"Mydarlinggrandmother，"shecried，"I
　　thoughtyouwouldnevercomehome。"
　　"Itwasn’tmyfault，dear。MissHillisandanimbecileyoungdoctormademebelieveIhadacold。Ihadnocold。IhadnothingatallbutwhatIoughttohave。I’vebeenmadetotakeallsortsofthings，anddoallsortsofthingsthatIhatetotakeandhatetodo。FortendaysI’vebeenkickingmyoldheelsagainstbedclothes。YesterdayItookthingsinmyownhands。"
　　"Nevermind，Grannydear，itwasallagooddiscipline。"
　　"Discipline！Youimpertinentyounglady！Disciplineforyourgrandmother！
　　Discipline，indeed！Thatonewordmaycostyouathousanddollars，miss。"
　　"Idon’tcareifitdoes，onlyyoumustgivethethousanddollarstopoorMissHillis。"
　　"PoorMissHillishashadamostcomfortabletimewithmeallsummer。"
　　"Iknowshehas，consequentlyshewillfeelhercomfortlessroomandpovertyallthemoreafterit。Giveherthethousand，Granny。
　　I’mwilling。"
　　"Whatkindofcompanyhaveyoubeenkeeping，EthelRawdon？Whohastaughtyoutosquanderdollarsbythethousand？
　　Discipline！Ithinkyouaregivingmealittlenow——athousanddollarsalesson，itseems——
　　nowonder，afterthecarryings-onatRawdonCourt。"
　　"Deargrandmother，wehadtheloveliesttimeyoucanimagine。Andthereisnot，inalltheworld，suchanobleoldgentlemanasSquirePercivalRawdon。"
　　"IknowallaboutPercivalRawdon——aproud，careless，extravagant，loose-at-endsman，dancingandsingingandlovingasitsuitedtimeandseason，takingnothoughtforthefuture，andspendingwithbothhands；
　　hardonwomen，too，ascouldbe。"
　　"Grandmother，Ineversawamorecourteousgentleman。Heworshipswomen。Hewasnevertiredoftalkingaboutyou。"
　　"Whathadhetosayaboutme？"
　　"Thatyouweretheloveliestgirlinthecounty，andthathenevercouldforgetthefirsttimehesawyou。Hesaidyouwerelikethevisionofanangel。"
　　"Nonsense！Iwasjustaprettygirlinabookmuslinfrockandawhitesash，witharoseatmybreast。Ibelievetheyusebookmuslinforliningsnow，butitdidmakethesheerest，lightestfrocksanygirlcouldwant。
　　Yes，Irememberthattime。Iwasgoingtoalittlepartyandcrossingameadowtoshortenthewalk，andSquirePercivalhadbeenoutwithhisgun，andhelaiditdownandrantohelpmeoverthestile。Ahandsomeyoungfellowhewasthenaseversteppedinshoeleather。"
　　"Andhemusthavelovedyoudearly。HewouldsithourafterhourtellingRuthandmehowbrightyouwere，andhowalltheyoungbeauxaroundMonk-Rawdonadoredyou。"
　　"Nonsense！Nonsense！Ihadbeauxtobesure。Whatprettygirlhasn’t？"
　　"AndhesaidhisbrotherEdwardwonyoubecausehewasmostworthyofyourlove。"
　　"Well，now，IchoseEdwardRawdonbecausehewaswillingtocometoAmerica。I
　　longedtogetawayfromMonk-Rawdon。I
　　wasfaintandwearywiththewholestupidplace。Andtheideaoflivingafreeandequallife，andnotcaringwhatlordsandsquiresandtheirproudladiessaidordid，pleasedmewonderfully。WereadaboutNiagaraandthegreatprairiesandthenewbrightcities，andEdwardandIresolvedtomakeourhomethere。Yourgrandfatherwasn’tamantolikebeing`theSquire’sbrother。’Hecouldstandalone。"
　　"AreyougladyoucametoAmerica？"
　　"Neversorryaminuteforit。TenyearsinNewYorkisworthfiftyyearsinMonk-
　　Rawdon，orRawdonCourteither。"
　　"SquirePercivalwasveryfondofme。
　　HethoughtIresembledyou，grandmother，butheneveradmittedIwasashandsomeasyouwere。"
　　"Well，Etheldear，youarehandsomeenoughforthekindofmenyou’llpickupinthisgeneration——mostofthembaldatthirty，wearingspectaclesattwentyorearlier，andinspiteofthefusstheymakeaboutathleticsbreakingalltonervousbitsaboutfifty。"
　　"Grandmother，thatispureslander。I
　　knowsomeveryfineyoungmen，handsomeandathleticboth。"
　　"Beautyisamatteroftaste，andastotheirathletics，theycanrunamilewithablacksmith，butwhenthethermometerrisestoeighty-fivedegreesitknocksthemalltopieces。Theysitfanningthemselveslikeschoolgirls，andcallforjulepsandice-water。
　　I’vegoteyesyet，mydear。SquirePercivalwasadifferentkindofman；hecouldfollowthehoundsalldayanddanceallnight。Thehunthadnotariderlikehim；hebalkedatneitherhedge，gate，norwater；arightgallant，courageous，honorable，affectionategentlemanaseverYorkshirebred，andshe’sbredlotsofsuperfineones。Whatevermadehimgetintosuchamesswithhisestate？
　　Yourgrandfatherthoughthimasstraightasastringinmoneymatters。"
　　"Yousaidjustnowhewascarelessandextravagant。"
　　"Well，Ididhimwrong，andI’msorryforit。Howdidhemanagetoneedeightythousandpounds？"
　　"Itisratherapitifulstory，grandmother，butheneveronceblamedthosewhowereinthewrong。Hissonformanyyearshadbeentherealmanageroftheestate。Hewasaspeculator；hisgrandsonswerewildandextravagant。Theybegantoborrowmoneytenyearsagoandhadtogoon。"
　　"Whomdidtheyborrowfrom？"
　　"FredMostyn’sfather。"
　　"Thedevil！Excuseme，Ethel——butthenamesuitsandmaystand。"
　　"ThedearoldSquirewouldhavetakenthefaultonhimselfifhecouldhavedoneso。
　　Theythatwrongedhimwerehisown，andtheyweredead。Heneverspokeofthembutwithaffection。"
　　"PoorPercival！YourfathertoldmehewasnowoutofMostyn’spower；hesaidyouhadsavedtheestate，buthegavemenoparticulars。Howdidyousaveit？"
　　"Boughtit！"
　　"Nonsense！"
　　"Houseandlandsandoutlyingfarmsandtimber——everything。"
　　ThenarosycoloroverspreadMadam’sface，hereyessparkled，sherosetoherfeet，madeEthelasweepingcourtesy，andsaid：
　　"MyrespectandcongratulationstoEthel，LadyofRawdonManor。"
　　"Deargrandmother，whatelsecouldI
　　do？"
　　"Youdidright。"
　　"TheSquireisLordoftheManoraslongashelives。MyfathersaysIhavedonewelltobuyit。Inthefuture，ifIdonotwishtokeepit，NicholasRawdonwillrelievemeatagreatfinancialadvantage。"
　　"Whydidn’tyouletNicholasRawdonbuyitnow？"
　　"Hewouldhavewantedpromptpossession。
　　TheSquirewouldhavehadtoleavehishome。Itwouldhavebrokenhisheart。"
　　"Idaresay。Hehasasoft，lovingheart。
　　Thatisn’talwaysablessing。Itcangiveoneadealofsuffering。AndIhearyouhaveallbeenmakingidolsoftheseTyrrel-Rawdons。
　　Fredtellsmetheyareasvulgaralotascanbe。"
　　"Fredlies！Excuseme，grandmother——butthewordsuitsandmaystand。Mr。Nicholasispompous，andwalksasslowlyasifhehadtocarrytheweightofhisgreatfortune；buthismannersareallright，andhiswifeandsonaredelightful。Sheishandsome，welldressed，andsogood-heartedthatherprettycountyidiomsarereallycharming。JohnThomasisamanbyhimself——nothandsome，butrunningoverwithgoodtemper，andexceedinglycleverandwide-awake。ManytimesIwasforcedtotellmyself，JohnThomaswouldmakeanidealSquireofRawdon。"
　　"Whydon’tyoumarryhim。"
　　"Heneveraskedme。"
　　"Whatwasthematterwiththemen？"
　　"Hewasalreadyengagedtoaverylovelyyounglady。"
　　"Iamgladsheisalady。"
　　"Sheisalsoveryclever。Shehasbeentocollegeandtakenhighhonors，athingIhavenotdone。"
　　"Youmighthavedoneandoverdonethatcaper；youweretoosensibletotryit。Well，I’mgladthatpartofthefamilyislookingup。Theyhadtherightstuffinthem，anditisagoodthingforfamiliestodwelltogetherinunity。WehaveKingDavid’swordforthat。Myobservationleadsmetothinkitisfarbetterforfamiliestodwellapart，inunity。Theyseldomgetalongcomfortablytogether。"
　　ThenEthelrelatedmanypleasant，piquantscenesbetweenthetwofamiliesatMonk-
　　Rawdon，andespeciallythatoneinwhichtheroomofthefirstTyrrelhadbeenopenedandhislikenessrestoredtoitsplaceinthefamilygallery。Ittouchedtheoldladytotears，andshemurmured，"Poorlad！Poorlad！I
　　wonderifheknows！Iwonderifheknows！"
　　ThecrucialpointofEthel’srevelationshadnotyetbeenrevealed，butMadamwasnowinagentlemood，andEtheltooktheopportunitytointroducehertoTyrrelRawdon。
　　Shewasexpectingandwaitingforthistopic，butstubbornlyrefusedtogiveEthelanyhelptowardbringingitforward。Atlast，thegirlfeltalittleangeratherpretendedindifference，andsaid，"IsupposeFredMostyntoldyouaboutMr。TyrrelRawdon，ofCalifornia？"
　　"TyrrelRawdon，ofCalifornia！Pray，whomayhebe？"
　　"ThesonofColonelRawdon，oftheUnitedStatesArmy。"
　　"Oh，tobesure！Well，whatofhim？"
　　"Iamgoingtomarryhim。"
　　"Ishallseeaboutthat。"
　　"Wewerecomingheretogethertoseeyou，butbeforeweleftthesteamerhegotatelegramurginghimtogoatoncetohisfather，whoisveryill。"
　　"Ihavenotaskedhimtocomeandseeme。PerhapshewillwaittillIdoso。"
　　"IfyouarenotgoingtoloveTyrrel，youneednotloveme。Iwon’thaveyouforagrandmotheranylonger。"
　　"Ididwithoutyousixtyyears。Ishallnotliveanothertwelvemonths，andIthinkIcanmanagetodowithoutyouforagranddaughteranylonger。"
　　"Youcannotdowithoutme。Youwouldbreakyourheart，andIshouldbreakmine。"
　　WhereuponEthelbegantocrywithapassionthatquitegratifiedtheoldlady。Shewatchedherafewmoments，andthensaidgently：
　　"Therenow，thatwilldo。WhenhecomestoNewYorkbringhimtoseeme。Anddon’tnamethemaninthemeantime。Iwon’ttalkabouthimtillI’veseenhim。Itisn’tfaireitherway。Freddidn’tlikehim。"
　　"FredlikesnoonebutDoraStanhope。"
　　"Eh！What！Isthatnonsensegoingonyet？"
　　ThenEtheldescribedherlasttwointerviewswithDora。Shedidthiswithscrupulousfidelity，makingnosuggestionsthatmightprejudicethecase。Forshereallywantedhergrandmother’sdecisioninordertoframeherownconductbyit。Madamwasnot，however，inahurrytogiveit。
　　"Whatdoyouthink？"sheaskedEthel。
　　"IhaveknownDoraformanyyears；shehasalwaystoldmeeverything。"
　　"ButnothingaboutFred？"
　　"Nothing。"
　　"Nothingtotell，perhaps？"
　　"Perhaps。"
　　"Wheredoesherexcellenthusbandcomein？"
　　"Shesaysheisverykindtoherinhisway。"
　　"Andhiswayistodragherovertheworldtoseethecathedralsthereof，andtovarythatpleasurewithinspectingschoolsandreformatoriesandlisteningtogreatpreachers。Uponmyword，Ifeelsorryforthechild！AndI
　　knowallaboutsuchexcellentpeopleastheStanhopes。Iusedtogotowhattheycall`apleasantevening’withthem。Wesataroundabigroomlitwithwaxcandles，andheldimprovingconversation，orsomeonesangoneortwoofMrs。Hemans’songs，like`PassingAway’or`HeNeverSmiledAgain。’Perhapstherewasacomicrecitation，atwhichnoonelaughed，andfinallywehadwineandhotwater——theycalledit`portnegus’——andtonguesandwichesandcarawaycakes。MydearEthel，IyawnnowwhenI
　　thinkofthosedrearyevenings。WhatmustDorahavefelt，rightoutofthemaelstromofNewYork’soperasandtheatersanddancingparties？"
　　"Still，Doraoughttotrytofeelsomeinterestinthechurchaffairs。Shesaysshedoesnotcareahairpinforthem，andBasilfeelssohurt。"
　　"Idaresayhedoes，poorfellow！HethinksSt。Jude’sKindergartenandsewingcirclesandmissionarysocietiesaretheonlyjoysintheworld。RightenoughforBasil，buthowaboutDora？"
　　"Theyarehisprofession；sheoughttofeelaninterestinthem。"
　　"Comenow，lookatthequestionsensibly。
　　DidDora’sfatherbringhis`deals’andstock-jobberyhome，andexpectDoraandhermothertofeelaninterestinthem？Dodoctorstelltheirwivesabouttheirpatients，andexpectthemtopaysympathizingvisits？
　　DoesyourfatherexpectRuthandyourselftolistentohiscasesandarguments，andvisithispoorclientsormakeunderclothingforthem？Domen，ingeneral，consideritawife’splacetointerfereintheirprofessionorbusiness？"
　　"Clergymenaredifferent。"
　　"Notatall。Preachingandphilanthropyistheirbusiness。Theygetsomuchayearfordoingit。Idon’tbelieveSt。Jude’spaysMrs。Stanhopearedcent。Therenow，andifsheisn’tpaid，she’srightnottowork。Amentothat！"
　　"BeforeshewasmarriedDorasaidshefeltagreatinterestinchurchwork。"
　　"Idaresayshedid。Marriagemakesadealofdifferenceinawoman’slikesanddislikes。
　　Churchworkwascourting-timebeforemarriage；aftermarriageshehadotheropportunities。"
　　"IthinkyoumightspeaktoFredMostyn————"
　　"Imight，butitwouldn’tbeworthwhile。
　　Betruetoyourfriendaslongasyoucan。
　　InYorkshirewestandbyourfriends，rightorwrong，andwearen’ttooparticularastotheirbeingright。Myfatherenjoyedjustifyingamanthateveryoneelsewasdownon；
　　andI’vestoodbymanyawomannobodyhadagoodwordfor。Iwasneversorryfordoingit，either。I’llbegoingintoastrangecountrysoon，andIshouldnotwonderifsomeofthemthathavegonetherefirstwillbereadytostandbyme。Wedon’tknowwhatfriendswe’llbegladofthere。"
　　Thedinnerbellbrokeupthisconversation，andEthelduringittoldMadamaboutthecookandcookingattheCourtandatNicholasRawdon’s，whereJohnThomashadinstalledaFrenchchef。Otherdomesticarrangementswerediscussed，andwhentheJudgecalledforhisdaughteratfouro’clock，Madamvowed"shehadspentoneofthehappiestdaysofherlife。"
　　"Ruthtellsme，"saidtheJudge，"thatDoraStanhopecalledforEthelsoonaftershelefthomethismorning。Ruthseemstroubledatthecontinuanceofthisfriendship。
　　Haveyouspokentoyourgrandmother，Ethel，aboutDora？"
　　"Shehastoldmeallthereistotell，Idaresay，"answeredMadam。
　　"Well，mother，whatdoyouthink？"
　　"Iseenoharminityetawhile。Itisnotfair，Edward，tocondemnuponlikelihoods。
　　Wearenosaints，sinfulmenandwomen，allofus，andasmuchinclinedtoforbiddenfruitasanygoodChristianscanbe。Ethelcandoasshefeelsaboutit；she’sgotamindofherown，andIhopetogoodnessshe’llnotletRuthBayardbitandbridleit。"
　　GoinghometheJudgeevidentlyponderedthisquestion，forhesaidafteralengthysilence，"Grandmother’sethicsdonotalwaysfitthesocialethicsofthisday，Ethel。Shecriticisespeoplewithherheart，notherintellect。
　　Youmustbeprudent。ThereisaremarkablethingcalledRespectabilitytobereckonedwithrememberthat。"
　　AndEthelanswered，"NooneneedworryaboutDora。Somewomenmayshowtheedgesoftheircharactersoiledandragged，butDorawillbesuretohavehersreputablyfinishedwithahemofthewidestpropriety。"
　　AndafterashortsilencetheJudgeadded，almostinsoliloquy，"And，moreover，Ethel，"`There’sadivinitythatshapesourends，Rough-hewthemhowwewill。’"
　　PARTFOURTH
　　THEREAPINGOFTHESOWING
　　CHAPTERX
　　WHENEthelandTyrrelpartedatthesteamertheydidnotexpectalongseparation，butColonelRawdonneverrecoveredhishealth，andformanyexcellentreasonsTyrrelcouldnotleavethedyingman。NordidEthelwishhimtodoso。UnderthesecircumstancesbeganthesecondbeautifulphaseofEthel’swooing，asweet，dailycorrespondence，thebestofallpreparationsformatrimonialonenessandunderstanding。LookingforTyrrel’sletters，readingthem，andansweringthempassedmanyhappyhours，fortobothitwasanabsolutenecessitytoassureeachotherconstantly，"SinceIwrotetheeyestereveIdolovethee，Love，believe，Twelvetimesdearer，twelvehourslonger，Onedreamdeeperonenightstronger，Onesunsurer——thismuchmoreThanIlovedthee，dear，before。"
　　Andfortherest，shetookupheroldlifewithafreshenthusiasm。
　　AmongtheseinterestsnoneweremoreurgentintheirclaimsthanDoraStanhope；
　　andfortifiedbyhergrandmother’sopinion，Ethelwentatoncetocallonher。ShefoundBasilwithhiswife，andhiseffortstomakeEthelseehowmuchheexpectedfromherinfluence，andyetatthesametimenotevenhintadisapprovalofDora，werealmostpathetic，forhewassovoidofsophistrythathisinnuendoeswereflagrantlyopentodetection。
　　Dorafeltacontemptforthem，andhehadhardlylefttheroomereshesaid：
　　"Basilhasgonetohisvestryinhighspirits。WhenItoldhimyouwerecomingtoseemeto-dayhesmiledlikeanangel。Hebelievesyouwillkeepmeoutofmischief，andhefeelsagrandconfidenceinsomethingwhichhecalls`yourinfluence。’"
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbymischief？"
　　"Oh，IsupposegoingaboutwithFredMostyn。Ican’thelpthat。Imusthavesomeonetolookafterme。AlltheyoungmenI
　　usedtoknowpassmenowwithaliftedhatorawordortwo。Thegirlshaveforgottenme。Idon’tsupposeIshallbeaskedtoasingledancethiswinter。"
　　"TheladiesinSt。Jude’schurchwouldmakeapetofyouif————"
　　"Theoldcatsandkittens！No，thankyou，IamnotgoingtochurchexceptonSundaymornings——thatisrespectableandright；butastobeingthepetofSt。Jude’sladies！No，no！Howtheywouldmewovermydelinquencies，andwhatscratchesIshouldgetfromtheirvelvet-shodclaws！IfIhavetobetalkedabout，Iprefertheladiesoftheworldtodiscussmyfrailties。"
　　"ButifIwereyou，Iwouldgivenooneareasonforsayingawordagainstme。Whyshouldyou？"
　　"Fredwillsupplythemwithreasons。I
　　can’tkeepthemanawayfromme。Idon’tbelieveIwantto——heisveryniceanduseful。"
　　"Youaretalkingnonsense，thingsyoudon’tmean，Dora。YouarenotsuchafoolishwomanastoliketobeseenwithFredMostyn，thatlittlemonocularsnob，afterthearistocratic，handsomeBasilStanhope。Thecomparisonisamockery。BasilisthefinestgentlemanIeversaw。Socially，heisperfection，and————"
　　"Heisonlyaclergyman。"
　　"Evenasaclergymanheisofreligiouslyroyaldescent。Therearegenerationsofclergymenbehindhim，andheisaprinceinthepulpit。Everymanthatknowshimgiveshimthehighestrespect，everywomanthinksyouthemostfortunateofwives。NoonecaresforFredMostyn。Eveninhisnativeplaceheisheldincontempt。HehadninehundredvotestoyoungRawdon’stwelvethousand。"
　　"Idon’tmindthat。Iamgoingtothematineeto-morrowwithFred。Hewantedtotakemeoutinhisautothisafternoon，butwhenIsaidIwouldgoifyouwouldhedrewback。Whatisthereason？Didhemakeyouofferofhishand？Didyourefuseit？"
　　"Henevermademeanoffer。Icountthattomyselfasagreatcompliment。Ifhehaddonesuchathing，hewouldcertainlyhavebeenrefused。"
　　"Icantellthathereallyhatesyou。WhatdirtytrickdidyouservehimaboutRawdonCourt？"
　　"SohecalledthereleaseofSquireRawdona`dirtytrick’？ItwouldhavebeenaverydirtytricktohaveletFredMostyngethiswaywithSquireRawdon。"
　　"Ofcourse，Ethel，whenamanlendshismoneyasanobligationheexpectstogetitbackagain。"
　　"Mostyngoteveryfarthingduehim，andhewantedoneofthefinestmanorsinEng-
　　landinreturnfortheobligation。Hedidnotgetit，thankGodandmyfather！"
　　"Hewillnotforgetyourfather’sinterference。"
　　"Ihopehewillrememberit。"
　　"DoyouknowwhofurnishedthemoneytopayFred？Hesaysheissureyourfatherdidnothaveit。"
　　"Tellhimtoaskmyfather。Hemightevenaskyourfather。Whethermyfatherhadthemoneyornotwasimmaterial。Fathercouldborrowanysumhewanted，I
　　think。"
　　"Whomdidheborrowfrom？"
　　"IamsurethatFredtoldyoutoaskthatquestion。Ishewritingtoyou，Dora？"
　　"Supposeheis？"
　　"Icannotsupposesuchathing。Itistooimpossible。"
　　ThiswasthebeginningofaseriesofeventsallmoreorlessqualifiedtobringaboutunspeakablemiseryinBasil’shome。Butthereisnothinginlifelikethemarriagetie。Thetugsitwillbearandnotbreak，thewrongsitwilllookover，thechronicmisunderstandingsitwillforgive，makeitoneofthemysteriesofhumanity。ItwasnotinadayoraweekthatBasilStanhope’sdreamofloveandhomewasshattered。Dorahadfrequentandthenlessfrequenttimesofreturntoherbetterself；andeverysuchtimerenewedherhusband’shopethatshewasmerelypassingthroughaperiodoftransitionandassimilation，andthatintheendshewouldbeallhisdesirehopedfor。
　　ButEthelsawwhathedidnotsee，thatMostynwasgraduallyinspiringherwithhisownopinions，perhapsevenwithhisownpassion。
　　Inthisemergency，however，shewasgratifiedtofindthatDora’smotherappearedtohavegraspedthesituation。ForifDorawenttothetheaterwithMostyn，Mrs。DenningorBrycewasalsothere；andtherecklessautodriving，shopping，andlunchinghadatleastashowofrespectableassociation。
　　Yetwhentheoperaseasonopened，theconstantcompanionshipofMostynandDorabecameentirelytooremarkable，notonlyinthepublicestimation，butinBasil’smiserableconceptionofhisownwrong。Theyounghusbandusedeveryartandpersuasion——andfailed。Andhisfailurewastooapparenttobeslighted。Hebecamefeverishandnervous，andhisfriendsreadhismiseryineyesheavywithunshedtears，andinthewastingpallorcausedbyhissleepless，sorrowfulnights。
　　Doraalsoshowedsignsofthechangesorapidlyworkingonher。Shewassullenandpassionatebyturns；shecomplainedbitterlytoEthelthatheryouthandbeautyhadbeenwasted；thatshewasonlynineteen，andherlifewasover。ShewantedtogotoParis，togetawayfromNewYorkanywhereandanyhow。
　　ShebegantodislikeeventhepresenceofBasil。Hisstatelybeautyoffendedher，hislow，calmvoicewastheverykeynoteofirritation。
　　OnemorningnearChristmashecametoherwithasmiling，radiantface。"Dora，"
　　hesaid，"Dora，mylove，Ihavesomethingsointerestingtotellyou。Mrs。ColbyandMrs。Schafflerandsomeotherladieshaveabeautifulidea。TheywishtogiveallthechildrenofthechurchundereightyearsoldthegrandestChristmastreeimaginable——
　　reallyrichpresentsandtheythoughtyoumightliketohaveithere。"
　　"Whatdoyousay，Basil！"
　　"Youwerealwayssofondofchildren。
　　You————"
　　"Inevercouldendurethem。"
　　"Weallthoughtyoumightenjoyit。Indeed，IwassosurethatIpromisedforyou。
　　Itwillbesuchapleasuretomealso，dear。"
　　"Iwillhavenosuchchildishnonsenseinmyhouse。"
　　"Ipromisedit，Dora。"
　　"Youhadnorighttodoso。Thisismyhouse。Myfatherboughtitandgavemeit，anditismyown。I————"
　　"Itseems，then，thatIintrudeinyourhouse。Isitso？Speak，Dora。"
　　"Ifyouwillaskquestionsyoumusttaketheanswer。Youdointrudewhenyoucomewithsuchridiculousproposals——infact，youintrudeveryoftenlately。"
　　"DoesMr。Mostynintrude？"
　　"Mr。Mostyntakesmeout，givesmealittlesensiblepleasure。YouthinkIcanbeinterestedinaChristmastree。Theidea！"
　　"Alas，alas，Dora，youaretiredofme！
　　Youdonotloveme！Youdonotloveme！"
　　"Ilovenobody。IamsorryIgotmarried。
　　Itwasallamistake。Iwillgohomeandthenyoucangetadivorce。"
　　Atthislastwordthewholemanchanged。
　　Hewassuffused，transfiguredwithanangerthatwasatoncerighteousandimpetuous。
　　"Howdareyouusethatwordtome？"hedemanded。"TothepriestofGodnosuchwordexists。Idonotknowit。Youaremywife，willingorunwilling。Youaremywifeforever，whetheryoudwellwithmeornot。
　　YoucannotseverbondstheAlmightyhastied。Youaremine，DoraStanhope！Minefortimeandeternity！Mineforeverandever！"
　　Shelookedathiminamazement，andsawamanafteranimageshehadneverimagined。
　　Shewasterrified。Sheflungherselfonthesofainawhirlwindofpassion。Shecriedaloudagainsthisclaim。Shegaveherselfuptoavehementragethatwasstronglyinfusedwithachildishdismayandpanic。
　　"Iwillnotbeyourwifeforever！"sheshrieked。"Iwillneverbeyourwifeagain——never，notforonehour！Letmego！Takeyourhandsoffme！"ForBasilhadkneltdownbythedistraughtwoman，andclaspingherinhisarmssaid，evenonherlips，"YouAREmydearwife！Youaremyveryowndearwife！Tellmewhattodo。Anythingthatisright，reasonableIwilldo。Wecanneverpart。"
　　"Iwillgotomyfather。Iwillnevercomebacktoyou。"Andwiththesewordssherose，threwoffhisembrace，andwithasobbingcryran，likeaterrifiedchild，outoftheroom。
　　Hesatdownexhaustedbyhisemotion，andsickwiththethoughtshehadevokedinthatoneevilword。Thepublicity，thedisgrace，thewrongtoHolyChurch——ah，thatwasthecruelestwound！Hisownwrongwashardenough，butthathe，whowouldgladlydiefortheChurch，shouldputhertoopenshame！Howcouldhebearit？Thoughitkilledhim，hemustpreventthatwrong；yes，iftherighteyeoffendeditmustbepluckedout。Hemustthrowoffhiscassock，andturnawayfromthesacredaisles；hemust——hecouldnotsaytheword；hewouldwaitalittle。
　　Dorawouldnotleavehim；itwasimpossible。
　　Hewaitedinatranceofachingsuspense。
　　Nothingforanhourormorebrokeit——nofootfall，nosoundofcommandorcomplaint。
　　HewasfinallyinhopesthatDoraslept。
　　Thenhewascalledtolunch，andhemadeapretenseofeatingitalone。Dorasentnoexcuseforherabsence，andhecouldnottrusthimselftomakeinquiryabouther。Inthemiddleoftheafternoonheheardacarriagedrivetothedoor，andDora，withherjewel-
　　caseinherhand，entereditandwasdrivenaway。Thesightastoundedhim。Herantoherroom，andfoundhermaidpackingherclothing。Thewomanansweredhisquestionssullenly。Shesaid"Mrs。StanhopehadgonetoMrs。Denning’s，andhadleftordersforhertrunkstobesentthere。"Beyondthisshewassilentandignorant。Nosympathyforeitherhusbandorwifewasinherheart。
　　Theirquarrelwasinterferingwithherownplans；shehatedbothoftheminconsequence。
　　InthemeantimeDorahadreachedherhome。Hermotherwasdismayedandhesitating，andherattituderaisedagaininDora’sheartthepassionwhichhadprovokedthestepshehadtaken。Sheweptlikealostchild。SheexclaimedagainstthehorrorofbeingBasil’swifeforeverandever。Shereproachedhermotherforsufferinghertomarrywhileshewasonlyachild。Shesaidshehadbeencruellyusedinordertogetthefamilyintosocialrecognition。Shewasinafrenzyofgriefathersupposedsacrificewhenherfathercamehome。Hercasewasthenwon。Withherarmsroundhisneck，sobbingagainsthisheart，hertearsandentreatiesonhislips，BenDenninghadnofeelingandnocareforanyonebuthisdaughter。Hetookherviewofthingsatonce。"SheHADbeenbadlyused。ItWASashametotieagirllikeDoratosermonsandsuchlike。Itwaslikeshuttingherupinaconvent。"Dora’stearsandcomplaintsfiredhimbeyondreason。Hepromisedherfreedomwhateveritcosthim。
　　Andwhilehesatinhisprivateroomconsideringthecase，alltheracialpassionsofhisroughancestryburningwithinhim，BasilStanhopecalledtoseehim。Hepermittedhimtocomeintohispresence，butheroseasheentered，andwalkedhastilyafewstepstomeethim。
　　"Whatdoyouwanthere，sir？"heasked。
　　"Mywife。"
　　"Mydaughter。Youshallnotseeher。I
　　havetakenherbacktomyowncare。"
　　"Sheismywife。Noonecantakeherfromme。"
　　"Iwillteachyouadifferentlesson。"
　　"ThelawofGod。"
　　"Thelawofthelandgoeshere。You’llfinditmorethanyoucandefy。"
　　"Sir，IentreatyoutoletmespeaktoDora。"
　　"Iwillnot。"
　　"IwillstayhereuntilIseeher。"
　　"Iwillgiveyoufiveminutes。Idonotwishtoofferyourprofessionaninsult；ifyouhaveanyrespectforityouwillobeyme。"
　　Answermeonequestion——whathaveI
　　donewrong？"
　　"Amancanbesointolerablyright，thathebecomesunbearablywrong。Youhavenobusinesswithawifeandahome。Youaread————sighttoogoodforagoodlittlegirlthatwantsabitofinnocentamusement。SermonsandChristmastrees！GreatScott，whatsensiblewomanwouldnotbesickofitall？Sir，Idon’twantanotherminuteofyourcompany。LittlewonderthatmyDoraisillwithit。Obligemebyleavingmyhouseasquietlyaspossible。"Andhewalkedtothedoor，flungitopen，andstoodglaringatthedistractedhusband。"Go，"hesaid。"Goatonce。Mylawyerwillseeyouinthefuture。
　　Ihavenothingfurthertosaytoyou。"
　　Basilwent，butnottohisdesolatehome。
　　Hehadaprivatekeytothevestryinhischurch，andinitsdarknessandsolitudehefacedthefirstshockofhisruinedlife，forheknewwellallwasover。Allhadbeen。Hesanktotheflooratthefootofthelargecrosswhichhungonitsbarewhitewalls。Grief’sillimitablewavewentoverhim，andlikeadrowningmanheutteredaninarticulatecryofagony——thecryofasoulthathadwrongeditsdestiny。
　　Lovehadbetrayedhimtoruin。Allhehaddonemustbeabandoned。Allhehadwonmustbegivenup。SinandshameindeeditwouldbeifinhispersonasacramentoftheChurchshouldbedraggedthroughadivorcecourt。Allotherconsiderationspaledbeforethisdisgrace。Hemustresignhiscuracy，striphimselfofthehonorableliveryofheaven，obliteratehispersonandhisname。Itwasakindofdeath。
　　Afterawhileherose，dranksomewater，liftedtheshadeandletthemoonlightin。
　　ThenaboutthatlittleroomhewalkedwithGodthroughthelongnight，tellingHimhissorrowandperplexity。Andthereisadepthinourownnaturewherethedivineandhumanareone。ThatnightBasilStanhopefoundit，andhenceforwardknewthatthebitternessofdeathwasbehindhim，notbefore。
　　"Imademynesttoodearonearth，"
　　hesighed，"andithasbeensweptbare——thatis，thatImaybuildinheaven。
　　Now，therevelationofsorrowistheclearestofallrevelations。Stanhopeunderstoodthathourwhathemustdo。Nodoubtsweakenedhiscourse。HewentbacktothehouseDoracalled"hers，"tookawaywhathevalued，andwhiletheservantswereeatingtheirbreakfastandtalkingoverhismaritaltroubles，hepassedacrossitsthresholdforthelasttime。Hetoldnoonewherehewasgoing；hedroppedassilentlyanddumblyoutofthelifethathadknownhimasastonedroppedintomid-ocean。
　　EthelconsideredherselffortunateinbeingfromhomeatthetimethisdisastrousculminationofBasilStanhope’smarriedlifewasreached。OnthatsamemorningtheJudge，accompaniedbyRuthandherself，hadgonetoLenoxtospendtheholidayswithsomeoldfriends，andshewasquiteignorantofthematterwhenshereturnedaftertheNewYear。Brycewasherfirstinformant。
　　Hecalledspeciallytogiveherthenews。Hesaidhissisterhadbeentooillandtoobusytowrite。Hehadnowordofsympathyfortheunhappypair。Hespokeonlyoftheanxietyithadcausedhim。"Hewasnowengaged，"
　　hesaid，"toMissCaldwell，andshewassuchanextremelyproper，innocentlady，andamemberofSt。Jude’s，ithadreallybeenatryingtimeforher。"BrycealsoremindedEthelthathehadbeenagainstBasilStanhopefromthefirst。"Hehadalwaysknownhowthatmarriagewouldend，"andsoon。
　　Etheldeclinedtogiveanyopinion。"Shemusthearbothsides，"shesaid。"Dorahadbeensoreasonablelately，shehadappearedhappy。"
　　"Oh，Doraisalittlefox，"hereplied；"shedoublesonherselfalways。"
　　Ruthwasproperlyregretful。Shewondered"ifanymarriedwomanwasreallyhappy。"ShedidnotapparentlyconcernherselfaboutBasil。TheJudgeratherleanedtoBasil’sconsideration。HeunderstoodthatDora’sovertacthadshatteredhisprofessionalcareeraswellashispersonalhappiness。
　　Hecouldfeelforthemanthere。"Mydears，"hesaid，withhisdilettanteair，"thegoddessCalamityisdelicate，andherfeetaretender。Shetreadsnotupontheground，butmakesherpathupontheheartsofmen。"Inthisnon-committalwayhegavehiscomment，forheusuallyfoundabitofclassicalwisdomtofitmodernemergencies，andthehabithadimpartedanantiquebon-tontohisconversation。Ethelcouldonlywonderatthelackofrealsympathy。
　　Inthemorningshewenttoseehergrandmother。
　　Theoldladyhad"heard"allshewantedtohearaboutDoraandBasilStanhope。
　　Ifmenwouldmarryafoolbecauseshewasyoungandpretty，theymusttaketheconsequences。"AndwhyshouldStanhopehavemarriedatall？"sheaskedindignantly。
　　"NomancanserveGodandawomanatthesametime。Hehadtobeabadpriestandagoodhusband，orabadhusbandandagoodpriest。BasilStanhopewashonored，wasdoinggood，andhemustneedsbehappyalso。
　　Hewantedtoomuch，andlosteverything。
　　Servehimright。"
　　"AllcannowfindsomefaultinpoorBasilStanhope，"saidEthel。"BrycewasbitteragainsthimbecauseMissCaldwellshiversattheword`divorce。’"
　　"WhathasBrycetodowithJaneCaldwell？"
　　"Heisgoingtomarryher，hesays。"
　　"Likeenough；she’samerrymissoftwo-
　　score，andrich。Bryce’smarriagewithanyonewillbeawell-consideredaffair——amarriagewithalltheadvantagesofagoodbargain。I’mtiredofthewholesubject。IfwomenwillmarrytheyshouldbeaspatientasGriselda，incasethereeverwassuchawoman；ifnot，there’sanendofthematter。"
　　"TherearenoGriseldasinthiscentury，grandmother。"
　　"Thenthereoughttobenomarriages。
　　BasilStanhopewasagrandmaninpublic。
　　Whatkindofamanwasheinhishome？
　　Measureamanbyhishomeconduct，andyou’llnotgowrong。It’stherightplacetodrawyourpictureofhim，Icantellyouthat。"
　　"Hehasnohomenow，poorfellow。"
　　"Whosefaultwasit？Godonlyknows。
　　Whereishiswife？"
　　"ShehasgonetoParis。"
　　"Shehasgonetotherightplaceifshewantstoplaythefool。Butthere，now，GodforbidIshouldjudgeherinthedark。
　　Womenshouldstandbywomen——considering。"
　　"Considering？"
　　"Whattheymayhavetoputupwith。Itiseasytoseefaultsinothers。Ihavesometimesmetwithpeoplewhoshouldseefaultsinthemselves。Theyareratheruncommon，though。"
　　"IamsureBasilStanhopewillbemiserableallhislife。Hewillbreakhisheart，I
　　dobelieve。"
　　"Notso。Agoodheartishardtobreak，itgrowsstrongintrouble。BasilStanhope’sbodywillfaillongbeforehisheartdoes；andevensoanendmustcometolife，andafterthatpeaceorwhatGodwills。"
　　ThisscantsympathyEthelfoundtobetheusualtoneamongheracquaintances。St。