PARTFIRST
OLOVEWILLVENTUREIN！
THEMANBETWEEN
CHAPTERI
THEthingthatIknowleastaboutismybeginning。ForitispossibletointroduceEthelRawdoninsomanypicturesquewaysthatthechoiceisembarrassing，andforcesmetotheconclusionthattheactualcircumstances，thoughcommonplace，maybethemostsuitable。Certainlytheeventsthatshapeourlivesareseldomusheredinwithpomporceremony；theystealuponusunannounced，andbegintheirworkwithoutgivinganypremonitionoftheirimportance。
ConsequentlyEthelhadnoideawhenshereturnedhomeonenightfromaratherstupidentertainmentthatshewasabouttoopenanewandimportantchapterofherlife。
Hithertothatlifehadbeenoneofthesweetestandsimplestcharacter——thelessonsandsportsofchildhoodandgirlhoodhadclaimedhernineteenyears；andEthelwasjustatthatwonderfulagewhen，thebrookandtheriverhavingmet，shewasfeelingthefirstswellofthoseirresistibletideswhichwouldcarryherdaybydaytothehavenofalldays。
ItwasSaturdaynightintheJanuaryof1900，vergingtowardtwelveo’clock。Whensheenteredherroom，shesawthatoneofthewindowswasopen，andshestoodamomentortwoatit，lookingacrossthestraightmilesofwhitelights，inwhoseilluminedshadowsthousandsofsleeperswereholdingtheirlivesinpause。
\"ItisnotNewYorkatall，\"shewhispered，\"itissomemagicalcitythatIhaveseen，buthavenevertrod。Itwillvanishaboutsixo’clockinthemorning，andtherewillbeonlycommonstreets，fullofcommonpeople。Ofcourse，\"andheresheclosedthewindowandleisurelyremovedheroperacloak，\"ofcourse，thisisonlydreaming，buttodreamwaking，ortodreamsleeping，isverypleasant。
Indreamswecanhavemenaswelikethem，andwomenaswewantthem，andmakealltheworldhappyandbeautiful。\"
Shewasinnohurryoffeelingormovement。
Shehadbeeninacrowdforsomehours，andwasgladtobequitealoneandtalktoherselfalittle。Itwasalsosorestfultograduallyrelinquishalltherestraininggaudsoffashionableattire，andassheleisurelyperformedtheseduties，sheenteredintoconversationwithherownheart——talkedoverwithittheeventsofthepastweek，anddecidedthatitsfretlessdays，fullofgoodthings，hadbeen，fromthebeginningtotheend，sweetasacupofnewmilk。Forawoman’sheartisverytalkative，andrequireslittletomakeiteloquentinitsownway。
Inthemidstofthisintimatecompanionshipsheturnedherhead，andsawtwoletterslyinguponatable。Sheroseandliftedthem。Onewasaninvitationtoastudioreception，andsheletitflutterindeterminatelyfromherhand；theotherwasbothfamiliarandappealing；
noneofhercorrespondentsbutDoraDenningusedthatpeculiarshadeofbluepaper，andsheinstantlybegantowonderwhyDorahadwrittentoher。
\"Isawheryesterdayafternoon，\"shereflected，\"andshetoldmeeverythingshehadtotell——andwhatdoesshe-meanbysuchatantalizingmessageasthis？`DearestEthel：I
havethemostextraordinarynews。Cometomeimmediately。Dora。’HowexactlylikeDora！\"shecommented。\"Cometomeim-
mediately——whetheryouareinbedorasleep——whetheryouaresickorwell——whetheritismidnightorhighnoon——cometomeimmediately。
Well，Dora，Iamgoingtosleepnow，andto-morrowisSunday，andIneverknowwhatviewfatherisgoingtotakeofSunday。
Hemayaskmetogotochurchwithhim，andhemaynot。Hemaywantmetodriveintheafternoon，andagainhemaynot；butSundayisfather’shomeday，andRuthandImakeapointofobliginghiminregardtoit。Thatisoneofourfamilyprinciples；andagirloughttohaveafewprinciplesofconductinvolvingself-denial。AuntRuthsays，`Lifecannotstanderectwithoutself-denial，’andauntisusuallyright——butIdowonderwhatDorawants！Icannotimaginewhatextraordinarynewshascome。Imusttryandseeherto-morrow——itmaybedifficult——butI
mustmaketheeffort\"——andwiththissatisfyingresolutionsheeasilyfellasleep。
Whensheawokethechurchbellswereringingandsheknewthatherfatherandauntwouldhavebreakfasted。Thefeetdidnottroubleher。Itwasanaccidentalsleep-over；
shehadnotplannedit，andcircumstanceswouldtakecareofthemselves。Inanycase，shehadnofearofrebuke。NoonewasevercrosswithEthel。ItwasamatterofprettygeneralbeliefthatwhateverEtheldidwasjustright。Soshedressedherselfbecominglyinaclothsuit，and，withherplumedhatonherhead，wentdowntoseewhatthedayhadtoofferher。
\"Thefirstthingiscoffee，andthen，allbeingagreeable，Dora。Ishallnotlookfurtherahead，\"shethought。
Assheenteredtheroomshecalled\"Goodmorning！\"andhervoicewaslikethevoiceofthebirdswhentheycall\"Spring！\"；andherfacewasradiantwithsmiles，andthetouchofherlipsandtheclaspofherhandwarmwithloveandlife；andherfatherandauntforgotthatshewaslate，andthatherbreakfastwasyettoorder。
Shetookupthereproachherself。\"Iamsosorry，AuntRuth。Ionlywantacupofcoffeeandaroll。\"
\"Mydear，youcannotgowithoutaproperbreakfast。Nevermindthehour。Whatwouldyoulikebest？\"
\"Youaresogood，Ruth。Ishouldlikeanicebreakfast——abreastofchickenandmushrooms，andsomehotmuffinsandmarmaladewoulddo。Howcomfortableyoulookhere！
Father，youareburiedinnewspapers。Isanyonegoingtochurch？\"
RuthorderedthedesiredbreakfastandMr。
Rawdontookouthiswatch——\"Iamafraidyouhavedelayedustoolongthismorning，Ethel。\"
\"AmItobethescapegoat？Now，Idonotbelieveanyonewantedtogotochurch。Ruthhadherbook，you，thenewspapers。Itiswarmandpleasanthere，itiscoldandwindyoutside。
Iknowwhatconfessionwouldbemade，ifhonestywerethefashion。\"
\"Well，mylittlegirl，honestyisthefashioninthishouse。Ibelieveingoingtochurch。
ReligionistheMotherofDuty，andweshouldallmakeasadmessoflifewithoutduty。Isnotthatso，Ruth？\"
\"Truthitself，Edward；butreligionisnotgoingtochurchandlisteningtosermons。
ThosewhobuilttheoldcathedralsofEuropehadnoideathatsittingincomfortablepewsandlisteningtosomemantalkingwasworshipingGod。ThosegreatnaveswereintendedformenandwomentostandorkneelinbeforeGod。Andtherewerenohighorlowstandingorkneelingplaces；allwereonalevelbeforeHim。ItisourmodernProtestantismwhichhasbroughtinlazylollingincushionedpews；andthegallery，whichmakesachurchaslikeaplayhouseaspossible！\"
\"Whatareyouaimingat，Ruth？\"
\"Ionlymeanttosay，IwouldlikegoingtochurchmuchbetterifwewentsolelytopraiseGod，andentreatHismercy。Idonotcaretohearsermons。\"
\"MydearRuth，sermonsarealargefactinoursocialeconomy。Whenamillionortwoarepreachedeveryyear，theyhaveastrongclaimonourattention。Touseatradephrase，sermonsarefirm，andIbelieveamoderatetaxonthemwouldyieldanastonishingincome。\"
\"Seehowyoutalkofthem，Edward；asiftheywereacommercialcommodity。Ifyourespectedthem————\"
\"Ido。Igrantthemasteadypneumaticpressureintheregionofmorals，andevenfaith。Picturetoyourself，Ruth，NewYorkwithoutsermons。Thedearoldcitywouldbelikeashipwithoutballast，heelingoverwitheverywind，andlettinginthewatersofimmoralityandscepticism。RemovethispulpitbalancejustforoneweekfromNewYorkCity，andwhereshouldwebe？\"
\"Wellthen，\"saidEthel，\"theclergyoughttogiveNewYorkafirst-ratearticleinsermons，eitherofhomeorforeignmanufacture。
NewYorkexpectstheverybestofeverything；
andwhenshegetsit，sheopensherheartandherpocketbookenjoysit，andpaysforit。\"
\"Thatisthetruth，Ethel。IwasthinkingofyourgrandmotherRawdon。Youhaveyourhaton——areyougoingtoseeher？\"
\"IamgoingtoseeDoraDenning。Ihadanurgentnotefromherlastnight。Shesaysshehas`extraordinarynews’andbegsmeto`cometoherimmediately。’Icannotimaginewhathernewsis。IsawherFridayafternoon。\"
\"Shehasanewpoodle，oranewlover，oranewwayofcrimpingherhair，\"suggestedRuthBayardscornfully。\"Sheimposesonyou，Ethel；whydoyousubmittoherselfishness？\"
\"IsupposebecauseIhavebecomeusedtoit。FouryearsagoIbegantotakeherpart，whenthegirlsteasedandtormentedherintheschoolroom，andIhavebig-sisteredhereversince。Isupposewegettolovethosewhomakeuskindandgiveustrouble。Doraisnotperfect，butIlikeherbetterthananyfriendIhave。Andshemustlikeme，forsheasksmyadviceabouteverythinginherlife。\"
\"Doesshetakeit？\"
\"Yes——generally。SometimesIhavetomakehertakeit。\"
\"Shehasamother。Whydoesshenotgotoher？\"
\"Mrs。Denningknowsnothingaboutcertainsubjects。IamDora’ssocialgodmother，andshemustdressandbehaveasItellhertodo。PoorMrs。Denning！Iamsosorryforher——anothercupofcoffee，Ruth——itisnotverystrong。\"
\"WhyshouldyoubesorryforMrs。Denning，Herhusbandisenormouslyrich——shelivesinapalace，andhasacrowdofmenandwomenservantstowaituponher——carriages，horses，motorcars，whatnot，athercommand。\"
\"Yetreally，Ruth，sheisamostunhappywoman。InthatlittleWesterntownfromwhichtheycame，shewaseverybody。Sheranthechurches，andwaschairwomaninalltheclubs，andPresidentoftheTemperanceUnion，andmanagerofeveryreligious，social，andpoliticalfestival；andherdayswerefulltothebrimofjustthethingsshelikedtodo。
Herdresstherewasconsideredmagnificent；
peoplebeggedherforpatterns，andregardedherastheveryglassoffashion。ServantsthoughtitagreatprivilegetobeemployedontheDenningplace，andsheorderedherhouseandmanagedherhalf-scoreofmenandmaidswithpleasantautocracy。NOW！Well，Iwilltellyouhowitis，NOW。Shesitsalldayinhersplendidrooms，orridesoutinhercarorcarriage，andnooneknowsher，andofcoursenoonespeakstoher。Mr。DenninghashisWallStreetfriends————\"
\"Andenemies，\"interruptedJudgeRawdon。
\"Andenemies！Youareright，father。
Butheenjoysoneasmuchastheother——thatis，hewouldaswillinglyfighthisenemiesasfeasthisfriends。HesaysabigdayinWallStreetmakeshimalivefromheadtofoot。
Hereallylookshappy。BryceDenninghasgotintotwoclubs，andhismoneypasseshim，forheplays，andiswillingtoloveprudently。
ButnoonecaresaboutMrs。Denning。Sheisquiteold——forty-five，Idaresay；andsheisstout，anddoesnotwearthecolorsandstylesheoughttowear——noneofherthingshavetheright`look，’andofcourseIcannotadviseamatron。Then，herfineEnglishservantstakeherhouseoutofherhands。Sheisafraidofthem。Thebutlersuavelytriestoinformher；thehousekeeperremovedthewhitecrotchetedscarfsandthingsfromthegildedchairs，andIamsureMrs。Denninghadaheartacheabouttheirloss；butshesawthattheyhadalsovanishedfromDora’sparlor，soshetookthehint，andacceptedthelesson。
Really，herhumilityandisolationarepitiful。
Iamgoingtoaskgrandmothertogoandseeher。Grandmothermighttakehertochurch，andgetDr。SimpsonandMrs。Simpsontointroduceher。Hermoneyandadaptabilitywoulddotherest。There，Ihavehadagoodbreakfast，thoughIwaslate。Itisnotalwaystheearlybirdthatgetschickenandmushrooms。
NowIwillgoandseewhatDorawants\"——andliftingherfurswithasmile，anda\"Goodmorning！\"equallycharming，shedisappeared。
\"Didyounoticehervoice，Ruth？\"askedJudgeRawdon。Whatatonethereisinher`goodmorning！’\"
\"Thereisatoneineveryone’sgoodmorning，Edward。Ithinkpeople’ssalutationssettomusicwouldrevealtheirinmostcharacter。
Ethel’sgoodmorningsaysinDmajor`Howgoodistheday！’andhergoodnightdropsintotheminorthird，andsayspensively`Howsweetisthenight！’\"
\"Nay，Ruth，Idon’tunderstandallthat；
butIdounderstandthevoice。Itgoesstraighttomyheart。\"
\"Andtomyheartalso，Edward。Ithinktoothereisameasuredmusic，acentraltimeandtune，ineverylife。Quick，melodiousnatureslikeEthel’sneverwanderfarfromtheirkeynote，andarethereforejoyouslyset；whileslow，irresolutepeopledeviatefar，andonlycomebackafterpainfuldissonancesandfrequentchanges。\"
\"Youaregenerallyright，Ruth，evenwhereIcannotfollowyou。IhopeEthelwillbehomefordinner。IlikemySundaydinnerwithbothofyou，andImaybringmymotherbackwithme。\"
Thenhesaid\"Goodmorning\"withanintentionalcheerfulness，andRuthwasleftalonewithherbook。Shegaveamoment’sthoughttothevalueofgoodexample，andthenwithasighofcontentlethereyesrestonthewordsEthel’spresencehadforawhilesilenced：
\"Iamfilledwithasenseofsweetnessandwonderthatsuch，littlethingscanmakeamortalsoexceedinglyrich。ButIconfessthatthechiefestofallmydelightsisstillthereligious。\"（TheodoreParker。）Shereadthewordsagain，thenclosedhereyesandletthehoneyofsomesacredmemorysatisfyhersoul。
Andinthosefewminutesofreverie，RuthBayardrevealedthekeynoteofherbeing。
Wanderingsfromit，causedbytheexigenciesanddutiesoflife，frequentlyoccurred；butshequicklyreturnedtoitscentralandcontrollingharmony；andherserenityandpoisewerethereforeasnaturalaswasherniece’sjoyousnessandhope。Norwasherreligiouscharactertheresultoftemperament，orofasecludedlife。RuthBayardwasawomanofthoughtandculture，andwiseinthewaysoftheworld，butnotworldly。Herpersonalitywasveryattractive，shehadagoodform，anagreeableface，speakinggrayeyes，andbrownhair，softandnaturallywavy。ShewasadistantcousinofEthel’smother，buthadbeenbroughtupwithherinthesamehousehold，andalwaysregardedherasasister，andEthelneverrememberedthatshewasonlyherauntbyadoption。Tenyearsolderthanherniece，shehadmotheredherwithawiseandlovingpatience，andherthoughtsneverwanderedlongorfarfromthegirl。
Consequently，shesoonfoundherselfwonderingwhatreasontherecouldbeforDoraDenning’surgency。
InthemeantimeEthelhadreachedherfriend’sresidenceanewbuildingofunusualsizeandveryornatearchitecture。LiveriedfootmenandwaitingwomenbowedherwithmuteattentiontoMissDenning’ssuite，anabsolutelyprivatearrangementoffiverooms，marvelouslyfurnishedfortheyounglady’scomfortanddelight。Thewindowsofherparloroverlookedthepark，andshewasstandingatoneofthemasEthelenteredtheroom。Inapassionofwelcominggladnesssheturnedtoher，exclaiming：\"Ihavebeenwatchingforyouhoursandhours，Ethel。I
havethemostwonderfulthingtotellyou。I
amsohappy！Sohappy！NoonewaseverashappyasIam。\"
ThenEtheltookbothherhands，and，astheystoodtogether，shelookedintentlyatherfriend。Somenewcharmtransfiguredherface；forherdark，gazelleeyeswerenotmorelambentthanhercheeks，thoughinadifferentway；whileherblackhairinitspicturesquelyarrangeddisorderseemedinstinctwithlife，andhardlytoberestrained。Shewasconstantlypushingitback，caressingorarrangingit；andherwhite，slenderfingers，sparklingwithjewels，movedamongthecrimpedandwavylocks，asiftherewasanintelligentsympathybetweenthem。
\"Howbeautifulyouareto-day，Dora！
Whohasworkedwondersonyou？\"
\"BasilStanhope。Helovesme！Helovesme！Hetoldmesolastnight——inthesweetestwordsthatwereeveruttered。Ishallneverforgetoneofthem——never，aslongasIlive！
Letussitdown。Iwanttotellyoueverything。\"
\"Iamastonished，Dora！\"
\"Sowasmother，andfather，andBryce。
Noonesuspectedouraffection。Motherusedtogrumbleaboutmygoing`atallhours’toSt。Jude’schurch；butthatwasbecauseSt。
Jude’sissoveryHighChurch，andmotherisaMethodistEpiscopal。Itwasthemorningandeveningprayerssheobjectedto。Noonehadanysuspicionoftheclergyman。Oh，Ethel，heissohandsome！Sogood！Soclever！Ithinkeverywomaninthechurchisinlovewithhim。\"
\"Thenifheisagoodman，hemustbeveryunhappy。\"
\"Ofcourseheisquiteignorantoftheiradmiration，andthereforequiteinnocent。I
amtheonlywomanheloves，andheneverevenremembersmewhenheisinthesacredoffice。Ifyoucouldseehimcomeoutofthevestryinhiswhitesurplice，withhisraptfaceandpropheticeyes。Somystical！Sobeautiful！
YouwouldnotwonderthatIworshiphim。\"
\"ButIdonotunderstand——howdidyoumeethimsocially？\"
\"ImethimatMrs。Taylor’sfirst。ThenhespoketomeonemorningasIcameoutofchurch，andthenextmorninghewalkedthroughtheparkwithme。Andafterthat——
allwaseasyenough。\"
\"Isee。Whatdoesyourfatherandmotherthink——orrather，whatdotheysay？\"
\"Fatheralwayssayswhathethinks，andmotherthinksandsayswhatIdo。Thisconditionsimplifiedmattersverymuch。Basilwrotetofather，andyesterdayafterdinnerhehadaninterviewwithhim。Iexpectedit，andwasquitepreparedforanyclimaxthatmightcome。Iworemyloveliestwhitefrock，andhadliliesofthevalleyinmyhairandonmybreast；andfathercalledme`hislittleangel’
andpiouslywondered`howIcouldbehisdaughter。’AlldinnertimeItriedtobeangelic，andafterdinnerIsang`LittleBoyBlue’andsomeofthesongsheloves；andI
felt，whenBasil’scardcamein，thatIhadpreparedtheproperatmospherefortheinterview。\"
\"Youarereallyveryclever，Dora。\"
\"Itriedtocontinuesingingandplaying，butIcouldnot；thenotesallrantogether，thewordswerelost。Iwenttomother’ssideandputmyhandinhers，andshesaidsoftly：`I
canhearyourfatherstormingalittle，buthewillsettledownthequickerforit。IdaresayhewillbringMr。Stanhopeinherebeforelong。\"
\"Didhe？\"
\"No。ThatwasBryce’sfault。HowBrycehappenedtobeinthehouseatthathour，I
cannotimagine；butitseemstobenaturalforhimtodropintoanyinterviewwherehecanmaketrouble。However，itturnedoutallforthebest，forwhenmotherheardBryce’svoiceabovealltheothersounds，shesaid，`ComeDora，weshallhavetointerferenow。’ThenIwasdelighted。Iwasangelicallydressed，andIfeltequaltotheinterview。\"
\"Doyoureallymeanthatyoujoinedthethreequarrelingmen？\"
\"Ofcourse。Motherwasquitecalm——calmenoughtofreezeatempest——butshegavefatheralookhecomprehended。ThensheshookhandswithBasil，andwouldhavemadesomeremarktoBryce，butwithhisusualimpertinencehetooktheinitiative，andtoldhe：
veryauthoritativelyto`retireandtakemewithher’——callingmethat`demurelittleflirt’inatonethatwasveryoffensive。Youshouldhaveseenfatherblazeintoangerathiswords。HetoldBrycetorememberthat`Mr。
BenDenningownedthehouse，andthatBrycehadfourorfiveroomsinitbyhiscourtesy。’
Hesaidalsothatthe`ladiespresentwereMr。BenDenning’swifeanddaughter，andthatitwasimpertinentinhimtoorderthemoutofhisparlor，wheretheywerealwayswelcome。’Brycewaswhitewithpassion，butheansweredinhisaffectedway——`Sir，thatslygirlwithherpretendedpietyandhersneakofaloverismysister，andIshallnotpermithertodisgracemyfamilywithoutmakingaprotest。’\"
\"Andthen？\"
\"Ibegantocry，andIputmyarmsaroundfather’sneckandsaidhemustdefendme；
thatIwasnot`sly，’andBasilwasnot`asneak，’andfatherkissedme，andsaidhewouldsettlewithanyman，andeveryman，whopresumedtocallmeeitherslyoraflirt。\"
\"IthinkMr。Denningactedbeautifully。
WhatdidBrycesay？\"
\"HeturnedtoBasil，andsaid：`Mr。Stanhope，ifyouarenotacad，youwillleavethehouse。Youhavenorighttointrudeyourselfintofamilyaffairsandfamilyquarrels。’
Basilhadseatedmother，andwasstandingwithonehandonthebackofherchair，andhedidnotanswerBryce——therewasnoneed，fatheransweredquickenough。HesaidMr。
Stanhopehadaskedtobecomeoneofthefamily，andforhisparthewouldwelcomehimfreely；andthenheaskedmotherifshewasofhismind，andmothersmiledandreachedherhandbackwardtoBasil。Thenfatherkissedmeagain，andsomehowBasil’sarmwasroundme，andIknowIlookedlovely——
almostlikeabride！Oh，Ethel，itwasjustheavenly！\"
\"Iamsureitwas。DidBryceleavetheroomthen？\"
\"Yes；hewentoutinapassion，declaringhewouldnevernoticemeagain。ThismorningatbreakfastIsaidIwassorryBrycefeltsohurt，butfatherwassureBrycewouldfindplentyofconsolationinthefactthathisdisapprovalofmychoicewouldexcusehimfromgivingmeaweddingpresent。YouknowBryceisameanlittlemiser！\"
\"Onthecontrary，Ithoughthewasvery；
luxuriousandextravagant。\"
\"WhereBryceisconcerned，yes；towardeveryoneelsehisconductistoomeantoconsider。Why，fathermakeshimanallowanceof$20，000ayearandheemptiesfather’scigarboxeswheneverhecandosowithout————\"
\"LetustalkaboutMr。Stanhopeheisfarmoreinteresting。Whenareyougoingtomarryhim？\"
\"IntheSpring。FatherisgoingtogivemesomemoneyandIhavethefortuneGrandmotherCahillleftme。Ithasbeenwellinvested，andfathertoldmethismorningI
wasafairlyrichlittlewoman。Basilhassomeprivatefortune，alsohisstipend——weshalldoverywell。Basil’sfamilyisoneofthefinestamongtheoldBostonaristocrats，andheiscloselyconnectedwiththeEnglishStanhopes，whorankwiththegreatestofthenobility。\"
\"IwishAmericanswouldlearntorelyontheirownnobility。IamtiredoftheireverlastingattemptstograftonsomeEnglishnoblefamily。Nomatterhowgreatorcleveramanmaybe，youaresuretoreadofhisdescentfromsomeScottishchieforEnglishearl。\"
\"Theycan’thelptheirdescent，Ethel。\"
\"Theyneednotpinalltheyhavedoneontoit。Oftenfatherfretsmeinthesameway。
Ifhewinsadifficultcase，hedoesitnaturally，becauseheisaRawdon。Heishandsome，gentlemanly，honorable，evenaperfecthorseman，allbecause，beingaRawdon，hewasbynatureandinheritancecompelledtosuchperfection。
Itisveryprovoking，Dora，andifI
wereyouIwouldnotallowBasiltobeginasongabout`theEnglishStanhopes。’AuntRuthandIgetverytiredoftenoftheEnglishRawdons，andarereallythankfulfortheseparatingAtlantic。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIshallfeelinthatway，Ethel。Ilikethenobility；sodoesfather，hesaystheDenningsareafineoldfamily。\"
\"WhytalkofgenealogieswhenthereissuchamanasBasilStanhopetoconsider？
LetusgranthimperfectionandagreethatheistomarryyouintheSpring；wellthen，thereistheceremony，andtheweddinggarments！
Ofcourseitistobeachurchwedding？\"
\"WeshallbemarriedinBasil’sownchurch。Icanhardlyeatorsleepforthinkingofthejoyandthetriumphofit！Therewillbewomentherereadytoeattheirheartswithenvy——Ibelieveindeed，Ethel，thateverywomaninthechurchisinlovewithBasil。\"
\"Youhavesaidthatbefore，andIamsureyouarewrong。Agreatmanyofthemaremarriedandareinlovewiththeirownhusbands；
andthekindofgirlswhogotoSt。
Jude’sarenotthekindwhomarryclergymen。
Mr。Stanhope’swholeincomewouldhardlybuytheirglovesandparasols。\"
\"Idon’tthinkyouarepleasedthatIamgoingtomarry。YoumustnotbejealousofBasil。Ishallloveyoujustthesame。\"
\"Undernoconditions，Dora，wouldIallowjealousytotroublemylife。Allthesame，youwillnotlovemeafteryourmarriageasyouhavelovedmeinthepast。Ishallnotexpectit。\"
Passionatedenialsofthisassertion，reminiscencesofthepast，assurancesforthefuturefollowed，andEthelacceptedthemwithoutdisputeandwithoutfaith。ButsheunderstoodthatthemerecircumstanceofherengagementwasallthatDoracouldmanageatpresent；andthatthedetailsofthemarriagemergedthemselvesconstantlyinthewonderfulfactthatBasilStanhopelovedher，andthatsometime，notfaroff，shewasgoingtobehiswife。Thisjoyfulcertaintyfilledherheartandhercomprehension，andshehadanaturalreluctancetosubjectittothedetailsofthesocialandreligiousceremoniesnecessary，Suchthingspermittedotherstoparticipateinherjoy，andsheresentedtheidea。ForatimeshewishedtokeepherloverinaworldwherenootherthoughtmighttroublethethoughtofDora。
Ethelunderstoodherfriend’smood，andwasratherrelievedwhenhercarriagearrived。
ShefeltthatherpresencewaspreventingDora’sabsolutesurrenderofherselftothoughtsofherlover，andallthewayhomeshemarveledatthegirl’sinfatuation，andwonderedifitwouldbepossibleforhertofallintosuchadotageofloveforanyman。Sheansweredthisquerypositively——
\"No，ifIshouldlosemyheart，Ishallnotthereforelosemyhead\"——andthen，beforeshecouldfinishassuringherselfofherdeterminatewisdom，somemockinglinesshehadoftenquotedtolove-sickgirlswentlaughingthroughhermemory——
\"OWoman！Woman！Oourfrail，frailsex！
Nowondertragediesaremadefromus！
Alwaysthesame——nothingbutlovesandcradles。\"
ShefoundRuthBayarddressedfordinner，butherfatherwasnotpresent。Thatwassatisfactory，forhewasalwaysalittleimpatientwhenthetalkwasofloversandweddings；andjustthenthistopicwasuppermostinEthel’smind。
\"Ruth，\"shesaid，\"Doraisengaged，\"
andtheninafewsentencesshetoldthelittleromanceDorahadlivedforthepastyear，anditshappyculmination。\"Settingmoneyaside，Ithinkhewillmakeaverysuitablehusband。Whatdoyouthink，Ruth？\"
\"FromwhatIknowofMr。Stanhope，I
shoulddoubtit。Iamsurehewillputhisdutiesbeforeeveryearthlything，andIamsureDorawillobjecttothat。ThenIwonderifDoraismadeonapatternlargeenoughtobethemoneyedpartnerinmatrimony。I
shouldthinkMr。Stanhopewasaproudman。\"
\"DorasaysheisconnectedwiththeEnglishnoblefamilyofStanhopes。\"
\"WeshallcertainlyhavealltheconnectionsoftheEnglishnobilityinAmericaverysoonnow——butwhydoeshemarryDora？Isithermoney？\"
\"Ithinknot。IhaveheardfromvarioussourcessomefinethingsofBasilStanhope。
TherearemanyrichergirlsthanDorainSt。
Jude’s。Idaresaysomeoneofthemwouldhavemarriedhim。\"
\"Youaremistaken。DoyouthinkMargeryStarey，JaneLewes，oranyofthegirlsoftheirorderwouldmarryamanwithafewthousandsayear？Andtomarryforloveisbeyondthefrontiersofsuchwomen’sintelligence。
Intheircreedahusbandisabanker，notamantobelovedandcaredfor。YouknowhowmuchofabankerMr。Stanhopecouldbe。\"
\"BryceDenningisveryangryatwhatheevidentlyconsidershissister’smesalliance。\"
\"IfMr。StanhopeisconnectedwiththeEnglishStanhopes，themesalliancemustbelaidtohischarge。\"
\"IndeedtheDenningshavesomepretensestogoodlineage，andBrycespokeofhissister`disgracinghisfamilybyhercontemplatedmarriage。’\"
\"Hisfamily！MydearEthel，hisgrandfatherwasamanufactureroftintacks。AndnowthatwehavegotasfarawayastheDenning’sgrandfather，supposewedropthesubject。\"
\"Content；IamalittletiredoftheclanDenning——thatistheiroriginalnameDorasays。Iwillgonowanddressfordinner。\"
ThenRuthroseandlookedinquisitivelyaroundtheroom。Itwasasshewishedittobe——theveryexpressionofelegantcomfort——warmandlight，andholdingthescentofroses：aplaceofdeep，largechairswithnooddsandendstoworryabout，aroomtoloungeandchatin，andwherethelasttouchofperfecthomefreedomwasgivenbyabigmastiffwho，havingheardthedoor-bellring，strolledintoseewhohadcalled。
CHAPTERII
DURINGdinnerbothRuthandEthelwereawareofsomesub-interestintheJudge’smanner；hisabsent-mindednesswasunusual，andonceRuthsawafaintsmilethatnothingevidentcouldhaveinduced。Unconsciouslyalsohesetatoneofconstraintandhurry；
themealwasnotloiteredover，theconversationflagged，andallrosefromthetablewithasenseofrelief；perhaps，indeed，withafeelingofexpectation。
Theyenteredtheparlortogether，andthemastiffrosetomeetthem，askingpermissiontoremainwiththelittlecoaxingpushofhisnosewhichbroughtthereadyanswer：
\"Certainly，Sultan。Makeyourselfcomfortable。\"
Thentheygroupedthemselvesroundthefire，andtheJudgelithiscigarandlookedatEthelinawaythatinstantlybroughtcuriositytothequestion：
\"Youhaveasecret，father，\"shesaid。
\"Isitaboutgrandmother？\"
\"Itisnewsratherthanasecret，Ethel。
Andgrandmotherhasagooddealtodowithit，foritisaboutherfamily——theMostyns。\"
\"Oh！\"
ThetoneofEthel’s\"Oh！\"wasnotencouraging，andRuth’slookofinterestheldinabeyancewasjustaschilling。Butsomethinglikethisattitudehadbeenexpected，andJudgeRawdonwasnotdiscouragedbyit；heknewthatyouthiscapableofgreatandsuddenchanges，andthatitsabilitytofindreasonablemotivesforthemisunlimited，sohecalmlycontinued：
\"Youareawarethatyourgrandmother’snamebeforemarriagewasRachelMostyn？\"
\"Ihaveseenitathousandtimesatthebottomofhersampler，father，theonethatisframedandhanginginhermorningroom——
RachelMostyn，November，AnnoDomini，1827。\"
\"Verywell。ShemarriedGeorgeRawdon，andtheycametoNewYorkin1834。
TheyhadaprettyhouseontheBowlingGreenandlivedveryhappilythere。Iwasbornin1850，theyoungestoftheirchildren。
YouknowthatIsignmynameEdwardM。
Rawdon；itisreallyEdwardMostynRawdon。\"
Hepaused，andRuthsaid，\"IsupposeMrs。Rawdonhashadsomenewsfromheroldhome？\"
\"Shehadaletterlastnight，andIshallprobablyreceiveoneto-morrow。FrederickMostyn，hergrand-nephew，iscomingtoNewYork，andSquireRawdon，ofRawdonManor，writestorecommendtheyoungmantoourhospitality。\"
\"Butyousurelydonotintendtoinvitehimhere，Edward。Ithinkthatwouldnotdo。\"
\"HeisgoingtotheHollandHouse。Butheisourkinsman，andthereforewemustbehospitable。\"
\"Ihavebeentryingtocountthekinship。
Itisoutofmyreckoning，\"saidEthel。\"I
hopeatleastheisniceandpresentable。\"
\"TheMostynsareahandsomefamily。
Lookatyourgrandmother。AndSquireRawdonspeaksverywellofMr。Mostyn。
Hehastakentherightsideinpolitics，andislikelytomakehismark。Theywerealwaysgreatsportsmen，andIdaresaythisrepresentativeofthefamilyisagood-lookingfellow，well-mannered，andperfectlydressed。\"
Ethellaughed。\"IfhisclothesfithimhewillbeanEnglishwonder。IhaveseenlotsofEnglishmen；theyareallfrightsastotrousersandvests。TherewasLordWycomb，hisbroadclothsandsatinsandlinenweremarvelsinquality，butthemake！Thegirlshatedtobeseenwalkingwithhim，andhewouldwalk——`goodfortheconstitution，’
washisexplanationforallhispeculiarities。
TheCaylerswerewearytodeathofthem。\"
\"Andyet，\"saidRuth，\"theysangsongsoftriumphwhenLouCaylermarriedhim。\"
\"Thatwasadifferentthing。Louwouldmakehimget`fits’andstopwearingsloppy，baggyarrangements。AndIdonotsupposetheEnglishlordhasnowasinglepeculiarityleft，unlessitbehisconstitutionalwalk——
that，ofcourse。IhaveheardEnglishbabiesgetoutoftheircradlestotakeaconstitutional。\"
DuringthistiradeRuthhadbeenthinking。
\"Edward，\"sheasked，\"whydoesSquireRawdonintroduceMr。Mostyn？
Theirrelationshipcannotbeworthcounting。\"
\"Thereyouarewrong，Ruth。\"Hespokewithalittleexcitement。\"Englishmenneverdenymatrimonialrelationships，iftheyareworthyones。MostynandRawdonareboundtogetherbymanyagoldweddingring；wereckonsuchtiesrelationships。SquireRaw-
donlosthissonandhistwograndsonsayearago。Perhapsthisyoungmanmayeventuallystandintheirplace。TheSquireisnearlyeightyyearsold；heisthelastoftheEnglishRawdons——atleastofourbranchofit。\"
\"YousupposethisMr。MostynmaybecomeSquireofRawdonManor？\"
\"Hemay，Ruth，butitisnotcertain。
ThereisalargemortgageontheManor。\"
\"Oh！\"
Bothgirlsmadetheejaculationatthesamemoment，andinbothvoicestherewasthesamecurioustoneofspeculation。Itwasacryaftertruthapprehended，butnotrealized。
Mr。Rawdonremainedsilent；hewasdebatingwithhimselftheadvisabilityoffurtherconfidence，buthecamequicklytotheconclusionthatenoughhadbeentoldforthepresent。TurningtoEthel，hesaid：\"Isupposegirlshaveacodeofhonorabouttheirsecrets。IsDoraDenning’s`extraordinarynews’shutupinit？\"
\"Oh，no，father。Sheisgoingtobemarried。
Thatisall。\"
\"Thatisenough。Whoistheman？\"
\"ReverendMr。Stanhope。\"
\"Nonsense！\"
\"Positively。\"
\"Ineverheardanythingmoreridiculous。
Thatsaintlyyoungpriest！Why，Dorawillbetiredtodeathofhiminamonth。Andhe？
Poorfellow！\"
\"Whypoorfellow？Heisverymuchinlovewithher。\"
\"Itishardtounderstand。St。Jerome’slove`palewithmidnightprayer’wouldbemorebelievablethanthebutterflyDora。
Goodness，gracious！Theideaofthatmanbeinginlove！Itpullshimdownabit。I
thoughtheneverlookedatawoman。\"
\"Doyouknowhim，father？\"
\"Asmanypeopleknowhim——bygoodreport。
Iknowthatheisaclergymanwhobelieveswhathepreaches。IknowaWallStreetbrokerwholeftSt。Jude’schurchbecauseMr。Stanhope’ssermonsonSundayputsuchafineedgeonhisconsciencethatMondaysweredangerousdaysforhimtodobusinesson。AndwhateverWallStreetfinanciersthinkoftheBiblepersonally，theydolikeamanwhostickstohiscolors，andwhoholdsintactthetruthcommittedtohim。Stanhopedoesthisemphatically；andheissowelltrustedthatifhewantedtobuildanewchurchhecouldgetallthemoneynecessary，fromWallStreetmeninanhour。Andheisgoingtomarry！GoingtomarryDoraDenning！Itis`extraordinarynews，’indeed！\"
Ethelwasalittleoffendedatsuchunusualsurprise。\"Ithinkyoudon’tquiteunderstandDora，\"shesaid。\"ItwillbeMr。Stanhope’sfaultifsheisnotledintherightway；
forifheonlylovesandpetsherenoughhemaydoallhewisheswithher。Iknow，I
havebothcoaxedandorderedherforfouryears——sometimesonewayisbest，andsometimestheother。\"
\"Howisamantotellwhichwaytotake？
Whatdoherparentsthinkofthemarriage？\"
\"Theyarepleasedwithit。\"
\"Pleasedwithit！ThenIhavenothingmoretosay，exceptthatIhopetheywillnotappealtomeonanyquestionofdivorcethatmayarisefromsuchanunlikelymarriage。\"
\"Theyareonlyloversyet，Edward，\"saidRuth。\"Itisnotfair，orkind，toeventhinkofdivorce。\"
\"MydearRuth，thefashionablegirloftodayacceptsmarriagewiththeprovisionofdivorce。\"
\"Doraishardlyoneofthatset。\"
\"Ihopeshemaykeepoutofit，butmarriagewillgivehermanyopportunities。Well，Iamsorryfortheyoungpriest。Heisn’tfittomanageawomanlikeDoraDenning。
Iamafraidhewillgettheworstofit。\"
\"Ithinkyouareveryunkind，father。
Doraismyfriend，andIknowher。Sheisagirlofintensefeelingsandveryaffectionate。
AndshehasdissolvedallherlifeandmindinMr。Stanhope’slifeandmind，justasalumpofsugarisdissolvedinwater。\"
Ruthlaughed。\"Canyounotfindamorepoeticsimile，Ethel？\"
\"Itwilldo。Thisisanageofmatter；amaterialsymbolistheproperthing。\"
\"IamgladtohearshehasdissolvedhermindinStanhope’s，\"saidJudgeRawdon。
\"Dora’sintellectinitselfischildish。Whatdidthemanseeinherthatheshoulddesireher？\"
\"Father，younevercantellhowmuchbrainsmenlikewiththeirbeauty。Verylittlewilldogenerally。AndDorahasbeauty——greatbeauty；noonecandenythat。I
thinkDoraisgivingupagreatdeal。Toher，atleast，marriageisastateofpassingfromperfectfreedomintothecomparativeconditionofaslave，givingupherownwayconstantlyforsomeoneelse’sway。\"
\"Well，Ethel，theremedyisinthelady’shands。Sheisnotforcedtomarry，andtheslaverythatisvoluntaryisnohardship。
Now，mydear，Ihaveacasetolookover，andyoumustexcusemeto-night。To-morrowweshallknowmoreconcerningMr。Mostyn，anditiseasiertotalkaboutcertaintiesthanprobabilities。\"
ButifconversationceasedaboutMr。Mostyn，thoughtdidnot；for，acoupleofhoursafterwards，Etheltappedatheraunt’sdoorandsaid，\"Justamoment，Ruth。\"
\"Yes，dear，whatisit？\"
\"DidyounoticewhatfathersaidaboutthemortgageonRawdonManor\"’
\"Yes。\"
\"Heseemedtoknowallaboutit。\"
\"Ithinkhedoesknowallaboutit。\"
\"Doyouthinkheholdsit？\"
\"Hemaydoso——itisnotunlikely。\"
\"Oh！ThenMr。FredMostyn，ifheistoinheritRawdon，wouldlikethemortgageremoved？\"
\"Ofcoursehewould。\"
\"Andthewaytoremoveitwouldbetomarrythedaughteroftheholderofthemortgage？\"
\"Itwouldbeoneway。\"
\"Soheiscomingtolookmeover。Iamamatrimonialpossibility。Howdoyoulikethatidea，AuntRuth？\"
\"Idonotentertainitforamoment。
Mr。Mostynmaynotevenknowofthemortgage。
Whenmenmortgagetheirestatestheydonotmakeconfidencesaboutthematter，ortalkitoverwiththeirfriends。Theyalwaysconcealandhidethetransaction。Ifyourfatherholdsthemortgage，IfeelsurethatnoonebuthimselfandSquireRawdonknowanythingaboutit。Don’tlookatthewrongsideofevents，Ethel；becontentwiththerightsideoflife’stapestry。Whyareyounotasleep？Whatareyouworryingabout？\"
\"Nothing，onlyIhavenotheardallI
wantedtohear。\"
\"Andperhapsthatisgoodforyou。\"
\"Ishallgoandseegrandmotherfirstthinginthemorning。\"
\"IwouldnotifIwereyou。Youcannotmakeanyexcuseshewillnotseethrough。