第8章

Jude’sgotanewrectorandanewidol，andtheStanhopeaffairwasrelegatedtothelimboofthings"itwaspropertoforget。"

Sotheweeksofthelongwinterwentby，andEthelinthejoyandhopeofherownlove-lifenaturallyputoutofhermindthesorrowoflivesshecouldnolongerhelporinfluence。Indeed，astoDora，therewerefrequentreportsofhermarveloussocialsuccessinParis；andEtheldidnotdoubtStanhopehadfoundsomeeverlastinggospelofholyworktocomforthisdesolation。Andthenalso"Eachdaybringsitspettydust，Oursoon-chokedsoulstofill；

Andweforgetbecausewemust，Andnotbecausewewill。"

OneeveningwhenMaywithheavycloudsandslantrainswasmakingthecityasmiserableaspossible，Ethelhadacaller。Hiscardboreanamequiteunknown，andhisappearancegavenoclewtohisidentity。

"Mr。Edmonds？"shesaidinterrogatively。

"AreyouMissEthelRawdon？"heasked。

"Yes。"

"Mr。BasilStanhopetoldmetoputthisparcelinyourhands。"

"Oh，Mr。Stanhope！Iamgladtohearfromhim。Whereishenow？"

"Weburiedhimyesterday。HediedlastSundayasthebellswereringingforchurch——pneumonia，miss。Whilereadingtheser-

viceoverapooryoungmanhehadnursedmanyweekshetookcold。Thepoorwillmisshimsorely。"

"DEAD！"Shelookedaghastatthespeaker，andagainejaculatedthepitiful，astoundingword。

"Goodevening，miss。Ipromisedhimtoreturnatoncetotheworkheleftmetodo。"

Andhequietlydeparted，leavingEthelstandingwiththeparcelinherhands。Sheranupstairsandlockeditaway。Justthenshecouldnotbeartoopenit。

"Anditishardlytwelvemonthssincehewasmarried，"shesobbed。"Oh，Ruth，Ruth，itistoocruel！"

"Dear，"answeredRuth，"thereisnodeathtosuchamanasBasilStanhope。"

"Hewassoyoung，Ruth。"

"Iknow。`Hishigh-bornbrotherscalledhimhence’attheageoftwenty-nine，but"`Itisnotgrowinglikeatree，Inbulk，dothmakemenbetterbe；

Orstandinglikeanoakthreehundredyear，Tofallatlast，dry，baldandsear：

AlilyofadayIsfairerfarinMay；

Althoughitfallanddiethatnight，Itwastheplantandfloweroflight。’"

AtthesewordstheJudgeputdownhisReviewtolistentoEthel’sstory，andwhensheceasedspeakinghehadgonefarfurtherbackthananyantiqueclassicforcompensationandsatisfaction：

"Hebeingmadeperfectinashorttimefulfilledalongtime。ForhissoulpleasedtheLord，thereforehastedHetotakehimawayfromamongthewicked。"[2]Andthateveningtherewaslittleconversation。Everyheartwasbusywithitsownthoughts。

[2]WisdomofSolomon，IV。，13，14。

CHAPTERXI

TRADEandcommercehavetheirheroesaswellasarms，andthestruggleinwhichTyrrelRawdonatlastpluckedvictoryfromapparentfailurewasasarduousacampaignasanymilitaryoperationscouldhaveafforded。

Ithadentailedonhimaceaseless，undauntedwatchoverantagonistsrichandpowerful；andafightforrightswhichcontainednotonlyhisownfortune，butthehonorofhisfather，sothattogiveupafractionofthemwastoturntraitortothememoryofaparentwhomhebelievedtobebeyondalldoubtorreproach。Money，politicalpower，civicinfluence，treachery，bribery，thelaw’sdelayandmanyotherhindrancesmethimoneveryside，buthisheartwasencourageddailytoperseverancebylove’stenderestsympathy。

ForhetoldEtheleverything，andreceivedbothfromherfineintuitionsandherfather’slegalskillpricelesscomfortandadvice。Butatlastthelongtrialwasover，themarriagedaywasset，andTyrrel，withallhisrightsconceded，washonorablyfreetoseekthehappinesshehadsafeguardedoneveryside。

ItwasalovelydayinthebeginningofMay，nearlytwoyearsaftertheirfirstmeeting，whenTyrrelreachedNewYork。Ethelknewatwhathourhistrainwouldarrive，shewaswatchingandlisteningforhisstep。Theymetineachother’sarms，andtheblessedhoursofthathappyeveningwereanover-

paymentofdelightforthelongmonthsoftheirseparation。

InthemorningEthelwastointroduceherlovertoMadamRawdon，andsidebyside，almosthandinhand，theywalkeddowntheavenuetogether。Walked？Theyweresohappytheyhardlyknewwhethertheirfeettouchedearthornot。Theyhadaconstantinclinationtoclasphands，torunaslittlechildrenrun；Theywishedtosmileateveryone，tobidalltheworldgoodmorning。

Madamhadresolvedtobecoolandcarefulinheradvances，butshequicklyfoundherselfunabletoresistthesightofsomuchloveandhopeandhappiness。Theyoungpeopletogethertookherheartbystorm，andshefeltherselfcompelledtoexpressaninterestintheirfuture，andtoquestionTyrrelaboutit。

"Whatareyougoingtodowithyourselformakeofyourself？"sheaskedTyrreloneeveningwhentheyweresittingtogether。"I

dohopeyou’llfindsomekindofwork。Anythingisbetterthanloafingaboutclubsandsuchlikeplaces。"

"IamgoingtostudylawwithJudgeRawdon。

Mylateexperiencehastaughtmeitsvalue。IdonotthinkIshallloafinhisoffice。"

"Notifheisanywherearound。Heworksandmakesotherswork。Lawyeringisaqueerbusiness，butmencanbehonestinitiftheywantto。"

"And，grandmother，"saidEthel，"myfathersaysTyrrelhasawonderfulgiftforpublicspeaking。Hemadeafinespeechatfather’sclublastnight。Tyrrelwillgointopolitics。"

"Willhe，indeed？Tyrrelisawonder。Ifhemanagestowalkhisshoesstraightinthezigzaggerywaysofthelaw，hewillbeoneofthatgrandbreedcalled`exceptions。’Asforpolitics，Idon’tlikethem，farfromit。Yourgrandfatherusedtosaytheyeitherfoundamanarascalormadehimone。However，I’mreadytocompromiseonlawandpolitics。

Iwasafraidwithhisgrandvoicehewouldsetupforatenor。"

Tyrrellaughed。"Ididoncethinkofthatrole，"hesaid。

"Ifanciedthat。Whoevertaughtyoutouseyourvoiceknewathingortwoaboutsinging。I’llsaythatmuch。"

"Mymothertaughtme。"

"Never！Iwondernow！"

"Shewasafamoussinger。Shewasagreatandagoodwoman。Ioweherforeveryexcellentqualitythereisinme。"

"No，youdon’t。Youhavegotyourblackeyesandhairherway，I’llwarrantthat，butyoursolidmake-up，yourpluckandgritandperseveranceistheRawdoninyou。WithoutRawdonyouwouldverylikelynowbestruttingaboutsomeoperastage，playingatkingsandlovemaking。"

"Asitis————"

"Asitis，youwillbelordconsortofRawdonManor，withasilverminetobackyou。"

"IamsorryabouttheManor，"saidTyrrel。

"IwishthedearoldSquirewerealivetomeetEthelandmyself。"

"Tobesureyoudo。ButIdaresaythatheisgladnowtohavepassedoutofit。

Deathisamysterytothoseleft，butIhavenodoubtitissatisfyingtothosewhohavegoneaway。Hediedashelived，veryprop-

erly；walkedinthegardenthatmorningasfarasthestrawberrybeds，andthegardenergavehimthefirstripehalf-dozeninayoungcabbageleaf，andheatethemlikeaboy，andsaidtheytastedasifgrowninParadise，thenstrolledhomeandaskedJoeltoshakethepillowsonthesofainthehall，laidhimselfdown，shuffledhisheadeasyamongthem，andfellonsleep。SoDeaththeDelivererfoundhim。Agoodgoinghome！Nothingtofearinit。"

"EtheltellsmethatMr。MostynisnowlivingatMostynHall。"

"Yes，hemarriedthatgirlhewouldhavesoldhissoulforandtookherthere，fourmonthsonlyafterherhusband’sdeath。

WhenIwasyounghedurstnothavedoneit，theYorkshiregentrywouldhavecutthemboth。"

"Ithink，"saidTyrrel，"Americangentlemenofto-dayfeltmuchthesame。WillMadisontoldmethattheclubcuthimassoonasMrs。Stanhopeleftherhusband。Hewentthereonedayafteritwasknown，andnoonesawhim；finallyhewalkeduptoMcLean，andwouldhavesatdown，butMcLeansaid，`Yourcompanyisnotdesired，Mr。Mostyn。’Mostynsaidsomethinginre-

ply，andMcLeanansweredsternly，`True，wearenoneofussaints，buttherearelinestheworstofuswillnotpass；andifthereisanymemberofthisclubwillingtointerferebetweenabridegroomandhisbride，Iwouldliketokickhimoutofit。’Mostynstruckthetablewithsomeexclamation，andMcLeancontinued，`EspeciallywhenthewrongedhusbandisagentlemanofsuchstainlesscharacterandunsuspectingnatureasBasilStanhope——aclergymanalso！Oh，thethingisbeyondpalliationentirely！’AndhewalkedawayandleftMostyn。"

"Well，"saidMadam，"ifitcametokicking，twocouldplaythatgame。Fredisnocoward。Idon’twanttohearanotherwordaboutthem。Theywillpunisheachotherwithoutourhelp。Letthemalone。Ihopeyouarenotgoingtohaveacrowdatyourwedding。Thequietestweddingsaretheluckiestones。"

"Abouttwentyofourmostintimatefriendsareinvitedtothechurch，"saidEthel。

"TherewillbenoreceptionuntilwereturntoNewYorkinthefall。"

"Noneedoffusshere，therewillbeenoughwhenyoureachMonk-Rawdon。Thevillagewillbegarlandedandflagged，thebellsring-

ing，andallyourtenantsandretainersouttomeetyou。"

"Weintendtogetintoourownhomewithoutanyonebeingawareofit。Come，Tyrrel，mydressmakeriswaiting，Iknow。Itismyweddinggown，dearGranny，andoh，solovely！"

"YouwillnotbeanysmarterthanIintendtobe，miss。Youareshutofffromcolor。

Icanoutdoyou。"

"Iamsureyoucan——andwill。Herecomesfather。Whatcanhewant？"Theymethimatthedoor，andwithafewlaughingwordslefthimwithMadam。Shelookedcuriouslyintohisfaceandasked，"Whatisit，Edward？"

"Isupposetheyhavetoldyouallthearrangements。Theyareverysimple。DidtheysayanythingaboutRuth？"

"Theynevernamedher。TheysaidtheyweregoingtoWashingtonforaweek，andthentoRawdonCourt。Ruthseemsoutofitall。Areyougoingtoturnheradrift，orpresentherwithafewthousanddollars？ShehasbeenamothertoEthel。SomethingoughttobedoneforRuthBayard。"

"Iintendtomarryher。"

"Ithoughtso。"

"Shewillgotohersister’sinPhiladelphiaforamonth’spreparation。Ishallmarryherthere，andbringherhomeasmywife。Sheisasweet，gentle，docilewoman。Shewillmakemehappy。"

"Sweet，gentle，docile！Yes，thatisthestyleofwifeRawdonmenprefer。WhatdoesEthelsay？"

"Sheisdelighted。Itwasheridea。Iwasmuchpleasedwithherthoughtfulness。Anyseriousbreakinmylifewouldnowbeagreatdiscomfort。Youneednotlooksosatirical，mother；IthoughtofRuth’slifealso。"

"Alsoanafterthought；butRuthisgentleanddocile，andsheissatisfied，andIamsatisfied，sotheneverythingisproperandeveryonecontent。ComeformeattenonWednesdaymorning。Ishallbeready。Norefreshments，Isuppose。Imustlookaftermyownbreakfast。Won’tyoufeelabitshabby，Edward？

"Andthenthelookandhandclaspbetweenthemturnedeverywordintosweetnessandgood-will。

AndasEthelregardedhermarriageratherasareligiousritethanasocialfunction，sheobjectedtoitsdetailsbecominginanysensepublic，andherdesiresweretoberegarded。

Yeteveryonemayimaginethewhiteloveli-

nessofthebride，thejoyofthebridegroom，thecalmhappinessofthefamilybreakfast，andtheleisurely，quietleave-taking。Thewholeceremonywastherightnotestruckatthebeginningofanewlife，andtheymightjustlyexpectitwouldmoveonwardinmelodioussequence。

WithinthreeweeksaftertheirmarriagetheyarrivedatRawdonCourt。Itwasonadayandatanhourwhennoonewaslookingforthem，andtheysteppedintothelovelyhomewaitingforthemwithoutoutsideobservation。

Hiringacarriageattherailwaystation，theydismisseditatthelittlebridgeneartheManorHouse，andsaunteredhappilythroughtheinterveningspace。Thedoorofthegreathallstoodopen，andthefire，whichhadbeenburningonitsbighearthunquenchedformorethanthreehundredyears，wasblazingmerrily，asifsomehandhadjustreplenishedit。Onthelongtablethebroad，whitebeaverhatofthedeadSquirewaslying，andhisoakwalkingstickwasbesideit。Noonehadlikedtoremovethem。Theyremainedjustashehadputthemdown，thatlast，peacefulmorningofhislife。

Inafewminutesthewholehouseholdwasawareoftheirhome-coming，andbeforethedaywasoverthewholeneighborhood。Thentherewasnowayofavoidingthecalls，thecongratulations，andtheentertainmentsthatfollowed，andtheoldCourtwasoncemorethecenterofasplendidhospitality。OfcoursetheTyrrel-Rawdonswerefirstonthescene，andEthelwasgenuinelygladtomeetagainthegood-naturedMrs。Nicholas。Noonecouldgiveherbetterlocaladvice，andEthelquicklydiscoveredthatthebestgeneralsociallawsrequirealocalinterpretation。

Herhandswerefull，herheartfull，shehadsomanyintereststoshare，somanypeopletoreceiveandtovisit，andyetwhentwoweekspassedandDoraneithercamenorwroteshewasworriedanddissatisfied。

"AretheMostynsattheHall？"sheaskedMrs。Nicholasatlast。"IhavebeenexpectingMrs。Mostyneveryday，butsheneithercomesnorwritestome。"

"Idaresaynot。Poorlittlewoman！I’llwarrantshehasbeenforbidtodoeither。IfMostynthoughtshewantedtoseeyou，hewouldwatchdayandnighttopreventhercoming。He’sturningoutascruelamanashisfatherwas，andyouneednotsayawordworsethanthat。"

"Cruel！Oh，dear，howdreadful！Menwilldrinkandcheatandswear，butacruelmanseemssounnatural，sowicked。"

"Tobesure，crueltyisthejoyofdevils。

AsIsaidtoJohnThomaswhenweheardaboutMostyn’sgoings-on，wehavegotridoftheWickedOne，butthewickedstillremainwithus。"

Thisconversationhavingbeenopened，wasnaturallyprolongedbytherelationofincidentswhichhadcomethroughvarioussourcestoMrs。Rawdon’sears，allofthemindicatinganalmostincrediblesystemofpettytyrannyandcruelcontradiction。Ethelwasamazed，andfinallyangryatwhatsheheard。Dorawashercountrywomanandherfriend；sheinstantlybegantoexpresshersympathyandherintentionofinterfering。

"Youhadbetterneithermeddlenormakeinthematter，"answeredMrs。Rawdon。

"OurLucywenttoseeher，andgavehersomeadviceaboutmanagingYorkshiremen。

AndasshewastalkingMostyncamein，andwasasrudeashedaredtobe。ThenLucyaskedhim`ifhewassick。’Shesaid，`Allthemenintheneighborhood，gentleandsim-

ple，weretalkingabouthim，andthatitwasn’tapleasantthingtobetalkedaboutinthewaytheyweredoingit。Youmustbegintolookmorelikeyourself，Mr。Mostyn；itisgoodadviceIamgivingyou，’sheadded；andMostyntoldherhewouldlookashefelt，whetheritwaslikedornotliked。AndLucylaughed，andsaid，`Inthatcasehewouldhavetogotohislooking-glassforcompany。’Well，Ethel，therewasatimetojoyadevilafterLucyleft，andsomeoneoftheservantswentontheirownresponsibilityforadoctor；andMostynorderedhimoutofthehouse，andhewouldnotgountilhesawMrs。Mostyn；andthelittlewomanwasforcedtocomeandsay`shewasquitewell，’thoughshewassobbingallthetimeshespoke。ThenthedoctortoldMostynwhathethought，andthereisaquarrelbetweenthemeverytimetheymeet。"

ButEthelwasnotdeterredbythesestatements；

onthecontrary，theystimulatedherinterestinherfriend。Doraneededher，andtheoldfeelingofprotectionstirredhertointerference。Atanyrate，shecouldcallandseetheunhappywoman；andthoughTyrrelwasopposedtothevisit，andthoughtiteverywayunwise，Ethelwasresolvedtomakeit。

"Youcandrivemethere，"shesaid，"thengoandseeJusticeManninghamandcallformeinhalfanhour。"AndthisresolutionwasstrengthenedbyapitifullittlenotereceivedfromDorajustafterherdecision。

"MostynhasgonetoThirsk，"itsaid；"forpity’ssakecomeandseemeabouttwoo’clockthisafternoon。"

Therequestwaspromptlyanswered。AstheclockstrucktwoEthelcrossedthethresholdofthehomethatmighthavebeenhers。

Sheshudderedatthethought。Theatmosphereofthehousewasfulloffearandgloom，thefurnituredarkandshabby，andshefanciedthewraithsofoldforgottencrimesandsorrowswereglidingaboutthesad，dimroomsandstairways。Doraroseinapassionoftearstowelcomeher，andbecausetimewasshortinstantlybeganherpitifulstory。

"Youknowhowheadoredmeonce，"shesaid；"wouldyoubelieveit，Ethel，wewerenottwoweeksmarriedwhenhebegantohateme。HedraggedmethroughEuropeinblazingheatandblindingsnowswhenIwassickandunfittomove。Hebroughtmehereinthedepthofwinter，andwhennoonecalledonusheblamedme；andfrommorningtillnight，andsometimesallnightlong，hetauntsandtormentsme。AfterheheardthatyouhadboughttheManorhelostallcontrolofhimself。Hewillnotletmesleep。

Hewalksthefloorhourafterhour，declaringhecouldhavehadyouandthefinestmanorinEnglandbutforacat-facedwomanlikeme。

AndheblamesmeforpoorBasil’sdeath——

sayswemurderedhimtogether，andthatheseesbloodonmyhands。"Andshelookedwithterrorathersmall，thinhands，andheldthemupasiftoprotestagainstthecharge。

Whenshenextspokeitwastosobout，"PoorBasil！Hewouldpityme！Hewouldhelpme！Hewouldforgiveme！HeknowsnowthatMostynwas，andis，myevilgenius。"

"Donotcrysobitterly，Dora，ithurtsme。

Letusthink。Istherenothingyoucando？"

"Iwanttogotomother。"ThenshedrewEthel’sheadclosetoherandwhisperedafewwords，andEthelanswered，"Youpoorlittleone，youshallgotoyourmother。Whereisshe？"

"ShewillbeinLondonnextweek，andI

mustseeher。Hewillnotletmego，butgoImustifIdieforit。Mrs。JohnThomasRawdontoldmewhattodo，andIhavebeenfollowingheradvice。"

Etheldidnotaskwhatitwas，butadded，"IfTyrrelandIcanhelpyou，sendforus。

Wewillcome。And，Dora，dostopweeping，andbebrave。RememberyouareanAmericanwoman。YourfatherhasoftentoldmehowyoucouldridewithIndiansorcowboysandshootwithanyminerinColorado。A

bullylikeMostynisalwaysacoward。Liftupyourheartandstandforeveryoneofyourrights。Youwillfindplentyoffriendstostandwithyou。"Andwiththewordsshetookherbythehandsandraisedhertoherfeet，andlookedatherwithsuchabeaming，courageoussmilethatDoracaughtitsspirit，andpromisedtoinsistonherclaimsforrestandsleep。

"WhenshallIcomeagain，Dora？"

"NottillIsendforyou。MotherwillbeinLondonnextWednesdayattheSavoy。I

intendtoleavehereWednesdaysometime，andmayneedyou；willyoucome？"

"Surely，bothTyrrelandI。"

Thenthetimebeingonadangerouslinetheyparted。ButEthelcouldthinkofnothingandtalkofnothingbutthefrightfulchangeinherfriend，andtheunceasingmiserywhichhadproducedit。Tyrrelsharedallherindignation。Theslowtortureofanycreaturewasanintolerablecrimeinhiseyes，butwhenthebrutalitywasexercisedonawoman，andonacountrywoman，hewasrousedtothehighestpitchofindignation。

WhenWednesdayarrivedhedidnotleavethehouse，butwaitedwithEthelforthemessagetheyconfidentlyexpected。Itcameaboutfiveo’clock——urgent，imperative，entreating，"Come，forGod’ssake！Hewillkillme。"

Thecarriagewasready，andinhalfanhourtheywereatMostynHall。Nooneansweredtheirsummons，butastheystoodlisteningandwaiting，ashrillcryofpainandangerpiercedthesilence。Itwasfollowedbyloudvoicesandaconfusednoise——

noiseofmanytalkingandexclaiming。ThenTyrrelnolongerhesitated。Heopenedthedooreasily，andtakingEthelonhisarm，suddenlyenteredtheparlorfromwhichtheclamorcame。Dorastoodinthecenteroftheroomlikeanenragedpythoness，hereyesblazingwithpassion。

"See！"shecriedasTyrrelenteredtheroom——"see！"Andsheheldoutherarm，andpointedtohershoulderfromwhichthelacehunginshreds，showingthewhiteflesh，redandbruised，whereMostynhadgrippedher。ThenTyrrelturnedtoMostyn，whowasheldtightlyinthegraspofhisgardenerandcoachman，andfoamingwitharagethatrenderedhisexplanationalmostinarticulate，especiallyasthethreewomenservantsgatheredaroundtheirmistressaddedtheirrailingandinvectivestothegeneralconfusion。

"Thewitch！Thecat-facedwoman！"hescreamed。"Shewantstogotohermother！

WantstoplaythetrickshekilledBasilStanhopewith！Sheshallnot！Sheshallnot！I

willkillherfirst！Sheismad！Iwillsendhertoanasylum！Sheisalittledevil！I

willsendhertohell！Nothingisbadenough——nothing————"

"Mr。Mostyn，"saidTyrrel。

"Outofmyhouse！Whatareyoudoinghere？Away！Thisismyhouse！Outofitimmediately！"

"Thismanisinsane，"saidTyrreltoDora。

"Putonyourhatandcloak，andcomehomewithus。"

"IamwaitingforJusticeManningham，"

sheansweredwithacalmsubsidenceofpassionthatangeredMostynmorethanherreproaches。

"Ihavesentforhim。Hewillbehereinfiveminutesnow。Thatbrute"——

pointingtoMostyn——"mustbekeptunderguardtillIreachmymother。Themagistratewillbringacoupleofconstableswithhim。"

"Thisisaplot，then！Youhearit！You！

You，TyrrelRawdon，andyou，SaintEthel，areinit，allhereontime。Aplot，Isay！LetmeloosethatImaystranglethecat-facedcreature。Lookatherhands，theyarealreadybloody！"

AtthesewordsDorabegantosobpassionately，theservants，oneandall，tocomforther，ortoabuseMostyn，andintheheightofthehubbubJusticeManninghamenteredwithtwoconstablesbehindhim。

"TakechargeofMr。Mostyn，"hesaidtothem，andastheylaidtheirbighandsonhisshoulderstheJusticeadded，"Youwillconsideryourselfunderarrest，Mr。Mostyn。"

AndwhennothingelsecouldcowMostyn，hewascowedbythelaw。Hesankalmostfaintingintohischair，andtheJusticelistenedtoDora’sstory，andlookedindignantlyatthebrutalman，whensheshowedhimhertorndressandbruisedshoulder。"IentreatyourHonor，"shesaid，"topermitmetogotomymotherwhoisnowinLondon。"Andheansweredkindly，"Youshallgo。Youareinaconditiononlyamothercanhelpandcomfort。AssoonasIhavetakenyourdepositionyoushallgo。"

NoonepaidanyattentiontoMostyn’sdisclaimersanddenials。TheJusticesawthestateofaffairs。SquireRawdonandMrs。

RawdontestifiedtoDora’sill-usage；thebutler，thecoachman，thestablemen，thecook，thehousemaidswerealleagertobearwitnesstothesame；andMrs。Mostyn’sappearancewastooeloquentapleaforanyhumanemantodenyherthemother-helpsheaskedfor。

Thoughneighborsandmembersofthesamehuntandclubs，theJusticetooknomorefriendlynoticeofMostynthanhewouldhavetakenofanywife-beatingcotton-

weaver；andwhenalllawfulpreliminarieshadbeenarranged，hetoldMrs。MostynthatheshouldnottakeupMr。Mostyn’scasetillFriday；andintheintervalshewouldhavetimetoputherselfunderhermother’scare。

Shethankedhim，weeping，andinherold，prettywaykissedhishands，and"vowedhehadsavedherlife，andshewouldforeverrememberhisgoodness。"Mostynmockedather"play-acting，"andwassternlyreprovedbytheJustice；andthenTyrrelandEtheltookchargeofMrs。MostynuntilshewasreadytoleaveforLondon。

Shewasmorenearlyreadythantheyex-

pected。Allhertrunkswerepacked，andthebutlerpromisedtotakethemimmediatelytotherailwaystation。Inaquarterofanhoursheappearedintravelingcostume，withherjewelsinabag，whichshecarriedinherhand。

TherewasatrainforLondonpassingMonk-

Rawdonateighto’clock；andafterJusticeManninghamhadleft，thecookbroughtinsomedinner，whichDoraaskedtheRawdonstosharewithher。Itwas，perhaps，anecessarybutapainfulmeal。NoonenoticedMostyn。Hewasenforcedtositstillandwatchitsprogress，whichheaccompaniedwithcursesitwouldbeakindofsacrilegetowritedown。Butnooneansweredhim，andnoonenoticedtheordershegaveforhisowndinner，untilDorarosetoleaveforeverthehouseofbondage。Thenshesaidtothecook：

"Seethatthosegentlemanlyconstableshavesomethinggoodtoeatandtodrink，andwhentheyhavebeenservedyoumaygivethatman"——pointingtoMostyn——"thedinnerofbreadandwaterhehassooftenprescribedforme。Aftermytrainleavesyouareallfreetogotoyourownhomes。Farewell，friends！"

ThenMostynravedagain，andfinallytriedhisoldlovingterms。"Comebacktome，Dora，"hecalledfrantically。"Comeback，dearest，sweetestDora，Iwillbeyourloverforever。Iwillneversayanothercrosswordtoyou。"

ButDoraheardnotandsawnot。Shelefttheroomwithoutaglanceatthemansittingcoweringbetweentheofficers，andblubberingwithshameandpassionandthesenseoftotalloss。InafewminutesheheardtheRawdoncarriagedrivetothedoor。TyrrelandEthelassistedDoraintoit，andthepartydroveatoncetotherailwaystation。TheywerejustabletocatchtheLondontrain。

Thebutlercameuptoreportallthetrunkssafelyforwarded，andDoradroppedgoldintohishand，andbadehimclearthehouseofservantsassoonasthemorningbroke。Fortunatelytherewasnotimeforlastwordsandpromises；thetrainbegantomove，andTyrrelandEthel，afterwatchingDora’swhitefaceglideintothedarkness，turnedsilentlyaway。Thatdepressionwhichsooftenfollowstheliftingofburdensnotintendedforourshouldersweighedontheirheartsandmadespeechdifficult。Tyrrelwasespeciallyaffectedbyit。AquickfeelingofsomethinglikesympathyforMostynwouldnotbereasonedaway，andhedrewEthelclosewithinhisarm，andgavethecoachmananordertodrivehomeasquicklyaspossible，fortwilightwasalreadybecomingnight，andunderthetreesthedarknessfeltoppressive。

Thelittlefireonthehearthandtheirbelateddinnersomewhatrelievedthetension；

butitwasnotuntiltheyhadretiredtoasmallparlor，andTyrrelhadsmokedacigar，thatthetragedyoftheeveningbecameapossibletopicofconversation。Tyrrelopenedthesubjectbyaquestionastowhether"heoughttohavegonewithDoratoLondon。"

"DoraopposedtheideastronglywhenI

namedittoher，"answeredEthel。"ShesaiditwouldgiveopportunitiesforMostyntoslanderbothherselfandyou，andIthinkshewascorrect。Everywayshewasbestalone。"

"Perhaps，butIfeelasifIoughttohavegone，asifIhadbeensomethinglessthanagentleman；infact，asifIhadbeenveryun-

gentle。"

"Thereisnoneed，"answeredEthelalittlecoldly。

"ItisaterriblepositionforMostyn。"

"Hedeservesit。"

"Heissosensitiveaboutpublicopinion。"

"Inthatcaseheshouldbehavedecentlyinprivate。"

ThenTyrrellitanothercigar，andtherewasanothersilence，whichEtheloccupiedinirritatingthoughtsofDora’sunfortunatefatalityintrouble-making。ShesatatalittletablestandingbetweenherselfandTyrrel。

Itheldhissmokingutensils，andafterawhileshepushedthemaside，andletthesplendidringswhichadornedherhandfallintotheclearedspace。Tyrrelwatchedherafewmoments，andthenasked，"Whatareyoudoing，Ethel，mydear？"

Shelookedupwithasmile，andthendownatthehandshehadlaidopenuponthetable。

"IamlookingattheRingofallRings。

See，Tyrrel，itisbutalittlebandofgold，andyetitgavememorethanallthegemsofearthcouldbuy。Rubiesandopalsandsapphiresareonlyitsguard。Thesimpleweddingringistheringofgreatprice。Itistheloveliestornamentahappywomancanwear。"

Tyrreltookherhandandkissedit，andkissedthegoldenband，andthenanswered，"Trulyanornamentifahappywifewearsit；butoh，Ethel，whatisitwhenitbindsawomantosuchmiseryasDorahasjustfledfrom？"

"Thenitisafetter，andawomanwhohasaparticleofself-respectwillbreakit。TheRingofallRings！"sheejaculatedagain，assheliftedtherubiesandopals，andslowlybutsmilinglyencircledthelittlegoldband。

"Letustrynowtoforgetthatsorrowfulwoman，"saidTyrrel。"Shewillbewithhermotherinafewhours。Mother-lovecancureallgriefs。Itneverfails。Itneverblames。Itnevergrowsweary。Itisalwaysyoungandwarmandtrue。Dorawillbecomforted。Letusforget；wecandonomore。"

Foracoupleofdaysthiswaspossible，butthencameMrs。NicholasRawdon，andthesubjectwasperforceopened。"Itwasabadcase，"shesaid，"butitisbeingsettledasquicklyandasquietlyaspossible。Ibelievethemanhasenteredintosomesortofrecognizancetokeepthepeace，andhasdisappeared。

Noonewilllookforhim。Thegentryareagainstpullingoneanotherdowninanyway，andthisaffairtheydon’twanttalkedabout。Beingallofthemmarriedmen，itisn’ttobeexpected，isit？JusticeManninghamwasverysorryforthelittlelady，buthesaidalso`itwasabadprecedent，andoughtnottobediscussed。’AndSquireBentleysaid，`IfEnglishgentlemenwouldmarryAmericanwomen，theymustputupwithAmericanwomen’sways，’andsoon。NoneofthemthinkitprudenttoapproveMrs。Mostyn’scourse。Buttheywon’tgetoffaseasyastheythink。Thewomenarestandingupforher。Didyoueverhearanythinglikethat？AndI’llwarrantsomehusbandsarenonesoeasyintheirminds，asmyNicholassaid，`Mrs。Mostynhadsownseedthatwouldbeseenandheardtellofformanyalongday。’OurLucy，Isuspect，hadmoretodowiththemovethanshewillconfess。

Shegotalotofnew，queernotionsatcollege，andIdobelieveinmyheartshesetthepoorwomanuptothebusiness。JohnThomas，ofcourse，saysnotaword，buthelooksatLucyinaveryproudkindofway；

andI’llbeboundhehasgotanobjectlessonhe’llrememberaslongashelives。SohasNicholas，thoughhebluffsmorethanalittleastowhathe’ddowithawifethatgotarunning-

awaynotionintoherhead。Blessyou，dear，theyareallformulatingtheirlawsonthesubject，andtheirwivesaresmilingqueerlyatthem，andholdingtheirheadsabithigherthanusual。I’vebeendoingitmyself，soIknowhowtheyfeel。"

Thus，thoughverylittlewassaidinthenewspapersabouttheaffair，thenotorietyMostyndreadedwascompleteandthorough。

Itwastheprivatetopicofconversationineveryhousehold。Mentalkeditoverinalltheplaceswheremenmet，andwomenhiredtheoldMostynservantsinordertogettheverysurestandlateststoryofthepoorwife’swrongs，andthencomparedreportsandevendiscussedthecircumstancesintheirownparticularclubs。

AttheCourt，TyrrelandEtheltriedtoforget，andtheirowninterestsweresomanyandsoimportantthattheyusuallysucceeded；

especiallyafterafewlinesfromMrs。DenningassuredthemofDora’ssafetyandcomfort。AndformanyweeksthebusylifeoftheManorsufficed；therewasthehaytocutinthemeadowlands，andafteritthewheatfieldstoharvest。Thestables，thekennels，thefarmsandtimber，theparkandthegardenkeptTyrrelconstantlybusy。Andtothesedutieswereaddedthesocialones，thedininganddancingandentertaining，thehorseracing，theregattas，andtheenthusiasmwhichautomobilinginitsfirstfeverengenders。

AndyetthereweretimeswhenTyrrellookedbored，andwhennothingbutSquirePercival’sorganorEthel’spianoseemedtoexorcisetheunrestandennuithatcouldnotbehid。Ethelwatchedthesemoodswithawiseandkindcuriosity，andinthebeginningofSeptember，whentheyperceptiblyincreased，sheaskedoneday，"Areyouhappy，Tyrrel？Quitehappy？"

"Iamhavingasplendidholiday，"heanswered，"but————"

"Butwhat，dear？"

"Onecouldnotturnlifeintoalongholiday——

thatwouldbeharderthanthehardestwork。"

Sheanswered"Yes，"andassoonasshewasalonefelltothinking，andinthemidstofhermeditationMrs。NicholasRawdonenteredinawhirloftempestuousdelight。

"Whatdoyouthink？"sheaskedbetweenlaughingandcrying。"Whateverdoyouthink？OurLucyhadtwinsyesterday，twofineboysaseverwas。AndIwishyoucouldseetheirgrandfatherandtheirfather。Theyareoutofthemselveswithjoy。Theystandhourafterhourbesidethetwocradles，lookingatthelittlefellows，andtheynearlycametowordsthismorningabouttheirnames。"

"Iamsodelighted！"criedEthel。"Andwhatareyougoingtocallthem？"

"Oneisanhourolderthantheother，andJohnThomaswantedthemcalledPercivalandNicholas。ButmyNicholaswantedtheeldestcalledafterhimself，andhesaidsoplainenough。AndJohnThomassaid`hecouldsurelynamehisownsons；andthenNicholastoldhimtorememberhewouldn’thavebeenheretohaveanysonsatallbutforhisfather。’AndjustthenIcameintotheroomtohavealookatthelittlelads，andwhenIheardwhattheywerefratchingabout，Itoldthemitwasnoneoftheirbusiness，thatLucyhadtherighttonamethechildren，andtheywouldjusthavetoputupwiththenamesshegavethem。"

"AndhasLucynamedthem？"

"Tobesure。Iwentrightawaytoherandexplainedthedilemma，andIsaid，`Now，Lucy，itisyourplacetosettlethisquestion。’

Andsheansweredinherpositivelittleway，`YoutellfathertheeldestistobecalledNicholas，andtellJohnThomastheyoungestistobecalledJohnThomas。Icanmanagetwoofthatnameverywell。AndsaythatI

won’thaveanymoredisputingaboutnames，theboysareasgoodaschristenedalready。’

AndofcoursewhenLucysaidthatweallknewitwassettled。AndI’mgladtheeldestisNicholas。Heisafine，sturdylittleYork-

shireman，bawlingoutalreadyforwhathewants，andflyingintoatemperifhedoesn’tgetitassoonashewantsit。Dearieme，Ethel，Iamaproudwomanthismorning。

AndNicholasisgoingtogiveallthehandsaholiday，andatripuptoAmblesideonSaturday，thoughJohnThomasisverymuchagainstit。"

"Whyisheagainstit？"

"HesaystheywillbeholdingameetingonMondaynighttotryandfindoutwhatOldNicholasisupto，andthatifhedoesn’tgivethemthesametreatonthesamedatenextyear，they’llholdanindignationmeetingaboutbeingswindledoutoftheirrights。

AndI’llpledgeyoumywordJohnThomasknowsthemenhe’stalkingabout。However，Nicholasisclosewithhismoney，anditwilldohimgoodhappentoloseabit。Blood-lettingishealthyforthebody，andperhapsgold-lettingmayhelpthesoulmorethanwethinkfor。"

ThisnewsstimulatedEthel’sthinking，andwhenshealsostoodbesidethetwocradles，andthelittleNicholasopenedhisbigblueeyesandbeganto"bawlforwhathewanted，"

acertainideatookfastholdofher，andshenurseditsilentlyforthenextmonth，watch-

ingTyrrelatthesametime。ItwasnearOctober，however，beforeshefoundtheproperopportunityforspeaking。TherehadbeenalongletterfromtheJudge。ItsaidRuthandhewerehomeagainafterawonderfultripovertheNorthernPacificroad。Hewrotewithenthusiasmofthecountryanditsopportunities，andofthebigcitiestheyhadvisitedontheirreturnfromthePacificcoast。Everywordwasalive，themagnitudeandstiroftrafficandwrestlinghumanityseemedtorustlethepaper。HedescribedNewYorkasoverflowingwithbusiness。

Hisownplans，theplansofothers，thejarofpolitics，thethrillofmusicandthedrama——allthemultitudinousvitalitythatcrowdedthestreetsandfilledtheair，eventotheroofsofthetwenty-storybuildings，contributedtothepotentexhilarationoftheletter。

"GreatGeorge！"exclaimedTyrrel。

"Thatislife！Thatisliving！IwishwewerebackinAmerica！"

"SodoI，Tyrrel。"

"Iamsoglad。Whenshallwego？Itisnowthetwenty-eighthofSeptember。"

"AreyouverywearyofRawdonCourt"’

"Yes。Ifamancouldliveforthesakeofeatingandsleepingandhavingapleasanttime，whyRawdonCourtwouldbeaheaventohim；butifhewantstoDOsomethingwithhislife，hewouldbemostunhappyhere。"

"Andyouwanttodosomething？"

"YouwouldnothavelovedamanwhodidnotwantTODO。Wehavebeenherefourmonths。Thinkofit！IfItakefourmonthsoutofeveryyearfortwentyyears，Ishalllose，withtravel，aboutsevenyearsofmylife，andtheotherthingstobedroppedwiththemmaybeofincalculablevalue。"

"Isee，Tyrrel。IamnotboundinanywaytokeepRawdonCourt。Icansellitto-

morrow。"

"Butyouwouldbegrievedtodoso？"

"Notatall。BeingaladyoftheManordoesnotflatterme。Theothersquireswouldratherhaveagoodmaninmyplace。"

"Whydidyoubuyit？"

"AsIhavetoldyou，tokeepMostynout，andtokeepaRawdonhere。ButNicholasRawdoncravestheplace，andwillpaywellforhisdesire。Itcostmeeightythousandpounds。HetoldfatherhewouldgladlygivemeonehundredthousandpoundswheneverIwastiredofmybargain。Iwilltakethehundredthousandpoundsto-morrow。TherewouldthenbefourgoodheirstoRawdonontheplace。"

HeretheconversationwasinterruptedbyMrs。Nicholas，whocametoinvitethemtothechristeningfeastofthetwins。Tyrrelsoonlefttheladiestogether，andEthelatonceopenedthedesiredconversation。

"IamafraidwemayhavelefttheCourtbeforethechristening，"shesaid。"Mr。Rawdonisveryunhappyhere。Heisreallyhomesick。"

"Butthisishishome，isn’tit？Andaveryfineone。"

"Hecannotfeelitso。HehaslargeinterestsinAmerica。IdoubtifIeverinducehimtocomehereagain。Yousee，thisvisithasbeenourmarriagetrip。"

"Andyouwon’tlivehere！Ineverheardtheline。WhatwillyoudowiththeCourt？

Itwillbebadlyusedifitislefttoservantssevenoreightmonthseveryyear。"

"IsupposeImustsellit。Iseeno————"

"IfyouonlywouldletNicholasbuyit。

Youmightbesurethenitwouldbewellcaredfor，andthelittleladsgrowingupinit，whowouldfinallyheirit。Oh，Ethel，ifyouwouldthinkofNicholasfirst。Hewouldhonortheplaceandbeanhonortoit。"

Outofthisconversationtheoutcomewasassatisfactoryasitwascertain，andwithintwoweeksNicholasRawdonwasSquireofRawdonManor，andpossessorofthefamousoldManorHouse。ThentherefollowedabusytwoweeksforTyrrel，whohadthesuperintendenceofthepacking，whichwasnolightbusiness。ForthoughEthelwouldnotdenudetheCourtofitsancientfurnitureandornaments，thereweremanythingsbelongingtothepersonalestateofthelateSquirewhichhadbeengiventoherbyhiswill，andcouldnotbeleftbehind。ButbytheendofOctobercasesandtrunkswereallsentofftothesteamshipinwhichtheirpassagewastaken；andtheRawdonestate，whichhadplayedsuchamomentouspartinEthel’slifehavingfinisheditsmission，hadnofurtherinfluence，andwithoutregretpassedoutofherphysicallifeforever。

Indeed，theirwillingnesstoresignallclaimstotheoldhomewasamarveltobothTyrrelandEthel。Ontheirlastafternoontheretheywalkedthroughthegarden，andstoodundertheplanetreewheretheirvowsoflovehadbeenpledged，andsmiledandwonderedattheirindifference。Thebeauteousglamoroffirstlovewasgoneascom-

pletelyastheflowersandscentsandsongsthathadthenfilledthecharmingplace。Butamidthesweetdecayofthesethingstheyoncemoreclaspedhands，lookingwithsupremeconfidenceintoeachother’seyes。Allthathadthenbeenpromisedwasnowcertain；

andwithanaffectioninfinitelysweeterandsurer，TyrreldrewEtheltohisheart，andonherlipskissedthetenderest，proudestwordsawomanhears，"Mydearwife！"

Thisvisitwastheirlastadieu，alltheresthadbeensaid，andearlythenextmorningtheyleftMonk-Rawdonstationasquietlyastheyhadarrived。DuringtheirshortreignatRawdonCourttheyhadbeenverypopular，andperhapstheirresignationwasequallyso。Afterall，theywereforeigners，andNicholasRawdonwasYorkshire，rootandbranch。

"Niceyoungpeople，"saidJusticeManninghamatahuntdinner，"butourwaysarenottheirways，norliketobe。Theyoungmanwasbornafighter，andthereareneitherbearsnorIndianshereforhimtofight；andourpoliticsareGreektohim；andthelady，verysweetandbeautiful，butfullofnewideas——ideasnotsuitableforwomen，andwedonotwishourwomenchanged。"

"Goodenoughastheyare，"mumbledSquireOakes。