Soonafterfiveo’clocktherewasabrilliantcrowdwanderingandrestinginthepleasantspaces；andEthel，wearingadiaphanouslywhiterobeandcarryingarushbasketfullofwhitecarnations，wasmovingamongthemdistributingtheflowers。Shewasthusthecenterofalittlelaughing，banteringgroupwhentheNicholasRawdonpartyarrived。
NicholasremainedwiththeSquire，Mrs。
RawdonandtheyoungmenwenttowardEthel。Mrs。Rawdonmadeaveryhandsomeappearance——"anaristocraticBritanniainwhitelibertysilkandoldlace，"whisperedRuth，andEthellookedupquickly，tomeethermerryeyesfullofsomeunexplainedtriumph。Intruth，theproudmotherwasanticipatingagreatpleasure，notonlyinthepresentationofheradoredson，butalsointhecuriosityandastonishmentshefeltsurewouldbeevokedbyhisfriend。So，withtheboldnessofonewhobringshappytidings，shepressedforward。Ethelsawherapproach，andwenttomeether。Suddenlyherstepswerearrested。Anextraordinarythingwasgoingtohappen。TheApolloofherdreams，thesingeroftheHollandHousepavement，wasatMrs。Rawdon’sside，wastalkingtoher，wasevidentlyafamiliarfriend。Shewasgoingtomeethim，tospeaktohimatlast。Shewouldhearhisnameinafewmoments；allthatshehadhopedandbelievedwascomingtrue。Andtheclear，resonantvoiceofLydiaRawdonwaslikemusicinherearsasshesaid，withanairoftriumphshecouldnothide：
"MissRawdon，Iwantyoutoknowmyson，Mr。JohnThomasRawdon，andalsoJohnThomas’scousin，Mr。TyrrelRawdon，oftheUnitedStates。"ThenMr。TyrrelRawdonlookedintoEthel’sface，andinthatmarvelousmeetingoftheireyes，swiftasthefiringofagun，theirpupilsdilatedandflashedwithrecognition，andthebloodrushedcrimsonoverbothfaces。Shegavethegentlemenflowers，andlistenedtoMrs。Rawdon’schatter，andsaidinreplysheknewnotwhat。Aswiftandexquisiteexcitementhadfollowedhersurprise。Feelingsshecouldnotvoicewerebeatingatherlips，andyetsheknewthatwithoutherconsciouswillshehadexpressedherastonishmentandpleasure。
Itwas，indeed，doubtfulwhetheranyafterspeechorexplanationwouldasclearlysatisfybothheartsasdidthatmomentaryflashfromsoultosoulofmutualremembranceandinterest。
"IthoughtI’dgiveyouasurprise，"saidMrs。Rawdondelightedly。"Youdidn’tknowtheTyrrel-RawdonshadabranchinAmerica，didyou？Weareabitproudofthem，Icantellyouthat。"
And，indeed，themotherlyladyhadsomereason。JohnThomaswasahandsomeyouthofsymmetricalboneandfleshandwell-developedmuscle。Hehadclear，steady，humorouseyes；amannerfrankandindependent，nottobeputupon；andyetEtheldivined，thoughshecouldnothavedeclared，the"want"inhisappearance——thatall-overishgraceandelasticitywhichcomesonlyfromthedevelopmentofthebrainandnervoussystem。Hisfacewasalsomarredbythesealofcommonnesswhichtradeimpressesonsomanymen，theresultofthesubjectionoftheintellecttothewill，andoftheimpossibilityofgraspingthingsexceptastheyrelatetoself。InthisrespecttheAmericancousinwashisantipodes。Hiswholebodyhadapsychicalexpression——slim，elastic，alert。Overhisbrightgrayeyestheeyelidsdrewthemselveshorizontally，showinghisdexterityandacutenessofmind；indeed，hiswholeexpressionandmien"Were，asaretheeagle’skeen，Allthemanwasaquiline。"
ThesepersonalcharacteristicstakingsomeminutestodescribewerealmostaninstantaneousrevelationtoEthel，forwhatthesoulseesitseesinaflashofunderstanding。Butatthattimesheonlyansweredherimpressionswithoutanyinquiryconcerningthem。
Shewasabsorbedbythepersonalpresenceofthemen，andallthatwaslovelyandlovableinhernaturerespondedtotheiradmiration。
Astheystrolledtogetherthroughafloweryalley，shemadethempasstheirhandsthroughthethymeandlavender，andlistentoabirdsingingitsverses，loudandthensoft，inthescentedairabovethem。Theycameoutwherethepurpleplumsandgoldenapricotswerebeginningtobrightenasouthernwall，andthere，moodilywalkingbyhimself，theymetMostynfacetoface。Anangryflashandmovementinterpretedhisannoyance，butheimmediatelyrecoveredhimself，andmetEthelandhislatepoliticalopponentwithpoliteequanimity。Butadecidedconstraintfellonthehappyparty，andEthelwasrelievedtohearthefirsttonesofthegreatbellswingoutfromitsloftytowerthecalltothedining-room。
AsfarasMostynwasconcerned，thisfirstmalaproposmeetingindicatedthewholeevening。Hisheartwasbeatingquicklytosomesenseofdefeatwhichhedidnottakethetroubletoanalyze。HeonlysawthemanwhohadshatteredhispoliticalhopesandwastedhismoneyinpossessionalsoofwhathethoughthemightrightlyconsiderhisplaceatEthel’sside。HehadoncecontemplatedmakingEthelhisbride，andthoughthematrimonialideahadcollapsedascompletelyasthepoliticalone，theenvious，selfishmiseryofthe"doginthemanger"waseatingathisheartstrings。HedidnotwantEthel；butoh，howhehatedthethoughtofeitherJohnThomasorthatAmericanRaw-
donwinningher！Hisseatatthedinner-
tablealsoannoyedhim。Itwasfarenoughfromtheobjectsofhisresentmenttopreventhimhearingorinterferingintheirmerryconversation；andhetoldhimselfwithpassionateindignationthatEthelhadneveronceinalltheirintercoursebeensobeautifulandbrightassherevealedherselfthateveningtothosetwoRawdonyouths——oneamereloom-master，theotheranAmericanwhomnooneknewanythingabout。
Thelong，bewitchinghoursofthegloriouseveningaddedfueltotheflameofhisanger。
HecouldonlyprocurefromEthelthepromiseofoneunimportantdanceatthecloseofherprogramme；andtheAmericanhadthreedances，andthemereloom-mantwo。Andthoughheattemptedtorestorehisself-
complacencybydevotinghiswholeattentionstotheonlytitledyoungladiesintheroom，hehadthroughouttheeveningasenseofbeingsnubbed，andofbeingapersonnolongerofmuchimportanceatRawdonCourt。Andthereasoningofwoundedself-loveisasingularprocess。Mostynwasquiteobliviousofanypersonalcauseforthechange；heattributeditentirelytotheSquire’singratitude。
"IdidtheSquireagoodturnwhenheneededit，andofcoursehehatesmefortheobligation；andasfortheJudgeandhisfinedaughter，theyinterferedwithmybusiness——didmeagreatwrong——andtheyareonlyillustratingtheoldsaying，`SinceIwrongedyouIneverlikedyou。’"Afterindulgingsuchthoughtsawhile，heresolvedtoescorttheladiesAureliaandIsoldeDanverstoDanversCastle，andleaveMissEtheltofindapartnerforherlastdance，adecisionthatfavoredJohnThomas，greatlyrelievedEthel，andbestoweduponhimselfthatmostirritatingofallpunishments，aself-inflicteddisappointment。
Thiseveningwastheinaugurationofaperiodofundimmeddelight。InittheTyrrel-
RawdonsconcludedafirmandaffectionatealliancewiththeelderbranchattheCourt，andonedayafterahappyfamilydinnerJohnThomasmadethestartlingproposalthat"theportraitofthedisinherited，disownedTyrrelshouldberestoredtoitsplaceinthefamilygallery。"Hesaidhehad"justwalkedthroughit，andnoticedthatthespotwasstillvacant，andIthinksurely，"
headded，"theyoungman’sfathermusthavemeanttorecallhimhomesomeday，butperhapsdeathtookhimunawares。"
"Diedinthehunting-field，"murmuredtheSquire。
JohnThomasbowedhisheadtotheremark，andproceeded，"Soperhaps，Squire，itmaybeinyourhearttoforgivethedead，andbringbackthepoorlad’spicturetoitsplace。
Theywhosinforlovearen’tsobad，sir，astheywhosinformoney。IneverheardworseofTyrrelRawdonthanthathelovedapoorwomaninsteadofarichwoman——andmarriedher。Thosethathavegonebeforeusintothenextlife，Ishouldthinkaregoodfriendstogether；andIwouldn’twonderifwemightevenmakethemhappierthereifweconcludetoforgetalloldwrongsandlivetogetherhere——asRawdonsoughttolive——likeonefamily。"
"Iamofyouropinion，JohnThomas，"
saidtheSquire，rising，andashedidsohelookedattheJudge，whoimmediatelyindorsedtheproposal。Oneaftertheotherrosewithsweetandstrongassent，untiltherewasonlyTyrrelRawdon’svoicelacking。
Butwhenallhadspokenherosealso，andsaid：
"IamTyrrelRawdon’sdirectdescendant，andIspeakforhimwhenIsayto-day，`Makeroomformeamongmykindred！’Hethatlovesmuchmaybeforgivenmuch。"
Thenthehousekeeperwascalled，andtheywentslowly，withsoftwords，uptothethirdstoryofthehouse。Andtheroomunusedforacenturywasflungwideopen；theshutterswereunbarred，andthesunshinefloodedit；andthereamidhisfishingtackle，guns，andwhips，andfadedballadsuponthewall，andbooksofwoodloreandbotany，anddresssuitsofvelvetandsatin，andhuntingsuitsofscarlet——allfadedandfallingtopieces——
stoodthepictureofTyrrelRawdon，withitsfaceturnedtothewall。TheSquiremadeamotiontohisdescendant，andtheyoungAmericantenderlyturnedittothelight。
Therewasnodecayonthosepaintedlineaments。
Thealmostboyishface，withitslovingeyesandlaughingmouth，wasstilltwenty-
fouryearsold；andwithalookofprideandaffectiontheSquireliftedthepictureandplaceditinthehandsoftheTyrrelRawdonoftheday。
Thehangingofthepictureinitsoldplacewasasilentandtenderlittleceremony，andafteritthepartyseparated。Mrs。RawdonwentwithRuthtorestalittle。Shesaid"shehadaheadache，"andshealsowantedagoodwomanlytalkovertheaffair。TheSquire，JudgeRawdon，Mr。NicholasRawdon，andJohnThomasreturnedtothedining-
roomtodrinkabottleofsuchmildMadeiraascanonlynowbefoundinthecellarsofoldcountymagnates，andEthelandTyrrelRawdonstrolledintothegarden。Therehadnotbeenineithermindanyintentionofleavingtheparty，butastheypassedthroughthehallTyrrelsawEthel’sgardenhatandwhiteparasollyingonatable，and，impelledbysomesuddenandunreasonedinstinct，heofferedthemtoher。Notawordofrequestwasspoken；itwastheeager，passionatecommandofhiseyessheobeyed。Andforafewminutestheywerespeechless，thensointenselyconsciousthatwordsstumbledandwerelame，andtheymanagedonlysyllablesatatime。Buthetookherhand，andtheycamebysunnyalleysofboxwoodtoagreatplanetree，bearingatwondrousheightamightywealthofbranches。Abankofsoft，greenturfencircleditsroots，andtheysatdowninthetremblingshadows。Itwasinthemidstoftheherbgarden；bedsofmintandthyme，rosemaryandmarjoram，basil，lavender，andotherfragrantplantswerearound，andcloseathandalittlecityofstrawskepspeopledbygoldenbrownbees；Fromtheseskepscameadeliciousaromaofricedflowersandvirginwax。ItwasanewGardenofEden，inwhichlifewassweetasperfumeandpureasprayer。Nothingstirredthegreen，sunnyafternoonbutthemurmurofthebees，andthesleepytwitteringofthebirdsintheplanebranches。Aninexpressiblepeacesweptlikethebreathofheaventhroughtheodorousplaces。Theysatdownsighingforveryhappiness。
Thesilencebecametooeloquent。Atlengthitwasalmostunendurable，andEthelsaidsoftly：
"Howstillitis！"
Tyrrellookedathersteadilywithbeamingeyes。Thenhetookfromhispocketalittlepurseofwovengoldandopal-tintedbeads，andhelditinhisopenhandforhertosee，watchingthebrightblushthatspreadoverherface，andthefaint，gladsmilethatpartedherlips。
"Youunderstand？"
"Yes。Itismine。"
"Itwasyours。Itisnowmine。"
"Howdidyougetit？"
"Iboughtitfromtheoldmanyougaveitto。"
"Oh！Thenyouknowhim？Howisthat？"
"Thehotelpeoplesentaporterhomewithhimlestheshouldberobbed。NextdayImadeinquiries，andthisportertoldmewherehelived。Iwentthereandboughtthispursefromhim。Iknewsomedayitwouldbringmetoyou。Ihavecarrieditovermyhearteversince。"
"Soyounoticedme？"
"IsawyouallthetimeIwassinging。I
haveneverforgottenyousincethathour。"
"Whatmadeyousing？"
"Compassion，fate，anurgentimpulse；
perhaps，indeed，yourpiteousface——Isawitfirst。"
"Really？"
"Isawitfirst。IsawitallthetimeIwassinging。Whenyoudroppedthispursemysoulmetyoursinamoment’sgreeting。Itwasapromise。IknewIshouldmeetyouagain。
Ihavelovedyoueversince。Iwantedtotellyousothehourwemet。Ithasbeenhardtokeepmysecretsolong。"
"Itwasmysecretalso。"
"Iloveyoubeyondallwords。Mylifeisinyourhands。Youcanmakemethegladdestofmortals。Youcansendmeawayforever。"
"Oh，no，Icouldnot！Icouldnotdothat！"Therestescapeswords；butthusitwasthatonthisdayofdaysthesetwocamebyGod’sgracetoeachother。
Forallthingscomebyfatetoflower，Attheirunconquerablehour。
Andtheveryatmosphereofsuchblissisdiffusive；itseemedasifallthelivingcreaturesaroundunderstood。Inthethick，greenbranchesthebirdsbegantotwitterthesecret，andcertainlythewise，wisebeesknewalso，insomeoccultway，oftheloveandjoythathadjustbeenrevealed。Awonderfulhummingandbuzzingfilledthehives，andtheairvibratedwiththemovementofwings。Someinfluencemoreswiftandsecretthanthebirdsoftheaircarriedthematterfurther，foritfinallyreachedRoyal，theSquire’sfavoritecollie，whocamesaunteringdownthealley，pushedhisnosetwiceunderEthel’selbow，andthenwithasignificantlookbackward，advisedtheloverstofollowhimtothehouse。
Whentheyfinallyacceptedhisinvitation，theyfoundMrs。RawdondrinkingacupofteawithRuthinthehall。Etheljoinedthemwithaffectedhighspiritsandrandomexplanationsandexcuses，butbothwomenno-
ticedherradiantfaceandexultingair。
"Thegardenissuchaheavenlyplace，"shesaidecstatically，andMrsRawdonremarked，assheroseandputhercuponthetable，"Girlsneedchaperonsingardensiftheyneedthemanywhere。ImadeNicholasRawdonapromiseinMossgillGardenI’vehadtospendallmylifesincetryingtokeep。"
"TyrrelandIhavebeensittingundertheplanetreewatchingthebees。Theyaresuchbusy，sensiblecreatures。"
"Theyarethat，"answeredMrs。Rawdon。
"Ifyouknewallaboutthemyouwouldwonderabit。Myfatherhadagreatmany；
hestudiedtheirwaysandusedtolaughattheladiesofthehivebeingsoliketheladiesoftheworld。Youseetheyoungladybeesarejustasinexperiencedasaschoolgirl。
Theygetlostintheflowers，andareoftensoovertakenandreckless，thatthenightfindsthemfarfromthehive，heavywithpollenandchilledwithcold。Sometimesfatherwouldliftoneoftheseimprudentyoungthings，carryithome，andtrytogetitadmitted。
Henevercouldmanageit。TheladybeesactedjustaswomenareapttodowhenotherwomenGOwheretheydon’tgo，orDO
astheydon’tdo。"
"Butthisisinteresting，"saidRuth。
"Pray，howdidtheladiesofthehivebehavetotheculprit？"
"Theycameoutandfeltherallover，turnedherroundandround，andthenpushedheroutoftheircommunity。Therewasalwaysadealofbuzzingaboutthepoor，sillything，andIshouldn’twonderiftheirstingswerebusytoo。Beesareill-naturedastheycanbe。Well，well，Idon’tblameanyoneforsittinginthegardensuchadayasthis；only，asIwassaying，gardenshavebeenverydangerousplacesforwomenasfarasIknow。"
Ruthlaughedsoftly。"Ishalltakeachaperonwithme，then，whenIgointothegarden。"
"Iwould，dearie。There’stheJudge；he’saverysuitable，sedate-lookingonebutyounevercantell。Thefirstwomanfoundinagardenandatreehadplentyofsorrowforherselfandeverywomanthathaslivedafterher。IwishNicholasandJohnThomaswouldcome。I’llwarrantthey’retalkingwhattheycallpolitics。"
Politicswaspreciselythesubjectwhichhadbeenoccupyingthem，forwhenTyrrelenteredthedining-room，theSquire，JudgeRawdon，andMr。NicholasRawdonwereallstanding，evidentlyjustfinishingaConservativeargumentagainsttheRadicalopinionsofJohnThomas。Theyoungmanwasstillsitting，butherosewithsmilinggood-humorasTyrrelentered。
"HereisCousinTyrrel，"hecried；"hewilltellyouthatyoumaycallagovernmentanythingyoulikeradical，conservative，republican，democratic，socialistic，butifitisn’taCHEAPgovernment，itisn’tagoodgovernment；
andtherewon’tbeacheapgovernmentinEnglandtillpoormenhaveadealtosayaboutmakinglawsandvotingtaxes。"
"Isthatthekindofstuffyoutalktoourhands，JohnThomas？Nowondertheyareneithertoholdnortobind。"
TheywereinthehallasJohnThomasfinishedhispoliticalcreed，andinafewminutestheadieuxweresaid，andthewonderfuldaywasover。Ithadbeenawonderfuldayforall，butperhapsnoonewassorryforapauseinlife——apauseinwhichtheymightrestandtrytorealizewhatithadbroughtandwhatithadtakenaway。TheSquirewentatoncetohisroom，andEthellookedatRuthinquiringly。Sheseemedexhausted，andwasoutofsympathywithallhersurroundings。
"WhatenormousvitalitytheseYorkshirewomenmusthave！"shesaidalmostcrossly。
"Mrs。Rawdonhasbeentalkingincessantlyforsixhours。Shehasfeltallshesaid。Shehasfrequentlyrisenandwalkedabout。Shehasusedallsortsofactionstoemphasizeherwords，andsheisasfreshasifshehadjusttakenhermorningbath。Howdothemenstandthem？"
"Becausetheyarejustasvital。JohnThomaswilloverlookandscoldandorderhisthousandhandsallday，talkevenhismotherdownwhileheeatshisdinner，andthenlectureorleadhisMusicalUnion，orconductapoorman’sconcert，orgoto`theWeaver’sUnion，’andwhathecalls`threepthem’fortwoorthreehoursthatlaborisruiningcapital，andkillingthegoosethatlaysgoldeneggsforthem。Oh，theyareawonderfulrace，Ruth！"
"Ireallycan’tdiscussthemnow，Ethel。"
"Don’tyouwanttoknowwhatTyrrelsaidtomethisafternoon？"
"Mydear，Iknow。Lovershavesaidsuchthingsbefore，andloverswillsaythemevermore。
Youshalltellmeinthemorning。I
thoughthelookeddistraitandboredwithourcompany。"
Indeed，TyrrelwassoremarkablyquietthatJohnThomasalsonoticedhismood，andastheysatsmokinginTyrrel’sroom，heresolvedtofindoutthereason，andwithhisusualdirectnessasked：
"WhatdoyouthinkofEthelRawdon，Tyrrel，"
"IthinksheisthemostbeautifulwomanIeversaw。Shehasalsothemostsincerenature，andherhighspiritissweetlytemperedbyheraffectionateheart。"
"Iamgladyouknowsomuchabouther。
Lookhere，CousinTyrrel，Ifanciedto-nightyouwereabitjealousofme。Itiseasytoseeyouareinlove，andI’venodoubtyouwerethinkingofthedayswhenyouwouldbethousandsofmilesaway，andIshouldhavethegroundclearandsoon，eh？"
"SupposeIwas，cousin，whatthen？"
"Youwouldbeworryingfornothing。I
don’twanttomarryEthelRawdon。IfI
did，youwouldhavetobeonthegroundallthetime，andthenIshouldbestyou；butI
pickedoutmywifetwoyearsago，andifwearebothaliveandwell，wearegoingtobemarriednextChristmas。"
"Iamdelighted。I————"
"Ithoughtyouwouldbe。"
"Whoistheyounglady？"
"MissLucyWatson。HerfatheristheIndependentminister。Heisagentleman，thoughhissalaryislessthanwegiveouroverseer。Andheisagreatscholar。SoisLucy。Shefinishedhercourseatcollegethissummer，andwithhighhonors。Blessyou，Tyrrel，sheknowsfarmorethanIdoabouteverythingbutwarpsandloomsandsuchlike。Iadmireacleverwoman，andI’mproudofLucy。"
"Whereisshenow？"
"Well，shewasabitdoneupwithsomuchstudy，andsoshewenttoScarboroughforafewweeks。Shehasanauntthere。Theseabreezesandsaltwatersoonmadeherfitforanything。Shemaybehomeverysoonnow。
Then，Tyrrel，you’llseeabeauty——facelikearose，hairbrownasanut，eyesthatmakeyourheartgogalloping，themostenticingmouth，theprettiestfigure，andshelovesmewithallherheart。Whenshesays`JohnThomas，dearone，’Itremblewithpleasure，andwhensheletsmekisshersweetmouth，Ireallydon’tknowwhereIam。Whatwouldyousayifagirlwhispered，`Iloveyou，andnobodybutyou，’andgaveyouakissthatwaslike——likewineandroses？Nowwhatwouldyousay？"
"IknowaslittleasyoudowhatIwouldsay。It’sasituationtomakeamancoinnewwords。Isupposeyourfamilyarepleased。"
"Well，IneverthoughtaboutmyfamilytillIhadLucy’sword。ThenItoldmother。
SheknewLucyallthrough。MotherhasagreatrespectforIndependents，andthoughfathersulkedabitatfirst，motherhaditoutwithhimonenight，andwhenmotherhasfatherquietintheirroomfathercomestoseethingsjustasshewantshim。Isupposethat’sthewaywithwives。Lucywillbejustlikethat。She’sgotasharplittletemper，too。
She’llletmehaveabitofit，nodoubt，nowandthen。"
"Willyoulikethat？"
"Iwouldn’tcareafarthingforawifewithoutabitoftemper。Therewouldbenofuninlivingwithawomanofthatkind。Myfatherwoulddroopandpineifmotherdidn’tspurhimonnowandthen。Andhelikesit。
Don’tIknow？I’veseenmothersnappyandawkwardwithhimallbreakfasttime，tossingherhead，andrattlingthechina，anddeclaringshewaswornoutwithmenthatletallthegoodbargainspassthem；perhapsmakingfunofusbecausewecouldn’tmanagetogetalongwithoutstrikes。Shehadnostrikeswithherhands，she’dliketoseeherwomenstandupandtalktoheraboutshorterhours，andsoon；
andfatherwouldlookatmesly-like，andaswewalkedtothemilltogetherhe’dlaughcontentedlyandsay，`Yourmotherwasquiterefreshingthismorning，JohnThomas。Shehaskeyedmeuptoarightpitch。WhenJonathanArkroydcomesaboutthatwoolhesoldusI’llbeallreadyforhim。’SoyouseeI’mnotagainstasharptemper。IlikewomenasTennysonsaysEnglishgirlsare，`rosessetroundwithlittlewilfulthorns，’eh？"
Unusualasthisconversationwas，itsgeneraltonewasassumedbyEthelinherconfidentialtalkwithRuththefollowingday。Ofcourse，RuthwasnotatallsurprisedatthenewsEthelbroughther，forthoughthelovershadbeenindividuallysuretheyhadbetrayedtheirsecrettonoone，ithadreallybeenanopenonetoRuthsincethehouroftheirmeeting。
ShewassincerelyardentinherpraisesofTyrrelRawdon，but——andthereisalwaysabut——shewonderedifEthelhad"noticedwhataquicktemperhehad。"
"Oh，yes，"answeredEthel，"Ishouldnotlikehimnottohaveaquicktemper。Iexpectmyhusbandtostandupatamoment’snoticeforeithermineorhisownrightsoropinions。"
Andintheafternoonwhenallpreliminarieshadbeensettledandapproved，JudgeRawdonexpressedhimselfinthesamemannertoRuth。"Yes，"hesaid，inreplytohertimidsuggestionoftemper，"youcanstrikefireanywherewithhimifyoutryit，buthehasitundercontrol。Besides，Ethelisjustasquicktoflameup。ItwillbeRawdonagainstRawdon，andEthel’sweaponsareoffiner，keenersteelthanTyrrel’s。Ethelwillholdherown。Itisbestso。"
"HowdidtheSquirefeelaboutsuchamarriage？"
"Hewasquiteovercomewithdelight。
NothingwassaidtoTyrrelaboutEthelhavingboughtthereversionofRawdonManor，forthingshavebeenhardertogetintopropershapethanIthoughttheywouldbe，anditmaybeanothermonthbeforeallisfinallysettled；buttheSquirehasthesecretsatisfaction，andhewasmuchaffectedbythecertaintyofaRawdonatRawdonCourtafterhim。Hedeclinedtothinkofitinanyotherwaybut`providential，’andofcourseIlethimtakeallthesatisfactionhecouldoutoftheidea。EversinceheheardoftheengagementhehasbeenattheorgansingingtheOneHundredandThirdPsalm。"
"Heisthedearestandnoblestofmen。
Howsoonshallwegohomenow？"
"Inaboutamonth。AreyoutiredofEngland？"
"IshallbegladtoseeAmericaagain。
TherewasaletterfromDorathismorning。
Theysailonthetwenty-third。"
"DoyouknowanythingofMostyn？"
"Sincehewroteusapolitefarewellwehaveheardnothing。"
"DoyouthinkhewenttoAmerica？"
"Icannottell。Whenhebidusgood-byhemadenostatementastohisdestination；
hemerelysaid`hewasleavingEnglandonbusiness。’"
"Well，Ruth，weshallsailassoonasIamsatisfiedallisright。Thereisalittledelayaboutsomeleasesandothermatters。InthemeantimetheloversareinParadisewhereverwelocatethem。"
AndinParadisetheydweltforanotherfourweeks。Theancientgardenhaddoubtlessmanyadreamoflovetokeep，butnonesweeterortruerthantheidylofTyrrelandEthelRawdon。Theywereneverwearyofrehearsingit；everyincidentofitsgrowthhadbeencharmingandromantic，and，astheybelieved，appointedfromafar。Asthesum-
merwaxedhotterthebeautifulplacetookonanappearanceofroyalcolorandsplendor，andtheairwaslanguidwiththeperfumeoftheclovecarnationsandtallwhiteAugustlilies。Fluteddahlias，scarletpoppies，andalltheflowersthatexhaletheirspiceinthelasthotdaysofAugustburnedincenseforthem。
Theirveryhairwasladenwithodor，theirfingersflower-sweet，theirmindstookonthemanycolorsoftheirexquisitesurroundings。
AnditwaspartofthisdramaofloveandscentandcolorthattheyshouldseeitslowlyassumethemoreethereallovelinessofSeptember，andwatchthesubtleamberraysshinethroughthethinningboughs，andfeelthatallnaturewasbecomingidealized。Thebirdswerethenmostlysilent。Theyhadlefttheirbestnotesonthehawthornsandamongtheroses；butthecricketsmadeacheerfulchirrup，andthegreatbrownbutterfliesdisplayedtheirrichestvelvets，andthegossamer-likeinsectsinthedreamyatmosphereperformeddancesandundulationsfullofgraceandmystery。Andallthesemarvelouschangesimpartedtolovethatsweetsadnesswhichisbeyondallwordspoeticandenchaining。
Yethoweversweetthehours，theypassaway，anditisnotmuchmemorycansavefromthemutable，happydaysoflove。Still，whenthehourofdeparturecametheyhadgarneredenoughtosweetenalltheafter-
straitsandstressoftime。Septemberhadthenperceptiblybeguntoaddtothenightsandshortenthedays，andhertendertouchhadbeenlaidoneverything。WithasmileandasightheRawdonsturnedtheirfacestotheirpleasanthomeintheLandoftheWest。
Itwastobebutashortfarewell。TheyhadpromisedtheSquiretoreturnthefollowingsummer，buthefeltthedesolationofthepartingverykeenly。Withhishatslightlyliftedabovehiswhitehead，hestoodwatchingthemoutofsight。Thenhewenttohisorgan，andverysoongrandwavesofmelodyrolledoutwardandupward，andblendedthemselveswiththeclear，soaringvoiceofJoel，theladwhoblewthebellowsoftheinstrument，andsharedallhismaster’sjoyinit。TheyplayedandsanguntiltheSquireroseweary，butfullofgladness。Thelookofimmortalitywasinhiseyes，itssureandcertainhopeinhisheart。HeletJoelleadhimtohischairbythewindow，andthenhesaidtohimselfwithvisibletriumph：
"WhatMr。Spenceroranyoneelsewritesabout`theUnknowable’Icarenot。IKNOW
INWHOMIhavebelieved。Joel，singthatlastsequenceagain。StandwhereIcanseethee。"
Andthelad’sjoyfulvoicerangexultingout：
"Lord，Thouhastbeenourdwelling-placeinallgenerations。Beforethemountainswerebroughtforth，oreverThouhadstformedtheworld，fromeverlastingtoeverlastingThouartGod！ThouartGod！ThouartGod！"
"Thatwilldo，Joel。Gothywaysnow。
Lord，Thouhastbeenourdwelling-placeinallgenerations。`Unknowable，’Thouhastbeenourdwelling-placeinallgenerations。
No，no，no，whatanungratefulsinnerI
wouldbetochangetheLordeverlastingfortheUnknowable。’"
CHAPTERIX
NEWYORKisatitsverybrightestandbestinOctober。Thismonthoftheyearmaybesafelytrustednottodisappoint。Theskiesareblue，theairbalmy，andthereisgenerallyadelightfulabsenceofwind。ThesummerexilesarehomeagainfromJerseyboardinghouses，andmountaincamps，andseasidehotels，andthankfultothepointofhilaritythatthisepisodeoftheyearisover，thattheycanoncemoredwellundertheirownroofswithoutbreakinganyofthemanifestlawsofthegreatgoddessCustomorFashion。
JudgeRawdon’shousehadanespeciallycharming"athome"appearance。Duringtheabsenceofthefamilyithadbeenmadebeautifulinsideandoutside，andthewhitestone，theplateglass，andfallinglaceevidenttothestreet，hadanalmostconsciouslookofluxuriouspropriety。
TheJudgefranklyadmittedhispleasureinhishomesurroundings。Hesaid，astheyatetheirfirstmealinthefamiliarroom，that"avisittoforeigncountrieswasagrand，patriotictonic。"Hevowedthatthe"firstsightoftheStarsandStripesatSandyHookhadgivenhimthefinestemotionhehadeverfeltinhislife，"andwasaltogetherinhisproudestAmericanmood。Ruthsympathizedwithhim。Ethellistenedsmiling。SheknewwellthattheEnglishstrainhadonlytemporarilyexhausteditself；itwouldhaveitsperiodofrevivalatthepropertime。
"Iamgoingtoseegrandmother，"shesaidgayly。"Ishallstaywithherallday。"
"ButIhavealetterfromher，"interruptedtheJudge，"andshewillnotreturnhomeuntilnextweek。"
"Iamsorry。Iwasanticipatingsoeagerlythejoyofseeingher。Well，asIcannotdoso，IwillgoandcallonDoraStanhope。"
"IwouldnotifIwereyou，Ethel，"saidRuth。"Lethercomeandcallonyou。"
"Ihadalittlenotefromherthismorning，welcomingmehome，andentreatingmetocall。"
TheJudgeroseasEthelwasspeaking，andnomorewassaidaboutthevisitatthattimebutafewhourslaterEthelcamedownfromherroomreadyforthestreetandfranklytoldRuthshehadmadeuphermindtocallonDora。
"ThenIwillonlyremindyou，Ethel，thatDoraisnotafortunatewomantoknow。AsfarasIcansee，sheisoneofthosewhosowpainofheartandvexationofspiritabouteveryhousetheyenter，eventheirown。ButI
cannotgatherexperienceforyou，itwillhavetogrowinyourowngarden。"
"Allright，dearRuth，andifIdonotlikeitsgrowth，Iwillpullitupbytheroots，I
assureyou。"
Ruthwentwithhertothedoorandwatchedherwalkleisurelydownthebroadstepstothestreet。Thelightkindledinhereyesandonherfaceasshedidso。Shealreadyfeltthemagnetismofthegreatcity，andwithalaughingfarewellwalkedrapidlytowardDora’shouse。
Hercardbroughtaninstantresponse，andsheheardDora’swelcomebeforethedoorwasopened。Andherfirstgreetingwasanenthusiasticcompliment，"Howbeautifulyouhavegrown，Ethel！"shecried。"Ah，thatistheEuropeanfinish。Youhavegainedit，mydear；youreallyareverymuchimproved。"
"Andyoualso，Dora？"
Thewordswerereallyaquestion，butDoraacceptedthemasanassertion，andwassatisfied。
"IsupposeIam，"sheanswered，"thoughI’msureIcan’ttellhowitshouldbeso，unlessworryofallkindsisgoodforgoodlooks。
I’vehadenoughofthatforalifetime。"
"Now，Dora。"
"Oh，it’sthesolidtruth——partlyyourfaulttoo。"
"Ineverinterfered————"
"Ofcourseyoudidn’t，butyououghttohaveinterfered。WhenyoucalledonmeinLondonyoumighthaveseenthatIwasnothappy；andIwantedtocometoRawdonCourt，andyouwouldnotinviteme。Icalledyourbehaviorthen`verymean，’andIhavenotalteredmyopinionofit。"
"Thereweregoodreasons，Dora，whyI
couldnotaskyou。"
"Goodreasonsareusuallyselfishones，Ethel，andFredMostyntoldmewhattheywere。
"Helikelytoldyouuntruths，Dora，forheknewnothingaboutmyreasons。Isawverylittleofhim。"
"Iknow。Youtreatedhimasbadlyasyoutreatedme，andallforsomewildWestcreature——aregularcowboy，Fredsaid，butthenaRawdon！"
"Mr。MostynhasmisrepresentedMr。TyrrelRawdon——thatisallaboutit。Ishallnotexplain`how’or`why。’DidyouenjoyyourselfatStanhopeCastle？"
"Enjoymyself！Areyoumakingfunofme？Ethel，dear，itwasthemostawfulexperience。
Younevercanimaginesuchalife，andsuchwomen。Theyweredressedforawalkatsixo’clock；theyhadbreakfastathalf-
pastseven。Theywenttothevillageandinspectedcottages，andgavelessonsinhousekeepingordressmakingorsomeotherdrudgerytillnoon。TheywalkedbacktotheCastleforlunch。Theyattendedtotheirownimprovementfromhalf-pastoneuntilfour，hadlessonsindrawingandchemistry，and，Ibelieve，electricity。Theyhadanotherwalk，andthenindulgedthemselveswithacupoftea。Theydressedandreceivedvisitors，andreadscienceortheologybetweenwhiles。Therewasalwayssomenotedpreacherorscholaratthedinnertable。Theconversationwasaboutacidsandexplosives，ortheplanetsorbishops，orelseonthenever，never-endingsubjectofelevatingtheworkingmanandbuildingschoolsforhischildren。
Basil，ofcourse，enjoyedit。Hethoughthewasgivingmeamagnificentobjectlesson。HewasneverdonepraisingtheladiesMaryElinorandAdelaideStanhope。
I’msureIwishhehadmarriedoneorallofthem——andItoldhimso。"
"Youcouldnotbesocruel，Dora。"
"Imanageditwiththegreatesteaseimaginable。Hewasalwaystrottingattheirside。Theyspokeofhimas`themostpiousyoungman。’Ihavenodoubttheywereallinlovewithhim。Ihopetheywere。Iusedtopretendtobeverymuchinlovewhentheywerepresent。Idaresayitmadethemwretched。Besides，theyblushedandthoughtmeimproper。Basildidn’tapprove，either，soIhitallround。"
Sheroseatthismemoryandshookouthersilkskirts，andwalkedupanddowntheroomwithanairthatwasthevisibleexpressionofthemockeryandjealousyinherheart。ThiswasanentirelydifferentDoratothelachrymose，untidywifeattheSavoyHotelinLondon，andEthelhadamomentarypangatthethoughtofthesufferingwhichwasresponsibleforthechange。
"IfIhadthought，Dora，youweresouncomfortable，IwouldhaveaskedBasilandyoutotheCourt。"
"YousawIwasnothappywhenIwasattheSavoy。"
"IthoughtyouandBasilhadhadakindoflovers’quarrel，andthatitwouldblowoverinanhourortwo；noonelikestomeddlewithanaffairofthatkind。AreyougoingtoNewport，orisMrs。DenninginNewYork？"
"Thatisanothertrouble，Ethel。WhenI
wrotemotherIwantedtocometoher，shesentmewordshewasgoingtoLenoxwithafriend。Then，likeyou，shesaid`shehadnolibertytoinviteme，’andsoon。Ineverknewmotheractinsuchawaybefore。Inearlybrokemyheartaboutitforafewdays，thenImadeupmymindIwouldn’tcare。"
"Mrs。Denning，Iamsure，thoughtshedidthewisestandkindestthingpossible。"
"Ididn’twantmothertobewise。IwantedhertounderstandthatIwasfairlywornoutwithmypresentlifeandneededachange。
I’msureshedidunderstand。Thenwhywasshesocruel？"andsheshruggedhershouldersimpatientlyandsatdown。"I’msotiredoflife，"shecontinued。"WhendidyouhearofFredMostyn？"
"Iknownothingofhismovements。IsheinAmerica？"
"Somewhere。IaskedmotherifhewasinNewport，andsheneveransweredtheques-
tion。IsupposehewillbeinNewYorkforthewinterseason。Ihopeso。"
Thistopicthreatenedtobemoredangerousthantheother，andEthel，aftermanyandfutileattemptstobringconversationintosafecommonplacechannels，pleadedotherengagementsandwentaway。Shewaspainfullydepressedbytheinterview。Alltheelementsoftragedyweregatheredtogetherundertheroofshehadjustleft，and，asfarasshecouldsee，therewasnodelivererwiseandstrongenoughtopreventacalamity。
ShedidnotrepeattoRuththeconversationwhichhadbeensopainfultoher。ShedescribedDora’sdressandappearance，andcommentedonFredMostyn’sdescriptionofTyrrelRawdon，andonMrs。Denning’srefusalofherdaughter’sproposedvisit。
Ruththoughtthelattercircumstancesignificant。"IdaresayMostynwasinNewportatthattime，"sheanswered。"Mrs。
Denninghassomeveryquickperceptions。"
AndRuth’sopinionwasprobablycorrect，forduringdinnertheJudgeremarkedinacasualmannerthathehadmetMr。Mostynontheavenueashewascominghome。"Hewaswell，"hesaid，"andmadealltheusualinquiriesastoyourhealth。"AndbothRuthandEthelunderstoodthathewishedthemtoknowofMostyn’spresenceinthecity，andtobepreparedformeetinghim；butdidnotcaretodiscussthesubjectfurther，atleastatthattime。Theinformationbroughtpreciselythesamethoughtatthesamemomenttobothwomen，andassoonastheywerealonetheyutteredit。
"SheknewMostynwasinthecity，"saidEthelinalowvoice。
"Certainly。"
"Shewasexpectinghim。"
"Iamsureofit。"
"Herelaborateandbeautifuldressingwasforhim。"
"PoorBasil！"
"Sheaskedmetostayandlunchwithher，butverycoolly，andwhenIrefused，didnotpressthematterassheusedtodo。Yes，shewasexpectinghim。Iunderstandnowhernervousmanner，herrestlessness，herindifferencetomyshortvisit。IwishIcoulddoanything。"
"Youcannot，andyoumustnottry。"
"Someonemusttry。"
"Thereisherhusband。HaveyouheardfromTyrrelyet，"
"Ihavehadacoupleoftelegrams。HewillwritefromChicago。"
"IshegoingatoncetotheHotSprings？"
"Asrapidlyaspossible。ColonelRawdonisnowthere，andveryill。Tyrrelwillputhisfatherfirstofall。Thetroubleattheminecanbeinvestigatedafterwards。"
"Youwillmisshimverymuch。Youhavebeensohappytogether。"
"OfcourseIshallmisshim。Butitwillbeagoodthingforustobeapartawhile。
Lovemusthavesometimeinwhichtogrow。
Iamalittletiredofbeingveryhappy，andI
thinkTyrrelalsowillfindabsencearelief。
In`LallaRookh’thereisalineaboutlove`fallingasleepinasamenessofsplendor。’
Itmight。Howmelancholyisalongspellofhot，sunshinyweather，andhowgratefullywewelcomethefirstshowerofrain。"
"Lovehasmadeyouaphilosopher，Ethel。"
"Well，itisratheranadvantagethanotherwise。Iamgoingtotakeawalk，Ruth，intotheveryheartofBroadway。Ihavehadenoughofthepeaceofthecountry。Iwantthecrack，andcrash，andrattle，andgrindofwheels，theconfusedcries，thesnatchesoftalkandlaughter，thetreadofcrowds，thesoundofbells，andclocks，andchimes。I
longforallthechaotic，unintelligiblenoiseofthestreets。Howsuggestiveitis！Yetitneverexplainsitself。Itonlygivesoneafullsenseoflife。Lovemayneedjustthesamestimulus。Iwishgrandmotherwouldcomehome。IshouldnotrequireBroadwayasastimulus。Iamafraidshewillbeveryangrywithme，andtherewillbeabattleroyalinGramercyPark。"
ItwasnearlyaweekbeforeEthelhadthiscrisistomeet。Shewentdowntoitwitharadiantfaceandcharmingmanner，andherreceptionwasverycordial。Madamwouldnotthrowdownthegloveuntilthepropermoment；besides，thereweremanyveryinterestingsubjectstotalkover，andshewanted"tofindthingsout"thatwouldneverbetoldunlesstemperswerepropitious。Addedtothesereasonswasthesolidonethatshereallyadoredhergranddaughter，andwasimmenselycheeredbytheverysightoftherosy，smilingcountenanceliftedtohersitting-roomwindowinpassing。She，indeed，pretendedtobethereinordertogetagoodlightforhernewshellpattern，butshewaswatchingforEthel，andEthelunderstoodtheshell-patternfictionverywell。Shehadheardsomethingsimilaroften。