PARTFIRST
　　OLOVEWILLVENTUREIN！
　　THEMANBETWEEN
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEthingthatIknowleastaboutismybeginning。ForitispossibletointroduceEthelRawdoninsomanypicturesquewaysthatthechoiceisembarrassing，andforcesmetotheconclusionthattheactualcircumstances，thoughcommonplace，maybethemostsuitable。Certainlytheeventsthatshapeourlivesareseldomusheredinwithpomporceremony；theystealuponusunannounced，andbegintheirworkwithoutgivinganypremonitionoftheirimportance。
　　ConsequentlyEthelhadnoideawhenshereturnedhomeonenightfromaratherstupidentertainmentthatshewasabouttoopenanewandimportantchapterofherlife。
　　Hithertothatlifehadbeenoneofthesweetestandsimplestcharacter——thelessonsandsportsofchildhoodandgirlhoodhadclaimedhernineteenyears；andEthelwasjustatthatwonderfulagewhen，thebrookandtheriverhavingmet，shewasfeelingthefirstswellofthoseirresistibletideswhichwouldcarryherdaybydaytothehavenofalldays。
　　ItwasSaturdaynightintheJanuaryof1900，vergingtowardtwelveo’clock。Whensheenteredherroom，shesawthatoneofthewindowswasopen，andshestoodamomentortwoatit，lookingacrossthestraightmilesofwhitelights，inwhoseilluminedshadowsthousandsofsleeperswereholdingtheirlivesinpause。
　　"ItisnotNewYorkatall，"shewhispered，"itissomemagicalcitythatIhaveseen，buthavenevertrod。Itwillvanishaboutsixo’clockinthemorning，andtherewillbeonlycommonstreets，fullofcommonpeople。Ofcourse，"andheresheclosedthewindowandleisurelyremovedheroperacloak，"ofcourse，thisisonlydreaming，buttodreamwaking，ortodreamsleeping，isverypleasant。
　　Indreamswecanhavemenaswelikethem，andwomenaswewantthem，andmakealltheworldhappyandbeautiful。"
　　Shewasinnohurryoffeelingormovement。
　　Shehadbeeninacrowdforsomehours，andwasgladtobequitealoneandtalktoherselfalittle。Itwasalsosorestfultograduallyrelinquishalltherestraininggaudsoffashionableattire，andassheleisurelyperformedtheseduties，sheenteredintoconversationwithherownheart——talkedoverwithittheeventsofthepastweek，anddecidedthatitsfretlessdays，fullofgoodthings，hadbeen，fromthebeginningtotheend，sweetasacupofnewmilk。Forawoman’sheartisverytalkative，andrequireslittletomakeiteloquentinitsownway。
　　Inthemidstofthisintimatecompanionshipsheturnedherhead，andsawtwoletterslyinguponatable。Sheroseandliftedthem。Onewasaninvitationtoastudioreception，andsheletitflutterindeterminatelyfromherhand；theotherwasbothfamiliarandappealing；
　　noneofhercorrespondentsbutDoraDenningusedthatpeculiarshadeofbluepaper，andsheinstantlybegantowonderwhyDorahadwrittentoher。
　　"Isawheryesterdayafternoon，"shereflected，"andshetoldmeeverythingshehadtotell——andwhatdoesshe-meanbysuchatantalizingmessageasthis？`DearestEthel：I
　　havethemostextraordinarynews。Cometomeimmediately。Dora。’HowexactlylikeDora！"shecommented。"Cometomeim-
　　mediately——whetheryouareinbedorasleep——whetheryouaresickorwell——whetheritismidnightorhighnoon——cometomeimmediately。
　　Well，Dora，Iamgoingtosleepnow，andto-morrowisSunday，andIneverknowwhatviewfatherisgoingtotakeofSunday。
　　Hemayaskmetogotochurchwithhim，andhemaynot。Hemaywantmetodriveintheafternoon，andagainhemaynot；butSundayisfather’shomeday，andRuthandImakeapointofobliginghiminregardtoit。Thatisoneofourfamilyprinciples；andagirloughttohaveafewprinciplesofconductinvolvingself-denial。AuntRuthsays，`Lifecannotstanderectwithoutself-denial，’andauntisusuallyright——butIdowonderwhatDorawants！Icannotimaginewhatextraordinarynewshascome。Imusttryandseeherto-morrow——itmaybedifficult——butI
　　mustmaketheeffort"——andwiththissatisfyingresolutionsheeasilyfellasleep。
　　Whensheawokethechurchbellswereringingandsheknewthatherfatherandauntwouldhavebreakfasted。Thefeetdidnottroubleher。Itwasanaccidentalsleep-over；
　　shehadnotplannedit，andcircumstanceswouldtakecareofthemselves。Inanycase，shehadnofearofrebuke。NoonewasevercrosswithEthel。ItwasamatterofprettygeneralbeliefthatwhateverEtheldidwasjustright。Soshedressedherselfbecominglyinaclothsuit，and，withherplumedhatonherhead，wentdowntoseewhatthedayhadtoofferher。
　　"Thefirstthingiscoffee，andthen，allbeingagreeable，Dora。Ishallnotlookfurtherahead，"shethought。
　　Assheenteredtheroomshecalled"Goodmorning！"andhervoicewaslikethevoiceofthebirdswhentheycall"Spring！"；andherfacewasradiantwithsmiles，andthetouchofherlipsandtheclaspofherhandwarmwithloveandlife；andherfatherandauntforgotthatshewaslate，andthatherbreakfastwasyettoorder。
　　Shetookupthereproachherself。"Iamsosorry，AuntRuth。Ionlywantacupofcoffeeandaroll。"
　　"Mydear，youcannotgowithoutaproperbreakfast。Nevermindthehour。Whatwouldyoulikebest？"
　　"Youaresogood，Ruth。Ishouldlikeanicebreakfast——abreastofchickenandmushrooms，andsomehotmuffinsandmarmaladewoulddo。Howcomfortableyoulookhere！
　　Father，youareburiedinnewspapers。Isanyonegoingtochurch？"
　　RuthorderedthedesiredbreakfastandMr。
　　Rawdontookouthiswatch——"Iamafraidyouhavedelayedustoolongthismorning，Ethel。"
　　"AmItobethescapegoat？Now，Idonotbelieveanyonewantedtogotochurch。Ruthhadherbook，you，thenewspapers。Itiswarmandpleasanthere，itiscoldandwindyoutside。
　　Iknowwhatconfessionwouldbemade，ifhonestywerethefashion。"
　　"Well，mylittlegirl，honestyisthefashioninthishouse。Ibelieveingoingtochurch。
　　ReligionistheMotherofDuty，andweshouldallmakeasadmessoflifewithoutduty。Isnotthatso，Ruth？"
　　"Truthitself，Edward；butreligionisnotgoingtochurchandlisteningtosermons。
　　ThosewhobuilttheoldcathedralsofEuropehadnoideathatsittingincomfortablepewsandlisteningtosomemantalkingwasworshipingGod。ThosegreatnaveswereintendedformenandwomentostandorkneelinbeforeGod。Andtherewerenohighorlowstandingorkneelingplaces；allwereonalevelbeforeHim。ItisourmodernProtestantismwhichhasbroughtinlazylollingincushionedpews；andthegallery，whichmakesachurchaslikeaplayhouseaspossible！"
　　"Whatareyouaimingat，Ruth？"
　　"Ionlymeanttosay，IwouldlikegoingtochurchmuchbetterifwewentsolelytopraiseGod，andentreatHismercy。Idonotcaretohearsermons。"
　　"MydearRuth，sermonsarealargefactinoursocialeconomy。Whenamillionortwoarepreachedeveryyear，theyhaveastrongclaimonourattention。Touseatradephrase，sermonsarefirm，andIbelieveamoderatetaxonthemwouldyieldanastonishingincome。"
　　"Seehowyoutalkofthem，Edward；asiftheywereacommercialcommodity。Ifyourespectedthem————"
　　"Ido。Igrantthemasteadypneumaticpressureintheregionofmorals，andevenfaith。Picturetoyourself，Ruth，NewYorkwithoutsermons。Thedearoldcitywouldbelikeashipwithoutballast，heelingoverwitheverywind，andlettinginthewatersofimmoralityandscepticism。RemovethispulpitbalancejustforoneweekfromNewYorkCity，andwhereshouldwebe？"
　　"Wellthen，"saidEthel，"theclergyoughttogiveNewYorkafirst-ratearticleinsermons，eitherofhomeorforeignmanufacture。
　　NewYorkexpectstheverybestofeverything；
　　andwhenshegetsit，sheopensherheartandherpocketbookenjoysit，andpaysforit。"
　　"Thatisthetruth，Ethel。IwasthinkingofyourgrandmotherRawdon。Youhaveyourhaton——areyougoingtoseeher？"
　　"IamgoingtoseeDoraDenning。Ihadanurgentnotefromherlastnight。Shesaysshehas`extraordinarynews’andbegsmeto`cometoherimmediately。’Icannotimaginewhathernewsis。IsawherFridayafternoon。"
　　"Shehasanewpoodle，oranewlover，oranewwayofcrimpingherhair，"suggestedRuthBayardscornfully。"Sheimposesonyou，Ethel；whydoyousubmittoherselfishness？"
　　"IsupposebecauseIhavebecomeusedtoit。FouryearsagoIbegantotakeherpart，whenthegirlsteasedandtormentedherintheschoolroom，andIhavebig-sisteredhereversince。Isupposewegettolovethosewhomakeuskindandgiveustrouble。Doraisnotperfect，butIlikeherbetterthananyfriendIhave。Andshemustlikeme，forsheasksmyadviceabouteverythinginherlife。"
　　"Doesshetakeit？"
　　"Yes——generally。SometimesIhavetomakehertakeit。"
　　"Shehasamother。Whydoesshenotgotoher？"
　　"Mrs。Denningknowsnothingaboutcertainsubjects。IamDora’ssocialgodmother，andshemustdressandbehaveasItellhertodo。PoorMrs。Denning！Iamsosorryforher——anothercupofcoffee，Ruth——itisnotverystrong。"
　　"WhyshouldyoubesorryforMrs。Denning，Herhusbandisenormouslyrich——shelivesinapalace，andhasacrowdofmenandwomenservantstowaituponher——carriages，horses，motorcars，whatnot，athercommand。"
　　"Yetreally，Ruth，sheisamostunhappywoman。InthatlittleWesterntownfromwhichtheycame，shewaseverybody。Sheranthechurches，andwaschairwomaninalltheclubs，andPresidentoftheTemperanceUnion，andmanagerofeveryreligious，social，andpoliticalfestival；andherdayswerefulltothebrimofjustthethingsshelikedtodo。
　　Herdresstherewasconsideredmagnificent；
　　peoplebeggedherforpatterns，andregardedherastheveryglassoffashion。ServantsthoughtitagreatprivilegetobeemployedontheDenningplace，andsheorderedherhouseandmanagedherhalf-scoreofmenandmaidswithpleasantautocracy。NOW！Well，Iwilltellyouhowitis，NOW。Shesitsalldayinhersplendidrooms，orridesoutinhercarorcarriage，andnooneknowsher，andofcoursenoonespeakstoher。Mr。DenninghashisWallStreetfriends————"
　　"Andenemies，"interruptedJudgeRawdon。
　　"Andenemies！Youareright，father。
　　Butheenjoysoneasmuchastheother——thatis，hewouldaswillinglyfighthisenemiesasfeasthisfriends。HesaysabigdayinWallStreetmakeshimalivefromheadtofoot。
　　Hereallylookshappy。BryceDenninghasgotintotwoclubs，andhismoneypasseshim，forheplays，andiswillingtoloveprudently。
　　ButnoonecaresaboutMrs。Denning。Sheisquiteold——forty-five，Idaresay；andsheisstout，anddoesnotwearthecolorsandstylesheoughttowear——noneofherthingshavetheright`look，’andofcourseIcannotadviseamatron。Then，herfineEnglishservantstakeherhouseoutofherhands。Sheisafraidofthem。Thebutlersuavelytriestoinformher；thehousekeeperremovedthewhitecrotchetedscarfsandthingsfromthegildedchairs，andIamsureMrs。Denninghadaheartacheabouttheirloss；butshesawthattheyhadalsovanishedfromDora’sparlor，soshetookthehint，andacceptedthelesson。
　　Really，herhumilityandisolationarepitiful。
　　Iamgoingtoaskgrandmothertogoandseeher。Grandmothermighttakehertochurch，andgetDr。SimpsonandMrs。Simpsontointroduceher。Hermoneyandadaptabilitywoulddotherest。There，Ihavehadagoodbreakfast，thoughIwaslate。Itisnotalwaystheearlybirdthatgetschickenandmushrooms。
　　NowIwillgoandseewhatDorawants"——andliftingherfurswithasmile，anda"Goodmorning！"equallycharming，shedisappeared。
　　"Didyounoticehervoice，Ruth？"askedJudgeRawdon。Whatatonethereisinher`goodmorning！’"
　　"Thereisatoneineveryone’sgoodmorning，Edward。Ithinkpeople’ssalutationssettomusicwouldrevealtheirinmostcharacter。
　　Ethel’sgoodmorningsaysinDmajor`Howgoodistheday！’andhergoodnightdropsintotheminorthird，andsayspensively`Howsweetisthenight！’"
　　"Nay，Ruth，Idon’tunderstandallthat；
　　butIdounderstandthevoice。Itgoesstraighttomyheart。"
　　"Andtomyheartalso，Edward。Ithinktoothereisameasuredmusic，acentraltimeandtune，ineverylife。Quick，melodiousnatureslikeEthel’sneverwanderfarfromtheirkeynote，andarethereforejoyouslyset；whileslow，irresolutepeopledeviatefar，andonlycomebackafterpainfuldissonancesandfrequentchanges。"
　　"Youaregenerallyright，Ruth，evenwhereIcannotfollowyou。IhopeEthelwillbehomefordinner。IlikemySundaydinnerwithbothofyou，andImaybringmymotherbackwithme。"
　　Thenhesaid"Goodmorning"withanintentionalcheerfulness，andRuthwasleftalonewithherbook。Shegaveamoment’sthoughttothevalueofgoodexample，andthenwithasighofcontentlethereyesrestonthewordsEthel’spresencehadforawhilesilenced：
　　"Iamfilledwithasenseofsweetnessandwonderthatsuch，littlethingscanmakeamortalsoexceedinglyrich。ButIconfessthatthechiefestofallmydelightsisstillthereligious。"（TheodoreParker。）Shereadthewordsagain，thenclosedhereyesandletthehoneyofsomesacredmemorysatisfyhersoul。
　　Andinthosefewminutesofreverie，RuthBayardrevealedthekeynoteofherbeing。
　　Wanderingsfromit，causedbytheexigenciesanddutiesoflife，frequentlyoccurred；butshequicklyreturnedtoitscentralandcontrollingharmony；andherserenityandpoisewerethereforeasnaturalaswasherniece’sjoyousnessandhope。Norwasherreligiouscharactertheresultoftemperament，orofasecludedlife。RuthBayardwasawomanofthoughtandculture，andwiseinthewaysoftheworld，butnotworldly。Herpersonalitywasveryattractive，shehadagoodform，anagreeableface，speakinggrayeyes，andbrownhair，softandnaturallywavy。ShewasadistantcousinofEthel’smother，buthadbeenbroughtupwithherinthesamehousehold，andalwaysregardedherasasister，andEthelneverrememberedthatshewasonlyherauntbyadoption。Tenyearsolderthanherniece，shehadmotheredherwithawiseandlovingpatience，andherthoughtsneverwanderedlongorfarfromthegirl。
　　Consequently，shesoonfoundherselfwonderingwhatreasontherecouldbeforDoraDenning’surgency。
　　InthemeantimeEthelhadreachedherfriend’sresidenceanewbuildingofunusualsizeandveryornatearchitecture。LiveriedfootmenandwaitingwomenbowedherwithmuteattentiontoMissDenning’ssuite，anabsolutelyprivatearrangementoffiverooms，marvelouslyfurnishedfortheyounglady’scomfortanddelight。Thewindowsofherparloroverlookedthepark，andshewasstandingatoneofthemasEthelenteredtheroom。Inapassionofwelcominggladnesssheturnedtoher，exclaiming："Ihavebeenwatchingforyouhoursandhours，Ethel。I
　　havethemostwonderfulthingtotellyou。I
　　amsohappy！Sohappy！NoonewaseverashappyasIam。"
　　ThenEtheltookbothherhands，and，astheystoodtogether，shelookedintentlyatherfriend。Somenewcharmtransfiguredherface；forherdark，gazelleeyeswerenotmorelambentthanhercheeks，thoughinadifferentway；whileherblackhairinitspicturesquelyarrangeddisorderseemedinstinctwithlife，andhardlytoberestrained。Shewasconstantlypushingitback，caressingorarrangingit；andherwhite，slenderfingers，sparklingwithjewels，movedamongthecrimpedandwavylocks，asiftherewasanintelligentsympathybetweenthem。
　　"Howbeautifulyouareto-day，Dora！
　　Whohasworkedwondersonyou？"
　　"BasilStanhope。Helovesme！Helovesme！Hetoldmesolastnight——inthesweetestwordsthatwereeveruttered。Ishallneverforgetoneofthem——never，aslongasIlive！
　　Letussitdown。Iwanttotellyoueverything。"
　　"Iamastonished，Dora！"
　　"Sowasmother，andfather，andBryce。
　　Noonesuspectedouraffection。Motherusedtogrumbleaboutmygoing`atallhours’toSt。Jude’schurch；butthatwasbecauseSt。
　　Jude’sissoveryHighChurch，andmotherisaMethodistEpiscopal。Itwasthemorningandeveningprayerssheobjectedto。Noonehadanysuspicionoftheclergyman。Oh，Ethel，heissohandsome！Sogood！Soclever！Ithinkeverywomaninthechurchisinlovewithhim。"
　　"Thenifheisagoodman，hemustbeveryunhappy。"
　　"Ofcourseheisquiteignorantoftheiradmiration，andthereforequiteinnocent。I
　　amtheonlywomanheloves，andheneverevenremembersmewhenheisinthesacredoffice。Ifyoucouldseehimcomeoutofthevestryinhiswhitesurplice，withhisraptfaceandpropheticeyes。Somystical！Sobeautiful！
　　YouwouldnotwonderthatIworshiphim。"
　　"ButIdonotunderstand——howdidyoumeethimsocially？"
　　"ImethimatMrs。Taylor’sfirst。ThenhespoketomeonemorningasIcameoutofchurch，andthenextmorninghewalkedthroughtheparkwithme。Andafterthat——
　　allwaseasyenough。"
　　"Isee。Whatdoesyourfatherandmotherthink——orrather，whatdotheysay？"
　　"Fatheralwayssayswhathethinks，andmotherthinksandsayswhatIdo。Thisconditionsimplifiedmattersverymuch。Basilwrotetofather，andyesterdayafterdinnerhehadaninterviewwithhim。Iexpectedit，andwasquitepreparedforanyclimaxthatmightcome。Iworemyloveliestwhitefrock，andhadliliesofthevalleyinmyhairandonmybreast；andfathercalledme`hislittleangel’
　　andpiouslywondered`howIcouldbehisdaughter。’AlldinnertimeItriedtobeangelic，andafterdinnerIsang`LittleBoyBlue’andsomeofthesongsheloves；andI
　　felt，whenBasil’scardcamein，thatIhadpreparedtheproperatmospherefortheinterview。"
　　"Youarereallyveryclever，Dora。"
　　"Itriedtocontinuesingingandplaying，butIcouldnot；thenotesallrantogether，thewordswerelost。Iwenttomother’ssideandputmyhandinhers，andshesaidsoftly：`I
　　canhearyourfatherstormingalittle，buthewillsettledownthequickerforit。IdaresayhewillbringMr。Stanhopeinherebeforelong。"
　　"Didhe？"
　　"No。ThatwasBryce’sfault。HowBrycehappenedtobeinthehouseatthathour，I
　　cannotimagine；butitseemstobenaturalforhimtodropintoanyinterviewwherehecanmaketrouble。However，itturnedoutallforthebest，forwhenmotherheardBryce’svoiceabovealltheothersounds，shesaid，`ComeDora，weshallhavetointerferenow。’ThenIwasdelighted。Iwasangelicallydressed，andIfeltequaltotheinterview。"
　　"Doyoureallymeanthatyoujoinedthethreequarrelingmen？"
　　"Ofcourse。Motherwasquitecalm——calmenoughtofreezeatempest——butshegavefatheralookhecomprehended。ThensheshookhandswithBasil，andwouldhavemadesomeremarktoBryce，butwithhisusualimpertinencehetooktheinitiative，andtoldhe：
　　veryauthoritativelyto`retireandtakemewithher’——callingmethat`demurelittleflirt’inatonethatwasveryoffensive。Youshouldhaveseenfatherblazeintoangerathiswords。HetoldBrycetorememberthat`Mr。
　　BenDenningownedthehouse，andthatBrycehadfourorfiveroomsinitbyhiscourtesy。’
　　Hesaidalsothatthe`ladiespresentwereMr。BenDenning’swifeanddaughter，andthatitwasimpertinentinhimtoorderthemoutofhisparlor，wheretheywerealwayswelcome。’Brycewaswhitewithpassion，butheansweredinhisaffectedway——`Sir，thatslygirlwithherpretendedpietyandhersneakofaloverismysister，andIshallnotpermithertodisgracemyfamilywithoutmakingaprotest。’"
　　"Andthen？"
　　"Ibegantocry，andIputmyarmsaroundfather’sneckandsaidhemustdefendme；
　　thatIwasnot`sly，’andBasilwasnot`asneak，’andfatherkissedme，andsaidhewouldsettlewithanyman，andeveryman，whopresumedtocallmeeitherslyoraflirt。"
　　"IthinkMr。Denningactedbeautifully。
　　WhatdidBrycesay？"
　　"HeturnedtoBasil，andsaid：`Mr。Stanhope，ifyouarenotacad，youwillleavethehouse。Youhavenorighttointrudeyourselfintofamilyaffairsandfamilyquarrels。’
　　Basilhadseatedmother，andwasstandingwithonehandonthebackofherchair，andhedidnotanswerBryce——therewasnoneed，fatheransweredquickenough。HesaidMr。
　　Stanhopehadaskedtobecomeoneofthefamily，andforhisparthewouldwelcomehimfreely；andthenheaskedmotherifshewasofhismind，andmothersmiledandreachedherhandbackwardtoBasil。Thenfatherkissedmeagain，andsomehowBasil’sarmwasroundme，andIknowIlookedlovely——
　　almostlikeabride！Oh，Ethel，itwasjustheavenly！"
　　"Iamsureitwas。DidBryceleavetheroomthen？"
　　"Yes；hewentoutinapassion，declaringhewouldnevernoticemeagain。ThismorningatbreakfastIsaidIwassorryBrycefeltsohurt，butfatherwassureBrycewouldfindplentyofconsolationinthefactthathisdisapprovalofmychoicewouldexcusehimfromgivingmeaweddingpresent。YouknowBryceisameanlittlemiser！"
　　"Onthecontrary，Ithoughthewasvery；
　　luxuriousandextravagant。"
　　"WhereBryceisconcerned，yes；towardeveryoneelsehisconductistoomeantoconsider。Why，fathermakeshimanallowanceof$20，000ayearandheemptiesfather’scigarboxeswheneverhecandosowithout————"
　　"LetustalkaboutMr。Stanhopeheisfarmoreinteresting。Whenareyougoingtomarryhim？"
　　"IntheSpring。FatherisgoingtogivemesomemoneyandIhavethefortuneGrandmotherCahillleftme。Ithasbeenwellinvested，andfathertoldmethismorningI
　　wasafairlyrichlittlewoman。Basilhassomeprivatefortune，alsohisstipend——weshalldoverywell。Basil’sfamilyisoneofthefinestamongtheoldBostonaristocrats，andheiscloselyconnectedwiththeEnglishStanhopes，whorankwiththegreatestofthenobility。"
　　"IwishAmericanswouldlearntorelyontheirownnobility。IamtiredoftheireverlastingattemptstograftonsomeEnglishnoblefamily。Nomatterhowgreatorcleveramanmaybe，youaresuretoreadofhisdescentfromsomeScottishchieforEnglishearl。"
　　"Theycan’thelptheirdescent，Ethel。"
　　"Theyneednotpinalltheyhavedoneontoit。Oftenfatherfretsmeinthesameway。
　　Ifhewinsadifficultcase，hedoesitnaturally，becauseheisaRawdon。Heishandsome，gentlemanly，honorable，evenaperfecthorseman，allbecause，beingaRawdon，hewasbynatureandinheritancecompelledtosuchperfection。
　　Itisveryprovoking，Dora，andifI
　　wereyouIwouldnotallowBasiltobeginasongabout`theEnglishStanhopes。’AuntRuthandIgetverytiredoftenoftheEnglishRawdons，andarereallythankfulfortheseparatingAtlantic。"
　　"Idon’tthinkIshallfeelinthatway，Ethel。Ilikethenobility；sodoesfather，hesaystheDenningsareafineoldfamily。"
　　"WhytalkofgenealogieswhenthereissuchamanasBasilStanhopetoconsider？
　　LetusgranthimperfectionandagreethatheistomarryyouintheSpring；wellthen，thereistheceremony，andtheweddinggarments！
　　Ofcourseitistobeachurchwedding？"
　　"WeshallbemarriedinBasil’sownchurch。Icanhardlyeatorsleepforthinkingofthejoyandthetriumphofit！Therewillbewomentherereadytoeattheirheartswithenvy——Ibelieveindeed，Ethel，thateverywomaninthechurchisinlovewithBasil。"
　　"Youhavesaidthatbefore，andIamsureyouarewrong。Agreatmanyofthemaremarriedandareinlovewiththeirownhusbands；
　　andthekindofgirlswhogotoSt。
　　Jude’sarenotthekindwhomarryclergymen。
　　Mr。Stanhope’swholeincomewouldhardlybuytheirglovesandparasols。"
　　"Idon’tthinkyouarepleasedthatIamgoingtomarry。YoumustnotbejealousofBasil。Ishallloveyoujustthesame。"
　　"Undernoconditions，Dora，wouldIallowjealousytotroublemylife。Allthesame，youwillnotlovemeafteryourmarriageasyouhavelovedmeinthepast。Ishallnotexpectit。"
　　Passionatedenialsofthisassertion，reminiscencesofthepast，assurancesforthefuturefollowed，andEthelacceptedthemwithoutdisputeandwithoutfaith。ButsheunderstoodthatthemerecircumstanceofherengagementwasallthatDoracouldmanageatpresent；andthatthedetailsofthemarriagemergedthemselvesconstantlyinthewonderfulfactthatBasilStanhopelovedher，andthatsometime，notfaroff，shewasgoingtobehiswife。Thisjoyfulcertaintyfilledherheartandhercomprehension，andshehadanaturalreluctancetosubjectittothedetailsofthesocialandreligiousceremoniesnecessary，Suchthingspermittedotherstoparticipateinherjoy，andsheresentedtheidea。ForatimeshewishedtokeepherloverinaworldwherenootherthoughtmighttroublethethoughtofDora。
　　Ethelunderstoodherfriend’smood，andwasratherrelievedwhenhercarriagearrived。
　　ShefeltthatherpresencewaspreventingDora’sabsolutesurrenderofherselftothoughtsofherlover，andallthewayhomeshemarveledatthegirl’sinfatuation，andwonderedifitwouldbepossibleforhertofallintosuchadotageofloveforanyman。Sheansweredthisquerypositively——
　　"No，ifIshouldlosemyheart，Ishallnotthereforelosemyhead"——andthen，beforeshecouldfinishassuringherselfofherdeterminatewisdom，somemockinglinesshehadoftenquotedtolove-sickgirlswentlaughingthroughhermemory——
　　"OWoman！Woman！Oourfrail，frailsex！
　　Nowondertragediesaremadefromus！
　　Alwaysthesame——nothingbutlovesandcradles。"
　　ShefoundRuthBayarddressedfordinner，butherfatherwasnotpresent。Thatwassatisfactory，forhewasalwaysalittleimpatientwhenthetalkwasofloversandweddings；andjustthenthistopicwasuppermostinEthel’smind。
　　"Ruth，"shesaid，"Doraisengaged，"
　　andtheninafewsentencesshetoldthelittleromanceDorahadlivedforthepastyear，anditshappyculmination。"Settingmoneyaside，Ithinkhewillmakeaverysuitablehusband。Whatdoyouthink，Ruth？"
　　"FromwhatIknowofMr。Stanhope，I
　　shoulddoubtit。Iamsurehewillputhisdutiesbeforeeveryearthlything，andIamsureDorawillobjecttothat。ThenIwonderifDoraismadeonapatternlargeenoughtobethemoneyedpartnerinmatrimony。I
　　shouldthinkMr。Stanhopewasaproudman。"
　　"DorasaysheisconnectedwiththeEnglishnoblefamilyofStanhopes。"
　　"WeshallcertainlyhavealltheconnectionsoftheEnglishnobilityinAmericaverysoonnow——butwhydoeshemarryDora？Isithermoney？"
　　"Ithinknot。IhaveheardfromvarioussourcessomefinethingsofBasilStanhope。
　　TherearemanyrichergirlsthanDorainSt。
　　Jude’s。Idaresaysomeoneofthemwouldhavemarriedhim。"
　　"Youaremistaken。DoyouthinkMargeryStarey，JaneLewes，oranyofthegirlsoftheirorderwouldmarryamanwithafewthousandsayear？Andtomarryforloveisbeyondthefrontiersofsuchwomen’sintelligence。
　　Intheircreedahusbandisabanker，notamantobelovedandcaredfor。YouknowhowmuchofabankerMr。Stanhopecouldbe。"
　　"BryceDenningisveryangryatwhatheevidentlyconsidershissister’smesalliance。"
　　"IfMr。StanhopeisconnectedwiththeEnglishStanhopes，themesalliancemustbelaidtohischarge。"
　　"IndeedtheDenningshavesomepretensestogoodlineage，andBrycespokeofhissister`disgracinghisfamilybyhercontemplatedmarriage。’"
　　"Hisfamily！MydearEthel，hisgrandfatherwasamanufactureroftintacks。AndnowthatwehavegotasfarawayastheDenning’sgrandfather，supposewedropthesubject。"
　　"Content；IamalittletiredoftheclanDenning——thatistheiroriginalnameDorasays。Iwillgonowanddressfordinner。"
　　ThenRuthroseandlookedinquisitivelyaroundtheroom。Itwasasshewishedittobe——theveryexpressionofelegantcomfort——warmandlight，andholdingthescentofroses：aplaceofdeep，largechairswithnooddsandendstoworryabout，aroomtoloungeandchatin，andwherethelasttouchofperfecthomefreedomwasgivenbyabigmastiffwho，havingheardthedoor-bellring，strolledintoseewhohadcalled。
　　CHAPTERII
　　DURINGdinnerbothRuthandEthelwereawareofsomesub-interestintheJudge’smanner；hisabsent-mindednesswasunusual，andonceRuthsawafaintsmilethatnothingevidentcouldhaveinduced。Unconsciouslyalsohesetatoneofconstraintandhurry；
　　themealwasnotloiteredover，theconversationflagged，andallrosefromthetablewithasenseofrelief；perhaps，indeed，withafeelingofexpectation。
　　Theyenteredtheparlortogether，andthemastiffrosetomeetthem，askingpermissiontoremainwiththelittlecoaxingpushofhisnosewhichbroughtthereadyanswer：
　　"Certainly，Sultan。Makeyourselfcomfortable。"
　　Thentheygroupedthemselvesroundthefire，andtheJudgelithiscigarandlookedatEthelinawaythatinstantlybroughtcuriositytothequestion：
　　"Youhaveasecret，father，"shesaid。
　　"Isitaboutgrandmother？"
　　"Itisnewsratherthanasecret，Ethel。
　　Andgrandmotherhasagooddealtodowithit，foritisaboutherfamily——theMostyns。"
　　"Oh！"
　　ThetoneofEthel’s"Oh！"wasnotencouraging，andRuth’slookofinterestheldinabeyancewasjustaschilling。Butsomethinglikethisattitudehadbeenexpected，andJudgeRawdonwasnotdiscouragedbyit；heknewthatyouthiscapableofgreatandsuddenchanges，andthatitsabilitytofindreasonablemotivesforthemisunlimited，sohecalmlycontinued：
　　"Youareawarethatyourgrandmother’snamebeforemarriagewasRachelMostyn？"
　　"Ihaveseenitathousandtimesatthebottomofhersampler，father，theonethatisframedandhanginginhermorningroom——
　　RachelMostyn，November，AnnoDomini，1827。"
　　"Verywell。ShemarriedGeorgeRawdon，andtheycametoNewYorkin1834。
　　TheyhadaprettyhouseontheBowlingGreenandlivedveryhappilythere。Iwasbornin1850，theyoungestoftheirchildren。
　　YouknowthatIsignmynameEdwardM。
　　Rawdon；itisreallyEdwardMostynRawdon。"
　　Hepaused，andRuthsaid，"IsupposeMrs。Rawdonhashadsomenewsfromheroldhome？"
　　"Shehadaletterlastnight，andIshallprobablyreceiveoneto-morrow。FrederickMostyn，hergrand-nephew，iscomingtoNewYork，andSquireRawdon，ofRawdonManor，writestorecommendtheyoungmantoourhospitality。"
　　"Butyousurelydonotintendtoinvitehimhere，Edward。Ithinkthatwouldnotdo。"
　　"HeisgoingtotheHollandHouse。Butheisourkinsman，andthereforewemustbehospitable。"
　　"Ihavebeentryingtocountthekinship。
　　Itisoutofmyreckoning，"saidEthel。"I
　　hopeatleastheisniceandpresentable。"
　　"TheMostynsareahandsomefamily。
　　Lookatyourgrandmother。AndSquireRawdonspeaksverywellofMr。Mostyn。
　　Hehastakentherightsideinpolitics，andislikelytomakehismark。Theywerealwaysgreatsportsmen，andIdaresaythisrepresentativeofthefamilyisagood-lookingfellow，well-mannered，andperfectlydressed。"
　　Ethellaughed。"IfhisclothesfithimhewillbeanEnglishwonder。IhaveseenlotsofEnglishmen；theyareallfrightsastotrousersandvests。TherewasLordWycomb，hisbroadclothsandsatinsandlinenweremarvelsinquality，butthemake！Thegirlshatedtobeseenwalkingwithhim，andhewouldwalk——`goodfortheconstitution，’
　　washisexplanationforallhispeculiarities。
　　TheCaylerswerewearytodeathofthem。"
　　"Andyet，"saidRuth，"theysangsongsoftriumphwhenLouCaylermarriedhim。"
　　"Thatwasadifferentthing。Louwouldmakehimget`fits’andstopwearingsloppy，baggyarrangements。AndIdonotsupposetheEnglishlordhasnowasinglepeculiarityleft，unlessitbehisconstitutionalwalk——
　　that，ofcourse。IhaveheardEnglishbabiesgetoutoftheircradlestotakeaconstitutional。"
　　DuringthistiradeRuthhadbeenthinking。
　　"Edward，"sheasked，"whydoesSquireRawdonintroduceMr。Mostyn？
　　Theirrelationshipcannotbeworthcounting。"
　　"Thereyouarewrong，Ruth。"Hespokewithalittleexcitement。"Englishmenneverdenymatrimonialrelationships，iftheyareworthyones。MostynandRawdonareboundtogetherbymanyagoldweddingring；wereckonsuchtiesrelationships。SquireRaw-
　　donlosthissonandhistwograndsonsayearago。Perhapsthisyoungmanmayeventuallystandintheirplace。TheSquireisnearlyeightyyearsold；heisthelastoftheEnglishRawdons——atleastofourbranchofit。"
　　"YousupposethisMr。MostynmaybecomeSquireofRawdonManor？"
　　"Hemay，Ruth，butitisnotcertain。
　　ThereisalargemortgageontheManor。"
　　"Oh！"
　　Bothgirlsmadetheejaculationatthesamemoment，andinbothvoicestherewasthesamecurioustoneofspeculation。Itwasacryaftertruthapprehended，butnotrealized。
　　Mr。Rawdonremainedsilent；hewasdebatingwithhimselftheadvisabilityoffurtherconfidence，buthecamequicklytotheconclusionthatenoughhadbeentoldforthepresent。TurningtoEthel，hesaid："Isupposegirlshaveacodeofhonorabouttheirsecrets。IsDoraDenning’s`extraordinarynews’shutupinit？"
　　"Oh，no，father。Sheisgoingtobemarried。
　　Thatisall。"
　　"Thatisenough。Whoistheman？"
　　"ReverendMr。Stanhope。"
　　"Nonsense！"
　　"Positively。"
　　"Ineverheardanythingmoreridiculous。
　　Thatsaintlyyoungpriest！Why，Dorawillbetiredtodeathofhiminamonth。Andhe？
　　Poorfellow！"
　　"Whypoorfellow？Heisverymuchinlovewithher。"
　　"Itishardtounderstand。St。Jerome’slove`palewithmidnightprayer’wouldbemorebelievablethanthebutterflyDora。
　　Goodness，gracious！Theideaofthatmanbeinginlove！Itpullshimdownabit。I
　　thoughtheneverlookedatawoman。"
　　"Doyouknowhim，father？"
　　"Asmanypeopleknowhim——bygoodreport。
　　Iknowthatheisaclergymanwhobelieveswhathepreaches。IknowaWallStreetbrokerwholeftSt。Jude’schurchbecauseMr。Stanhope’ssermonsonSundayputsuchafineedgeonhisconsciencethatMondaysweredangerousdaysforhimtodobusinesson。AndwhateverWallStreetfinanciersthinkoftheBiblepersonally，theydolikeamanwhostickstohiscolors，andwhoholdsintactthetruthcommittedtohim。Stanhopedoesthisemphatically；andheissowelltrustedthatifhewantedtobuildanewchurchhecouldgetallthemoneynecessary，fromWallStreetmeninanhour。Andheisgoingtomarry！GoingtomarryDoraDenning！Itis`extraordinarynews，’indeed！"
　　Ethelwasalittleoffendedatsuchunusualsurprise。"Ithinkyoudon’tquiteunderstandDora，"shesaid。"ItwillbeMr。Stanhope’sfaultifsheisnotledintherightway；
　　forifheonlylovesandpetsherenoughhemaydoallhewisheswithher。Iknow，I
　　havebothcoaxedandorderedherforfouryears——sometimesonewayisbest，andsometimestheother。"
　　"Howisamantotellwhichwaytotake？
　　Whatdoherparentsthinkofthemarriage？"
　　"Theyarepleasedwithit。"
　　"Pleasedwithit！ThenIhavenothingmoretosay，exceptthatIhopetheywillnotappealtomeonanyquestionofdivorcethatmayarisefromsuchanunlikelymarriage。"
　　"Theyareonlyloversyet，Edward，"saidRuth。"Itisnotfair，orkind，toeventhinkofdivorce。"
　　"MydearRuth，thefashionablegirloftodayacceptsmarriagewiththeprovisionofdivorce。"
　　"Doraishardlyoneofthatset。"
　　"Ihopeshemaykeepoutofit，butmarriagewillgivehermanyopportunities。Well，Iamsorryfortheyoungpriest。Heisn’tfittomanageawomanlikeDoraDenning。
　　Iamafraidhewillgettheworstofit。"
　　"Ithinkyouareveryunkind，father。
　　Doraismyfriend，andIknowher。Sheisagirlofintensefeelingsandveryaffectionate。
　　AndshehasdissolvedallherlifeandmindinMr。Stanhope’slifeandmind，justasalumpofsugarisdissolvedinwater。"
　　Ruthlaughed。"Canyounotfindamorepoeticsimile，Ethel？"
　　"Itwilldo。Thisisanageofmatter；amaterialsymbolistheproperthing。"
　　"IamgladtohearshehasdissolvedhermindinStanhope’s，"saidJudgeRawdon。
　　"Dora’sintellectinitselfischildish。Whatdidthemanseeinherthatheshoulddesireher？"
　　"Father，younevercantellhowmuchbrainsmenlikewiththeirbeauty。Verylittlewilldogenerally。AndDorahasbeauty——greatbeauty；noonecandenythat。I
　　thinkDoraisgivingupagreatdeal。Toher，atleast，marriageisastateofpassingfromperfectfreedomintothecomparativeconditionofaslave，givingupherownwayconstantlyforsomeoneelse’sway。"
　　"Well，Ethel，theremedyisinthelady’shands。Sheisnotforcedtomarry，andtheslaverythatisvoluntaryisnohardship。
　　Now，mydear，Ihaveacasetolookover，andyoumustexcusemeto-night。To-morrowweshallknowmoreconcerningMr。Mostyn，anditiseasiertotalkaboutcertaintiesthanprobabilities。"
　　ButifconversationceasedaboutMr。Mostyn，thoughtdidnot；for，acoupleofhoursafterwards，Etheltappedatheraunt’sdoorandsaid，"Justamoment，Ruth。"
　　"Yes，dear，whatisit？"
　　"DidyounoticewhatfathersaidaboutthemortgageonRawdonManor"’
　　"Yes。"
　　"Heseemedtoknowallaboutit。"
　　"Ithinkhedoesknowallaboutit。"
　　"Doyouthinkheholdsit？"
　　"Hemaydoso——itisnotunlikely。"
　　"Oh！ThenMr。FredMostyn，ifheistoinheritRawdon，wouldlikethemortgageremoved？"
　　"Ofcoursehewould。"
　　"Andthewaytoremoveitwouldbetomarrythedaughteroftheholderofthemortgage？"
　　"Itwouldbeoneway。"
　　"Soheiscomingtolookmeover。Iamamatrimonialpossibility。Howdoyoulikethatidea，AuntRuth？"
　　"Idonotentertainitforamoment。
　　Mr。Mostynmaynotevenknowofthemortgage。
　　Whenmenmortgagetheirestatestheydonotmakeconfidencesaboutthematter，ortalkitoverwiththeirfriends。Theyalwaysconcealandhidethetransaction。Ifyourfatherholdsthemortgage，IfeelsurethatnoonebuthimselfandSquireRawdonknowanythingaboutit。Don’tlookatthewrongsideofevents，Ethel；becontentwiththerightsideoflife’stapestry。Whyareyounotasleep？Whatareyouworryingabout？"
　　"Nothing，onlyIhavenotheardallI
　　wantedtohear。"
　　"Andperhapsthatisgoodforyou。"
　　"Ishallgoandseegrandmotherfirstthinginthemorning。"
　　"IwouldnotifIwereyou。Youcannotmakeanyexcuseshewillnotseethrough。