YourfatherwillcallonMr。Mostynto-morrow，andweshallgetunprejudicedinformation。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknowthat，Ruth。FatherisintenselyAmericanthreehundredandsixty-
fourdaysandtwenty-threehoursinayear，andthenintheoddhourhewillflareupYorkshirelikeaconflagration。\"
\"English，youmean？\"
\"No。YorkshireISEnglandtograndmotherandfather。Theydon’tthinkanythingmuchoftheothercounties，andpeoplefromthemarejustrespectableforeigners。
Youmaydependuponit，whatevergrandmothersaysofMr。FredMostyn，fatherwillbelieveit，too。\"
\"Yourfatheralwaysbelieveswhateveryourgrandmothersays。Goodnight，dear。\"
\"Goodnight。IthinkIshallgotograndmotherinthemorning。Iknowhowtomanageher。Ishallmeethersquarelywiththetruth，andacknowledgethatIamdyingwithcuriosityaboutMr。Mostyn。\"
\"Andshewillteaseandlectureyou，sayyouare`notsweethearthighyet，onlyalittlemaid，’andsoon。FarbettergoandtalkwithDora。To-morrowshewillneedyou，Iamsure。Ethel，Iamverysleepy。Goodnightagain，dear。\"
\"Goodnight！\"Thenwithasuddenanimation，\"Iknowwhattodo，IshalltellgrandmotheraboutDora’smarriage。Itisallplainenoughnow。Goodnight，Ruth。\"
Andthisgoodnight，thoughdroppingsweetlyintotheminorthird，hadyetonitsfinalinflectionsomethingofthepleasanthopefulnessofitsmajorkey——itexpressedanticipationandsatisfaction。
Whathappenedinthenightsessionshecouldnottell，butsheawokewithapositivedisinclinationtoaskaquestionaboutMr。
Mostyn。\"Ihavereceivedordersfromsomeone，\"shesaidtoRuth；\"IsimplydonotcarewhetherIeverseeorhearofthemanagain。IamgoingtoDora，andImaynotcomehomeuntillate。Youknowtheywilldependuponmeforeverysuggestion。\"
Infact，Etheldidnotreturnhomeuntilthefollowingday，forasnowstormcameupintheafternoon，andthegirlwaswearywithplanningandwriting，andwellinclinedtoeatwithDorathedelicatelittledinnerservedtotheminDora’sprivateparlor。Thenaboutnineo’clockMr。Stanhopecalled，andEthelfounditpleasantenoughtowatchtheloversandlistentoMrs。Denning’sopinionsofwhathadbeenalreadyplanned。Andthenextdaysheseemedtobesoabsolutelynecessarytothemovementofthemarriagepreparations，thatitwasnearlydarkbeforeshewaspermittedtoreturnhome。
Itwasbutashortwalkbetweenthetwohouses，andEthelwasresolvedtohavetherefreshmentoftheexercise。Andhowgooditwastofeelthepinchofthefrostandthegustofthenorthwind，andafterittocometothehappyportalofhome，andthefamiliaratmosphereofthecheerfulhall，andthentopeepintothefirelitroominwhichRuthlaydreamingintheduskyshadows。
\"Ruth，darling！\"
\"Ethel！Ihavejustsentforyoutocomehome。\"ThensheroseandtookEthelinherarms。\"Howdelightfullycoldyouare！
Andwhatrosycheeks！Doyouknowthatwehavealittledinnerparty？\"
\"Mr。Mostyn？\"
\"Yes，andyourgrandmother，andperhapsDr。Fisher——theDoctorisnotcertain。\"
\"AndIseethatyouarealreadydressed。
Howhandsomeyoulook！Thatblacklacedress，withthedullgoldornaments，isallright。\"
\"Ifeltasifjewelswouldbeoverdressforafamilydinner。\"
\"Yes，butjewelsalwayssnubmensocompletely。
Itisnotaltogetherthattheyrepresentmoney；theygiveanairofroyalty，andawomanwithoutjewelsislikeanuncrownedqueen——shedoesnotgetthehomage。
Ican’taccountforit，butthereitis。Ishallwearmysapphirenecklace。Whatdidfathersayaboutournewkinsman？\"
\"Verylittle。Itwasimpossibletojudgefromhiswordswhathethought。Ifanciedthathemighthavebeenalittledisappointed。\"
\"Ishouldnotwonder。Weshallsee。\"
\"Youwillbedressedinanhour？\"
\"Inlesstime。ShallIwearwhiteorblue？\"
\"Paleblueandwhiteflowers。Therearesomewhitevioletsinthelibrary。Ihavearedrose。Weshallcontrasteachotherverywell。\"
\"Whatisitallabout？DowereallycarehowwelookintheeyesofthisMr。Mostyn？\"
\"Ofcoursewecare。Weshouldnotbewomenifwedidnotcare。Wemustmakesomesortofanimpression，andnaturallywepreferthatitshouldbeapleasantone。\"
\"Ifweconsiderthemortgage————\"
\"Nonsense！Themortgageisnotinit。\"
\"Good-by。TellMattietobringmeacupofteaupstairs。Iwillbedressedinanhour。\"
Theteawasbroughtanddrank，andEthelfellasleepwhilehermaidpreparedeveryitemforhertoilet。Thenshespoketohermistress，andEthelawakened，asshealwaysdid，withasmile；nature’ssurestsignofaradicallysweettemper。Andeverythingwentinaccordwiththesmile；herhairfellnaturallyintoitsmostbecomingwaves，herdressintoitsmostgracefulfolds；thesapphirenecklacematchedtheblueofherhappyeyes，therosesofyouthwereonhercheeks，andwhitevioletsonherbreast。Shefeltherownbeautyandwasgladofit，andwithalaughingwordofpleasurewentdowntotheparlor。
MadamRawdonwasstandingbeforethefire，butwhensheheardthedooropensheturnedherfacetowardit。
\"Comehere，EthelRawdon，\"shesaid，\"andletmehavealookatyou。\"AndEthelwenttoherside，laidherhandlightlyontheoldlady’sshoulderandkissedhercheek。
\"Youdolookmiddlingwell，\"shecontinued，\"andyourdressisaboutasitshouldbe。I
likeagirltodresslikeagirl——still，thesapphires。Aretheynecessary？\"
\"Youwouldnotsaycorals，wouldyou，grandmother？IhavethoseyougavemewhenIwasthreeyearsold。\"
\"Keepyourwit，mydear，forthisevening。
Ishouldnotwonderbutyoumightneedit。FredMostynisratherbetterthanIexpected。
Itwasagreatpleasuretoseehim。
Itwaslikeabitofmyownyouthbackagain。
Whenyouareaveryoldwomantherearefewthingssweeter，Ethel。\"
\"Butyouarenotanoldwoman，grandmother。\"
Norwasshe。Inspiteofherseventy-fiveyearsshestooderectatthesideofhergrand-
daughter。Herabundanthairwaspartlygray，butthegraymingledwiththelittleovalofcostlylacethatlayuponit，andtheeffectwassoftandfairaspowdering。Shehadbeenveryhandsome，andherbeautylingeredasthebeautyofsomeflowerslinger，infaintertintsandinlessfirmoutlines；forshehadneverfallenfromthat\"graceofGodvouchsafedtochildren，\"andthereforeshehadkeptnotonlytheenthusiasmsofheryouth，butthatsweetpromiseofthe\"timesofrestitution\"whenthechildshalldieonehundredyearsold，becausethechild-heartshallbekeptinallitsfreshnessandtrust。
Yes，inRachelRawdon’sheartthewell-
springsofloveandlifelaytoodeepforthefrostsofagetotouch。Shewouldbeeternallyyoungbeforeshegrewold。
ShesatdownasEthelspoke，anddrewthegirltoherside。\"Ihearyourfriendisgoingtomarry，\"shesaid。
\"Dora？Yes。\"
\"Areyousorry？\"
\"Perhapsnot。Dorahasbeenacaretomeforfouryears。IhopeherhusbandmaymanageheraswellasIhavedone。\"
\"Areyouafraidhewillnot？\"
\"Icannottell，grandmother。IseeallDora’sfaults。Mr。Stanhopeiscertainthatshehasnofaults。Hithertoshehashadherownwayineverything。Exceptingmyself，noonehasventuredtocontradicther。But，then，Doraisoverheadandearsinlove，andlove，itissaid，makesallthingseasytobearandtodo。\"
\"Onething，girls，amazesme——itishowreadilywomengotochurchandpromisetolove，honor，andobeytheirhusbands，whentheyneverintendtodoanythingofthekind。\"
\"Thereisastillmoreamazingthing，Madam，\"answeredRuth；\"thatisthatmenshouldbesofoolishastothink，orhope，theyperhapsmightdoso。\"
\"Old-fashionedwomenusedtomanageitsomewayorother，Ruth。Buttheold-fashionedwomanwasaverysoft-heartedcreature，and，maybe，itwasjustaswellthatshewas。\"
\"ButWoman’sDarkAgesarenearlyover，Madam；andisnottheNewWomanagreatimprovementontheOldWoman？\"
\"Ihaven’tmadeupmymindyet，Ruth，abouttheNewWoman。Inoticeonethingthatafewofthenewkindhavegotintotheirprettyheads，andthatis，thattheyoughttohavebeenmen；andtheyhavefollowedupthatideasofarthatthereisnowverylittledifferenceintheirlooks，andstilllessintheirwalk；theygostampingalongwiththestepofanathleteandthestrideofapeasantonfreshplowedfields。Itisthemosthideousofwalksimaginable。TheGrecianbend，whichyoucannotremember，butmayhaveheardof，wasalackadaisical，vulgarwalkingfad，butitwasgraceitselfcomparedwiththehideousstridewhichtheNewWomanhasacquiredonthegolflinksorsomewhereelse。\"
\"Butmenstampandstrideinthesameway，grandmother。\"
\"Alongstridesuitsaman’sanatomywellenough；itdoesnotsuitawoman’s——shefeelseverystrideshetakes，I’llwarranther。\"
\"Ifsheplaysgolf————\"
\"MydearEthel，thereisnoneedforhertoplaygolf。Itisaman’sgameandwasplayedforcenturiesbymenonly。InScotland，thehomeofgolf，itwasnotthoughtniceforwomentoevengotothelinks，becauseoftheawfullanguagetheywerelikelytohear。\"
\"Then，grandmother，isitnotwellforladiestoplaygolfifitkeepsmenfromusing`awfullanguage’toeachother）\"
\"Godloveyou，child！Menwillthinkwhattheydarenotspeak。\"
\"Ifwecouldonlyhavesomenewmen！\"
sighedEthel。\"Theloverofto-dayisjustwhatagirlcanpickup；hehasnowitandnowisdomandnoillusions。Hetalksofhismusclesandsmellsofcigarettes——perhapsofwhisky\"——andatthesewords，JudgeRawdon，accompaniedbyMr。FredMostyn，enteredtheroom。
Theintroductionsslippedovereasily，theyhardlyseemedtobenecessary，andtheyoungmantookthechairofferedasnaturallyasifhehadsatbythehearthallhislife。Therewasnopauseandnoembarrassmentandnouselesspoliteplatitudes；andEthel’sfirstfeelingaboutherkinsmanwasoneofadmirationfortheperfecteaseandalmostinstinctiveat-homenesswithwhichhetookhisplace。
Hehadcometohisownandhisownhadreceivedhim；thatwasthesituation，averypleasantone，whichheacceptedwiththesmilingtrustthatwasatoncethemostperfectandpoliteofacknowledgments。
\"Soyoudonotenjoytraveling？\"saidJudgeRawdonasifcontinuingaconversation。
\"Ithinkitthemostpainfulwayoftakingpleasure，sir——thatistheactualtransit。Andsleepingcarsandelectric-lightedsteamersandhotelsdonotmitigatethesuffering。IfDantewaswritingnowhemightdepictaconstantroundofpersonallyconductedtoursinPurgatory。Ishouldthinkthepunishmentadequateforanyoffense。ButIlikearrivingatplaces。NewYorkhasgivenmealotofnewsensationsto-day，andIhaveforgottenthetransittroublesalready。\"
Hetalkedwellandtemperately，andyetEthelcouldnotavoidtheconclusionthathewasamanofpositivecharacteranduncompromisingprejudices。Andshealsofeltalittledisappointedinhispersonality，whichcontradictedheridealofaYorkshiresquire。
Forhewassmallandslenderinstature，andhisfacewaskeenandthin，fromthehighcheekbonestothesharppointoftheclean-
shavenchin。Yetitwasaninterestingface，forthebrowswerebroadandtheeyesbrightandglancing。Thathisnatureheldtheop-
positeofhisqualitieswasevidentfromthemouth，whichwascomposedanddiscreetandgenerallyclothedwithafranksmile，negativedbythedeep，sonorousvoicewhichbelongstotheindiscreetandquarrelsome。Hisdresswasperfect。Ethelcouldfindnofaultinit，exceptthemonoclewhichhedidnotuseonceduringtheevening，andwhichshethereforedecidedwasaquiteidleandunhandsomeadjunct。
Onefeatureofhischaracterwasdefinite——
hewasahome-lovingman。Helikedthesocietyofwomenwithwhomhecouldbefamiliar，andhepreferredthecompanyofbooksandmusictofashionablesocialfunctions。
Thispleasanthabitofdomesticitywasillustratedduringtheeveningbyanaccidentalincident——
anoisy，mechanicalstreetorganstoppedbeforethewindows，andinablatantmannerbeganitsperformance。ConversationwasparalyzedbytheintrusionandwhenitwasremovedJudgeRawdonsaid：\"Whatademocratic，leveling，aggressivethingmusicis！Itinsistsonbeingheard。Itisalwaysintheway，itthrustsitselfuponyou，whetheryouwantitornot。Nowartisdifferent。
Yougotoseepictureswhenyouwishto。\"
Mostyndidnotnoticethecriticismonmusicitself，butaddedinasoft，disapprovingway：\"Thatmanhasnomusicinhim。DoyouknowthatwasoneofMendelssohn’sdeliciousdreams。Thisishowitshouldhavebeenrendered，\"
andhewentimpulsivelytothepianoandthenthesweetmonotonouscadencesandmelodiousreveriesslippedfromhislongwhitefingerstillthewholeroomwaspermeatedwithadelicioussenseofmoonlitsolitudeandconversationwasstilledinitslanguor。Theyoungmanhadplayedhisowndismissal，butitwasaneffectiveone，andhecomplimentedhimselfonhisreadinesstoseizeopportunitiesfordisplay，andonhisgeniusinsatisfyingthem。
\"IthinkIastonishedthemalittle，\"hemused，\"andIwonderwhatthatpretty，cousinofminethoughtofthemusicandthemusician。Ifancyweshallbegoodfriends；
sheisproud——thatisnofault；andshehasverydecidedopinions——whichmightbeagreatfault；butIthinkIratherastonishedthem。\"
Tosuchreflectionshesteppedratherpompouslydowntheavenue，notatallinfluencedbyanypremonitionthathissatisfactoryfeelingsmightbeimperfectlyshared。Yetsilencewasthefirstresultofhisdeparture。JudgeRawdontookouthispocketbookandbegantostudyitsentries。RuthBayardroseandclosedthepiano。Ethelliftedamagazine，whileitwasMadamwhofinallyaskedinanimpatienttone：
\"WhatdoyouthinkofFrederick？Isuppose，Edward，youhaveanopinion。Isn’theaverycleverman？\"
\"Ishouldnotwonderifhewere，mother，clevertoafault。\"
\"Ineverheardayoungmantalkbetter。\"
\"Hetalkedagreatdeal，butthen，youknow，hewasnotonhisoath。\"
\"I’llwarranteverywordhesaid。\"
\"Yourwarrantisfinesurety，mother，butIamnotboundtobelieveallIhear。Youwomencanpleaseyourselves。\"
Andwiththesewordsheleftthewomentofindout，iftheycould，whatmannerofmantheirnewly-foundkinsmanmightbe。
*******
CHAPTERIII
ONEofthemostcomfortablethingsaboutFrederickMostynwashisalmostboyishdelightinthenewlifewhichNewYorkopenedtohim。Everyphaseofitwassofresh，sounusual，thathisYorkshireexistenceatMostynHallgavehimnoprecedentsandnoexperiencesbywhichtomeasureevents。Thesimplestthingsweresurprisingorinteresting。
Hewasneverwearyoftakingthoseexciting\"lifts\"tothetopoftwenty-threestorybuildingsandadmiringthewonderfulviewssuchaltitudesgavehim。Hedidnotperhapscomprehendhowmuchhewasinfluencedbythefrictionoftwomillionwillsandinterests；didnotrealizehowtheyevokedanelectricconditionthatgotbehindtheforegroundofexistenceandstirredsomethingmoreattherootsofhisbeingthananypreviousexperiencehadeverdone。Andthisfeelingwasespeciallyentrancingwhenhesawthegreatcityandmajesticriverlyingathisfeetinthewhite，uncannylightofelectricity，allitscolorgone，itsbreathcold，itslifestrangelyremoteandquiet，menmovinglikeshadows，andsoundshollowandfaintandfaroff，asiftheycamefromadistantworld。Itgavehimasenseofdreamlandquiteasmuchasthatofreality。
TheYorkshiremoorsandwordsgrewdullanddrearyinhismemory；eventhethoughtofthehuntingfieldcouldnotlurehisdesire。NewYorkwasfullofmarvelousnovelties；itsdailyroutine，eveninthehotelandonthestreets，grippedhisheartandhisimagination；
andheconfessedtohimselfthatNewYorkwaslifeatfirsthand；freshdrawn，itsveryfoamsparklingandintoxicating。HewalkedfromtheParktotheBatteryandexaminedallthatcaughthiseye。Hehadahistoryofthecityandsoughtouteveryhistoricalsite；
heevenwentovertoWeehawken，anddidhisbesttolocatethespotwhereBurrandHamiltonfought。HeadmiredHamilton，butafterreadingallaboutthetwomen，gavehissympathytoBurr，\"aclever，unluckylittlechap，\"hesaid。\"Whydoclevermenhateeachother？\"andthenhesmiledqueerlyasherememberedpoliticalenemiesofgreatmeninhisowndayandhisowncountry；andconcludedthat\"itwastheirnaturetodoso。\"
Butintheseoutsideenthusiasmshedidnotforgethispersonalrelations。IttookhimbutafewdaystodomesticatehimselfinboththeRawdonhouses。Whentheweatherdrovehimoffthestreets，hefoundapleasantrefugeeitherwithMadamorwithEthelandMissBayard。Ethelhesawlessfrequentlythanheliked；shewasnearlyalwayswithDoraDenning，butwithRuthBayardhecontractedaverypleasantfriendship。HetoldherallhisadventuresandfoundhermoresympatheticthanMadameverpretendedtobe。Madamthoughthimprovincialinhistastes，andwasbetterpleasedtohearthathehadavisitingentryattwogoodclubs，andhadhiredamotorear，andwaslearninghowtomanageit。Thenshetoldherselfthatifhewasgoodtoher，shewouldbuyhimonetobeproudofbeforehereturnedtoYorkshire。
ItwasattheEliteClubBryceDenningfirstsawhim。HecameinwithShawMcLaren，ayoungmanwhoseacquaintancewasconsideredasmostdefinitelysatisfactory。
VainlyBryceDenninghadstriventoobtainanynoticewhateverfromMcLaren，whoseexclusivenesswasproverbial。Whothenwasthisstrangerheappearedsoanxioustoentertain？
Hislookofsupremesatisfaction，hishigh-
bredair，andpeculiarintonationquicklysatisfiedBryceastohisnationality。
\"English，ofcourse，\"hereflected，\"andprobablyoneofthearistocratsthatShawmeetsathisrecentlyennobledsister’splace。
Heisforeverbraggingaboutthem。ImustfindoutwhoShaw’slastBritishlionis，\"andjustashearrivedatthisdecisionthepersonappearedwhocouldsatisfyhim。
\"Thatman！\"wasthereplytotheinevitablequestion——\"why，heissomerelativeoftheoldladyRawdon。HeisstayingattheHollandHouse，butspendshistimewiththeRawdons，oldandyoung；theyoungoneisabeauty，youknow。\"
\"Doyouthinkso？Sheisagooddealatourhouse。Isupposethefellowhassomepretentions。JudgeRawdonwillbeamanhardtosatisfywithason-in-law。\"
\"Ifancyhisdaughterwilltakethatsubjectinherownhand。Shelookslikeagirlofspirit；andthismanisnotashandsomeasmostEnglishmen。\"
\"Notifyoujudgehimbybulk，butwomenwantmorethanmerebulk；hehasanairofbreedingyoucan’tmistake，andhelooksclever。\"
\"HisnameisMostyn。Ihaveheardhimspokenof。Wouldyouliketoknowhim？\"
\"Icouldlivewithoutthathonor\"——thenBryceturnedtheconversationuponarecenthorsesale，andafewmomentslaterwassaunteringuptheavenue。HewasnowresolvedtomakeuphisquarrelwithDora。ThroughDorahecouldmanagetomeetMostynsocially，andhesmiledinanticipationofthatproudmomentwhenheshouldparadeinhisownfriendlyleashMcLaren’snewBritishlion。Besides，theintroductiontoMr。Mostynmight，ifjudiciouslymanaged，promotehisownacquaintancewithShawMcLaren，asequencetobemuchdesired；anendhehadpersistentlylookedfor。
Hewentstraighttohissister’sapartmentsandtouchedthebellquitegently。Hermaidopenedthedoorandlookedannoyedanduncertain。
SheknewallaboutthecruellywickedoppositionofMissDenning’sbrothertothatniceyoungman，BasilStanhope；andalsothegeneralattitudeoftheDenninghousehold，whichwasacomprehensivedisapprovalofallthatMr。Brycesaidanddid。
Dorahad，however，talkedallherangeraway；shewishednowtobefriendswithherbrother。Sheknewthathisabsencefromherweddingwouldcauseunpleasantnotice，andshehadotherreasons，purelyselfish，allemphasizingtheadvantagesofareconciliation。
SoshewenttomeetBrycewithapretty，patheticairofinjurypatientlyendured，andwhenBryceputouthishandsandsaid，\"Forgiveme，Dodo！Icannotbearyourangeranylonger！\"shewasquitereadyforthenextact，whichwastolayherprettyheadonhisshoulderandmurmur，\"Iamnotangry，Bryce——I
amgrieved，dear。\"
\"Iknow，Dodo——forgiveme！Itwasallmyfault。IthinkIwasjealousofyou；itwashardtofindthatyoulovedastrangerbetterthanyoulovedme。Kissme，andbemyownsweet，beautifulsisteragain。Ishalltrytolikeallthepeopleyoulike——foryoursake，youknow。\"
ThenDorawascharming。Shesatandtalkedandplannedandtoldhimallthathadbeendoneandallthatwasyettodo。AndBryceneveroncenamedeitherEthelorMr。
Mostyn。HeknewDorawasashrewdlittlewoman，andthathewouldhavetobeverycarefulinintroducingthesubjectofMr。
Mostyn，orelseshewouldbesuretoreachthecentraltruthofhissubmissiontoher。But，somehow，thingshappenforthosewhoarecontenttoleavetheirdesirestocontingenciesandaccidentals。ThenextmorninghebreakfastedwiththefamilyandfelthimselfrepaidforhisconcessiontoDorabytheevidentpleasuretheirrenewedaffectiongavehisfatherandmother；andthoughtheelderDenningmadenoremarkintherenewedfamilysolidarity，Bryceanticipatedmanylittlefavorsandaccommodationsfromhisfather’ssatisfaction。
Afterbreakfasthesatdown，lithiscigarandwaited。BothhismotherandDorahadmuchtotellhim，andhelistened，andgavethemsuchexcellentadvicethattheywerecompelledtoregretthearrangementsalreadymadehadlackedthebenefitofhiscounsels。
\"ButyouhadEthelRawdon，\"hesaid。
\"Ithoughtshewaseverybodyrolledintoone。\"
\"Oh，Etheldoesn’tknowasmuchasshethinksshedoes，\"saidMrs。Denning。\"I
don’tagreewithlotsofthingssheadvises。\"
\"Thentakemyadvice，mother。\"
\"Oh，Bryce，itisthebestofall。\"
\"Brycedoesnotknowaboutdressandsuchthings，mother。Ethelfindsoutwhatshedoesnotknow。Brycecannotgotomodistesandmillinerswithme。\"
\"Well，Etheldoesnotpayasmuchatten-
tionasshemight——sheisalwaysgoingsomewhereorotherwiththatEnglishman，thatshesaysisarelative——formypart，Idoubtit。\"
\"Oh，mother！\"
\"Girlswillsayanything，Dora，tohidealoveaffair。Whydoessheneverbringhimheretocall？\"
\"BecauseIaskedhernot。Idonotwanttomakenewfriends，especiallyEnglishones，now。Iamsobusyallday，andofcoursemyeveningsbelongtoBasil。\"
\"Yes，andthereisnoonetotalktome。
EthelandtheEnglishmanwouldpassanhourortwoverynicely，andyourfatherisveryfondofforeigners。IthinkyououghttoaskEtheltointroducehimtous；thenwecouldhavealittledinnerforhimandinvitehimtoouroperabox——don’tyouagreewithme，Bryce？\"
\"IfDoradoes。Ofcourse，atthistime，Dora’swishesandengagementsarethemostimportant。IhaveseentheyoungmanattheclubwithShawMcLarenandabouttownwithJudgeRawdonandothers。Heseemsanicelittlefellow。JackLacywantedtointroducemetohimyesterday，butItoldhimIcouldlivewithoutthehonor。Ofcourse，ifDorafeelslikehavinghimherethatisaverydif-
ferentmatter。Heiscertainlydistinguishedlooking，andwouldgiveanairtothewedding。\"
\"Ishehandsome，Bryce？\"
\"Yes——andno。Womenwouldraveabouthim；menwouldthinkhimfinicalanddandified。
Helooksasifhewerethehappiestfellowintheworld——infact，helookedtomesoprovokinglyhappythatIdislikedhim；butnowthatDodoismylittlesisteragain，Icanbehappyenoughtoenvynoone。\"
ThenDoraslippedherhandintoherbrother’shand，andBryceknewthathemighttakehiswaytohislittleofficeinWilliamStreet，theadventofMr。Mostynintohislifebeingnowascertainasanythinginthisquestionable，fluctuatingworldcouldbe。AshewassaunteringdowntheavenuehemetEthelandheturnedandwalkedbackwithhertotheDenninghouse。Hewassogood-naturedandsogood-humoredthatEthelcouldnotavoidaninquisitivelookattheusuallyglumyoungman，andhecaughtitwithalaughandsaid，\"Isupposeyouwonderwhatisthematterwithme，MissRawdon？\"
\"Youlookmorethanusuallyhappy。IfI
supposeyouhavefoundawifeorafortune，shallIbewrong？\"
\"Youcomenearthetruth；Ihavefoundasister。DoyouknowIamveryfondofDoraandwehavemadeupourquarrel？\"
ThenEthellookedathimagain。Shedidnotbelievehim。ShewassurethatDorawasnottheonlyevokeroftheunboundedsatisfactioninBryceDenning’sfaceandmanner。
Butsheletthereasonpass；shehadnolikelyargumentstouseagainstit。AndthatdayMrs。Denning，withaslightairofinjury，openedthesubjectofMr。Mostyn’sintroductiontothem。ShethoughtEthelhadhardlytreatedtheDenningsfairly。Everyonewaswonderingtheyhadnotmethim。Ofcourse，sheknewtheywerenotaristocratsandshesupposedEthelwasashamedofthem，but，forherpart，shethoughttheywereasgoodasmostpeople，andifitcametomoney，theycouldputdowndollarfordollarwithanymulti-millionaireinAmerica，orEnglandeither，forthatmatter。
WhenthereproachtookthistonethereseemedtobeonlyonethingforEtheltosayortodo；butthatonethingwasexactlywhatshedidnotsayordo。ShetookupMrs。Denning’sreproachandcomplainedthat\"herrelativeandfriendhadbeenpurposelyanddefinitelyignored。DorahadtoldherplainlyshedidnotwishtomakeMr。Mostyn’sacquaintance；and，inaccordwiththisfeeling，nooneintheDenningfamilyhadcalledonMr。Mostyn，orshownhimtheleastcourtesy。
ShethoughtthewholeRawdonfamilyhadthebestofreasonsforfeelinghurtattheneglect。\"
ThisviewofthecasehadnotenteredMrs。
Denning’smind。ShewasquicklysorryandapologeticforDora’sselfishnessandherownthoughtlessness，andEthelwasnotdifficulttopacify。TherewasthennodutysoimperativeasthearrangementofalittledinnerforMr。Mostyn。\"Wewillmakeitquiteafamilyaffair，\"saidMrs。Denning，\"thenwecangototheoperaafterwards。ShallIcallonMr。MostynattheHollandHouse？\"sheaskedanxiously。
\"IwillaskBrycetocall，\"saidDora。
\"Brycewilldoanythingtopleasemenow，mother。\"
Inthisway，BryceDenning’sdesireswereallarrangedforhim，andthateveningDoramadeherrequest。Brycehearditwithapronouncedpoutofhislips，butfinallytoldDorashewas\"irresistible，\"andashistimeforpleasingherwasnearlyout，hewouldevencallontheEnglishmanatherrequest。
\"Mind！\"headded，\"IthinkheisasproudasLucifer，andImaygetnothingformycivilitybuttheexcuseofapreviousengagement。\"
ButBryceDenningexpectedmuchmorethanthis，andhegotallthatheexpected。
Theyoungmenhadacommongroundtomeeton，andtheyquicklybecameasintimateaseverFrederickMostynpermittedhimselftobewithastranger。BrycecouldhardlyhelpcatchingenthusiasmfromMostynonthesubjectofNewYork，andhewasabletoshowhisnewacquaintancephasesoflifeinthemarvelouscitywhichwereofthegreatestinteresttotheinquisitiveYorkshiresquire——
Chinesetheatersandopiumdives；German，Italian，Spanish，Jewish，FrenchcitiesshelteringthemselveswithinthegreatarmsofthegreatAmericancity；queerrestaurants，wherehecouldeatofthenationaldishesofeverycivilizedcountryunderthesun；placesofamusement，legalandillegal，andthevastundersideoftheevidentlife——alltheuncaredfortoilingofthethousandswhoworkthroughthemidnighthours。Intheseexcursionstheyoungmenbecameinawayfamiliar，thoughneitherofthemevertoldtheothertherealfeelingsoftheirheartsortherealaimoftheirlives。
Theproposeddinnertookplacetendaysafteritssuggestion。Therewasnothingremarkableinthefunctionitself；allmillionaireshavethesamedelicaciesandthesamewines，andservethesethingswithpreciselythesameceremonies。And，asageneralthing，thecompanyfollowrigidlyordainedlawsofconversation。Storiesaboutpublicpeople，remarksabouttheweatherandtheopera，areinorder；butoriginalideasordecidedopinionsareunpardonablesocialerrors。Yeteventhesecommonplaceeventsmaycontainsomeelementthatshallunexpectedlycutalifeintwo，andsochangeitsaimsanddesiresastovirtuallycreateanewcharacter。ItwasFrederickMostynwhointhisinstanceunderwentthisgreatpersonalchange；achangetotallyunexpectedandforwhichhewasabsolutelyunprepared。ForthepeoplegatheredinMrs。
Denning’sdrawing-roomweremostlyknowntohim，andtheexceptionsdidnotappeartopossessanyremarkabletraits，exceptBasilStanhope，whostoodthoughtfullyatawindow，hispale，loftybeautywearinganairofexpectation。Mostyndecidedthathewasnaturallyimpatientforthepresenceofhisfiancee，whosedelayedentranceheperceivedwasalsoannoyingEthel。Thentherewasaslightmovement，asuddensilence，andMostynsawStanhope’sfaceflushandturnmagicallyradiant。MechanicallyhefollowedhismovementandthenextmomenthiseyesmetFate，andLoveslippedinbetween。
Dorawasthere，afairy-likevisioninpaleamberdraperies，softenedwithsilklace。Diamondswereinherwonderfullywavedhairandroundherfairwhiteneck。Theyclaspedherbeltandadornedtheinstepofherlittleambersilkslippers。Sheheldayellowroseinherhand，andyellowrosebudslayamongthelaceatherbosom，andMostyn，stupefiedbyherundreamed-ofloveliness，sawgoldenemanationsfromtheclearpallorofherface。
Hefeltforamomentortwoasifheshouldcertainlyfaint；onlybyamiracleofstubbornwilldidhedraghisconsciousnessfromthatgolden-tinted，sparklinghazeofbeautywhichhadsmittenhimlikeanenchantment。Thenthegirlwaslookingathimwithhersoft，dark，gazelleeyes；shewasevenspeakingtohim，butwhatshesaid，orwhatreplyhemade，hecouldneverbyanymeansremember。MissBayardwastobehiscompanion，andwithsomeeffortandafewindistinctwordshegaveherhisarm。Sheaskedifhewasill，andwhenashakeoftheheadansweredthequery，shecoveredthefewminutesofhisdisconcertionwithherconversation。Helookedathergratefullyandgatheredhispersonalitytogether。
ForLovehadcometohimlikeatwo-
edgedsword，dividingthefleshandthespirit，andhelongedtocryaloudandrelievethesweettortureofthepossession。
Reaction，however，camequickly，andwithitawonderfulaccessofallhispowers。Thesweet，strongwineofLovewenttohisbrainlikecelestialnectar。Allthewitty，amusingthingshehadeverheardcametroopingintohismemory，andthedinnerwaslongdelayedbyhisfinehumor，hispleasantanecdotes，andthelaughingthoughtswhichotherscaughtupandillustratedintheirownway。
Itwasafeastfullofgoodthings，butitsspiritwasnotabletobeartransition。Thecompanyscatteredquicklywhenitwasovertotheoperaortheaterortotherestofaquieteveningathome，forattheendenthusiasmofanykindhasachillingeffectonthefeelings。
Noneofthepartyunderstoodthisresult，andyetallwere，intheirway，affectedbythesuddenfallofmentaltemperature。
Mr。Denningwenttohislibraryandtookouthisprivateledger，apenitentialsortofreadingwhichherelishedaftermoodsofanykindofenjoyment。Mrs。DenningselectedEthelRawdonforhertextofdisillusion。She\"thoughtEthelhadbeenalittlejealousofDora’sdress，\"andDorasaid，\"Itwasoneofhersurprises，andEthelthoughtsheoughttoknoweverything。\"\"YouaretooobedienttoEthel，\"continuedMrs。DenningandDoralookedwithacharmingdemurenessatherlover，andsaid，\"Shehadtobeobedienttosomeonewiserthanherself，\"andsoslippedherhandintoBasil’shand。Andheunderstoodthepromise，andwithalookofpassionateaffectionraisedthelittlejeweledpledgeandkissedit。
Perhapsnoonewasmoreaffectedbythischill，criticalafter-hourthanMissBayardandEthel。Mostynaccompaniedthemhome，buthewasdepressed，andhiscourtesyhadtheairofanobligation。Hesaidhehadasuddenheadache，andwasnotsorrywhentheladiesbidhim\"goodnight\"onthethreshold。
Indeed，hefeltthathemusthaverefusedanyinvitationtolengthenoutthehourswiththemoranybody。Hewantedonething，andhewantedthatwithallhissoul——solitude，thathemightfillitwithimagesofDora，andwithpassionatepromisesthateitherbyfairmeansorbyfoul，byrightorbywrong，hewouldwinthebewitchingwomanforhiswife。
CHAPTERIV
\"WHATdoyouthinkoftheevening，AuntRuth？\"Ethelwasinheraunt’sroom，comfortablywrappedinapinkkimono，whensheaskedthisquestion。
\"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Ethel？\"
\"Iamnotsure。\"
\"Thedinnerwaswellserved。\"
\"Yes。Whowasthelittledarkmanyoutalkedwith，aunt？\"
\"HewasaMr。Marriot，abanker，andafriendofBryceDenning’s。Heisafreshadditiontosociety，Ithink。Hehadtheword`gold’alwaysonhislips；andhebelievesinitasgoodmenbelieveinGod。Thegeneralconversationannoyedhim；hecouldnotunderstandmenbeingentertainedbyit。\"
\"Theywere，though，foronceJamieSayerforgottotalkabouthispictures。\"
\"Isthatthenameofyourescort？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andisheanartist？\"
\"Asecond-rateone。HeispaintingDora’spicture，andisagreatfavoriteofMrs。Denning’s。\"
\"Astrange，wild-lookingman。WhenI
sawhimfirsthewaslying，dislocated，overhisottomanratherthansittingonit。\"
\"Oh，thatisapartofhisaffectations。
Heisreallyachildish，self-consciouscreature，withaverydecideddashofvulgarity。
Heonlytriestolookstrangeandwild，andhewouldbedelightedifheknewyouhadthoughthimso。\"
\"IwasgladtoseeClaudineJeffrys。Howslimandgracefulsheis！And，pray，whoisthatMissUllman？\"
\"Averyrichwoman。ShehasBryceunderconsideration。Manyothermenhavebeeninthesameposition，forsheissuretheyallwanthermoneyandnother。Perhapssheisright。Isawyoutalkingtoher，aunt。\"
\"Forashorttime。Ididnotenjoyhercompany。Sheissomercilesslyrealistic，shetakesallthecoloroutoflife。Everythingabouther，evenherspeech，issharp-linedastheedgeofaknife。ShecouldmakeBryce’slifeverymiserable。\"
\"Perhapsitmightturnouttheotherway。
BryceDenninghascapacitiesinthesameline。Howfarapart，howfaraboveeverymanthere，stoodBasilStanhope！\"
\"Heisstrikinglyhandsomeandgraceful，andIamsurethathisluminousserenitydoesnotarisefromapathy。Ishouldsayhewasamanofverystrongandtenderfeelings。\"
\"AndhegivesallthestrengthandtendernessofhisfeelingstoDora。Menarestrangecreatures。\"
\"WhodirectedDora’sdressthisevening？\"
\"Herselforhermaid。Ihadnothingtodowithit。Theeffectwasstunning。\"
\"Fredthoughtso。Infact，FredHostyn————\"
\"Fellinlovewithher。\"
\"Exactly。`Fell，’thatistheword——fellprostrate。Usuallytheloverofto-daywalksverytimidlyandcarefullyintothecondition，stepbystep，andcalculatingeverystepbeforehetakesit。Fredplungedheadlongintothewhirlingvortex。Iamverysorry。Itisacatastrophe。\"
\"Ineverwitnessedtheaccidentbefore。I
haveheardofmengettingwoundsandfalls，anddevelopingnewfacultiesinconsequence，butwesawthephenomenontakeplacethisevening。\"
\"Love，ifitbelove，isknowninamoment。
manwhoneversawthesunbeforewouldknowitwasthesun。InFred’scaseitwasaninstantaneous，impetuouspassion，flamingupatthesightofsuchunexpectedbeauty——
apassionthatwillprobablyfadeasrapidlyasitrose。\"
\"Fredisnotthatkindofaman，aunt。Hedoesnotlikeeveryoneandeverything，butwhoeverorwhateverhedoeslikebecomesalastingpartofhislife。EventheoldchairsandtablesatMostynareheldassacredobjectsbyhim，thoughIhavenodoubtanAmericangirlwouldtrundlethemofftothegarret。Itisthesamewiththepeople。HeactuallyregardstheRawdonsasbelonginginsomewaytotheMostyns；andIdonotbelievehehaseverbeeninlovebefore。\"
\"Nonsense！\"
\"Hewassosurprisedbytheattack。Ifithadbeenthetenthortwentiethtimehewouldhavetakenitmorephilosophically；
besides，ifhehadeverlovedanywoman，hewouldhavegoneonlovingher，andweshouldhaveknownallaboutherperfectionsbythistime。\"
\"Doraisnearlyamarriedwoman，andMostynknowsit。\"
\"Nearlymaymakeallthedifference。
WhenDoraismarriedhewillbecompelledtoaccepttheinevitableandmakethebestofit。\"
\"WhenDoraismarriedhewillidealizeher，andassurehimselfthathermarriageisthetragedyofboththeirlives。\"
\"Dorawillgivehimnoreasontosupposesuchathing。Iamsureshewillnot。SheistoomuchinlovewithMr。Stanhopetonoticeanyotherlover。\"
\"Youaremistaken，Ethel。SwiftlyasFredwasvanquishedshenoticedit，andmanytimes——onceevenwhileleaningonMr。Stanhope’sarm——sheturnedthearrowintheheartwoundwithsweetlittleglancesandsmiles，andprettyappealstotheblindadorationofhernewlover。Itwas，tome，ahumiliatingspectacle。Howcouldshedoit？\"
\"IamsureDorameantnowrong。Itissonaturalforalovelygirltoshowoffalittle。ShewillmarryandforgetFredMostynlives。\"
\"AndFredwillforget？\"
\"Fredwillnotforget。\"
\"ThenIshallbeverysorryforyourfatherandgrandmother。\"
\"WhathavetheytodowithFredmarrying？\"
\"Agreatdeal。Fredhasbeensofamiliarandhomelythelasttwoorthreeweeks，thattheyhavecometolookuponhimasafuturememberofthefamily。Ithasbeen`CousinEthel’and`AuntRuth’andeven`grandmother’
and`CousinFred，’andnoobjectionshavebeenmadetotheuseofsuchpersonalterms。IthinkyourfatherhopesforaclosertiebetweenyouandFredMostynthancousinship。\"
\"Whatevermighthavebeenisover。DoyouimagineIcouldconsenttobethesecondarydeity，tocomeafterDora——DoraofallthegirlsIhaveeverknown？Theideaisaninsulttomyheartandmyintelligence。
Nothingonearthcouldmakemesubmittosuchanindignity。\"
\"Idonotsuppose，Ethel，thatanywifeisthefirstobjectofherhusband’slove。\"
\"Atleasttheytellhersheisso，swearitaninchdeep；andnowomanisfoolenoughtolookbeyondthatoath，butwhensheissurethatsheisasecondbest！AH！ThatisnotapositionIwillevertakeinanyman’sheartknowingly。\"
\"Ofcourse，FredMostynwillhavetomarry。\"
\"Ofcourse，hewillmakeadutyoftheevent。ThelineofMostynsmustbecontinued。