Andso，wearywithpleasure，andheart-
heavywithfeelingsthathadnolongeranyreasontoexist，palewithfatigue，untidywithcrush，theirprettywhitegownssulliedandpasse，eachwentherway；ineveryheartawonderwhetherthefewhilarioushoursofstrangeemotionswereworthalltheyclaimedastheirrightanddue。
Ruthhadgonehomeearlier，andEthelfoundherrestinginherroom。"Iamwornout，Ruth，"washerfirstremark。"Iamgoingtobedforthreeorfourdays。Itwasadreadfulordeal。"
"Onetowhichyoumayhavetosubmit。"
"Certainlynot。Mymarriagewillbeareligiousceremony，withhalfadozenofmynearestrelativesaswitnesses。"
"InoticedFredslipawaybeforeDorawent。Helookedill。"
"Idaresayheisill——andnowonder。
Goodnight，Ruth。Iamgoingtosleep。Tellfatherallaboutthewedding。Idon’twanttohearitnamedagain——notaslongasIlive。"
CHAPTERVI
THREEdayspassedandEthelhadregainedherhealthandspirits，butFredMostynhadnotcalledsincethewedding。Ruththoughtsomeinquiryoughttobemade，andJudgeRawdoncalledattheHollandHouse。TherehewastoldthatMr。Mostynhadnotbeenwell，andtheyoungman’scountenancepainfullyconfessedthesamething。
"MydearFred，whydidyounotsenduswordyouwereill？"askedtheJudge。
"Ihadfever，sir，andIfeareditmightbetyphoid。Nothingofthekind，however。I
shallbeallrightinadayortwo。"
Thetruthwasfarfromtyphoid，andFredknewit。Hehadlefttheweddingbreakfastbecausehehadreachedthelimitofhisendurance。Words，stingingaswhips，burnedlikehotcoalsinhismouth，andhefeltthathecouldnotrestrainthemmuchlonger。
Hasteningtohishotel，helockedhimselfinhisrooms，andpassedthenightinafrenzyofpassion。Theveryremembranceofthebridegroom’sconfidenttransportputmur-
derinhisheart——murderwhichhecouldonlypracticebyhiswishes，impotenttocompasstheirdesires。
"Iwishthefellowshot！Iwishhimhanged！Iwouldkillhimtwentytimesintwentydifferentways！AndDora！Dora！
Dora！Whatdidsheseeinhim？Whatcouldshesee？Loveher？Heknowsnothingoflove——suchloveastorturesme。"
Backwardsandforwardshepacedthefloortosuchimprecationsandejaculationsaswelledupfromthewhirlpoolofrageinhisheart，hourfollowinghour，tillintheblacknessofhismiseryhecouldnolongerspeak。
Hisbrainhadbecomestupefiedbytheiterationofinevitableloss，andsorefusedanylongertovoiceawoebeyondremedy。Thenhestoodstillandcalledwillandreasontocouncilhim。"Thiswaymadnesslies，"hethought。"Imustbequiet——Imustsleep——
Imustforget。"
Butitwasnotuntilthethirddaythatadismal，sullenstillnesssucceededthestormofrageandgrief，andheawokefromasleepofexhaustionfeelingasifhewerewitheredathisheart。Heknewthatlifehadtobetakenupagain，andthatinallitsfarceshemustplayhispart。AtfirstthethoughtofMostynHallpresenteditselfasanasylum。
Itstoodamidthickwoods，andthereweremilesofwind-blownwoldsandhillsaroundit。Hewaslordandmasterthere，noonecouldintrudeuponhissorrow；hecouldnurseitinthoselonelyroomstohisheart’scontent。
Everyday，however，thisgloomyresolutiongrewfainter，andonemorningheawokeandlaughedittoscorn。
"Frederick’shimselfagain，"hequoted，"andhemusthavebeenveryfaroffhimselfwhenhethoughtofgivinguporofrunningaway。No，FredMostyn，youwillstayhere。
’Tisacountrywheretheimpossibledoesnotexist，andtheunlikelyissuretohappen——acountrywheremarriageisnotforlifeordeath，andwheretheroadstodivorcearemanifoldandeasy。Thereareascoreofwaysandmeans。Iwillstayandthinkthemover；’twillbeoddifIcannotforceFatetochangehermind。"
AweekafterDora’smarriagehefoundhimselfabletowalkuptheavenuetotheRawdonhouse；buthearrivedtherewearyandwanenoughtoinstantlywinthesympathyofRuthandEthel，andhewasimmenselystrengthenedbythesenseofhomeandkindred，andofgenuinekindnesstowhichhefeltasortofright。HeaskedRuthifhemighteatdinnerwiththem。Hesaidhewashungry，andthehotelfaredidnottempthim。AndwhenJudgeRawdonreturnedhewelcomedhiminthesamegenerousspirit，andtheeveningpasseddelightfullyaway。Atitsclose，however，asMostynstoodglovedandhatted，andthecarriagewaitedforhim，hesaidafewwordstoJudgeRawdonwhichchangedthementalandsocialatmosphere。
"Iwishtohavealittletalkwithyou，sir，onabusinessmatterofsomeimportance。
AtwhathourcanIseeyouto-morrow？"
"Iamengagedalldayuntilthreeintheafternoon，Fred。SupposeIcallonyouaboutfourorhalf-past？"
"Verywell，sir。"
ButbothEthelandRuthwonderedifitwas"verywell。"Ashadow，fleetingasthought，hadpassedoverJudgeRawdon’sfacewhenheheardtherequestforabusinessinterview，andaftertheyoungman’sdeparturehelosthimselfinareveriewhichwasevidentlynotahappyone。Buthesaidnothingtothegirls，andtheywerenotaccustomedtoquestionhim。
Thenextmorning，insteadofgoingdirecttohisoffice，hestoppedatMadam，hismoth-
er’shouseinGramercyPark。Avisitatsuchanearlyhourwasunusual，andtheoldladylookedathiminalarm。
"Wearewell，mother，"hesaidassherose。"Icalledtotalktoyouaboutalittlebusiness。"WhereuponMadamsatdown，andbecamesuddenlyabouttwentyyearsyounger，for"business"wasawordlikeawatch-cry；shecalledallhersensestogetherwhenitwasutteredinherpresence。
"Business！"sheejaculatedsharply。
"Whosebusiness？"
"IthinkImaysaythebusinessofthewholefamily。"
"Nay，Iamnotinit。MybusinessisjustasIwantit，andIamnotgoingtotalkaboutit——onewayortheother。"
"IsnotRawdonCourtofsomeinteresttoyou？Ithasbeenthehomeandseatofthefamilyformanycenturies。Agoodmany。
Mostynwomenhavebeenitsmistress。"
"IneverheardofanyMostynwomanwhowouldnothavebeenfarhappierawayfromRawdonCourt。ItwasaCalvarytothemall。
TherewaslittleNannieMostyn，whodiedwithherfirstbabybecauseSquireAnthonystruckherinadrunkenpassion；andtheproudAlethiaMostyn，whosufferedtwentyyears’martyrdomfromSquireJohn；andSara，whotookthirtythousandpoundstoSquireHubert，toflingawayatthegreentable；andHarriet，whowasmadebyherhusband，SquireHumphrey，tojumpafencewhenouthuntingwithhim，andwasbroughthomecrippledandscarredforlife——alovelygirloftwentywhowentthroughagoniesforelevenyearswithoutaughtofloveandhelp，anddiedalonewhilehewasfollowingafox；
andtherewasprettyBarbaraMostyn————"
"Come，come，mother。IdidnotcallherethismorningtoheartheRawdonsabused，andyouforgetyourownmarriage。Itwasahappyone，Iamsure。OneRawdon，atleast，mustbeexcepted；andIthinkItreatedmywifeasagoodhusbandoughttotreatawife。"
"Notyou！YoutreatedMaryverybadly。"
"Mother，notevenfromyou————"
"I’llsayitagain。Thelittlegirlwasdyingforayearormore，andyouweresobusymakingmoneyyouneversawit。Ifshesaidorlookedalittlecomplaint，youmovedrestless-likeandtoldher`shemopedtoomuch。’AstheendcameIspoketoyou，andyoupooh-poohedallIsaid。Shewentsuddenly，Iknow，tomostpeople，butsheknewitwasherlastday，andshelongedsotoseeyou，thatIsentaservanttohurryyouhome，butshediedbeforeyoucouldmakeupyourmindtoleaveyour`cases。’SheandIwerealonewhenshewhisperedherlastmessageforyou——alovingone，too。"
"Mother！Mother！Whyrecallthatbitterday？Ididnotthink——IswearIdidnotthink————"
"Nevermindswearing。IwasjustremindingyouthattheRawdonshavenotbeenthefinestspecimensofgoodhusbands。Theymakelandlords，andjudges，andsoldiers，andevenloom-lordsofaveryrespectablesort；
buthusbands！Lordhelptheirpoorwives！
Soyousee，asaMostynwoman，IhavenospecialinterestinRawdonCourt。"
"Youwouldnotlikeittogooutofthefamily？"
"Ishouldnotworrymyselfifitdid。"
"IsupposeyouknowFredMostynhasamortgageonitthatthepresentSquireisunabletolift。"
"Aye，Fredtoldmehehadeightythousandpoundsontheoldplace。Itoldhimhewasafooltoputhismoneyonit。"
"Oneofthefinestmanorsandmanor-
housesinEngland，mother。"
"Ihaveseenit。Iwasbornandbroughtupnearenoughtoit，Ithink。"
"Eightythousandpoundsisabagatellefortheplace；yetifFredforcesasale，itmaygoforthat，orevenless。Ican’tbeartothinkofit。"
"Whynotbuyityourself？"
"Iwouldliftthemortgageto-morrowifI
hadthemeans。Ihavenotatpresent。"
"Well，Iaminthesamebox。YouhavejustspokenasiftheMostynsandRawdonshadanequalinterestinRawdonCourt。
Verywell，then，itcannotbefarwrongforFredMostyntohaveit。ManyaMostynhasgonethereaswifeandslave。IwoulddearlyliketoseeoneMostyngoasmaster。"
"Ishallgetnohelpfromyou，then，I
understandthat。"
"I’mMostynbybirth，I’monlyRawdonby，marriage。Thebirth-bandtiesmefasttomyfamily。"
"Goodmorning，mother。Youhavefailedmeforthefirsttimeinyourlife。"
"Ifthemoneyhadbeenforyou，Edward，oryours————"
"Itis——good-by。"
Shecalledhimbackperemptorily，andhereturnedandstoodattheopendoor。
"Whydon’tyouaskEthel？"
"IdidnotthinkIhadtheright，mother。"
"MorerighttoaskherthanI。Seewhatshesays。She’sRawdon，everyinchofher。"
"PerhapsImay。Ofcourse，Icansellsecurities，butitwouldbeatasacrificeagreatsacrificeatpresent。"
"Ethelhasthecash；and，asIsaid，sheisRawdon——I’mnot。"
"Iwishmyfatherwerealive。"
"Hewouldn’tmoveme——youneedn’tthinkthat。WhatIhavesaidtoyouIwouldhavesaidtohim。SpeaktoEthel。I’llbeboundshe’lllistenifRawdoncallsher。"
"Idon’tliketospeaktoEthel。"
"Itisn’twhatyouliketodo，it’swhatyoufindyou’llhavetodo，thatcarriestheday；
andagoodthing，too，considering。"
"Goodmorning，again。Youarenotquiteyourself，Ithink。"
"Well，Ididn’tsleeplastnight，sothere’snowonderifI’mabitcrossthismorning。
ButifIlosemytemper，Ikeepmyunderstanding。"
Shewasreallycrossbythistime。Hersonhadputherinapositionshedidnotliketoassume。NoloveforRawdonCourtwasinherheart。ShewouldratherhaveadvancedthemoneytobuyanAmericanestate。ShehadbeenlittlepleasedatFred’smortgageontheoldplace，buttotheAmericanRawdonsshefeltitwouldproveawhiteelephant；andtheappealtoEthelwasadvisedbecauseshethoughtitwouldamounttonothing。Inthefirstplace，theJudgehadthestrictestideaofthesacrednessofthechargecommittedtohimasguardianofhisdaughter’sfortune。
Inthesecond，EthelinheritedfromherYorkshireancestryanintensesenseofthevalueandobligationsofmoney。ShewasanardentAmerican，andnotlikelytospenditonanoldEnglishmanor；and，furthermore，Madam’spenetrationhaddiscoveredagrowingdislikeinhergranddaughterforFredMostyn。
"She’dneverabidehimforalifelongneighbor，"theoldladydecided。"ItistheRawdonprideinher。TheRawdonmenhavecondescendedtogotoMostynforwivesmanyandmanyatime，butneveroncehavetheMostynmenmarriedaRawdongirl——proud，set-upwomen，asfarasIremember；andEthelhasawaywithherjustlikethem。Fredisgoodenoughandniceenoughforanygirl，andIwonderwhatisthematterwithhim！
Itisaweekandmoresincehewashere，andthenhewasn’tabitlikehimself。"
AtthismomentthebellrangandsheheardFred’svoiceinquiring"ifMadamwasathome。"Instantlyshedivinedthemotiveofhiscall。TheyoungmanhadcometotheconclusiontheJudgewouldtrytoinfluencehismother，andbeforemeetinghimintheafternoonhewishedtohavesomeideaofthetrendmatterswerelikelytotake。Hispolicy——cunning，Madamcalledit——didnotpleaseher。Sheimmediatelyassuredherselfthat"shewouldn’tgoagainstherownfleshandbloodforanyone，"andhiswanfaceandgeneralairofwretchednessfurtherantagonizedher。Sheaskedhimfretfully"whathehadbeendoingtohimself，for，"sheadded，"it’smainlywhatwedotoourselvesthatmakesussick。WasitthateverlastingweddingoftheDenninggirl？"
Heflushedangrily，butansweredwithmuchofthesamedesiretoannoy，"Isupposeitwas。Ifeltitverymuch。Dorawastheloveliestgirlinthecity。Therearenoneleftlikeher。"
"ItwillbeagoodthingforNewYorkifthatisthecase。I’mnotonethatwantsthecitytomyself，butIcanspareDoraSTANHOPE，andfeelthebetterforit。"
"ThemostbeautifulofGod’screatures！"
"You’vesurelylostyoursightoryourjudgment，Fred。Sheisjustadusky-skinnedgirl，withbig，browneyes。Youcanpickhersortupbythethousandinanylargecity。
Andawandering-hearted，giddycreature，too，thatwillspreadasshegoes，nodoubt。I’msorryforBasilStanhope，hedidn’tdeservesuchafate。"
"Indeed，hedidnot！Itisbeyondmeasuretoogoodforhim。"
"I’vealwaysheardthatafflictionisthesurestwaytoheaven。Dorawillleadhimthatroad，anditwillbemoresurethanpleasant。
Poorfellow！He’llsoonbeasreadytocursehiswedding-dayasJobwastocursehisbirthday。Acostlywifeshewillbetokeep，andmiseryinthekeepingofher。ButifyoucametotalktomeaboutDoraSTANHOPE，I’llceasetalking，forIdon’tfinditanygreatentertainment。"
"IcametotalktoyouaboutSquireRawdon。"
"WhatabouttheSquire？KeepitinyourmindthatheandIweresweetheartswhenwewerechildren。Ihaven’tforgottenthatfact。"
"YouknowRawdonCourtismortgagedtome？"
"I’veheardyousayso——morethanonce。"
"IintendtoforeclosethemortgageinSeptember。IfindthatIcangettwiceyes，threetimes——theinterestformymoneyinAmericansecurities。"
"Howdoyouknowtheyaresecurities？"
"BryceDenninghasputmeuptoseveralgoodthings。"
"Well，ifyouthinkgoodthingscancomethatroad，youareabiggerfoolthanIeverthoughtyou。"
"Fool！Madam，Iallownoonetocallmeafool，especiallywithoutreason。"
"Reason，indeed！WhatreasonwasthereinyourdillydallyingafterDoraDenningwhenshewasengaged，andthenmakingyourselflikeaghostforheraftersheismarried？
AsforthegoodthingsBryceDenningoffersyouinexchangeforagrandEnglishmanor，takethem，andthenifIcalledyounotfoolbefore，Iwillcallyoufoolinyourteethtwiceover，andmuchtoogoodforyou！Aye，I
couldcallyouaworsenamewhenIthinkoftheoldSquire——he’stwoyearsolderthanI
am——beingturnedoutofhislifelonghome。
Whereishetogoto？"
"IfIbuytheplace，forofcourseitwillhavetobesold，heiswelcometoremainatRawdonCourt。"
"Andhewoulddeservetodoitifhewerethatlow-minded；butifIknowSquirePercival，hewillgotothepoor-housefirst。Fred，youwouldsurelyscornsuchadirtythingassellingtheoldmanoutofhouseandhome？"
"Iwantmymoney，orelseIwantRawdonManor。"
"AndIhavenoobjectionseithertoyourwantingitorhavingit，but，forgoodness’
sake，waituntildeathgivesyouadecentwarrantforbuyingit。"
"Iamafraidtodelay。TheSquirehasbeenverycoolwithmelately，andmyagenttellsmetheTyrrel-Rawdonshavebeenvisitinghim，alsothathehasaskedagreatmanyquestionsabouttheJudgeandEthel。Heisevidentlytryingtopreventmegettingpossession，andIknowthatoldNicholasRawdonwouldgivehiseyelidstoownRawdonCourt。AstotheJudge————"
"Mysonwantsnoneofit。Youcanmakeyourmindeasyonthatscore。"
"IthinkIbehavedverydecently，though，ofcourse，noonegivesmecreditforit；forassoonasIsawImustforecloseinordertogetmyownIthoughtatonceofEthel。ItseemedtomethatifwecouldloveeachotherthemoneyclaimsofMostynandtheinheritedclaimsofRawdonwouldbothbesatisfied。
Unfortunately，IfoundthatIcouldnotloveEthelasawifeshouldbeloved。"
"AndIcantellyou，Fred，thatEthelnevercouldhavelovedyouasahusbandshouldbeloved。Shewasagooddealdisappointedinyoufromtheveryfirst。"
"IthoughtImadeafavorableimpressiononher。"
"Inaway。Shesaidyouplayedthepianonicely；butEthelisallforhandsomemen，tall，erectsix-footers，withalittleswingandswaggertothem。Shethoughtyousmallandfinicky。ButEthel’srichenoughtohaveherfancy，Ihope。"
"Itislittlematternowwhatshethought。
Ican’tpleaseeveryone。"
"No，it’sratherhardertodothatthanmostpeoplethinkitis。Iwouldpleasemyconsciencefirstofall，Fred。That’sthepointworthmentioning。AndIshalljustremindyouofonethingmore：yourmoneyallinalumponRawdonManorissafe。Itisinoneplace，andinsuchshapeasitcan’trunawaynorbesmuggledawaybyanyman’strickery。
Now，then，turnyoureightythousandpoundsintodollars，anddividethemamongascoreofsecurities，andyou’llsoonfindoutthatafortunemaybeeasilysquanderedwhenitisinagreatmanyhands，andthatwhatlookssatisfactoryenoughwhenreckoneduponpaperdoesn’toftenrealizeinhardmoneytothesametune。I’vesaidallnowIamgoingtosay。"
"Thankyoufortheadvicegivenme。I
willtakeitasfarasIcan。ThisafternoontheJudgehaspromisedtotalkoverthebusinesswithme。"
"TheJudgeneversawRawdonCourt，andhecaresnothingaboutit，buthecangiveyoucounselaboutthe`goodthings’BryceDenningoffersyou。Andyoumaysafelylistentoit，for，rightorwrong，Iseeplainlyitisyourownadviceyouwilltakeinthelongrun。"
MostynlaughedpleasantlyandwentbacktohishoteltothinkoverthefactsgleanedfromhisconversationwithMadam。Inthefirstplace，heunderstoodthatanyovertactagainstSquireRawdonwouldbedeeplyresentedbyhisAmericanrelatives。Butthenheremindedhimselfthathisownrelationshipwiththemwasmerelysentiment。Hehadnownothingtohopeforinthewayofmoney。Madam’sapparentlyspontaneousandtruthfulassertion，thattheJudgecarednothingforRawdonCourt，was，however，verysatisfactorytohim。Hehadbeenfoolishenoughtothinkthatthethinghedesiredsopassionatelywasofequalvalueintheestimationofothers。Hesawnowthathewaswrong，andhethenrememberedthathehadneverfoundJudgeRawdontoevinceeitherinterestorcuriosityaboutthefamilyhome。
Ifhehadbeenakeenobserver，theJudge’sfacewhenhecalledmighthavegivenhiscomfortablefeelingssomepause。Itwascontracted，subtle，intricate，buthecameforwardwithacongratulationonMostyn’simprovedappearance。"Afewweeksattheseasidewoulddoyougood，"headded，andMostynanswered，"IthinkofgoingtoNewportforamonth。"
"Andthen？"
"Iwantyouropinionaboutthat。McLeanadvisesmetoseethecountry——togotoChicago，St。Louis，Denver，crosstheRockies，andontoCalifornia。Itseemsasifthatwouldbeagrandsummerprogramme。ButmylawyerwritesmethatthemaninchargeatMostyniscuttingtoomuchtimberandisgenerallytooextravagant。ThenthereisthequestionofRawdonCourt。Myfinanceswillnotletmecarrythemortgageonitlonger，unlessIbuytheplace。"
"Areyouthinkingofthatasprobable？"
"Yes。Itwillhavetobesold。AndMostynseemstobethenaturalownerafterRawdon。
TheMostynshavemarriedRawdonssofrequentlythatwearealmostlikeonefamily，andRawdonCourtlies，asitwere，atMostyn’sgate。TheSquireisnowold，andtooeasilypersuadedforhisownwelfare，andIheartheTyrrel-Rawdonshavebeenvisitinghim。Suchathingwouldhavebeenincredibleafewyearsago。"
"WhoaretheTyrrel-Rawdons？Ihavenoacquaintancewiththem。"
"TheyarethedescendantsofthatTyrrel-
Rawdonwhoacenturyagomarriedahandsomegirlwhowasonlyaninnkeeper’sdaughter。Hewasofcoursedisownedanddisinherited，andhischildrensanktothelowestsocialgrade。Thenwhenpower-loomweavingwasintroducedtheywenttothemills，andoneofthemwascleverandsavedmoneyandbuiltalittlemillofhisown，andhissonbuiltamuchlargerone，andmadeagreatdealofmoney，andbecameMayorofLeeds。ThenextgenerationsawtheTyrrel-
Rawdonsthelargestloom-lordsinYorkshire。
Oneoftheyoungestgenerationwasmyopponentinthelastelectionandbeatme——aRadicalfellowbeatstheConservativecandidatealwayswhereweaversandspinnersholdthevotebutIthoughtitmydutytoupholdtheMostynbanner。YouknowtheMostynshavealwaysbeenToriesandConservatives。"
"Excuseme，butIamafraidIamignorantconcerningMostynpolitics。ItakelittleinterestintheEnglishparties。"
"Naturally。Well，IhopeyouwilltakeaninterestinmyaffairsandgivemeyouradviceaboutthesaleofRawdonCourt。"
"Ithinkmyadvicewouldbeuseless。Inthefirstplace，IneversawtheCourt。Myfatherhadanoldpictureofit，whichhassomehowdisappearedsincehisdeath，butI
cannotsaythateventhispictureinterestedmeatall。YouknowIamanAmerican，bornonthesoil，andveryproudofit。Then，asyouareacquaintedwithalltheinsandoutsofthedifficultiesandembarrassments，andI
knownothingatallaboutthem，youwouldhardlybefoolishenoughtotakemyopinionagainstyourown。IsupposetheSquireisinfavorofyourbuyingtheCourt？"
"Inevernamedthesubjecttohim。I
thoughtperhapshemighthavewrittentoyouonthematter。Youarethelastmaleofthehouseinthatline。"
"HehasneverwrittentomeabouttheCourt。Then，Iamnotthelastmale。Fromwhatyousay，IthinktheTyrrel-RawdonscouldeasilysupplyanheirtoRawdon。"
"Thatisthethingtobeavoided。Itwouldbeagreatoffensetothecountyfamilies。"
"Whyshouldtheybeconsidered？A
RawdonisalwaysaRawdon。"
"Butacottonspinner，sir！Ameremill-
owner！"
"Well，Idonotfeelwithyouandtheothercountypeopleinthatrespect。Ithinkacottonspinner，givingbreadtoathousandfamilies，isavastlymorerespectableandimportantmanthanafox-hunting，idlelandlord。
Amill-owningRawdonmightdoadealofgoodinthesleepyoldvillageofMonk-Rawdon。"
"YoursentimentsareAmerican，notEnglish，sir。"
"AsItoldyou，welookatthingsfromverydifferentstandpoints。"
"Doyoufeelinclinedtoliftthemortgageyourself，Judge？"
"Ihavenotthepower，evenifIhadtheinclinationtodoso。Mymoneyiswellinvested，andIcouldnot，atthistime，turnbondsandsecuritiesintocashwithoutmakingasacrificenottobecontemplated。Iconfess，however，thatiftheCourthastobesold，IshouldliketheTyrrel-Rawdonstobuyit。Idaresaythepictureoftheoffendingyouthisstillinthegallery，andIhaveheardmymothersaythatwhatisanother’salwaysyearnsforitslord。DrivenfromhisheritageforLove’ssake，itwouldbeatleastinterestingifGoldgavebacktohischildrenwhatLovelostthem。"
"Thatispuresentiment。SurelyitwouldbemorenaturalthattheMostynsshouldsucceedtheRawdons。Wehave，asitwere，boughttherightwithatleastadozenintermarriages。"
"Thatalsoispuresentiment。Goldatlastwillcarrythesuccession。"
"Butnotyourgold，Iinfer？"
"Notmygold；certainlynot。"
"ThankyouforyourdecisivewordsTheymakemycourseclear。"
"Thatiswell。Astoyoursummermovements，Iamequallyunabletogiveyouadvice。
Ithinkyouneedtheseaforamonth，andafterthatMcLean’sschemeisgood。
AndareturntoMostyntolookafteryouraffairsisequallygood。IfIwereyou，I
shouldfollowmyinclinations。Ifyouputyourheartintoanything，itiswelldoneandenjoyed；ifyoudoathingbecauseyouthinkyououghttodoit，failureanddisappointmentareoftentheresults。Sodoasyouwanttodo；itistheonlyadviceIcanofferyou。"
"Thankyou，sir。Itisveryacceptable。I
mayleaveforNewportto-morrow。Ishallcallontheladiesinthemorning。"
"Iwilltellthem，butitisjustpossiblethatthey，too，gotothecountryto-morrow，tolookafteralittlecottageontheHudsonweoccupyinthesummer。Good-by，andIhopeyouwillsoonrecoveryourusualhealth。"
ThentheJudgeliftedhishat，andwithacourteousmovementlefttheroom。Hisfacehadthesamesuaveurbanityofexpression，buthecouldhardlyrestrainthepassioninhisheart。Placidashelookedwhenheenteredhishouse，hethrewoffallpretensesassoonashereachedhisroom。TheYorkshirespiritwhichEthelhaddeclaredfoundhimoutonceinthreehundredandsixty-fourdaysandtwenty-threehourswastheninfullpos-
session。TheAmericanJudgehaddisappeared。
Helookedaslikehisancestorsasanythingoutsideofapaintedpicturecoulddo。Hisflushedface，hisflashingeyes，hispassionateexclamations，thestampofhisfoot，theblowofhishand，thethreateningattitudeofhiswholefigurewasbutareplicaofhisgreat-grandfather，AnthonyRawdon，givingRadicalsatthehustingsorcarelesskeepersatthekennels"abitofhismind。"
"`Mostyn，seemstobethenaturalownerofRawdon！RawdonCourtliesatMostyn’sgate！NaturalthattheMostynsshouldsucceedtheRawdons！Boughttherightbyadozenintermarriages！’Confoundtheimpudentrascal！DoeshethinkIwillseeSquireRawdonroguedoutofhishome？NotifIcanhelpit！NotifEthelcanhelpit！
Notifheavenandearthcanhelpit！He’sadownrightrascal！Acool，unruffled，impudentrascal！"Andtheseejaculationswerefollowedbyabitter，biting，blastinghailstormofsuchepithetsascouldonlybewrittenwithoneletterandadash。
Butthepassionofimprecationcooledandsatisfiedhisangerinthisitsfirstimpetuousoutbreak，andhesatdown，claspedthearmsofhischair，andgavehimselfaperemptoryorderofcontrol。Inashorttimeherose，bathedhisheadandfaceincoldwater，andbegantodressfordinner。Andashestoodbeforetheglasshesmiledattherestoredcolorandcalmofhiscountenance。
"Youareaprudentlawyer，"hesaidsarcastically。"Howmanyactionablewordshaveyoujustuttered！IfthedevilandFredMostynhavebeenlistening，theycan，asmothersays，`getthelawonyou’；butI
thinkEthelandIandthelawwillbeamatchevenforthedevilandFredMostyn。"Then，asheslowlywentdownstairs，herepeatedtohimself，"MostynseemstobethenaturalownerofRawdon。No，sir，neithernaturalnorlegalowner。RawdonCourtliesatMostyngate。Notyet。MostynliesatRawdongate。NaturalthattheMostynsshouldsucceedtheRawdons。PowerofGod！Neitherinthisgenerationnorthenext。"
AndatthesamemomentMostyn，havingthoughtoverhisinterviewwithJudgeRawdon，walkedthoughtfullytoawindowandmutteredtohimself："Whateverwasthematterwiththeoldman？Politeasacourtier，butsomethingwaswrong。Theroomfeltasiftherewasaniceberginit，andhekepthisrighthandinhispocket。Ibe-
lievehewasafraidIwouldshakehandswithhim——itisEthel，Isuppose。Naturallyheisdisappointed。WantedheratRawdon。Well，itisapity，butIreallycannot！Oh，Dora！
Dora！Myheart，myhungryandthirstyheartcallsyou！Burningwithlove，dyingwithlonging，Iamwaitingforyou！"
Thedinnerpassedpleasantlyenough，butbothEthelandRuthnoticedtheJudgewasunderstrongbutwell-controlledfeeling。
Whileservantswerepresentitpassedforhighspirits，butassoonasthethreewerealoneinthelibrary，theexcitementtookatonceaseriousaspect。
"Mydears，"hesaid，standingupandfacingthem，"IhavehadaverypainfulinterviewwithFredMostyn。HeholdsamortgageoverRawdonCourt，andisgoingtopressitinSeptember——thatis，heproposestoselltheplaceinordertoobtainhismoney——andthepoorSquire！"Heceasedspeaking，walkedacrosstheroomandbackagain，andappearedgreatlydisturbed。
"WhatoftheSquire？"askedRuth。
"Godknows，Ruth。Hehasnootherhome。"
"Whyisthisthingtobedone？Istherenowaytopreventit？"
"Mostynwantsthemoney，hesays，toinvestinAmericansecurities。Hedoesnot。
Hewantstoforceasale，sothathemaybuytheplaceforthemortgage，andtheneitherkeepitforhispride，ormorelikelyresellittotheTyrrel-Rawdonsfordoublethemoney。"
Thenwithgraduallyincreasingpassionherepeatedinalow，intensevoicetheremarkswhichMostynhadmade，andwhichhadsoinfuriatedtheJudge。Beforehehadfinishedspeakingthetwowomenhadcaughthistemperandspirit。Ethel’sfacewaswhitewithanger，hereyesflashing，herwholeattitudefulloffight。Ruthwastroubledandsorrowful，andshelookedanxiouslyattheJudgeforsomesolutionofthecondition。ItwasEthelwhovoicedtheanxiety。"Father，"
sheasked，"whatistobedone？Whatcanyoudo？"
"Nothing，Iamsorrytosay，Ethel。Mymoneyisabsolutelytiedup——forthisyear，atanyrate。Icannottouchitwithoutwrongingothersaswellasmyself，noryetwithoutthemostruinoussacrifice。"
"IfIcoulddoanything，Iwouldnotcareatwhatsacrifice。"
"Youcandoallthatisnecessary，Ethel，andyouaretheonlypersonwhocan。Youhaveatleasteighthundredthousanddollarsincashandnegotiablesecurities。Yourmother’sfortuneisallyours，withitslegitimateaccruements，anditwasleftatyourowndisposalafteryourtwenty-firstbirthday。
IthasbeenatyourowndisposalWITH
MYCONSENTsinceyournineteenthbirthday。"
"Then，father，weneednottroubleabouttheSquire。Iwishwithallmyhearttomakehishomesuretohimaslongashelives。Youarealawyer，youknowwhatoughttobedone。"
"Goodgirl！Iknewwhatyouwouldsayanddo，orIshouldnothavetoldyouthetroubletherewasatRawdon。Now，IproposeweallmakeavisittoRawdonCourt，seetheSquireandtheproperty，andwhilethereperfectsucharrangementsasseemkindestandwisest。Ruth，howsooncanwebereadytosail？"
"Father，doyoureallymeanthatwearetogotoEngland？"
"Itistheonlythingtodo。ImustseethatallisasMostynsays。Imustnotletyouthrowyourmoneyaway。"
"Thatisonlyprudent，"saidRuth，"andwecanbereadyforthefirststeamerifyouwishit。"
"Iamdelighted，father。IlongtoseeEngland；morethanall，IlongtoseeRawdon。
IdidnotknowuntilthismomenthowmuchIlovedit。"
"Well，then，IwillhaveallreadyforustosailnextSaturday。SaynothingaboutittoMostyn。Hewillcallto-morrowmorningtobidyougood-bybeforeleavingforNewportwithMcLean。Tryandbeout。"
"Ishallcertainlybeout，"saidEthel。
"Idonotwishevertoseehisfaceagain，andImustseegrandmotherandtellherwhatwearegoingtodo。"
"Idaresaysheguessesalready。Sheadvisedmetoaskyouaboutthemortgage。Sheknewwhatyouwouldsay。"
"Father，whoaretheTyrrel-Rawdons？"
ThentheJudgetoldthestoryoftheyoungTyrrel-Rawdon，whoacenturyagohadlosthisworldforLove，andEthelsaid"shelikedhimbetterthananyRawdonshehadeverheardof。"
"Exceptyourfather，Ethel。"
"Exceptmyfather；mydear，goodfather。
AndIamgladthatLovedidnotalwaysmakethempoor。Theymustnowberich，iftheywanttobuytheCourt。"
"Theyarerichmanufacturers。MostynismuchannoyedthattheSquirehasbeguntonoticethem。HesaysoneofthegrandsonsoftheTyrrel-Rawdons，disinheritedforlove’ssake，cametoAmericasometimeintheforties。Iaskedyourgrandmotherifthisstorywastrue。Shesaiditisquitetrue；
thatmyfatherwashisfriendinthematter，andthatitwashisreportsaboutAmericawhichmadethemdecidetotrytheirfortuneinNewYork。"
"Doessheknowwhatbecameofhim？"
"No。InhislastlettertothemhesaidhehadjustjoinedapartygoingtothegoldfieldsofCalifornia。Thatwasin1850。Heneverwroteagain。Itislikelyheperishedontheterriblejourneyacrosstheplains。
Manythousandsdid。"
"WhenIaminEnglandIintendtocallupontheseTyrrel-Rawdons。IthinkIshalllikethem。Myheartgoesouttothem。Iamproudofthisbitofromanceinthefamily。"
"Oh，thereisplentyofromancebehindyou，Ethel。WhenyouseetheoldSquirestandingattheentrancetotheManorHouse，youmayseethehagsofCressyandAgincourt，ofMarstonandWorcesterbehindhim。
AndtheRawdonwomenhavefrequentlybeendaughtersofDestiny。Manyofthemhavelivedromancesthatwouldbeincredibleifwrittendown。Oh，Ethel，dear，wecannot，wecannotforourlives，lettheoldhomefallintothehandsofstrangers。Atanyrate，ifoninspectionwethinkitwrongtointerfere，IcanatleasttryandgetthechildrenofthedisinheritedTyrrelbacktotheirhome。Shallweleaveitatthispointforthepresent？"
Thisdecisionwasagreeabletoall，andthenthefewpreparationsnecessaryforthejourneyweretalkedover，andinthishappydiscussiontheeveningpassedrapidly。ThedreamofEthel’slifehadbeenthisvisittothehomeofherfamily，andtogoasitssaviorwasaconsummationofthepleasurethatfilledherwithlovingpride。Shecouldnotsleepforherwakingdreams。ShemadeallsortsofresolutionsaboutthedespisedTyrrel-
Rawdons。Sheintendedtoshowtheproud，indolentworldoftheEnglishland-
aristocracythatAmericans，justaswellbornasthemselves，respectedbusinessenergyandenterprise；andshehadotherplansandpropositionsjustasinterestingandasfullofyouth’simpossibleenthusiasm。
Inthemorningshewenttotalkthesubjectoverwithhergrandmother。Theoldladyreceivedthenewswithaffectedindif-
ference。Shesaid，"ItmatterednothingtoherwhosatinRawdon’sseat；butshewouldnothearMostynblamedforseekinghisright。Moneyandsentimentarenokin，"
sheadded，"andFredhasnosentimentaboutRawdon。Whyshouldhe？OnlylastsummerRawdonkepthimoutofParliament，andmadehimspendalotofmoneybeside。
He’srighttogetevenwiththefamilyifhecan。"
"ButtheoldSquire！Heisnow————"
"Iknow；he’solderthanIam。ButSquirePercivalhashadhisday，andFredwouldnotdoanythingoutofthewaytohim——hecouldnot；thecountywouldmakebothMostynandRawdonveryuncomfortableplacestolivein，ifhedid。"
"Ifyouturnamanoutofhishomewhenheiseightyyearsold，Ithinkthatis`outoftheway。’AndMr。Mostynisnottobetrusted。Iwouldn’ttrusthimasfarasI
couldseehim。"
"Highty-tighty！Hehasnotaskedyoutotrusthim。Youlostyourchancethere，miss。"
"Grandmother，Iamastonishedatyou！"
"Well，itwasameanthingtosay，Ethel；
butIlikeFred，andIseetherestofmyfamilyareagainsthim。It’snaturalforYorkshiretohelptheweakestside。Butthere，Fredcandohisownfighting，I’llwarrant。
He’snotanordinaryman。"
"I’msorrytosayheisn’t，grandmother。
Ifhewerehewouldspeakwithoutadrawl，andgetridofhismonocle，andnotpaysuchminuteattentiontohiscoatsandvestsandwalkingsticks。"
ThenEthelproceededtoexplainherresolveswithregardtotheTyrrel-Rawdons。
"Ishallpaythemthegreatestattention，"
shesaid。"ItwasanoblethinginyoungTyrrel-Rawdontogiveupeverythingforhonorablelove，andIthinkeveryoneoughttohavestoodbyhim。"
"Thatwouldn’thavedoneatall。IfTyrrelhadbeenpettedasyouthinkheoughttohavebeen，everyrespectableyoungmanandwomaninthecountywouldhavemarriedwheretheirfancyledthem；andthefanciesofyoungpeoplemostlyleadthemtotheroaditisruintotake。"
"FromwhatFredMostynsays，Tyrrel’sdescendantsseemtohavetakenaveryrespectableroad。"
"I’venothingtosayfororagainstthem。
It’syearsandyearssinceIlaideyesonanyofthefamily。YourgrandfatherhelpedoneoftheyoungmentocometoAmerica，andIrememberhismothergettingintoapassionaboutit。ShewasafatwomaninaPaisleyshawlandalove-birdonherbonnet。
Isawhissisteroften。Sheweighedabouttwelvestone，andhadredhairandredcheeksandbareredelbows。Shewascalleda`strappinglass。’ThatisquiteacomplimentarytermintheWestRiding。"
"Please，grandmother，Idon’twanttohearanymore。IntwoweeksIshallbeabletojudgeformyself。Sincethentherehavebeentwogenerations，andifamemberofthepresentoneisfitforParliament————"
"That’snothing。Weneedn’tlookforanythingspeciallyrefinedinParliamentinthesedays。There’sanotherthing。TheseTyrrel-Rawdonsarechapelpeople。TherectorofRawdonchurchwouldnotmarryTyrreltohislow-bornlove，andsotheywenttotheMethodistpreacher，andafterthattotheMethodistchapel。Thatputthemdown，morethanyoucanimaginehereinAmerica。"
"Itwasashame！Methodistsaremostrespectablepeople。"
"I’msayingnothingcontrary。"
"ThePresidentisaMethodist。"
"Ineveraskedwhathewas。IamaChurchofEnglandwoman，youknowthat。