Jude’sgotanewrectorandanewidol，andtheStanhopeaffairwasrelegatedtothelimboofthings\"itwaspropertoforget。\"
Sotheweeksofthelongwinterwentby，andEthelinthejoyandhopeofherownlove-lifenaturallyputoutofhermindthesorrowoflivesshecouldnolongerhelporinfluence。Indeed，astoDora，therewerefrequentreportsofhermarveloussocialsuccessinParis；andEtheldidnotdoubtStanhopehadfoundsomeeverlastinggospelofholyworktocomforthisdesolation。Andthenalso\"Eachdaybringsitspettydust，Oursoon-chokedsoulstofill；
Andweforgetbecausewemust，Andnotbecausewewill。\"
OneeveningwhenMaywithheavycloudsandslantrainswasmakingthecityasmiserableaspossible，Ethelhadacaller。Hiscardboreanamequiteunknown，andhisappearancegavenoclewtohisidentity。
\"Mr。Edmonds？\"shesaidinterrogatively。
\"AreyouMissEthelRawdon？\"heasked。
\"Yes。\"
\"Mr。BasilStanhopetoldmetoputthisparcelinyourhands。\"
\"Oh，Mr。Stanhope！Iamgladtohearfromhim。Whereishenow？\"
\"Weburiedhimyesterday。HediedlastSundayasthebellswereringingforchurch——pneumonia，miss。Whilereadingtheser-
viceoverapooryoungmanhehadnursedmanyweekshetookcold。Thepoorwillmisshimsorely。\"
\"DEAD！\"Shelookedaghastatthespeaker，andagainejaculatedthepitiful，astoundingword。
\"Goodevening，miss。Ipromisedhimtoreturnatoncetotheworkheleftmetodo。\"
Andhequietlydeparted，leavingEthelstandingwiththeparcelinherhands。Sheranupstairsandlockeditaway。Justthenshecouldnotbeartoopenit。
\"Anditishardlytwelvemonthssincehewasmarried，\"shesobbed。\"Oh，Ruth，Ruth，itistoocruel！\"
\"Dear，\"answeredRuth，\"thereisnodeathtosuchamanasBasilStanhope。\"
\"Hewassoyoung，Ruth。\"
\"Iknow。`Hishigh-bornbrotherscalledhimhence’attheageoftwenty-nine，but\"`Itisnotgrowinglikeatree，Inbulk，dothmakemenbetterbe；
Orstandinglikeanoakthreehundredyear，Tofallatlast，dry，baldandsear：
AlilyofadayIsfairerfarinMay；
Althoughitfallanddiethatnight，Itwastheplantandfloweroflight。’\"
AtthesewordstheJudgeputdownhisReviewtolistentoEthel’sstory，andwhensheceasedspeakinghehadgonefarfurtherbackthananyantiqueclassicforcompensationandsatisfaction：
\"Hebeingmadeperfectinashorttimefulfilledalongtime。ForhissoulpleasedtheLord，thereforehastedHetotakehimawayfromamongthewicked。\"[2]Andthateveningtherewaslittleconversation。Everyheartwasbusywithitsownthoughts。
[2]WisdomofSolomon，IV。，13，14。
CHAPTERXI
TRADEandcommercehavetheirheroesaswellasarms，andthestruggleinwhichTyrrelRawdonatlastpluckedvictoryfromapparentfailurewasasarduousacampaignasanymilitaryoperationscouldhaveafforded。
Ithadentailedonhimaceaseless，undauntedwatchoverantagonistsrichandpowerful；andafightforrightswhichcontainednotonlyhisownfortune，butthehonorofhisfather，sothattogiveupafractionofthemwastoturntraitortothememoryofaparentwhomhebelievedtobebeyondalldoubtorreproach。Money，politicalpower，civicinfluence，treachery，bribery，thelaw’sdelayandmanyotherhindrancesmethimoneveryside，buthisheartwasencourageddailytoperseverancebylove’stenderestsympathy。
ForhetoldEtheleverything，andreceivedbothfromherfineintuitionsandherfather’slegalskillpricelesscomfortandadvice。Butatlastthelongtrialwasover，themarriagedaywasset，andTyrrel，withallhisrightsconceded，washonorablyfreetoseekthehappinesshehadsafeguardedoneveryside。
ItwasalovelydayinthebeginningofMay，nearlytwoyearsaftertheirfirstmeeting，whenTyrrelreachedNewYork。Ethelknewatwhathourhistrainwouldarrive，shewaswatchingandlisteningforhisstep。Theymetineachother’sarms，andtheblessedhoursofthathappyeveningwereanover-
paymentofdelightforthelongmonthsoftheirseparation。
InthemorningEthelwastointroduceherlovertoMadamRawdon，andsidebyside，almosthandinhand，theywalkeddowntheavenuetogether。Walked？Theyweresohappytheyhardlyknewwhethertheirfeettouchedearthornot。Theyhadaconstantinclinationtoclasphands，torunaslittlechildrenrun；Theywishedtosmileateveryone，tobidalltheworldgoodmorning。
Madamhadresolvedtobecoolandcarefulinheradvances，butshequicklyfoundherselfunabletoresistthesightofsomuchloveandhopeandhappiness。Theyoungpeopletogethertookherheartbystorm，andshefeltherselfcompelledtoexpressaninterestintheirfuture，andtoquestionTyrrelaboutit。
\"Whatareyougoingtodowithyourselformakeofyourself？\"sheaskedTyrreloneeveningwhentheyweresittingtogether。\"I
dohopeyou’llfindsomekindofwork。Anythingisbetterthanloafingaboutclubsandsuchlikeplaces。\"
\"IamgoingtostudylawwithJudgeRawdon。
Mylateexperiencehastaughtmeitsvalue。IdonotthinkIshallloafinhisoffice。\"
\"Notifheisanywherearound。Heworksandmakesotherswork。Lawyeringisaqueerbusiness，butmencanbehonestinitiftheywantto。\"
\"And，grandmother，\"saidEthel，\"myfathersaysTyrrelhasawonderfulgiftforpublicspeaking。Hemadeafinespeechatfather’sclublastnight。Tyrrelwillgointopolitics。\"
\"Willhe，indeed？Tyrrelisawonder。Ifhemanagestowalkhisshoesstraightinthezigzaggerywaysofthelaw，hewillbeoneofthatgrandbreedcalled`exceptions。’Asforpolitics，Idon’tlikethem，farfromit。Yourgrandfatherusedtosaytheyeitherfoundamanarascalormadehimone。However，I’mreadytocompromiseonlawandpolitics。
Iwasafraidwithhisgrandvoicehewouldsetupforatenor。\"
Tyrrellaughed。\"Ididoncethinkofthatrole，\"hesaid。
\"Ifanciedthat。Whoevertaughtyoutouseyourvoiceknewathingortwoaboutsinging。I’llsaythatmuch。\"
\"Mymothertaughtme。\"
\"Never！Iwondernow！\"
\"Shewasafamoussinger。Shewasagreatandagoodwoman。Ioweherforeveryexcellentqualitythereisinme。\"
\"No，youdon’t。Youhavegotyourblackeyesandhairherway，I’llwarrantthat，butyoursolidmake-up，yourpluckandgritandperseveranceistheRawdoninyou。WithoutRawdonyouwouldverylikelynowbestruttingaboutsomeoperastage，playingatkingsandlovemaking。\"
\"Asitis————\"
\"Asitis，youwillbelordconsortofRawdonManor，withasilverminetobackyou。\"
\"IamsorryabouttheManor，\"saidTyrrel。
\"IwishthedearoldSquirewerealivetomeetEthelandmyself。\"
\"Tobesureyoudo。ButIdaresaythatheisgladnowtohavepassedoutofit。
Deathisamysterytothoseleft，butIhavenodoubtitissatisfyingtothosewhohavegoneaway。Hediedashelived，veryprop-
erly；walkedinthegardenthatmorningasfarasthestrawberrybeds，andthegardenergavehimthefirstripehalf-dozeninayoungcabbageleaf，andheatethemlikeaboy，andsaidtheytastedasifgrowninParadise，thenstrolledhomeandaskedJoeltoshakethepillowsonthesofainthehall，laidhimselfdown，shuffledhisheadeasyamongthem，andfellonsleep。SoDeaththeDelivererfoundhim。Agoodgoinghome！Nothingtofearinit。\"
\"EtheltellsmethatMr。MostynisnowlivingatMostynHall。\"
\"Yes，hemarriedthatgirlhewouldhavesoldhissoulforandtookherthere，fourmonthsonlyafterherhusband’sdeath。
WhenIwasyounghedurstnothavedoneit，theYorkshiregentrywouldhavecutthemboth。\"
\"Ithink，\"saidTyrrel，\"Americangentlemenofto-dayfeltmuchthesame。WillMadisontoldmethattheclubcuthimassoonasMrs。Stanhopeleftherhusband。Hewentthereonedayafteritwasknown，andnoonesawhim；finallyhewalkeduptoMcLean，andwouldhavesatdown，butMcLeansaid，`Yourcompanyisnotdesired，Mr。Mostyn。’Mostynsaidsomethinginre-
ply，andMcLeanansweredsternly，`True，wearenoneofussaints，buttherearelinestheworstofuswillnotpass；andifthereisanymemberofthisclubwillingtointerferebetweenabridegroomandhisbride，Iwouldliketokickhimoutofit。’Mostynstruckthetablewithsomeexclamation，andMcLeancontinued，`EspeciallywhenthewrongedhusbandisagentlemanofsuchstainlesscharacterandunsuspectingnatureasBasilStanhope——aclergymanalso！Oh，thethingisbeyondpalliationentirely！’AndhewalkedawayandleftMostyn。\"
\"Well，\"saidMadam，\"ifitcametokicking，twocouldplaythatgame。Fredisnocoward。Idon’twanttohearanotherwordaboutthem。Theywillpunisheachotherwithoutourhelp。Letthemalone。Ihopeyouarenotgoingtohaveacrowdatyourwedding。Thequietestweddingsaretheluckiestones。\"
\"Abouttwentyofourmostintimatefriendsareinvitedtothechurch，\"saidEthel。
\"TherewillbenoreceptionuntilwereturntoNewYorkinthefall。\"
\"Noneedoffusshere，therewillbeenoughwhenyoureachMonk-Rawdon。Thevillagewillbegarlandedandflagged，thebellsring-
ing，andallyourtenantsandretainersouttomeetyou。\"
\"Weintendtogetintoourownhomewithoutanyonebeingawareofit。Come，Tyrrel，mydressmakeriswaiting，Iknow。Itismyweddinggown，dearGranny，andoh，solovely！\"
\"YouwillnotbeanysmarterthanIintendtobe，miss。Youareshutofffromcolor。
Icanoutdoyou。\"
\"Iamsureyoucan——andwill。Herecomesfather。Whatcanhewant？\"Theymethimatthedoor，andwithafewlaughingwordslefthimwithMadam。Shelookedcuriouslyintohisfaceandasked，\"Whatisit，Edward？\"
\"Isupposetheyhavetoldyouallthearrangements。Theyareverysimple。DidtheysayanythingaboutRuth？\"
\"Theynevernamedher。TheysaidtheyweregoingtoWashingtonforaweek，andthentoRawdonCourt。Ruthseemsoutofitall。Areyougoingtoturnheradrift，orpresentherwithafewthousanddollars？ShehasbeenamothertoEthel。SomethingoughttobedoneforRuthBayard。\"
\"Iintendtomarryher。\"
\"Ithoughtso。\"
\"Shewillgotohersister’sinPhiladelphiaforamonth’spreparation。Ishallmarryherthere，andbringherhomeasmywife。Sheisasweet，gentle，docilewoman。Shewillmakemehappy。\"
\"Sweet，gentle，docile！Yes，thatisthestyleofwifeRawdonmenprefer。WhatdoesEthelsay？\"
\"Sheisdelighted。Itwasheridea。Iwasmuchpleasedwithherthoughtfulness。Anyseriousbreakinmylifewouldnowbeagreatdiscomfort。Youneednotlooksosatirical，mother；IthoughtofRuth’slifealso。\"
\"Alsoanafterthought；butRuthisgentleanddocile，andsheissatisfied，andIamsatisfied，sotheneverythingisproperandeveryonecontent。ComeformeattenonWednesdaymorning。Ishallbeready。Norefreshments，Isuppose。Imustlookaftermyownbreakfast。Won’tyoufeelabitshabby，Edward？
\"Andthenthelookandhandclaspbetweenthemturnedeverywordintosweetnessandgood-will。
AndasEthelregardedhermarriageratherasareligiousritethanasocialfunction，sheobjectedtoitsdetailsbecominginanysensepublic，andherdesiresweretoberegarded。
Yeteveryonemayimaginethewhiteloveli-
nessofthebride，thejoyofthebridegroom，thecalmhappinessofthefamilybreakfast，andtheleisurely，quietleave-taking。Thewholeceremonywastherightnotestruckatthebeginningofanewlife，andtheymightjustlyexpectitwouldmoveonwardinmelodioussequence。
WithinthreeweeksaftertheirmarriagetheyarrivedatRawdonCourt。Itwasonadayandatanhourwhennoonewaslookingforthem，andtheysteppedintothelovelyhomewaitingforthemwithoutoutsideobservation。
Hiringacarriageattherailwaystation，theydismisseditatthelittlebridgeneartheManorHouse，andsaunteredhappilythroughtheinterveningspace。Thedoorofthegreathallstoodopen，andthefire，whichhadbeenburningonitsbighearthunquenchedformorethanthreehundredyears，wasblazingmerrily，asifsomehandhadjustreplenishedit。Onthelongtablethebroad，whitebeaverhatofthedeadSquirewaslying，andhisoakwalkingstickwasbesideit。Noonehadlikedtoremovethem。Theyremainedjustashehadputthemdown，thatlast，peacefulmorningofhislife。
Inafewminutesthewholehouseholdwasawareoftheirhome-coming，andbeforethedaywasoverthewholeneighborhood。Thentherewasnowayofavoidingthecalls，thecongratulations，andtheentertainmentsthatfollowed，andtheoldCourtwasoncemorethecenterofasplendidhospitality。OfcoursetheTyrrel-Rawdonswerefirstonthescene，andEthelwasgenuinelygladtomeetagainthegood-naturedMrs。Nicholas。Noonecouldgiveherbetterlocaladvice，andEthelquicklydiscoveredthatthebestgeneralsociallawsrequirealocalinterpretation。
Herhandswerefull，herheartfull，shehadsomanyintereststoshare，somanypeopletoreceiveandtovisit，andyetwhentwoweekspassedandDoraneithercamenorwroteshewasworriedanddissatisfied。
\"AretheMostynsattheHall？\"sheaskedMrs。Nicholasatlast。\"IhavebeenexpectingMrs。Mostyneveryday，butsheneithercomesnorwritestome。\"
\"Idaresaynot。Poorlittlewoman！I’llwarrantshehasbeenforbidtodoeither。IfMostynthoughtshewantedtoseeyou，hewouldwatchdayandnighttopreventhercoming。He’sturningoutascruelamanashisfatherwas，andyouneednotsayawordworsethanthat。\"
\"Cruel！Oh，dear，howdreadful！Menwilldrinkandcheatandswear，butacruelmanseemssounnatural，sowicked。\"
\"Tobesure，crueltyisthejoyofdevils。
AsIsaidtoJohnThomaswhenweheardaboutMostyn’sgoings-on，wehavegotridoftheWickedOne，butthewickedstillremainwithus。\"
Thisconversationhavingbeenopened，wasnaturallyprolongedbytherelationofincidentswhichhadcomethroughvarioussourcestoMrs。Rawdon’sears，allofthemindicatinganalmostincrediblesystemofpettytyrannyandcruelcontradiction。Ethelwasamazed，andfinallyangryatwhatsheheard。Dorawashercountrywomanandherfriend；sheinstantlybegantoexpresshersympathyandherintentionofinterfering。
\"Youhadbetterneithermeddlenormakeinthematter，\"answeredMrs。Rawdon。
\"OurLucywenttoseeher，andgavehersomeadviceaboutmanagingYorkshiremen。
AndasshewastalkingMostyncamein，andwasasrudeashedaredtobe。ThenLucyaskedhim`ifhewassick。’Shesaid，`Allthemenintheneighborhood，gentleandsim-
ple，weretalkingabouthim，andthatitwasn’tapleasantthingtobetalkedaboutinthewaytheyweredoingit。Youmustbegintolookmorelikeyourself，Mr。Mostyn；itisgoodadviceIamgivingyou，’sheadded；andMostyntoldherhewouldlookashefelt，whetheritwaslikedornotliked。AndLucylaughed，andsaid，`Inthatcasehewouldhavetogotohislooking-glassforcompany。’Well，Ethel，therewasatimetojoyadevilafterLucyleft，andsomeoneoftheservantswentontheirownresponsibilityforadoctor；andMostynorderedhimoutofthehouse，andhewouldnotgountilhesawMrs。Mostyn；andthelittlewomanwasforcedtocomeandsay`shewasquitewell，’thoughshewassobbingallthetimeshespoke。ThenthedoctortoldMostynwhathethought，andthereisaquarrelbetweenthemeverytimetheymeet。\"
ButEthelwasnotdeterredbythesestatements；
onthecontrary，theystimulatedherinterestinherfriend。Doraneededher，andtheoldfeelingofprotectionstirredhertointerference。Atanyrate，shecouldcallandseetheunhappywoman；andthoughTyrrelwasopposedtothevisit，andthoughtiteverywayunwise，Ethelwasresolvedtomakeit。
\"Youcandrivemethere，\"shesaid，\"thengoandseeJusticeManninghamandcallformeinhalfanhour。\"AndthisresolutionwasstrengthenedbyapitifullittlenotereceivedfromDorajustafterherdecision。
\"MostynhasgonetoThirsk，\"itsaid；\"forpity’ssakecomeandseemeabouttwoo’clockthisafternoon。\"
Therequestwaspromptlyanswered。AstheclockstrucktwoEthelcrossedthethresholdofthehomethatmighthavebeenhers。
Sheshudderedatthethought。Theatmosphereofthehousewasfulloffearandgloom，thefurnituredarkandshabby，andshefanciedthewraithsofoldforgottencrimesandsorrowswereglidingaboutthesad，dimroomsandstairways。Doraroseinapassionoftearstowelcomeher，andbecausetimewasshortinstantlybeganherpitifulstory。
\"Youknowhowheadoredmeonce，\"shesaid；\"wouldyoubelieveit，Ethel，wewerenottwoweeksmarriedwhenhebegantohateme。HedraggedmethroughEuropeinblazingheatandblindingsnowswhenIwassickandunfittomove。Hebroughtmehereinthedepthofwinter，andwhennoonecalledonusheblamedme；andfrommorningtillnight，andsometimesallnightlong，hetauntsandtormentsme。AfterheheardthatyouhadboughttheManorhelostallcontrolofhimself。Hewillnotletmesleep。
Hewalksthefloorhourafterhour，declaringhecouldhavehadyouandthefinestmanorinEnglandbutforacat-facedwomanlikeme。
AndheblamesmeforpoorBasil’sdeath——
sayswemurderedhimtogether，andthatheseesbloodonmyhands。\"Andshelookedwithterrorathersmall，thinhands，andheldthemupasiftoprotestagainstthecharge。
Whenshenextspokeitwastosobout，\"PoorBasil！Hewouldpityme！Hewouldhelpme！Hewouldforgiveme！HeknowsnowthatMostynwas，andis，myevilgenius。\"
\"Donotcrysobitterly，Dora，ithurtsme。
Letusthink。Istherenothingyoucando？\"
\"Iwanttogotomother。\"ThenshedrewEthel’sheadclosetoherandwhisperedafewwords，andEthelanswered，\"Youpoorlittleone，youshallgotoyourmother。Whereisshe？\"
\"ShewillbeinLondonnextweek，andI
mustseeher。Hewillnotletmego，butgoImustifIdieforit。Mrs。JohnThomasRawdontoldmewhattodo，andIhavebeenfollowingheradvice。\"
Etheldidnotaskwhatitwas，butadded，\"IfTyrrelandIcanhelpyou，sendforus。
Wewillcome。And，Dora，dostopweeping，andbebrave。RememberyouareanAmericanwoman。YourfatherhasoftentoldmehowyoucouldridewithIndiansorcowboysandshootwithanyminerinColorado。A
bullylikeMostynisalwaysacoward。Liftupyourheartandstandforeveryoneofyourrights。Youwillfindplentyoffriendstostandwithyou。\"Andwiththewordsshetookherbythehandsandraisedhertoherfeet，andlookedatherwithsuchabeaming，courageoussmilethatDoracaughtitsspirit，andpromisedtoinsistonherclaimsforrestandsleep。
\"WhenshallIcomeagain，Dora？\"
\"NottillIsendforyou。MotherwillbeinLondonnextWednesdayattheSavoy。I
intendtoleavehereWednesdaysometime，andmayneedyou；willyoucome？\"
\"Surely，bothTyrrelandI。\"
Thenthetimebeingonadangerouslinetheyparted。ButEthelcouldthinkofnothingandtalkofnothingbutthefrightfulchangeinherfriend，andtheunceasingmiserywhichhadproducedit。Tyrrelsharedallherindignation。Theslowtortureofanycreaturewasanintolerablecrimeinhiseyes，butwhenthebrutalitywasexercisedonawoman，andonacountrywoman，hewasrousedtothehighestpitchofindignation。
WhenWednesdayarrivedhedidnotleavethehouse，butwaitedwithEthelforthemessagetheyconfidentlyexpected。Itcameaboutfiveo’clock——urgent，imperative，entreating，\"Come，forGod’ssake！Hewillkillme。\"
Thecarriagewasready，andinhalfanhourtheywereatMostynHall。Nooneansweredtheirsummons，butastheystoodlisteningandwaiting，ashrillcryofpainandangerpiercedthesilence。Itwasfollowedbyloudvoicesandaconfusednoise——
noiseofmanytalkingandexclaiming。ThenTyrrelnolongerhesitated。Heopenedthedooreasily，andtakingEthelonhisarm，suddenlyenteredtheparlorfromwhichtheclamorcame。Dorastoodinthecenteroftheroomlikeanenragedpythoness，hereyesblazingwithpassion。
\"See！\"shecriedasTyrrelenteredtheroom——\"see！\"Andsheheldoutherarm，andpointedtohershoulderfromwhichthelacehunginshreds，showingthewhiteflesh，redandbruised，whereMostynhadgrippedher。ThenTyrrelturnedtoMostyn，whowasheldtightlyinthegraspofhisgardenerandcoachman，andfoamingwitharagethatrenderedhisexplanationalmostinarticulate，especiallyasthethreewomenservantsgatheredaroundtheirmistressaddedtheirrailingandinvectivestothegeneralconfusion。
\"Thewitch！Thecat-facedwoman！\"hescreamed。\"Shewantstogotohermother！
WantstoplaythetrickshekilledBasilStanhopewith！Sheshallnot！Sheshallnot！I
willkillherfirst！Sheismad！Iwillsendhertoanasylum！Sheisalittledevil！I
willsendhertohell！Nothingisbadenough——nothing————\"
\"Mr。Mostyn，\"saidTyrrel。
\"Outofmyhouse！Whatareyoudoinghere？Away！Thisismyhouse！Outofitimmediately！\"
\"Thismanisinsane，\"saidTyrreltoDora。
\"Putonyourhatandcloak，andcomehomewithus。\"
\"IamwaitingforJusticeManningham，\"
sheansweredwithacalmsubsidenceofpassionthatangeredMostynmorethanherreproaches。
\"Ihavesentforhim。Hewillbehereinfiveminutesnow。Thatbrute\"——
pointingtoMostyn——\"mustbekeptunderguardtillIreachmymother。Themagistratewillbringacoupleofconstableswithhim。\"
\"Thisisaplot，then！Youhearit！You！
You，TyrrelRawdon，andyou，SaintEthel，areinit，allhereontime。Aplot，Isay！LetmeloosethatImaystranglethecat-facedcreature。Lookatherhands，theyarealreadybloody！\"
AtthesewordsDorabegantosobpassionately，theservants，oneandall，tocomforther，ortoabuseMostyn，andintheheightofthehubbubJusticeManninghamenteredwithtwoconstablesbehindhim。
\"TakechargeofMr。Mostyn，\"hesaidtothem，andastheylaidtheirbighandsonhisshoulderstheJusticeadded，\"Youwillconsideryourselfunderarrest，Mr。Mostyn。\"
AndwhennothingelsecouldcowMostyn，hewascowedbythelaw。Hesankalmostfaintingintohischair，andtheJusticelistenedtoDora’sstory，andlookedindignantlyatthebrutalman，whensheshowedhimhertorndressandbruisedshoulder。\"IentreatyourHonor，\"shesaid，\"topermitmetogotomymotherwhoisnowinLondon。\"Andheansweredkindly，\"Youshallgo。Youareinaconditiononlyamothercanhelpandcomfort。AssoonasIhavetakenyourdepositionyoushallgo。\"
NoonepaidanyattentiontoMostyn’sdisclaimersanddenials。TheJusticesawthestateofaffairs。SquireRawdonandMrs。
RawdontestifiedtoDora’sill-usage；thebutler，thecoachman，thestablemen，thecook，thehousemaidswerealleagertobearwitnesstothesame；andMrs。Mostyn’sappearancewastooeloquentapleaforanyhumanemantodenyherthemother-helpsheaskedfor。
Thoughneighborsandmembersofthesamehuntandclubs，theJusticetooknomorefriendlynoticeofMostynthanhewouldhavetakenofanywife-beatingcotton-
weaver；andwhenalllawfulpreliminarieshadbeenarranged，hetoldMrs。MostynthatheshouldnottakeupMr。Mostyn’scasetillFriday；andintheintervalshewouldhavetimetoputherselfunderhermother’scare。
Shethankedhim，weeping，andinherold，prettywaykissedhishands，and\"vowedhehadsavedherlife，andshewouldforeverrememberhisgoodness。\"Mostynmockedather\"play-acting，\"andwassternlyreprovedbytheJustice；andthenTyrrelandEtheltookchargeofMrs。MostynuntilshewasreadytoleaveforLondon。
Shewasmorenearlyreadythantheyex-
pected。Allhertrunkswerepacked，andthebutlerpromisedtotakethemimmediatelytotherailwaystation。Inaquarterofanhoursheappearedintravelingcostume，withherjewelsinabag，whichshecarriedinherhand。
TherewasatrainforLondonpassingMonk-
Rawdonateighto’clock；andafterJusticeManninghamhadleft，thecookbroughtinsomedinner，whichDoraaskedtheRawdonstosharewithher。Itwas，perhaps，anecessarybutapainfulmeal。NoonenoticedMostyn。Hewasenforcedtositstillandwatchitsprogress，whichheaccompaniedwithcursesitwouldbeakindofsacrilegetowritedown。Butnooneansweredhim，andnoonenoticedtheordershegaveforhisowndinner，untilDorarosetoleaveforeverthehouseofbondage。Thenshesaidtothecook：
\"Seethatthosegentlemanlyconstableshavesomethinggoodtoeatandtodrink，andwhentheyhavebeenservedyoumaygivethatman\"——pointingtoMostyn——\"thedinnerofbreadandwaterhehassooftenprescribedforme。Aftermytrainleavesyouareallfreetogotoyourownhomes。Farewell，friends！\"
ThenMostynravedagain，andfinallytriedhisoldlovingterms。\"Comebacktome，Dora，\"hecalledfrantically。\"Comeback，dearest，sweetestDora，Iwillbeyourloverforever。Iwillneversayanothercrosswordtoyou。\"
ButDoraheardnotandsawnot。Shelefttheroomwithoutaglanceatthemansittingcoweringbetweentheofficers，andblubberingwithshameandpassionandthesenseoftotalloss。InafewminutesheheardtheRawdoncarriagedrivetothedoor。TyrrelandEthelassistedDoraintoit，andthepartydroveatoncetotherailwaystation。TheywerejustabletocatchtheLondontrain。
Thebutlercameuptoreportallthetrunkssafelyforwarded，andDoradroppedgoldintohishand，andbadehimclearthehouseofservantsassoonasthemorningbroke。Fortunatelytherewasnotimeforlastwordsandpromises；thetrainbegantomove，andTyrrelandEthel，afterwatchingDora’swhitefaceglideintothedarkness，turnedsilentlyaway。Thatdepressionwhichsooftenfollowstheliftingofburdensnotintendedforourshouldersweighedontheirheartsandmadespeechdifficult。Tyrrelwasespeciallyaffectedbyit。AquickfeelingofsomethinglikesympathyforMostynwouldnotbereasonedaway，andhedrewEthelclosewithinhisarm，andgavethecoachmananordertodrivehomeasquicklyaspossible，fortwilightwasalreadybecomingnight，andunderthetreesthedarknessfeltoppressive。
Thelittlefireonthehearthandtheirbelateddinnersomewhatrelievedthetension；
butitwasnotuntiltheyhadretiredtoasmallparlor，andTyrrelhadsmokedacigar，thatthetragedyoftheeveningbecameapossibletopicofconversation。Tyrrelopenedthesubjectbyaquestionastowhether\"heoughttohavegonewithDoratoLondon。\"
\"DoraopposedtheideastronglywhenI
namedittoher，\"answeredEthel。\"ShesaiditwouldgiveopportunitiesforMostyntoslanderbothherselfandyou，andIthinkshewascorrect。Everywayshewasbestalone。\"
\"Perhaps，butIfeelasifIoughttohavegone，asifIhadbeensomethinglessthanagentleman；infact，asifIhadbeenveryun-
gentle。\"
\"Thereisnoneed，\"answeredEthelalittlecoldly。
\"ItisaterriblepositionforMostyn。\"
\"Hedeservesit。\"
\"Heissosensitiveaboutpublicopinion。\"
\"Inthatcaseheshouldbehavedecentlyinprivate。\"
ThenTyrrellitanothercigar，andtherewasanothersilence，whichEtheloccupiedinirritatingthoughtsofDora’sunfortunatefatalityintrouble-making。ShesatatalittletablestandingbetweenherselfandTyrrel。
Itheldhissmokingutensils，andafterawhileshepushedthemaside，andletthesplendidringswhichadornedherhandfallintotheclearedspace。Tyrrelwatchedherafewmoments，andthenasked，\"Whatareyoudoing，Ethel，mydear？\"
Shelookedupwithasmile，andthendownatthehandshehadlaidopenuponthetable。
\"IamlookingattheRingofallRings。
See，Tyrrel，itisbutalittlebandofgold，andyetitgavememorethanallthegemsofearthcouldbuy。Rubiesandopalsandsapphiresareonlyitsguard。Thesimpleweddingringistheringofgreatprice。Itistheloveliestornamentahappywomancanwear。\"
Tyrreltookherhandandkissedit，andkissedthegoldenband，andthenanswered，\"Trulyanornamentifahappywifewearsit；butoh，Ethel，whatisitwhenitbindsawomantosuchmiseryasDorahasjustfledfrom？\"
\"Thenitisafetter，andawomanwhohasaparticleofself-respectwillbreakit。TheRingofallRings！\"sheejaculatedagain，assheliftedtherubiesandopals，andslowlybutsmilinglyencircledthelittlegoldband。
\"Letustrynowtoforgetthatsorrowfulwoman，\"saidTyrrel。\"Shewillbewithhermotherinafewhours。Mother-lovecancureallgriefs。Itneverfails。Itneverblames。Itnevergrowsweary。Itisalwaysyoungandwarmandtrue。Dorawillbecomforted。Letusforget；wecandonomore。\"
Foracoupleofdaysthiswaspossible，butthencameMrs。NicholasRawdon，andthesubjectwasperforceopened。\"Itwasabadcase，\"shesaid，\"butitisbeingsettledasquicklyandasquietlyaspossible。Ibelievethemanhasenteredintosomesortofrecognizancetokeepthepeace，andhasdisappeared。
Noonewilllookforhim。Thegentryareagainstpullingoneanotherdowninanyway，andthisaffairtheydon’twanttalkedabout。Beingallofthemmarriedmen，itisn’ttobeexpected，isit？JusticeManninghamwasverysorryforthelittlelady，buthesaidalso`itwasabadprecedent，andoughtnottobediscussed。’AndSquireBentleysaid，`IfEnglishgentlemenwouldmarryAmericanwomen，theymustputupwithAmericanwomen’sways，’andsoon。NoneofthemthinkitprudenttoapproveMrs。Mostyn’scourse。Buttheywon’tgetoffaseasyastheythink。Thewomenarestandingupforher。Didyoueverhearanythinglikethat？AndI’llwarrantsomehusbandsarenonesoeasyintheirminds，asmyNicholassaid，`Mrs。Mostynhadsownseedthatwouldbeseenandheardtellofformanyalongday。’OurLucy，Isuspect，hadmoretodowiththemovethanshewillconfess。
Shegotalotofnew，queernotionsatcollege，andIdobelieveinmyheartshesetthepoorwomanuptothebusiness。JohnThomas，ofcourse，saysnotaword，buthelooksatLucyinaveryproudkindofway；
andI’llbeboundhehasgotanobjectlessonhe’llrememberaslongashelives。SohasNicholas，thoughhebluffsmorethanalittleastowhathe’ddowithawifethatgotarunning-
awaynotionintoherhead。Blessyou，dear，theyareallformulatingtheirlawsonthesubject，andtheirwivesaresmilingqueerlyatthem，andholdingtheirheadsabithigherthanusual。I’vebeendoingitmyself，soIknowhowtheyfeel。\"
Thus，thoughverylittlewassaidinthenewspapersabouttheaffair，thenotorietyMostyndreadedwascompleteandthorough。
Itwastheprivatetopicofconversationineveryhousehold。Mentalkeditoverinalltheplaceswheremenmet，andwomenhiredtheoldMostynservantsinordertogettheverysurestandlateststoryofthepoorwife’swrongs，andthencomparedreportsandevendiscussedthecircumstancesintheirownparticularclubs。
AttheCourt，TyrrelandEtheltriedtoforget，andtheirowninterestsweresomanyandsoimportantthattheyusuallysucceeded；
especiallyafterafewlinesfromMrs。DenningassuredthemofDora’ssafetyandcomfort。AndformanyweeksthebusylifeoftheManorsufficed；therewasthehaytocutinthemeadowlands，andafteritthewheatfieldstoharvest。Thestables，thekennels，thefarmsandtimber，theparkandthegardenkeptTyrrelconstantlybusy。Andtothesedutieswereaddedthesocialones，thedininganddancingandentertaining，thehorseracing，theregattas，andtheenthusiasmwhichautomobilinginitsfirstfeverengenders。
AndyetthereweretimeswhenTyrrellookedbored，andwhennothingbutSquirePercival’sorganorEthel’spianoseemedtoexorcisetheunrestandennuithatcouldnotbehid。Ethelwatchedthesemoodswithawiseandkindcuriosity，andinthebeginningofSeptember，whentheyperceptiblyincreased，sheaskedoneday，\"Areyouhappy，Tyrrel？Quitehappy？\"
\"Iamhavingasplendidholiday，\"heanswered，\"but————\"
\"Butwhat，dear？\"
\"Onecouldnotturnlifeintoalongholiday——
thatwouldbeharderthanthehardestwork。\"
Sheanswered\"Yes，\"andassoonasshewasalonefelltothinking，andinthemidstofhermeditationMrs。NicholasRawdonenteredinawhirloftempestuousdelight。
\"Whatdoyouthink？\"sheaskedbetweenlaughingandcrying。\"Whateverdoyouthink？OurLucyhadtwinsyesterday，twofineboysaseverwas。AndIwishyoucouldseetheirgrandfatherandtheirfather。Theyareoutofthemselveswithjoy。Theystandhourafterhourbesidethetwocradles，lookingatthelittlefellows，andtheynearlycametowordsthismorningabouttheirnames。\"
\"Iamsodelighted！\"criedEthel。\"Andwhatareyougoingtocallthem？\"
\"Oneisanhourolderthantheother，andJohnThomaswantedthemcalledPercivalandNicholas。ButmyNicholaswantedtheeldestcalledafterhimself，andhesaidsoplainenough。AndJohnThomassaid`hecouldsurelynamehisownsons；andthenNicholastoldhimtorememberhewouldn’thavebeenheretohaveanysonsatallbutforhisfather。’AndjustthenIcameintotheroomtohavealookatthelittlelads，andwhenIheardwhattheywerefratchingabout，Itoldthemitwasnoneoftheirbusiness，thatLucyhadtherighttonamethechildren，andtheywouldjusthavetoputupwiththenamesshegavethem。\"
\"AndhasLucynamedthem？\"
\"Tobesure。Iwentrightawaytoherandexplainedthedilemma，andIsaid，`Now，Lucy，itisyourplacetosettlethisquestion。’
Andsheansweredinherpositivelittleway，`YoutellfathertheeldestistobecalledNicholas，andtellJohnThomastheyoungestistobecalledJohnThomas。Icanmanagetwoofthatnameverywell。AndsaythatI
won’thaveanymoredisputingaboutnames，theboysareasgoodaschristenedalready。’
AndofcoursewhenLucysaidthatweallknewitwassettled。AndI’mgladtheeldestisNicholas。Heisafine，sturdylittleYork-
shireman，bawlingoutalreadyforwhathewants，andflyingintoatemperifhedoesn’tgetitassoonashewantsit。Dearieme，Ethel，Iamaproudwomanthismorning。
AndNicholasisgoingtogiveallthehandsaholiday，andatripuptoAmblesideonSaturday，thoughJohnThomasisverymuchagainstit。\"
\"Whyisheagainstit？\"
\"HesaystheywillbeholdingameetingonMondaynighttotryandfindoutwhatOldNicholasisupto，andthatifhedoesn’tgivethemthesametreatonthesamedatenextyear，they’llholdanindignationmeetingaboutbeingswindledoutoftheirrights。
AndI’llpledgeyoumywordJohnThomasknowsthemenhe’stalkingabout。However，Nicholasisclosewithhismoney，anditwilldohimgoodhappentoloseabit。Blood-lettingishealthyforthebody，andperhapsgold-lettingmayhelpthesoulmorethanwethinkfor。\"
ThisnewsstimulatedEthel’sthinking，andwhenshealsostoodbesidethetwocradles，andthelittleNicholasopenedhisbigblueeyesandbeganto\"bawlforwhathewanted，\"
acertainideatookfastholdofher，andshenurseditsilentlyforthenextmonth，watch-
ingTyrrelatthesametime。ItwasnearOctober，however，beforeshefoundtheproperopportunityforspeaking。TherehadbeenalongletterfromtheJudge。ItsaidRuthandhewerehomeagainafterawonderfultripovertheNorthernPacificroad。Hewrotewithenthusiasmofthecountryanditsopportunities，andofthebigcitiestheyhadvisitedontheirreturnfromthePacificcoast。Everywordwasalive，themagnitudeandstiroftrafficandwrestlinghumanityseemedtorustlethepaper。HedescribedNewYorkasoverflowingwithbusiness。
Hisownplans，theplansofothers，thejarofpolitics，thethrillofmusicandthedrama——allthemultitudinousvitalitythatcrowdedthestreetsandfilledtheair，eventotheroofsofthetwenty-storybuildings，contributedtothepotentexhilarationoftheletter。
\"GreatGeorge！\"exclaimedTyrrel。
\"Thatislife！Thatisliving！IwishwewerebackinAmerica！\"
\"SodoI，Tyrrel。\"
\"Iamsoglad。Whenshallwego？Itisnowthetwenty-eighthofSeptember。\"
\"AreyouverywearyofRawdonCourt\"’
\"Yes。Ifamancouldliveforthesakeofeatingandsleepingandhavingapleasanttime，whyRawdonCourtwouldbeaheaventohim；butifhewantstoDOsomethingwithhislife，hewouldbemostunhappyhere。\"
\"Andyouwanttodosomething？\"
\"YouwouldnothavelovedamanwhodidnotwantTODO。Wehavebeenherefourmonths。Thinkofit！IfItakefourmonthsoutofeveryyearfortwentyyears，Ishalllose，withtravel，aboutsevenyearsofmylife，andtheotherthingstobedroppedwiththemmaybeofincalculablevalue。\"
\"Isee，Tyrrel。IamnotboundinanywaytokeepRawdonCourt。Icansellitto-
morrow。\"
\"Butyouwouldbegrievedtodoso？\"
\"Notatall。BeingaladyoftheManordoesnotflatterme。Theothersquireswouldratherhaveagoodmaninmyplace。\"
\"Whydidyoubuyit？\"
\"AsIhavetoldyou，tokeepMostynout，andtokeepaRawdonhere。ButNicholasRawdoncravestheplace，andwillpaywellforhisdesire。Itcostmeeightythousandpounds。HetoldfatherhewouldgladlygivemeonehundredthousandpoundswheneverIwastiredofmybargain。Iwilltakethehundredthousandpoundsto-morrow。TherewouldthenbefourgoodheirstoRawdonontheplace。\"
HeretheconversationwasinterruptedbyMrs。Nicholas，whocametoinvitethemtothechristeningfeastofthetwins。Tyrrelsoonlefttheladiestogether，andEthelatonceopenedthedesiredconversation。
\"IamafraidwemayhavelefttheCourtbeforethechristening，\"shesaid。\"Mr。Rawdonisveryunhappyhere。Heisreallyhomesick。\"
\"Butthisishishome，isn’tit？Andaveryfineone。\"
\"Hecannotfeelitso。HehaslargeinterestsinAmerica。IdoubtifIeverinducehimtocomehereagain。Yousee，thisvisithasbeenourmarriagetrip。\"
\"Andyouwon’tlivehere！Ineverheardtheline。WhatwillyoudowiththeCourt？
Itwillbebadlyusedifitislefttoservantssevenoreightmonthseveryyear。\"
\"IsupposeImustsellit。Iseeno————\"
\"IfyouonlywouldletNicholasbuyit。
Youmightbesurethenitwouldbewellcaredfor，andthelittleladsgrowingupinit，whowouldfinallyheirit。Oh，Ethel，ifyouwouldthinkofNicholasfirst。Hewouldhonortheplaceandbeanhonortoit。\"
Outofthisconversationtheoutcomewasassatisfactoryasitwascertain，andwithintwoweeksNicholasRawdonwasSquireofRawdonManor，andpossessorofthefamousoldManorHouse。ThentherefollowedabusytwoweeksforTyrrel，whohadthesuperintendenceofthepacking，whichwasnolightbusiness。ForthoughEthelwouldnotdenudetheCourtofitsancientfurnitureandornaments，thereweremanythingsbelongingtothepersonalestateofthelateSquirewhichhadbeengiventoherbyhiswill，andcouldnotbeleftbehind。ButbytheendofOctobercasesandtrunkswereallsentofftothesteamshipinwhichtheirpassagewastaken；andtheRawdonestate，whichhadplayedsuchamomentouspartinEthel’slifehavingfinisheditsmission，hadnofurtherinfluence，andwithoutregretpassedoutofherphysicallifeforever。
Indeed，theirwillingnesstoresignallclaimstotheoldhomewasamarveltobothTyrrelandEthel。Ontheirlastafternoontheretheywalkedthroughthegarden，andstoodundertheplanetreewheretheirvowsoflovehadbeenpledged，andsmiledandwonderedattheirindifference。Thebeauteousglamoroffirstlovewasgoneascom-
pletelyastheflowersandscentsandsongsthathadthenfilledthecharmingplace。Butamidthesweetdecayofthesethingstheyoncemoreclaspedhands，lookingwithsupremeconfidenceintoeachother’seyes。Allthathadthenbeenpromisedwasnowcertain；
andwithanaffectioninfinitelysweeterandsurer，TyrreldrewEtheltohisheart，andonherlipskissedthetenderest，proudestwordsawomanhears，\"Mydearwife！\"
Thisvisitwastheirlastadieu，alltheresthadbeensaid，andearlythenextmorningtheyleftMonk-Rawdonstationasquietlyastheyhadarrived。DuringtheirshortreignatRawdonCourttheyhadbeenverypopular，andperhapstheirresignationwasequallyso。Afterall，theywereforeigners，andNicholasRawdonwasYorkshire，rootandbranch。
\"Niceyoungpeople，\"saidJusticeManninghamatahuntdinner，\"butourwaysarenottheirways，norliketobe。Theyoungmanwasbornafighter，andthereareneitherbearsnorIndianshereforhimtofight；andourpoliticsareGreektohim；andthelady，verysweetandbeautiful，butfullofnewideas——ideasnotsuitableforwomen，andwedonotwishourwomenchanged。\"
\"Goodenoughastheyare，\"mumbledSquireOakes。