第5章

BornandbredintheChurch，baptized，confirmed，andmarriedintheChurch，andI

wasalwaystaughtitwastheonlyproperChurchforgentlemenandgentlewomentobesavedin。However，EnglishMethodistsoftengobacktotheChurchwhentheygetrich。"

"Churchorchapelmakesnodifferencetome，grandmother。Ifpeopleareonlygood。"

"Tobesure；butyouwon’tbelonginEnglanduntilyou’llfindoutthatsomethingsmakeagreatdealofdifference。Doyouknowyourfatherwasherethismorning？

Hewantedmetogowithyou——alikely，thing。"

"But，grandmother，docome。Wewilltakesuchgoodcareofyou，and————"

"Iknow，butI’dratherkeepmyoldmemoriesofYorkshirethangetnew-fashionedones。Allischanged。IcantellthatbywhatFredsays。Mythreegreatfriendsaredead。Theyhaveleftchildrenandgrandchildren，ofcourse，butIdon’twanttomakenewacquaintancesatmyage，unlessIhavethepickingofthem。No，IshallgetMissHillistogowithmetomylittlecabinontheJerseycoast。We’lltakeourknittingandthefreshnovels，andI’llwarrantwe’llseeasmuchofthenewmenandwomeninthemaswillmorethansatisfyus。Butyoumustwritemelongletters，andtellmeeverythingabouttheSquireandthewayhekeepshouse，andIdon’tcareifyoufillupthepaperwiththeTyrrel-Rawdons。"

"Iwillwriteyouoften，Granny，andtellyoueverything。"

"Ishouldn’twonderifyoucomeacrossDoraStanhope，butIwouldn’taskhertoRawdon。She’llmixsomecupofbotherifyoudo。"

"Iknow。"

Insuchlovingandintimateconversationthehoursspedquickly，andEthelcouldnotbeartocutshorthervisit。ItwasnearlyfivewhensheleftGramercyPark，butthedaybeinglovely，andtheavenuefullofcarriagesandpedestrians，shetookthedriveatitsenforcedtardinesswithoutdisapproval。

AlmostonenteringtheavenuefromMadisonSquaretherewasacrush，andhercarriagecametoastandstill。ShewasthenoppositethestoreofafamousEnglishsaddler，andnearherwasanopencarriageoccupiedbyamiddle-agedgentlemaninmilitaryuniform。

Heappearedtobewaitingforsomeone，andinamomentortwoayoungmancameoutofthesaddlerystore，andwithapleasantlaughenteredthecarriage。ItwastheApolloofherdreams，thesingeroftheHollandHousepavement。Shecouldnotdoubtit。Hisface，hisfigure，hiswalk，andthepleasantsmilewithwhichhespoketohiscompanionwereallpositivecharacteristics。Shehadforgottennoneofthem。Hisdresswasalteredtosuittheseason，butthatwasanimprovement；

fordivestedofhisheavycoat，andclothedonlyinastylishafternoonsuit，histall，finefigureshowedtogreatadvantage；andEtheltoldherselfthathewasevenhandsomerthanshehadsupposedhimtobe。

Almostassoonasheenteredhiscarriagetherewasamovement，andshehopedherdrivermightadvancesufficientlytomakerecognitionpossible，butsomefeeling，sheknewnotwhat，preventedhergivinganyorderleadingtothisresult。PerhapsshehadaninstinctivepresentimentthatitwasbesttoleavealltoDestiny。Towardtheupperpartoftheavenuethecarriageofhereagerobservationcametoastandbeforeawarehouseofantiquefurnitureandbric-a-brac，and，asitdidso，abeautifulwomanrandownthesteps，andApollo，forsoEthelhadmen-

tallycalledhim，wenthurriedlytomeether。

Finallyhercoachmanpassedtheparty，andtherewasamomentaryrecognition。Hewasbendingforward，listeningtosomethingtheladywassaying，whenthevehiclesalmosttouchedeachother。Heflashedaglanceatthem，andmettheflashofEthel’seyesfullofinterestandcuriosity。

Itwasoverinamoment，butinthatmomentEthelsawhisastonishmentanddelight，andfeltherowneagerquestioninganswered。

Thenshewasjoyousandfullofhope，for"thesetwosilentmeetingsarepromises，"shesaidtoRuth。"IfeelsureIshallseehimagain，andthenweshallspeaktoeachother。"

"Ihopeyouarenotallowingyourselftofeeltoomuchinterestinthisman，Ethel；heisverylikelymarried。"

"Oh，no！Iamsureheisnot，Ruth。"

"Howcanyoubesure？Youknownothingabouthim。"

"IcannottellHOWIknow，norWHYIknow，butIbelievewhatIfeel；andheisasmuchinterestedinmeasIaminhim。Iconfessthatisagreatdeal。"

"Youmayneverseehimagain。"

"Ishallexpecttoseehimnextwinter，heevidentlylivesinNewYork。"

"Theladyyousawmaybehiswife。Don’tbeinterestedinanymanonunknownground，Ethel。Itisnotprudent——itisnotright。"

"Timewillshow。HewillverylikelybelookingformethissummeratNewportandelsewhere。HewillbegladtoseemewhenI

comehome。Don’tworry，Ruth。Itisallright。"

"Fredcalledsoonafteryouwentoutthismorning。HeleftforNewportthisafternoon。

Hewillbeatseanow。"

"Andweshallbethereinafewdays。

WhenIamattheseasideIalwaysfeeladelicioustorpor；yetNellyBaldwintoldmeshelovedanAtlanticpassagebecauseshehadsuchfunonboard。Youhavecrossedseveraltimes，Ruth；isitfunortorpor？"

"Allmirthatseasoonfadesaway，Ethel。

Passengersareaverydullclassofpeople，andtheyknowit；theyrebelagainstit，buteveryhouritbecomesmorenaturaltobedull。

Verysoonallmentallyaccommodatethemselvestobeingbored，dreamyanddreary。

Then，assoonasitisdark，comesthatoldmysterious，hungeringsoundofthesea；andIforonelistentillIcanbearitnolonger，andsostealawaytobedwithapaininmyheart。"

"IthinkIshallliketheocean。Therearegames，andbooks，andcompany，anddinners，andotherthings。"

"Certainly，andyoucanthinkyourselfhappy，untilgraduallyacontentedcretinismstealsoveryou，bodyandmind。"

"No，no！"saidEthelenthusiastically。

"IshalldoaccordingtoSwinburne——

"`Havethereforeinmyheart，andinmymouth，ThesoundofsongthatminglesNorthandSouth；

AndinmySoulthesenseofalltheSea！’"

AndRuthlaughedatherdramaticattitude，andanswered："Thesoulofalltheseaisacontentedcretinism，Ethel。ButintendayswemaybeinYorkshire。Andthen，mydear，youmaymeetyourPrince——somefineYorkshiregentleman。"

"IhavestrictlyandpositivelypromisedmyselfthatmyPrinceshallbeafineAmericangentleman。"

"MydearEthel，itisveryseldom"`thetime，andtheplace，AndtheLovedOne，cometogether。’"

"Iliveinthelandofgoodhope，Ruth，andmyhopeswillberealized。"

"Weshallsee。"

PARTTHIRD

"IWENTDOWNINTOTHEGARDEN

TOSEEIFTHEPOMEGRANATESBUDDED。

SongofSolomon，VI。11。

CHAPTERVII

ITwasalovelyafternoononthelastdayofMay。Theseaandallthetoilandtravailbelongingtoitwasoverpass，andJudgeRawdon，RuthandEthelweredrivinginlazy，blissfulcontentmentthroughoneofthelovelyroadsoftheWestRiding。Oneitherhandthebeautifullycuthedgeswerewhiteandsweet，andacaressofscent——thesoulofthehawthorneflowerenfoldedthem。Robinsweresingingonthetopmostsprays，andthelinnet’ssweetbabblingwasheardfromthehappynestsinitssecretplaces；whilefromsomeunseensteeplethejoyfulsoundofchimingbellsmademusicbetweenheavenandearthfitforbandsoftravelingangels。

Theyhaddinedatawaysideinnonjuggedhare，roastbeef，andYorkshirepudding，clottedcreamandhaver（oaten）bread，andthecarelessstillnessofphysicalwell-beingandofmindsateaseneedednospeech，butthemutualsmilingnodofintimatesympathy。

Forthesenseofjoyandbeautywhichmakesuseloquentisfarinferiortothatsensewhichmakesussilent。

ThisexquisitepauseinlifewassuddenlyendedbyanexclamationfromtheJudge。

TheywereatthegreatirongatesofRawdonPark，andsoonwereslowlytraversingitswoodysolitudes。Thesoftlight，theunspeakablegreenoftheturf，thevoiceofancientdaysmurmuringinthegreatoaktrees，thedeerasleepamongtheferns，thestillnessofthesummerafternoonfillingtheairwithdrowsypeacethiswastheatmosphereintowhichtheyentered。Theirroadthroughthisgrandparkofthreehundredacreswasawide，straightavenueshadedwithbeechtrees。Thegreenturfoneitherhandwasstarredwithprimroses。Inthedeepundergrowth，fernswavedandfannedeachother，andthescentofhiddenvioletssalutedastheypassed。

Drowsily，asifhalfasleep，theblackbirdswhistledtheircouplets，andinthethickesthedgesthelittlebrownthrushessangsoftlytotheirbroodingmates。Forhalfanhourtheykeptthisheavenlypath，andthenasuddenturnbroughtthemtheirfirstsightoftheoldhome。

Itwasastately，irregularbuildingofredbrick，sandaledandveiledinivy。Thenu-

merouswindowswerealllatticed，thechimneysinpicturesquestacks，theslopingroofmadeofflagsofsandstone。Itstoodinthecenterofalargegarden，atthebottomofwhichranababblinglittleriver——acheerfultongueoflifeinthesweet，silentplace。Theycrosseditbyaprettybridge，andinafewminutesstoodatthegreatdoorofthemansion。

Itwaswideopen，andtheSquire，withoutstretchedhands，rosetomeetthem。WhileyetuponthethresholdhekissedbothEthelandRuth，and，claspingtheJudge’shand，gazedathimwithsuchapiercing，kindlylookthattheeyesofbothmenfilledwithtears。

Heledthemintothehall，andstandingthereheseemedalmostapartofit。InhisyouthhehadbeenasonofAnak，andhisgreatsizehadbeenmatchedbyhisgreatstrength。Hisstaturewasstilllarge，hisfacebroadandmassive，andanabundanceofsnow-whitehairemphasizedthedignityofacountenancewhichagehadmadenobler。Thegenerationsofeighthundredyearswerecrystallizedinthisbenignantoldman，lookingwithsucheagerinterestintothefacesofhisstrangekindredfromafar-offland。

IntheeveningtheysattogetherintheoldhalltalkingoftheRawdons。"Thereisgreatfamilyofus，livinganddead，"saidtheSquire，"andIcountthemallmyfriends。

Bareisthebackthathasnokinbehindit。

Thatisnotourcase。EighthundredyearsagotherewasaRawdoninRawdon，andonehasneverbeenwantingsince。Saxon，Danish，Norman，andStuartkingshavebeenandgonetheirway，andweremain；andIcantellyoueveryRawdonbornsincetheHouseofHanovercametoEngland。WehavehadourshareinallEngland’sstrifeandglory，foriftherewaseverafightgoingonanywhereRawdonwasneverfaroff。Yes，wecanstringthecenturiestogetherinthebattleflagswehavewon。Seethere！"hecried，pointingtotwostandardsinterwovenabovethecentralchimney-piece；"onewastakenfromthePayniminthefirstCrusade，andtheothermygrandsontookinAfrica。Itseemsbutyesterday，andQueenVictoriagavehimtheCrossforit。Poorlad，hehaditonwhenhedied。Itwenttothegravewithhim。

Iwouldn’thaveittouched。IfancytheRawdonswouldknowit。Noonedaresaytheydon’t。Ithinktheymeddleagooddealmorewiththislifethanwecounton。"

ThedaysthatfollowedweredaysinTheHouseWonderful。Itheldthetreasure-troveofcenturies；allitsroomswerefullofsecrets。

Eventhecommonsitting-roomhadanantiquehomelinessthatprovokedquestionsastothedatesofitsfurnitureandthewhereaboutsofitswallcupboardsandhiddenrecesses。

Itschinahadthemarksofforgottenmakers，itssilverwaspuzzlingwithhalf-

obliteratednamesanddates，itssideboardofoakwasblackwithageandfulloftableaccessories，theverynamesofwhichwereforgotten。Forthishousehadnotbeenbuiltintheordinarysense，ithadgrownthroughcenturies；grownoutofdesireandnecessity，justasatreegrows，andwasthereforefitandbeautiful。Anditwasnowonderthatabouteveryroomfloatedtheperfumeofancientthingsandthepeculiarfamilyaurathathadsaturatedalltheinanimateobjectsaroundthem。

Inafewdays，lifesettleditselftoorderlyoccupations。TheSquirewasalateriser；theJudgeandhisfamilybreakfastedveryearly。

Thenthetwowomenhadarideinthepark，orwanderedinthegarden，orsatreading，orsewing，orwritinginsomeofthesweet，fairrooms。Manyvisitorssoonappeared，andtherewerecallstoreturnandcourtesiestoaccept。AmongthesevisitorstheTyrrel-

Rawdonsweretheearliest。TherepresentativesofthatfamilywereNicholasRawdonandhiswifeLydia。NicholasRawdonwasalarge，stoutman，veryarrogant，verycomplete，veryalertforthisworld，andnotcaringmuchabouttheother。HewasnotpleasedatJudgeRawdon’svisit，butthoughtitbesttobecousinlyuntilhiscousininterferedwithhisplans——"rights"hecalledthem——"andthen！"andhis"THEN"impliedagreatdeal，forNicholasRawdonwasamanincapableofconceivingtheideaoflovinganenemy。

Hiswifewasapleasant，garrulouswoman，whointerestedEthelverymuch。Herfamilywasherchieftopicofconversation。Shehadtwodaughters，oneofwhomhadmarriedabaronet，"amanwithmoneyandeasytomanage"；andtheother，"arichcottonlordinManchester。"

"Theyhaven’tdonebadly，"shesaidconfidentially，"andit’sagreatthingtogetgirlsoffyourhandsearly。AdelaideandMarthawerewelleducatedandsuitable，but，"sheaddedwithaglowofpride，"youshouldseemyJohnThomas。He’smanagerofthemill，andhelovesthemill，andheknowseverypoundofwarporweftthatcomesinorgoesoutofthemill；andwhathisfatherwoulddowithouthim，I’msureIdon’tknow。AndheisamemberofParliament，too——Radicalticket。WonoverMostyn。WipedMostynoutprettywell。Thatwasathingtodo，wasn’tit？"

"IsupposeMr。MostynwastheConservativecandidate？"

"Youmaybesureofthat。ButmyJohnThomasdoesn’tblamehimforit——thegentryhavetobeConservatives。JohnThomassaidlittleagainsthispolitics；hejustsetthecrowdlaughingathisways——hisdandifiedways。

Andhetriedtowearoneeyeglass，andletitfall，andfall，andthentoldthemen`hecouldn’tmanagehalfapairofspectacles；

buthecouldmanagetheirinterestsandfightfortheirrights，’andsuchliketalk。AndhewalkedlikeMostyn，andhetalkedlikeMostyn，andspreadouthislegs，andtwirledhiswalkingsticklikeMostyn，andaskedthem`iftheywouldwishhimtogotoParliamentinthatkindofashape，ashe’dtryanddoitiftheywantedatailor-mademan’；andtheylaughedhimdown，andthenhespokereasonabletothem。JohnThomasknowswhatYorkshireweaverswant，andhejustprom-

isedthemeverythingtheyhadsettheirheartson；andsotheysenthimtoParliament，andMostynwenttoAmerica，where，perhaps，they’llteachhimthataman’slifeisworthabitmorethanabirdorarabbit。Mostynisallforpreservinggame，andhisfatherwasameancreature。Whenonethinksofhisfather，onehastoexcusetheyoungmanalittlebit。"

"IsawagooddealofMr。MostyninNewYork，"saidEthel。"Heusedtospeakhighlyofhisfather。"

"I’llwarranthedid；andheoughttokeepatit，forhe’stheonlyoneinthisworldthatwillusehistongueforthatend。OldSamuelMostynneverlearnedtolivegodlyorevenmanly，butafterhisdeathheceasedtodoevil，andthat，I’venodoubt，oftenfeelslikeablessingtothemthathadtoliveanywayneartohim。ButmyJohnThomas！"

"Oh，"criedEthel，laughing，"youmustnottellmesomuchaboutJohnThomas；hemightnotlikeit。"

"JohnThomascanlookallhedoesandallhesaysstraightintheface。Youmaytalkofhimallday，andfindnothingtosaythatagoodgirllikeyoumightnotlistento。

Ishouldhavebroughthimwithus，buthe’sawaynowtakingabitofaholiday。I’msureheneedsit。"

"Whereishetakinghisholiday？"

"Why，hewentwithacousintoshowhimthesightsofLondon；butsomehowtheygotthroughLondonsightsveryquick，andthoughttheymightaswellputParisin。I

wishtheyhadn’t。Idon’ttrustforeignersandforeignways，andtheydon’thavethesamekindofmoneyasours；butNicholassaysI

needn’tworry；heissurethatourJohnThomas，ifchangeistomake，willmakeittosuithimself。"

"Howsoonwillhebehome？"

"Imightsayto-dayoranyotherearlyday。He’sbeenidlingforamonthnow，andhisfathersays`theveryloomsarecallingoutforhim。’I’llbringhimtoseeyoujustassoonashecomeshome，loomsornolooms，andhe’llbefaintocome。NooneappreciatesaprettygirlmorethanJohnThomasdoes。"

Sothedayspassedsweetlyandswiftlyonward，andtherewasnotroubleinthem。SuchbusinessaswastobedonewentonbehindthecloseddoorsoftheSquire’soffice，andwithnoonepresentbuthimself，JudgeRawdon，andtheattorneysattachedtotheRawdonandMostynestates。Andastherewerenoentanglementsandnopossiblereasonfordisputing，asettlementwasquicklyarrivedat。Then，asMostyn’sreturnwasuncertain，anattorney’smessenger，properlyaccredited，wassenttoAmericatoprocurehissignatures。

Allowingforunforeseendelays，theperfectedpapersofreleasemightcertainlybeonhandbythefifteenthofJuly，anditwasproposedonthefirstofAugusttogiveadinneranddanceinreturnforthenumerouscourtesiestheAmericanRawdonshadreceived。

AsthisdateapproachedRuthandEthelbegantothinkofavisittoLondon。Theywantednewgownsandmanyotherprettythings，andwhynotgotoLondonforthem？

Thejourneywasbutafewhours，andtwoorthreedays’shoppinginRegentStreetandPiccadillywouldbedelightful。"Wewillmakeoutalistofallweneedthisafternoon，"

saidRuth，"andwemightaswellgoto-morrowmorningaslater，"andatthismomentaservantenteredwiththemail。Ethelliftedherletterwithanexclamation。"ItisfromDora，"shesaid，andhervoicehadatoneofannoyanceinit。"DoraisinLondon，attheSavoy。Shewantstoseemeverymuch。"

"Iamsosorry。Wehavebeensohappy。"

"Idon’tthinkshewillinterferemuch，Ruth。"

"Mydears，"saidJudgeRawdon，"IhavealetterfromFredMostyn。Heiscominghome。HewillbeinLondoninadayortwo。"

"Whyishecoming，father？"

"HesayshehasaproposaltomakeabouttheManor。Iwishhewerenotcoming。Noonewantshisproposal。"Thenthebreakfast-

table，whichhadbeensogay，becamesilentanddepressed，andpresentlytheJudgewentawaywithoutexhibitingfurtherinterestintheLondonjourney。

"IdowishDorawouldletusalone，"saidRuth。"Shealwaysbringsdisappointmentorworryofsomekind。AndIwonderwhatisthemeaningofthisunexpectedLondonvisit。IthoughtshewasinHolland。"

"ShesaidinherlastletterthatLondonwouldbeimpossiblebeforeAugust。"

"Isitanappointment——oracoincidence？"

AndEthel，liftinghershoulderssarcastically，asifinhostilesurrendertotheinevitable，answered：

"Itisafatality！"

CHAPTERVIII

THREEdaysafterwardEthelcalledonDoraStanhopeattheSavoy。Shefoundheralone，andshehadevidentlybeencrying。Indeed，shefranklyadmittedthefact，declaringthatshehadbeen"soboredandsohomesick，thatsherelievedshehadcriedherbeautyaway。"SheglancedatEthel’sradiantfaceandneatfreshtoiletwithenvy，andadded，"Iamsogladtoseeyou，Ethel。ButIwassurethatyouwouldcomeassoonasyouknewIwantedyou。"

"Oh，indeed，Dora，youmustnotmakeyourselftoosureofsuchathingasthat！I

reallycametoLondontogetsomenewgowns。

Ihavebeenshoppingallmorning。"

"Ithoughtyouhadcomeinanswertomyletter。Iwasexpectingyou。ThatisthereasonIdidnotgooutwithBasil。"

"Don’tyouexpectalittletoomuch，Dora？

Ihaveagreatmanyinterestsandduties————"

"Iusedtobefirst。"

"Whenagirlmarriessheissupposedto————"

"Pleasedon’ttalknonsense。Basildoesnottaketheplaceofeveryoneandeverythingelse。Ithinkweareoftenverytiredofeachother。Thismorning，whenIwastellinghimwhattroubleIhadwithmymaid，Julia，heactuallyyawned。Hetriedtosmothertheyawn，buthecouldnot，andofcoursethehoneymoonisoverwhenyourbridegroomyawnsinyourfacewhileyouaretellinghimyourtroubles。"

"Ishouldthinkyouwouldbegladitwasover。OfallthewordsintheEnglishlanguage`honeymoon’isthemostridiculousandimbecile。"

"Isupposewhenyougetmarriedyouwilltakeahoneymoon。"

"Ishallhavemoresenseandmoreselfishness。

Agirlcouldhardlyenteranewlifethroughamediummoretrying。Iamsureitwouldneedlong-testedaffectionsandthesweetestoftemperstomakeitendurable。"

"Icannotimaginewhatyoumean。"

"Imeanthatalltravelingjustaftermarriageisagreatblunder。Travelingmakesthesunniestdispositionhastyandpeevish，forwomendon’tlovechangesasmendo。

Notoneinathousandisseenatherbestwhiletraveling，andthemajorityareseenattheirveryworst。ThenthereisthediscomfortanddesolationofEuropeanhotels——

theirmysteriousmethodsandhours，andthewaysofforeigners，whicharenotasourways。"

"Don’ttalkofthem，Ethel。Theyaredreadfulplaces，andsuchqueerpeople。"

"Addtothesetroublesignoranceoflanguageandcoinage，theutterwearinessofrailwaytravel，theplagueofcustoms，thetrunkthatwon’tpack，thetrainsthatwon’twait，thetiresomesight-seeing，theclimaticirritability，broilingsuns，headache，loneliness，fretfulness——consequentlythepitifulboredomofthenewhusband。"

"Ethel，whatyousayiscertainlytootrue。

Iamwearytodeathofitall。IwanttobeatNewportwithmother，whoishavingalovelytimethere。OfcourseBasilisverynicetome，andyettherehavebeenlittletiffsandstruggles——verygentleones——forthemastery，whichheisnotgoingtoget。To-dayhewantedmetogowithhimandCanonShackletontoseesomethingorotheraboutthepoorofLondon。Iwouldnotdoit。Iamsolonely，Ethel，Iwanttoseesomeone。Ifeelfittocryallthetime。IlikeBasilbestofanyoneintheworld，but————"

"Butinthesolitudeofahoneymoonamongstrangersyoufindoutthatthepersonyoulikebestintheworldcanboreyouasbadlyasthepersonyoudon’tlikeatall。Isthatso？"

"Exactly。JustfancyifwewereamongourfriendsinNewport。Ishouldhavesomepleasureindressingandlookinglovely。WhyshouldIdresshere？Thereisnoonetoseeme。"

"Basil。"

"Ofcourse，butBasilspendsallthetimeinvisitingcathedralsandclergymen。Ifwegoout，itistoseesomethingaboutthepoor，oraboutschoolsandsuchlike。WewerenotinLondontwohoursuntilhewasofftoWestminsterAbbey，andIdidn’tcareacentabouttheoldplace。HesaysImustnotaskhimtogototheaters，buthistoricaloldhousesdon’tinterestmeatall。WhatdoesitmatterifCromwellsleptinacertainancientshabbyroom？AndasforallthepalacesIhaveseen，myfather’shouseisagreatdealhandsomer，andmoreconvenient，andmorecomfortable，andIwishIwerethere。IhateEurope，andEnglandIhateworstofall。"

"YouhavenotseenEngland。Weareallenrapturedwithitsbeautyanditsoldhousesandpleasantlife。"

"Youareamongfriends——athome，asitwere。IhaveheardallaboutRawdonCourt。

FredMostyntoldme。Heisgoingtobuyit。"

"When？"

"Sometimethisfall。Thennextyearhewillentertainus，andthatwillbealittledifferenttothisdesolatehotel，Ithink。"

"HowlongwillyoubeinLondon？"

"Icannotsay。WeareinvitedtoStanhopeCastle，butIdon’twanttogothere。

WestayedwiththeStanhopesaweekwhenwefirstcameover。TheywerethenintheirLondonhouse，andIgotenoughofthem。"

"Didyoudislikethefamily？"

"No，Icarednothingaboutthem。Theyjustboredme。Theyareextremelyreligious。

Wehadprayersnightandmorning，andaprayerbeforeandaftereverymeal。Theyreadonlyverygoodbooks，andtheHonorableMissesStanhopesewforthepooroldwomenandteachthepooryoungones。TheyworkharderthananyoneIeverknew，andtheycallit`improvingthetime。’Theythoughtmeaverysilly，recklessyoungwoman，andIthinktheyallprayedforme。Onenightaftertheyhadsungsomeverynicesongstheyaskedmetoplay，andIbeganwith`MyLittleBrownRose’——youknowtheyalladorethenegro——

andlittlebylittleIdroppedintothefunniestcoonsongsIknew，andohhowtheylaughed！

Eventheoldlordstrokedhiskneesandlaughedoutloud，whiletheyoungladieslaughedintotheirhandkerchiefs。LadyStanhopewastheonlyonewhocomprehendedIwasguyingthem；andshelookedatmewithhalf-shuteyesinawaythatwouldhavespoiledsomegirls’fun。Itonlymademethemerrier。SoItriedtoshowthemacakewalk，buttheoldlordrosethenandsaid`Imustbetired，andtheywouldexcuseme。’

SomehowIcouldnotmanagehim。Basilwasataworkman’sconcert，andwhenhecamehomeIthinkthereweresomeadvicesandremonstrances，butBasilnevertoldme。

IfeltasiftheywereallgladwhenIwentaway，andIdon’twishtogototheCastle——

andIwon’tgoeither。"

"ButifBasilwishestogo————"

"Hecangoalone。IratherthinkFredMostynwillbehereinafewdays，andhewilltakemetoplacesthatBasilwillnot——innocentplacesenough，Ethel，soyouneednotlooksoshocked。WhydoyounotaskmetoRawdonCourt？"

"BecauseIamonlyaguestthere。Ihavenorighttoaskyou。"

"IamsureifyoutoldSquireRawdonhowfondyouareofme，andhowlonelyIam，hewouldtellyoutosendforme。"

"Idonotbelievehewould。Hehasold-

fashionedideasaboutnewlymarriedpeople。

HewouldhardlythinkitpossiblethatyouwouldbewillingtogoanywherewithoutBasil——yet。"

"HecouldaskBasiltoo。"

"IfMr。Mostyniscominghome，hecanaskyoutoMostynHall。ItisverynearRawdonCourt。"

"Yes。FredsaidassoonashehadpossessionoftheCourthecouldputbothplacesintoaringfence。ThenhewouldliveattheCourt。IfheasksustherenextsummerI

shallbesuretobeganinvitationforyoualso；

soIthinkyoumightdeserveitbygettingmeonenow。Idon’twanttogotoMostynyet。

Fredsaysitneedsentirerefurnishing，andifwecometotheCourtnextsummer，Ihavepromisedtogivehimmyadviceandhelpinmakingtheplaceprettyanduptodate。HaveyouseenMostynHall？"

"Ihavepasseditseveraltimes。Itisalarge，gloomy-lookingplaceIwasgoingtosayhaunted-looking。Itstandsinagroveofyewtrees。"

"SoyouarenotgoingtoaskmetoRawdonCourt？"

"Ireallycannot，Dora。Itisnotmyhouse。Iamonlyaguestthere。"

"Nevermind。Makenomoreexcuses。I

seehowitis。YoualwayswerejealousofFred’slikingforme。AndofcoursewhenhegoesdowntoMostynyouwouldprefermetobeabsent。"

"Good-by，Dora！Ihaveadealofshoppingtodo，andthereisnotmuchtimebeforetheball，formanythingswillbetomake。"

"Theball！Whatball？"

"OnlyoneatRawdonCourt。Theneighborshavebeenexceedinglykindtous，andtheSquireisgoingtogiveadinnerandballonthefirstofAugust。"

"Sitdownandtellmeabouttheneighbors——andtheball。"

"Icannot。IpromisedRuthtobebackatfive。Ourmodisteistoseeusatthathour。"

"SoRuthiswithyou！Whydidshenotcallonme？"

"DidyouthinkIshouldcometoLondonalone？AndRuthdidnotcallbecauseshewastoobusy。"

"Everyoneandeverythingcomesbeforemenow。Iusedtobefirstofall。IwishI

wereinNewportwithdadandmamma；evenBrycewouldbeacomfort。"

"AsIsaidbefore，youhaveMr。Stanhope。"

"Areyougoingtosendformetotheball？"

"Icannotpromisethat，Dora。Good-by。"

Doradidnotanswer。Sheburiedherfaceinthesoftpillow，andEthelclosedthedoortothesoundofhersobs。Buttheydidnotcausehertoreturnortomakeanyfoolishpromises。Shedivinedtheirinsincerityandtheirmotive，andhadnomindtotakeanypartinforwardingthelatter。

AndRuthassuredhershehadactedwisely。

"Iftroubleshouldevercomeofthisfriendship，"

shesaid，"DorawouldverylikelycomplainthatyouhadalwaysthrownMostyninherway，broughthimtoherhouseinNewYork，andbroughthertohimatRawdon，inEngland。Marriageissucharisk，Ethel，buttomarrywithoutthecouragetoadaptoneself。AH！"

"Youthinkthatconditionunspeakablyhard？"

"Therearenowordsforit。"

"Dorawasnotreticent，Iassureyou。"

"Iamsorry。Awife’scomplaintsareself-

inflictedwounds；scatteredseeds，fromwhichonlymiserycanspring。Ihopeyouwillnotseeheragainatthistime。"

"Imadenopromisetodoso。"

"Andwhereallissouncertain，wehadbettersupposeallisrightthanthatalliswrong。Eveniftherewasthebeginningofwrong，itneedsbutanaccidenttopreventit，andtherearesomany。"

"Accidents！"

"Yes，foraccidentisGod’spartinaffairs。

Wecallitaccident；itwouldbebettertosayaninterposition。"

"DoratoldmeMostynintendedtobuyRawdonCourtinSeptember，andhehaseveninvitedtheStanhopestostaytherenextsummer。"

"Whatdidyousay？"

"Nothingagainstit。"

"Verygood。DoyouthinkMostynisinLondonnow？"

"Ishouldnotwonder。IamsureDoraisexpectinghim。"

Infact，thenextmorningtheymetDoraandBasilStanhope，drivinginHydeParkwithMostyn，butthesmilinggreetingwhichpassedbetweenthepartiesdidnot，exceptinthecaseofBasilStanhope，fairlyrepresentthedominantfeelingofanyone。AsforStanhope，hisnaturewassoclearandtruthfulthathewouldhardlyhavecomprehendedasmilewhichwasintendedtoveilfeelingsnottobecalledeitherquitefriendlyorquitepleasant。AfterthismeetingallthejoywentoutofRuthandEthel’sshopping。TheywantedtogetbacktotheCourt，andtheyattendedstrictlytobusinessinordertodoso。

Mostynfollowedthemveryquickly。HewasexceedinglyanxioustoseeandhearforhimselfhowhisaffairsregardingRawdonstood。Theywereeasilymadeplaintohim，andhesawwithapangofdisappointmentthatallhishopesofbeingSquireofRawdonManorwereover。Everypennyhecouldrighteouslyclaimwaspaidtohim，andonthetitledeedsoftheancientplacehehadnolongertheshadowofaclaim。TheSquirelookedtenyearsyoungerasheaffectionatelylaidbothhandsontheredeemedparchments，andMostynwithenforcedpolitenesscongratulatedhimontheirintegrityandthenmadeahurriedretreat。OfitsownkindthisdisappointmentwasasgreatasthelossofDora。Hecouldthinkofneitherwithoutasenseofimmeasurableanddisastrousfailure。

Onepettysatisfactionregardingthepaymentofthemortgagewashisonlycom-

fort。HemightnowshowMcLeanthatitwasnotwantofmoneythathadmadehimhithertoshyof"thegoodinvestments"offeredhim。HehadbeensureMcLeanintheirlastinterviewhadthoughtso，andhad，indeed，feltthehalf-veiledcontemptwithwhichtherichyoungmanhadexpressedhispityforMostyn’sinabilitytotakeadvantageattherightmomentofanexceptionalchancetoplaythegameofbeggaringhisneighbor。

Now，hetoldhimself，hewouldshowMcLeanandhisbraggartsetthatgoodbirthandoldfamilywasforoncealliedwithplentyofmoney，andhealsopromisedhiswoundedsensibilitiessomeverydesirablereprisals，everyoneofwhichhefeltfullycompetenttotake。

Itwas，afterall，apoorcompensation，buttherewasalsothegold。Hethankedhisfatherthatdayforthegreatthoughtfulnessandcarewithwhichhehadamassedthissumforhim，andhetriedtoconsolehimselfwiththebeliefthatgoldansweredallpurposes，andthattheyellowmetalwasabetterpossessionthanthehouseandlandswhichhehadlongedforwithaninheritedandinsensatecraving。

TwodaysafterthiseventEthel，atherfather’sdirection，signedanumberofpapers，andwhenthatdutywascompleted，theSquirerosefromhischair，kissedherhandsandhercheeks，andinavoicefulloftendernessandpridesaid，"IpaymyrespectstothefutureladyofRawdonManor，andI

thankGodforpermittingmetoseethishour。

Mostwelcome，LadyEthel，totherightsyouinherit，andtherightsyouhavebought。"Itwasamomenthardlylikelytobeduplicatedinanylife，andEthelescapedfromitstenseemotionsassoonaspossible。Shecouldnotspeak，herheartwastoofullofjoyandwonder。

Therearesoulsthatsaylittleandlovemuch。Howblessedarethey！

Onthefollowingmorningtheinvitationsweresentforthedinneranddance，butthetimewasputforwardtotheeighthofAugust。

Ineveryone’shearttherewasahopethatbeforethatdayMostynwouldhaveleftRawdon，butthehopewasbarelymentioned。

InthemeantimehecameandwentbetweenMostynandRawdonashedesired，andwasreceivedwiththatmodernpolitenesswhichconsidersitbesttoignoreoffensesthatourgrandfathersandgrandmotherswouldhaveheldforstrictaccountandpunishment。

ItwasevidentthathehadfrequentlettersfromDora。Heknewallhermovements，andspokeseveraltimesofopeningMostynHallandinvitingtheStanhopestostaywithhimuntiltheirreturntoAmerica。ButasthissuggestiondidnotbringfromanymemberoftheRawdonfamilytheinvitationhopedfor，itwasnotactedupon。Hetoldhimselftheexpensewouldbegreat，andtheHall，inspiteofallhecoulddointheinterim，wouldlookpoorandshabbycomparedwithRawdonCourt；soheputasidetheproposalonthegroundthathecouldnotpersuadehisaunttodotheentertainingnecessary。AndforalltheirritationandhumiliationscenteringroundhislossofRawdonandhisinabilitieswithregardtoDoraheblamedEthel。Hewassureifhehadbeenmorelovableandencouraginghecouldhavemarriedher，andthusfinallyreachedRawdonCourt；andthen，withalltheunreasonimaginable，nursedaheartydisliketoherbecauseshewouldnotunderstandhisdesires，andprovidemeansfortheirsatisfaction。Thebright，joyousgirlwithherlovingheart，heraboundingvitality，andconstantcheerfulness，madehimangry。Innoneofherexcellencieshehadanyshare，consequentlyhehatedher。

HewouldhavequicklyreturnedtoLondon，butDoraandherhusbandwerestayingwiththeStanhopes，andherlettersfromStanhopeCastlewerelachrymosecomplaintsoftheutterwearinessanddrearinessoflifetherethepreachingandreadingaloud，theregularwalkinganddriving——alltheinnocentmethodofliveswhichrecognizedtheywerehereforsomehigherpurposethanmerephysicalenjoyment。AnditangeredMostynthatneitherRuthnorEthelfeltanysympathyforDora’sennui，andproposednomeansofreleasingherfromit。Heconsideredthembothdisgustinglyselfishandill-

natured，andwascertainthatalltheirreluctanceatDora’spresencearosefromtheirjealousyofherbeautyandherenchantinggrace。

OntheafternoonofthedayprecedingtheintendedentertainmentRuth，Ethel，andtheSquirewereinthegreatdining-roomsuperintendingitsdecoration。Theyweremerrilylaughingandchatting，andwerenotawareofthearrivalofanyvisitorsuntilMrs。

NicholasRawdon’srosy，good-naturedfaceappearedattheopendoor。Everyonewelcomedhergladly，andtheSquireofferedheraseat。

"Nay，Squire，"shesaid，"I’mcometoaskafavor，andIwon’tsittillIknowwhetherIgetitornot；forifIdon’tgetit，Ishallsaygood-byasquicklyasIcan。OurJohnThomascamehomethismorningandhisfriendwithhim，andIwantinvitationsfortheyoungmen，bothofthem。Mygreatpleasureliesthatway——ifyou’llgiveittome。"

"Mostgladly，"answeredtheSquire，andEthelimmediatelywentforthenecessarypassports。WhenshereturnedshefoundMrs。NicholashelpingRuthandtheSquiretoarrangethelargesilverandcutcrystalonthesideboard，andtalkingatthesametimewithunabatedvivacity。

"Yes，"shewassaying，"theladswouldhavebeenheretwodaysago，buttheystayedinLondontoseesomeAmericanladymarried。

JohnThomas’sfriendknewher。ShewasmarriedattheAmbassador’shouse。A

fineaffairenough，butitbewildersmethistakingupmarriagewithoutpriestorbook。

It’sanewcommission。TheChurch’swarrant，itseems，isoutofdate。Itmayberight’

itmaybelegal，butItoldJohnThomasifheevergothimselfmarriedinthatkindofaway，hewouldn’thavefatherormeforwitnesses。"

"Iamglad，"saidtheSquire，"thattheyoungmenarehomeintimeforourdance。

Theyounglikesuchthings。"

"Tobesuretheydo。JohnThomaswouldn’tgivemeamoment’sresttillIcamehere。Ididn’twanttocome。IthoughtJohnThomasshouldcomehimself，andItoldhimplainlythatIwasreadytodoanyoneafavorifIcould，butifhewantedmetocomebecausehewasafraidtocomehimself，Iwasjustasreadytoshirkthejourney。Andhelaughedandsaidhewasnotfearedforanywomanliving，buthedidwanttomakehisfirstappearanceinhisbestclothes——andthatwasnatural，wasn’tit？SoIcameforthetwolads。"Thenshelookedatthegirlswithasmile，andsaidinacomfortablekindofway："You’llfindthemverynicelads，indeed。

IcanspeakforJohnThomas，Ihavetakenhismeasurelongsince；andasfarasIcanjudgehisfriend，Naturewentaboutsomefullworkwhenshemadeamanofhim。

He’sgotasweettemper，andastrongmind，andastraightjudgment，ifIknowanythingaboutmen——whichNicholassometimesmakesmethinkIdon’t。ButNicholasisn’tanordinaryman，he’swhatyoucall`anexception。’"

ThenshakingherheadatEthel，shecontinuedreprovingly："YouwereneitherofyouinchurchSunday。Iknowsomeyoungwomenwhowenttotheparishchurch——Methodiststheyare——speciallytoseeyournewhats。There’ssometalkaboutthem，Icantellyou，andthevillagemillinerispesteredtocopythem。Shekeepshereyesopenforyou。Youdisappointedalotofpeople。

Yououghttogotochurchinthecountry。

It’sthemostrespectablethingyoucando。"

"Wewerebothverytired，"saidRuth，"andthesunwashot，andwehadagoodSabbathathome。EthelreadthePsalms，EpistleandGospelfortheday，andtheSquiregaveussomeofthegrandestorganmusicIeverheard。"

"Well，well！EveryoneknowstheSquireisagrandplayer。Idon’tsupposethereisanothertomatchhiminthewholeworld，andtheoldfeelingaboutchurch-goingisgettingslackamongtheyoungpeople。TheyserveGodnowverymuchattheirease。"

"IsnotthatbetterthanservingHimoncompulsion？"askedRuth。

"Idaresay。I’mnobigot。IwasbroughtupanIndependent，andwenttotheirchapeluntilImarriedNicholasRawdon。Myfa-

therwasabroad-thinkingman。HenevertaughtmetolocateGodinanybuilding；andI’msureIdon’tbelieveourparishchurchisHisdwelling-place。Ifitis，theyoughttomendtheroofandputanewcarpetdownandmakethingscleanerandmorerespectable。

Well，Squire，youhavesilverenoughtotemptalltheroguesinYorkshire，andthere’salotofthem。ButnowI’veseenit，I’llgohomewiththesebitsofpaper。Ishallbeaveryimportantwomanto-night。Themtwoladswon’tknowhowtofleechandflattermeenough。I’llbewaitedonhandandfoot。

AndNicholaswillgetabitofaset-down。

HewasbraggingaboutMissEthelbringinghisinvitationtohishandandpromisingtodancewithhim。Iwouldn’tdoitifIwereMissEthel。She’llfindout，ifshedoes，whatitmeanstodancewithamanthatweighstwentystone，andwhohasneverturnedhandnorfoottoanythingbutmoney-makingforthirtyyears。"

Shewentawaywithasweepandarustleofhershimmeringsilkskirt，andleftbehindhersuchanatmosphereofheartygood-natureasmadethelastrushandcrowdofpreparationseasilyorderedandquicklyaccomplished。Beforeherarrivaltherehadbeensomedoubtastotheweather。Shebroughttheshiningsunwithher，andwhenheset，heleftthemwiththepromiseofasplendidto-morrow——apromiseamplyredeemedwhenthenextdaydawned。Indeed，thesunshinewassobrilliant，thegardensogayandsweet，thelawnsogreenandfirm，theavenuessoshadyandfullofwanderingsongs，thatitwasresolvedtoholdthepreliminaryreceptionoutofdoors。EthelandRuthweretoreceiveonthelawn，andattheopenhalldoortheSquirewouldwaittowelcomehisguests。