BornandbredintheChurch，baptized，confirmed，andmarriedintheChurch，andI
wasalwaystaughtitwastheonlyproperChurchforgentlemenandgentlewomentobesavedin。However，EnglishMethodistsoftengobacktotheChurchwhentheygetrich。\"
\"Churchorchapelmakesnodifferencetome，grandmother。Ifpeopleareonlygood。\"
\"Tobesure；butyouwon’tbelonginEnglanduntilyou’llfindoutthatsomethingsmakeagreatdealofdifference。Doyouknowyourfatherwasherethismorning？
Hewantedmetogowithyou——alikely，thing。\"
\"But，grandmother，docome。Wewilltakesuchgoodcareofyou，and————\"
\"Iknow，butI’dratherkeepmyoldmemoriesofYorkshirethangetnew-fashionedones。Allischanged。IcantellthatbywhatFredsays。Mythreegreatfriendsaredead。Theyhaveleftchildrenandgrandchildren，ofcourse，butIdon’twanttomakenewacquaintancesatmyage，unlessIhavethepickingofthem。No，IshallgetMissHillistogowithmetomylittlecabinontheJerseycoast。We’lltakeourknittingandthefreshnovels，andI’llwarrantwe’llseeasmuchofthenewmenandwomeninthemaswillmorethansatisfyus。Butyoumustwritemelongletters，andtellmeeverythingabouttheSquireandthewayhekeepshouse，andIdon’tcareifyoufillupthepaperwiththeTyrrel-Rawdons。\"
\"Iwillwriteyouoften，Granny，andtellyoueverything。\"
\"Ishouldn’twonderifyoucomeacrossDoraStanhope，butIwouldn’taskhertoRawdon。She’llmixsomecupofbotherifyoudo。\"
\"Iknow。\"
Insuchlovingandintimateconversationthehoursspedquickly，andEthelcouldnotbeartocutshorthervisit。ItwasnearlyfivewhensheleftGramercyPark，butthedaybeinglovely，andtheavenuefullofcarriagesandpedestrians，shetookthedriveatitsenforcedtardinesswithoutdisapproval。
AlmostonenteringtheavenuefromMadisonSquaretherewasacrush，andhercarriagecametoastandstill。ShewasthenoppositethestoreofafamousEnglishsaddler，andnearherwasanopencarriageoccupiedbyamiddle-agedgentlemaninmilitaryuniform。
Heappearedtobewaitingforsomeone，andinamomentortwoayoungmancameoutofthesaddlerystore，andwithapleasantlaughenteredthecarriage。ItwastheApolloofherdreams，thesingeroftheHollandHousepavement。Shecouldnotdoubtit。Hisface，hisfigure，hiswalk，andthepleasantsmilewithwhichhespoketohiscompanionwereallpositivecharacteristics。Shehadforgottennoneofthem。Hisdresswasalteredtosuittheseason，butthatwasanimprovement；
fordivestedofhisheavycoat，andclothedonlyinastylishafternoonsuit，histall，finefigureshowedtogreatadvantage；andEtheltoldherselfthathewasevenhandsomerthanshehadsupposedhimtobe。
Almostassoonasheenteredhiscarriagetherewasamovement，andshehopedherdrivermightadvancesufficientlytomakerecognitionpossible，butsomefeeling，sheknewnotwhat，preventedhergivinganyorderleadingtothisresult。PerhapsshehadaninstinctivepresentimentthatitwasbesttoleavealltoDestiny。Towardtheupperpartoftheavenuethecarriageofhereagerobservationcametoastandbeforeawarehouseofantiquefurnitureandbric-a-brac，and，asitdidso，abeautifulwomanrandownthesteps，andApollo，forsoEthelhadmen-
tallycalledhim，wenthurriedlytomeether。
Finallyhercoachmanpassedtheparty，andtherewasamomentaryrecognition。Hewasbendingforward，listeningtosomethingtheladywassaying，whenthevehiclesalmosttouchedeachother。Heflashedaglanceatthem，andmettheflashofEthel’seyesfullofinterestandcuriosity。
Itwasoverinamoment，butinthatmomentEthelsawhisastonishmentanddelight，andfeltherowneagerquestioninganswered。
Thenshewasjoyousandfullofhope，for\"thesetwosilentmeetingsarepromises，\"shesaidtoRuth。\"IfeelsureIshallseehimagain，andthenweshallspeaktoeachother。\"
\"Ihopeyouarenotallowingyourselftofeeltoomuchinterestinthisman，Ethel；heisverylikelymarried。\"
\"Oh，no！Iamsureheisnot，Ruth。\"
\"Howcanyoubesure？Youknownothingabouthim。\"
\"IcannottellHOWIknow，norWHYIknow，butIbelievewhatIfeel；andheisasmuchinterestedinmeasIaminhim。Iconfessthatisagreatdeal。\"
\"Youmayneverseehimagain。\"
\"Ishallexpecttoseehimnextwinter，heevidentlylivesinNewYork。\"
\"Theladyyousawmaybehiswife。Don’tbeinterestedinanymanonunknownground，Ethel。Itisnotprudent——itisnotright。\"
\"Timewillshow。HewillverylikelybelookingformethissummeratNewportandelsewhere。HewillbegladtoseemewhenI
comehome。Don’tworry，Ruth。Itisallright。\"
\"Fredcalledsoonafteryouwentoutthismorning。HeleftforNewportthisafternoon。
Hewillbeatseanow。\"
\"Andweshallbethereinafewdays。
WhenIamattheseasideIalwaysfeeladelicioustorpor；yetNellyBaldwintoldmeshelovedanAtlanticpassagebecauseshehadsuchfunonboard。Youhavecrossedseveraltimes，Ruth；isitfunortorpor？\"
\"Allmirthatseasoonfadesaway，Ethel。
Passengersareaverydullclassofpeople，andtheyknowit；theyrebelagainstit，buteveryhouritbecomesmorenaturaltobedull。
Verysoonallmentallyaccommodatethemselvestobeingbored，dreamyanddreary。
Then，assoonasitisdark，comesthatoldmysterious，hungeringsoundofthesea；andIforonelistentillIcanbearitnolonger，andsostealawaytobedwithapaininmyheart。\"
\"IthinkIshallliketheocean。Therearegames，andbooks，andcompany，anddinners，andotherthings。\"
\"Certainly，andyoucanthinkyourselfhappy，untilgraduallyacontentedcretinismstealsoveryou，bodyandmind。\"
\"No，no！\"saidEthelenthusiastically。
\"IshalldoaccordingtoSwinburne——
\"`Havethereforeinmyheart，andinmymouth，ThesoundofsongthatminglesNorthandSouth；
AndinmySoulthesenseofalltheSea！’\"
AndRuthlaughedatherdramaticattitude，andanswered：\"Thesoulofalltheseaisacontentedcretinism，Ethel。ButintendayswemaybeinYorkshire。Andthen，mydear，youmaymeetyourPrince——somefineYorkshiregentleman。\"
\"IhavestrictlyandpositivelypromisedmyselfthatmyPrinceshallbeafineAmericangentleman。\"
\"MydearEthel，itisveryseldom\"`thetime，andtheplace，AndtheLovedOne，cometogether。’\"
\"Iliveinthelandofgoodhope，Ruth，andmyhopeswillberealized。\"
\"Weshallsee。\"
PARTTHIRD
\"IWENTDOWNINTOTHEGARDEN
TOSEEIFTHEPOMEGRANATESBUDDED。
SongofSolomon，VI。11。
CHAPTERVII
ITwasalovelyafternoononthelastdayofMay。Theseaandallthetoilandtravailbelongingtoitwasoverpass，andJudgeRawdon，RuthandEthelweredrivinginlazy，blissfulcontentmentthroughoneofthelovelyroadsoftheWestRiding。Oneitherhandthebeautifullycuthedgeswerewhiteandsweet，andacaressofscent——thesoulofthehawthorneflowerenfoldedthem。Robinsweresingingonthetopmostsprays，andthelinnet’ssweetbabblingwasheardfromthehappynestsinitssecretplaces；whilefromsomeunseensteeplethejoyfulsoundofchimingbellsmademusicbetweenheavenandearthfitforbandsoftravelingangels。
Theyhaddinedatawaysideinnonjuggedhare，roastbeef，andYorkshirepudding，clottedcreamandhaver（oaten）bread，andthecarelessstillnessofphysicalwell-beingandofmindsateaseneedednospeech，butthemutualsmilingnodofintimatesympathy。
Forthesenseofjoyandbeautywhichmakesuseloquentisfarinferiortothatsensewhichmakesussilent。
ThisexquisitepauseinlifewassuddenlyendedbyanexclamationfromtheJudge。
TheywereatthegreatirongatesofRawdonPark，andsoonwereslowlytraversingitswoodysolitudes。Thesoftlight，theunspeakablegreenoftheturf，thevoiceofancientdaysmurmuringinthegreatoaktrees，thedeerasleepamongtheferns，thestillnessofthesummerafternoonfillingtheairwithdrowsypeacethiswastheatmosphereintowhichtheyentered。Theirroadthroughthisgrandparkofthreehundredacreswasawide，straightavenueshadedwithbeechtrees。Thegreenturfoneitherhandwasstarredwithprimroses。Inthedeepundergrowth，fernswavedandfannedeachother，andthescentofhiddenvioletssalutedastheypassed。
Drowsily，asifhalfasleep，theblackbirdswhistledtheircouplets，andinthethickesthedgesthelittlebrownthrushessangsoftlytotheirbroodingmates。Forhalfanhourtheykeptthisheavenlypath，andthenasuddenturnbroughtthemtheirfirstsightoftheoldhome。
Itwasastately，irregularbuildingofredbrick，sandaledandveiledinivy。Thenu-
merouswindowswerealllatticed，thechimneysinpicturesquestacks，theslopingroofmadeofflagsofsandstone。Itstoodinthecenterofalargegarden，atthebottomofwhichranababblinglittleriver——acheerfultongueoflifeinthesweet，silentplace。Theycrosseditbyaprettybridge，andinafewminutesstoodatthegreatdoorofthemansion。
Itwaswideopen，andtheSquire，withoutstretchedhands，rosetomeetthem。WhileyetuponthethresholdhekissedbothEthelandRuth，and，claspingtheJudge’shand，gazedathimwithsuchapiercing，kindlylookthattheeyesofbothmenfilledwithtears。
Heledthemintothehall，andstandingthereheseemedalmostapartofit。InhisyouthhehadbeenasonofAnak，andhisgreatsizehadbeenmatchedbyhisgreatstrength。Hisstaturewasstilllarge，hisfacebroadandmassive，andanabundanceofsnow-whitehairemphasizedthedignityofacountenancewhichagehadmadenobler。Thegenerationsofeighthundredyearswerecrystallizedinthisbenignantoldman，lookingwithsucheagerinterestintothefacesofhisstrangekindredfromafar-offland。
IntheeveningtheysattogetherintheoldhalltalkingoftheRawdons。\"Thereisgreatfamilyofus，livinganddead，\"saidtheSquire，\"andIcountthemallmyfriends。
Bareisthebackthathasnokinbehindit。
Thatisnotourcase。EighthundredyearsagotherewasaRawdoninRawdon，andonehasneverbeenwantingsince。Saxon，Danish，Norman，andStuartkingshavebeenandgonetheirway，andweremain；andIcantellyoueveryRawdonbornsincetheHouseofHanovercametoEngland。WehavehadourshareinallEngland’sstrifeandglory，foriftherewaseverafightgoingonanywhereRawdonwasneverfaroff。Yes，wecanstringthecenturiestogetherinthebattleflagswehavewon。Seethere！\"hecried，pointingtotwostandardsinterwovenabovethecentralchimney-piece；\"onewastakenfromthePayniminthefirstCrusade，andtheothermygrandsontookinAfrica。Itseemsbutyesterday，andQueenVictoriagavehimtheCrossforit。Poorlad，hehaditonwhenhedied。Itwenttothegravewithhim。
Iwouldn’thaveittouched。IfancytheRawdonswouldknowit。Noonedaresaytheydon’t。Ithinktheymeddleagooddealmorewiththislifethanwecounton。\"
ThedaysthatfollowedweredaysinTheHouseWonderful。Itheldthetreasure-troveofcenturies；allitsroomswerefullofsecrets。
Eventhecommonsitting-roomhadanantiquehomelinessthatprovokedquestionsastothedatesofitsfurnitureandthewhereaboutsofitswallcupboardsandhiddenrecesses。
Itschinahadthemarksofforgottenmakers，itssilverwaspuzzlingwithhalf-
obliteratednamesanddates，itssideboardofoakwasblackwithageandfulloftableaccessories，theverynamesofwhichwereforgotten。Forthishousehadnotbeenbuiltintheordinarysense，ithadgrownthroughcenturies；grownoutofdesireandnecessity，justasatreegrows，andwasthereforefitandbeautiful。Anditwasnowonderthatabouteveryroomfloatedtheperfumeofancientthingsandthepeculiarfamilyaurathathadsaturatedalltheinanimateobjectsaroundthem。
Inafewdays，lifesettleditselftoorderlyoccupations。TheSquirewasalateriser；theJudgeandhisfamilybreakfastedveryearly。
Thenthetwowomenhadarideinthepark，orwanderedinthegarden，orsatreading，orsewing，orwritinginsomeofthesweet，fairrooms。Manyvisitorssoonappeared，andtherewerecallstoreturnandcourtesiestoaccept。AmongthesevisitorstheTyrrel-
Rawdonsweretheearliest。TherepresentativesofthatfamilywereNicholasRawdonandhiswifeLydia。NicholasRawdonwasalarge，stoutman，veryarrogant，verycomplete，veryalertforthisworld，andnotcaringmuchabouttheother。HewasnotpleasedatJudgeRawdon’svisit，butthoughtitbesttobecousinlyuntilhiscousininterferedwithhisplans——\"rights\"hecalledthem——\"andthen！\"andhis\"THEN\"impliedagreatdeal，forNicholasRawdonwasamanincapableofconceivingtheideaoflovinganenemy。
Hiswifewasapleasant，garrulouswoman，whointerestedEthelverymuch。Herfamilywasherchieftopicofconversation。Shehadtwodaughters，oneofwhomhadmarriedabaronet，\"amanwithmoneyandeasytomanage\"；andtheother，\"arichcottonlordinManchester。\"
\"Theyhaven’tdonebadly，\"shesaidconfidentially，\"andit’sagreatthingtogetgirlsoffyourhandsearly。AdelaideandMarthawerewelleducatedandsuitable，but，\"sheaddedwithaglowofpride，\"youshouldseemyJohnThomas。He’smanagerofthemill，andhelovesthemill，andheknowseverypoundofwarporweftthatcomesinorgoesoutofthemill；andwhathisfatherwoulddowithouthim，I’msureIdon’tknow。AndheisamemberofParliament，too——Radicalticket。WonoverMostyn。WipedMostynoutprettywell。Thatwasathingtodo，wasn’tit？\"
\"IsupposeMr。MostynwastheConservativecandidate？\"
\"Youmaybesureofthat。ButmyJohnThomasdoesn’tblamehimforit——thegentryhavetobeConservatives。JohnThomassaidlittleagainsthispolitics；hejustsetthecrowdlaughingathisways——hisdandifiedways。
Andhetriedtowearoneeyeglass，andletitfall，andfall，andthentoldthemen`hecouldn’tmanagehalfapairofspectacles；
buthecouldmanagetheirinterestsandfightfortheirrights，’andsuchliketalk。AndhewalkedlikeMostyn，andhetalkedlikeMostyn，andspreadouthislegs，andtwirledhiswalkingsticklikeMostyn，andaskedthem`iftheywouldwishhimtogotoParliamentinthatkindofashape，ashe’dtryanddoitiftheywantedatailor-mademan’；andtheylaughedhimdown，andthenhespokereasonabletothem。JohnThomasknowswhatYorkshireweaverswant，andhejustprom-
isedthemeverythingtheyhadsettheirheartson；andsotheysenthimtoParliament，andMostynwenttoAmerica，where，perhaps，they’llteachhimthataman’slifeisworthabitmorethanabirdorarabbit。Mostynisallforpreservinggame，andhisfatherwasameancreature。Whenonethinksofhisfather，onehastoexcusetheyoungmanalittlebit。\"
\"IsawagooddealofMr。MostyninNewYork，\"saidEthel。\"Heusedtospeakhighlyofhisfather。\"
\"I’llwarranthedid；andheoughttokeepatit，forhe’stheonlyoneinthisworldthatwillusehistongueforthatend。OldSamuelMostynneverlearnedtolivegodlyorevenmanly，butafterhisdeathheceasedtodoevil，andthat，I’venodoubt，oftenfeelslikeablessingtothemthathadtoliveanywayneartohim。ButmyJohnThomas！\"
\"Oh，\"criedEthel，laughing，\"youmustnottellmesomuchaboutJohnThomas；hemightnotlikeit。\"
\"JohnThomascanlookallhedoesandallhesaysstraightintheface。Youmaytalkofhimallday，andfindnothingtosaythatagoodgirllikeyoumightnotlistento。
Ishouldhavebroughthimwithus，buthe’sawaynowtakingabitofaholiday。I’msureheneedsit。\"
\"Whereishetakinghisholiday？\"
\"Why，hewentwithacousintoshowhimthesightsofLondon；butsomehowtheygotthroughLondonsightsveryquick，andthoughttheymightaswellputParisin。I
wishtheyhadn’t。Idon’ttrustforeignersandforeignways，andtheydon’thavethesamekindofmoneyasours；butNicholassaysI
needn’tworry；heissurethatourJohnThomas，ifchangeistomake，willmakeittosuithimself。\"
\"Howsoonwillhebehome？\"
\"Imightsayto-dayoranyotherearlyday。He’sbeenidlingforamonthnow，andhisfathersays`theveryloomsarecallingoutforhim。’I’llbringhimtoseeyoujustassoonashecomeshome，loomsornolooms，andhe’llbefaintocome。NooneappreciatesaprettygirlmorethanJohnThomasdoes。\"
Sothedayspassedsweetlyandswiftlyonward，andtherewasnotroubleinthem。SuchbusinessaswastobedonewentonbehindthecloseddoorsoftheSquire’soffice，andwithnoonepresentbuthimself，JudgeRawdon，andtheattorneysattachedtotheRawdonandMostynestates。Andastherewerenoentanglementsandnopossiblereasonfordisputing，asettlementwasquicklyarrivedat。Then，asMostyn’sreturnwasuncertain，anattorney’smessenger，properlyaccredited，wassenttoAmericatoprocurehissignatures。
Allowingforunforeseendelays，theperfectedpapersofreleasemightcertainlybeonhandbythefifteenthofJuly，anditwasproposedonthefirstofAugusttogiveadinneranddanceinreturnforthenumerouscourtesiestheAmericanRawdonshadreceived。
AsthisdateapproachedRuthandEthelbegantothinkofavisittoLondon。Theywantednewgownsandmanyotherprettythings，andwhynotgotoLondonforthem？
Thejourneywasbutafewhours，andtwoorthreedays’shoppinginRegentStreetandPiccadillywouldbedelightful。\"Wewillmakeoutalistofallweneedthisafternoon，\"
saidRuth，\"andwemightaswellgoto-morrowmorningaslater，\"andatthismomentaservantenteredwiththemail。Ethelliftedherletterwithanexclamation。\"ItisfromDora，\"shesaid，andhervoicehadatoneofannoyanceinit。\"DoraisinLondon，attheSavoy。Shewantstoseemeverymuch。\"
\"Iamsosorry。Wehavebeensohappy。\"
\"Idon’tthinkshewillinterferemuch，Ruth。\"
\"Mydears，\"saidJudgeRawdon，\"IhavealetterfromFredMostyn。Heiscominghome。HewillbeinLondoninadayortwo。\"
\"Whyishecoming，father？\"
\"HesayshehasaproposaltomakeabouttheManor。Iwishhewerenotcoming。Noonewantshisproposal。\"Thenthebreakfast-
table，whichhadbeensogay，becamesilentanddepressed，andpresentlytheJudgewentawaywithoutexhibitingfurtherinterestintheLondonjourney。
\"IdowishDorawouldletusalone，\"saidRuth。\"Shealwaysbringsdisappointmentorworryofsomekind。AndIwonderwhatisthemeaningofthisunexpectedLondonvisit。IthoughtshewasinHolland。\"
\"ShesaidinherlastletterthatLondonwouldbeimpossiblebeforeAugust。\"
\"Isitanappointment——oracoincidence？\"
AndEthel，liftinghershoulderssarcastically，asifinhostilesurrendertotheinevitable，answered：
\"Itisafatality！\"
CHAPTERVIII
THREEdaysafterwardEthelcalledonDoraStanhopeattheSavoy。Shefoundheralone，andshehadevidentlybeencrying。Indeed，shefranklyadmittedthefact，declaringthatshehadbeen\"soboredandsohomesick，thatsherelievedshehadcriedherbeautyaway。\"SheglancedatEthel’sradiantfaceandneatfreshtoiletwithenvy，andadded，\"Iamsogladtoseeyou，Ethel。ButIwassurethatyouwouldcomeassoonasyouknewIwantedyou。\"
\"Oh，indeed，Dora，youmustnotmakeyourselftoosureofsuchathingasthat！I
reallycametoLondontogetsomenewgowns。
Ihavebeenshoppingallmorning。\"
\"Ithoughtyouhadcomeinanswertomyletter。Iwasexpectingyou。ThatisthereasonIdidnotgooutwithBasil。\"
\"Don’tyouexpectalittletoomuch，Dora？
Ihaveagreatmanyinterestsandduties————\"
\"Iusedtobefirst。\"
\"Whenagirlmarriessheissupposedto————\"
\"Pleasedon’ttalknonsense。Basildoesnottaketheplaceofeveryoneandeverythingelse。Ithinkweareoftenverytiredofeachother。Thismorning，whenIwastellinghimwhattroubleIhadwithmymaid，Julia，heactuallyyawned。Hetriedtosmothertheyawn，buthecouldnot，andofcoursethehoneymoonisoverwhenyourbridegroomyawnsinyourfacewhileyouaretellinghimyourtroubles。\"
\"Ishouldthinkyouwouldbegladitwasover。OfallthewordsintheEnglishlanguage`honeymoon’isthemostridiculousandimbecile。\"
\"Isupposewhenyougetmarriedyouwilltakeahoneymoon。\"
\"Ishallhavemoresenseandmoreselfishness。
Agirlcouldhardlyenteranewlifethroughamediummoretrying。Iamsureitwouldneedlong-testedaffectionsandthesweetestoftemperstomakeitendurable。\"
\"Icannotimaginewhatyoumean。\"
\"Imeanthatalltravelingjustaftermarriageisagreatblunder。Travelingmakesthesunniestdispositionhastyandpeevish，forwomendon’tlovechangesasmendo。
Notoneinathousandisseenatherbestwhiletraveling，andthemajorityareseenattheirveryworst。ThenthereisthediscomfortanddesolationofEuropeanhotels——
theirmysteriousmethodsandhours，andthewaysofforeigners，whicharenotasourways。\"
\"Don’ttalkofthem，Ethel。Theyaredreadfulplaces，andsuchqueerpeople。\"
\"Addtothesetroublesignoranceoflanguageandcoinage，theutterwearinessofrailwaytravel，theplagueofcustoms，thetrunkthatwon’tpack，thetrainsthatwon’twait，thetiresomesight-seeing，theclimaticirritability，broilingsuns，headache，loneliness，fretfulness——consequentlythepitifulboredomofthenewhusband。\"
\"Ethel，whatyousayiscertainlytootrue。
Iamwearytodeathofitall。IwanttobeatNewportwithmother，whoishavingalovelytimethere。OfcourseBasilisverynicetome，andyettherehavebeenlittletiffsandstruggles——verygentleones——forthemastery，whichheisnotgoingtoget。To-dayhewantedmetogowithhimandCanonShackletontoseesomethingorotheraboutthepoorofLondon。Iwouldnotdoit。Iamsolonely，Ethel，Iwanttoseesomeone。Ifeelfittocryallthetime。IlikeBasilbestofanyoneintheworld，but————\"
\"Butinthesolitudeofahoneymoonamongstrangersyoufindoutthatthepersonyoulikebestintheworldcanboreyouasbadlyasthepersonyoudon’tlikeatall。Isthatso？\"
\"Exactly。JustfancyifwewereamongourfriendsinNewport。Ishouldhavesomepleasureindressingandlookinglovely。WhyshouldIdresshere？Thereisnoonetoseeme。\"
\"Basil。\"
\"Ofcourse，butBasilspendsallthetimeinvisitingcathedralsandclergymen。Ifwegoout，itistoseesomethingaboutthepoor，oraboutschoolsandsuchlike。WewerenotinLondontwohoursuntilhewasofftoWestminsterAbbey，andIdidn’tcareacentabouttheoldplace。HesaysImustnotaskhimtogototheaters，buthistoricaloldhousesdon’tinterestmeatall。WhatdoesitmatterifCromwellsleptinacertainancientshabbyroom？AndasforallthepalacesIhaveseen，myfather’shouseisagreatdealhandsomer，andmoreconvenient，andmorecomfortable，andIwishIwerethere。IhateEurope，andEnglandIhateworstofall。\"
\"YouhavenotseenEngland。Weareallenrapturedwithitsbeautyanditsoldhousesandpleasantlife。\"
\"Youareamongfriends——athome，asitwere。IhaveheardallaboutRawdonCourt。
FredMostyntoldme。Heisgoingtobuyit。\"
\"When？\"
\"Sometimethisfall。Thennextyearhewillentertainus，andthatwillbealittledifferenttothisdesolatehotel，Ithink。\"
\"HowlongwillyoubeinLondon？\"
\"Icannotsay。WeareinvitedtoStanhopeCastle，butIdon’twanttogothere。
WestayedwiththeStanhopesaweekwhenwefirstcameover。TheywerethenintheirLondonhouse，andIgotenoughofthem。\"
\"Didyoudislikethefamily？\"
\"No，Icarednothingaboutthem。Theyjustboredme。Theyareextremelyreligious。
Wehadprayersnightandmorning，andaprayerbeforeandaftereverymeal。Theyreadonlyverygoodbooks，andtheHonorableMissesStanhopesewforthepooroldwomenandteachthepooryoungones。TheyworkharderthananyoneIeverknew，andtheycallit`improvingthetime。’Theythoughtmeaverysilly，recklessyoungwoman，andIthinktheyallprayedforme。Onenightaftertheyhadsungsomeverynicesongstheyaskedmetoplay，andIbeganwith`MyLittleBrownRose’——youknowtheyalladorethenegro——
andlittlebylittleIdroppedintothefunniestcoonsongsIknew，andohhowtheylaughed！
Eventheoldlordstrokedhiskneesandlaughedoutloud，whiletheyoungladieslaughedintotheirhandkerchiefs。LadyStanhopewastheonlyonewhocomprehendedIwasguyingthem；andshelookedatmewithhalf-shuteyesinawaythatwouldhavespoiledsomegirls’fun。Itonlymademethemerrier。SoItriedtoshowthemacakewalk，buttheoldlordrosethenandsaid`Imustbetired，andtheywouldexcuseme。’
SomehowIcouldnotmanagehim。Basilwasataworkman’sconcert，andwhenhecamehomeIthinkthereweresomeadvicesandremonstrances，butBasilnevertoldme。
IfeltasiftheywereallgladwhenIwentaway，andIdon’twishtogototheCastle——
andIwon’tgoeither。\"
\"ButifBasilwishestogo————\"
\"Hecangoalone。IratherthinkFredMostynwillbehereinafewdays，andhewilltakemetoplacesthatBasilwillnot——innocentplacesenough，Ethel，soyouneednotlooksoshocked。WhydoyounotaskmetoRawdonCourt？\"
\"BecauseIamonlyaguestthere。Ihavenorighttoaskyou。\"
\"IamsureifyoutoldSquireRawdonhowfondyouareofme，andhowlonelyIam，hewouldtellyoutosendforme。\"
\"Idonotbelievehewould。Hehasold-
fashionedideasaboutnewlymarriedpeople。
HewouldhardlythinkitpossiblethatyouwouldbewillingtogoanywherewithoutBasil——yet。\"
\"HecouldaskBasiltoo。\"
\"IfMr。Mostyniscominghome，hecanaskyoutoMostynHall。ItisverynearRawdonCourt。\"
\"Yes。FredsaidassoonashehadpossessionoftheCourthecouldputbothplacesintoaringfence。ThenhewouldliveattheCourt。IfheasksustherenextsummerI
shallbesuretobeganinvitationforyoualso；
soIthinkyoumightdeserveitbygettingmeonenow。Idon’twanttogotoMostynyet。
Fredsaysitneedsentirerefurnishing，andifwecometotheCourtnextsummer，Ihavepromisedtogivehimmyadviceandhelpinmakingtheplaceprettyanduptodate。HaveyouseenMostynHall？\"
\"Ihavepasseditseveraltimes。Itisalarge，gloomy-lookingplaceIwasgoingtosayhaunted-looking。Itstandsinagroveofyewtrees。\"
\"SoyouarenotgoingtoaskmetoRawdonCourt？\"
\"Ireallycannot，Dora。Itisnotmyhouse。Iamonlyaguestthere。\"
\"Nevermind。Makenomoreexcuses。I
seehowitis。YoualwayswerejealousofFred’slikingforme。AndofcoursewhenhegoesdowntoMostynyouwouldprefermetobeabsent。\"
\"Good-by，Dora！Ihaveadealofshoppingtodo，andthereisnotmuchtimebeforetheball，formanythingswillbetomake。\"
\"Theball！Whatball？\"
\"OnlyoneatRawdonCourt。Theneighborshavebeenexceedinglykindtous，andtheSquireisgoingtogiveadinnerandballonthefirstofAugust。\"
\"Sitdownandtellmeabouttheneighbors——andtheball。\"
\"Icannot。IpromisedRuthtobebackatfive。Ourmodisteistoseeusatthathour。\"
\"SoRuthiswithyou！Whydidshenotcallonme？\"
\"DidyouthinkIshouldcometoLondonalone？AndRuthdidnotcallbecauseshewastoobusy。\"
\"Everyoneandeverythingcomesbeforemenow。Iusedtobefirstofall。IwishI
wereinNewportwithdadandmamma；evenBrycewouldbeacomfort。\"
\"AsIsaidbefore，youhaveMr。Stanhope。\"
\"Areyougoingtosendformetotheball？\"
\"Icannotpromisethat，Dora。Good-by。\"
Doradidnotanswer。Sheburiedherfaceinthesoftpillow，andEthelclosedthedoortothesoundofhersobs。Buttheydidnotcausehertoreturnortomakeanyfoolishpromises。Shedivinedtheirinsincerityandtheirmotive，andhadnomindtotakeanypartinforwardingthelatter。
AndRuthassuredhershehadactedwisely。
\"Iftroubleshouldevercomeofthisfriendship，\"
shesaid，\"DorawouldverylikelycomplainthatyouhadalwaysthrownMostyninherway，broughthimtoherhouseinNewYork，andbroughthertohimatRawdon，inEngland。Marriageissucharisk，Ethel，buttomarrywithoutthecouragetoadaptoneself。AH！\"
\"Youthinkthatconditionunspeakablyhard？\"
\"Therearenowordsforit。\"
\"Dorawasnotreticent，Iassureyou。\"
\"Iamsorry。Awife’scomplaintsareself-
inflictedwounds；scatteredseeds，fromwhichonlymiserycanspring。Ihopeyouwillnotseeheragainatthistime。\"
\"Imadenopromisetodoso。\"
\"Andwhereallissouncertain，wehadbettersupposeallisrightthanthatalliswrong。Eveniftherewasthebeginningofwrong，itneedsbutanaccidenttopreventit，andtherearesomany。\"
\"Accidents！\"
\"Yes，foraccidentisGod’spartinaffairs。
Wecallitaccident；itwouldbebettertosayaninterposition。\"
\"DoratoldmeMostynintendedtobuyRawdonCourtinSeptember，andhehaseveninvitedtheStanhopestostaytherenextsummer。\"
\"Whatdidyousay？\"
\"Nothingagainstit。\"
\"Verygood。DoyouthinkMostynisinLondonnow？\"
\"Ishouldnotwonder。IamsureDoraisexpectinghim。\"
Infact，thenextmorningtheymetDoraandBasilStanhope，drivinginHydeParkwithMostyn，butthesmilinggreetingwhichpassedbetweenthepartiesdidnot，exceptinthecaseofBasilStanhope，fairlyrepresentthedominantfeelingofanyone。AsforStanhope，hisnaturewassoclearandtruthfulthathewouldhardlyhavecomprehendedasmilewhichwasintendedtoveilfeelingsnottobecalledeitherquitefriendlyorquitepleasant。AfterthismeetingallthejoywentoutofRuthandEthel’sshopping。TheywantedtogetbacktotheCourt，andtheyattendedstrictlytobusinessinordertodoso。
Mostynfollowedthemveryquickly。HewasexceedinglyanxioustoseeandhearforhimselfhowhisaffairsregardingRawdonstood。Theywereeasilymadeplaintohim，andhesawwithapangofdisappointmentthatallhishopesofbeingSquireofRawdonManorwereover。Everypennyhecouldrighteouslyclaimwaspaidtohim，andonthetitledeedsoftheancientplacehehadnolongertheshadowofaclaim。TheSquirelookedtenyearsyoungerasheaffectionatelylaidbothhandsontheredeemedparchments，andMostynwithenforcedpolitenesscongratulatedhimontheirintegrityandthenmadeahurriedretreat。OfitsownkindthisdisappointmentwasasgreatasthelossofDora。Hecouldthinkofneitherwithoutasenseofimmeasurableanddisastrousfailure。
Onepettysatisfactionregardingthepaymentofthemortgagewashisonlycom-
fort。HemightnowshowMcLeanthatitwasnotwantofmoneythathadmadehimhithertoshyof\"thegoodinvestments\"offeredhim。HehadbeensureMcLeanintheirlastinterviewhadthoughtso，andhad，indeed，feltthehalf-veiledcontemptwithwhichtherichyoungmanhadexpressedhispityforMostyn’sinabilitytotakeadvantageattherightmomentofanexceptionalchancetoplaythegameofbeggaringhisneighbor。
Now，hetoldhimself，hewouldshowMcLeanandhisbraggartsetthatgoodbirthandoldfamilywasforoncealliedwithplentyofmoney，andhealsopromisedhiswoundedsensibilitiessomeverydesirablereprisals，everyoneofwhichhefeltfullycompetenttotake。
Itwas，afterall，apoorcompensation，buttherewasalsothegold。Hethankedhisfatherthatdayforthegreatthoughtfulnessandcarewithwhichhehadamassedthissumforhim，andhetriedtoconsolehimselfwiththebeliefthatgoldansweredallpurposes，andthattheyellowmetalwasabetterpossessionthanthehouseandlandswhichhehadlongedforwithaninheritedandinsensatecraving。
TwodaysafterthiseventEthel，atherfather’sdirection，signedanumberofpapers，andwhenthatdutywascompleted，theSquirerosefromhischair，kissedherhandsandhercheeks，andinavoicefulloftendernessandpridesaid，\"IpaymyrespectstothefutureladyofRawdonManor，andI
thankGodforpermittingmetoseethishour。
Mostwelcome，LadyEthel，totherightsyouinherit，andtherightsyouhavebought。\"Itwasamomenthardlylikelytobeduplicatedinanylife，andEthelescapedfromitstenseemotionsassoonaspossible。Shecouldnotspeak，herheartwastoofullofjoyandwonder。
Therearesoulsthatsaylittleandlovemuch。Howblessedarethey！
Onthefollowingmorningtheinvitationsweresentforthedinneranddance，butthetimewasputforwardtotheeighthofAugust。
Ineveryone’shearttherewasahopethatbeforethatdayMostynwouldhaveleftRawdon，butthehopewasbarelymentioned。
InthemeantimehecameandwentbetweenMostynandRawdonashedesired，andwasreceivedwiththatmodernpolitenesswhichconsidersitbesttoignoreoffensesthatourgrandfathersandgrandmotherswouldhaveheldforstrictaccountandpunishment。
ItwasevidentthathehadfrequentlettersfromDora。Heknewallhermovements，andspokeseveraltimesofopeningMostynHallandinvitingtheStanhopestostaywithhimuntiltheirreturntoAmerica。ButasthissuggestiondidnotbringfromanymemberoftheRawdonfamilytheinvitationhopedfor，itwasnotactedupon。Hetoldhimselftheexpensewouldbegreat，andtheHall，inspiteofallhecoulddointheinterim，wouldlookpoorandshabbycomparedwithRawdonCourt；soheputasidetheproposalonthegroundthathecouldnotpersuadehisaunttodotheentertainingnecessary。AndforalltheirritationandhumiliationscenteringroundhislossofRawdonandhisinabilitieswithregardtoDoraheblamedEthel。Hewassureifhehadbeenmorelovableandencouraginghecouldhavemarriedher，andthusfinallyreachedRawdonCourt；andthen，withalltheunreasonimaginable，nursedaheartydisliketoherbecauseshewouldnotunderstandhisdesires，andprovidemeansfortheirsatisfaction。Thebright，joyousgirlwithherlovingheart，heraboundingvitality，andconstantcheerfulness，madehimangry。Innoneofherexcellencieshehadanyshare，consequentlyhehatedher。
HewouldhavequicklyreturnedtoLondon，butDoraandherhusbandwerestayingwiththeStanhopes，andherlettersfromStanhopeCastlewerelachrymosecomplaintsoftheutterwearinessanddrearinessoflifetherethepreachingandreadingaloud，theregularwalkinganddriving——alltheinnocentmethodofliveswhichrecognizedtheywerehereforsomehigherpurposethanmerephysicalenjoyment。AnditangeredMostynthatneitherRuthnorEthelfeltanysympathyforDora’sennui，andproposednomeansofreleasingherfromit。Heconsideredthembothdisgustinglyselfishandill-
natured，andwascertainthatalltheirreluctanceatDora’spresencearosefromtheirjealousyofherbeautyandherenchantinggrace。
OntheafternoonofthedayprecedingtheintendedentertainmentRuth，Ethel，andtheSquirewereinthegreatdining-roomsuperintendingitsdecoration。Theyweremerrilylaughingandchatting，andwerenotawareofthearrivalofanyvisitorsuntilMrs。
NicholasRawdon’srosy，good-naturedfaceappearedattheopendoor。Everyonewelcomedhergladly，andtheSquireofferedheraseat。
\"Nay，Squire，\"shesaid，\"I’mcometoaskafavor，andIwon’tsittillIknowwhetherIgetitornot；forifIdon’tgetit，Ishallsaygood-byasquicklyasIcan。OurJohnThomascamehomethismorningandhisfriendwithhim，andIwantinvitationsfortheyoungmen，bothofthem。Mygreatpleasureliesthatway——ifyou’llgiveittome。\"
\"Mostgladly，\"answeredtheSquire，andEthelimmediatelywentforthenecessarypassports。WhenshereturnedshefoundMrs。NicholashelpingRuthandtheSquiretoarrangethelargesilverandcutcrystalonthesideboard，andtalkingatthesametimewithunabatedvivacity。
\"Yes，\"shewassaying，\"theladswouldhavebeenheretwodaysago，buttheystayedinLondontoseesomeAmericanladymarried。
JohnThomas’sfriendknewher。ShewasmarriedattheAmbassador’shouse。A
fineaffairenough，butitbewildersmethistakingupmarriagewithoutpriestorbook。
It’sanewcommission。TheChurch’swarrant，itseems，isoutofdate。Itmayberight’
itmaybelegal，butItoldJohnThomasifheevergothimselfmarriedinthatkindofaway，hewouldn’thavefatherormeforwitnesses。\"
\"Iamglad，\"saidtheSquire，\"thattheyoungmenarehomeintimeforourdance。
Theyounglikesuchthings。\"
\"Tobesuretheydo。JohnThomaswouldn’tgivemeamoment’sresttillIcamehere。Ididn’twanttocome。IthoughtJohnThomasshouldcomehimself，andItoldhimplainlythatIwasreadytodoanyoneafavorifIcould，butifhewantedmetocomebecausehewasafraidtocomehimself，Iwasjustasreadytoshirkthejourney。Andhelaughedandsaidhewasnotfearedforanywomanliving，buthedidwanttomakehisfirstappearanceinhisbestclothes——andthatwasnatural，wasn’tit？SoIcameforthetwolads。\"Thenshelookedatthegirlswithasmile，andsaidinacomfortablekindofway：\"You’llfindthemverynicelads，indeed。
IcanspeakforJohnThomas，Ihavetakenhismeasurelongsince；andasfarasIcanjudgehisfriend，Naturewentaboutsomefullworkwhenshemadeamanofhim。
He’sgotasweettemper，andastrongmind，andastraightjudgment，ifIknowanythingaboutmen——whichNicholassometimesmakesmethinkIdon’t。ButNicholasisn’tanordinaryman，he’swhatyoucall`anexception。’\"
ThenshakingherheadatEthel，shecontinuedreprovingly：\"YouwereneitherofyouinchurchSunday。Iknowsomeyoungwomenwhowenttotheparishchurch——Methodiststheyare——speciallytoseeyournewhats。There’ssometalkaboutthem，Icantellyou，andthevillagemillinerispesteredtocopythem。Shekeepshereyesopenforyou。Youdisappointedalotofpeople。
Yououghttogotochurchinthecountry。
It’sthemostrespectablethingyoucando。\"
\"Wewerebothverytired，\"saidRuth，\"andthesunwashot，andwehadagoodSabbathathome。EthelreadthePsalms，EpistleandGospelfortheday，andtheSquiregaveussomeofthegrandestorganmusicIeverheard。\"
\"Well，well！EveryoneknowstheSquireisagrandplayer。Idon’tsupposethereisanothertomatchhiminthewholeworld，andtheoldfeelingaboutchurch-goingisgettingslackamongtheyoungpeople。TheyserveGodnowverymuchattheirease。\"
\"IsnotthatbetterthanservingHimoncompulsion？\"askedRuth。
\"Idaresay。I’mnobigot。IwasbroughtupanIndependent，andwenttotheirchapeluntilImarriedNicholasRawdon。Myfa-
therwasabroad-thinkingman。HenevertaughtmetolocateGodinanybuilding；andI’msureIdon’tbelieveourparishchurchisHisdwelling-place。Ifitis，theyoughttomendtheroofandputanewcarpetdownandmakethingscleanerandmorerespectable。
Well，Squire，youhavesilverenoughtotemptalltheroguesinYorkshire，andthere’salotofthem。ButnowI’veseenit，I’llgohomewiththesebitsofpaper。Ishallbeaveryimportantwomanto-night。Themtwoladswon’tknowhowtofleechandflattermeenough。I’llbewaitedonhandandfoot。
AndNicholaswillgetabitofaset-down。
HewasbraggingaboutMissEthelbringinghisinvitationtohishandandpromisingtodancewithhim。Iwouldn’tdoitifIwereMissEthel。She’llfindout，ifshedoes，whatitmeanstodancewithamanthatweighstwentystone，andwhohasneverturnedhandnorfoottoanythingbutmoney-makingforthirtyyears。\"
Shewentawaywithasweepandarustleofhershimmeringsilkskirt，andleftbehindhersuchanatmosphereofheartygood-natureasmadethelastrushandcrowdofpreparationseasilyorderedandquicklyaccomplished。Beforeherarrivaltherehadbeensomedoubtastotheweather。Shebroughttheshiningsunwithher，andwhenheset，heleftthemwiththepromiseofasplendidto-morrow——apromiseamplyredeemedwhenthenextdaydawned。Indeed，thesunshinewassobrilliant，thegardensogayandsweet，thelawnsogreenandfirm，theavenuessoshadyandfullofwanderingsongs，thatitwasresolvedtoholdthepreliminaryreceptionoutofdoors。EthelandRuthweretoreceiveonthelawn，andattheopenhalldoortheSquirewouldwaittowelcomehisguests。