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。