第7章

"Mydarlinggrandmother，"shecried，"I

thoughtyouwouldnevercomehome。"

"Itwasn’tmyfault，dear。MissHillisandanimbecileyoungdoctormademebelieveIhadacold。Ihadnocold。IhadnothingatallbutwhatIoughttohave。I’vebeenmadetotakeallsortsofthings，anddoallsortsofthingsthatIhatetotakeandhatetodo。FortendaysI’vebeenkickingmyoldheelsagainstbedclothes。YesterdayItookthingsinmyownhands。"

"Nevermind，Grannydear，itwasallagooddiscipline。"

"Discipline！Youimpertinentyounglady！Disciplineforyourgrandmother！

Discipline，indeed！Thatonewordmaycostyouathousanddollars，miss。"

"Idon’tcareifitdoes，onlyyoumustgivethethousanddollarstopoorMissHillis。"

"PoorMissHillishashadamostcomfortabletimewithmeallsummer。"

"Iknowshehas，consequentlyshewillfeelhercomfortlessroomandpovertyallthemoreafterit。Giveherthethousand，Granny。

I’mwilling。"

"Whatkindofcompanyhaveyoubeenkeeping，EthelRawdon？Whohastaughtyoutosquanderdollarsbythethousand？

Discipline！Ithinkyouaregivingmealittlenow——athousanddollarsalesson，itseems——

nowonder，afterthecarryings-onatRawdonCourt。"

"Deargrandmother，wehadtheloveliesttimeyoucanimagine。Andthereisnot，inalltheworld，suchanobleoldgentlemanasSquirePercivalRawdon。"

"IknowallaboutPercivalRawdon——aproud，careless，extravagant，loose-at-endsman，dancingandsingingandlovingasitsuitedtimeandseason，takingnothoughtforthefuture，andspendingwithbothhands；

hardonwomen，too，ascouldbe。"

"Grandmother，Ineversawamorecourteousgentleman。Heworshipswomen。Hewasnevertiredoftalkingaboutyou。"

"Whathadhetosayaboutme？"

"Thatyouweretheloveliestgirlinthecounty，andthathenevercouldforgetthefirsttimehesawyou。Hesaidyouwerelikethevisionofanangel。"

"Nonsense！Iwasjustaprettygirlinabookmuslinfrockandawhitesash，witharoseatmybreast。Ibelievetheyusebookmuslinforliningsnow，butitdidmakethesheerest，lightestfrocksanygirlcouldwant。

Yes，Irememberthattime。Iwasgoingtoalittlepartyandcrossingameadowtoshortenthewalk，andSquirePercivalhadbeenoutwithhisgun，andhelaiditdownandrantohelpmeoverthestile。Ahandsomeyoungfellowhewasthenaseversteppedinshoeleather。"

"Andhemusthavelovedyoudearly。HewouldsithourafterhourtellingRuthandmehowbrightyouwere，andhowalltheyoungbeauxaroundMonk-Rawdonadoredyou。"

"Nonsense！Nonsense！Ihadbeauxtobesure。Whatprettygirlhasn’t？"

"AndhesaidhisbrotherEdwardwonyoubecausehewasmostworthyofyourlove。"

"Well，now，IchoseEdwardRawdonbecausehewaswillingtocometoAmerica。I

longedtogetawayfromMonk-Rawdon。I

wasfaintandwearywiththewholestupidplace。Andtheideaoflivingafreeandequallife，andnotcaringwhatlordsandsquiresandtheirproudladiessaidordid，pleasedmewonderfully。WereadaboutNiagaraandthegreatprairiesandthenewbrightcities，andEdwardandIresolvedtomakeourhomethere。Yourgrandfatherwasn’tamantolikebeing`theSquire’sbrother。’Hecouldstandalone。"

"AreyougladyoucametoAmerica？"

"Neversorryaminuteforit。TenyearsinNewYorkisworthfiftyyearsinMonk-

Rawdon，orRawdonCourteither。"

"SquirePercivalwasveryfondofme。

HethoughtIresembledyou，grandmother，butheneveradmittedIwasashandsomeasyouwere。"

"Well，Etheldear，youarehandsomeenoughforthekindofmenyou’llpickupinthisgeneration——mostofthembaldatthirty，wearingspectaclesattwentyorearlier，andinspiteofthefusstheymakeaboutathleticsbreakingalltonervousbitsaboutfifty。"

"Grandmother，thatispureslander。I

knowsomeveryfineyoungmen，handsomeandathleticboth。"

"Beautyisamatteroftaste，andastotheirathletics，theycanrunamilewithablacksmith，butwhenthethermometerrisestoeighty-fivedegreesitknocksthemalltopieces。Theysitfanningthemselveslikeschoolgirls，andcallforjulepsandice-water。

I’vegoteyesyet，mydear。SquirePercivalwasadifferentkindofman；hecouldfollowthehoundsalldayanddanceallnight。Thehunthadnotariderlikehim；hebalkedatneitherhedge，gate，norwater；arightgallant，courageous，honorable，affectionategentlemanaseverYorkshirebred，andshe’sbredlotsofsuperfineones。Whatevermadehimgetintosuchamesswithhisestate？

Yourgrandfatherthoughthimasstraightasastringinmoneymatters。"

"Yousaidjustnowhewascarelessandextravagant。"

"Well，Ididhimwrong，andI’msorryforit。Howdidhemanagetoneedeightythousandpounds？"

"Itisratherapitifulstory，grandmother，butheneveronceblamedthosewhowereinthewrong。Hissonformanyyearshadbeentherealmanageroftheestate。Hewasaspeculator；hisgrandsonswerewildandextravagant。Theybegantoborrowmoneytenyearsagoandhadtogoon。"

"Whomdidtheyborrowfrom？"

"FredMostyn’sfather。"

"Thedevil！Excuseme，Ethel——butthenamesuitsandmaystand。"

"ThedearoldSquirewouldhavetakenthefaultonhimselfifhecouldhavedoneso。

Theythatwrongedhimwerehisown，andtheyweredead。Heneverspokeofthembutwithaffection。"

"PoorPercival！YourfathertoldmehewasnowoutofMostyn’spower；hesaidyouhadsavedtheestate，buthegavemenoparticulars。Howdidyousaveit？"

"Boughtit！"

"Nonsense！"

"Houseandlandsandoutlyingfarmsandtimber——everything。"

ThenarosycoloroverspreadMadam’sface，hereyessparkled，sherosetoherfeet，madeEthelasweepingcourtesy，andsaid：

"MyrespectandcongratulationstoEthel，LadyofRawdonManor。"

"Deargrandmother，whatelsecouldI

do？"

"Youdidright。"

"TheSquireisLordoftheManoraslongashelives。MyfathersaysIhavedonewelltobuyit。Inthefuture，ifIdonotwishtokeepit，NicholasRawdonwillrelievemeatagreatfinancialadvantage。"

"Whydidn’tyouletNicholasRawdonbuyitnow？"

"Hewouldhavewantedpromptpossession。

TheSquirewouldhavehadtoleavehishome。Itwouldhavebrokenhisheart。"

"Idaresay。Hehasasoft，lovingheart。

Thatisn’talwaysablessing。Itcangiveoneadealofsuffering。AndIhearyouhaveallbeenmakingidolsoftheseTyrrel-Rawdons。

Fredtellsmetheyareasvulgaralotascanbe。"

"Fredlies！Excuseme，grandmother——butthewordsuitsandmaystand。Mr。Nicholasispompous，andwalksasslowlyasifhehadtocarrytheweightofhisgreatfortune；buthismannersareallright，andhiswifeandsonaredelightful。Sheishandsome，welldressed，andsogood-heartedthatherprettycountyidiomsarereallycharming。JohnThomasisamanbyhimself——nothandsome，butrunningoverwithgoodtemper，andexceedinglycleverandwide-awake。ManytimesIwasforcedtotellmyself，JohnThomaswouldmakeanidealSquireofRawdon。"

"Whydon’tyoumarryhim。"

"Heneveraskedme。"

"Whatwasthematterwiththemen？"

"Hewasalreadyengagedtoaverylovelyyounglady。"

"Iamgladsheisalady。"

"Sheisalsoveryclever。Shehasbeentocollegeandtakenhighhonors，athingIhavenotdone。"

"Youmighthavedoneandoverdonethatcaper；youweretoosensibletotryit。Well，I’mgladthatpartofthefamilyislookingup。Theyhadtherightstuffinthem，anditisagoodthingforfamiliestodwelltogetherinunity。WehaveKingDavid’swordforthat。Myobservationleadsmetothinkitisfarbetterforfamiliestodwellapart，inunity。Theyseldomgetalongcomfortablytogether。"

ThenEthelrelatedmanypleasant，piquantscenesbetweenthetwofamiliesatMonk-

Rawdon，andespeciallythatoneinwhichtheroomofthefirstTyrrelhadbeenopenedandhislikenessrestoredtoitsplaceinthefamilygallery。Ittouchedtheoldladytotears，andshemurmured，"Poorlad！Poorlad！I

wonderifheknows！Iwonderifheknows！"

ThecrucialpointofEthel’srevelationshadnotyetbeenrevealed，butMadamwasnowinagentlemood，andEtheltooktheopportunitytointroducehertoTyrrelRawdon。

Shewasexpectingandwaitingforthistopic，butstubbornlyrefusedtogiveEthelanyhelptowardbringingitforward。Atlast，thegirlfeltalittleangeratherpretendedindifference，andsaid，"IsupposeFredMostyntoldyouaboutMr。TyrrelRawdon，ofCalifornia？"

"TyrrelRawdon，ofCalifornia！Pray，whomayhebe？"

"ThesonofColonelRawdon，oftheUnitedStatesArmy。"

"Oh，tobesure！Well，whatofhim？"

"Iamgoingtomarryhim。"

"Ishallseeaboutthat。"

"Wewerecomingheretogethertoseeyou，butbeforeweleftthesteamerhegotatelegramurginghimtogoatoncetohisfather，whoisveryill。"

"Ihavenotaskedhimtocomeandseeme。PerhapshewillwaittillIdoso。"

"IfyouarenotgoingtoloveTyrrel，youneednotloveme。Iwon’thaveyouforagrandmotheranylonger。"

"Ididwithoutyousixtyyears。Ishallnotliveanothertwelvemonths，andIthinkIcanmanagetodowithoutyouforagranddaughteranylonger。"

"Youcannotdowithoutme。Youwouldbreakyourheart，andIshouldbreakmine。"

WhereuponEthelbegantocrywithapassionthatquitegratifiedtheoldlady。Shewatchedherafewmoments，andthensaidgently：

"Therenow，thatwilldo。WhenhecomestoNewYorkbringhimtoseeme。Anddon’tnamethemaninthemeantime。Iwon’ttalkabouthimtillI’veseenhim。Itisn’tfaireitherway。Freddidn’tlikehim。"

"FredlikesnoonebutDoraStanhope。"

"Eh！What！Isthatnonsensegoingonyet？"

ThenEtheldescribedherlasttwointerviewswithDora。Shedidthiswithscrupulousfidelity，makingnosuggestionsthatmightprejudicethecase。Forshereallywantedhergrandmother’sdecisioninordertoframeherownconductbyit。Madamwasnot，however，inahurrytogiveit。

"Whatdoyouthink？"sheaskedEthel。

"IhaveknownDoraformanyyears；shehasalwaystoldmeeverything。"

"ButnothingaboutFred？"

"Nothing。"

"Nothingtotell，perhaps？"

"Perhaps。"

"Wheredoesherexcellenthusbandcomein？"

"Shesaysheisverykindtoherinhisway。"

"Andhiswayistodragherovertheworldtoseethecathedralsthereof，andtovarythatpleasurewithinspectingschoolsandreformatoriesandlisteningtogreatpreachers。Uponmyword，Ifeelsorryforthechild！AndI

knowallaboutsuchexcellentpeopleastheStanhopes。Iusedtogotowhattheycall`apleasantevening’withthem。Wesataroundabigroomlitwithwaxcandles，andheldimprovingconversation，orsomeonesangoneortwoofMrs。Hemans’songs，like`PassingAway’or`HeNeverSmiledAgain。’Perhapstherewasacomicrecitation，atwhichnoonelaughed，andfinallywehadwineandhotwater——theycalledit`portnegus’——andtonguesandwichesandcarawaycakes。MydearEthel，IyawnnowwhenI

thinkofthosedrearyevenings。WhatmustDorahavefelt，rightoutofthemaelstromofNewYork’soperasandtheatersanddancingparties？"

"Still，Doraoughttotrytofeelsomeinterestinthechurchaffairs。Shesaysshedoesnotcareahairpinforthem，andBasilfeelssohurt。"

"Idaresayhedoes，poorfellow！HethinksSt。Jude’sKindergartenandsewingcirclesandmissionarysocietiesaretheonlyjoysintheworld。RightenoughforBasil，buthowaboutDora？"

"Theyarehisprofession；sheoughttofeelaninterestinthem。"

"Comenow，lookatthequestionsensibly。

DidDora’sfatherbringhis`deals’andstock-jobberyhome，andexpectDoraandhermothertofeelaninterestinthem？Dodoctorstelltheirwivesabouttheirpatients，andexpectthemtopaysympathizingvisits？

DoesyourfatherexpectRuthandyourselftolistentohiscasesandarguments，andvisithispoorclientsormakeunderclothingforthem？Domen，ingeneral，consideritawife’splacetointerfereintheirprofessionorbusiness？"

"Clergymenaredifferent。"

"Notatall。Preachingandphilanthropyistheirbusiness。Theygetsomuchayearfordoingit。Idon’tbelieveSt。Jude’spaysMrs。Stanhopearedcent。Therenow，andifsheisn’tpaid，she’srightnottowork。Amentothat！"

"BeforeshewasmarriedDorasaidshefeltagreatinterestinchurchwork。"

"Idaresayshedid。Marriagemakesadealofdifferenceinawoman’slikesanddislikes。

Churchworkwascourting-timebeforemarriage；aftermarriageshehadotheropportunities。"

"IthinkyoumightspeaktoFredMostyn————"

"Imight，butitwouldn’tbeworthwhile。

Betruetoyourfriendaslongasyoucan。

InYorkshirewestandbyourfriends，rightorwrong，andwearen’ttooparticularastotheirbeingright。Myfatherenjoyedjustifyingamanthateveryoneelsewasdownon；

andI’vestoodbymanyawomannobodyhadagoodwordfor。Iwasneversorryfordoingit，either。I’llbegoingintoastrangecountrysoon，andIshouldnotwonderifsomeofthemthathavegonetherefirstwillbereadytostandbyme。Wedon’tknowwhatfriendswe’llbegladofthere。"

Thedinnerbellbrokeupthisconversation，andEthelduringittoldMadamaboutthecookandcookingattheCourtandatNicholasRawdon’s，whereJohnThomashadinstalledaFrenchchef。Otherdomesticarrangementswerediscussed，andwhentheJudgecalledforhisdaughteratfouro’clock，Madamvowed"shehadspentoneofthehappiestdaysofherlife。"

"Ruthtellsme，"saidtheJudge，"thatDoraStanhopecalledforEthelsoonaftershelefthomethismorning。Ruthseemstroubledatthecontinuanceofthisfriendship。

Haveyouspokentoyourgrandmother，Ethel，aboutDora？"

"Shehastoldmeallthereistotell，Idaresay，"answeredMadam。

"Well，mother，whatdoyouthink？"

"Iseenoharminityetawhile。Itisnotfair，Edward，tocondemnuponlikelihoods。

Wearenosaints，sinfulmenandwomen，allofus，andasmuchinclinedtoforbiddenfruitasanygoodChristianscanbe。Ethelcandoasshefeelsaboutit；she’sgotamindofherown，andIhopetogoodnessshe’llnotletRuthBayardbitandbridleit。"

GoinghometheJudgeevidentlyponderedthisquestion，forhesaidafteralengthysilence，"Grandmother’sethicsdonotalwaysfitthesocialethicsofthisday，Ethel。Shecriticisespeoplewithherheart，notherintellect。

Youmustbeprudent。ThereisaremarkablethingcalledRespectabilitytobereckonedwithrememberthat。"

AndEthelanswered，"NooneneedworryaboutDora。Somewomenmayshowtheedgesoftheircharactersoiledandragged，butDorawillbesuretohavehersreputablyfinishedwithahemofthewidestpropriety。"

AndafterashortsilencetheJudgeadded，almostinsoliloquy，"And，moreover，Ethel，"`There’sadivinitythatshapesourends，Rough-hewthemhowwewill。’"

PARTFOURTH

THEREAPINGOFTHESOWING

CHAPTERX

WHENEthelandTyrrelpartedatthesteamertheydidnotexpectalongseparation，butColonelRawdonneverrecoveredhishealth，andformanyexcellentreasonsTyrrelcouldnotleavethedyingman。NordidEthelwishhimtodoso。UnderthesecircumstancesbeganthesecondbeautifulphaseofEthel’swooing，asweet，dailycorrespondence，thebestofallpreparationsformatrimonialonenessandunderstanding。LookingforTyrrel’sletters，readingthem，andansweringthempassedmanyhappyhours，fortobothitwasanabsolutenecessitytoassureeachotherconstantly，"SinceIwrotetheeyestereveIdolovethee，Love，believe，Twelvetimesdearer，twelvehourslonger，Onedreamdeeperonenightstronger，Onesunsurer——thismuchmoreThanIlovedthee，dear，before。"

Andfortherest，shetookupheroldlifewithafreshenthusiasm。

AmongtheseinterestsnoneweremoreurgentintheirclaimsthanDoraStanhope；

andfortifiedbyhergrandmother’sopinion，Ethelwentatoncetocallonher。ShefoundBasilwithhiswife，andhiseffortstomakeEthelseehowmuchheexpectedfromherinfluence，andyetatthesametimenotevenhintadisapprovalofDora，werealmostpathetic，forhewassovoidofsophistrythathisinnuendoeswereflagrantlyopentodetection。

Dorafeltacontemptforthem，andhehadhardlylefttheroomereshesaid：

"Basilhasgonetohisvestryinhighspirits。WhenItoldhimyouwerecomingtoseemeto-dayhesmiledlikeanangel。Hebelievesyouwillkeepmeoutofmischief，andhefeelsagrandconfidenceinsomethingwhichhecalls`yourinfluence。’"

"Whatdoyoumeanbymischief？"

"Oh，IsupposegoingaboutwithFredMostyn。Ican’thelpthat。Imusthavesomeonetolookafterme。AlltheyoungmenI

usedtoknowpassmenowwithaliftedhatorawordortwo。Thegirlshaveforgottenme。Idon’tsupposeIshallbeaskedtoasingledancethiswinter。"

"TheladiesinSt。Jude’schurchwouldmakeapetofyouif————"

"Theoldcatsandkittens！No，thankyou，IamnotgoingtochurchexceptonSundaymornings——thatisrespectableandright；butastobeingthepetofSt。Jude’sladies！No，no！Howtheywouldmewovermydelinquencies，andwhatscratchesIshouldgetfromtheirvelvet-shodclaws！IfIhavetobetalkedabout，Iprefertheladiesoftheworldtodiscussmyfrailties。"

"ButifIwereyou，Iwouldgivenooneareasonforsayingawordagainstme。Whyshouldyou？"

"Fredwillsupplythemwithreasons。I

can’tkeepthemanawayfromme。Idon’tbelieveIwantto——heisveryniceanduseful。"

"Youaretalkingnonsense，thingsyoudon’tmean，Dora。YouarenotsuchafoolishwomanastoliketobeseenwithFredMostyn，thatlittlemonocularsnob，afterthearistocratic，handsomeBasilStanhope。Thecomparisonisamockery。BasilisthefinestgentlemanIeversaw。Socially，heisperfection，and————"

"Heisonlyaclergyman。"

"Evenasaclergymanheisofreligiouslyroyaldescent。Therearegenerationsofclergymenbehindhim，andheisaprinceinthepulpit。Everymanthatknowshimgiveshimthehighestrespect，everywomanthinksyouthemostfortunateofwives。NoonecaresforFredMostyn。Eveninhisnativeplaceheisheldincontempt。HehadninehundredvotestoyoungRawdon’stwelvethousand。"

"Idon’tmindthat。Iamgoingtothematineeto-morrowwithFred。Hewantedtotakemeoutinhisautothisafternoon，butwhenIsaidIwouldgoifyouwouldhedrewback。Whatisthereason？Didhemakeyouofferofhishand？Didyourefuseit？"

"Henevermademeanoffer。Icountthattomyselfasagreatcompliment。Ifhehaddonesuchathing，hewouldcertainlyhavebeenrefused。"

"Icantellthathereallyhatesyou。WhatdirtytrickdidyouservehimaboutRawdonCourt？"

"SohecalledthereleaseofSquireRawdona`dirtytrick’？ItwouldhavebeenaverydirtytricktohaveletFredMostyngethiswaywithSquireRawdon。"

"Ofcourse，Ethel，whenamanlendshismoneyasanobligationheexpectstogetitbackagain。"

"Mostyngoteveryfarthingduehim，andhewantedoneofthefinestmanorsinEng-

landinreturnfortheobligation。Hedidnotgetit，thankGodandmyfather！"

"Hewillnotforgetyourfather’sinterference。"

"Ihopehewillrememberit。"

"DoyouknowwhofurnishedthemoneytopayFred？Hesaysheissureyourfatherdidnothaveit。"

"Tellhimtoaskmyfather。Hemightevenaskyourfather。Whethermyfatherhadthemoneyornotwasimmaterial。Fathercouldborrowanysumhewanted，I

think。"

"Whomdidheborrowfrom？"

"IamsurethatFredtoldyoutoaskthatquestion。Ishewritingtoyou，Dora？"

"Supposeheis？"

"Icannotsupposesuchathing。Itistooimpossible。"

ThiswasthebeginningofaseriesofeventsallmoreorlessqualifiedtobringaboutunspeakablemiseryinBasil’shome。Butthereisnothinginlifelikethemarriagetie。Thetugsitwillbearandnotbreak，thewrongsitwilllookover，thechronicmisunderstandingsitwillforgive，makeitoneofthemysteriesofhumanity。ItwasnotinadayoraweekthatBasilStanhope’sdreamofloveandhomewasshattered。Dorahadfrequentandthenlessfrequenttimesofreturntoherbetterself；andeverysuchtimerenewedherhusband’shopethatshewasmerelypassingthroughaperiodoftransitionandassimilation，andthatintheendshewouldbeallhisdesirehopedfor。

ButEthelsawwhathedidnotsee，thatMostynwasgraduallyinspiringherwithhisownopinions，perhapsevenwithhisownpassion。

Inthisemergency，however，shewasgratifiedtofindthatDora’smotherappearedtohavegraspedthesituation。ForifDorawenttothetheaterwithMostyn，Mrs。DenningorBrycewasalsothere；andtherecklessautodriving，shopping，andlunchinghadatleastashowofrespectableassociation。

Yetwhentheoperaseasonopened，theconstantcompanionshipofMostynandDorabecameentirelytooremarkable，notonlyinthepublicestimation，butinBasil’smiserableconceptionofhisownwrong。Theyounghusbandusedeveryartandpersuasion——andfailed。Andhisfailurewastooapparenttobeslighted。Hebecamefeverishandnervous，andhisfriendsreadhismiseryineyesheavywithunshedtears，andinthewastingpallorcausedbyhissleepless，sorrowfulnights。

Doraalsoshowedsignsofthechangesorapidlyworkingonher。Shewassullenandpassionatebyturns；shecomplainedbitterlytoEthelthatheryouthandbeautyhadbeenwasted；thatshewasonlynineteen，andherlifewasover。ShewantedtogotoParis，togetawayfromNewYorkanywhereandanyhow。

ShebegantodislikeeventhepresenceofBasil。Hisstatelybeautyoffendedher，hislow，calmvoicewastheverykeynoteofirritation。

OnemorningnearChristmashecametoherwithasmiling，radiantface。"Dora，"

hesaid，"Dora，mylove，Ihavesomethingsointerestingtotellyou。Mrs。ColbyandMrs。Schafflerandsomeotherladieshaveabeautifulidea。TheywishtogiveallthechildrenofthechurchundereightyearsoldthegrandestChristmastreeimaginable——

reallyrichpresentsandtheythoughtyoumightliketohaveithere。"

"Whatdoyousay，Basil！"

"Youwerealwayssofondofchildren。

You————"

"Inevercouldendurethem。"

"Weallthoughtyoumightenjoyit。Indeed，IwassosurethatIpromisedforyou。

Itwillbesuchapleasuretomealso，dear。"

"Iwillhavenosuchchildishnonsenseinmyhouse。"

"Ipromisedit，Dora。"

"Youhadnorighttodoso。Thisismyhouse。Myfatherboughtitandgavemeit，anditismyown。I————"

"Itseems，then，thatIintrudeinyourhouse。Isitso？Speak，Dora。"

"Ifyouwillaskquestionsyoumusttaketheanswer。Youdointrudewhenyoucomewithsuchridiculousproposals——infact，youintrudeveryoftenlately。"

"DoesMr。Mostynintrude？"

"Mr。Mostyntakesmeout，givesmealittlesensiblepleasure。YouthinkIcanbeinterestedinaChristmastree。Theidea！"

"Alas，alas，Dora，youaretiredofme！

Youdonotloveme！Youdonotloveme！"

"Ilovenobody。IamsorryIgotmarried。

Itwasallamistake。Iwillgohomeandthenyoucangetadivorce。"

Atthislastwordthewholemanchanged。

Hewassuffused，transfiguredwithanangerthatwasatoncerighteousandimpetuous。

"Howdareyouusethatwordtome？"hedemanded。"TothepriestofGodnosuchwordexists。Idonotknowit。Youaremywife，willingorunwilling。Youaremywifeforever，whetheryoudwellwithmeornot。

YoucannotseverbondstheAlmightyhastied。Youaremine，DoraStanhope！Minefortimeandeternity！Mineforeverandever！"

Shelookedathiminamazement，andsawamanafteranimageshehadneverimagined。

Shewasterrified。Sheflungherselfonthesofainawhirlwindofpassion。Shecriedaloudagainsthisclaim。Shegaveherselfuptoavehementragethatwasstronglyinfusedwithachildishdismayandpanic。

"Iwillnotbeyourwifeforever！"sheshrieked。"Iwillneverbeyourwifeagain——never，notforonehour！Letmego！Takeyourhandsoffme！"ForBasilhadkneltdownbythedistraughtwoman，andclaspingherinhisarmssaid，evenonherlips，"YouAREmydearwife！Youaremyveryowndearwife！Tellmewhattodo。Anythingthatisright，reasonableIwilldo。Wecanneverpart。"

"Iwillgotomyfather。Iwillnevercomebacktoyou。"Andwiththesewordssherose，threwoffhisembrace，andwithasobbingcryran，likeaterrifiedchild，outoftheroom。

Hesatdownexhaustedbyhisemotion，andsickwiththethoughtshehadevokedinthatoneevilword。Thepublicity，thedisgrace，thewrongtoHolyChurch——ah，thatwasthecruelestwound！Hisownwrongwashardenough，butthathe，whowouldgladlydiefortheChurch，shouldputhertoopenshame！Howcouldhebearit？Thoughitkilledhim，hemustpreventthatwrong；yes，iftherighteyeoffendeditmustbepluckedout。Hemustthrowoffhiscassock，andturnawayfromthesacredaisles；hemust——hecouldnotsaytheword；hewouldwaitalittle。

Dorawouldnotleavehim；itwasimpossible。

Hewaitedinatranceofachingsuspense。

Nothingforanhourormorebrokeit——nofootfall，nosoundofcommandorcomplaint。

HewasfinallyinhopesthatDoraslept。

Thenhewascalledtolunch，andhemadeapretenseofeatingitalone。Dorasentnoexcuseforherabsence，andhecouldnottrusthimselftomakeinquiryabouther。Inthemiddleoftheafternoonheheardacarriagedrivetothedoor，andDora，withherjewel-

caseinherhand，entereditandwasdrivenaway。Thesightastoundedhim。Herantoherroom，andfoundhermaidpackingherclothing。Thewomanansweredhisquestionssullenly。Shesaid"Mrs。StanhopehadgonetoMrs。Denning’s，andhadleftordersforhertrunkstobesentthere。"Beyondthisshewassilentandignorant。Nosympathyforeitherhusbandorwifewasinherheart。

Theirquarrelwasinterferingwithherownplans；shehatedbothoftheminconsequence。

InthemeantimeDorahadreachedherhome。Hermotherwasdismayedandhesitating，andherattituderaisedagaininDora’sheartthepassionwhichhadprovokedthestepshehadtaken。Sheweptlikealostchild。SheexclaimedagainstthehorrorofbeingBasil’swifeforeverandever。Shereproachedhermotherforsufferinghertomarrywhileshewasonlyachild。Shesaidshehadbeencruellyusedinordertogetthefamilyintosocialrecognition。Shewasinafrenzyofgriefathersupposedsacrificewhenherfathercamehome。Hercasewasthenwon。Withherarmsroundhisneck，sobbingagainsthisheart，hertearsandentreatiesonhislips，BenDenninghadnofeelingandnocareforanyonebuthisdaughter。Hetookherviewofthingsatonce。"SheHADbeenbadlyused。ItWASashametotieagirllikeDoratosermonsandsuchlike。Itwaslikeshuttingherupinaconvent。"Dora’stearsandcomplaintsfiredhimbeyondreason。Hepromisedherfreedomwhateveritcosthim。

Andwhilehesatinhisprivateroomconsideringthecase，alltheracialpassionsofhisroughancestryburningwithinhim，BasilStanhopecalledtoseehim。Hepermittedhimtocomeintohispresence，butheroseasheentered，andwalkedhastilyafewstepstomeethim。

"Whatdoyouwanthere，sir？"heasked。

"Mywife。"

"Mydaughter。Youshallnotseeher。I

havetakenherbacktomyowncare。"

"Sheismywife。Noonecantakeherfromme。"

"Iwillteachyouadifferentlesson。"

"ThelawofGod。"

"Thelawofthelandgoeshere。You’llfinditmorethanyoucandefy。"

"Sir，IentreatyoutoletmespeaktoDora。"

"Iwillnot。"

"IwillstayhereuntilIseeher。"

"Iwillgiveyoufiveminutes。Idonotwishtoofferyourprofessionaninsult；ifyouhaveanyrespectforityouwillobeyme。"

Answermeonequestion——whathaveI

donewrong？"

"Amancanbesointolerablyright，thathebecomesunbearablywrong。Youhavenobusinesswithawifeandahome。Youaread————sighttoogoodforagoodlittlegirlthatwantsabitofinnocentamusement。SermonsandChristmastrees！GreatScott，whatsensiblewomanwouldnotbesickofitall？Sir，Idon’twantanotherminuteofyourcompany。LittlewonderthatmyDoraisillwithit。Obligemebyleavingmyhouseasquietlyaspossible。"Andhewalkedtothedoor，flungitopen，andstoodglaringatthedistractedhusband。"Go，"hesaid。"Goatonce。Mylawyerwillseeyouinthefuture。

Ihavenothingfurthertosaytoyou。"

Basilwent，butnottohisdesolatehome。

Hehadaprivatekeytothevestryinhischurch，andinitsdarknessandsolitudehefacedthefirstshockofhisruinedlife，forheknewwellallwasover。Allhadbeen。Hesanktotheflooratthefootofthelargecrosswhichhungonitsbarewhitewalls。Grief’sillimitablewavewentoverhim，andlikeadrowningmanheutteredaninarticulatecryofagony——thecryofasoulthathadwrongeditsdestiny。

Lovehadbetrayedhimtoruin。Allhehaddonemustbeabandoned。Allhehadwonmustbegivenup。SinandshameindeeditwouldbeifinhispersonasacramentoftheChurchshouldbedraggedthroughadivorcecourt。Allotherconsiderationspaledbeforethisdisgrace。Hemustresignhiscuracy，striphimselfofthehonorableliveryofheaven，obliteratehispersonandhisname。Itwasakindofdeath。

Afterawhileherose，dranksomewater，liftedtheshadeandletthemoonlightin。

ThenaboutthatlittleroomhewalkedwithGodthroughthelongnight，tellingHimhissorrowandperplexity。Andthereisadepthinourownnaturewherethedivineandhumanareone。ThatnightBasilStanhopefoundit，andhenceforwardknewthatthebitternessofdeathwasbehindhim，notbefore。

"Imademynesttoodearonearth，"

hesighed，"andithasbeensweptbare——thatis，thatImaybuildinheaven。

Now，therevelationofsorrowistheclearestofallrevelations。Stanhopeunderstoodthathourwhathemustdo。Nodoubtsweakenedhiscourse。HewentbacktothehouseDoracalled"hers，"tookawaywhathevalued，andwhiletheservantswereeatingtheirbreakfastandtalkingoverhismaritaltroubles，hepassedacrossitsthresholdforthelasttime。Hetoldnoonewherehewasgoing；hedroppedassilentlyanddumblyoutofthelifethathadknownhimasastonedroppedintomid-ocean。

EthelconsideredherselffortunateinbeingfromhomeatthetimethisdisastrousculminationofBasilStanhope’smarriedlifewasreached。OnthatsamemorningtheJudge，accompaniedbyRuthandherself，hadgonetoLenoxtospendtheholidayswithsomeoldfriends，andshewasquiteignorantofthematterwhenshereturnedaftertheNewYear。Brycewasherfirstinformant。

Hecalledspeciallytogiveherthenews。Hesaidhissisterhadbeentooillandtoobusytowrite。Hehadnowordofsympathyfortheunhappypair。Hespokeonlyoftheanxietyithadcausedhim。"Hewasnowengaged，"

hesaid，"toMissCaldwell，andshewassuchanextremelyproper，innocentlady，andamemberofSt。Jude’s，ithadreallybeenatryingtimeforher。"BrycealsoremindedEthelthathehadbeenagainstBasilStanhopefromthefirst。"Hehadalwaysknownhowthatmarriagewouldend，"andsoon。

Etheldeclinedtogiveanyopinion。"Shemusthearbothsides，"shesaid。"Dorahadbeensoreasonablelately，shehadappearedhappy。"

"Oh，Doraisalittlefox，"hereplied；"shedoublesonherselfalways。"

Ruthwasproperlyregretful。Shewondered"ifanymarriedwomanwasreallyhappy。"ShedidnotapparentlyconcernherselfaboutBasil。TheJudgeratherleanedtoBasil’sconsideration。HeunderstoodthatDora’sovertacthadshatteredhisprofessionalcareeraswellashispersonalhappiness。

Hecouldfeelforthemanthere。"Mydears，"hesaid，withhisdilettanteair，"thegoddessCalamityisdelicate，andherfeetaretender。Shetreadsnotupontheground，butmakesherpathupontheheartsofmen。"Inthisnon-committalwayhegavehiscomment，forheusuallyfoundabitofclassicalwisdomtofitmodernemergencies，andthehabithadimpartedanantiquebon-tontohisconversation。Ethelcouldonlywonderatthelackofrealsympathy。

Inthemorningshewenttoseehergrandmother。

Theoldladyhad"heard"allshewantedtohearaboutDoraandBasilStanhope。

Ifmenwouldmarryafoolbecauseshewasyoungandpretty，theymusttaketheconsequences。"AndwhyshouldStanhopehavemarriedatall？"sheaskedindignantly。

"NomancanserveGodandawomanatthesametime。Hehadtobeabadpriestandagoodhusband，orabadhusbandandagoodpriest。BasilStanhopewashonored，wasdoinggood，andhemustneedsbehappyalso。

Hewantedtoomuch，andlosteverything。

Servehimright。"

"AllcannowfindsomefaultinpoorBasilStanhope，"saidEthel。"BrycewasbitteragainsthimbecauseMissCaldwellshiversattheword`divorce。’"

"WhathasBrycetodowithJaneCaldwell？"

"Heisgoingtomarryher，hesays。"

"Likeenough；she’samerrymissoftwo-

score，andrich。Bryce’smarriagewithanyonewillbeawell-consideredaffair——amarriagewithalltheadvantagesofagoodbargain。I’mtiredofthewholesubject。IfwomenwillmarrytheyshouldbeaspatientasGriselda，incasethereeverwassuchawoman；ifnot，there’sanendofthematter。"

"TherearenoGriseldasinthiscentury，grandmother。"

"Thenthereoughttobenomarriages。

BasilStanhopewasagrandmaninpublic。

Whatkindofamanwasheinhishome？

Measureamanbyhishomeconduct，andyou’llnotgowrong。It’stherightplacetodrawyourpictureofhim，Icantellyouthat。"

"Hehasnohomenow，poorfellow。"

"Whosefaultwasit？Godonlyknows。

Whereishiswife？"

"ShehasgonetoParis。"

"Shehasgonetotherightplaceifshewantstoplaythefool。Butthere，now，GodforbidIshouldjudgeherinthedark。

Womenshouldstandbywomen——considering。"

"Considering？"

"Whattheymayhavetoputupwith。Itiseasytoseefaultsinothers。Ihavesometimesmetwithpeoplewhoshouldseefaultsinthemselves。Theyareratheruncommon，though。"

"IamsureBasilStanhopewillbemiserableallhislife。Hewillbreakhisheart，I

dobelieve。"

"Notso。Agoodheartishardtobreak，itgrowsstrongintrouble。BasilStanhope’sbodywillfaillongbeforehisheartdoes；andevensoanendmustcometolife，andafterthatpeaceorwhatGodwills。"

ThisscantsympathyEthelfoundtobetheusualtoneamongheracquaintances。St。