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。