicedtheanxiety。"Father，"

sheasked，"whatistobedone？Whatcanyoudo？"

"Nothing，Iamsorrytosay，Ethel。Mymoneyisabsolutelytiedup——forthisyear，atanyrate。Icannottouchitwithoutwrongingothersaswellasmyself，noryetwithoutthemostruinoussacrifice。"

"IfIcoulddoanything，Iwouldnotcareatwhatsacrifice。"

"Youcandoallthatisnecessary，Ethel，andyouaretheonlypersonwhocan。Youhaveatleasteighthundredthousanddollarsincashandnegotiablesecurities。Yourmother’sfortuneisallyours，withitslegitimateaccruements，anditwasleftatyourowndisposalafteryourtwenty-firstbirthday。

IthasbeenatyourowndisposalWITH

MYCONSENTsinceyournineteenthbirthday。"

"Then，father，weneednottroubleabouttheSquire。Iwishwithallmyhearttomakehishomesuretohimaslongashelives。Youarealawyer，youknowwhatoughttobedone。"

"Goodgirl！Iknewwhatyouwouldsayanddo，orIshouldnothavetoldyouthetroubletherewasatRawdon。Now，IproposeweallmakeavisittoRawdonCourt，seetheSquireandtheproperty，andwhilethereperfectsucharrangementsasseemkindestandwisest。Ruth，howsooncanwebereadytosail？"

"Father，doyoureallymeanthatwearetogotoEngland？"

"Itistheonlythingtodo。ImustseethatallisasMostynsays。Imustnotletyouthrowyourmoneyaway。"

"Thatisonlyprudent，"saidRuth，"andwecanbereadyforthefirststeamerifyouwishit。"

"Iamdelighted，father。IlongtoseeEngland；morethanall，IlongtoseeRawdon。

IdidnotknowuntilthismomenthowmuchIlovedit。"

"Well，then，IwillhaveallreadyforustosailnextSaturday。SaynothingaboutittoMostyn。Hewillcallto-morrowmorningtobidyougood-bybeforeleavingforNewportwithMcLean。Tryandbeout。"

"Ishallcertainlybeout，"saidEthel。

"Idonotwishevertoseehisfaceagain，andImustseegrandmotherandtellherwhatwearegoingtodo。"

"Idaresaysheguessesalready。Sheadvisedmetoaskyouaboutthemortgage。Sheknewwhatyouwouldsay。"

"Father，whoaretheTyrrel-Rawdons？"

ThentheJudgetoldthestoryoftheyoungTyrrel-Rawdon，whoacenturyagohadlosthisworldforLove，andEthelsaid"shelikedhimbetterthananyRawdonshehadeverheardof。"

"Exceptyourfather，Ethel。"

"Exceptmyfather；mydear，goodfather。

AndIamgladthatLovedidnotalwaysmakethempoor。Theymustnowberich，iftheywanttobuytheCourt。"

"Theyarerichmanufacturers。MostynismuchannoyedthattheSquirehasbeguntonoticethem。HesaysoneofthegrandsonsoftheTyrrel-Rawdons，disinheritedforlove’ssake，cametoAmericasometimeintheforties。Iaskedyourgrandmotherifthisstorywastrue。Shesaiditisquitetrue；

thatmyfatherwashisfriendinthematter，andthatitwashisreportsaboutAmericawhichmadethemdecidetotrytheirfortuneinNewYork。"

"Doessheknowwhatbecameofhim？"

"No。InhislastlettertothemhesaidhehadjustjoinedapartygoingtothegoldfieldsofCalifornia。Thatwasin1850。Heneverwroteagain。Itislikelyheperishedontheterriblejourneyacrosstheplains。

Manythousandsdid。"

"WhenIaminEnglandIintendtocallupontheseTyrrel-Rawdons。IthinkIshalllikethem。Myheartgoesouttothem。Iamproudofthisbitofromanceinthefamily。"

"Oh，thereisplentyofromancebehindyou，Ethel。WhenyouseetheoldSquirestandingattheentrancetotheManorHouse，youmayseethehagsofCressyandAgincourt，ofMarstonandWorcesterbehindhim。

AndtheRawdonwomenhavefrequentlybeendaughtersofDestiny。Manyofthemhavelivedromancesthatwouldbeincredibleifwrittendown。Oh，Ethel，dear，wecannot，wecannotforourlives，lettheoldhomefallintothehandsofstrangers。Atanyrate，ifoninspectionwethinkitwrongtointerfere，IcanatleasttryandgetthechildrenofthedisinheritedTyrrelbacktotheirhome。Shallweleaveitatthispointforthepresent？"

Thisdecisionwasagreeabletoall，andthenthefewpreparationsnecessaryforthejourneyweretalkedover，andinthishappydiscussiontheeveningpassedrapidly。ThedreamofEthel’slifehadbeenthisvisittothehomeofherfamily，andtogoasitssaviorwasaconsummationofthepleasurethatfilledherwithlovingpride。Shecouldnotsleepforherwakingdreams。ShemadeallsortsofresolutionsaboutthedespisedTyrrel-

Rawdons。Sheintendedtoshowtheproud，indolentworldoftheEnglishland-

aristocracythatAmericans，justaswellbornasthemselves，respectedbusinessenergyandenterprise；andshehadotherplansandpropositionsjustasinterestingandasfullofyouth’simpossibleenthusiasm。

Inthemorningshewenttotalkthesubjectoverwithhergrandmother。Theoldladyreceivedthenewswithaffectedindif-

ference。Shesaid，"ItmatterednothingtoherwhosatinRawdon’sseat；butshewouldnothearMostynblamedforseekinghisright。Moneyandsentimentarenokin，"

sheadded，"andFredhasnosentimentaboutRawdon。Whyshouldhe？OnlylastsummerRawdonkepthimoutofParliament，andmadehimspendalotofmoneybeside。

He’srighttogetevenwiththefamilyifhecan。"

"ButtheoldSquire！Heisnow————"

"Iknow；he’solderthanIam。ButSquirePercivalhashadhisday，andFredwouldnotdoanythingoutofthewaytohim——hecouldnot；thecountywouldmakebothMostynandRawdonveryuncomfortableplacestolivein，ifhedid。"

"Ifyouturnamanoutofhishomewhenheiseightyyearsold，Ithinkthatis`outoftheway。’AndMr。Mostynisnottobetrusted。Iwouldn’ttrusthimasfarasI

couldseehim。"

"Highty-tighty！Hehasnotaskedyoutotrusthim。Youlostyourchancethere，miss。"

"Grandmother，Iamastonishedatyou！"

"Well，itwasameanthingtosay，Ethel；

butIlikeFred，andIseetherestofmyfamilyareagainsthim。It’snaturalforYorkshiretohelptheweakestside。Butthere，Fredcandohisownfighting，I’llwarrant。

He’snotanordinaryman。"

"I’msorrytosayheisn’t，grandmother。

Ifhewerehewouldspeakwithoutadrawl，andgetridofhismonocle，andnotpaysuchminuteattentiontohiscoatsandvestsandwalkingsticks。"

ThenEthelproceededtoexplainherresolveswithregardtotheTyrrel-Rawdons。

"Ishallpaythemthegreatestattention，"

shesaid。"ItwasanoblethinginyoungTyrrel-Rawdontogiveupeverythingforhonorablelove，andIthinkeveryoneoughttohavestoodbyhim。"

"Thatwouldn’thavedoneatall。IfTyrrelhadbeenpettedasyouthinkheoughttohavebeen，everyrespectableyoungmanandwomaninthecountywouldhavemarriedwheretheirfancyledthem；andthefanciesofyoungpeoplemostlyleadthemtotheroaditisruintotake。"

"FromwhatFredMostynsays，Tyrrel’sdescendantsseemtohavetakenaveryrespectableroad。"

"I’venothingtosayfororagainstthem。

It’syearsandyearssinceIlaideyesonanyofthefamily。YourgrandfatherhelpedoneoftheyoungmentocometoAmerica，andIrememberhismothergettingintoapassionaboutit。ShewasafatwomaninaPaisleyshawlandalove-birdonherbonnet。

Isawhissisteroften。Sheweighedabouttwelvestone，andhadredhairandredcheeksandbareredelbows。Shewascalleda`strappinglass。’ThatisquiteacomplimentarytermintheWestRiding。"

"Please，grandmother，Idon’twanttohearanymore。IntwoweeksIshallbeabletojudgeformyself。Sincethentherehavebeentwogenerations，andifamemberofthepresentoneisfitforParliament————"

"That’snothing。Weneedn’tlookforanythingspeciallyrefinedinParliamentinthesedays。There’sanotherthing。TheseTyrrel-Rawdonsarechapelpeople。TherectorofRawdonchurchwouldnotmarryTyrreltohislow-bornlove，andsotheywenttotheMethodistpreacher，andafterthattotheMethodistchapel。Thatputthemdown，morethanyoucanimaginehereinAmerica。"

"Itwasashame！Methodistsaremostrespectablepeople。"

"I’msayingnothingcontrary。"

"ThePresidentisaMethodist。"

"Ineveraskedwhathewas。IamaChurchofEnglandwoman，youknowthat。