EnglandmightgotoruiniftheMostynsperishedofftheEnglishearth；but，AuntRuth，IcountmyselfworthyofabetterfatethantobecomeamerebranchinthegenealogicaltreeoftheMostyns。AndthatisallFredMostyn’swifewilleverbetohim，unlesshemarriesDora。"
　　"Butthatverysuppositionimpliestragedy，anditismostunlikely。"
　　"Yes，forDoraisagoodlittlething。Shehasneverbeenfamiliarwithvice。Shehasevenahorrorofpoorwomendivorcedfromimpossiblehusbands。Shebelieveshermarriagewillbewatchedbytheangels，andrecordedinheaven。Basilhasinstructedhertoregardmarriageasaholysacrament，andIamsurehedoesthesame。"
　　"Thenwhyshouldweforecasteviltotheirnames？AsforCousinFred，Idaresayheiscomfortablyasleep。"
　　"Iamsureheisnot。IbelieveheissmokingandcallinghimselfnamesfornothavingcometoNewYorklastMay，whenfatherfirstinvitedhim。Hadhedonesothingsmighthavebeendifferent。"
　　"Yes，theymight。WhenGoodFortunecalls，andthecalled`willnotwhentheymay，’
　　then，`whentheywill’GoodFortunehasbecomeMisfortune。Welcomeapleasureoragainatonce，ordon’tansweritatall。Itwasonthisrock，Ethel，thebarkthatcarriedmylovewenttopieces。Iknow；yes，Iknow！"
　　"Mydearaunt！"
　　"Itisallrightnow，dear；butthingsmighthavebeenthatarenot。AstoDora，IthinkshemaybetrustedwithBasilStanhope。HeisoneofthebestandhandsomestmenIeversaw，andhehasnowrightsinDora’slovenoonecantamperwith。Mostynisanhonorableman。"
　　"Allright，but——
　　"Lovewillventurein，Wherehedaurnawellbeseen；
　　OLovewillventurein，WhereWisdomoncehasbeen——
　　andthen，aunt，whatthen？"
　　PARTSECOND
　　PLAYINGWITHFIRE
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEnextdayafterlunchEthelsaidshewasgoingtowalkdowntoGramercyParkandspendanhourortwowithhergrandmother，and"Willyousendthecarriageformeatfiveo’clock？"sheasked。
　　"YourfatherhasorderedthecarriagetobeattheHollandHouseatfiveo’clock。Itcancallforyoufirst，andthengototheHollandHouse。Butdonotkeepyourfatherwaiting。Ifheisnotattheentrancegiveyourcardtotheoutsideporter；hewillhaveitsentuptoFred’sapartments。"
　　"ThenfatheriscallingonFred？Whatfor？Ishesick？"
　　"Oh，no，businessofsomekind。Ihopeyouwillhaveapleasantwalk。"
　　"Thereisnodoubtofit。"
　　Indeed，shewasradiantwithitsexhilarationwhenshereachedGramercyPark。Assheranupthestepsofthebig，old-fashionedhouseshesawMadamatthewindowpickingupsomedroppedstitchesinherknitting。
　　Madamsawheratthesamemoment，andtheoldfaceandtheyoungfacebothalikekindledwithlove，aswellaswithhappyanticipationofcovetedintercourse。
　　"Iamsogladtoseeyou，darlingGranny。
　　Icouldnotwaituntilto-morrow。"
　　"Andwhyshouldyou，child？Ihavebeenwatchingforyouallmorning。IwanttohearabouttheDenningdinner。Isupposeyouwent？"
　　"Yes，wewent；wehadto。Dinnersinstrangehousesareacommoncalamity；I
　　can’texpecttobesparedwhateveryonehastoendure。"
　　"Don’tbeaffected，Ethel。Youlikegoingouttodinner。Ofcourse，youdo！Itisonlynatural，considering。"
　　"Idon’t，Granny。Ilikedancesandtheatersandoperas，butIdon’tlikedinners。
　　However，theDenningdinnerwasagrandexception。Itgavemeandtheothersasensation。"
　　"Iexpectedthat。"
　　"Itwasbeautifullyordered。Major-domoParkinsonsawtothat。Ifhehadarrangeditforhislateemployer，theDukeofRichmond，itcouldnothavebeenfiner。Therewasnotabreakanywhere。"
　　"Howmanywerepresent？"
　　"Justadozen。"
　　"Mr。DenningandBryce，ofcourse。
　　Whoweretheothers？"
　　"Mr。Stanhope，ofcourse。Granny，heworehisclericaldress。Itmadehimlooksoremarkable。"
　　"Hedidright。Aclergymanoughttolookdifferentfromothermen。IdonotbelieveBasilStanhope，havingassumedthedressofaservantofGod，wouldputitoffonehourforanysocialexigency。Whyshouldhe？Itisagranderattirethananymilitaryornavaluniform，andnocourtdressiscomparable，foritisthecourtdressoftheKingofkings。"
　　"Allright，dearGranny；youalwaysmakethingscleartome，yetImeetlotsofclergymenineveningdress。"
　　"Thentheyoughtnottobeclergymen。
　　Theyoughtnottowearcoatsinwhichtheycanholdanykindofopinions。Whowasyourcompanion？"
　　"JamieSayer。"
　　"Ineverheardoftheman。"
　　"Heisanartist，andispaintingDora’slikeness。Heisgettingonnow，butinthepast，likeallartists，hehassufferedadeal。"
　　"God’swillbedone。Letthemsuffer。
　　Itisgoodforgeniustosuffer。Isheinlovewithyou？"
　　"Gracious，Granny！Hisheadissofullofpicturesthatnowomancouldfindroomthere，andifonedid，thenextnewpicturewouldcrowdherout。"
　　"Endthatstory，itislongenough。"
　　"DoyouknowMissUllman？"
　　"Ihaveheardofher。Whohasnot？"
　　"ShehasBryceDenningontrialnow。
　　IfhemarriesherIshallpityhim。"
　　"Pityhim！NotI，indeed！Hewouldhavehisjustreward。Liketolike，andAmentoit。"
　　"ThentherewasClaudineJeffrys，lookingquiteethereal，butverylovely。"
　　"Iknow。HerloverwaskilledinCuba，andshehasbeenthetypeoffaithfulgriefeversince。Shelooksitanddressesittoperfection。"
　　"Andfeelsit？"
　　"Perhapsshedoes。Iamnotskilledinthefeelingsofpensive，heart-brokenmaidens。
　　Buthercaseisaverycommonone。Loversarenowhereagainsthusbands，yethowmanythousandsofgoodwomenlosetheirhusbandseveryyear？Iftheyarepoor，theyhavetohidetheirgriefandworkforthem-
　　selvesandtheirfamilies；iftheyarerich，veryfewpeoplebelievethattheyarereallysorrytobewidows。Areanypoorcreaturesmorejeeredatthanwidows？Nomanbelievestheyaregrievingforthelossoftheirhusbands。ThenwhyshouldtheyallsympathizewithClaudineaboutthelossofalover？"
　　"Perhapsloversarenicerthanhusbands。"
　　"Prettymuchallalike。Ihaveknownafewgoodhusbands。Yourgrandfatherwasone，yourfatheranother。ButyouhavesaidnothingaboutFred。Didhelookhandsome？
　　Didhemakeasensation？Washeacousintobeproudof？"
　　"Indeed，Granny，Fredwasthewholeparty。Heisnotnaturallyhandsome，buthehasdistinction，andhewaswell-dressed。AndIneverheardanyonetalkashedid。Hetoldthemostdelightfulstories，hewasfullofmimicryandwit，andsaidthingsthatbroughteveryoneintothemerrytalk；andIamsurehecharmedandastonishedthewholeparty。
　　Mr。Denningaskedmequietlyafterwards`whatuniversityhewaseducatedat。’I
　　thinkhetookitallaseducation，andhadsomewildideasoffinishingBryceinasimilarmanner。"
　　Madamwasradiant。"Itoldyouso，"
　　shesaidproudly。"TheMostynshaveintellectaswellasland。TherearenostupidMostyns。Ihopeyouaskedhimtoplay。I
　　thinkhiswayofhandlingapianowouldhavetaughtthemafewthingsRussiansandPolesknownothingabout。Poorthings！Howcantheyhaveanyfeelingsleft？"
　　"Therewasnopianointheroom，Granny，andthecompanyseparatedverysoonafterdinner。"
　　"Somehowyououghttohavemanagedit，Ethel。"Thenwithatouchofanxiety，"I
　　hopeallthisclevernesswasnatural——Imean，Ihopeitwasn’tchampagne。Youknow，Ethel，wethinkaswedrink，andFredisn’tusedtothosefriskywines。Mostyncellarsarefullofoldsherryandclaret，andFred’sfatherwasalwaysagainstfrothing，sparklingwines。"
　　"Granny，itwasallFred。Winehadnothingtodowithit，butacertainwomanhad；infact，shewastheinspirer，andFredfellfiftyfathomsdeepinlovewithhertheverymomentsheenteredtheroom。Heheardnot，feltnot，thoughtnot，sostruckwithlovewashe。Ruthgothimtoawindowforafewmomentsandsohidhisemotionuntilhecouldgethimselftogether。"
　　"Oh，whatatale！Whatacobwebtale！I
　　don’tbelieveawordofit，"andshelaughedmerrily。
　　"’Tistrueasgospel，Granny。"
　　"Nameher，then。Whowasthewoman？"
　　"Dora。"
　　"Itisbeyondbelief，abovebelief，outofallreason。Itcannotbe，anditshallnotbe，andifyouaremakingupastorytoteaseme，EthelRawdon————"
　　"Grandmother，letmetellyoujusthowitcameabout。WewereallintheroomwaitingforDora，andshesuddenlyentered。Shewasdressedinsoftambersilkfromheadtofeet；diamondswereinherblackhair，andonthebandsacrosshershoulders，onhercorsage，onherbelt，herhands，andevenherslippers。Undertheelectriclightsshelookedasifshewasinagoldenaura，scintillatingwithstars。ShetookFred’sbreathaway。
　　HewastalkingtoRuth，andhecouldnotfinishthewordhewassaying。Ruththoughthewasgoingtofaint————"
　　"Don’ttellmesuchnonsense。"
　　"Well，grandmother，thisnonsenseistruth。AsIsaidbefore，Ruthtookhimasideuntilhegotcontrolofhimself；then，ashewasDora’sescort，hehadtogotoher。Ruthintroducedthem，andassheraisedhersoft，blackeyestohis，andputherhandonhisarm，somethinghappenedagain，butthistimeitwaslikepossession。Hewasthecourtierinamoment，hiseyesflashedbackherglances，hegavehersmileforsmile，andthenwhentheywereseatedsidebysidehebecameinspiredandtalkedasIhavetoldyou。Itisthetruth，grandmother。"
　　"Well，therearemanydifferentkindsoffools，butFredMostynistheworstIeverheardtellof。Doeshenotknowthatthegirlisengaged？"
　　"KnowsitaswellasIdo。"
　　"Noneofourfamilywereeverfoolsbefore，andIhopeFredwillcomeroundquickly。
　　DoyouthinkDoranoticedtheimpressionshemade？"
　　"Yes，AuntRuthnoticedDora；andRuthsaysDora`turnedthearrowintheheartwound’alltheevening。"
　　"Whatrubbishyouaretalking！SayingoodEnglishwhatyoumean。"
　　"Shetriedeverymomentthey，wereto-
　　gethertomakehimmoreandmoreinlovewithher。"
　　"Whatisherintention？Agirldoesn’tcarryonthatwayfornothing。"
　　"Idonotknow。Dorahasgotbeyondmelately。And，grandmother，IamnottroublingabouttheeventasitregardsDoraorFredorBasilStanhope，butasitregardsEthel。"
　　"Whathaveyoutodowithit？"
　　"ThatisjustwhatIwanttohaveclearlyunderstood。AuntRuthtoldmethatfatherandyouwouldbedisappointedifIdidnotmarryFred。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Iamsorrytodisappointyou，butInevershallmarryFredMostyn。Never！"
　　"Iratherthinkyouwillhavetosettlethatquestionwithyourfather，Ethel。"
　　"No。Ihavesettleditwithmyself。ThemanhasgiventoDoraallthelovethathehastogive。Iwillhaveaman’swholeheart，andnotfragmentsandfinger-endsofit。"
　　"Tobesure，thatisright。ButIcan’tsaymuch，Ethel，whenIonlyknowonesideofthecase，canI？ImustwaitandhearwhatFredhastosay。ButIlikeyourspiritandyourwayofbringingwhatiswrongstraightuptoquestion。YouareabitYorkshireyet，whateveryouthinkgetsquicktoyourtongue，andthenoutitcomes。Goodgirl，yourheartisonyourlips。"
　　Theytalkedtheafternoonawayonthissubject，butMadam’slastwordswerenotonlyadvisory，theywereinagreatmeasuresympathetic。"Bestraightwithyourself，Ethel，"shesaid，"thenFredMostyncandoashelikes；youwillbeallright。"
　　Sheacceptedthecounselwithakiss，andthendrovetotheHollandHouseforherfather。Hewasnotwaiting，asRuthhadsupposedhewouldbe，butthenshewasfiveminutestoosoon。Shesentuphercard，andthenlethereyesfalluponawretchedbeggarmanwhowastryingtoplayaviolin，butwasunablebyreasonofhungerandcold。Helookedasifhewasdying，andshewasmovedwithagreatpity，andlongedforherfathertocomeandgivesomehelp。Whileshewasanxiouslywatching，ayoungmanwasalsostruckwiththesufferingontheviolinist’sface。Hespokeafewwordstohim，andtakingtheviolin，drewfromitsuchstrainsofmelody，thatinafewmomentsacrowdhadgatheredwithinthehotelandbeforeit。Firsttherewassilence，thenashoutofdelight；andwhenitceasedtheplayer’svoicethrilledeveryhearttopassionatepatriotism，ashesangwithmagnificentpowerandfeeling——
　　Thereisnotaspotonthiswide-peopledearthSodeartoourheartastheLandofourBirth，etc。
　　Atumultofheartyapplausefollowed，andthenhecried，"Gentlemen，thisoldmanfoughtforthelandofourbirth。Heisdyingofhunger，"andintotheoldman’shathedroppedabillandthenhandeditroundtomillionaireandworkingmanalike。Ethel’spursewasinherhand。Ashepassedalongthecurbatwhichhercarriagestood，helookedathereagerface，andwithasmileheldoutthebatteredhat。She，alsosmiling，droppedherpurseintoit。Inafewmomentsthehatwasnearlyfull；theoldmanandthemoneywereconfidedtothecareofanhotelofficer，thestreamoftrafficandpleasurewentonitsusualway，andthemusiciandisappeared。
　　Allthateveningtheconversationturnedconstantlytothisevent。Mostynwassurehewasamemberofsomeoperatictroupe。
　　"Voicesofsuchrarecompassandexceptionaltrainingwerenottobefoundamongnon-professionalpeople，"hesaid，andJudgeRawdonwasofhisopinion。
　　"Hisvoicewillhauntmeformanydays，"
　　hesaid。"Thosetwolines，forinstance——
　　’Tisthehomeofourchildhood，thatbeautifulspotWhichmemoryretainswhenallelseisforgot。
　　Themelodywaswonderful。Iwishwecouldfindoutwhereheissinging。Hisvoice，asI
　　said，hauntsmyear。"
　　Ethelmighthavemadethesameremark，butshewassilent。ShehadnoticedthemusicianmorecloselythanherfatherorFredMostyn，andwhenRuthBayardaskedherifhispersonalitywasinteresting，shewasabletogiveaverycleardescriptionoftheman。
　　"Idonotbelieveheisaprofessionalsinger；heistooyoung，"sheanswered。"I
　　shouldthinkhewasabouttwenty-fiveyearsold，tall，slender，andalert。Hewasfashionablydressed，asifhehadbeen，orwasgoing，toanafternoonreception。Aboveallthings，Ishouldsayhewasagentleman。"
　　Oh，whyareourheartssoaccessibletooureyes？OnlyasmilingglancehadpassedbetweenEthelandtheUnknown，yethisimagewasprisonedbehindthebarsofhereyelids。
　　OnthisdayofdaysshehadmetLoveonthecrowdedstreet，andhehad"ButtouchedhislutewhereinwasaudibleThecertainsecretthinghehadtotell；
　　Onlytheirmirroredeyesmetsilently"；
　　andasweettrouble，arestless，pleasingcuriosity，hadfilledherconsciousness。Whowashe？Wherehadhegoneto？Whenshouldtheymeetagain？Ah，sheunderstoodnowhowEmmelineLabichehadfeltconstrainedtoseekherloverfromthesnowsofCanadatothemoss-veiledoaksofLouisiana。
　　Butherjoyous，hopefulsoulcouldnotthinkofloveanddisappointmentatthesamemoment。
　　"Ihaveseenhim，andIshallseehimagain。Wemetbyappointment。Destinyintroducedus。Neitherofuswillforget，andsomewhere，someday，Ishallbewaiting，andhewillcome。"
　　Thusthisdaughterofsunshineandhopeansweredherself；andwhynot？Allgoodthingscometothosewhocanwaitinsweettranquillityforthem，andseldomdoesFortunefailtobringloveandheart’s-easeuponthechangefulstreamofchangefuldaystothosewhotrustherforthem。
　　Onthefollowingmorning，whenthetwogirlsenteredtheparlor，theyfoundtheJudgesmokingthere。Hehadalreadybreakfasted，andlookedoverthethreeorfournewspaperswhoseopinionshethoughtworthyofhisconsideration。Theywerelyinginastateofconfusionathisside，andEthelglancedatthemcuriously。
　　"DidanyofthepapersspeakofthesingingbeforetheHollandHouse？"sheasked。
　　"Yes。Ithinkreportersmustbeubiquitous。
　　Allmypapershadsomesortofanoticeoftheaffair。"
　　"Whatdotheysay？"
　　"Onegavethebarecircumstancesofthecase；anotherindulgedinwhatwassupposedtobehumorousdescription；athirdthoughtitmighthavebeentheresultofabetordare；
　　afourthwasoftheopinionthatconspiracybetweentheoldbeggarandtheyoungmanwasnotunlikely，andcreditedtheexhibitionasacleverlyoriginalwayofobtainingmoney。
　　Butallagreedinbelievingthesingertobeamemberofsomeoperacompanynowinthecity。"
　　Ethelwasindignant。"Itwasneither`bet’nor`dare’nor`conspiracy，’"shesaid。"Isawthesingerashecamewalkingrapidlydowntheavenue，andhelookedashappyandcarelessasaboywhistlingonacountrylane。Whenhiseyesfellontheoldmanhehesitated，justamoment，andthenspoketohim。Iamsuretheywereabsolutestrangerstoeachother。"
　　"Buthowcanyoubesureofathinglikethat，Ethel？"
　　"Idon’tknow`how，’Ruth，butallthesame，Iamsure。Andasforitbeinganewwayofbegging，thatisnotcorrect。Notmanyyearsago，oneoftheDeReszkebrothersledacrippledsoldierintoaPariscafe，andsangthestarvingmanintocomfortintwentyminutes。"
　　"AndtheangelicParepaRosadidasmuchforaMexicanwoman，whomshefoundinthedepthsofsorrowandpoverty——broughtherlifelongcomfortwithacoupleofhersongs。
　　Isitnotlikely，then，thatthegallantknightoftheHollandHouseisreallyamemberofsomeoperacompany，thatheknewoftheseexamplesandfollowedthem？"
　　"Itisnotunlikely，Ruth，yetIdonotbelievethatistheexplanation。"
　　"Well，"saidtheJudge，throwinghiscigaretteintothefire，"ifthesingerhadneverheardofDeReszkeandParepaRosa，wemaysupposehimagentlemanofsuchcultureastobefamiliarwiththeexquisiteGreeklegendofPhoebusApollo——thatstorywouldbesufficienttoinspireanymanwithhisvoice。Doyouknowit？"
　　Bothgirlsansweredwithanenthusiasticentreatyforitsrecital，andtheJudgewenttothelibraryandreturnedwithaqueer-lookinglittlebook，boundinmarbledpaper。
　　"Itwasmyfather’scopy，"hesaid，"anOxfordedition。"Andheturnedtheleaveswithlovingcarefulnessuntilhecametotheincident。Thenbeingafinereader，thewordsfellfromhislipsinastatelymeasurebetterthanmusic：
　　"AfterTroyfelltherecametoArgosascarredsoldierseekingalms。Notdeigningtobeg，heplayeduponalyre；butthehandlingofarmshadrobbedhimofhisyouthfulpower，andhestoodbytheporticohourafterhour，andnoonedroppedhimalepton。
　　Weary，hungryandthirsty，heleanedindespairagainstapillar。Ayouthcametohimandasked，`Whynotplayon，Akeratos？"
　　AndAkeratosmeeklyanswered，`Iamnolongerskilled。’`Then，’saidthestranger，`hiremethylyre；hereisadidrachmon。I
　　willplay，andthoushaltholdoutthycapandbedumb。’Sothestrangertookthelyreandsweptthestrings，andmenheard，asitwere，theclashingofswords。AndhesangthefallofTroy——howHectorperished，slainbyAchilles，therushofchariots，theringofhoofs，theroarofflames——andashesangthepeoplestoppedtolisten，breathlessandeager，withrapt，attentiveear。Andwhenthesingerceasedthesoldier’scapwasfilledwithcoins，andthepeoplebeggedforyetanothersong。
　　ThenhesangofVenus，tillallmen’sheartsweresoftlystirred，andtheairwaspurpleandmistyandfullofthescentofroses。AndintheirjoymencastbeforeAkeratosnotcoinsonly，butsilverbraceletsandrings，andgemsandornamentsofgold，untiltheheaphadtoitsutmostgrown，makingAkeratosrichinallmen’ssight。Thensuddenlythesingerstoodinablazeoflight，andthemenofArgossawtheirgodofsong，PhoebusApollo，riseinglorytotheskies。"
　　Thegirlsweredelighted；theJudgepleasedbothwithhisownrenderingofthelegendandthemanifestappreciationwithwhichithadbeenreceived。Foramomentortwoallfelttheexquisitetouchoftheantiqueworld，andEthelsaid，inatoneoflonging，"IwishthatIhadbeenaGreekandlivedinArgos。"
　　"YouwouldnothavelikeditaswellasbeinganAmericanandlivinginNewYork，"
　　saidherfather。
　　"Andyouwouldhavebeenapagan，"
　　addedRuth。
　　"Theyweresuchlovelypagans，Ruth，andtheydreamedsuchbeautifuldreamsoflife。
　　Leavethebookwithme，father；Iwilltakegoodcareofit。"
　　ThentheJudgegaveherthebook，andwithasighlookedintothemodernstreet。"I
　　oughttobedownatBowlingGreeninsteadofreadingGreekstoriestoyougirls，"hesaidratherbrusquely。"Ihaveaveryimportantrailwaycaseonmymind，andPhoebusApollohasnothingtodowithit。Goodmorning。
　　And，Ethel，donotdeifythesingerontheavenue。Hewillnotturnout，likethesingerbytheportico，tobeagod；besureofthat。"
　　Thedoorclosedbeforeshecouldanswer，andbothwomenremainedsilentafewminutes。
　　ThenEthelwenttothewindow，andRuthaskedifshewasgoingtoDora’s。
　　"Yes，"wastheanswer，butwithoutinterest。
　　"Youaretiredwithallthisshoppingandworry？"
　　"ItisnotonlythatIamtired，IamtroubledaboutFredMostyn。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Idonotknowwhy。Itisonlyavagueunrestasyet。ButonethingIknow，IshallopposeanythinglikeFredmakinghimselfintimatewithDora。"
　　"Ithinkyouwilldowiselyinthat。"
　　ButinaweekEthelrealizedthatinopposingaloverlikeFredMostynshehadataskbeyondherability。FredhadnothingtodoasimportantinhisopinionasthecultivationofhisfriendshipwithDoraDenning。
　　Hecalledit"friendship，"butthismisnomerdeceivednoone，notevenDora。AndwhenDoraencouragedhisattentions，howwasEtheltopreventthemwithoutsomeexplanationwhichwouldgiveasortofrealitytowhatwasasyetanamelesssuspicion？
　　Yeteverydaythefamiliarityincreased。
　　Heseemedtodivinetheirengagements。Iftheywenttotheirjeweler’s，ortoabazaar，hewassuretostrollinafterthem。Whentheycameoutofthemilliner’sormodiste’s，Fredwaswaiting。"HehadsecuredatableatSherry’s；hehadorderedlunch，andallwasready。"Itwastoogreatanefforttoresisthisentreaty。Perhapsnoonewishedtodoso。Thegirlswereutterlytiredandhungry，andthethoughtofoneofFred’sluncheswasverypleasant。EvenifBasilStanhopewaswiththem，itappearedtobeallthebetter。FredalwaysincludedDora’sloverwithacharmingcourtesy；and，indeed，atsuchhours，wasinhismostdelightfulmood。Stanhopeappearedtoinspirehim。
　　Hismentalitywhentheclergymanwaspresenttookpossessionofeveryincidentthatcameandwent，andclotheditinwitandpleasantry。Dora’splightedloverhonestlythoughtDora’sundeclaredloverthecleverestandmostdelightfulofmen。Andhehadnoopportunityofnoting，asEtheldid，thedifferenceinFred’sattitudewhenhewasnotpresent。ThenMostyn’smerrymoodbecamesentimental，andhiswordswerechargedwithsoftmeaningsandlooksofadoration，andeverytoneandeverymovementmadetoexpressfarmorethanthetonguewouldhavedaredtoutter。
　　Asthisflirtationprogressed——foronDora’spartitwasonlyvanityandflirtation——Ethelgrewmoreandmoreuneasy。ShealmostwishedforsometriflingovertactwhichwouldgiveheranexcuseforwarningDora；
　　andoneday，afterthreeweeksofsuchphilandering，theopportunitycame。
　　"IthinkyoupermitFredMostyntotaketoomuchlibertywithyou，Dora，"shesaidassoonastheywereinDora’sparlor，andasshespokeshethrewoffhercoatinatemperwhicheffectivelyemphasizedthewords。
　　"Ihavebeenexpectingthisill-nature，Ethel。Youwerecrossallthetimewewereatlunch。YouspoiledallourpleasurePray，whathaveIbeendoingwrongwithFredMostyn？"
　　"ItwasFredwhodidwrong。Hiscomplimentstoyouwereoutrageous。Hehasnorighttosaysuchthings，andyouhavenorighttolistentothem。"
　　"Iamnottoblameifhecomplimentsmeinsteadofyou。Hewassimplypolite，butthenitwastothewrongperson。"
　　"Ofcourseitwas。Suchpolitenesshehadnorighttoofferyou。"
　　"Itwouldhavebeenquiteproperifofferedyou，Isuppose？"
　　"Itwouldnot。Itwouldhavebeenagreatimpertinence。Ihavegivenhimneitherclaimnorprivilegetoaddressmeas`MylovelyEthel！’Hecalledyoumanytimes`MylovelyDora！’YouarenothislovelyDora。Whenheputonyourcoat，hedrewyoucloserthanwasproper；andIsawhimtakeyourhandandholditinaclasp——notnecessary。"
　　"Whydoyoulistenandwatch？Itisvulgar。
　　Youtoldmesoyourself。AndIamlovely。BasilsaysthataswellasFred。DoyouwantamantolieandsayIamugly？"
　　"Youarefencingtherealquestion。Hehadnobusinesstousetheword`my。’YouareengagedtoBasilStanhope，nottoFredMostyn。"
　　"IamBasil’slovelyfiancee；IamFred’slovelyfriend。"
　　"Oh！IhopeFredunderstandsthedifference。"
　　"Ofcoursehedoes。Somepeoplearealwaysthinkingevil。"
　　"IwasthinkingofMr。Stanhope’srights。"
　　"Thankyou，Ethel；butIcantakecareofMr。Stanhope’srightswithoutyourassistance。
　　IfyouhadsaidyouwerethinkingofEthelRawdon’srightsyouwouldhavebeennearerthetruth。"
　　"Dora，Iwillnotlisten————"
　　"Oh，youshalllistentome！IknowthatyouexpectedFredtofallinlovewithyou，butifhedidnotliketodoso，amItoblame？"
　　Ethelwasresuminghercoatatthispointintheconversation，andDoraunderstoodtheproudsilencewithwhichtheactwasbeingaccomplished。Thenascoreofgoodreasonsforpreventingsuchadefinitequarrelflashedthroughherselfishlittlemind，andshethrewherarmsaroundEthelandbeggedathousandpardonsforherrudeness。AndEthelhadalsoreasonsforavoidingdissensionatthistime。AbreakintheirfriendshipnowwouldbringDoraforwardtoexplain，andDorahadawonderfulclevernessinpresentingherownsideofanyquestion。EthelshrunkfromherinnuendoesconcerningFred，andsheknewthatBasilwouldbemadetoconsiderherameddling，jealousgirlwhowillinglysawevilinDora’sguilelessenjoymentofacleverman’scompany。
　　Tobemisunderstood，tobeblamedandpitied，tobemadeapedestalforDora’ssuperiority，wasasituationnottobecontemplated。
　　ItwasbettertolookoverDora’srudenessintheflushofDora’spretendedsorrowforit。Sotheyforgaveeachother，orsaidtheydid，andthenDoraexplainedherself。
　　Shedeclaredthatshehadnottheleastintentionofanywrong。"Yousee，Ethel，whatafoolthemanisaboutme。Somebodysaysweoughttotreatafoolaccordingtohisfolly。ThatisallIwasdoing。IamsureBasilissofaraboveFredMostynthatI
　　couldneverputthemincomparison——andBasilknowsit。Hetrustsme。"
　　"Verywell，Dora。IfBasilknowsit，andtrustsyou，Ihavenomoretosay。IamnowsorryInamedthesubject。"
　　"Nevermind，wewillforgetthatitwasnamed。Thefactis，Ethel，IwantallthefunIcangetnow。WhenIamBasil’swifeI
　　shallhavetobeverysedate，andofcoursenotevenpretendtoknowifanyothermanadmiresme。LittleluncheswithFred，theaterandoperaparties，andevendanceswillbeoverforme。Oh，dear，howmuchIamgivingupforBasil！AndsometimesIthinkheneverrealizeshowdreadfulitmustbeforme。"
　　"Youwillhaveyourloverallthetimethen。Surelyhisconstantcompanionshipwillatoneforallyourelinquish。"
　　"Takeoffyourcoatandhat，Ethel，andsitdowncomfortably。Idon’tknowaboutBasil’sconstantcompanionship。Tete-a-tetesaretiresomeaffairssometimes。"
　　"Yes，"repliedEthel，asshehalf-reluc-
　　tantlyremovedhercoat，"theywereaboreundoubtedlyeveninParadise。IwonderifEvewastiredofAdam’sconversation，andifthatmadeherlistento——theotherparty。"
　　"Iamsogladyoumentionedthatcircumstance，Ethel。Ishallrememberit。Someday，nodoubt，IshallhavetoremindBasilofthefailureofAdamtosatisfyEve’sideaofperfectcompanionship。"AndDoraputherpretty，jeweledhandsuptoherearsandlaughedalow，musicallaughwithachildishnoteofmalicerunningthroughit。
　　Thispseudo-reconciliationwasnotconducivetopleasantintercourse。AfterashortdelayEthelmadeanexcuseforanearlydeparture，andDoraaccepteditwithoutherusualremonstrance。Thedayhadbeenoneofcontinualfriction，andDora’sirritablepettishnesshardtobear，becauseithadnowlostthatchildishunreasonwhichhadalwaysinducedEthel’spatience，forDorahadlatelyputawayallherignorantimmaturities。Shehadbecomeapersonofimportance，andhadrealizedthefact。TheyoungladiesofSt。
　　Jude’shadmadeapetoftheirreveredrector’slove，andtheelderladieshadalsoshownamarkedinterestinher。TheDennings’finehousewasnowtalkedaboutandvisited。MenofhighfinancialpowerrespectedMr。DanDenning，andadvisedthesocialrecognitionofhisfamily；andMrs。Denningwasnotnowfoundmoreeccentricthanmanyotherofthenewrich，whohadbeentoleratedintheranksoftheolderplutocrats。EvenBrycehadmadethestandinghedesired。Hewasseenwiththerichestandidlestyoungmen，andwasinvitedtothebesthouses。Thosefashionablewomenwhohadmarriageabledaughtersconsideredhimnotineligible，andmentemporarilyhamperedforcashknewthattheycouldfindsmilingassistanceforaconsiderationatBryce’slittleofficeonWilliamStreet。
　　TheseandotherpointsofreflectiontroubledEthel，andshewasgladthelongtrialwasnearingitsend，forsheknewquitewellthedisagreementofthateveninghaddonenogood。Dorawouldcertainlyrepeattheirconversation，inherownwayofinterpretingit，tobothBasilStanhopeandFredMostyn。
　　MorethanlikelybothBryceandMrs。
　　Denningwouldalsohearhowherinnocentkindnesshadbeenmisconstrued；andineachcaseshecouldimaginetheconversationthattookplace，andthesubsequentbestowalofpitying，scornfulorangryfeelingthatwouldinsensiblyfinditswaytoherconsciousnesswithoutanybirdoftheairtocarryit。
　　Shefelt，too，thatreprisalsofanykindwereoutofthequestion。Theywerenotonlyimpolitic，theyweredifficult。HerfatherhadanaversiontoDora，andwaslikelytoseizethefirstopportunityforrequestingEtheltodropthegirl’sacquaintance。Ruthalsohadurgedhertowithdrawfromanyactivepartinthewedding，strengtheningheradvicewiththeassurancethatwhenafriendshipbegantodeclineitoughttobeabandonedatonce。Therewasonlyhergrandmothertogoto，andatfirstshedidnotfindheratallinterestedinthetrouble。Shehadjusthadadisputewithhermilkman，wasinclinedtogivehimallhersuspicionsandallherangrywords——"animpertinent，cheatingcreature，"
　　shesaid；andthenEthelhadtohearthehistoryofthemonth’screamandofthemilkman’sextortion，withtheoldlady’scharacteristicdeclaration：
　　"ItoldhimplainwhatIthoughtofhisways，butIpaidhimeverycentIowedhim。
　　ThankGod，Iamnotunreasonable！"
　　NeitherwassheunreasonablewhenEthelfinallygothertolistentoherownseriousgrievancewithDora。
　　"Ifyouwillhaveawomanforafriend，Ethel，youmustputupwithwomanlyways；
　　anditisbesttokeepyourmouthshutconcerningsuchways。Ihatetoseeyouwhimperingandwhiningaboutwrongsyouhavebeencordiallyinvitingforweeksandmonthsandyears。"
　　"Grandmother！"
　　"Yes，youhavebeensowingthornsforyourself，andthenyougounshodoverthem。
　　ImeanthatDorahasthisfineclergyman，andFredMostyn，andherbrother，andmother，andfatherallonherside；allofthemsurethatDoracandonowrong，allofthemsurethatEthel，poorgirl，mustbemistaken，orprudish，orjealous，orenvious。"
　　"Oh，grandmother，youaretoocruel，"
　　"Whydidn’tyouhaveafewfriendsonyourownside？"
　　"FatherandRuthneverlikedDora。AndFred——ItoldyouhowFredactedassoonashesawher！"
　　"TherewasRoyalWheelock，JamesClifton，orthathandsomeDickPotter。Whydidn’tyouaskthemtojoinyouatyourlunchesanddances？Yououghttohavepillaredyourownside。Agirlwithoutherbeauxisalwaysonthewrongsideifthegirlwithbeauxisagainsther。"
　　"ItwasthegreattimeofDora’slife。I
　　wishedhertohaveallthegloryofit。"
　　"Allherownshare——thatwasright。Allofyourshare，also——thatwasaswrongasitcouldbe。"
　　"Cliftonisyachting，RoyalandIhadalittlemisunderstanding，andDickPotteristooeffusive。"
　　"ButDick’seffusivenesswouldhavebeenagoodthingforFred’seffusiveness。Twomencan’tgoonacomplimentaryran-tanatthesametable。Theyfreezeoneanotherout。
　　Thatgoeswithoutsaying。ButDora’sindiscretionsarenoneofyourbusinesswhilesheisunderherfather’sroof；andIdon’tknowifshehadn’tafriendintheworld，iftheywouldbeyourbusiness。IhavealwaysbeenagainstpeopletryingtodotheworkofTHEMthatareaboveus。WearetoldTHEY
　　seekandTHEYsave，andit’slikelytheywilllookafterDorainspiteofherbeingsounknowingofherselfastomarryapriestinasurplice，whenafoolinmotleywouldhavebeenmorelikethething。"
　　"Idon’twanttoquarrelwithDora。Afterall，Ilikeher。Wehavebeenfriendsalongtime。"
　　"Well，then，don’tmakeanenemyofher。
　　Onehundredfriendsaretoofewagainstoneenemy。Onehundredfriendswillwishyouwell，andoneenemywillDOyouill。Godloveyou，child！Taketheworldasyoufindit。
　　OnlyGodcanmakeitanybetter。Whenisthisblessedweddingtocomeoff？"
　　"Intwoweeks。Yougotcards，didyounot？"
　　"IbelieveIdid。Theydon’tmatter。LetDoraandherflirtationsalone，unlessyousetyourownagainstthem。Likecureslike。Ifthepriestseesnothingwrong————"
　　"Hethinksallshedoesisperfect。"
　　"Idaresay。Priestsareasoftlot，they’llbelieveanything。He’slove-blindatpresent。
　　Someday，liketheprophetofPethor，[1]hewillgethiseyesopened。AsforFredMostyn，I
　　shallhaveagooddealtosayabouthimbyandby，soI’llsaynothingnow。"
　　[1]OneoftheHebrewprophets。
　　"Youpromised，grandmother，nottotalktomeanymoreaboutFred。"
　　"Itwasaveryinconsideratepromise，averyirrationalpromise！IamsorryImadeit——andIdon’tintendtokeepit。"
　　"Well，ittakestwotoholdaconversation，grandmother。"
　　"Tobesureitdoes。ButifItalktoyou，Ihopetogoodnessyouwillhavethedecencytoanswerme。Iwouldn’tbelieveanythingdifferent。"AndshelookedintoEthel’sfacewithsuchasmilingconfidenceinhergoodwillandobedience，thatEthelcouldonlylaughandgivehertwentykissesasshestooduptoputonherhatandcoat。
　　"Youalwaysgetyourway，Granny，"shesaid；andtheoldlady，asshewalkedwithhertothedoor，answered，"Ihavehadmywayfornearlyeightyyears，dearie，andI’vefounditaverygoodway。I’mnotlikelytochangeitnow。"
　　"Andnoneofuswantyoutochangeit，dear。Granny’swayisalwaysawiseway。"
　　Andshekissedheragaineresherandownthestepstohercarriage。Yetastheoldladysteppedslowlybacktotheparlor，shemuttered，"FredMostynisafool！IfhehadanysensewhenheleftEngland，hehaslostitsincehecamehere。"
　　Ofcoursenothinggoodcameofthisirritableinterference。Meddlingwiththeconscienceofanotherpersonisadelicateanddifficultaffair，andRuthhadalreadywarnedEthelofitscertainfutility。Butthedayswererapidlywearingawaytothegreatday，forwhichsomanyotherdayshadbeenwastedinfatiguingworry，andincredibleextravaganceofhealthandtemperandmoney——andafterit？Therewouldcertainlybeabreakinassociations。Temptationwouldberemoved，andBasilStanhope，relievedforatimefromallthedutiesofhisoffice，wouldhavecontinualopportunitiesformakingeternallysecuretheaffectionofthewomanhehadchosen。
　　Itwastobeawhitewedding，andfortwentyhoursprevioustoitscelebrationitseemedasifallthefloristsinNewYorkwereatworkintheDenninghouseandinSt。
　　Jude’schurch。Thesacredplacewasradiantwithwhitelilies。Whitelilieseverywhere；
　　andtheperfumewouldhavebeenoverpowering，hadnottheweatherbeensoexquisitethatopenwindowswerepossibleandevenpleasant。TothesofteststrainsofmusicDoraenteredleaningonherfather’sarmandherbeautyandsplendorevokedfromthecrowdpresentaninvoluntary，simultaneousstirofwonderanddelight。Shehadhesitatedmanydaysbetweenthesimplicityofwhitechiffonandliliesofthevalley，andthemagnificenceofbrocadedsatininwhichaglitteringthreadofsilverwasinterwoven。
　　Thesatinhadwontheday，andthesunshinefelluponitsbeauty，asshekneltatthealtar，likesunshinefallinguponsnow。Itshoneandgleamedandglistenedasifitwereanangel’srobe；andthisscintillatingeffectwasmuchincreasedbythesparklingofthediamondsinherhair，andatherthroatandwaistandhandsandfeet。Norwasherbrilliantyouthaffectedbytheovershadowingtulleusuallysounbecoming。Itveiledherfromheadtofeet，andwasheldinplacebyadiamondcoronal。Allhereightmaids，thoughlovelygirls，lookedwanandoftheearthbesideher。Forhersaketheyhadbeencontentwiththesimplicityofchiffonandwhitelacehats，andshestoodamongthemlustrousassomeangelicbeing。Stanhopewasentrancedbyherbeauty，andnooneonthisdaywonderedathisinfatuationorthoughtremarkabletheecstasyofreverentrapturewithwhichhereceivedthehandofhisbride。Hissenseofthegiftwasravishing。
　　Shewasnowhislove，hiswifeforever，andwhenEthelslippedforwardtopartandthrowbackwardtheconcealingveil，heverygentlyrestrainedher，andwithhisownhandsuncoveredtheblushingbeauty，andkissedherthereatthealtar。Thenamidamurmurandstirofdelightedsympathyhetookhiswifeuponhisarm，andturnedwithhertothelifetheyweretofacetogether。
　　Twohourslaterallwasapastdream。
　　Brideandbridegroomhadslippedquietlyaway，andtheweddingguestshadarrivedatthatrathernoisyindifferencewhichpresagestheendofanentertainment。Thenflushedandtiredwithhurryingcongratulationsandgoodwishesthatstumbledovereachother，carriageaftercarriagedeparted；andEthelandhercompanionswenttoDora’sparlortorestawhileanddiscusstheeventoftheday。
　　ButDora’sparlorwasinastateofconfusion。
　　Ithad，too，anairofloss，andfeltlikeagildedcagefromwhichthebirdhadflown。Theylookeddismallyatitsdiscomfortandwentdownstairs。Menwereremovingthefadedflowersorsittingattheabandonedtableeatinganddrinking。Everywheretherewasdisorderandwaste，andfromtheservants’
　　quartercameanoisysenseofriotousfeasting。
　　"WhereisMrs。Denning？"Ethelaskedafootmanwhowasgatheringtogetherthesilverwiththeeasyunconcernofamanwhoseideaswererosywithchampagne。Helookedupwithaprovokingfamiliarityatthequestion，andsputteredout，"She’slyingdowncryingandmakingafuss。MissDayiswithher，soothingofher。"
　　"Letusgohome，"saidEthel。