EnglandmightgotoruiniftheMostynsperishedofftheEnglishearth；but，AuntRuth，IcountmyselfworthyofabetterfatethantobecomeamerebranchinthegenealogicaltreeoftheMostyns。AndthatisallFredMostyn’swifewilleverbetohim，unlesshemarriesDora。\"
\"Butthatverysuppositionimpliestragedy，anditismostunlikely。\"
\"Yes，forDoraisagoodlittlething。Shehasneverbeenfamiliarwithvice。Shehasevenahorrorofpoorwomendivorcedfromimpossiblehusbands。Shebelieveshermarriagewillbewatchedbytheangels，andrecordedinheaven。Basilhasinstructedhertoregardmarriageasaholysacrament，andIamsurehedoesthesame。\"
\"Thenwhyshouldweforecasteviltotheirnames？AsforCousinFred，Idaresayheiscomfortablyasleep。\"
\"Iamsureheisnot。IbelieveheissmokingandcallinghimselfnamesfornothavingcometoNewYorklastMay，whenfatherfirstinvitedhim。Hadhedonesothingsmighthavebeendifferent。\"
\"Yes，theymight。WhenGoodFortunecalls，andthecalled`willnotwhentheymay，’
then，`whentheywill’GoodFortunehasbecomeMisfortune。Welcomeapleasureoragainatonce，ordon’tansweritatall。Itwasonthisrock，Ethel，thebarkthatcarriedmylovewenttopieces。Iknow；yes，Iknow！\"
\"Mydearaunt！\"
\"Itisallrightnow，dear；butthingsmighthavebeenthatarenot。AstoDora，IthinkshemaybetrustedwithBasilStanhope。HeisoneofthebestandhandsomestmenIeversaw，andhehasnowrightsinDora’slovenoonecantamperwith。Mostynisanhonorableman。\"
\"Allright，but——
\"Lovewillventurein，Wherehedaurnawellbeseen；
OLovewillventurein，WhereWisdomoncehasbeen——
andthen，aunt，whatthen？\"
PARTSECOND
PLAYINGWITHFIRE
CHAPTERV
THEnextdayafterlunchEthelsaidshewasgoingtowalkdowntoGramercyParkandspendanhourortwowithhergrandmother，and\"Willyousendthecarriageformeatfiveo’clock？\"sheasked。
\"YourfatherhasorderedthecarriagetobeattheHollandHouseatfiveo’clock。Itcancallforyoufirst，andthengototheHollandHouse。Butdonotkeepyourfatherwaiting。Ifheisnotattheentrancegiveyourcardtotheoutsideporter；hewillhaveitsentuptoFred’sapartments。\"
\"ThenfatheriscallingonFred？Whatfor？Ishesick？\"
\"Oh，no，businessofsomekind。Ihopeyouwillhaveapleasantwalk。\"
\"Thereisnodoubtofit。\"
Indeed，shewasradiantwithitsexhilarationwhenshereachedGramercyPark。Assheranupthestepsofthebig，old-fashionedhouseshesawMadamatthewindowpickingupsomedroppedstitchesinherknitting。
Madamsawheratthesamemoment，andtheoldfaceandtheyoungfacebothalikekindledwithlove，aswellaswithhappyanticipationofcovetedintercourse。
\"Iamsogladtoseeyou，darlingGranny。
Icouldnotwaituntilto-morrow。\"
\"Andwhyshouldyou，child？Ihavebeenwatchingforyouallmorning。IwanttohearabouttheDenningdinner。Isupposeyouwent？\"
\"Yes，wewent；wehadto。Dinnersinstrangehousesareacommoncalamity；I
can’texpecttobesparedwhateveryonehastoendure。\"
\"Don’tbeaffected，Ethel。Youlikegoingouttodinner。Ofcourse，youdo！Itisonlynatural，considering。\"
\"Idon’t，Granny。Ilikedancesandtheatersandoperas，butIdon’tlikedinners。
However，theDenningdinnerwasagrandexception。Itgavemeandtheothersasensation。\"
\"Iexpectedthat。\"
\"Itwasbeautifullyordered。Major-domoParkinsonsawtothat。Ifhehadarrangeditforhislateemployer，theDukeofRichmond，itcouldnothavebeenfiner。Therewasnotabreakanywhere。\"
\"Howmanywerepresent？\"
\"Justadozen。\"
\"Mr。DenningandBryce，ofcourse。
Whoweretheothers？\"
\"Mr。Stanhope，ofcourse。Granny，heworehisclericaldress。Itmadehimlooksoremarkable。\"
\"Hedidright。Aclergymanoughttolookdifferentfromothermen。IdonotbelieveBasilStanhope，havingassumedthedressofaservantofGod，wouldputitoffonehourforanysocialexigency。Whyshouldhe？Itisagranderattirethananymilitaryornavaluniform，andnocourtdressiscomparable，foritisthecourtdressoftheKingofkings。\"
\"Allright，dearGranny；youalwaysmakethingscleartome，yetImeetlotsofclergymenineveningdress。\"
\"Thentheyoughtnottobeclergymen。
Theyoughtnottowearcoatsinwhichtheycanholdanykindofopinions。Whowasyourcompanion？\"
\"JamieSayer。\"
\"Ineverheardoftheman。\"
\"Heisanartist，andispaintingDora’slikeness。Heisgettingonnow，butinthepast，likeallartists，hehassufferedadeal。\"
\"God’swillbedone。Letthemsuffer。
Itisgoodforgeniustosuffer。Isheinlovewithyou？\"
\"Gracious，Granny！Hisheadissofullofpicturesthatnowomancouldfindroomthere，andifonedid，thenextnewpicturewouldcrowdherout。\"
\"Endthatstory，itislongenough。\"
\"DoyouknowMissUllman？\"
\"Ihaveheardofher。Whohasnot？\"
\"ShehasBryceDenningontrialnow。
IfhemarriesherIshallpityhim。\"
\"Pityhim！NotI，indeed！Hewouldhavehisjustreward。Liketolike，andAmentoit。\"
\"ThentherewasClaudineJeffrys，lookingquiteethereal，butverylovely。\"
\"Iknow。HerloverwaskilledinCuba，andshehasbeenthetypeoffaithfulgriefeversince。Shelooksitanddressesittoperfection。\"
\"Andfeelsit？\"
\"Perhapsshedoes。Iamnotskilledinthefeelingsofpensive，heart-brokenmaidens。
Buthercaseisaverycommonone。Loversarenowhereagainsthusbands，yethowmanythousandsofgoodwomenlosetheirhusbandseveryyear？Iftheyarepoor，theyhavetohidetheirgriefandworkforthem-
selvesandtheirfamilies；iftheyarerich，veryfewpeoplebelievethattheyarereallysorrytobewidows。Areanypoorcreaturesmorejeeredatthanwidows？Nomanbelievestheyaregrievingforthelossoftheirhusbands。ThenwhyshouldtheyallsympathizewithClaudineaboutthelossofalover？\"
\"Perhapsloversarenicerthanhusbands。\"
\"Prettymuchallalike。Ihaveknownafewgoodhusbands。Yourgrandfatherwasone，yourfatheranother。ButyouhavesaidnothingaboutFred。Didhelookhandsome？
Didhemakeasensation？Washeacousintobeproudof？\"
\"Indeed，Granny，Fredwasthewholeparty。Heisnotnaturallyhandsome，buthehasdistinction，andhewaswell-dressed。AndIneverheardanyonetalkashedid。Hetoldthemostdelightfulstories，hewasfullofmimicryandwit，andsaidthingsthatbroughteveryoneintothemerrytalk；andIamsurehecharmedandastonishedthewholeparty。
Mr。Denningaskedmequietlyafterwards`whatuniversityhewaseducatedat。’I
thinkhetookitallaseducation，andhadsomewildideasoffinishingBryceinasimilarmanner。\"
Madamwasradiant。\"Itoldyouso，\"
shesaidproudly。\"TheMostynshaveintellectaswellasland。TherearenostupidMostyns。Ihopeyouaskedhimtoplay。I
thinkhiswayofhandlingapianowouldhavetaughtthemafewthingsRussiansandPolesknownothingabout。Poorthings！Howcantheyhaveanyfeelingsleft？\"
\"Therewasnopianointheroom，Granny，andthecompanyseparatedverysoonafterdinner。\"
\"Somehowyououghttohavemanagedit，Ethel。\"Thenwithatouchofanxiety，\"I
hopeallthisclevernesswasnatural——Imean，Ihopeitwasn’tchampagne。Youknow，Ethel，wethinkaswedrink，andFredisn’tusedtothosefriskywines。Mostyncellarsarefullofoldsherryandclaret，andFred’sfatherwasalwaysagainstfrothing，sparklingwines。\"
\"Granny，itwasallFred。Winehadnothingtodowithit，butacertainwomanhad；infact，shewastheinspirer，andFredfellfiftyfathomsdeepinlovewithhertheverymomentsheenteredtheroom。Heheardnot，feltnot，thoughtnot，sostruckwithlovewashe。Ruthgothimtoawindowforafewmomentsandsohidhisemotionuntilhecouldgethimselftogether。\"
\"Oh，whatatale！Whatacobwebtale！I
don’tbelieveawordofit，\"andshelaughedmerrily。
\"’Tistrueasgospel，Granny。\"
\"Nameher，then。Whowasthewoman？\"
\"Dora。\"
\"Itisbeyondbelief，abovebelief，outofallreason。Itcannotbe，anditshallnotbe，andifyouaremakingupastorytoteaseme，EthelRawdon————\"
\"Grandmother，letmetellyoujusthowitcameabout。WewereallintheroomwaitingforDora，andshesuddenlyentered。Shewasdressedinsoftambersilkfromheadtofeet；diamondswereinherblackhair，andonthebandsacrosshershoulders，onhercorsage，onherbelt，herhands，andevenherslippers。Undertheelectriclightsshelookedasifshewasinagoldenaura，scintillatingwithstars。ShetookFred’sbreathaway。
HewastalkingtoRuth，andhecouldnotfinishthewordhewassaying。Ruththoughthewasgoingtofaint————\"
\"Don’ttellmesuchnonsense。\"
\"Well，grandmother，thisnonsenseistruth。AsIsaidbefore，Ruthtookhimasideuntilhegotcontrolofhimself；then，ashewasDora’sescort，hehadtogotoher。Ruthintroducedthem，andassheraisedhersoft，blackeyestohis，andputherhandonhisarm，somethinghappenedagain，butthistimeitwaslikepossession。Hewasthecourtierinamoment，hiseyesflashedbackherglances，hegavehersmileforsmile，andthenwhentheywereseatedsidebysidehebecameinspiredandtalkedasIhavetoldyou。Itisthetruth，grandmother。\"
\"Well，therearemanydifferentkindsoffools，butFredMostynistheworstIeverheardtellof。Doeshenotknowthatthegirlisengaged？\"
\"KnowsitaswellasIdo。\"
\"Noneofourfamilywereeverfoolsbefore，andIhopeFredwillcomeroundquickly。
DoyouthinkDoranoticedtheimpressionshemade？\"
\"Yes，AuntRuthnoticedDora；andRuthsaysDora`turnedthearrowintheheartwound’alltheevening。\"
\"Whatrubbishyouaretalking！SayingoodEnglishwhatyoumean。\"
\"Shetriedeverymomentthey，wereto-
gethertomakehimmoreandmoreinlovewithher。\"
\"Whatisherintention？Agirldoesn’tcarryonthatwayfornothing。\"
\"Idonotknow。Dorahasgotbeyondmelately。And，grandmother，IamnottroublingabouttheeventasitregardsDoraorFredorBasilStanhope，butasitregardsEthel。\"
\"Whathaveyoutodowithit？\"
\"ThatisjustwhatIwanttohaveclearlyunderstood。AuntRuthtoldmethatfatherandyouwouldbedisappointedifIdidnotmarryFred。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Iamsorrytodisappointyou，butInevershallmarryFredMostyn。Never！\"
\"Iratherthinkyouwillhavetosettlethatquestionwithyourfather，Ethel。\"
\"No。Ihavesettleditwithmyself。ThemanhasgiventoDoraallthelovethathehastogive。Iwillhaveaman’swholeheart，andnotfragmentsandfinger-endsofit。\"
\"Tobesure，thatisright。ButIcan’tsaymuch，Ethel，whenIonlyknowonesideofthecase，canI？ImustwaitandhearwhatFredhastosay。ButIlikeyourspiritandyourwayofbringingwhatiswrongstraightuptoquestion。YouareabitYorkshireyet，whateveryouthinkgetsquicktoyourtongue，andthenoutitcomes。Goodgirl，yourheartisonyourlips。\"
Theytalkedtheafternoonawayonthissubject，butMadam’slastwordswerenotonlyadvisory，theywereinagreatmeasuresympathetic。\"Bestraightwithyourself，Ethel，\"shesaid，\"thenFredMostyncandoashelikes；youwillbeallright。\"
Sheacceptedthecounselwithakiss，andthendrovetotheHollandHouseforherfather。Hewasnotwaiting，asRuthhadsupposedhewouldbe，butthenshewasfiveminutestoosoon。Shesentuphercard，andthenlethereyesfalluponawretchedbeggarmanwhowastryingtoplayaviolin，butwasunablebyreasonofhungerandcold。Helookedasifhewasdying，andshewasmovedwithagreatpity，andlongedforherfathertocomeandgivesomehelp。Whileshewasanxiouslywatching，ayoungmanwasalsostruckwiththesufferingontheviolinist’sface。Hespokeafewwordstohim，andtakingtheviolin，drewfromitsuchstrainsofmelody，thatinafewmomentsacrowdhadgatheredwithinthehotelandbeforeit。Firsttherewassilence，thenashoutofdelight；andwhenitceasedtheplayer’svoicethrilledeveryhearttopassionatepatriotism，ashesangwithmagnificentpowerandfeeling——
Thereisnotaspotonthiswide-peopledearthSodeartoourheartastheLandofourBirth，etc。
Atumultofheartyapplausefollowed，andthenhecried，\"Gentlemen，thisoldmanfoughtforthelandofourbirth。Heisdyingofhunger，\"andintotheoldman’shathedroppedabillandthenhandeditroundtomillionaireandworkingmanalike。Ethel’spursewasinherhand。Ashepassedalongthecurbatwhichhercarriagestood，helookedathereagerface，andwithasmileheldoutthebatteredhat。She，alsosmiling，droppedherpurseintoit。Inafewmomentsthehatwasnearlyfull；theoldmanandthemoneywereconfidedtothecareofanhotelofficer，thestreamoftrafficandpleasurewentonitsusualway，andthemusiciandisappeared。
Allthateveningtheconversationturnedconstantlytothisevent。Mostynwassurehewasamemberofsomeoperatictroupe。
\"Voicesofsuchrarecompassandexceptionaltrainingwerenottobefoundamongnon-professionalpeople，\"hesaid，andJudgeRawdonwasofhisopinion。
\"Hisvoicewillhauntmeformanydays，\"
hesaid。\"Thosetwolines，forinstance——
’Tisthehomeofourchildhood，thatbeautifulspotWhichmemoryretainswhenallelseisforgot。
Themelodywaswonderful。Iwishwecouldfindoutwhereheissinging。Hisvoice，asI
said，hauntsmyear。\"
Ethelmighthavemadethesameremark，butshewassilent。ShehadnoticedthemusicianmorecloselythanherfatherorFredMostyn，andwhenRuthBayardaskedherifhispersonalitywasinteresting，shewasabletogiveaverycleardescriptionoftheman。
\"Idonotbelieveheisaprofessionalsinger；heistooyoung，\"sheanswered。\"I
shouldthinkhewasabouttwenty-fiveyearsold，tall，slender，andalert。Hewasfashionablydressed，asifhehadbeen，orwasgoing，toanafternoonreception。Aboveallthings，Ishouldsayhewasagentleman。\"
Oh，whyareourheartssoaccessibletooureyes？OnlyasmilingglancehadpassedbetweenEthelandtheUnknown，yethisimagewasprisonedbehindthebarsofhereyelids。
OnthisdayofdaysshehadmetLoveonthecrowdedstreet，andhehad\"ButtouchedhislutewhereinwasaudibleThecertainsecretthinghehadtotell；
Onlytheirmirroredeyesmetsilently\"；
andasweettrouble，arestless，pleasingcuriosity，hadfilledherconsciousness。Whowashe？Wherehadhegoneto？Whenshouldtheymeetagain？Ah，sheunderstoodnowhowEmmelineLabichehadfeltconstrainedtoseekherloverfromthesnowsofCanadatothemoss-veiledoaksofLouisiana。
Butherjoyous，hopefulsoulcouldnotthinkofloveanddisappointmentatthesamemoment。
\"Ihaveseenhim，andIshallseehimagain。Wemetbyappointment。Destinyintroducedus。Neitherofuswillforget，andsomewhere，someday，Ishallbewaiting，andhewillcome。\"
Thusthisdaughterofsunshineandhopeansweredherself；andwhynot？Allgoodthingscometothosewhocanwaitinsweettranquillityforthem，andseldomdoesFortunefailtobringloveandheart’s-easeuponthechangefulstreamofchangefuldaystothosewhotrustherforthem。
Onthefollowingmorning，whenthetwogirlsenteredtheparlor，theyfoundtheJudgesmokingthere。Hehadalreadybreakfasted，andlookedoverthethreeorfournewspaperswhoseopinionshethoughtworthyofhisconsideration。Theywerelyinginastateofconfusionathisside，andEthelglancedatthemcuriously。
\"DidanyofthepapersspeakofthesingingbeforetheHollandHouse？\"sheasked。
\"Yes。Ithinkreportersmustbeubiquitous。
Allmypapershadsomesortofanoticeoftheaffair。\"
\"Whatdotheysay？\"
\"Onegavethebarecircumstancesofthecase；anotherindulgedinwhatwassupposedtobehumorousdescription；athirdthoughtitmighthavebeentheresultofabetordare；
afourthwasoftheopinionthatconspiracybetweentheoldbeggarandtheyoungmanwasnotunlikely，andcreditedtheexhibitionasacleverlyoriginalwayofobtainingmoney。
Butallagreedinbelievingthesingertobeamemberofsomeoperacompanynowinthecity。\"
Ethelwasindignant。\"Itwasneither`bet’nor`dare’nor`conspiracy，’\"shesaid。\"Isawthesingerashecamewalkingrapidlydowntheavenue，andhelookedashappyandcarelessasaboywhistlingonacountrylane。Whenhiseyesfellontheoldmanhehesitated，justamoment，andthenspoketohim。Iamsuretheywereabsolutestrangerstoeachother。\"
\"Buthowcanyoubesureofathinglikethat，Ethel？\"
\"Idon’tknow`how，’Ruth，butallthesame，Iamsure。Andasforitbeinganewwayofbegging，thatisnotcorrect。Notmanyyearsago，oneoftheDeReszkebrothersledacrippledsoldierintoaPariscafe，andsangthestarvingmanintocomfortintwentyminutes。\"
\"AndtheangelicParepaRosadidasmuchforaMexicanwoman，whomshefoundinthedepthsofsorrowandpoverty——broughtherlifelongcomfortwithacoupleofhersongs。
Isitnotlikely，then，thatthegallantknightoftheHollandHouseisreallyamemberofsomeoperacompany，thatheknewoftheseexamplesandfollowedthem？\"
\"Itisnotunlikely，Ruth，yetIdonotbelievethatistheexplanation。\"
\"Well，\"saidtheJudge，throwinghiscigaretteintothefire，\"ifthesingerhadneverheardofDeReszkeandParepaRosa，wemaysupposehimagentlemanofsuchcultureastobefamiliarwiththeexquisiteGreeklegendofPhoebusApollo——thatstorywouldbesufficienttoinspireanymanwithhisvoice。Doyouknowit？\"
Bothgirlsansweredwithanenthusiasticentreatyforitsrecital，andtheJudgewenttothelibraryandreturnedwithaqueer-lookinglittlebook，boundinmarbledpaper。
\"Itwasmyfather’scopy，\"hesaid，\"anOxfordedition。\"Andheturnedtheleaveswithlovingcarefulnessuntilhecametotheincident。Thenbeingafinereader，thewordsfellfromhislipsinastatelymeasurebetterthanmusic：
\"AfterTroyfelltherecametoArgosascarredsoldierseekingalms。Notdeigningtobeg，heplayeduponalyre；butthehandlingofarmshadrobbedhimofhisyouthfulpower，andhestoodbytheporticohourafterhour，andnoonedroppedhimalepton。
Weary，hungryandthirsty，heleanedindespairagainstapillar。Ayouthcametohimandasked，`Whynotplayon，Akeratos？\"
AndAkeratosmeeklyanswered，`Iamnolongerskilled。’`Then，’saidthestranger，`hiremethylyre；hereisadidrachmon。I
willplay，andthoushaltholdoutthycapandbedumb。’Sothestrangertookthelyreandsweptthestrings，andmenheard，asitwere，theclashingofswords。AndhesangthefallofTroy——howHectorperished，slainbyAchilles，therushofchariots，theringofhoofs，theroarofflames——andashesangthepeoplestoppedtolisten，breathlessandeager，withrapt，attentiveear。Andwhenthesingerceasedthesoldier’scapwasfilledwithcoins，andthepeoplebeggedforyetanothersong。
ThenhesangofVenus，tillallmen’sheartsweresoftlystirred，andtheairwaspurpleandmistyandfullofthescentofroses。AndintheirjoymencastbeforeAkeratosnotcoinsonly，butsilverbraceletsandrings，andgemsandornamentsofgold，untiltheheaphadtoitsutmostgrown，makingAkeratosrichinallmen’ssight。Thensuddenlythesingerstoodinablazeoflight，andthemenofArgossawtheirgodofsong，PhoebusApollo，riseinglorytotheskies。\"
Thegirlsweredelighted；theJudgepleasedbothwithhisownrenderingofthelegendandthemanifestappreciationwithwhichithadbeenreceived。Foramomentortwoallfelttheexquisitetouchoftheantiqueworld，andEthelsaid，inatoneoflonging，\"IwishthatIhadbeenaGreekandlivedinArgos。\"
\"YouwouldnothavelikeditaswellasbeinganAmericanandlivinginNewYork，\"
saidherfather。
\"Andyouwouldhavebeenapagan，\"
addedRuth。
\"Theyweresuchlovelypagans，Ruth，andtheydreamedsuchbeautifuldreamsoflife。
Leavethebookwithme，father；Iwilltakegoodcareofit。\"
ThentheJudgegaveherthebook，andwithasighlookedintothemodernstreet。\"I
oughttobedownatBowlingGreeninsteadofreadingGreekstoriestoyougirls，\"hesaidratherbrusquely。\"Ihaveaveryimportantrailwaycaseonmymind，andPhoebusApollohasnothingtodowithit。Goodmorning。
And，Ethel，donotdeifythesingerontheavenue。Hewillnotturnout，likethesingerbytheportico，tobeagod；besureofthat。\"
Thedoorclosedbeforeshecouldanswer，andbothwomenremainedsilentafewminutes。
ThenEthelwenttothewindow，andRuthaskedifshewasgoingtoDora’s。
\"Yes，\"wastheanswer，butwithoutinterest。
\"Youaretiredwithallthisshoppingandworry？\"
\"ItisnotonlythatIamtired，IamtroubledaboutFredMostyn。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Idonotknowwhy。Itisonlyavagueunrestasyet。ButonethingIknow，IshallopposeanythinglikeFredmakinghimselfintimatewithDora。\"
\"Ithinkyouwilldowiselyinthat。\"
ButinaweekEthelrealizedthatinopposingaloverlikeFredMostynshehadataskbeyondherability。FredhadnothingtodoasimportantinhisopinionasthecultivationofhisfriendshipwithDoraDenning。
Hecalledit\"friendship，\"butthismisnomerdeceivednoone，notevenDora。AndwhenDoraencouragedhisattentions，howwasEtheltopreventthemwithoutsomeexplanationwhichwouldgiveasortofrealitytowhatwasasyetanamelesssuspicion？
Yeteverydaythefamiliarityincreased。
Heseemedtodivinetheirengagements。Iftheywenttotheirjeweler’s，ortoabazaar，hewassuretostrollinafterthem。Whentheycameoutofthemilliner’sormodiste’s，Fredwaswaiting。\"HehadsecuredatableatSherry’s；hehadorderedlunch，andallwasready。\"Itwastoogreatanefforttoresisthisentreaty。Perhapsnoonewishedtodoso。Thegirlswereutterlytiredandhungry，andthethoughtofoneofFred’sluncheswasverypleasant。EvenifBasilStanhopewaswiththem，itappearedtobeallthebetter。FredalwaysincludedDora’sloverwithacharmingcourtesy；and，indeed，atsuchhours，wasinhismostdelightfulmood。Stanhopeappearedtoinspirehim。
Hismentalitywhentheclergymanwaspresenttookpossessionofeveryincidentthatcameandwent，andclotheditinwitandpleasantry。Dora’splightedloverhonestlythoughtDora’sundeclaredloverthecleverestandmostdelightfulofmen。Andhehadnoopportunityofnoting，asEtheldid，thedifferenceinFred’sattitudewhenhewasnotpresent。ThenMostyn’smerrymoodbecamesentimental，andhiswordswerechargedwithsoftmeaningsandlooksofadoration，andeverytoneandeverymovementmadetoexpressfarmorethanthetonguewouldhavedaredtoutter。
Asthisflirtationprogressed——foronDora’spartitwasonlyvanityandflirtation——Ethelgrewmoreandmoreuneasy。ShealmostwishedforsometriflingovertactwhichwouldgiveheranexcuseforwarningDora；
andoneday，afterthreeweeksofsuchphilandering，theopportunitycame。
\"IthinkyoupermitFredMostyntotaketoomuchlibertywithyou，Dora，\"shesaidassoonastheywereinDora’sparlor，andasshespokeshethrewoffhercoatinatemperwhicheffectivelyemphasizedthewords。
\"Ihavebeenexpectingthisill-nature，Ethel。Youwerecrossallthetimewewereatlunch。YouspoiledallourpleasurePray，whathaveIbeendoingwrongwithFredMostyn？\"
\"ItwasFredwhodidwrong。Hiscomplimentstoyouwereoutrageous。Hehasnorighttosaysuchthings，andyouhavenorighttolistentothem。\"
\"Iamnottoblameifhecomplimentsmeinsteadofyou。Hewassimplypolite，butthenitwastothewrongperson。\"
\"Ofcourseitwas。Suchpolitenesshehadnorighttoofferyou。\"
\"Itwouldhavebeenquiteproperifofferedyou，Isuppose？\"
\"Itwouldnot。Itwouldhavebeenagreatimpertinence。Ihavegivenhimneitherclaimnorprivilegetoaddressmeas`MylovelyEthel！’Hecalledyoumanytimes`MylovelyDora！’YouarenothislovelyDora。Whenheputonyourcoat，hedrewyoucloserthanwasproper；andIsawhimtakeyourhandandholditinaclasp——notnecessary。\"
\"Whydoyoulistenandwatch？Itisvulgar。
Youtoldmesoyourself。AndIamlovely。BasilsaysthataswellasFred。DoyouwantamantolieandsayIamugly？\"
\"Youarefencingtherealquestion。Hehadnobusinesstousetheword`my。’YouareengagedtoBasilStanhope，nottoFredMostyn。\"
\"IamBasil’slovelyfiancee；IamFred’slovelyfriend。\"
\"Oh！IhopeFredunderstandsthedifference。\"
\"Ofcoursehedoes。Somepeoplearealwaysthinkingevil。\"
\"IwasthinkingofMr。Stanhope’srights。\"
\"Thankyou，Ethel；butIcantakecareofMr。Stanhope’srightswithoutyourassistance。
IfyouhadsaidyouwerethinkingofEthelRawdon’srightsyouwouldhavebeennearerthetruth。\"
\"Dora，Iwillnotlisten————\"
\"Oh，youshalllistentome！IknowthatyouexpectedFredtofallinlovewithyou，butifhedidnotliketodoso，amItoblame？\"
Ethelwasresuminghercoatatthispointintheconversation，andDoraunderstoodtheproudsilencewithwhichtheactwasbeingaccomplished。Thenascoreofgoodreasonsforpreventingsuchadefinitequarrelflashedthroughherselfishlittlemind，andshethrewherarmsaroundEthelandbeggedathousandpardonsforherrudeness。AndEthelhadalsoreasonsforavoidingdissensionatthistime。AbreakintheirfriendshipnowwouldbringDoraforwardtoexplain，andDorahadawonderfulclevernessinpresentingherownsideofanyquestion。EthelshrunkfromherinnuendoesconcerningFred，andsheknewthatBasilwouldbemadetoconsiderherameddling，jealousgirlwhowillinglysawevilinDora’sguilelessenjoymentofacleverman’scompany。
Tobemisunderstood，tobeblamedandpitied，tobemadeapedestalforDora’ssuperiority，wasasituationnottobecontemplated。
ItwasbettertolookoverDora’srudenessintheflushofDora’spretendedsorrowforit。Sotheyforgaveeachother，orsaidtheydid，andthenDoraexplainedherself。
Shedeclaredthatshehadnottheleastintentionofanywrong。\"Yousee，Ethel，whatafoolthemanisaboutme。Somebodysaysweoughttotreatafoolaccordingtohisfolly。ThatisallIwasdoing。IamsureBasilissofaraboveFredMostynthatI
couldneverputthemincomparison——andBasilknowsit。Hetrustsme。\"
\"Verywell，Dora。IfBasilknowsit，andtrustsyou，Ihavenomoretosay。IamnowsorryInamedthesubject。\"
\"Nevermind，wewillforgetthatitwasnamed。Thefactis，Ethel，IwantallthefunIcangetnow。WhenIamBasil’swifeI
shallhavetobeverysedate，andofcoursenotevenpretendtoknowifanyothermanadmiresme。LittleluncheswithFred，theaterandoperaparties，andevendanceswillbeoverforme。Oh，dear，howmuchIamgivingupforBasil！AndsometimesIthinkheneverrealizeshowdreadfulitmustbeforme。\"
\"Youwillhaveyourloverallthetimethen。Surelyhisconstantcompanionshipwillatoneforallyourelinquish。\"
\"Takeoffyourcoatandhat，Ethel，andsitdowncomfortably。Idon’tknowaboutBasil’sconstantcompanionship。Tete-a-tetesaretiresomeaffairssometimes。\"
\"Yes，\"repliedEthel，asshehalf-reluc-
tantlyremovedhercoat，\"theywereaboreundoubtedlyeveninParadise。IwonderifEvewastiredofAdam’sconversation，andifthatmadeherlistento——theotherparty。\"
\"Iamsogladyoumentionedthatcircumstance，Ethel。Ishallrememberit。Someday，nodoubt，IshallhavetoremindBasilofthefailureofAdamtosatisfyEve’sideaofperfectcompanionship。\"AndDoraputherpretty，jeweledhandsuptoherearsandlaughedalow，musicallaughwithachildishnoteofmalicerunningthroughit。
Thispseudo-reconciliationwasnotconducivetopleasantintercourse。AfterashortdelayEthelmadeanexcuseforanearlydeparture，andDoraaccepteditwithoutherusualremonstrance。Thedayhadbeenoneofcontinualfriction，andDora’sirritablepettishnesshardtobear，becauseithadnowlostthatchildishunreasonwhichhadalwaysinducedEthel’spatience，forDorahadlatelyputawayallherignorantimmaturities。Shehadbecomeapersonofimportance，andhadrealizedthefact。TheyoungladiesofSt。
Jude’shadmadeapetoftheirreveredrector’slove，andtheelderladieshadalsoshownamarkedinterestinher。TheDennings’finehousewasnowtalkedaboutandvisited。MenofhighfinancialpowerrespectedMr。DanDenning，andadvisedthesocialrecognitionofhisfamily；andMrs。Denningwasnotnowfoundmoreeccentricthanmanyotherofthenewrich，whohadbeentoleratedintheranksoftheolderplutocrats。EvenBrycehadmadethestandinghedesired。Hewasseenwiththerichestandidlestyoungmen，andwasinvitedtothebesthouses。Thosefashionablewomenwhohadmarriageabledaughtersconsideredhimnotineligible，andmentemporarilyhamperedforcashknewthattheycouldfindsmilingassistanceforaconsiderationatBryce’slittleofficeonWilliamStreet。
TheseandotherpointsofreflectiontroubledEthel，andshewasgladthelongtrialwasnearingitsend，forsheknewquitewellthedisagreementofthateveninghaddonenogood。Dorawouldcertainlyrepeattheirconversation，inherownwayofinterpretingit，tobothBasilStanhopeandFredMostyn。
MorethanlikelybothBryceandMrs。
Denningwouldalsohearhowherinnocentkindnesshadbeenmisconstrued；andineachcaseshecouldimaginetheconversationthattookplace，andthesubsequentbestowalofpitying，scornfulorangryfeelingthatwouldinsensiblyfinditswaytoherconsciousnesswithoutanybirdoftheairtocarryit。
Shefelt，too，thatreprisalsofanykindwereoutofthequestion。Theywerenotonlyimpolitic，theyweredifficult。HerfatherhadanaversiontoDora，andwaslikelytoseizethefirstopportunityforrequestingEtheltodropthegirl’sacquaintance。Ruthalsohadurgedhertowithdrawfromanyactivepartinthewedding，strengtheningheradvicewiththeassurancethatwhenafriendshipbegantodeclineitoughttobeabandonedatonce。Therewasonlyhergrandmothertogoto，andatfirstshedidnotfindheratallinterestedinthetrouble。Shehadjusthadadisputewithhermilkman，wasinclinedtogivehimallhersuspicionsandallherangrywords——\"animpertinent，cheatingcreature，\"
shesaid；andthenEthelhadtohearthehistoryofthemonth’screamandofthemilkman’sextortion，withtheoldlady’scharacteristicdeclaration：
\"ItoldhimplainwhatIthoughtofhisways，butIpaidhimeverycentIowedhim。
ThankGod，Iamnotunreasonable！\"
NeitherwassheunreasonablewhenEthelfinallygothertolistentoherownseriousgrievancewithDora。
\"Ifyouwillhaveawomanforafriend，Ethel，youmustputupwithwomanlyways；
anditisbesttokeepyourmouthshutconcerningsuchways。Ihatetoseeyouwhimperingandwhiningaboutwrongsyouhavebeencordiallyinvitingforweeksandmonthsandyears。\"
\"Grandmother！\"
\"Yes，youhavebeensowingthornsforyourself，andthenyougounshodoverthem。
ImeanthatDorahasthisfineclergyman，andFredMostyn，andherbrother，andmother，andfatherallonherside；allofthemsurethatDoracandonowrong，allofthemsurethatEthel，poorgirl，mustbemistaken，orprudish，orjealous，orenvious。\"
\"Oh，grandmother，youaretoocruel，\"
\"Whydidn’tyouhaveafewfriendsonyourownside？\"
\"FatherandRuthneverlikedDora。AndFred——ItoldyouhowFredactedassoonashesawher！\"
\"TherewasRoyalWheelock，JamesClifton，orthathandsomeDickPotter。Whydidn’tyouaskthemtojoinyouatyourlunchesanddances？Yououghttohavepillaredyourownside。Agirlwithoutherbeauxisalwaysonthewrongsideifthegirlwithbeauxisagainsther。\"
\"ItwasthegreattimeofDora’slife。I
wishedhertohaveallthegloryofit。\"
\"Allherownshare——thatwasright。Allofyourshare，also——thatwasaswrongasitcouldbe。\"
\"Cliftonisyachting，RoyalandIhadalittlemisunderstanding，andDickPotteristooeffusive。\"
\"ButDick’seffusivenesswouldhavebeenagoodthingforFred’seffusiveness。Twomencan’tgoonacomplimentaryran-tanatthesametable。Theyfreezeoneanotherout。
Thatgoeswithoutsaying。ButDora’sindiscretionsarenoneofyourbusinesswhilesheisunderherfather’sroof；andIdon’tknowifshehadn’tafriendintheworld，iftheywouldbeyourbusiness。IhavealwaysbeenagainstpeopletryingtodotheworkofTHEMthatareaboveus。WearetoldTHEY
seekandTHEYsave，andit’slikelytheywilllookafterDorainspiteofherbeingsounknowingofherselfastomarryapriestinasurplice，whenafoolinmotleywouldhavebeenmorelikethething。\"
\"Idon’twanttoquarrelwithDora。Afterall，Ilikeher。Wehavebeenfriendsalongtime。\"
\"Well，then，don’tmakeanenemyofher。
Onehundredfriendsaretoofewagainstoneenemy。Onehundredfriendswillwishyouwell，andoneenemywillDOyouill。Godloveyou，child！Taketheworldasyoufindit。
OnlyGodcanmakeitanybetter。Whenisthisblessedweddingtocomeoff？\"
\"Intwoweeks。Yougotcards，didyounot？\"
\"IbelieveIdid。Theydon’tmatter。LetDoraandherflirtationsalone，unlessyousetyourownagainstthem。Likecureslike。Ifthepriestseesnothingwrong————\"
\"Hethinksallshedoesisperfect。\"
\"Idaresay。Priestsareasoftlot，they’llbelieveanything。He’slove-blindatpresent。
Someday，liketheprophetofPethor，[1]hewillgethiseyesopened。AsforFredMostyn，I
shallhaveagooddealtosayabouthimbyandby，soI’llsaynothingnow。\"
[1]OneoftheHebrewprophets。
\"Youpromised，grandmother，nottotalktomeanymoreaboutFred。\"
\"Itwasaveryinconsideratepromise，averyirrationalpromise！IamsorryImadeit——andIdon’tintendtokeepit。\"
\"Well，ittakestwotoholdaconversation，grandmother。\"
\"Tobesureitdoes。ButifItalktoyou，Ihopetogoodnessyouwillhavethedecencytoanswerme。Iwouldn’tbelieveanythingdifferent。\"AndshelookedintoEthel’sfacewithsuchasmilingconfidenceinhergoodwillandobedience，thatEthelcouldonlylaughandgivehertwentykissesasshestooduptoputonherhatandcoat。
\"Youalwaysgetyourway，Granny，\"shesaid；andtheoldlady，asshewalkedwithhertothedoor，answered，\"Ihavehadmywayfornearlyeightyyears，dearie，andI’vefounditaverygoodway。I’mnotlikelytochangeitnow。\"
\"Andnoneofuswantyoutochangeit，dear。Granny’swayisalwaysawiseway。\"
Andshekissedheragaineresherandownthestepstohercarriage。Yetastheoldladysteppedslowlybacktotheparlor，shemuttered，\"FredMostynisafool！IfhehadanysensewhenheleftEngland，hehaslostitsincehecamehere。\"
Ofcoursenothinggoodcameofthisirritableinterference。Meddlingwiththeconscienceofanotherpersonisadelicateanddifficultaffair，andRuthhadalreadywarnedEthelofitscertainfutility。Butthedayswererapidlywearingawaytothegreatday，forwhichsomanyotherdayshadbeenwastedinfatiguingworry，andincredibleextravaganceofhealthandtemperandmoney——andafterit？Therewouldcertainlybeabreakinassociations。Temptationwouldberemoved，andBasilStanhope，relievedforatimefromallthedutiesofhisoffice，wouldhavecontinualopportunitiesformakingeternallysecuretheaffectionofthewomanhehadchosen。
Itwastobeawhitewedding，andfortwentyhoursprevioustoitscelebrationitseemedasifallthefloristsinNewYorkwereatworkintheDenninghouseandinSt。
Jude’schurch。Thesacredplacewasradiantwithwhitelilies。Whitelilieseverywhere；
andtheperfumewouldhavebeenoverpowering，hadnottheweatherbeensoexquisitethatopenwindowswerepossibleandevenpleasant。TothesofteststrainsofmusicDoraenteredleaningonherfather’sarmandherbeautyandsplendorevokedfromthecrowdpresentaninvoluntary，simultaneousstirofwonderanddelight。Shehadhesitatedmanydaysbetweenthesimplicityofwhitechiffonandliliesofthevalley，andthemagnificenceofbrocadedsatininwhichaglitteringthreadofsilverwasinterwoven。
Thesatinhadwontheday，andthesunshinefelluponitsbeauty，asshekneltatthealtar，likesunshinefallinguponsnow。Itshoneandgleamedandglistenedasifitwereanangel’srobe；andthisscintillatingeffectwasmuchincreasedbythesparklingofthediamondsinherhair，andatherthroatandwaistandhandsandfeet。Norwasherbrilliantyouthaffectedbytheovershadowingtulleusuallysounbecoming。Itveiledherfromheadtofeet，andwasheldinplacebyadiamondcoronal。Allhereightmaids，thoughlovelygirls，lookedwanandoftheearthbesideher。Forhersaketheyhadbeencontentwiththesimplicityofchiffonandwhitelacehats，andshestoodamongthemlustrousassomeangelicbeing。Stanhopewasentrancedbyherbeauty，andnooneonthisdaywonderedathisinfatuationorthoughtremarkabletheecstasyofreverentrapturewithwhichhereceivedthehandofhisbride。Hissenseofthegiftwasravishing。
Shewasnowhislove，hiswifeforever，andwhenEthelslippedforwardtopartandthrowbackwardtheconcealingveil，heverygentlyrestrainedher，andwithhisownhandsuncoveredtheblushingbeauty，andkissedherthereatthealtar。Thenamidamurmurandstirofdelightedsympathyhetookhiswifeuponhisarm，andturnedwithhertothelifetheyweretofacetogether。
Twohourslaterallwasapastdream。
Brideandbridegroomhadslippedquietlyaway，andtheweddingguestshadarrivedatthatrathernoisyindifferencewhichpresagestheendofanentertainment。Thenflushedandtiredwithhurryingcongratulationsandgoodwishesthatstumbledovereachother，carriageaftercarriagedeparted；andEthelandhercompanionswenttoDora’sparlortorestawhileanddiscusstheeventoftheday。
ButDora’sparlorwasinastateofconfusion。
Ithad，too，anairofloss，andfeltlikeagildedcagefromwhichthebirdhadflown。Theylookeddismallyatitsdiscomfortandwentdownstairs。Menwereremovingthefadedflowersorsittingattheabandonedtableeatinganddrinking。Everywheretherewasdisorderandwaste，andfromtheservants’
quartercameanoisysenseofriotousfeasting。
\"WhereisMrs。Denning？\"Ethelaskedafootmanwhowasgatheringtogetherthesilverwiththeeasyunconcernofamanwhoseideaswererosywithchampagne。Helookedupwithaprovokingfamiliarityatthequestion，andsputteredout，\"She’slyingdowncryingandmakingafuss。MissDayiswithher，soothingofher。\"
\"Letusgohome，\"saidEthel。