BornandbredintheChurch，baptized，confirmed，andmarriedintheChurch，andI
wasalwaystaughtitwastheonlyproperChurchforgentlemenandgentlewomentobesavedin。However，EnglishMethodistsoftengobacktotheChurchwhentheygetrich。"
"Churchorchapelmakesnodifferencetome，grandmother。Ifpeopleareonlygood。"
"Tobesure；butyouwon’tbelonginEnglanduntilyou’llfindoutthatsomethingsmakeagreatdealofdifference。Doyouknowyourfatherwasherethismorning？
Hewantedmetogowithyou——alikely，thing。"
"But，grandmother，docome。Wewilltakesuchgoodcareofyou，and————"
"Iknow，butI’dratherkeepmyoldmemoriesofYorkshirethangetnew-fashionedones。Allischanged。IcantellthatbywhatFredsays。Mythreegreatfriendsaredead。Theyhaveleftchildrenandgrandchildren，ofcourse，butIdon’twanttomakenewacquaintancesatmyage，unlessIhavethepickingofthem。No，IshallgetMissHillistogowithmetomylittlecabinontheJerseycoast。We’lltakeourknittingandthefreshnovels，andI’llwarrantwe’llseeasmuchofthenewmenandwomeninthemaswillmorethansatisfyus。Butyoumustwritemelongletters，andtellmeeverythingabouttheSquireandthewayhekeepshouse，andIdon’tcareifyoufillupthepaperwiththeTyrrel-Rawdons。"
"Iwillwriteyouoften，Granny，andtellyoueverything。"
"Ishouldn’twonderifyoucomeacrossDoraStanhope，butIwouldn’taskhertoRawdon。She’llmixsomecupofbotherifyoudo。"
"Iknow。"
Insuchlovingandintimateconversationthehoursspedquickly，andEthelcouldnotbeartocutshorthervisit。ItwasnearlyfivewhensheleftGramercyPark，butthedaybeinglovely，andtheavenuefullofcarriagesandpedestrians，shetookthedriveatitsenforcedtardinesswithoutdisapproval。
AlmostonenteringtheavenuefromMadisonSquaretherewasacrush，andhercarriagecametoastandstill。ShewasthenoppositethestoreofafamousEnglishsaddler，andnearherwasanopencarriageoccupiedbyamiddle-agedgentlemaninmilitaryuniform。
Heappearedtobewaitingforsomeone，andinamomentortwoayoungmancameoutofthesaddlerystore，andwithapleasantlaughenteredthecarriage。ItwastheApolloofherdreams，thesingeroftheHollandHousepavement。Shecouldnotdoubtit。Hisface，hisfigure，hiswalk，andthepleasantsmilewithwhichhespoketohiscompanionwereallpositivecharacteristics。Shehadforgottennoneofthem。Hisdresswasalteredtosuittheseason，butthatwasanimprovement；
fordivestedofhisheavycoat，andclothedonlyinastylishafternoonsuit，histall，finefigureshowedtogreatadvantage；andEtheltoldherselfthathewasevenhandsomerthanshehadsupposedhimtobe。
Almostassoonasheenteredhiscarriagetherewasamovement，andshehopedherdrivermightadvancesufficientlytomakerecognitionpossible，butsomefeeling，sheknewnotwhat，preventedhergivinganyorderleadingtothisresult。PerhapsshehadaninstinctivepresentimentthatitwasbesttoleavealltoDestiny。Towardtheupperpartoftheavenuethecarriageofhereagerobservationcametoastandbeforeawarehouseofantiquefurnitureandbric-a-brac，and，asitdidso，abeautifulwomanrandownthesteps，andApollo，forsoEthelhadmen-
tallycalledhim，wenthurriedlytomeether。
Finallyhercoachmanpassedtheparty，andtherewasamomentaryrecognition。Hewasbendingforward，listeningtosomethingtheladywassaying，whenthevehiclesalmosttouchedeachother。Heflashedaglanceatthem，andmettheflashofEthel’seyesfullofinterestandcuriosity。
Itwasoverinamoment，butinthatmomentEthelsawhisastonishmentanddelight，andfeltherowneagerquestioninganswered。
Thenshewasjoyousandfullofhope，for"thesetwosilentmeetingsarepromises，"shesaidtoRuth。"IfeelsureIshallseehimagain，andthenweshallspeaktoeachother。"
"Ihopeyouarenotallowingyourselftofeeltoomuchinterestinthisman，Ethel；heisverylikelymarried。"
"Oh，no！Iamsureheisnot，Ruth。"
"Howcanyoubesure？Youknownothingabouthim。"
"IcannottellHOWIknow，norWHYIknow，butIbelievewhatIfeel；andheisasmuchinterestedinmeasIaminhim。Iconfessthatisagreatdeal。"
"Youmayneverseehimagain。"
"Ishallexpecttoseehimnextwinter，heevidentlylivesinNewYork。"
"Theladyyousawmaybehiswife。Don’tbeinterestedinanymanonunknownground，Ethel。Itisnotprudent——itisnotright。"
"Timewillshow。HewillverylikelybelookingformethissummeratNewportandelsewhere。HewillbegladtoseemewhenI
comehome。Don’tworry，Ruth。Itisallright。"
"Fredcalledsoonafteryouwentoutthismorning。HeleftforNewportthisafternoon。
Hewillbeatseanow。"
"Andweshallbethereinafewdays。
WhenIamattheseasideIalwaysfeeladelicioustorpor；yetNellyBaldwintoldmeshelovedanAtlanticpassagebecauseshehadsuchfunonboard。Youhavecrossedseveraltimes，Ruth；isitfunortorpor？"
"Allmirthatseasoonfadesaway，Ethel。
Passengersareaverydullclassofpeople，andtheyknowit；theyrebelagainstit，buteveryhouritbecomesmorenaturaltobedull。
Verysoonallmentallyaccommodatethemselvestobeingbored，dreamyanddreary。
Then，assoonasitisdark，comesthatoldmysterious，hungeringsoundofthesea；andIforonelistentillIcanbearitnolonger，andsostealawaytobedwithapaininmyheart。"
"IthinkIshallliketheocean。Therearegames，andbooks，andcompany，anddinners，andotherthings。"
"Certainly，andyoucanthinkyourselfhappy，untilgraduallyacontentedcretinismstealsoveryou，bodyandmind。"
"No，no！"saidEthelenthusiastically。
"IshalldoaccordingtoSwinburne——
"`Havethereforeinmyheart，andinmymouth，ThesoundofsongthatminglesNorthandSouth；
AndinmySoulthesenseofalltheSea！’"
AndRuthlaughedatherdramaticattitude，andanswered："Thesoulofalltheseaisacontentedcretinism，Ethel。ButintendayswemaybeinYorkshire。Andthen，mydear，youmaymeetyourPrince——somefineYorkshiregentleman。"
"IhavestrictlyandpositivelypromisedmyselfthatmyPrinceshallbeafineAmericangentleman。"
"MydearEthel，itisveryseldom"`thetime，andtheplace，AndtheLovedOne，cometogether。’"
"Iliveinthelandofgoodhope，Ruth，andmyhopeswillberealized。"
"Weshallsee。"
PARTTHIRD
"IWENTDOWNINTOTHEGARDEN
TOSEEIFTHEPOMEGRANATESBUDDED。
SongofSolomon，VI。11。
CHAPTERVII
ITwasalovelyafternoononthelastdayofMay。Theseaandallthetoilandtravailbelongingtoitwasoverpass，andJudgeRawdon，RuthandEthelweredrivinginlazy，blissfulcontentmentthroughoneofthelovelyroadsoftheWestRiding。Oneitherhandthebeautifullycuthedgeswerewhiteandsweet，andacaressofscent——thesoulofthehawthorneflowerenfoldedthem。Robinsweresingingonthetopmostsprays，andthelinnet’ssweetbabblingwasheardfromthehappynestsinitssecretplaces；whilefromsomeunseensteeplethejoyfulsoundofchimingbellsmademusicbetweenheavenandearthfitforbandsoftravelingangels。
Theyhaddinedatawaysideinnonjuggedhare，roastbeef，andYorkshirepudding，clottedcreamandhaver（oaten）bread，andthecarelessstillnessofphysicalwell-beingandofmindsateaseneedednospeech，butthemutualsmilingnodofintimatesympathy。
Forthesenseofjoyandbeautywhichmakesuseloquentisfarinferiortothatsensewhichmakesussilent。
ThisexquisitepauseinlifewassuddenlyendedbyanexclamationfromtheJudge。
TheywereatthegreatirongatesofRawdonPark，andsoonwereslowlytraversingitswoodysolitudes。Thesoftlight，theunspeakablegreenoftheturf，thevoiceofancientdaysmurmuringinthegreatoaktrees，thedeerasleepamongtheferns，thestillnessofthesummerafternoonfillingtheairwithdrowsypeacethiswastheatmosphereintowhichtheyentered。Theirroadthroughthisgrandparkofthreehundredacreswasawide，straightavenueshadedwithbeechtrees。Thegreenturfoneitherhandwasstarredwithprimroses。Inthedeepundergrowth，fernswavedandfannedeachother，andthescentofhiddenvioletssalutedastheypassed。
Drowsily，asifhalfasleep，theblackbirdswhistledtheircouplets，andinthethickesthedgesthelittlebrownthrushessangsoftlytotheirbroodingmates。Forhalfanhourtheykeptthisheavenlypath，andthenasuddenturnbroughtthemtheirfirstsightoftheoldhome。
Itwasastately，irregularbuildingofredbrick，sandaledandveiledinivy。Thenu-
merouswindowswerealllatticed，thechimneysinpicturesquestacks，theslopingroofmadeofflagsofsandstone。Itstoodinthecenterofalargegarden，atthebottomofwhichranababblinglittleriver——acheerfultongueoflifeinthesweet，silentplace。Theycrosseditbyaprettybridge，andinafewminutesstoodatthegreatdoorofthemansion。
Itwaswideopen，andtheSquire，withoutstretchedhands，rosetomeetthem。WhileyetuponthethresholdhekissedbothEthelandRuth，and，claspingtheJudge’shand，gazedathimwithsuchapiercing，kindlylookthattheeyesofbothmenfilledwithtears。
Heledthemintothehall，andstandingthereheseemedalmostapartofit。InhisyouthhehadbeenasonofAnak，andhisgreatsizehadbeenmatchedbyhisgreatstrength。Hisstaturewasstilllarge，hisfacebroadandmassive，andanabundanceofsnow-whitehairemphasizedthedignityofacountenancewhichagehadmadenobler。Thegenerationsofeighthundredyearswerecrystallizedinthisbenignantoldman，lookingwithsucheagerinterestintothefacesofhisstrangekindredfromafar-offland。
IntheeveningtheysattogetherintheoldhalltalkingoftheRawdons。"Thereisgreatfamilyofus，livinganddead，"saidtheSquire，"andIcountthemallmyfriends。
Bareisthebackthathasnokinbehindit。
Thatisnotourcase。EighthundredyearsagotherewasaRawdoninRawdon，andonehasneverbeenwantingsince。Saxon，Danish，Norman，andStuartkingshavebeenandgonetheirway，andweremain；andIcantellyoueveryRawdonbornsincetheHouseofHanovercametoEngland。WehavehadourshareinallEngland’sstrifeandglory，foriftherewaseverafightgoingonanywhereRawdonwasneverfaroff。Yes，wecanstringthecenturiestogetherinthebattleflagswehavewon。Seethere！"hecried，pointingtotwostandardsinterwovenabovethecentralchimney-piece；"onewastakenfromthePayniminthefirstCrusade，andtheothermygrandsontookinAfrica。Itseemsbutyesterday，andQueenVictoriagavehimtheCrossforit。Poorlad，hehaditonwhenhedied。Itwenttothegravewithhim。
Iwouldn’thaveittouched。IfancytheRawdonswouldknowit。Noonedaresaytheydon’t。Ithinktheymeddleagooddealmorewiththislifethanwecounton。"
ThedaysthatfollowedweredaysinTheHouseWonderful。Itheldthetreasure-troveofcenturies；allitsroomswerefullofsecrets。
Eventhecommonsitting-roomhadanantiquehomelinessthatprovokedquestionsastothedatesofitsfurnitureandthewhereaboutsofitswallcupboardsandhiddenrecesses。
Itschinahadthemarksofforgottenmakers，itssilverwaspuzzlingwithhalf-
obliteratednamesanddates，itssideboardofoakwasblackwithageandfulloftableaccessories，theverynamesofwhichwereforgotten。Forthishousehadnotbeenbuiltintheordinarysense，ithadgrownthroughcenturies；grownoutofdesireandnecessity，justasatreegrows，andwasthereforefitandbeautiful。Anditwasnowonderthatabouteveryroomfloatedtheperfumeofancientthingsandthepeculiarfamilyaurathathadsaturatedalltheinanimateobjectsaroundthem。
Inafewdays，lifesettleditselftoorderlyoccupations。TheSquirewasalateriser；theJudgeandhisfamilybreakfastedveryearly。
Thenthetwowomenhadarideinthepark，orwanderedinthegarden，orsatreading，orsewing，orwritinginsomeofthesweet，fairrooms。Manyvisitorssoonappeared，andtherewerecallstoreturnandcourtesiestoaccept。AmongthesevisitorstheTyrrel-
Rawdonsweretheearliest。TherepresentativesofthatfamilywereNicholasRawdonandhiswifeLydia。NicholasRawdonwasalarge，stoutman，veryarrogant，verycomplete，veryalertforthisworld，andnotcaringmuchabouttheother。HewasnotpleasedatJudgeRawdon’svisit，butthoughtitbesttobecousinlyuntilhiscousininterferedwithhisplans——"rights"hecalledthem——"andthen！"andhis"THEN"impliedagreatdeal，forNicholasRawdonwasamanincapableofconceivingtheideaoflovinganenemy。
Hiswifewasapleasant，garrulouswoman，whointerestedEthelverymuch。Herfamilywasherchieftopicofconversation。Shehadtwodaughters，oneofwhomhadmarriedabaronet，"amanwithmoneyandeasytomanage"；andtheother，"arichcottonlordinManchester。"
"Theyhaven’tdonebadly，"shesaidconfidentially，"andit’sagreatthingtogetgirlsoffyourhandsearly。AdelaideandMarthawerewelleducatedandsuitable，but，"sheaddedwithaglowofpride，"youshouldseemyJohnThomas。He’smanagerofthemill，andhelovesthemill，andheknowseverypoundofwarporweftthatcomesinorgoesoutofthemill；andwhathisfatherwoulddowithouthim，I’msureIdon’tknow。AndheisamemberofParliament，too——Radicalticket。WonoverMostyn。WipedMostynoutprettywell。Thatwasathingtodo，wasn’tit？"
"IsupposeMr。MostynwastheConservativecandidate？"
"Youmaybesureofthat。ButmyJohnThomasdoesn’tblamehimforit——thegentryhavetobeConservatives。JohnThomassaidlittleagainsthispolitics；hejustsetthecrowdlaughingathisways——hisdandifiedways。
Andhetriedtowearoneeyeglass，andletitfall，andfall，andthentoldthemen`hecouldn’tmanagehalfapairofspectacles；
buthecouldmanagetheirinterestsandfightfortheirrights，’andsuchliketalk。AndhewalkedlikeMostyn，andhetalkedlikeMostyn，andspreadouthislegs，andtwirledhiswalkingsticklikeMostyn，andaskedthem`iftheywouldwishhimtogotoParliamentinthatkindofashape，ashe’dtryanddoitiftheywantedatailor-mademan’；andtheylaughedhimdown，andthenhespokereasonabletothem。JohnThomasknowswhatYorkshireweaverswant，andhejustprom-
isedthemeverythingtheyhadsettheirheartson；andsotheysenthimtoParliament，andMostynwenttoAmerica，where，perhaps，they’llteachhimthataman’slifeisworthabitmorethanabirdorarabbit。Mostynisallforpreservinggame，andhisfatherwasameancreature。Whenonethinksofhisfather，onehastoexcusetheyoungmanalittlebit。"
"IsawagooddealofMr。MostyninNewYork，"saidEthel。"Heusedtospeakhighlyofhisfather。"
"I’llwarranthedid；andheoughttokeepatit，forhe’stheonlyoneinthisworldthatwillusehistongueforthatend。OldSamuelMostynneverlearnedtolivegodlyorevenmanly，butafterhisdeathheceasedtodoevil，andthat，I’venodoubt，oftenfeelslikeablessingtothemthathadtoliveanywayneartohim。ButmyJohnThomas！"
"Oh，"criedEthel，laughing，"youmustnottellmesomuchaboutJohnThomas；hemightnotlikeit。"
"JohnThomascanlookallhedoesandallhesaysstraightintheface。Youmaytalkofhimallday，andfindnothingtosaythatagoodgirllikeyoumightnotlistento。
Ishouldhavebroughthimwithus，buthe’sawaynowtakingabitofaholiday。I’msureheneedsit。"
"Whereishetakinghisholiday？"
"Why，hewentwithacousintoshowhimthesightsofLondon；butsomehowtheygotthroughLondonsightsveryquick，andthoughttheymightaswellputParisin。I
wishtheyhadn’t。Idon’ttrustforeignersandforeignways，andtheydon’thavethesamekindofmoneyasours；butNicholassaysI
needn’tworry；heissurethatourJohnThomas，ifchangeistomake，willmakeittosuithimself。"
"Howsoonwillhebehome？"
"Imightsayto-dayoranyotherearlyday。He’sbeenidlingforamonthnow，andhisfathersays`theveryloomsarecallingoutforhim。’I’llbringhimtoseeyoujustassoonashecomeshome，loomsornolooms，andhe’llbefaintocome。NooneappreciatesaprettygirlmorethanJohnThomasdoes。"
Sothedayspassedsweetlyandswiftlyonward，andtherewasnotroubleinthem。SuchbusinessaswastobedonewentonbehindthecloseddoorsoftheSquire’soffice，andwithnoonepresentbuthimself，JudgeRawdon，andtheattorneysattachedtotheRawdonandMostynestates。Andastherewerenoentanglementsandnopossiblereasonfordisputing，asettlementwasquicklyarrivedat。Then，asMostyn’sreturnwasuncertain，anattorney’smessenger，properlyaccredited，wassenttoAmericatoprocurehissignatures。
Allowingforunforeseendelays，theperfectedpapersofreleasemightcertainlybeonhandbythefifteenthofJuly，anditwasproposedonthefirstofAugusttogiveadinneranddanceinreturnforthenumerouscourtesiestheAmericanRawdonshadreceived。
AsthisdateapproachedRuthandEthelbegantothinkofavisittoLondon。Theywantednewgownsandmanyotherprettythings，andwhynotgotoLondonforthem？
Thejourneywasbutafewhours，andtwoorthreedays’shoppinginRegentStreetandPiccadillywouldbedelightful。"Wewillmakeoutalistofallweneedthisafternoon，"
saidRuth，"andwemightaswellgoto-morrowmorningaslater，"andatthismomentaservantenteredwiththemail。Ethelliftedherletterwithanexclamation。"ItisfromDora，"shesaid，andhervoicehadatoneofannoyanceinit。"DoraisinLondon，attheSavoy。Shewantstoseemeverymuch。"
"Iamsosorry。Wehavebeensohappy。"
"Idon’tthinkshewillinterferemuch，Ruth。"
"Mydears，"saidJudgeRawdon，"IhavealetterfromFredMostyn。Heiscominghome。HewillbeinLondoninadayortwo。"
"Whyishecoming，father？"
"HesayshehasaproposaltomakeabouttheManor。Iwishhewerenotcoming。Noonewantshisproposal。"Thenthebreakfast-
table，whichhadbeensogay，becamesilentanddepressed，andpresentlytheJudgewentawaywithoutexhibitingfurtherinterestintheLondonjourney。
"IdowishDorawouldletusalone，"saidRuth。"Shealwaysbringsdisappointmentorworryofsomekind。AndIwonderwhatisthemeaningofthisunexpectedLondonvisit。IthoughtshewasinHolland。"
"ShesaidinherlastletterthatLondonwouldbeimpossiblebeforeAugust。"
"Isitanappointment——oracoincidence？"
AndEthel，liftinghershoulderssarcastically，asifinhostilesurrendertotheinevitable，answered：
"Itisafatality！"
CHAPTERVIII
THREEdaysafterwardEthelcalledonDoraStanhopeattheSavoy。Shefoundheralone，andshehadevidentlybeencrying。Indeed，shefranklyadmittedthefact，declaringthatshehadbeen"soboredandsohomesick，thatsherelievedshehadcriedherbeautyaway。"SheglancedatEthel’sradiantfaceandneatfreshtoiletwithenvy，andadded，"Iamsogladtoseeyou，Ethel。ButIwassurethatyouwouldcomeassoonasyouknewIwantedyou。"
"Oh，indeed，Dora，youmustnotmakeyourselftoosureofsuchathingasthat！I
reallycametoLondontogetsomenewgowns。
Ihavebeenshoppingallmorning。"
"Ithoughtyouhadcomeinanswertomyletter。Iwasexpectingyou。ThatisthereasonIdidnotgooutwithBasil。"
"Don’tyouexpectalittletoomuch，Dora？
Ihaveagreatmanyinterestsandduties————"
"Iusedtobefirst。"
"Whenagirlmarriessheissupposedto————"
"Pleasedon’ttalknonsense。Basildoesnottaketheplaceofeveryoneandeverythingelse。Ithinkweareoftenverytiredofeachother。Thismorning，whenIwastellinghimwhattroubleIhadwithmymaid，Julia，heactuallyyawned。Hetriedtosmothertheyawn，buthecouldnot，andofcoursethehoneymoonisoverwhenyourbridegroomyawnsinyourfacewhileyouaretellinghimyourtroubles。"
"Ishouldthinkyouwouldbegladitwasover。OfallthewordsintheEnglishlanguage`honeymoon’isthemostridiculousandimbecile。"
"Isupposewhenyougetmarriedyouwilltakeahoneymoon。"
"Ishallhavemoresenseandmoreselfishness。
Agirlcouldhardlyenteranewlifethroughamediummoretrying。Iamsureitwouldneedlong-testedaffectionsandthesweetestoftemperstomakeitendurable。"
"Icannotimaginewhatyoumean。"
"Imeanthatalltravelingjustaftermarriageisagreatblunder。Travelingmakesthesunniestdispositionhastyandpeevish，forwomendon’tlovechangesasmendo。
Notoneinathousandisseenatherbestwhiletraveling，andthemajorityareseenattheirveryworst。ThenthereisthediscomfortanddesolationofEuropeanhotels——
theirmysteriousmethodsandhours，andthewaysofforeigners，whicharenotasourways。"
"Don’ttalkofthem，Ethel。Theyaredreadfulplaces，andsuchqueerpeople。"
"Addtothesetroublesignoranceoflanguageandcoinage，theutterwearinessofrailwaytravel，theplagueofcustoms，thetrunkthatwon’tpack，thetrainsthatwon’twait，thetiresomesight-seeing，theclimaticirritability，broilingsuns，headache，loneliness，fretfulness——consequentlythepitifulboredomofthenewhusband。"
"Ethel，whatyousayiscertainlytootrue。
Iamwearytodeathofitall。IwanttobeatNewportwithmother，whoishavingalovelytimethere。OfcourseBasilisverynicetome，andyettherehavebeenlittletiffsandstruggles——verygentleones——forthemastery，whichheisnotgoingtoget。To-dayhewantedmetogowithhimandCanonShackletontoseesomethingorotheraboutthepoorofLondon。Iwouldnotdoit。Iamsolonely，Ethel，Iwanttoseesomeone。Ifeelfittocryallthetime。IlikeBasilbestofanyoneintheworld，but————"
"Butinthesolitudeofahoneymoonamongstrangersyoufindoutthatthepersonyoulikebestintheworldcanboreyouasbadlyasthepersonyoudon’tlikeatall。Isthatso？"
"Exactly。JustfancyifwewereamongourfriendsinNewport。Ishouldhavesomepleasureindressingandlookinglovely。WhyshouldIdresshere？Thereisnoonetoseeme。"
"Basil。"
"Ofcourse，butBasilspendsallthetimeinvisitingcathedralsandclergymen。Ifwegoout，itistoseesomethingaboutthepoor，oraboutschoolsandsuchlike。WewerenotinLondontwohoursuntilhewasofftoWestminsterAbbey，andIdidn’tcareacentabouttheoldplace。HesaysImustnotaskhimtogototheaters，buthistoricaloldhousesdon’tinterestmeatall。WhatdoesitmatterifCromwellsleptinacertainancientshabbyroom？AndasforallthepalacesIhaveseen，myfather’shouseisagreatdealhandsomer，andmoreconvenient，andmorecomfortable，andIwishIwerethere。IhateEurope，andEnglandIhateworstofall。"
"YouhavenotseenEngland。Weareallenrapturedwithitsbeautyanditsoldhousesandpleasantlife。"
"Youareamongfriends——athome，asitwere。IhaveheardallaboutRawdonCourt。
FredMostyntoldme。Heisgoingtobuyit。"
"When？"
"Sometimethisfall。Thennextyearhewillentertainus，andthatwillbealittledifferenttothisdesolatehotel，Ithink。"
"HowlongwillyoubeinLondon？"
"Icannotsay。WeareinvitedtoStanhopeCastle，butIdon’twanttogothere。
WestayedwiththeStanhopesaweekwhenwefirstcameover。TheywerethenintheirLondonhouse，andIgotenoughofthem。"
"Didyoudislikethefamily？"
"No，Icarednothingaboutthem。Theyjustboredme。Theyareextremelyreligious。
Wehadprayersnightandmorning，andaprayerbeforeandaftereverymeal。Theyreadonlyverygoodbooks，andtheHonorableMissesStanhopesewforthepooroldwomenandteachthepooryoungones。TheyworkharderthananyoneIeverknew，andtheycallit`improvingthetime。’Theythoughtmeaverysilly，recklessyoungwoman，andIthinktheyallprayedforme。Onenightaftertheyhadsungsomeverynicesongstheyaskedmetoplay，andIbeganwith`MyLittleBrownRose’——youknowtheyalladorethenegro——
andlittlebylittleIdroppedintothefunniestcoonsongsIknew，andohhowtheylaughed！
Eventheoldlordstrokedhiskneesandlaughedoutloud，whiletheyoungladieslaughedintotheirhandkerchiefs。LadyStanhopewastheonlyonewhocomprehendedIwasguyingthem；andshelookedatmewithhalf-shuteyesinawaythatwouldhavespoiledsomegirls’fun。Itonlymademethemerrier。SoItriedtoshowthemacakewalk，buttheoldlordrosethenandsaid`Imustbetired，andtheywouldexcuseme。’
SomehowIcouldnotmanagehim。Basilwasataworkman’sconcert，andwhenhecamehomeIthinkthereweresomeadvicesandremonstrances，butBasilnevertoldme。
IfeltasiftheywereallgladwhenIwentaway，andIdon’twishtogototheCastle——
andIwon’tgoeither。"
"ButifBasilwishestogo————"
"Hecangoalone。IratherthinkFredMostynwillbehereinafewdays，andhewilltakemetoplacesthatBasilwillnot——innocentplacesenough，Ethel，soyouneednotlooksoshocked。WhydoyounotaskmetoRawdonCourt？"
"BecauseIamonlyaguestthere。Ihavenorighttoaskyou。"
"IamsureifyoutoldSquireRawdonhowfondyouareofme，andhowlonelyIam，hewouldtellyoutosendforme。"
"Idonotbelievehewould。Hehasold-
fashionedideasaboutnewlymarriedpeople。
HewouldhardlythinkitpossiblethatyouwouldbewillingtogoanywherewithoutBasil——yet。"
"HecouldaskBasiltoo。"
"IfMr。Mostyniscominghome，hecanaskyoutoMostynHall。ItisverynearRawdonCourt。"
"Yes。FredsaidassoonashehadpossessionoftheCourthecouldputbothplacesintoaringfence。ThenhewouldliveattheCourt。IfheasksustherenextsummerI
shallbesuretobeganinvitationforyoualso；
soIthinkyoumightdeserveitbygettingmeonenow。Idon’twanttogotoMostynyet。
Fredsaysitneedsentirerefurnishing，andifwecometotheCourtnextsummer，Ihavepromisedtogivehimmyadviceandhelpinmakingtheplaceprettyanduptodate。HaveyouseenMostynHall？"
"Ihavepasseditseveraltimes。Itisalarge，gloomy-lookingplaceIwasgoingtosayhaunted-looking。Itstandsinagroveofyewtrees。"
"SoyouarenotgoingtoaskmetoRawdonCourt？"
"Ireallycannot，Dora。Itisnotmyhouse。Iamonlyaguestthere。"
"Nevermind。Makenomoreexcuses。I
seehowitis。YoualwayswerejealousofFred’slikingforme。AndofcoursewhenhegoesdowntoMostynyouwouldprefermetobeabsent。"
"Good-by，Dora！Ihaveadealofshoppingtodo，andthereisnotmuchtimebeforetheball，formanythingswillbetomake。"
"Theball！Whatball？"
"OnlyoneatRawdonCourt。Theneighborshavebeenexceedinglykindtous，andtheSquireisgoingtogiveadinnerandballonthefirstofAugust。"
"Sitdownandtellmeabouttheneighbors——andtheball。"
"Icannot。IpromisedRuthtobebackatfive。Ourmodisteistoseeusatthathour。"
"SoRuthiswithyou！Whydidshenotcallonme？"
"DidyouthinkIshouldcometoLondonalone？AndRuthdidnotcallbecauseshewastoobusy。"
"Everyoneandeverythingcomesbeforemenow。Iusedtobefirstofall。IwishI
wereinNewportwithdadandmamma；evenBrycewouldbeacomfort。"
"AsIsaidbefore，youhaveMr。Stanhope。"
"Areyougoingtosendformetotheball？"
"Icannotpromisethat，Dora。Good-by。"
Doradidnotanswer。Sheburiedherfaceinthesoftpillow，andEthelclosedthedoortothesoundofhersobs。Buttheydidnotcausehertoreturnortomakeanyfoolishpromises。Shedivinedtheirinsincerityandtheirmotive，andhadnomindtotakeanypartinforwardingthelatter。
AndRuthassuredhershehadactedwisely。
"Iftroubleshouldevercomeofthisfriendship，"
shesaid，"DorawouldverylikelycomplainthatyouhadalwaysthrownMostyninherway，broughthimtoherhouseinNewYork，andbroughthertohimatRawdon，inEngland。Marriageissucharisk，Ethel，buttomarrywithoutthecouragetoadaptoneself。AH！"
"Youthinkthatconditionunspeakablyhard？"
"Therearenowordsforit。"
"Dorawasnotreticent，Iassureyou。"
"Iamsorry。Awife’scomplaintsareself-
inflictedwounds；scatteredseeds，fromwhichonlymiserycanspring。Ihopeyouwillnotseeheragainatthistime。"
"Imadenopromisetodoso。"
"Andwhereallissouncertain，wehadbettersupposeallisrightthanthatalliswrong。Eveniftherewasthebeginningofwrong，itneedsbutanaccidenttopreventit，andtherearesomany。"
"Accidents！"
"Yes，foraccidentisGod’spartinaffairs。
Wecallitaccident；itwouldbebettertosayaninterposition。"
"DoratoldmeMostynintendedtobuyRawdonCourtinSeptember，andhehaseveninvitedtheStanhopestostaytherenextsummer。"
"Whatdidyousay？"
"Nothingagainstit。"
"Verygood。DoyouthinkMostynisinLondonnow？"
"Ishouldnotwonder。IamsureDoraisexpectinghim。"
Infact，thenextmorningtheymetDoraandBasilStanhope，drivinginHydeParkwithMostyn，butthesmilinggreetingwhichpassedbetweenthepartiesdidnot，exceptinthecaseofBasilStanhope，fairlyrepresentthedominantfeelingofanyone。AsforStanhope，hisnaturewassoclearandtruthfulthathewouldhardlyhavecomprehendedasmilewhichwasintendedtoveilfeelingsnottobecalledeitherquitefriendlyorquitepleasant。AfterthismeetingallthejoywentoutofRuthandEthel’sshopping。TheywantedtogetbacktotheCourt，andtheyattendedstrictlytobusinessinordertodoso。
Mostynfollowedthemveryquickly。HewasexceedinglyanxioustoseeandhearforhimselfhowhisaffairsregardingRawdonstood。Theywereeasilymadeplaintohim，andhesawwithapangofdisappointmentthatallhishopesofbeingSquireofRawdonManorwereover。Everypennyhecouldrighteouslyclaimwaspaidtohim，andonthetitledeedsoftheancientplacehehadnolongertheshadowofaclaim。TheSquirelookedtenyearsyoungerasheaffectionatelylaidbothhandsontheredeemedparchments，andMostynwithenforcedpolitenesscongratulatedhimontheirintegrityandthenmadeahurriedretreat。OfitsownkindthisdisappointmentwasasgreatasthelossofDora。Hecouldthinkofneitherwithoutasenseofimmeasurableanddisastrousfailure。
Onepettysatisfactionregardingthepaymentofthemortgagewashisonlycom-
fort。HemightnowshowMcLeanthatitwasnotwantofmoneythathadmadehimhithertoshyof"thegoodinvestments"offeredhim。HehadbeensureMcLeanintheirlastinterviewhadthoughtso，andhad，indeed，feltthehalf-veiledcontemptwithwhichtherichyoungmanhadexpressedhispityforMostyn’sinabilitytotakeadvantageattherightmomentofanexceptionalchancetoplaythegameofbeggaringhisneighbor。
Now，hetoldhimself，hewouldshowMcLeanandhisbraggartsetthatgoodbirthandoldfamilywasforoncealliedwithplentyofmoney，andhealsopromisedhiswoundedsensibilitiessomeverydesirablereprisals，everyoneofwhichhefeltfullycompetenttotake。
Itwas，afterall，apoorcompensation，buttherewasalsothegold。Hethankedhisfatherthatdayforthegreatthoughtfulnessandcarewithwhichhehadamassedthissumforhim，andhetriedtoconsolehimselfwiththebeliefthatgoldansweredallpurposes，andthattheyellowmetalwasabetterpossessionthanthehouseandlandswhichhehadlongedforwithaninheritedandinsensatecraving。
TwodaysafterthiseventEthel，atherfather’sdirection，signedanumberofpapers，andwhenthatdutywascompleted，theSquirerosefromhischair，kissedherhandsandhercheeks，andinavoicefulloftendernessandpridesaid，"IpaymyrespectstothefutureladyofRawdonManor，andI
thankGodforpermittingmetoseethishour。
Mostwelcome，LadyEthel，totherightsyouinherit，andtherightsyouhavebought。"Itwasamomenthardlylikelytobeduplicatedinanylife，andEthelescapedfromitstenseemotionsassoonaspossible。Shecouldnotspeak，herheartwastoofullofjoyandwonder。
Therearesoulsthatsaylittleandlovemuch。Howblessedarethey！
Onthefollowingmorningtheinvitationsweresentforthedinneranddance，butthetimewasputforwardtotheeighthofAugust。
Ineveryone’shearttherewasahopethatbeforethatdayMostynwouldhaveleftRawdon，butthehopewasbarelymentioned。
InthemeantimehecameandwentbetweenMostynandRawdonashedesired，andwasreceivedwiththatmodernpolitenesswhichconsidersitbesttoignoreoffensesthatourgrandfathersandgrandmotherswouldhaveheldforstrictaccountandpunishment。
ItwasevidentthathehadfrequentlettersfromDora。Heknewallhermovements，andspokeseveraltimesofopeningMostynHallandinvitingtheStanhopestostaywithhimuntiltheirreturntoAmerica。ButasthissuggestiondidnotbringfromanymemberoftheRawdonfamilytheinvitationhopedfor，itwasnotactedupon。Hetoldhimselftheexpensewouldbegreat，andtheHall，inspiteofallhecoulddointheinterim，wouldlookpoorandshabbycomparedwithRawdonCourt；soheputasidetheproposalonthegroundthathecouldnotpersuadehisaunttodotheentertainingnecessary。AndforalltheirritationandhumiliationscenteringroundhislossofRawdonandhisinabilitieswithregardtoDoraheblamedEthel。Hewassureifhehadbeenmorelovableandencouraginghecouldhavemarriedher，andthusfinallyreachedRawdonCourt；andthen，withalltheunreasonimaginable，nursedaheartydisliketoherbecauseshewouldnotunderstandhisdesires，andprovidemeansfortheirsatisfaction。Thebright，joyousgirlwithherlovingheart，heraboundingvitality，andconstantcheerfulness，madehimangry。Innoneofherexcellencieshehadanyshare，consequentlyhehatedher。
HewouldhavequicklyreturnedtoLondon，butDoraandherhusbandwerestayingwiththeStanhopes，andherlettersfromStanhopeCastlewerelachrymosecomplaintsoftheutterwearinessanddrearinessoflifetherethepreachingandreadingaloud，theregularwalkinganddriving——alltheinnocentmethodofliveswhichrecognizedtheywerehereforsomehigherpurposethanmerephysicalenjoyment。AnditangeredMostynthatneitherRuthnorEthelfeltanysympathyforDora’sennui，andproposednomeansofreleasingherfromit。Heconsideredthembothdisgustinglyselfishandill-
natured，andwascertainthatalltheirreluctanceatDora’spresencearosefromtheirjealousyofherbeautyandherenchantinggrace。
OntheafternoonofthedayprecedingtheintendedentertainmentRuth，Ethel，andtheSquirewereinthegreatdining-roomsuperintendingitsdecoration。Theyweremerrilylaughingandchatting，andwerenotawareofthearrivalofanyvisitorsuntilMrs。
NicholasRawdon’srosy，good-naturedfaceappearedattheopendoor。Everyonewelcomedhergladly，andtheSquireofferedheraseat。
"Nay，Squire，"shesaid，"I’mcometoaskafavor，andIwon’tsittillIknowwhetherIgetitornot；forifIdon’tgetit，Ishallsaygood-byasquicklyasIcan。OurJohnThomascamehomethismorningandhisfriendwithhim，andIwantinvitationsfortheyoungmen，bothofthem。Mygreatpleasureliesthatway——ifyou’llgiveittome。"
"Mostgladly，"answeredtheSquire，andEthelimmediatelywentforthenecessarypassports。WhenshereturnedshefoundMrs。NicholashelpingRuthandtheSquiretoarrangethelargesilverandcutcrystalonthesideboard，andtalkingatthesametimewithunabatedvivacity。
"Yes，"shewassaying，"theladswouldhavebeenheretwodaysago，buttheystayedinLondontoseesomeAmericanladymarried。
JohnThomas’sfriendknewher。ShewasmarriedattheAmbassador’shouse。A
fineaffairenough，butitbewildersmethistakingupmarriagewithoutpriestorbook。
It’sanewcommission。TheChurch’swarrant，itseems，isoutofdate。Itmayberight’
itmaybelegal，butItoldJohnThomasifheevergothimselfmarriedinthatkindofaway，hewouldn’thavefatherormeforwitnesses。"
"Iamglad，"saidtheSquire，"thattheyoungmenarehomeintimeforourdance。
Theyounglikesuchthings。"
"Tobesuretheydo。JohnThomaswouldn’tgivemeamoment’sresttillIcamehere。Ididn’twanttocome。IthoughtJohnThomasshouldcomehimself，andItoldhimplainlythatIwasreadytodoanyoneafavorifIcould，butifhewantedmetocomebecausehewasafraidtocomehimself，Iwasjustasreadytoshirkthejourney。Andhelaughedandsaidhewasnotfearedforanywomanliving，buthedidwanttomakehisfirstappearanceinhisbestclothes——andthatwasnatural，wasn’tit？SoIcameforthetwolads。"Thenshelookedatthegirlswithasmile，andsaidinacomfortablekindofway："You’llfindthemverynicelads，indeed。
IcanspeakforJohnThomas，Ihavetakenhismeasurelongsince；andasfarasIcanjudgehisfriend，Naturewentaboutsomefullworkwhenshemadeamanofhim。
He’sgotasweettemper，andastrongmind，andastraightjudgment，ifIknowanythingaboutmen——whichNicholassometimesmakesmethinkIdon’t。ButNicholasisn’tanordinaryman，he’swhatyoucall`anexception。’"
ThenshakingherheadatEthel，shecontinuedreprovingly："YouwereneitherofyouinchurchSunday。Iknowsomeyoungwomenwhowenttotheparishchurch——Methodiststheyare——speciallytoseeyournewhats。There’ssometalkaboutthem，Icantellyou，andthevillagemillinerispesteredtocopythem。Shekeepshereyesopenforyou。Youdisappointedalotofpeople。
Yououghttogotochurchinthecountry。
It’sthemostrespectablethingyoucando。"
"Wewerebothverytired，"saidRuth，"andthesunwashot，andwehadagoodSabbathathome。EthelreadthePsalms，EpistleandGospelfortheday，andtheSquiregaveussomeofthegrandestorganmusicIeverheard。"
"Well，well！EveryoneknowstheSquireisagrandplayer。Idon’tsupposethereisanothertomatchhiminthewholeworld，andtheoldfeelingaboutchurch-goingisgettingslackamongtheyoungpeople。TheyserveGodnowverymuchattheirease。"
"IsnotthatbetterthanservingHimoncompulsion？"askedRuth。
"Idaresay。I’mnobigot。IwasbroughtupanIndependent，andwenttotheirchapeluntilImarriedNicholasRawdon。Myfa-
therwasabroad-thinkingman。HenevertaughtmetolocateGodinanybuilding；andI’msureIdon’tbelieveourparishchurchisHisdwelling-place。Ifitis，theyoughttomendtheroofandputanewcarpetdownandmakethingscleanerandmorerespectable。
Well，Squire，youhavesilverenoughtotemptalltheroguesinYorkshire，andthere’salotofthem。ButnowI’veseenit，I’llgohomewiththesebitsofpaper。Ishallbeaveryimportantwomanto-night。Themtwoladswon’tknowhowtofleechandflattermeenough。I’llbewaitedonhandandfoot。
AndNicholaswillgetabitofaset-down。
HewasbraggingaboutMissEthelbringinghisinvitationtohishandandpromisingtodancewithhim。Iwouldn’tdoitifIwereMissEthel。She’llfindout，ifshedoes，whatitmeanstodancewithamanthatweighstwentystone，andwhohasneverturnedhandnorfoottoanythingbutmoney-makingforthirtyyears。"
Shewentawaywithasweepandarustleofhershimmeringsilkskirt，andleftbehindhersuchanatmosphereofheartygood-natureasmadethelastrushandcrowdofpreparationseasilyorderedandquicklyaccomplished。Beforeherarrivaltherehadbeensomedoubtastotheweather。Shebroughttheshiningsunwithher，andwhenheset，heleftthemwiththepromiseofasplendidto-morrow——apromiseamplyredeemedwhenthenextdaydawned。Indeed，thesunshinewassobrilliant，thegardensogayandsweet，thelawnsogreenandfirm，theavenuessoshadyandfullofwanderingsongs，thatitwasresolvedtoholdthepreliminaryreceptionoutofdoors。EthelandRuthweretoreceiveonthelawn，andattheopenhalldoortheSquirewouldwaittowelcomehisguests。