\"Mydarlinggrandmother，\"shecried，\"I
thoughtyouwouldnevercomehome。\"
\"Itwasn’tmyfault，dear。MissHillisandanimbecileyoungdoctormademebelieveIhadacold。Ihadnocold。IhadnothingatallbutwhatIoughttohave。I’vebeenmadetotakeallsortsofthings，anddoallsortsofthingsthatIhatetotakeandhatetodo。FortendaysI’vebeenkickingmyoldheelsagainstbedclothes。YesterdayItookthingsinmyownhands。\"
\"Nevermind，Grannydear，itwasallagooddiscipline。\"
\"Discipline！Youimpertinentyounglady！Disciplineforyourgrandmother！
Discipline，indeed！Thatonewordmaycostyouathousanddollars，miss。\"
\"Idon’tcareifitdoes，onlyyoumustgivethethousanddollarstopoorMissHillis。\"
\"PoorMissHillishashadamostcomfortabletimewithmeallsummer。\"
\"Iknowshehas，consequentlyshewillfeelhercomfortlessroomandpovertyallthemoreafterit。Giveherthethousand，Granny。
I’mwilling。\"
\"Whatkindofcompanyhaveyoubeenkeeping，EthelRawdon？Whohastaughtyoutosquanderdollarsbythethousand？
Discipline！Ithinkyouaregivingmealittlenow——athousanddollarsalesson，itseems——
nowonder，afterthecarryings-onatRawdonCourt。\"
\"Deargrandmother，wehadtheloveliesttimeyoucanimagine。Andthereisnot，inalltheworld，suchanobleoldgentlemanasSquirePercivalRawdon。\"
\"IknowallaboutPercivalRawdon——aproud，careless，extravagant，loose-at-endsman，dancingandsingingandlovingasitsuitedtimeandseason，takingnothoughtforthefuture，andspendingwithbothhands；
hardonwomen，too，ascouldbe。\"
\"Grandmother，Ineversawamorecourteousgentleman。Heworshipswomen。Hewasnevertiredoftalkingaboutyou。\"
\"Whathadhetosayaboutme？\"
\"Thatyouweretheloveliestgirlinthecounty，andthathenevercouldforgetthefirsttimehesawyou。Hesaidyouwerelikethevisionofanangel。\"
\"Nonsense！Iwasjustaprettygirlinabookmuslinfrockandawhitesash，witharoseatmybreast。Ibelievetheyusebookmuslinforliningsnow，butitdidmakethesheerest，lightestfrocksanygirlcouldwant。
Yes，Irememberthattime。Iwasgoingtoalittlepartyandcrossingameadowtoshortenthewalk，andSquirePercivalhadbeenoutwithhisgun，andhelaiditdownandrantohelpmeoverthestile。Ahandsomeyoungfellowhewasthenaseversteppedinshoeleather。\"
\"Andhemusthavelovedyoudearly。HewouldsithourafterhourtellingRuthandmehowbrightyouwere，andhowalltheyoungbeauxaroundMonk-Rawdonadoredyou。\"
\"Nonsense！Nonsense！Ihadbeauxtobesure。Whatprettygirlhasn’t？\"
\"AndhesaidhisbrotherEdwardwonyoubecausehewasmostworthyofyourlove。\"
\"Well，now，IchoseEdwardRawdonbecausehewaswillingtocometoAmerica。I
longedtogetawayfromMonk-Rawdon。I
wasfaintandwearywiththewholestupidplace。Andtheideaoflivingafreeandequallife，andnotcaringwhatlordsandsquiresandtheirproudladiessaidordid，pleasedmewonderfully。WereadaboutNiagaraandthegreatprairiesandthenewbrightcities，andEdwardandIresolvedtomakeourhomethere。Yourgrandfatherwasn’tamantolikebeing`theSquire’sbrother。’Hecouldstandalone。\"
\"AreyougladyoucametoAmerica？\"
\"Neversorryaminuteforit。TenyearsinNewYorkisworthfiftyyearsinMonk-
Rawdon，orRawdonCourteither。\"
\"SquirePercivalwasveryfondofme。
HethoughtIresembledyou，grandmother，butheneveradmittedIwasashandsomeasyouwere。\"
\"Well，Etheldear，youarehandsomeenoughforthekindofmenyou’llpickupinthisgeneration——mostofthembaldatthirty，wearingspectaclesattwentyorearlier，andinspiteofthefusstheymakeaboutathleticsbreakingalltonervousbitsaboutfifty。\"
\"Grandmother，thatispureslander。I
knowsomeveryfineyoungmen，handsomeandathleticboth。\"
\"Beautyisamatteroftaste，andastotheirathletics，theycanrunamilewithablacksmith，butwhenthethermometerrisestoeighty-fivedegreesitknocksthemalltopieces。Theysitfanningthemselveslikeschoolgirls，andcallforjulepsandice-water。
I’vegoteyesyet，mydear。SquirePercivalwasadifferentkindofman；hecouldfollowthehoundsalldayanddanceallnight。Thehunthadnotariderlikehim；hebalkedatneitherhedge，gate，norwater；arightgallant，courageous，honorable，affectionategentlemanaseverYorkshirebred，andshe’sbredlotsofsuperfineones。Whatevermadehimgetintosuchamesswithhisestate？
Yourgrandfatherthoughthimasstraightasastringinmoneymatters。\"
\"Yousaidjustnowhewascarelessandextravagant。\"
\"Well，Ididhimwrong，andI’msorryforit。Howdidhemanagetoneedeightythousandpounds？\"
\"Itisratherapitifulstory，grandmother，butheneveronceblamedthosewhowereinthewrong。Hissonformanyyearshadbeentherealmanageroftheestate。Hewasaspeculator；hisgrandsonswerewildandextravagant。Theybegantoborrowmoneytenyearsagoandhadtogoon。\"
\"Whomdidtheyborrowfrom？\"
\"FredMostyn’sfather。\"
\"Thedevil！Excuseme，Ethel——butthenamesuitsandmaystand。\"
\"ThedearoldSquirewouldhavetakenthefaultonhimselfifhecouldhavedoneso。
Theythatwrongedhimwerehisown，andtheyweredead。Heneverspokeofthembutwithaffection。\"
\"PoorPercival！YourfathertoldmehewasnowoutofMostyn’spower；hesaidyouhadsavedtheestate，buthegavemenoparticulars。Howdidyousaveit？\"
\"Boughtit！\"
\"Nonsense！\"
\"Houseandlandsandoutlyingfarmsandtimber——everything。\"
ThenarosycoloroverspreadMadam’sface，hereyessparkled，sherosetoherfeet，madeEthelasweepingcourtesy，andsaid：
\"MyrespectandcongratulationstoEthel，LadyofRawdonManor。\"
\"Deargrandmother，whatelsecouldI
do？\"
\"Youdidright。\"
\"TheSquireisLordoftheManoraslongashelives。MyfathersaysIhavedonewelltobuyit。Inthefuture，ifIdonotwishtokeepit，NicholasRawdonwillrelievemeatagreatfinancialadvantage。\"
\"Whydidn’tyouletNicholasRawdonbuyitnow？\"
\"Hewouldhavewantedpromptpossession。
TheSquirewouldhavehadtoleavehishome。Itwouldhavebrokenhisheart。\"
\"Idaresay。Hehasasoft，lovingheart。
Thatisn’talwaysablessing。Itcangiveoneadealofsuffering。AndIhearyouhaveallbeenmakingidolsoftheseTyrrel-Rawdons。
Fredtellsmetheyareasvulgaralotascanbe。\"
\"Fredlies！Excuseme，grandmother——butthewordsuitsandmaystand。Mr。Nicholasispompous，andwalksasslowlyasifhehadtocarrytheweightofhisgreatfortune；buthismannersareallright，andhiswifeandsonaredelightful。Sheishandsome，welldressed，andsogood-heartedthatherprettycountyidiomsarereallycharming。JohnThomasisamanbyhimself——nothandsome，butrunningoverwithgoodtemper，andexceedinglycleverandwide-awake。ManytimesIwasforcedtotellmyself，JohnThomaswouldmakeanidealSquireofRawdon。\"
\"Whydon’tyoumarryhim。\"
\"Heneveraskedme。\"
\"Whatwasthematterwiththemen？\"
\"Hewasalreadyengagedtoaverylovelyyounglady。\"
\"Iamgladsheisalady。\"
\"Sheisalsoveryclever。Shehasbeentocollegeandtakenhighhonors，athingIhavenotdone。\"
\"Youmighthavedoneandoverdonethatcaper；youweretoosensibletotryit。Well，I’mgladthatpartofthefamilyislookingup。Theyhadtherightstuffinthem，anditisagoodthingforfamiliestodwelltogetherinunity。WehaveKingDavid’swordforthat。Myobservationleadsmetothinkitisfarbetterforfamiliestodwellapart，inunity。Theyseldomgetalongcomfortablytogether。\"
ThenEthelrelatedmanypleasant，piquantscenesbetweenthetwofamiliesatMonk-
Rawdon，andespeciallythatoneinwhichtheroomofthefirstTyrrelhadbeenopenedandhislikenessrestoredtoitsplaceinthefamilygallery。Ittouchedtheoldladytotears，andshemurmured，\"Poorlad！Poorlad！I
wonderifheknows！Iwonderifheknows！\"
ThecrucialpointofEthel’srevelationshadnotyetbeenrevealed，butMadamwasnowinagentlemood，andEtheltooktheopportunitytointroducehertoTyrrelRawdon。
Shewasexpectingandwaitingforthistopic，butstubbornlyrefusedtogiveEthelanyhelptowardbringingitforward。Atlast，thegirlfeltalittleangeratherpretendedindifference，andsaid，\"IsupposeFredMostyntoldyouaboutMr。TyrrelRawdon，ofCalifornia？\"
\"TyrrelRawdon，ofCalifornia！Pray，whomayhebe？\"
\"ThesonofColonelRawdon，oftheUnitedStatesArmy。\"
\"Oh，tobesure！Well，whatofhim？\"
\"Iamgoingtomarryhim。\"
\"Ishallseeaboutthat。\"
\"Wewerecomingheretogethertoseeyou，butbeforeweleftthesteamerhegotatelegramurginghimtogoatoncetohisfather，whoisveryill。\"
\"Ihavenotaskedhimtocomeandseeme。PerhapshewillwaittillIdoso。\"
\"IfyouarenotgoingtoloveTyrrel，youneednotloveme。Iwon’thaveyouforagrandmotheranylonger。\"
\"Ididwithoutyousixtyyears。Ishallnotliveanothertwelvemonths，andIthinkIcanmanagetodowithoutyouforagranddaughteranylonger。\"
\"Youcannotdowithoutme。Youwouldbreakyourheart，andIshouldbreakmine。\"
WhereuponEthelbegantocrywithapassionthatquitegratifiedtheoldlady。Shewatchedherafewmoments，andthensaidgently：
\"Therenow，thatwilldo。WhenhecomestoNewYorkbringhimtoseeme。Anddon’tnamethemaninthemeantime。Iwon’ttalkabouthimtillI’veseenhim。Itisn’tfaireitherway。Freddidn’tlikehim。\"
\"FredlikesnoonebutDoraStanhope。\"
\"Eh！What！Isthatnonsensegoingonyet？\"
ThenEtheldescribedherlasttwointerviewswithDora。Shedidthiswithscrupulousfidelity，makingnosuggestionsthatmightprejudicethecase。Forshereallywantedhergrandmother’sdecisioninordertoframeherownconductbyit。Madamwasnot，however，inahurrytogiveit。
\"Whatdoyouthink？\"sheaskedEthel。
\"IhaveknownDoraformanyyears；shehasalwaystoldmeeverything。\"
\"ButnothingaboutFred？\"
\"Nothing。\"
\"Nothingtotell，perhaps？\"
\"Perhaps。\"
\"Wheredoesherexcellenthusbandcomein？\"
\"Shesaysheisverykindtoherinhisway。\"
\"Andhiswayistodragherovertheworldtoseethecathedralsthereof，andtovarythatpleasurewithinspectingschoolsandreformatoriesandlisteningtogreatpreachers。Uponmyword，Ifeelsorryforthechild！AndI
knowallaboutsuchexcellentpeopleastheStanhopes。Iusedtogotowhattheycall`apleasantevening’withthem。Wesataroundabigroomlitwithwaxcandles，andheldimprovingconversation，orsomeonesangoneortwoofMrs。Hemans’songs，like`PassingAway’or`HeNeverSmiledAgain。’Perhapstherewasacomicrecitation，atwhichnoonelaughed，andfinallywehadwineandhotwater——theycalledit`portnegus’——andtonguesandwichesandcarawaycakes。MydearEthel，IyawnnowwhenI
thinkofthosedrearyevenings。WhatmustDorahavefelt，rightoutofthemaelstromofNewYork’soperasandtheatersanddancingparties？\"
\"Still，Doraoughttotrytofeelsomeinterestinthechurchaffairs。Shesaysshedoesnotcareahairpinforthem，andBasilfeelssohurt。\"
\"Idaresayhedoes，poorfellow！HethinksSt。Jude’sKindergartenandsewingcirclesandmissionarysocietiesaretheonlyjoysintheworld。RightenoughforBasil，buthowaboutDora？\"
\"Theyarehisprofession；sheoughttofeelaninterestinthem。\"
\"Comenow，lookatthequestionsensibly。
DidDora’sfatherbringhis`deals’andstock-jobberyhome，andexpectDoraandhermothertofeelaninterestinthem？Dodoctorstelltheirwivesabouttheirpatients，andexpectthemtopaysympathizingvisits？
DoesyourfatherexpectRuthandyourselftolistentohiscasesandarguments，andvisithispoorclientsormakeunderclothingforthem？Domen，ingeneral，consideritawife’splacetointerfereintheirprofessionorbusiness？\"
\"Clergymenaredifferent。\"
\"Notatall。Preachingandphilanthropyistheirbusiness。Theygetsomuchayearfordoingit。Idon’tbelieveSt。Jude’spaysMrs。Stanhopearedcent。Therenow，andifsheisn’tpaid，she’srightnottowork。Amentothat！\"
\"BeforeshewasmarriedDorasaidshefeltagreatinterestinchurchwork。\"
\"Idaresayshedid。Marriagemakesadealofdifferenceinawoman’slikesanddislikes。
Churchworkwascourting-timebeforemarriage；aftermarriageshehadotheropportunities。\"
\"IthinkyoumightspeaktoFredMostyn————\"
\"Imight，butitwouldn’tbeworthwhile。
Betruetoyourfriendaslongasyoucan。
InYorkshirewestandbyourfriends，rightorwrong，andwearen’ttooparticularastotheirbeingright。Myfatherenjoyedjustifyingamanthateveryoneelsewasdownon；
andI’vestoodbymanyawomannobodyhadagoodwordfor。Iwasneversorryfordoingit，either。I’llbegoingintoastrangecountrysoon，andIshouldnotwonderifsomeofthemthathavegonetherefirstwillbereadytostandbyme。Wedon’tknowwhatfriendswe’llbegladofthere。\"
Thedinnerbellbrokeupthisconversation，andEthelduringittoldMadamaboutthecookandcookingattheCourtandatNicholasRawdon’s，whereJohnThomashadinstalledaFrenchchef。Otherdomesticarrangementswerediscussed，andwhentheJudgecalledforhisdaughteratfouro’clock，Madamvowed\"shehadspentoneofthehappiestdaysofherlife。\"
\"Ruthtellsme，\"saidtheJudge，\"thatDoraStanhopecalledforEthelsoonaftershelefthomethismorning。Ruthseemstroubledatthecontinuanceofthisfriendship。
Haveyouspokentoyourgrandmother，Ethel，aboutDora？\"
\"Shehastoldmeallthereistotell，Idaresay，\"answeredMadam。
\"Well，mother，whatdoyouthink？\"
\"Iseenoharminityetawhile。Itisnotfair，Edward，tocondemnuponlikelihoods。
Wearenosaints，sinfulmenandwomen，allofus，andasmuchinclinedtoforbiddenfruitasanygoodChristianscanbe。Ethelcandoasshefeelsaboutit；she’sgotamindofherown，andIhopetogoodnessshe’llnotletRuthBayardbitandbridleit。\"
GoinghometheJudgeevidentlyponderedthisquestion，forhesaidafteralengthysilence，\"Grandmother’sethicsdonotalwaysfitthesocialethicsofthisday，Ethel。Shecriticisespeoplewithherheart，notherintellect。
Youmustbeprudent。ThereisaremarkablethingcalledRespectabilitytobereckonedwithrememberthat。\"
AndEthelanswered，\"NooneneedworryaboutDora。Somewomenmayshowtheedgesoftheircharactersoiledandragged，butDorawillbesuretohavehersreputablyfinishedwithahemofthewidestpropriety。\"
AndafterashortsilencetheJudgeadded，almostinsoliloquy，\"And，moreover，Ethel，\"`There’sadivinitythatshapesourends，Rough-hewthemhowwewill。’\"
PARTFOURTH
THEREAPINGOFTHESOWING
CHAPTERX
WHENEthelandTyrrelpartedatthesteamertheydidnotexpectalongseparation，butColonelRawdonneverrecoveredhishealth，andformanyexcellentreasonsTyrrelcouldnotleavethedyingman。NordidEthelwishhimtodoso。UnderthesecircumstancesbeganthesecondbeautifulphaseofEthel’swooing，asweet，dailycorrespondence，thebestofallpreparationsformatrimonialonenessandunderstanding。LookingforTyrrel’sletters，readingthem，andansweringthempassedmanyhappyhours，fortobothitwasanabsolutenecessitytoassureeachotherconstantly，\"SinceIwrotetheeyestereveIdolovethee，Love，believe，Twelvetimesdearer，twelvehourslonger，Onedreamdeeperonenightstronger，Onesunsurer——thismuchmoreThanIlovedthee，dear，before。\"
Andfortherest，shetookupheroldlifewithafreshenthusiasm。
AmongtheseinterestsnoneweremoreurgentintheirclaimsthanDoraStanhope；
andfortifiedbyhergrandmother’sopinion，Ethelwentatoncetocallonher。ShefoundBasilwithhiswife，andhiseffortstomakeEthelseehowmuchheexpectedfromherinfluence，andyetatthesametimenotevenhintadisapprovalofDora，werealmostpathetic，forhewassovoidofsophistrythathisinnuendoeswereflagrantlyopentodetection。
Dorafeltacontemptforthem，andhehadhardlylefttheroomereshesaid：
\"Basilhasgonetohisvestryinhighspirits。WhenItoldhimyouwerecomingtoseemeto-dayhesmiledlikeanangel。Hebelievesyouwillkeepmeoutofmischief，andhefeelsagrandconfidenceinsomethingwhichhecalls`yourinfluence。’\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbymischief？\"
\"Oh，IsupposegoingaboutwithFredMostyn。Ican’thelpthat。Imusthavesomeonetolookafterme。AlltheyoungmenI
usedtoknowpassmenowwithaliftedhatorawordortwo。Thegirlshaveforgottenme。Idon’tsupposeIshallbeaskedtoasingledancethiswinter。\"
\"TheladiesinSt。Jude’schurchwouldmakeapetofyouif————\"
\"Theoldcatsandkittens！No，thankyou，IamnotgoingtochurchexceptonSundaymornings——thatisrespectableandright；butastobeingthepetofSt。Jude’sladies！No，no！Howtheywouldmewovermydelinquencies，andwhatscratchesIshouldgetfromtheirvelvet-shodclaws！IfIhavetobetalkedabout，Iprefertheladiesoftheworldtodiscussmyfrailties。\"
\"ButifIwereyou，Iwouldgivenooneareasonforsayingawordagainstme。Whyshouldyou？\"
\"Fredwillsupplythemwithreasons。I
can’tkeepthemanawayfromme。Idon’tbelieveIwantto——heisveryniceanduseful。\"
\"Youaretalkingnonsense，thingsyoudon’tmean，Dora。YouarenotsuchafoolishwomanastoliketobeseenwithFredMostyn，thatlittlemonocularsnob，afterthearistocratic，handsomeBasilStanhope。Thecomparisonisamockery。BasilisthefinestgentlemanIeversaw。Socially，heisperfection，and————\"
\"Heisonlyaclergyman。\"
\"Evenasaclergymanheisofreligiouslyroyaldescent。Therearegenerationsofclergymenbehindhim，andheisaprinceinthepulpit。Everymanthatknowshimgiveshimthehighestrespect，everywomanthinksyouthemostfortunateofwives。NoonecaresforFredMostyn。Eveninhisnativeplaceheisheldincontempt。HehadninehundredvotestoyoungRawdon’stwelvethousand。\"
\"Idon’tmindthat。Iamgoingtothematineeto-morrowwithFred。Hewantedtotakemeoutinhisautothisafternoon，butwhenIsaidIwouldgoifyouwouldhedrewback。Whatisthereason？Didhemakeyouofferofhishand？Didyourefuseit？\"
\"Henevermademeanoffer。Icountthattomyselfasagreatcompliment。Ifhehaddonesuchathing，hewouldcertainlyhavebeenrefused。\"
\"Icantellthathereallyhatesyou。WhatdirtytrickdidyouservehimaboutRawdonCourt？\"
\"SohecalledthereleaseofSquireRawdona`dirtytrick’？ItwouldhavebeenaverydirtytricktohaveletFredMostyngethiswaywithSquireRawdon。\"
\"Ofcourse，Ethel，whenamanlendshismoneyasanobligationheexpectstogetitbackagain。\"
\"Mostyngoteveryfarthingduehim，andhewantedoneofthefinestmanorsinEng-
landinreturnfortheobligation。Hedidnotgetit，thankGodandmyfather！\"
\"Hewillnotforgetyourfather’sinterference。\"
\"Ihopehewillrememberit。\"
\"DoyouknowwhofurnishedthemoneytopayFred？Hesaysheissureyourfatherdidnothaveit。\"
\"Tellhimtoaskmyfather。Hemightevenaskyourfather。Whethermyfatherhadthemoneyornotwasimmaterial。Fathercouldborrowanysumhewanted，I
think。\"
\"Whomdidheborrowfrom？\"
\"IamsurethatFredtoldyoutoaskthatquestion。Ishewritingtoyou，Dora？\"
\"Supposeheis？\"
\"Icannotsupposesuchathing。Itistooimpossible。\"
ThiswasthebeginningofaseriesofeventsallmoreorlessqualifiedtobringaboutunspeakablemiseryinBasil’shome。Butthereisnothinginlifelikethemarriagetie。Thetugsitwillbearandnotbreak，thewrongsitwilllookover，thechronicmisunderstandingsitwillforgive，makeitoneofthemysteriesofhumanity。ItwasnotinadayoraweekthatBasilStanhope’sdreamofloveandhomewasshattered。Dorahadfrequentandthenlessfrequenttimesofreturntoherbetterself；andeverysuchtimerenewedherhusband’shopethatshewasmerelypassingthroughaperiodoftransitionandassimilation，andthatintheendshewouldbeallhisdesirehopedfor。
ButEthelsawwhathedidnotsee，thatMostynwasgraduallyinspiringherwithhisownopinions，perhapsevenwithhisownpassion。
Inthisemergency，however，shewasgratifiedtofindthatDora’smotherappearedtohavegraspedthesituation。ForifDorawenttothetheaterwithMostyn，Mrs。DenningorBrycewasalsothere；andtherecklessautodriving，shopping，andlunchinghadatleastashowofrespectableassociation。
Yetwhentheoperaseasonopened，theconstantcompanionshipofMostynandDorabecameentirelytooremarkable，notonlyinthepublicestimation，butinBasil’smiserableconceptionofhisownwrong。Theyounghusbandusedeveryartandpersuasion——andfailed。Andhisfailurewastooapparenttobeslighted。Hebecamefeverishandnervous，andhisfriendsreadhismiseryineyesheavywithunshedtears，andinthewastingpallorcausedbyhissleepless，sorrowfulnights。
Doraalsoshowedsignsofthechangesorapidlyworkingonher。Shewassullenandpassionatebyturns；shecomplainedbitterlytoEthelthatheryouthandbeautyhadbeenwasted；thatshewasonlynineteen，andherlifewasover。ShewantedtogotoParis，togetawayfromNewYorkanywhereandanyhow。
ShebegantodislikeeventhepresenceofBasil。Hisstatelybeautyoffendedher，hislow，calmvoicewastheverykeynoteofirritation。
OnemorningnearChristmashecametoherwithasmiling，radiantface。\"Dora，\"
hesaid，\"Dora，mylove，Ihavesomethingsointerestingtotellyou。Mrs。ColbyandMrs。Schafflerandsomeotherladieshaveabeautifulidea。TheywishtogiveallthechildrenofthechurchundereightyearsoldthegrandestChristmastreeimaginable——
reallyrichpresentsandtheythoughtyoumightliketohaveithere。\"
\"Whatdoyousay，Basil！\"
\"Youwerealwayssofondofchildren。
You————\"
\"Inevercouldendurethem。\"
\"Weallthoughtyoumightenjoyit。Indeed，IwassosurethatIpromisedforyou。
Itwillbesuchapleasuretomealso，dear。\"
\"Iwillhavenosuchchildishnonsenseinmyhouse。\"
\"Ipromisedit，Dora。\"
\"Youhadnorighttodoso。Thisismyhouse。Myfatherboughtitandgavemeit，anditismyown。I————\"
\"Itseems，then，thatIintrudeinyourhouse。Isitso？Speak，Dora。\"
\"Ifyouwillaskquestionsyoumusttaketheanswer。Youdointrudewhenyoucomewithsuchridiculousproposals——infact，youintrudeveryoftenlately。\"
\"DoesMr。Mostynintrude？\"
\"Mr。Mostyntakesmeout，givesmealittlesensiblepleasure。YouthinkIcanbeinterestedinaChristmastree。Theidea！\"
\"Alas，alas，Dora，youaretiredofme！
Youdonotloveme！Youdonotloveme！\"
\"Ilovenobody。IamsorryIgotmarried。
Itwasallamistake。Iwillgohomeandthenyoucangetadivorce。\"
Atthislastwordthewholemanchanged。
Hewassuffused，transfiguredwithanangerthatwasatoncerighteousandimpetuous。
\"Howdareyouusethatwordtome？\"hedemanded。\"TothepriestofGodnosuchwordexists。Idonotknowit。Youaremywife，willingorunwilling。Youaremywifeforever，whetheryoudwellwithmeornot。
YoucannotseverbondstheAlmightyhastied。Youaremine，DoraStanhope！Minefortimeandeternity！Mineforeverandever！\"
Shelookedathiminamazement，andsawamanafteranimageshehadneverimagined。
Shewasterrified。Sheflungherselfonthesofainawhirlwindofpassion。Shecriedaloudagainsthisclaim。Shegaveherselfuptoavehementragethatwasstronglyinfusedwithachildishdismayandpanic。
\"Iwillnotbeyourwifeforever！\"sheshrieked。\"Iwillneverbeyourwifeagain——never，notforonehour！Letmego！Takeyourhandsoffme！\"ForBasilhadkneltdownbythedistraughtwoman，andclaspingherinhisarmssaid，evenonherlips，\"YouAREmydearwife！Youaremyveryowndearwife！Tellmewhattodo。Anythingthatisright，reasonableIwilldo。Wecanneverpart。\"
\"Iwillgotomyfather。Iwillnevercomebacktoyou。\"Andwiththesewordssherose，threwoffhisembrace，andwithasobbingcryran，likeaterrifiedchild，outoftheroom。
Hesatdownexhaustedbyhisemotion，andsickwiththethoughtshehadevokedinthatoneevilword。Thepublicity，thedisgrace，thewrongtoHolyChurch——ah，thatwasthecruelestwound！Hisownwrongwashardenough，butthathe，whowouldgladlydiefortheChurch，shouldputhertoopenshame！Howcouldhebearit？Thoughitkilledhim，hemustpreventthatwrong；yes，iftherighteyeoffendeditmustbepluckedout。Hemustthrowoffhiscassock，andturnawayfromthesacredaisles；hemust——hecouldnotsaytheword；hewouldwaitalittle。
Dorawouldnotleavehim；itwasimpossible。
Hewaitedinatranceofachingsuspense。
Nothingforanhourormorebrokeit——nofootfall，nosoundofcommandorcomplaint。
HewasfinallyinhopesthatDoraslept。
Thenhewascalledtolunch，andhemadeapretenseofeatingitalone。Dorasentnoexcuseforherabsence，andhecouldnottrusthimselftomakeinquiryabouther。Inthemiddleoftheafternoonheheardacarriagedrivetothedoor，andDora，withherjewel-
caseinherhand，entereditandwasdrivenaway。Thesightastoundedhim。Herantoherroom，andfoundhermaidpackingherclothing。Thewomanansweredhisquestionssullenly。Shesaid\"Mrs。StanhopehadgonetoMrs。Denning’s，andhadleftordersforhertrunkstobesentthere。\"Beyondthisshewassilentandignorant。Nosympathyforeitherhusbandorwifewasinherheart。
Theirquarrelwasinterferingwithherownplans；shehatedbothoftheminconsequence。
InthemeantimeDorahadreachedherhome。Hermotherwasdismayedandhesitating，andherattituderaisedagaininDora’sheartthepassionwhichhadprovokedthestepshehadtaken。Sheweptlikealostchild。SheexclaimedagainstthehorrorofbeingBasil’swifeforeverandever。Shereproachedhermotherforsufferinghertomarrywhileshewasonlyachild。Shesaidshehadbeencruellyusedinordertogetthefamilyintosocialrecognition。Shewasinafrenzyofgriefathersupposedsacrificewhenherfathercamehome。Hercasewasthenwon。Withherarmsroundhisneck，sobbingagainsthisheart，hertearsandentreatiesonhislips，BenDenninghadnofeelingandnocareforanyonebuthisdaughter。Hetookherviewofthingsatonce。\"SheHADbeenbadlyused。ItWASashametotieagirllikeDoratosermonsandsuchlike。Itwaslikeshuttingherupinaconvent。\"Dora’stearsandcomplaintsfiredhimbeyondreason。Hepromisedherfreedomwhateveritcosthim。
Andwhilehesatinhisprivateroomconsideringthecase，alltheracialpassionsofhisroughancestryburningwithinhim，BasilStanhopecalledtoseehim。Hepermittedhimtocomeintohispresence，butheroseasheentered，andwalkedhastilyafewstepstomeethim。
\"Whatdoyouwanthere，sir？\"heasked。
\"Mywife。\"
\"Mydaughter。Youshallnotseeher。I
havetakenherbacktomyowncare。\"
\"Sheismywife。Noonecantakeherfromme。\"
\"Iwillteachyouadifferentlesson。\"
\"ThelawofGod。\"
\"Thelawofthelandgoeshere。You’llfinditmorethanyoucandefy。\"
\"Sir，IentreatyoutoletmespeaktoDora。\"
\"Iwillnot。\"
\"IwillstayhereuntilIseeher。\"
\"Iwillgiveyoufiveminutes。Idonotwishtoofferyourprofessionaninsult；ifyouhaveanyrespectforityouwillobeyme。\"
Answermeonequestion——whathaveI
donewrong？\"
\"Amancanbesointolerablyright，thathebecomesunbearablywrong。Youhavenobusinesswithawifeandahome。Youaread————sighttoogoodforagoodlittlegirlthatwantsabitofinnocentamusement。SermonsandChristmastrees！GreatScott，whatsensiblewomanwouldnotbesickofitall？Sir，Idon’twantanotherminuteofyourcompany。LittlewonderthatmyDoraisillwithit。Obligemebyleavingmyhouseasquietlyaspossible。\"Andhewalkedtothedoor，flungitopen，andstoodglaringatthedistractedhusband。\"Go，\"hesaid。\"Goatonce。Mylawyerwillseeyouinthefuture。
Ihavenothingfurthertosaytoyou。\"
Basilwent，butnottohisdesolatehome。
Hehadaprivatekeytothevestryinhischurch，andinitsdarknessandsolitudehefacedthefirstshockofhisruinedlife，forheknewwellallwasover。Allhadbeen。Hesanktotheflooratthefootofthelargecrosswhichhungonitsbarewhitewalls。Grief’sillimitablewavewentoverhim，andlikeadrowningmanheutteredaninarticulatecryofagony——thecryofasoulthathadwrongeditsdestiny。
Lovehadbetrayedhimtoruin。Allhehaddonemustbeabandoned。Allhehadwonmustbegivenup。SinandshameindeeditwouldbeifinhispersonasacramentoftheChurchshouldbedraggedthroughadivorcecourt。Allotherconsiderationspaledbeforethisdisgrace。Hemustresignhiscuracy，striphimselfofthehonorableliveryofheaven，obliteratehispersonandhisname。Itwasakindofdeath。
Afterawhileherose，dranksomewater，liftedtheshadeandletthemoonlightin。
ThenaboutthatlittleroomhewalkedwithGodthroughthelongnight，tellingHimhissorrowandperplexity。Andthereisadepthinourownnaturewherethedivineandhumanareone。ThatnightBasilStanhopefoundit，andhenceforwardknewthatthebitternessofdeathwasbehindhim，notbefore。
\"Imademynesttoodearonearth，\"
hesighed，\"andithasbeensweptbare——thatis，thatImaybuildinheaven。
Now，therevelationofsorrowistheclearestofallrevelations。Stanhopeunderstoodthathourwhathemustdo。Nodoubtsweakenedhiscourse。HewentbacktothehouseDoracalled\"hers，\"tookawaywhathevalued，andwhiletheservantswereeatingtheirbreakfastandtalkingoverhismaritaltroubles，hepassedacrossitsthresholdforthelasttime。Hetoldnoonewherehewasgoing；hedroppedassilentlyanddumblyoutofthelifethathadknownhimasastonedroppedintomid-ocean。
EthelconsideredherselffortunateinbeingfromhomeatthetimethisdisastrousculminationofBasilStanhope’smarriedlifewasreached。OnthatsamemorningtheJudge，accompaniedbyRuthandherself，hadgonetoLenoxtospendtheholidayswithsomeoldfriends，andshewasquiteignorantofthematterwhenshereturnedaftertheNewYear。Brycewasherfirstinformant。
Hecalledspeciallytogiveherthenews。Hesaidhissisterhadbeentooillandtoobusytowrite。Hehadnowordofsympathyfortheunhappypair。Hespokeonlyoftheanxietyithadcausedhim。\"Hewasnowengaged，\"
hesaid，\"toMissCaldwell，andshewassuchanextremelyproper，innocentlady，andamemberofSt。Jude’s，ithadreallybeenatryingtimeforher。\"BrycealsoremindedEthelthathehadbeenagainstBasilStanhopefromthefirst。\"Hehadalwaysknownhowthatmarriagewouldend，\"andsoon。
Etheldeclinedtogiveanyopinion。\"Shemusthearbothsides，\"shesaid。\"Dorahadbeensoreasonablelately，shehadappearedhappy。\"
\"Oh，Doraisalittlefox，\"hereplied；\"shedoublesonherselfalways。\"
Ruthwasproperlyregretful。Shewondered\"ifanymarriedwomanwasreallyhappy。\"ShedidnotapparentlyconcernherselfaboutBasil。TheJudgeratherleanedtoBasil’sconsideration。HeunderstoodthatDora’sovertacthadshatteredhisprofessionalcareeraswellashispersonalhappiness。
Hecouldfeelforthemanthere。\"Mydears，\"hesaid，withhisdilettanteair，\"thegoddessCalamityisdelicate，andherfeetaretender。Shetreadsnotupontheground，butmakesherpathupontheheartsofmen。\"Inthisnon-committalwayhegavehiscomment，forheusuallyfoundabitofclassicalwisdomtofitmodernemergencies，andthehabithadimpartedanantiquebon-tontohisconversation。Ethelcouldonlywonderatthelackofrealsympathy。
Inthemorningshewenttoseehergrandmother。
Theoldladyhad\"heard\"allshewantedtohearaboutDoraandBasilStanhope。
Ifmenwouldmarryafoolbecauseshewasyoungandpretty，theymusttaketheconsequences。\"AndwhyshouldStanhopehavemarriedatall？\"sheaskedindignantly。
\"NomancanserveGodandawomanatthesametime。Hehadtobeabadpriestandagoodhusband，orabadhusbandandagoodpriest。BasilStanhopewashonored，wasdoinggood，andhemustneedsbehappyalso。
Hewantedtoomuch，andlosteverything。
Servehimright。\"
\"AllcannowfindsomefaultinpoorBasilStanhope，\"saidEthel。\"BrycewasbitteragainsthimbecauseMissCaldwellshiversattheword`divorce。’\"
\"WhathasBrycetodowithJaneCaldwell？\"
\"Heisgoingtomarryher，hesays。\"
\"Likeenough；she’samerrymissoftwo-
score，andrich。Bryce’smarriagewithanyonewillbeawell-consideredaffair——amarriagewithalltheadvantagesofagoodbargain。I’mtiredofthewholesubject。IfwomenwillmarrytheyshouldbeaspatientasGriselda，incasethereeverwassuchawoman；ifnot，there’sanendofthematter。\"
\"TherearenoGriseldasinthiscentury，grandmother。\"
\"Thenthereoughttobenomarriages。
BasilStanhopewasagrandmaninpublic。
Whatkindofamanwasheinhishome？
Measureamanbyhishomeconduct，andyou’llnotgowrong。It’stherightplacetodrawyourpictureofhim，Icantellyouthat。\"
\"Hehasnohomenow，poorfellow。\"
\"Whosefaultwasit？Godonlyknows。
Whereishiswife？\"
\"ShehasgonetoParis。\"
\"Shehasgonetotherightplaceifshewantstoplaythefool。Butthere，now，GodforbidIshouldjudgeherinthedark。
Womenshouldstandbywomen——considering。\"
\"Considering？\"
\"Whattheymayhavetoputupwith。Itiseasytoseefaultsinothers。Ihavesometimesmetwithpeoplewhoshouldseefaultsinthemselves。Theyareratheruncommon，though。\"
\"IamsureBasilStanhopewillbemiserableallhislife。Hewillbreakhisheart，I
dobelieve。\"
\"Notso。Agoodheartishardtobreak，itgrowsstrongintrouble。BasilStanhope’sbodywillfaillongbeforehisheartdoes；andevensoanendmustcometolife，andafterthatpeaceorwhatGodwills。\"
ThisscantsympathyEthelfoundtobetheusualtoneamongheracquaintances。St。