YourfatherwillcallonMr。Mostynto-morrow，andweshallgetunprejudicedinformation。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknowthat，Ruth。FatherisintenselyAmericanthreehundredandsixty-
　　fourdaysandtwenty-threehoursinayear，andthenintheoddhourhewillflareupYorkshirelikeaconflagration。"
　　"English，youmean？"
　　"No。YorkshireISEnglandtograndmotherandfather。Theydon’tthinkanythingmuchoftheothercounties，andpeoplefromthemarejustrespectableforeigners。
　　Youmaydependuponit，whatevergrandmothersaysofMr。FredMostyn，fatherwillbelieveit，too。"
　　"Yourfatheralwaysbelieveswhateveryourgrandmothersays。Goodnight，dear。"
　　"Goodnight。IthinkIshallgotograndmotherinthemorning。Iknowhowtomanageher。Ishallmeethersquarelywiththetruth，andacknowledgethatIamdyingwithcuriosityaboutMr。Mostyn。"
　　"Andshewillteaseandlectureyou，sayyouare`notsweethearthighyet，onlyalittlemaid，’andsoon。FarbettergoandtalkwithDora。To-morrowshewillneedyou，Iamsure。Ethel，Iamverysleepy。Goodnightagain，dear。"
　　"Goodnight！"Thenwithasuddenanimation，"Iknowwhattodo，IshalltellgrandmotheraboutDora’smarriage。Itisallplainenoughnow。Goodnight，Ruth。"
　　Andthisgoodnight，thoughdroppingsweetlyintotheminorthird，hadyetonitsfinalinflectionsomethingofthepleasanthopefulnessofitsmajorkey——itexpressedanticipationandsatisfaction。
　　Whathappenedinthenightsessionshecouldnottell，butsheawokewithapositivedisinclinationtoaskaquestionaboutMr。
　　Mostyn。"Ihavereceivedordersfromsomeone，"shesaidtoRuth；"IsimplydonotcarewhetherIeverseeorhearofthemanagain。IamgoingtoDora，andImaynotcomehomeuntillate。Youknowtheywilldependuponmeforeverysuggestion。"
　　Infact，Etheldidnotreturnhomeuntilthefollowingday，forasnowstormcameupintheafternoon，andthegirlwaswearywithplanningandwriting，andwellinclinedtoeatwithDorathedelicatelittledinnerservedtotheminDora’sprivateparlor。Thenaboutnineo’clockMr。Stanhopecalled，andEthelfounditpleasantenoughtowatchtheloversandlistentoMrs。Denning’sopinionsofwhathadbeenalreadyplanned。Andthenextdaysheseemedtobesoabsolutelynecessarytothemovementofthemarriagepreparations，thatitwasnearlydarkbeforeshewaspermittedtoreturnhome。
　　Itwasbutashortwalkbetweenthetwohouses，andEthelwasresolvedtohavetherefreshmentoftheexercise。Andhowgooditwastofeelthepinchofthefrostandthegustofthenorthwind，andafterittocometothehappyportalofhome，andthefamiliaratmosphereofthecheerfulhall，andthentopeepintothefirelitroominwhichRuthlaydreamingintheduskyshadows。
　　"Ruth，darling！"
　　"Ethel！Ihavejustsentforyoutocomehome。"ThensheroseandtookEthelinherarms。"Howdelightfullycoldyouare！
　　Andwhatrosycheeks！Doyouknowthatwehavealittledinnerparty？"
　　"Mr。Mostyn？"
　　"Yes，andyourgrandmother，andperhapsDr。Fisher——theDoctorisnotcertain。"
　　"AndIseethatyouarealreadydressed。
　　Howhandsomeyoulook！Thatblacklacedress，withthedullgoldornaments，isallright。"
　　"Ifeltasifjewelswouldbeoverdressforafamilydinner。"
　　"Yes，butjewelsalwayssnubmensocompletely。
　　Itisnotaltogetherthattheyrepresentmoney；theygiveanairofroyalty，andawomanwithoutjewelsislikeanuncrownedqueen——shedoesnotgetthehomage。
　　Ican’taccountforit，butthereitis。Ishallwearmysapphirenecklace。Whatdidfathersayaboutournewkinsman？"
　　"Verylittle。Itwasimpossibletojudgefromhiswordswhathethought。Ifanciedthathemighthavebeenalittledisappointed。"
　　"Ishouldnotwonder。Weshallsee。"
　　"Youwillbedressedinanhour？"
　　"Inlesstime。ShallIwearwhiteorblue？"
　　"Paleblueandwhiteflowers。Therearesomewhitevioletsinthelibrary。Ihavearedrose。Weshallcontrasteachotherverywell。"
　　"Whatisitallabout？DowereallycarehowwelookintheeyesofthisMr。Mostyn？"
　　"Ofcoursewecare。Weshouldnotbewomenifwedidnotcare。Wemustmakesomesortofanimpression，andnaturallywepreferthatitshouldbeapleasantone。"
　　"Ifweconsiderthemortgage————"
　　"Nonsense！Themortgageisnotinit。"
　　"Good-by。TellMattietobringmeacupofteaupstairs。Iwillbedressedinanhour。"
　　Theteawasbroughtanddrank，andEthelfellasleepwhilehermaidpreparedeveryitemforhertoilet。Thenshespoketohermistress，andEthelawakened，asshealwaysdid，withasmile；nature’ssurestsignofaradicallysweettemper。Andeverythingwentinaccordwiththesmile；herhairfellnaturallyintoitsmostbecomingwaves，herdressintoitsmostgracefulfolds；thesapphirenecklacematchedtheblueofherhappyeyes，therosesofyouthwereonhercheeks，andwhitevioletsonherbreast。Shefeltherownbeautyandwasgladofit，andwithalaughingwordofpleasurewentdowntotheparlor。
　　MadamRawdonwasstandingbeforethefire，butwhensheheardthedooropensheturnedherfacetowardit。
　　"Comehere，EthelRawdon，"shesaid，"andletmehavealookatyou。"AndEthelwenttoherside，laidherhandlightlyontheoldlady’sshoulderandkissedhercheek。
　　"Youdolookmiddlingwell，"shecontinued，"andyourdressisaboutasitshouldbe。I
　　likeagirltodresslikeagirl——still，thesapphires。Aretheynecessary？"
　　"Youwouldnotsaycorals，wouldyou，grandmother？IhavethoseyougavemewhenIwasthreeyearsold。"
　　"Keepyourwit，mydear，forthisevening。
　　Ishouldnotwonderbutyoumightneedit。FredMostynisratherbetterthanIexpected。
　　Itwasagreatpleasuretoseehim。
　　Itwaslikeabitofmyownyouthbackagain。
　　Whenyouareaveryoldwomantherearefewthingssweeter，Ethel。"
　　"Butyouarenotanoldwoman，grandmother。"
　　Norwasshe。Inspiteofherseventy-fiveyearsshestooderectatthesideofhergrand-
　　daughter。Herabundanthairwaspartlygray，butthegraymingledwiththelittleovalofcostlylacethatlayuponit，andtheeffectwassoftandfairaspowdering。Shehadbeenveryhandsome，andherbeautylingeredasthebeautyofsomeflowerslinger，infaintertintsandinlessfirmoutlines；forshehadneverfallenfromthat"graceofGodvouchsafedtochildren，"andthereforeshehadkeptnotonlytheenthusiasmsofheryouth，butthatsweetpromiseofthe"timesofrestitution"whenthechildshalldieonehundredyearsold，becausethechild-heartshallbekeptinallitsfreshnessandtrust。
　　Yes，inRachelRawdon’sheartthewell-
　　springsofloveandlifelaytoodeepforthefrostsofagetotouch。Shewouldbeeternallyyoungbeforeshegrewold。
　　ShesatdownasEthelspoke，anddrewthegirltoherside。"Ihearyourfriendisgoingtomarry，"shesaid。
　　"Dora？Yes。"
　　"Areyousorry？"
　　"Perhapsnot。Dorahasbeenacaretomeforfouryears。IhopeherhusbandmaymanageheraswellasIhavedone。"
　　"Areyouafraidhewillnot？"
　　"Icannottell，grandmother。IseeallDora’sfaults。Mr。Stanhopeiscertainthatshehasnofaults。Hithertoshehashadherownwayineverything。Exceptingmyself，noonehasventuredtocontradicther。But，then，Doraisoverheadandearsinlove，andlove，itissaid，makesallthingseasytobearandtodo。"
　　"Onething，girls，amazesme——itishowreadilywomengotochurchandpromisetolove，honor，andobeytheirhusbands，whentheyneverintendtodoanythingofthekind。"
　　"Thereisastillmoreamazingthing，Madam，"answeredRuth；"thatisthatmenshouldbesofoolishastothink，orhope，theyperhapsmightdoso。"
　　"Old-fashionedwomenusedtomanageitsomewayorother，Ruth。Buttheold-fashionedwomanwasaverysoft-heartedcreature，and，maybe，itwasjustaswellthatshewas。"
　　"ButWoman’sDarkAgesarenearlyover，Madam；andisnottheNewWomanagreatimprovementontheOldWoman？"
　　"Ihaven’tmadeupmymindyet，Ruth，abouttheNewWoman。Inoticeonethingthatafewofthenewkindhavegotintotheirprettyheads，andthatis，thattheyoughttohavebeenmen；andtheyhavefollowedupthatideasofarthatthereisnowverylittledifferenceintheirlooks，andstilllessintheirwalk；theygostampingalongwiththestepofanathleteandthestrideofapeasantonfreshplowedfields。Itisthemosthideousofwalksimaginable。TheGrecianbend，whichyoucannotremember，butmayhaveheardof，wasalackadaisical，vulgarwalkingfad，butitwasgraceitselfcomparedwiththehideousstridewhichtheNewWomanhasacquiredonthegolflinksorsomewhereelse。"
　　"Butmenstampandstrideinthesameway，grandmother。"
　　"Alongstridesuitsaman’sanatomywellenough；itdoesnotsuitawoman’s——shefeelseverystrideshetakes，I’llwarranther。"
　　"Ifsheplaysgolf————"
　　"MydearEthel，thereisnoneedforhertoplaygolf。Itisaman’sgameandwasplayedforcenturiesbymenonly。InScotland，thehomeofgolf，itwasnotthoughtniceforwomentoevengotothelinks，becauseoftheawfullanguagetheywerelikelytohear。"
　　"Then，grandmother，isitnotwellforladiestoplaygolfifitkeepsmenfromusing`awfullanguage’toeachother）"
　　"Godloveyou，child！Menwillthinkwhattheydarenotspeak。"
　　"Ifwecouldonlyhavesomenewmen！"
　　sighedEthel。"Theloverofto-dayisjustwhatagirlcanpickup；hehasnowitandnowisdomandnoillusions。Hetalksofhismusclesandsmellsofcigarettes——perhapsofwhisky"——andatthesewords，JudgeRawdon，accompaniedbyMr。FredMostyn，enteredtheroom。
　　Theintroductionsslippedovereasily，theyhardlyseemedtobenecessary，andtheyoungmantookthechairofferedasnaturallyasifhehadsatbythehearthallhislife。Therewasnopauseandnoembarrassmentandnouselesspoliteplatitudes；andEthel’sfirstfeelingaboutherkinsmanwasoneofadmirationfortheperfecteaseandalmostinstinctiveat-homenesswithwhichhetookhisplace。
　　Hehadcometohisownandhisownhadreceivedhim；thatwasthesituation，averypleasantone，whichheacceptedwiththesmilingtrustthatwasatoncethemostperfectandpoliteofacknowledgments。
　　"Soyoudonotenjoytraveling？"saidJudgeRawdonasifcontinuingaconversation。
　　"Ithinkitthemostpainfulwayoftakingpleasure，sir——thatistheactualtransit。Andsleepingcarsandelectric-lightedsteamersandhotelsdonotmitigatethesuffering。IfDantewaswritingnowhemightdepictaconstantroundofpersonallyconductedtoursinPurgatory。Ishouldthinkthepunishmentadequateforanyoffense。ButIlikearrivingatplaces。NewYorkhasgivenmealotofnewsensationsto-day，andIhaveforgottenthetransittroublesalready。"
　　Hetalkedwellandtemperately，andyetEthelcouldnotavoidtheconclusionthathewasamanofpositivecharacteranduncompromisingprejudices。Andshealsofeltalittledisappointedinhispersonality，whichcontradictedheridealofaYorkshiresquire。
　　Forhewassmallandslenderinstature，andhisfacewaskeenandthin，fromthehighcheekbonestothesharppointoftheclean-
　　shavenchin。Yetitwasaninterestingface，forthebrowswerebroadandtheeyesbrightandglancing。Thathisnatureheldtheop-
　　positeofhisqualitieswasevidentfromthemouth，whichwascomposedanddiscreetandgenerallyclothedwithafranksmile，negativedbythedeep，sonorousvoicewhichbelongstotheindiscreetandquarrelsome。Hisdresswasperfect。Ethelcouldfindnofaultinit，exceptthemonoclewhichhedidnotuseonceduringtheevening，andwhichshethereforedecidedwasaquiteidleandunhandsomeadjunct。
　　Onefeatureofhischaracterwasdefinite——
　　hewasahome-lovingman。Helikedthesocietyofwomenwithwhomhecouldbefamiliar，andhepreferredthecompanyofbooksandmusictofashionablesocialfunctions。
　　Thispleasanthabitofdomesticitywasillustratedduringtheeveningbyanaccidentalincident——
　　anoisy，mechanicalstreetorganstoppedbeforethewindows，andinablatantmannerbeganitsperformance。ConversationwasparalyzedbytheintrusionandwhenitwasremovedJudgeRawdonsaid："Whatademocratic，leveling，aggressivethingmusicis！Itinsistsonbeingheard。Itisalwaysintheway，itthrustsitselfuponyou，whetheryouwantitornot。Nowartisdifferent。
　　Yougotoseepictureswhenyouwishto。"
　　Mostyndidnotnoticethecriticismonmusicitself，butaddedinasoft，disapprovingway："Thatmanhasnomusicinhim。DoyouknowthatwasoneofMendelssohn’sdeliciousdreams。Thisishowitshouldhavebeenrendered，"
　　andhewentimpulsivelytothepianoandthenthesweetmonotonouscadencesandmelodiousreveriesslippedfromhislongwhitefingerstillthewholeroomwaspermeatedwithadelicioussenseofmoonlitsolitudeandconversationwasstilledinitslanguor。Theyoungmanhadplayedhisowndismissal，butitwasaneffectiveone，andhecomplimentedhimselfonhisreadinesstoseizeopportunitiesfordisplay，andonhisgeniusinsatisfyingthem。
　　"IthinkIastonishedthemalittle，"hemused，"andIwonderwhatthatpretty，cousinofminethoughtofthemusicandthemusician。Ifancyweshallbegoodfriends；
　　sheisproud——thatisnofault；andshehasverydecidedopinions——whichmightbeagreatfault；butIthinkIratherastonishedthem。"
　　Tosuchreflectionshesteppedratherpompouslydowntheavenue，notatallinfluencedbyanypremonitionthathissatisfactoryfeelingsmightbeimperfectlyshared。Yetsilencewasthefirstresultofhisdeparture。JudgeRawdontookouthispocketbookandbegantostudyitsentries。RuthBayardroseandclosedthepiano。Ethelliftedamagazine，whileitwasMadamwhofinallyaskedinanimpatienttone：
　　"WhatdoyouthinkofFrederick？Isuppose，Edward，youhaveanopinion。Isn’theaverycleverman？"
　　"Ishouldnotwonderifhewere，mother，clevertoafault。"
　　"Ineverheardayoungmantalkbetter。"
　　"Hetalkedagreatdeal，butthen，youknow，hewasnotonhisoath。"
　　"I’llwarranteverywordhesaid。"
　　"Yourwarrantisfinesurety，mother，butIamnotboundtobelieveallIhear。Youwomencanpleaseyourselves。"
　　Andwiththesewordsheleftthewomentofindout，iftheycould，whatmannerofmantheirnewly-foundkinsmanmightbe。
　　*******
　　CHAPTERIII
　　ONEofthemostcomfortablethingsaboutFrederickMostynwashisalmostboyishdelightinthenewlifewhichNewYorkopenedtohim。Everyphaseofitwassofresh，sounusual，thathisYorkshireexistenceatMostynHallgavehimnoprecedentsandnoexperiencesbywhichtomeasureevents。Thesimplestthingsweresurprisingorinteresting。
　　Hewasneverwearyoftakingthoseexciting"lifts"tothetopoftwenty-threestorybuildingsandadmiringthewonderfulviewssuchaltitudesgavehim。Hedidnotperhapscomprehendhowmuchhewasinfluencedbythefrictionoftwomillionwillsandinterests；didnotrealizehowtheyevokedanelectricconditionthatgotbehindtheforegroundofexistenceandstirredsomethingmoreattherootsofhisbeingthananypreviousexperiencehadeverdone。Andthisfeelingwasespeciallyentrancingwhenhesawthegreatcityandmajesticriverlyingathisfeetinthewhite，uncannylightofelectricity，allitscolorgone，itsbreathcold，itslifestrangelyremoteandquiet，menmovinglikeshadows，andsoundshollowandfaintandfaroff，asiftheycamefromadistantworld。Itgavehimasenseofdreamlandquiteasmuchasthatofreality。
　　TheYorkshiremoorsandwordsgrewdullanddrearyinhismemory；eventhethoughtofthehuntingfieldcouldnotlurehisdesire。NewYorkwasfullofmarvelousnovelties；itsdailyroutine，eveninthehotelandonthestreets，grippedhisheartandhisimagination；
　　andheconfessedtohimselfthatNewYorkwaslifeatfirsthand；freshdrawn，itsveryfoamsparklingandintoxicating。HewalkedfromtheParktotheBatteryandexaminedallthatcaughthiseye。Hehadahistoryofthecityandsoughtouteveryhistoricalsite；
　　heevenwentovertoWeehawken，anddidhisbesttolocatethespotwhereBurrandHamiltonfought。HeadmiredHamilton，butafterreadingallaboutthetwomen，gavehissympathytoBurr，"aclever，unluckylittlechap，"hesaid。"Whydoclevermenhateeachother？"andthenhesmiledqueerlyasherememberedpoliticalenemiesofgreatmeninhisowndayandhisowncountry；andconcludedthat"itwastheirnaturetodoso。"
　　Butintheseoutsideenthusiasmshedidnotforgethispersonalrelations。IttookhimbutafewdaystodomesticatehimselfinboththeRawdonhouses。Whentheweatherdrovehimoffthestreets，hefoundapleasantrefugeeitherwithMadamorwithEthelandMissBayard。Ethelhesawlessfrequentlythanheliked；shewasnearlyalwayswithDoraDenning，butwithRuthBayardhecontractedaverypleasantfriendship。HetoldherallhisadventuresandfoundhermoresympatheticthanMadameverpretendedtobe。Madamthoughthimprovincialinhistastes，andwasbetterpleasedtohearthathehadavisitingentryattwogoodclubs，andhadhiredamotorear，andwaslearninghowtomanageit。Thenshetoldherselfthatifhewasgoodtoher，shewouldbuyhimonetobeproudofbeforehereturnedtoYorkshire。
　　ItwasattheEliteClubBryceDenningfirstsawhim。HecameinwithShawMcLaren，ayoungmanwhoseacquaintancewasconsideredasmostdefinitelysatisfactory。
　　VainlyBryceDenninghadstriventoobtainanynoticewhateverfromMcLaren，whoseexclusivenesswasproverbial。Whothenwasthisstrangerheappearedsoanxioustoentertain？
　　Hislookofsupremesatisfaction，hishigh-
　　bredair，andpeculiarintonationquicklysatisfiedBryceastohisnationality。
　　"English，ofcourse，"hereflected，"andprobablyoneofthearistocratsthatShawmeetsathisrecentlyennobledsister’splace。
　　Heisforeverbraggingaboutthem。ImustfindoutwhoShaw’slastBritishlionis，"andjustashearrivedatthisdecisionthepersonappearedwhocouldsatisfyhim。
　　"Thatman！"wasthereplytotheinevitablequestion——"why，heissomerelativeoftheoldladyRawdon。HeisstayingattheHollandHouse，butspendshistimewiththeRawdons，oldandyoung；theyoungoneisabeauty，youknow。"
　　"Doyouthinkso？Sheisagooddealatourhouse。Isupposethefellowhassomepretentions。JudgeRawdonwillbeamanhardtosatisfywithason-in-law。"
　　"Ifancyhisdaughterwilltakethatsubjectinherownhand。Shelookslikeagirlofspirit；andthismanisnotashandsomeasmostEnglishmen。"
　　"Notifyoujudgehimbybulk，butwomenwantmorethanmerebulk；hehasanairofbreedingyoucan’tmistake，andhelooksclever。"
　　"HisnameisMostyn。Ihaveheardhimspokenof。Wouldyouliketoknowhim？"
　　"Icouldlivewithoutthathonor"——thenBryceturnedtheconversationuponarecenthorsesale，andafewmomentslaterwassaunteringuptheavenue。HewasnowresolvedtomakeuphisquarrelwithDora。ThroughDorahecouldmanagetomeetMostynsocially，andhesmiledinanticipationofthatproudmomentwhenheshouldparadeinhisownfriendlyleashMcLaren’snewBritishlion。Besides，theintroductiontoMr。Mostynmight，ifjudiciouslymanaged，promotehisownacquaintancewithShawMcLaren，asequencetobemuchdesired；anendhehadpersistentlylookedfor。
　　Hewentstraighttohissister’sapartmentsandtouchedthebellquitegently。Hermaidopenedthedoorandlookedannoyedanduncertain。
　　SheknewallaboutthecruellywickedoppositionofMissDenning’sbrothertothatniceyoungman，BasilStanhope；andalsothegeneralattitudeoftheDenninghousehold，whichwasacomprehensivedisapprovalofallthatMr。Brycesaidanddid。
　　Dorahad，however，talkedallherangeraway；shewishednowtobefriendswithherbrother。Sheknewthathisabsencefromherweddingwouldcauseunpleasantnotice，andshehadotherreasons，purelyselfish，allemphasizingtheadvantagesofareconciliation。
　　SoshewenttomeetBrycewithapretty，patheticairofinjurypatientlyendured，andwhenBryceputouthishandsandsaid，"Forgiveme，Dodo！Icannotbearyourangeranylonger！"shewasquitereadyforthenextact，whichwastolayherprettyheadonhisshoulderandmurmur，"Iamnotangry，Bryce——I
　　amgrieved，dear。"
　　"Iknow，Dodo——forgiveme！Itwasallmyfault。IthinkIwasjealousofyou；itwashardtofindthatyoulovedastrangerbetterthanyoulovedme。Kissme，andbemyownsweet，beautifulsisteragain。Ishalltrytolikeallthepeopleyoulike——foryoursake，youknow。"
　　ThenDorawascharming。Shesatandtalkedandplannedandtoldhimallthathadbeendoneandallthatwasyettodo。AndBryceneveroncenamedeitherEthelorMr。
　　Mostyn。HeknewDorawasashrewdlittlewoman，andthathewouldhavetobeverycarefulinintroducingthesubjectofMr。
　　Mostyn，orelseshewouldbesuretoreachthecentraltruthofhissubmissiontoher。But，somehow，thingshappenforthosewhoarecontenttoleavetheirdesirestocontingenciesandaccidentals。ThenextmorninghebreakfastedwiththefamilyandfelthimselfrepaidforhisconcessiontoDorabytheevidentpleasuretheirrenewedaffectiongavehisfatherandmother；andthoughtheelderDenningmadenoremarkintherenewedfamilysolidarity，Bryceanticipatedmanylittlefavorsandaccommodationsfromhisfather’ssatisfaction。
　　Afterbreakfasthesatdown，lithiscigarandwaited。BothhismotherandDorahadmuchtotellhim，andhelistened，andgavethemsuchexcellentadvicethattheywerecompelledtoregretthearrangementsalreadymadehadlackedthebenefitofhiscounsels。
　　"ButyouhadEthelRawdon，"hesaid。
　　"Ithoughtshewaseverybodyrolledintoone。"
　　"Oh，Etheldoesn’tknowasmuchasshethinksshedoes，"saidMrs。Denning。"I
　　don’tagreewithlotsofthingssheadvises。"
　　"Thentakemyadvice，mother。"
　　"Oh，Bryce，itisthebestofall。"
　　"Brycedoesnotknowaboutdressandsuchthings，mother。Ethelfindsoutwhatshedoesnotknow。Brycecannotgotomodistesandmillinerswithme。"
　　"Well，Etheldoesnotpayasmuchatten-
　　tionasshemight——sheisalwaysgoingsomewhereorotherwiththatEnglishman，thatshesaysisarelative——formypart，Idoubtit。"
　　"Oh，mother！"
　　"Girlswillsayanything，Dora，tohidealoveaffair。Whydoessheneverbringhimheretocall？"
　　"BecauseIaskedhernot。Idonotwanttomakenewfriends，especiallyEnglishones，now。Iamsobusyallday，andofcoursemyeveningsbelongtoBasil。"
　　"Yes，andthereisnoonetotalktome。
　　EthelandtheEnglishmanwouldpassanhourortwoverynicely，andyourfatherisveryfondofforeigners。IthinkyououghttoaskEtheltointroducehimtous；thenwecouldhavealittledinnerforhimandinvitehimtoouroperabox——don’tyouagreewithme，Bryce？"
　　"IfDoradoes。Ofcourse，atthistime，Dora’swishesandengagementsarethemostimportant。IhaveseentheyoungmanattheclubwithShawMcLarenandabouttownwithJudgeRawdonandothers。Heseemsanicelittlefellow。JackLacywantedtointroducemetohimyesterday，butItoldhimIcouldlivewithoutthehonor。Ofcourse，ifDorafeelslikehavinghimherethatisaverydif-
　　ferentmatter。Heiscertainlydistinguishedlooking，andwouldgiveanairtothewedding。"
　　"Ishehandsome，Bryce？"
　　"Yes——andno。Womenwouldraveabouthim；menwouldthinkhimfinicalanddandified。
　　Helooksasifhewerethehappiestfellowintheworld——infact，helookedtomesoprovokinglyhappythatIdislikedhim；butnowthatDodoismylittlesisteragain，Icanbehappyenoughtoenvynoone。"
　　ThenDoraslippedherhandintoherbrother’shand，andBryceknewthathemighttakehiswaytohislittleofficeinWilliamStreet，theadventofMr。Mostynintohislifebeingnowascertainasanythinginthisquestionable，fluctuatingworldcouldbe。AshewassaunteringdowntheavenuehemetEthelandheturnedandwalkedbackwithhertotheDenninghouse。Hewassogood-naturedandsogood-humoredthatEthelcouldnotavoidaninquisitivelookattheusuallyglumyoungman，andhecaughtitwithalaughandsaid，"Isupposeyouwonderwhatisthematterwithme，MissRawdon？"
　　"Youlookmorethanusuallyhappy。IfI
　　supposeyouhavefoundawifeorafortune，shallIbewrong？"
　　"Youcomenearthetruth；Ihavefoundasister。DoyouknowIamveryfondofDoraandwehavemadeupourquarrel？"
　　ThenEthellookedathimagain。Shedidnotbelievehim。ShewassurethatDorawasnottheonlyevokeroftheunboundedsatisfactioninBryceDenning’sfaceandmanner。
　　Butsheletthereasonpass；shehadnolikelyargumentstouseagainstit。AndthatdayMrs。Denning，withaslightairofinjury，openedthesubjectofMr。Mostyn’sintroductiontothem。ShethoughtEthelhadhardlytreatedtheDenningsfairly。Everyonewaswonderingtheyhadnotmethim。Ofcourse，sheknewtheywerenotaristocratsandshesupposedEthelwasashamedofthem，but，forherpart，shethoughttheywereasgoodasmostpeople，andifitcametomoney，theycouldputdowndollarfordollarwithanymulti-millionaireinAmerica，orEnglandeither，forthatmatter。
　　WhenthereproachtookthistonethereseemedtobeonlyonethingforEtheltosayortodo；butthatonethingwasexactlywhatshedidnotsayordo。ShetookupMrs。Denning’sreproachandcomplainedthat"herrelativeandfriendhadbeenpurposelyanddefinitelyignored。DorahadtoldherplainlyshedidnotwishtomakeMr。Mostyn’sacquaintance；and，inaccordwiththisfeeling，nooneintheDenningfamilyhadcalledonMr。Mostyn，orshownhimtheleastcourtesy。
　　ShethoughtthewholeRawdonfamilyhadthebestofreasonsforfeelinghurtattheneglect。"
　　ThisviewofthecasehadnotenteredMrs。
　　Denning’smind。ShewasquicklysorryandapologeticforDora’sselfishnessandherownthoughtlessness，andEthelwasnotdifficulttopacify。TherewasthennodutysoimperativeasthearrangementofalittledinnerforMr。Mostyn。"Wewillmakeitquiteafamilyaffair，"saidMrs。Denning，"thenwecangototheoperaafterwards。ShallIcallonMr。MostynattheHollandHouse？"sheaskedanxiously。
　　"IwillaskBrycetocall，"saidDora。
　　"Brycewilldoanythingtopleasemenow，mother。"
　　Inthisway，BryceDenning’sdesireswereallarrangedforhim，andthateveningDoramadeherrequest。Brycehearditwithapronouncedpoutofhislips，butfinallytoldDorashewas"irresistible，"andashistimeforpleasingherwasnearlyout，hewouldevencallontheEnglishmanatherrequest。
　　"Mind！"headded，"IthinkheisasproudasLucifer，andImaygetnothingformycivilitybuttheexcuseofapreviousengagement。"
　　ButBryceDenningexpectedmuchmorethanthis，andhegotallthatheexpected。
　　Theyoungmenhadacommongroundtomeeton，andtheyquicklybecameasintimateaseverFrederickMostynpermittedhimselftobewithastranger。BrycecouldhardlyhelpcatchingenthusiasmfromMostynonthesubjectofNewYork，andhewasabletoshowhisnewacquaintancephasesoflifeinthemarvelouscitywhichwereofthegreatestinteresttotheinquisitiveYorkshiresquire——
　　Chinesetheatersandopiumdives；German，Italian，Spanish，Jewish，FrenchcitiesshelteringthemselveswithinthegreatarmsofthegreatAmericancity；queerrestaurants，wherehecouldeatofthenationaldishesofeverycivilizedcountryunderthesun；placesofamusement，legalandillegal，andthevastundersideoftheevidentlife——alltheuncaredfortoilingofthethousandswhoworkthroughthemidnighthours。Intheseexcursionstheyoungmenbecameinawayfamiliar，thoughneitherofthemevertoldtheothertherealfeelingsoftheirheartsortherealaimoftheirlives。
　　Theproposeddinnertookplacetendaysafteritssuggestion。Therewasnothingremarkableinthefunctionitself；allmillionaireshavethesamedelicaciesandthesamewines，andservethesethingswithpreciselythesameceremonies。And，asageneralthing，thecompanyfollowrigidlyordainedlawsofconversation。Storiesaboutpublicpeople，remarksabouttheweatherandtheopera，areinorder；butoriginalideasordecidedopinionsareunpardonablesocialerrors。Yeteventhesecommonplaceeventsmaycontainsomeelementthatshallunexpectedlycutalifeintwo，andsochangeitsaimsanddesiresastovirtuallycreateanewcharacter。ItwasFrederickMostynwhointhisinstanceunderwentthisgreatpersonalchange；achangetotallyunexpectedandforwhichhewasabsolutelyunprepared。ForthepeoplegatheredinMrs。
　　Denning’sdrawing-roomweremostlyknowntohim，andtheexceptionsdidnotappeartopossessanyremarkabletraits，exceptBasilStanhope，whostoodthoughtfullyatawindow，hispale，loftybeautywearinganairofexpectation。Mostyndecidedthathewasnaturallyimpatientforthepresenceofhisfiancee，whosedelayedentranceheperceivedwasalsoannoyingEthel。Thentherewasaslightmovement，asuddensilence，andMostynsawStanhope’sfaceflushandturnmagicallyradiant。MechanicallyhefollowedhismovementandthenextmomenthiseyesmetFate，andLoveslippedinbetween。
　　Dorawasthere，afairy-likevisioninpaleamberdraperies，softenedwithsilklace。Diamondswereinherwonderfullywavedhairandroundherfairwhiteneck。Theyclaspedherbeltandadornedtheinstepofherlittleambersilkslippers。Sheheldayellowroseinherhand，andyellowrosebudslayamongthelaceatherbosom，andMostyn，stupefiedbyherundreamed-ofloveliness，sawgoldenemanationsfromtheclearpallorofherface。
　　Hefeltforamomentortwoasifheshouldcertainlyfaint；onlybyamiracleofstubbornwilldidhedraghisconsciousnessfromthatgolden-tinted，sparklinghazeofbeautywhichhadsmittenhimlikeanenchantment。Thenthegirlwaslookingathimwithhersoft，dark，gazelleeyes；shewasevenspeakingtohim，butwhatshesaid，orwhatreplyhemade，hecouldneverbyanymeansremember。MissBayardwastobehiscompanion，andwithsomeeffortandafewindistinctwordshegaveherhisarm。Sheaskedifhewasill，andwhenashakeoftheheadansweredthequery，shecoveredthefewminutesofhisdisconcertionwithherconversation。Helookedathergratefullyandgatheredhispersonalitytogether。
　　ForLovehadcometohimlikeatwo-
　　edgedsword，dividingthefleshandthespirit，andhelongedtocryaloudandrelievethesweettortureofthepossession。
　　Reaction，however，camequickly，andwithitawonderfulaccessofallhispowers。Thesweet，strongwineofLovewenttohisbrainlikecelestialnectar。Allthewitty，amusingthingshehadeverheardcametroopingintohismemory，andthedinnerwaslongdelayedbyhisfinehumor，hispleasantanecdotes，andthelaughingthoughtswhichotherscaughtupandillustratedintheirownway。
　　Itwasafeastfullofgoodthings，butitsspiritwasnotabletobeartransition。Thecompanyscatteredquicklywhenitwasovertotheoperaortheaterortotherestofaquieteveningathome，forattheendenthusiasmofanykindhasachillingeffectonthefeelings。
　　Noneofthepartyunderstoodthisresult，andyetallwere，intheirway，affectedbythesuddenfallofmentaltemperature。
　　Mr。Denningwenttohislibraryandtookouthisprivateledger，apenitentialsortofreadingwhichherelishedaftermoodsofanykindofenjoyment。Mrs。DenningselectedEthelRawdonforhertextofdisillusion。She"thoughtEthelhadbeenalittlejealousofDora’sdress，"andDorasaid，"Itwasoneofhersurprises，andEthelthoughtsheoughttoknoweverything。""YouaretooobedienttoEthel，"continuedMrs。DenningandDoralookedwithacharmingdemurenessatherlover，andsaid，"Shehadtobeobedienttosomeonewiserthanherself，"andsoslippedherhandintoBasil’shand。Andheunderstoodthepromise，andwithalookofpassionateaffectionraisedthelittlejeweledpledgeandkissedit。
　　Perhapsnoonewasmoreaffectedbythischill，criticalafter-hourthanMissBayardandEthel。Mostynaccompaniedthemhome，buthewasdepressed，andhiscourtesyhadtheairofanobligation。Hesaidhehadasuddenheadache，andwasnotsorrywhentheladiesbidhim"goodnight"onthethreshold。
　　Indeed，hefeltthathemusthaverefusedanyinvitationtolengthenoutthehourswiththemoranybody。Hewantedonething，andhewantedthatwithallhissoul——solitude，thathemightfillitwithimagesofDora，andwithpassionatepromisesthateitherbyfairmeansorbyfoul，byrightorbywrong，hewouldwinthebewitchingwomanforhiswife。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　"WHATdoyouthinkoftheevening，AuntRuth？"Ethelwasinheraunt’sroom，comfortablywrappedinapinkkimono，whensheaskedthisquestion。
　　"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Ethel？"
　　"Iamnotsure。"
　　"Thedinnerwaswellserved。"
　　"Yes。Whowasthelittledarkmanyoutalkedwith，aunt？"
　　"HewasaMr。Marriot，abanker，andafriendofBryceDenning’s。Heisafreshadditiontosociety，Ithink。Hehadtheword`gold’alwaysonhislips；andhebelievesinitasgoodmenbelieveinGod。Thegeneralconversationannoyedhim；hecouldnotunderstandmenbeingentertainedbyit。"
　　"Theywere，though，foronceJamieSayerforgottotalkabouthispictures。"
　　"Isthatthenameofyourescort？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andisheanartist？"
　　"Asecond-rateone。HeispaintingDora’spicture，andisagreatfavoriteofMrs。Denning’s。"
　　"Astrange，wild-lookingman。WhenI
　　sawhimfirsthewaslying，dislocated，overhisottomanratherthansittingonit。"
　　"Oh，thatisapartofhisaffectations。
　　Heisreallyachildish，self-consciouscreature，withaverydecideddashofvulgarity。
　　Heonlytriestolookstrangeandwild，andhewouldbedelightedifheknewyouhadthoughthimso。"
　　"IwasgladtoseeClaudineJeffrys。Howslimandgracefulsheis！And，pray，whoisthatMissUllman？"
　　"Averyrichwoman。ShehasBryceunderconsideration。Manyothermenhavebeeninthesameposition，forsheissuretheyallwanthermoneyandnother。Perhapssheisright。Isawyoutalkingtoher，aunt。"
　　"Forashorttime。Ididnotenjoyhercompany。Sheissomercilesslyrealistic，shetakesallthecoloroutoflife。Everythingabouther，evenherspeech，issharp-linedastheedgeofaknife。ShecouldmakeBryce’slifeverymiserable。"
　　"Perhapsitmightturnouttheotherway。
　　BryceDenninghascapacitiesinthesameline。Howfarapart，howfaraboveeverymanthere，stoodBasilStanhope！"
　　"Heisstrikinglyhandsomeandgraceful，andIamsurethathisluminousserenitydoesnotarisefromapathy。Ishouldsayhewasamanofverystrongandtenderfeelings。"
　　"AndhegivesallthestrengthandtendernessofhisfeelingstoDora。Menarestrangecreatures。"
　　"WhodirectedDora’sdressthisevening？"
　　"Herselforhermaid。Ihadnothingtodowithit。Theeffectwasstunning。"
　　"Fredthoughtso。Infact，FredHostyn————"
　　"Fellinlovewithher。"
　　"Exactly。`Fell，’thatistheword——fellprostrate。Usuallytheloverofto-daywalksverytimidlyandcarefullyintothecondition，stepbystep，andcalculatingeverystepbeforehetakesit。Fredplungedheadlongintothewhirlingvortex。Iamverysorry。Itisacatastrophe。"
　　"Ineverwitnessedtheaccidentbefore。I
　　haveheardofmengettingwoundsandfalls，anddevelopingnewfacultiesinconsequence，butwesawthephenomenontakeplacethisevening。"
　　"Love，ifitbelove，isknowninamoment。
　　manwhoneversawthesunbeforewouldknowitwasthesun。InFred’scaseitwasaninstantaneous，impetuouspassion，flamingupatthesightofsuchunexpectedbeauty——
　　apassionthatwillprobablyfadeasrapidlyasitrose。"
　　"Fredisnotthatkindofaman，aunt。Hedoesnotlikeeveryoneandeverything，butwhoeverorwhateverhedoeslikebecomesalastingpartofhislife。EventheoldchairsandtablesatMostynareheldassacredobjectsbyhim，thoughIhavenodoubtanAmericangirlwouldtrundlethemofftothegarret。Itisthesamewiththepeople。HeactuallyregardstheRawdonsasbelonginginsomewaytotheMostyns；andIdonotbelievehehaseverbeeninlovebefore。"
　　"Nonsense！"
　　"Hewassosurprisedbytheattack。Ifithadbeenthetenthortwentiethtimehewouldhavetakenitmorephilosophically；
　　besides，ifhehadeverlovedanywoman，hewouldhavegoneonlovingher，andweshouldhaveknownallaboutherperfectionsbythistime。"
　　"Doraisnearlyamarriedwoman，andMostynknowsit。"
　　"Nearlymaymakeallthedifference。
　　WhenDoraismarriedhewillbecompelledtoaccepttheinevitableandmakethebestofit。"
　　"WhenDoraismarriedhewillidealizeher，andassurehimselfthathermarriageisthetragedyofboththeirlives。"
　　"Dorawillgivehimnoreasontosupposesuchathing。Iamsureshewillnot。SheistoomuchinlovewithMr。Stanhopetonoticeanyotherlover。"
　　"Youaremistaken，Ethel。SwiftlyasFredwasvanquishedshenoticedit，andmanytimes——onceevenwhileleaningonMr。Stanhope’sarm——sheturnedthearrowintheheartwoundwithsweetlittleglancesandsmiles，andprettyappealstotheblindadorationofhernewlover。Itwas，tome，ahumiliatingspectacle。Howcouldshedoit？"
　　"IamsureDorameantnowrong。Itissonaturalforalovelygirltoshowoffalittle。ShewillmarryandforgetFredMostynlives。"
　　"AndFredwillforget？"
　　"Fredwillnotforget。"
　　"ThenIshallbeverysorryforyourfatherandgrandmother。"
　　"WhathavetheytodowithFredmarrying？"
　　"Agreatdeal。Fredhasbeensofamiliarandhomelythelasttwoorthreeweeks，thattheyhavecometolookuponhimasafuturememberofthefamily。Ithasbeen`CousinEthel’and`AuntRuth’andeven`grandmother’
　　and`CousinFred，’andnoobjectionshavebeenmadetotheuseofsuchpersonalterms。IthinkyourfatherhopesforaclosertiebetweenyouandFredMostynthancousinship。"
　　"Whatevermighthavebeenisover。DoyouimagineIcouldconsenttobethesecondarydeity，tocomeafterDora——DoraofallthegirlsIhaveeverknown？Theideaisaninsulttomyheartandmyintelligence。
　　Nothingonearthcouldmakemesubmittosuchanindignity。"
　　"Idonotsuppose，Ethel，thatanywifeisthefirstobjectofherhusband’slove。"
　　"Atleasttheytellhersheisso，swearitaninchdeep；andnowomanisfoolenoughtolookbeyondthatoath，butwhensheissurethatsheisasecondbest！AH！ThatisnotapositionIwillevertakeinanyman’sheartknowingly。"
　　"Ofcourse，FredMostynwillhavetomarry。"
　　"Ofcourse，hewillmakeadutyoftheevent。ThelineofMostynsmustbecontinued。