Soonafterfiveo’clocktherewasabrilliantcrowdwanderingandrestinginthepleasantspaces；andEthel，wearingadiaphanouslywhiterobeandcarryingarushbasketfullofwhitecarnations，wasmovingamongthemdistributingtheflowers。Shewasthusthecenterofalittlelaughing，banteringgroupwhentheNicholasRawdonpartyarrived。
NicholasremainedwiththeSquire，Mrs。
RawdonandtheyoungmenwenttowardEthel。Mrs。Rawdonmadeaveryhandsomeappearance——\"anaristocraticBritanniainwhitelibertysilkandoldlace，\"whisperedRuth，andEthellookedupquickly，tomeethermerryeyesfullofsomeunexplainedtriumph。Intruth，theproudmotherwasanticipatingagreatpleasure，notonlyinthepresentationofheradoredson，butalsointhecuriosityandastonishmentshefeltsurewouldbeevokedbyhisfriend。So，withtheboldnessofonewhobringshappytidings，shepressedforward。Ethelsawherapproach，andwenttomeether。Suddenlyherstepswerearrested。Anextraordinarythingwasgoingtohappen。TheApolloofherdreams，thesingeroftheHollandHousepavement，wasatMrs。Rawdon’sside，wastalkingtoher，wasevidentlyafamiliarfriend。Shewasgoingtomeethim，tospeaktohimatlast。Shewouldhearhisnameinafewmoments；allthatshehadhopedandbelievedwascomingtrue。Andtheclear，resonantvoiceofLydiaRawdonwaslikemusicinherearsasshesaid，withanairoftriumphshecouldnothide：
\"MissRawdon，Iwantyoutoknowmyson，Mr。JohnThomasRawdon，andalsoJohnThomas’scousin，Mr。TyrrelRawdon，oftheUnitedStates。\"ThenMr。TyrrelRawdonlookedintoEthel’sface，andinthatmarvelousmeetingoftheireyes，swiftasthefiringofagun，theirpupilsdilatedandflashedwithrecognition，andthebloodrushedcrimsonoverbothfaces。Shegavethegentlemenflowers，andlistenedtoMrs。Rawdon’schatter，andsaidinreplysheknewnotwhat。Aswiftandexquisiteexcitementhadfollowedhersurprise。Feelingsshecouldnotvoicewerebeatingatherlips，andyetsheknewthatwithoutherconsciouswillshehadexpressedherastonishmentandpleasure。
Itwas，indeed，doubtfulwhetheranyafterspeechorexplanationwouldasclearlysatisfybothheartsasdidthatmomentaryflashfromsoultosoulofmutualremembranceandinterest。
\"IthoughtI’dgiveyouasurprise，\"saidMrs。Rawdondelightedly。\"Youdidn’tknowtheTyrrel-RawdonshadabranchinAmerica，didyou？Weareabitproudofthem，Icantellyouthat。\"
And，indeed，themotherlyladyhadsomereason。JohnThomaswasahandsomeyouthofsymmetricalboneandfleshandwell-developedmuscle。Hehadclear，steady，humorouseyes；amannerfrankandindependent，nottobeputupon；andyetEtheldivined，thoughshecouldnothavedeclared，the\"want\"inhisappearance——thatall-overishgraceandelasticitywhichcomesonlyfromthedevelopmentofthebrainandnervoussystem。Hisfacewasalsomarredbythesealofcommonnesswhichtradeimpressesonsomanymen，theresultofthesubjectionoftheintellecttothewill，andoftheimpossibilityofgraspingthingsexceptastheyrelatetoself。InthisrespecttheAmericancousinwashisantipodes。Hiswholebodyhadapsychicalexpression——slim，elastic，alert。Overhisbrightgrayeyestheeyelidsdrewthemselveshorizontally，showinghisdexterityandacutenessofmind；indeed，hiswholeexpressionandmien\"Were，asaretheeagle’skeen，Allthemanwasaquiline。\"
ThesepersonalcharacteristicstakingsomeminutestodescribewerealmostaninstantaneousrevelationtoEthel，forwhatthesoulseesitseesinaflashofunderstanding。Butatthattimesheonlyansweredherimpressionswithoutanyinquiryconcerningthem。
Shewasabsorbedbythepersonalpresenceofthemen，andallthatwaslovelyandlovableinhernaturerespondedtotheiradmiration。
Astheystrolledtogetherthroughafloweryalley，shemadethempasstheirhandsthroughthethymeandlavender，andlistentoabirdsingingitsverses，loudandthensoft，inthescentedairabovethem。Theycameoutwherethepurpleplumsandgoldenapricotswerebeginningtobrightenasouthernwall，andthere，moodilywalkingbyhimself，theymetMostynfacetoface。Anangryflashandmovementinterpretedhisannoyance，butheimmediatelyrecoveredhimself，andmetEthelandhislatepoliticalopponentwithpoliteequanimity。Butadecidedconstraintfellonthehappyparty，andEthelwasrelievedtohearthefirsttonesofthegreatbellswingoutfromitsloftytowerthecalltothedining-room。
AsfarasMostynwasconcerned，thisfirstmalaproposmeetingindicatedthewholeevening。Hisheartwasbeatingquicklytosomesenseofdefeatwhichhedidnottakethetroubletoanalyze。HeonlysawthemanwhohadshatteredhispoliticalhopesandwastedhismoneyinpossessionalsoofwhathethoughthemightrightlyconsiderhisplaceatEthel’sside。HehadoncecontemplatedmakingEthelhisbride，andthoughthematrimonialideahadcollapsedascompletelyasthepoliticalone，theenvious，selfishmiseryofthe\"doginthemanger\"waseatingathisheartstrings。HedidnotwantEthel；butoh，howhehatedthethoughtofeitherJohnThomasorthatAmericanRaw-
donwinningher！Hisseatatthedinner-
tablealsoannoyedhim。Itwasfarenoughfromtheobjectsofhisresentmenttopreventhimhearingorinterferingintheirmerryconversation；andhetoldhimselfwithpassionateindignationthatEthelhadneveronceinalltheirintercoursebeensobeautifulandbrightassherevealedherselfthateveningtothosetwoRawdonyouths——oneamereloom-master，theotheranAmericanwhomnooneknewanythingabout。
Thelong，bewitchinghoursofthegloriouseveningaddedfueltotheflameofhisanger。
HecouldonlyprocurefromEthelthepromiseofoneunimportantdanceatthecloseofherprogramme；andtheAmericanhadthreedances，andthemereloom-mantwo。Andthoughheattemptedtorestorehisself-
complacencybydevotinghiswholeattentionstotheonlytitledyoungladiesintheroom，hehadthroughouttheeveningasenseofbeingsnubbed，andofbeingapersonnolongerofmuchimportanceatRawdonCourt。Andthereasoningofwoundedself-loveisasingularprocess。Mostynwasquiteobliviousofanypersonalcauseforthechange；heattributeditentirelytotheSquire’singratitude。
\"IdidtheSquireagoodturnwhenheneededit，andofcoursehehatesmefortheobligation；andasfortheJudgeandhisfinedaughter，theyinterferedwithmybusiness——didmeagreatwrong——andtheyareonlyillustratingtheoldsaying，`SinceIwrongedyouIneverlikedyou。’\"Afterindulgingsuchthoughtsawhile，heresolvedtoescorttheladiesAureliaandIsoldeDanverstoDanversCastle，andleaveMissEtheltofindapartnerforherlastdance，adecisionthatfavoredJohnThomas，greatlyrelievedEthel，andbestoweduponhimselfthatmostirritatingofallpunishments，aself-inflicteddisappointment。
Thiseveningwastheinaugurationofaperiodofundimmeddelight。InittheTyrrel-
RawdonsconcludedafirmandaffectionatealliancewiththeelderbranchattheCourt，andonedayafterahappyfamilydinnerJohnThomasmadethestartlingproposalthat\"theportraitofthedisinherited，disownedTyrrelshouldberestoredtoitsplaceinthefamilygallery。\"Hesaidhehad\"justwalkedthroughit，andnoticedthatthespotwasstillvacant，andIthinksurely，\"
headded，\"theyoungman’sfathermusthavemeanttorecallhimhomesomeday，butperhapsdeathtookhimunawares。\"
\"Diedinthehunting-field，\"murmuredtheSquire。
JohnThomasbowedhisheadtotheremark，andproceeded，\"Soperhaps，Squire，itmaybeinyourhearttoforgivethedead，andbringbackthepoorlad’spicturetoitsplace。
Theywhosinforlovearen’tsobad，sir，astheywhosinformoney。IneverheardworseofTyrrelRawdonthanthathelovedapoorwomaninsteadofarichwoman——andmarriedher。Thosethathavegonebeforeusintothenextlife，Ishouldthinkaregoodfriendstogether；andIwouldn’twonderifwemightevenmakethemhappierthereifweconcludetoforgetalloldwrongsandlivetogetherhere——asRawdonsoughttolive——likeonefamily。\"
\"Iamofyouropinion，JohnThomas，\"
saidtheSquire，rising，andashedidsohelookedattheJudge，whoimmediatelyindorsedtheproposal。Oneaftertheotherrosewithsweetandstrongassent，untiltherewasonlyTyrrelRawdon’svoicelacking。
Butwhenallhadspokenherosealso，andsaid：
\"IamTyrrelRawdon’sdirectdescendant，andIspeakforhimwhenIsayto-day，`Makeroomformeamongmykindred！’Hethatlovesmuchmaybeforgivenmuch。\"
Thenthehousekeeperwascalled，andtheywentslowly，withsoftwords，uptothethirdstoryofthehouse。Andtheroomunusedforacenturywasflungwideopen；theshutterswereunbarred，andthesunshinefloodedit；andthereamidhisfishingtackle，guns，andwhips，andfadedballadsuponthewall，andbooksofwoodloreandbotany，anddresssuitsofvelvetandsatin，andhuntingsuitsofscarlet——allfadedandfallingtopieces——
stoodthepictureofTyrrelRawdon，withitsfaceturnedtothewall。TheSquiremadeamotiontohisdescendant，andtheyoungAmericantenderlyturnedittothelight。
Therewasnodecayonthosepaintedlineaments。
Thealmostboyishface，withitslovingeyesandlaughingmouth，wasstilltwenty-
fouryearsold；andwithalookofprideandaffectiontheSquireliftedthepictureandplaceditinthehandsoftheTyrrelRawdonoftheday。
Thehangingofthepictureinitsoldplacewasasilentandtenderlittleceremony，andafteritthepartyseparated。Mrs。RawdonwentwithRuthtorestalittle。Shesaid\"shehadaheadache，\"andshealsowantedagoodwomanlytalkovertheaffair。TheSquire，JudgeRawdon，Mr。NicholasRawdon，andJohnThomasreturnedtothedining-
roomtodrinkabottleofsuchmildMadeiraascanonlynowbefoundinthecellarsofoldcountymagnates，andEthelandTyrrelRawdonstrolledintothegarden。Therehadnotbeenineithermindanyintentionofleavingtheparty，butastheypassedthroughthehallTyrrelsawEthel’sgardenhatandwhiteparasollyingonatable，and，impelledbysomesuddenandunreasonedinstinct，heofferedthemtoher。Notawordofrequestwasspoken；itwastheeager，passionatecommandofhiseyessheobeyed。Andforafewminutestheywerespeechless，thensointenselyconsciousthatwordsstumbledandwerelame，andtheymanagedonlysyllablesatatime。Buthetookherhand，andtheycamebysunnyalleysofboxwoodtoagreatplanetree，bearingatwondrousheightamightywealthofbranches。Abankofsoft，greenturfencircleditsroots，andtheysatdowninthetremblingshadows。Itwasinthemidstoftheherbgarden；bedsofmintandthyme，rosemaryandmarjoram，basil，lavender，andotherfragrantplantswerearound，andcloseathandalittlecityofstrawskepspeopledbygoldenbrownbees；Fromtheseskepscameadeliciousaromaofricedflowersandvirginwax。ItwasanewGardenofEden，inwhichlifewassweetasperfumeandpureasprayer。Nothingstirredthegreen，sunnyafternoonbutthemurmurofthebees，andthesleepytwitteringofthebirdsintheplanebranches。Aninexpressiblepeacesweptlikethebreathofheaventhroughtheodorousplaces。Theysatdownsighingforveryhappiness。
Thesilencebecametooeloquent。Atlengthitwasalmostunendurable，andEthelsaidsoftly：
\"Howstillitis！\"
Tyrrellookedathersteadilywithbeamingeyes。Thenhetookfromhispocketalittlepurseofwovengoldandopal-tintedbeads，andhelditinhisopenhandforhertosee，watchingthebrightblushthatspreadoverherface，andthefaint，gladsmilethatpartedherlips。
\"Youunderstand？\"
\"Yes。Itismine。\"
\"Itwasyours。Itisnowmine。\"
\"Howdidyougetit？\"
\"Iboughtitfromtheoldmanyougaveitto。\"
\"Oh！Thenyouknowhim？Howisthat？\"
\"Thehotelpeoplesentaporterhomewithhimlestheshouldberobbed。NextdayImadeinquiries，andthisportertoldmewherehelived。Iwentthereandboughtthispursefromhim。Iknewsomedayitwouldbringmetoyou。Ihavecarrieditovermyhearteversince。\"
\"Soyounoticedme？\"
\"IsawyouallthetimeIwassinging。I
haveneverforgottenyousincethathour。\"
\"Whatmadeyousing？\"
\"Compassion，fate，anurgentimpulse；
perhaps，indeed，yourpiteousface——Isawitfirst。\"
\"Really？\"
\"Isawitfirst。IsawitallthetimeIwassinging。Whenyoudroppedthispursemysoulmetyoursinamoment’sgreeting。Itwasapromise。IknewIshouldmeetyouagain。
Ihavelovedyoueversince。Iwantedtotellyousothehourwemet。Ithasbeenhardtokeepmysecretsolong。\"
\"Itwasmysecretalso。\"
\"Iloveyoubeyondallwords。Mylifeisinyourhands。Youcanmakemethegladdestofmortals。Youcansendmeawayforever。\"
\"Oh，no，Icouldnot！Icouldnotdothat！\"Therestescapeswords；butthusitwasthatonthisdayofdaysthesetwocamebyGod’sgracetoeachother。
Forallthingscomebyfatetoflower，Attheirunconquerablehour。
Andtheveryatmosphereofsuchblissisdiffusive；itseemedasifallthelivingcreaturesaroundunderstood。Inthethick，greenbranchesthebirdsbegantotwitterthesecret，andcertainlythewise，wisebeesknewalso，insomeoccultway，oftheloveandjoythathadjustbeenrevealed。Awonderfulhummingandbuzzingfilledthehives，andtheairvibratedwiththemovementofwings。Someinfluencemoreswiftandsecretthanthebirdsoftheaircarriedthematterfurther，foritfinallyreachedRoyal，theSquire’sfavoritecollie，whocamesaunteringdownthealley，pushedhisnosetwiceunderEthel’selbow，andthenwithasignificantlookbackward，advisedtheloverstofollowhimtothehouse。
Whentheyfinallyacceptedhisinvitation，theyfoundMrs。RawdondrinkingacupofteawithRuthinthehall。Etheljoinedthemwithaffectedhighspiritsandrandomexplanationsandexcuses，butbothwomenno-
ticedherradiantfaceandexultingair。
\"Thegardenissuchaheavenlyplace，\"shesaidecstatically，andMrsRawdonremarked，assheroseandputhercuponthetable，\"Girlsneedchaperonsingardensiftheyneedthemanywhere。ImadeNicholasRawdonapromiseinMossgillGardenI’vehadtospendallmylifesincetryingtokeep。\"
\"TyrrelandIhavebeensittingundertheplanetreewatchingthebees。Theyaresuchbusy，sensiblecreatures。\"
\"Theyarethat，\"answeredMrs。Rawdon。
\"Ifyouknewallaboutthemyouwouldwonderabit。Myfatherhadagreatmany；
hestudiedtheirwaysandusedtolaughattheladiesofthehivebeingsoliketheladiesoftheworld。Youseetheyoungladybeesarejustasinexperiencedasaschoolgirl。
Theygetlostintheflowers，andareoftensoovertakenandreckless，thatthenightfindsthemfarfromthehive，heavywithpollenandchilledwithcold。Sometimesfatherwouldliftoneoftheseimprudentyoungthings，carryithome，andtrytogetitadmitted。
Henevercouldmanageit。TheladybeesactedjustaswomenareapttodowhenotherwomenGOwheretheydon’tgo，orDO
astheydon’tdo。\"
\"Butthisisinteresting，\"saidRuth。
\"Pray，howdidtheladiesofthehivebehavetotheculprit？\"
\"Theycameoutandfeltherallover，turnedherroundandround，andthenpushedheroutoftheircommunity。Therewasalwaysadealofbuzzingaboutthepoor，sillything，andIshouldn’twonderiftheirstingswerebusytoo。Beesareill-naturedastheycanbe。Well，well，Idon’tblameanyoneforsittinginthegardensuchadayasthis；only，asIwassaying，gardenshavebeenverydangerousplacesforwomenasfarasIknow。\"
Ruthlaughedsoftly。\"Ishalltakeachaperonwithme，then，whenIgointothegarden。\"
\"Iwould，dearie。There’stheJudge；he’saverysuitable，sedate-lookingonebutyounevercantell。Thefirstwomanfoundinagardenandatreehadplentyofsorrowforherselfandeverywomanthathaslivedafterher。IwishNicholasandJohnThomaswouldcome。I’llwarrantthey’retalkingwhattheycallpolitics。\"
Politicswaspreciselythesubjectwhichhadbeenoccupyingthem，forwhenTyrrelenteredthedining-room，theSquire，JudgeRawdon，andMr。NicholasRawdonwereallstanding，evidentlyjustfinishingaConservativeargumentagainsttheRadicalopinionsofJohnThomas。Theyoungmanwasstillsitting，butherosewithsmilinggood-humorasTyrrelentered。
\"HereisCousinTyrrel，\"hecried；\"hewilltellyouthatyoumaycallagovernmentanythingyoulikeradical，conservative，republican，democratic，socialistic，butifitisn’taCHEAPgovernment，itisn’tagoodgovernment；
andtherewon’tbeacheapgovernmentinEnglandtillpoormenhaveadealtosayaboutmakinglawsandvotingtaxes。\"
\"Isthatthekindofstuffyoutalktoourhands，JohnThomas？Nowondertheyareneithertoholdnortobind。\"
TheywereinthehallasJohnThomasfinishedhispoliticalcreed，andinafewminutestheadieuxweresaid，andthewonderfuldaywasover。Ithadbeenawonderfuldayforall，butperhapsnoonewassorryforapauseinlife——apauseinwhichtheymightrestandtrytorealizewhatithadbroughtandwhatithadtakenaway。TheSquirewentatoncetohisroom，andEthellookedatRuthinquiringly。Sheseemedexhausted，andwasoutofsympathywithallhersurroundings。
\"WhatenormousvitalitytheseYorkshirewomenmusthave！\"shesaidalmostcrossly。
\"Mrs。Rawdonhasbeentalkingincessantlyforsixhours。Shehasfeltallshesaid。Shehasfrequentlyrisenandwalkedabout。Shehasusedallsortsofactionstoemphasizeherwords，andsheisasfreshasifshehadjusttakenhermorningbath。Howdothemenstandthem？\"
\"Becausetheyarejustasvital。JohnThomaswilloverlookandscoldandorderhisthousandhandsallday，talkevenhismotherdownwhileheeatshisdinner，andthenlectureorleadhisMusicalUnion，orconductapoorman’sconcert，orgoto`theWeaver’sUnion，’andwhathecalls`threepthem’fortwoorthreehoursthatlaborisruiningcapital，andkillingthegoosethatlaysgoldeneggsforthem。Oh，theyareawonderfulrace，Ruth！\"
\"Ireallycan’tdiscussthemnow，Ethel。\"
\"Don’tyouwanttoknowwhatTyrrelsaidtomethisafternoon？\"
\"Mydear，Iknow。Lovershavesaidsuchthingsbefore，andloverswillsaythemevermore。
Youshalltellmeinthemorning。I
thoughthelookeddistraitandboredwithourcompany。\"
Indeed，TyrrelwassoremarkablyquietthatJohnThomasalsonoticedhismood，andastheysatsmokinginTyrrel’sroom，heresolvedtofindoutthereason，andwithhisusualdirectnessasked：
\"WhatdoyouthinkofEthelRawdon，Tyrrel，\"
\"IthinksheisthemostbeautifulwomanIeversaw。Shehasalsothemostsincerenature，andherhighspiritissweetlytemperedbyheraffectionateheart。\"
\"Iamgladyouknowsomuchabouther。
Lookhere，CousinTyrrel，Ifanciedto-nightyouwereabitjealousofme。Itiseasytoseeyouareinlove，andI’venodoubtyouwerethinkingofthedayswhenyouwouldbethousandsofmilesaway，andIshouldhavethegroundclearandsoon，eh？\"
\"SupposeIwas，cousin，whatthen？\"
\"Youwouldbeworryingfornothing。I
don’twanttomarryEthelRawdon。IfI
did，youwouldhavetobeonthegroundallthetime，andthenIshouldbestyou；butI
pickedoutmywifetwoyearsago，andifwearebothaliveandwell，wearegoingtobemarriednextChristmas。\"
\"Iamdelighted。I————\"
\"Ithoughtyouwouldbe。\"
\"Whoistheyounglady？\"
\"MissLucyWatson。HerfatheristheIndependentminister。Heisagentleman，thoughhissalaryislessthanwegiveouroverseer。Andheisagreatscholar。SoisLucy。Shefinishedhercourseatcollegethissummer，andwithhighhonors。Blessyou，Tyrrel，sheknowsfarmorethanIdoabouteverythingbutwarpsandloomsandsuchlike。Iadmireacleverwoman，andI’mproudofLucy。\"
\"Whereisshenow？\"
\"Well，shewasabitdoneupwithsomuchstudy，andsoshewenttoScarboroughforafewweeks。Shehasanauntthere。Theseabreezesandsaltwatersoonmadeherfitforanything。Shemaybehomeverysoonnow。
Then，Tyrrel，you’llseeabeauty——facelikearose，hairbrownasanut，eyesthatmakeyourheartgogalloping，themostenticingmouth，theprettiestfigure，andshelovesmewithallherheart。Whenshesays`JohnThomas，dearone，’Itremblewithpleasure，andwhensheletsmekisshersweetmouth，Ireallydon’tknowwhereIam。Whatwouldyousayifagirlwhispered，`Iloveyou，andnobodybutyou，’andgaveyouakissthatwaslike——likewineandroses？Nowwhatwouldyousay？\"
\"IknowaslittleasyoudowhatIwouldsay。It’sasituationtomakeamancoinnewwords。Isupposeyourfamilyarepleased。\"
\"Well，IneverthoughtaboutmyfamilytillIhadLucy’sword。ThenItoldmother。
SheknewLucyallthrough。MotherhasagreatrespectforIndependents，andthoughfathersulkedabitatfirst，motherhaditoutwithhimonenight，andwhenmotherhasfatherquietintheirroomfathercomestoseethingsjustasshewantshim。Isupposethat’sthewaywithwives。Lucywillbejustlikethat。She’sgotasharplittletemper，too。
She’llletmehaveabitofit，nodoubt，nowandthen。\"
\"Willyoulikethat？\"
\"Iwouldn’tcareafarthingforawifewithoutabitoftemper。Therewouldbenofuninlivingwithawomanofthatkind。Myfatherwoulddroopandpineifmotherdidn’tspurhimonnowandthen。Andhelikesit。
Don’tIknow？I’veseenmothersnappyandawkwardwithhimallbreakfasttime，tossingherhead，andrattlingthechina，anddeclaringshewaswornoutwithmenthatletallthegoodbargainspassthem；perhapsmakingfunofusbecausewecouldn’tmanagetogetalongwithoutstrikes。Shehadnostrikeswithherhands，she’dliketoseeherwomenstandupandtalktoheraboutshorterhours，andsoon；
andfatherwouldlookatmesly-like，andaswewalkedtothemilltogetherhe’dlaughcontentedlyandsay，`Yourmotherwasquiterefreshingthismorning，JohnThomas。Shehaskeyedmeuptoarightpitch。WhenJonathanArkroydcomesaboutthatwoolhesoldusI’llbeallreadyforhim。’SoyouseeI’mnotagainstasharptemper。IlikewomenasTennysonsaysEnglishgirlsare，`rosessetroundwithlittlewilfulthorns，’eh？\"
Unusualasthisconversationwas，itsgeneraltonewasassumedbyEthelinherconfidentialtalkwithRuththefollowingday。Ofcourse，RuthwasnotatallsurprisedatthenewsEthelbroughther，forthoughthelovershadbeenindividuallysuretheyhadbetrayedtheirsecrettonoone，ithadreallybeenanopenonetoRuthsincethehouroftheirmeeting。
ShewassincerelyardentinherpraisesofTyrrelRawdon，but——andthereisalwaysabut——shewonderedifEthelhad\"noticedwhataquicktemperhehad。\"
\"Oh，yes，\"answeredEthel，\"Ishouldnotlikehimnottohaveaquicktemper。Iexpectmyhusbandtostandupatamoment’snoticeforeithermineorhisownrightsoropinions。\"
Andintheafternoonwhenallpreliminarieshadbeensettledandapproved，JudgeRawdonexpressedhimselfinthesamemannertoRuth。\"Yes，\"hesaid，inreplytohertimidsuggestionoftemper，\"youcanstrikefireanywherewithhimifyoutryit，buthehasitundercontrol。Besides，Ethelisjustasquicktoflameup。ItwillbeRawdonagainstRawdon，andEthel’sweaponsareoffiner，keenersteelthanTyrrel’s。Ethelwillholdherown。Itisbestso。\"
\"HowdidtheSquirefeelaboutsuchamarriage？\"
\"Hewasquiteovercomewithdelight。
NothingwassaidtoTyrrelaboutEthelhavingboughtthereversionofRawdonManor，forthingshavebeenhardertogetintopropershapethanIthoughttheywouldbe，anditmaybeanothermonthbeforeallisfinallysettled；buttheSquirehasthesecretsatisfaction，andhewasmuchaffectedbythecertaintyofaRawdonatRawdonCourtafterhim。Hedeclinedtothinkofitinanyotherwaybut`providential，’andofcourseIlethimtakeallthesatisfactionhecouldoutoftheidea。EversinceheheardoftheengagementhehasbeenattheorgansingingtheOneHundredandThirdPsalm。\"
\"Heisthedearestandnoblestofmen。
Howsoonshallwegohomenow？\"
\"Inaboutamonth。AreyoutiredofEngland？\"
\"IshallbegladtoseeAmericaagain。
TherewasaletterfromDorathismorning。
Theysailonthetwenty-third。\"
\"DoyouknowanythingofMostyn？\"
\"Sincehewroteusapolitefarewellwehaveheardnothing。\"
\"DoyouthinkhewenttoAmerica？\"
\"Icannottell。Whenhebidusgood-byhemadenostatementastohisdestination；
hemerelysaid`hewasleavingEnglandonbusiness。’\"
\"Well，Ruth，weshallsailassoonasIamsatisfiedallisright。Thereisalittledelayaboutsomeleasesandothermatters。InthemeantimetheloversareinParadisewhereverwelocatethem。\"
AndinParadisetheydweltforanotherfourweeks。Theancientgardenhaddoubtlessmanyadreamoflovetokeep，butnonesweeterortruerthantheidylofTyrrelandEthelRawdon。Theywereneverwearyofrehearsingit；everyincidentofitsgrowthhadbeencharmingandromantic，and，astheybelieved，appointedfromafar。Asthesum-
merwaxedhotterthebeautifulplacetookonanappearanceofroyalcolorandsplendor，andtheairwaslanguidwiththeperfumeoftheclovecarnationsandtallwhiteAugustlilies。Fluteddahlias，scarletpoppies，andalltheflowersthatexhaletheirspiceinthelasthotdaysofAugustburnedincenseforthem。
Theirveryhairwasladenwithodor，theirfingersflower-sweet，theirmindstookonthemanycolorsoftheirexquisitesurroundings。
AnditwaspartofthisdramaofloveandscentandcolorthattheyshouldseeitslowlyassumethemoreethereallovelinessofSeptember，andwatchthesubtleamberraysshinethroughthethinningboughs，andfeelthatallnaturewasbecomingidealized。Thebirdswerethenmostlysilent。Theyhadlefttheirbestnotesonthehawthornsandamongtheroses；butthecricketsmadeacheerfulchirrup，andthegreatbrownbutterfliesdisplayedtheirrichestvelvets，andthegossamer-likeinsectsinthedreamyatmosphereperformeddancesandundulationsfullofgraceandmystery。Andallthesemarvelouschangesimpartedtolovethatsweetsadnesswhichisbeyondallwordspoeticandenchaining。
Yethoweversweetthehours，theypassaway，anditisnotmuchmemorycansavefromthemutable，happydaysoflove。Still，whenthehourofdeparturecametheyhadgarneredenoughtosweetenalltheafter-
straitsandstressoftime。Septemberhadthenperceptiblybeguntoaddtothenightsandshortenthedays，andhertendertouchhadbeenlaidoneverything。WithasmileandasightheRawdonsturnedtheirfacestotheirpleasanthomeintheLandoftheWest。
Itwastobebutashortfarewell。TheyhadpromisedtheSquiretoreturnthefollowingsummer，buthefeltthedesolationofthepartingverykeenly。Withhishatslightlyliftedabovehiswhitehead，hestoodwatchingthemoutofsight。Thenhewenttohisorgan，andverysoongrandwavesofmelodyrolledoutwardandupward，andblendedthemselveswiththeclear，soaringvoiceofJoel，theladwhoblewthebellowsoftheinstrument，andsharedallhismaster’sjoyinit。TheyplayedandsanguntiltheSquireroseweary，butfullofgladness。Thelookofimmortalitywasinhiseyes，itssureandcertainhopeinhisheart。HeletJoelleadhimtohischairbythewindow，andthenhesaidtohimselfwithvisibletriumph：
\"WhatMr。Spenceroranyoneelsewritesabout`theUnknowable’Icarenot。IKNOW
INWHOMIhavebelieved。Joel，singthatlastsequenceagain。StandwhereIcanseethee。\"
Andthelad’sjoyfulvoicerangexultingout：
\"Lord，Thouhastbeenourdwelling-placeinallgenerations。Beforethemountainswerebroughtforth，oreverThouhadstformedtheworld，fromeverlastingtoeverlastingThouartGod！ThouartGod！ThouartGod！\"
\"Thatwilldo，Joel。Gothywaysnow。
Lord，Thouhastbeenourdwelling-placeinallgenerations。`Unknowable，’Thouhastbeenourdwelling-placeinallgenerations。
No，no，no，whatanungratefulsinnerI
wouldbetochangetheLordeverlastingfortheUnknowable。’\"
CHAPTERIX
NEWYORKisatitsverybrightestandbestinOctober。Thismonthoftheyearmaybesafelytrustednottodisappoint。Theskiesareblue，theairbalmy，andthereisgenerallyadelightfulabsenceofwind。ThesummerexilesarehomeagainfromJerseyboardinghouses，andmountaincamps，andseasidehotels，andthankfultothepointofhilaritythatthisepisodeoftheyearisover，thattheycanoncemoredwellundertheirownroofswithoutbreakinganyofthemanifestlawsofthegreatgoddessCustomorFashion。
JudgeRawdon’shousehadanespeciallycharming\"athome\"appearance。Duringtheabsenceofthefamilyithadbeenmadebeautifulinsideandoutside，andthewhitestone，theplateglass，andfallinglaceevidenttothestreet，hadanalmostconsciouslookofluxuriouspropriety。
TheJudgefranklyadmittedhispleasureinhishomesurroundings。Hesaid，astheyatetheirfirstmealinthefamiliarroom，that\"avisittoforeigncountrieswasagrand，patriotictonic。\"Hevowedthatthe\"firstsightoftheStarsandStripesatSandyHookhadgivenhimthefinestemotionhehadeverfeltinhislife，\"andwasaltogetherinhisproudestAmericanmood。Ruthsympathizedwithhim。Ethellistenedsmiling。SheknewwellthattheEnglishstrainhadonlytemporarilyexhausteditself；itwouldhaveitsperiodofrevivalatthepropertime。
\"Iamgoingtoseegrandmother，\"shesaidgayly。\"Ishallstaywithherallday。\"
\"ButIhavealetterfromher，\"interruptedtheJudge，\"andshewillnotreturnhomeuntilnextweek。\"
\"Iamsorry。Iwasanticipatingsoeagerlythejoyofseeingher。Well，asIcannotdoso，IwillgoandcallonDoraStanhope。\"
\"IwouldnotifIwereyou，Ethel，\"saidRuth。\"Lethercomeandcallonyou。\"
\"Ihadalittlenotefromherthismorning，welcomingmehome，andentreatingmetocall。\"
TheJudgeroseasEthelwasspeaking，andnomorewassaidaboutthevisitatthattimebutafewhourslaterEthelcamedownfromherroomreadyforthestreetandfranklytoldRuthshehadmadeuphermindtocallonDora。
\"ThenIwillonlyremindyou，Ethel，thatDoraisnotafortunatewomantoknow。AsfarasIcansee，sheisoneofthosewhosowpainofheartandvexationofspiritabouteveryhousetheyenter，eventheirown。ButI
cannotgatherexperienceforyou，itwillhavetogrowinyourowngarden。\"
\"Allright，dearRuth，andifIdonotlikeitsgrowth，Iwillpullitupbytheroots，I
assureyou。\"
Ruthwentwithhertothedoorandwatchedherwalkleisurelydownthebroadstepstothestreet。Thelightkindledinhereyesandonherfaceasshedidso。Shealreadyfeltthemagnetismofthegreatcity，andwithalaughingfarewellwalkedrapidlytowardDora’shouse。
Hercardbroughtaninstantresponse，andsheheardDora’swelcomebeforethedoorwasopened。Andherfirstgreetingwasanenthusiasticcompliment，\"Howbeautifulyouhavegrown，Ethel！\"shecried。\"Ah，thatistheEuropeanfinish。Youhavegainedit，mydear；youreallyareverymuchimproved。\"
\"Andyoualso，Dora？\"
Thewordswerereallyaquestion，butDoraacceptedthemasanassertion，andwassatisfied。
\"IsupposeIam，\"sheanswered，\"thoughI’msureIcan’ttellhowitshouldbeso，unlessworryofallkindsisgoodforgoodlooks。
I’vehadenoughofthatforalifetime。\"
\"Now，Dora。\"
\"Oh，it’sthesolidtruth——partlyyourfaulttoo。\"
\"Ineverinterfered————\"
\"Ofcourseyoudidn’t，butyououghttohaveinterfered。WhenyoucalledonmeinLondonyoumighthaveseenthatIwasnothappy；andIwantedtocometoRawdonCourt，andyouwouldnotinviteme。Icalledyourbehaviorthen`verymean，’andIhavenotalteredmyopinionofit。\"
\"Thereweregoodreasons，Dora，whyI
couldnotaskyou。\"
\"Goodreasonsareusuallyselfishones，Ethel，andFredMostyntoldmewhattheywere。
\"Helikelytoldyouuntruths，Dora，forheknewnothingaboutmyreasons。Isawverylittleofhim。\"
\"Iknow。Youtreatedhimasbadlyasyoutreatedme，andallforsomewildWestcreature——aregularcowboy，Fredsaid，butthenaRawdon！\"
\"Mr。MostynhasmisrepresentedMr。TyrrelRawdon——thatisallaboutit。Ishallnotexplain`how’or`why。’DidyouenjoyyourselfatStanhopeCastle？\"
\"Enjoymyself！Areyoumakingfunofme？Ethel，dear，itwasthemostawfulexperience。
Younevercanimaginesuchalife，andsuchwomen。Theyweredressedforawalkatsixo’clock；theyhadbreakfastathalf-
pastseven。Theywenttothevillageandinspectedcottages，andgavelessonsinhousekeepingordressmakingorsomeotherdrudgerytillnoon。TheywalkedbacktotheCastleforlunch。Theyattendedtotheirownimprovementfromhalf-pastoneuntilfour，hadlessonsindrawingandchemistry，and，Ibelieve，electricity。Theyhadanotherwalk，andthenindulgedthemselveswithacupoftea。Theydressedandreceivedvisitors，andreadscienceortheologybetweenwhiles。Therewasalwayssomenotedpreacherorscholaratthedinnertable。Theconversationwasaboutacidsandexplosives，ortheplanetsorbishops，orelseonthenever，never-endingsubjectofelevatingtheworkingmanandbuildingschoolsforhischildren。
Basil，ofcourse，enjoyedit。Hethoughthewasgivingmeamagnificentobjectlesson。HewasneverdonepraisingtheladiesMaryElinorandAdelaideStanhope。
I’msureIwishhehadmarriedoneorallofthem——andItoldhimso。\"
\"Youcouldnotbesocruel，Dora。\"
\"Imanageditwiththegreatesteaseimaginable。Hewasalwaystrottingattheirside。Theyspokeofhimas`themostpiousyoungman。’Ihavenodoubttheywereallinlovewithhim。Ihopetheywere。Iusedtopretendtobeverymuchinlovewhentheywerepresent。Idaresayitmadethemwretched。Besides，theyblushedandthoughtmeimproper。Basildidn’tapprove，either，soIhitallround。\"
Sheroseatthismemoryandshookouthersilkskirts，andwalkedupanddowntheroomwithanairthatwasthevisibleexpressionofthemockeryandjealousyinherheart。ThiswasanentirelydifferentDoratothelachrymose，untidywifeattheSavoyHotelinLondon，andEthelhadamomentarypangatthethoughtofthesufferingwhichwasresponsibleforthechange。
\"IfIhadthought，Dora，youweresouncomfortable，IwouldhaveaskedBasilandyoutotheCourt。\"
\"YousawIwasnothappywhenIwasattheSavoy。\"
\"IthoughtyouandBasilhadhadakindoflovers’quarrel，andthatitwouldblowoverinanhourortwo；noonelikestomeddlewithanaffairofthatkind。AreyougoingtoNewport，orisMrs。DenninginNewYork？\"
\"Thatisanothertrouble，Ethel。WhenI
wrotemotherIwantedtocometoher，shesentmewordshewasgoingtoLenoxwithafriend。Then，likeyou，shesaid`shehadnolibertytoinviteme，’andsoon。Ineverknewmotheractinsuchawaybefore。Inearlybrokemyheartaboutitforafewdays，thenImadeupmymindIwouldn’tcare。\"
\"Mrs。Denning，Iamsure，thoughtshedidthewisestandkindestthingpossible。\"
\"Ididn’twantmothertobewise。IwantedhertounderstandthatIwasfairlywornoutwithmypresentlifeandneededachange。
I’msureshedidunderstand。Thenwhywasshesocruel？\"andsheshruggedhershouldersimpatientlyandsatdown。\"I’msotiredoflife，\"shecontinued。\"WhendidyouhearofFredMostyn？\"
\"Iknownothingofhismovements。IsheinAmerica？\"
\"Somewhere。IaskedmotherifhewasinNewport，andsheneveransweredtheques-
tion。IsupposehewillbeinNewYorkforthewinterseason。Ihopeso。\"
Thistopicthreatenedtobemoredangerousthantheother，andEthel，aftermanyandfutileattemptstobringconversationintosafecommonplacechannels，pleadedotherengagementsandwentaway。Shewaspainfullydepressedbytheinterview。Alltheelementsoftragedyweregatheredtogetherundertheroofshehadjustleft，and，asfarasshecouldsee，therewasnodelivererwiseandstrongenoughtopreventacalamity。
ShedidnotrepeattoRuththeconversationwhichhadbeensopainfultoher。ShedescribedDora’sdressandappearance，andcommentedonFredMostyn’sdescriptionofTyrrelRawdon，andonMrs。Denning’srefusalofherdaughter’sproposedvisit。
Ruththoughtthelattercircumstancesignificant。\"IdaresayMostynwasinNewportatthattime，\"sheanswered。\"Mrs。
Denninghassomeveryquickperceptions。\"
AndRuth’sopinionwasprobablycorrect，forduringdinnertheJudgeremarkedinacasualmannerthathehadmetMr。Mostynontheavenueashewascominghome。\"Hewaswell，\"hesaid，\"andmadealltheusualinquiriesastoyourhealth。\"AndbothRuthandEthelunderstoodthathewishedthemtoknowofMostyn’spresenceinthecity，andtobepreparedformeetinghim；butdidnotcaretodiscussthesubjectfurther，atleastatthattime。Theinformationbroughtpreciselythesamethoughtatthesamemomenttobothwomen，andassoonastheywerealonetheyutteredit。
\"SheknewMostynwasinthecity，\"saidEthelinalowvoice。
\"Certainly。\"
\"Shewasexpectinghim。\"
\"Iamsureofit。\"
\"Herelaborateandbeautifuldressingwasforhim。\"
\"PoorBasil！\"
\"Sheaskedmetostayandlunchwithher，butverycoolly，andwhenIrefused，didnotpressthematterassheusedtodo。Yes，shewasexpectinghim。Iunderstandnowhernervousmanner，herrestlessness，herindifferencetomyshortvisit。IwishIcoulddoanything。\"
\"Youcannot，andyoumustnottry。\"
\"Someonemusttry。\"
\"Thereisherhusband。HaveyouheardfromTyrrelyet，\"
\"Ihavehadacoupleoftelegrams。HewillwritefromChicago。\"
\"IshegoingatoncetotheHotSprings？\"
\"Asrapidlyaspossible。ColonelRawdonisnowthere，andveryill。Tyrrelwillputhisfatherfirstofall。Thetroubleattheminecanbeinvestigatedafterwards。\"
\"Youwillmisshimverymuch。Youhavebeensohappytogether。\"
\"OfcourseIshallmisshim。Butitwillbeagoodthingforustobeapartawhile。
Lovemusthavesometimeinwhichtogrow。
Iamalittletiredofbeingveryhappy，andI
thinkTyrrelalsowillfindabsencearelief。
In`LallaRookh’thereisalineaboutlove`fallingasleepinasamenessofsplendor。’
Itmight。Howmelancholyisalongspellofhot，sunshinyweather，andhowgratefullywewelcomethefirstshowerofrain。\"
\"Lovehasmadeyouaphilosopher，Ethel。\"
\"Well，itisratheranadvantagethanotherwise。Iamgoingtotakeawalk，Ruth，intotheveryheartofBroadway。Ihavehadenoughofthepeaceofthecountry。Iwantthecrack，andcrash，andrattle，andgrindofwheels，theconfusedcries，thesnatchesoftalkandlaughter，thetreadofcrowds，thesoundofbells，andclocks，andchimes。I
longforallthechaotic，unintelligiblenoiseofthestreets。Howsuggestiveitis！Yetitneverexplainsitself。Itonlygivesoneafullsenseoflife。Lovemayneedjustthesamestimulus。Iwishgrandmotherwouldcomehome。IshouldnotrequireBroadwayasastimulus。Iamafraidshewillbeveryangrywithme，andtherewillbeabattleroyalinGramercyPark。\"
ItwasnearlyaweekbeforeEthelhadthiscrisistomeet。Shewentdowntoitwitharadiantfaceandcharmingmanner，andherreceptionwasverycordial。Madamwouldnotthrowdownthegloveuntilthepropermoment；besides，thereweremanyveryinterestingsubjectstotalkover，andshewanted\"tofindthingsout\"thatwouldneverbetoldunlesstemperswerepropitious。Addedtothesereasonswasthesolidonethatshereallyadoredhergranddaughter，andwasimmenselycheeredbytheverysightoftherosy，smilingcountenanceliftedtohersitting-roomwindowinpassing。She，indeed，pretendedtobethereinordertogetagoodlightforhernewshellpattern，butshewaswatchingforEthel，andEthelunderstoodtheshell-patternfictionverywell。Shehadheardsomethingsimilaroften。