PARTFIRST

OLOVEWILLVENTUREIN！

THEMANBETWEEN

CHAPTERI

THEthingthatIknowleastaboutismybeginning。ForitispossibletointroduceEthelRawdoninsomanypicturesquewaysthatthechoiceisembarrassing，andforcesmetotheconclusionthattheactualcircumstances，thoughcommonplace，maybethemostsuitable。Certainlytheeventsthatshapeourlivesareseldomusheredinwithpomporceremony；theystealuponusunannounced，andbegintheirworkwithoutgivinganypremonitionoftheirimportance。

ConsequentlyEthelhadnoideawhenshereturnedhomeonenightfromaratherstupidentertainmentthatshewasabouttoopenanewandimportantchapterofherlife。

Hithertothatlifehadbeenoneofthesweetestandsimplestcharacter——thelessonsandsportsofchildhoodandgirlhoodhadclaimedhernineteenyears；andEthelwasjustatthatwonderfulagewhen，thebrookandtheriverhavingmet，shewasfeelingthefirstswellofthoseirresistibletideswhichwouldcarryherdaybydaytothehavenofalldays。

ItwasSaturdaynightintheJanuaryof1900，vergingtowardtwelveo’clock。Whensheenteredherroom，shesawthatoneofthewindowswasopen，andshestoodamomentortwoatit，lookingacrossthestraightmilesofwhitelights，inwhoseilluminedshadowsthousandsofsleeperswereholdingtheirlivesinpause。

"ItisnotNewYorkatall，"shewhispered，"itissomemagicalcitythatIhaveseen，buthavenevertrod。Itwillvanishaboutsixo’clockinthemorning，andtherewillbeonlycommonstreets，fullofcommonpeople。Ofcourse，"andheresheclosedthewindowandleisurelyremovedheroperacloak，"ofcourse，thisisonlydreaming，buttodreamwaking，ortodreamsleeping，isverypleasant。

Indreamswecanhavemenaswelikethem，andwomenaswewantthem，andmakealltheworldhappyandbeautiful。"

Shewasinnohurryoffeelingormovement。

Shehadbeeninacrowdforsomehours，andwasgladtobequitealoneandtalktoherselfalittle。Itwasalsosorestfultograduallyrelinquishalltherestraininggaudsoffashionableattire，andassheleisurelyperformedtheseduties，sheenteredintoconversationwithherownheart——talkedoverwithittheeventsofthepastweek，anddecidedthatitsfretlessdays，fullofgoodthings，hadbeen，fromthebeginningtotheend，sweetasacupofnewmilk。Forawoman’sheartisverytalkative，andrequireslittletomakeiteloquentinitsownway。

Inthemidstofthisintimatecompanionshipsheturnedherhead，andsawtwoletterslyinguponatable。Sheroseandliftedthem。Onewasaninvitationtoastudioreception，andsheletitflutterindeterminatelyfromherhand；theotherwasbothfamiliarandappealing；

noneofhercorrespondentsbutDoraDenningusedthatpeculiarshadeofbluepaper，andsheinstantlybegantowonderwhyDorahadwrittentoher。

"Isawheryesterdayafternoon，"shereflected，"andshetoldmeeverythingshehadtotell——andwhatdoesshe-meanbysuchatantalizingmessageasthis？`DearestEthel：I

havethemostextraordinarynews。Cometomeimmediately。Dora。’HowexactlylikeDora！"shecommented。"Cometomeim-

mediately——whetheryouareinbedorasleep——whetheryouaresickorwell——whetheritismidnightorhighnoon——cometomeimmediately。

Well，Dora，Iamgoingtosleepnow，andto-morrowisSunday，andIneverknowwhatviewfatherisgoingtotakeofSunday。

Hemayaskmetogotochurchwithhim，andhemaynot。Hemaywantmetodriveintheafternoon，andagainhemaynot；butSundayisfather’shomeday，andRuthandImakeapointofobliginghiminregardtoit。Thatisoneofourfamilyprinciples；andagirloughttohaveafewprinciplesofconductinvolvingself-denial。AuntRuthsays，`Lifecannotstanderectwithoutself-denial，’andauntisusuallyright——butIdowonderwhatDorawants！Icannotimaginewhatextraordinarynewshascome。Imusttryandseeherto-morrow——itmaybedifficult——butI

mustmaketheeffort"——andwiththissatisfyingresolutionsheeasilyfellasleep。

Whensheawokethechurchbellswereringingandsheknewthatherfatherandauntwouldhavebreakfasted。Thefeetdidnottroubleher。Itwasanaccidentalsleep-over；

shehadnotplannedit，andcircumstanceswouldtakecareofthemselves。Inanycase，shehadnofearofrebuke。NoonewasevercrosswithEthel。ItwasamatterofprettygeneralbeliefthatwhateverEtheldidwasjustright。Soshedressedherselfbecominglyinaclothsuit，and，withherplumedhatonherhead，wentdowntoseewhatthedayhadtoofferher。

"Thefirstthingiscoffee，andthen，allbeingagreeable，Dora。Ishallnotlookfurtherahead，"shethought。

Assheenteredtheroomshecalled"Goodmorning！"andhervoicewaslikethevoiceofthebirdswhentheycall"Spring！"；andherfacewasradiantwithsmiles，andthetouchofherlipsandtheclaspofherhandwarmwithloveandlife；andherfatherandauntforgotthatshewaslate，andthatherbreakfastwasyettoorder。

Shetookupthereproachherself。"Iamsosorry，AuntRuth。Ionlywantacupofcoffeeandaroll。"

"Mydear，youcannotgowithoutaproperbreakfast。Nevermindthehour。Whatwouldyoulikebest？"

"Youaresogood，Ruth。Ishouldlikeanicebreakfast——abreastofchickenandmushrooms，andsomehotmuffinsandmarmaladewoulddo。Howcomfortableyoulookhere！

Father，youareburiedinnewspapers。Isanyonegoingtochurch？"

RuthorderedthedesiredbreakfastandMr。

Rawdontookouthiswatch——"Iamafraidyouhavedelayedustoolongthismorning，Ethel。"

"AmItobethescapegoat？Now，Idonotbelieveanyonewantedtogotochurch。Ruthhadherbook，you，thenewspapers。Itiswarmandpleasanthere，itiscoldandwindyoutside。

Iknowwhatconfessionwouldbemade，ifhonestywerethefashion。"

"Well，mylittlegirl，honestyisthefashioninthishouse。Ibelieveingoingtochurch。

ReligionistheMotherofDuty，andweshouldallmakeasadmessoflifewithoutduty。Isnotthatso，Ruth？"

"Truthitself，Edward；butreligionisnotgoingtochurchandlisteningtosermons。

ThosewhobuilttheoldcathedralsofEuropehadnoideathatsittingincomfortablepewsandlisteningtosomemantalkingwasworshipingGod。ThosegreatnaveswereintendedformenandwomentostandorkneelinbeforeGod。Andtherewerenohighorlowstandingorkneelingplaces；allwereonalevelbeforeHim。ItisourmodernProtestantismwhichhasbroughtinlazylollingincushionedpews；andthegallery，whichmakesachurchaslikeaplayhouseaspossible！"

"Whatareyouaimingat，Ruth？"

"Ionlymeanttosay，IwouldlikegoingtochurchmuchbetterifwewentsolelytopraiseGod，andentreatHismercy。Idonotcaretohearsermons。"

"MydearRuth，sermonsarealargefactinoursocialeconomy。Whenamillionortwoarepreachedeveryyear，theyhaveastrongclaimonourattention。Touseatradephrase，sermonsarefirm，andIbelieveamoderatetaxonthemwouldyieldanastonishingincome。"

"Seehowyoutalkofthem，Edward；asiftheywereacommercialcommodity。Ifyourespectedthem————"

"Ido。Igrantthemasteadypneumaticpressureintheregionofmorals，andevenfaith。Picturetoyourself，Ruth，NewYorkwithoutsermons。Thedearoldcitywouldbelikeashipwithoutballast，heelingoverwitheverywind，andlettinginthewatersofimmoralityandscepticism。RemovethispulpitbalancejustforoneweekfromNewYorkCity，andwhereshouldwebe？"

"Wellthen，"saidEthel，"theclergyoughttogiveNewYorkafirst-ratearticleinsermons，eitherofhomeorforeignmanufacture。

NewYorkexpectstheverybestofeverything；

andwhenshegetsit，sheopensherheartandherpocketbookenjoysit，andpaysforit。"

"Thatisthetruth，Ethel。IwasthinkingofyourgrandmotherRawdon。Youhaveyourhaton——areyougoingtoseeher？"

"IamgoingtoseeDoraDenning。Ihadanurgentnotefromherlastnight。Shesaysshehas`extraordinarynews’andbegsmeto`cometoherimmediately。’Icannotimaginewhathernewsis。IsawherFridayafternoon。"

"Shehasanewpoodle，oranewlover，oranewwayofcrimpingherhair，"suggestedRuthBayardscornfully。"Sheimposesonyou，Ethel；whydoyousubmittoherselfishness？"

"IsupposebecauseIhavebecomeusedtoit。FouryearsagoIbegantotakeherpart，whenthegirlsteasedandtormentedherintheschoolroom，andIhavebig-sisteredhereversince。Isupposewegettolovethosewhomakeuskindandgiveustrouble。Doraisnotperfect，butIlikeherbetterthananyfriendIhave。Andshemustlikeme，forsheasksmyadviceabouteverythinginherlife。"

"Doesshetakeit？"

"Yes——generally。SometimesIhavetomakehertakeit。"

"Shehasamother。Whydoesshenotgotoher？"

"Mrs。Denningknowsnothingaboutcertainsubjects。IamDora’ssocialgodmother，andshemustdressandbehaveasItellhertodo。PoorMrs。Denning！Iamsosorryforher——anothercupofcoffee，Ruth——itisnotverystrong。"

"WhyshouldyoubesorryforMrs。Denning，Herhusbandisenormouslyrich——shelivesinapalace，andhasacrowdofmenandwomenservantstowaituponher——carriages，horses，motorcars，whatnot，athercommand。"

"Yetreally，Ruth，sheisamostunhappywoman。InthatlittleWesterntownfromwhichtheycame，shewaseverybody。Sheranthechurches，andwaschairwomaninalltheclubs，andPresidentoftheTemperanceUnion，andmanagerofeveryreligious，social，andpoliticalfestival；andherdayswerefulltothebrimofjustthethingsshelikedtodo。

Herdresstherewasconsideredmagnificent；

peoplebeggedherforpatterns，andregardedherastheveryglassoffashion。ServantsthoughtitagreatprivilegetobeemployedontheDenningplace，andsheorderedherhouseandmanagedherhalf-scoreofmenandmaidswithpleasantautocracy。NOW！Well，Iwilltellyouhowitis，NOW。Shesitsalldayinhersplendidrooms，orridesoutinhercarorcarriage，andnooneknowsher，andofcoursenoonespeakstoher。Mr。DenninghashisWallStreetfriends————"

"Andenemies，"interruptedJudgeRawdon。

"Andenemies！Youareright，father。

Butheenjoysoneasmuchastheother——thatis，hewouldaswillinglyfighthisenemiesasfeasthisfriends。HesaysabigdayinWallStreetmakeshimalivefromheadtofoot。

Hereallylookshappy。BryceDenninghasgotintotwoclubs，andhismoneypasseshim，forheplays，andiswillingtoloveprudently。

ButnoonecaresaboutMrs。Denning。Sheisquiteold——forty-five，Idaresay；andsheisstout，anddoesnotwearthecolorsandstylesheoughttowear——noneofherthingshavetheright`look，’andofcourseIcannotadviseamatron。Then，herfineEnglishservantstakeherhouseoutofherhands。Sheisafraidofthem。Thebutlersuavelytriestoinformher；thehousekeeperremovedthewhitecrotchetedscarfsandthingsfromthegildedchairs，andIamsureMrs。Denninghadaheartacheabouttheirloss；butshesawthattheyhadalsovanishedfromDora’sparlor，soshetookthehint，andacceptedthelesson。

Really，herhumilityandisolationarepitiful。

Iamgoingtoaskgrandmothertogoandseeher。Grandmothermighttakehertochurch，andgetDr。SimpsonandMrs。Simpsontointroduceher。Hermoneyandadaptabilitywoulddotherest。There，Ihavehadagoodbreakfast，thoughIwaslate。Itisnotalwaystheearlybirdthatgetschickenandmushrooms。

NowIwillgoandseewhatDorawants"——andliftingherfurswithasmile，anda"Goodmorning！"equallycharming，shedisappeared。

"Didyounoticehervoice，Ruth？"askedJudgeRawdon。Whatatonethereisinher`goodmorning！’"

"Thereisatoneineveryone’sgoodmorning，Edward。Ithinkpeople’ssalutationssettomusicwouldrevealtheirinmostcharacter。

Ethel’sgoodmorningsaysinDmajor`Howgoodistheday！’andhergoodnightdropsintotheminorthird，andsayspensively`Howsweetisthenight！’"

"Nay，Ruth，Idon’tunderstandallthat；

butIdounderstandthevoice。Itgoesstraighttomyheart。"

"Andtomyheartalso，Edward。Ithinktoothereisameasuredmusic，acentraltimeandtune，ineverylife。Quick，melodiousnatureslikeEthel’sneverwanderfarfromtheirkeynote，andarethereforejoyouslyset；whileslow，irresolutepeopledeviatefar，andonlycomebackafterpainfuldissonancesandfrequentchanges。"

"Youaregenerallyright，Ruth，evenwhereIcannotfollowyou。IhopeEthelwillbehomefordinner。IlikemySundaydinnerwithbothofyou，andImaybringmymotherbackwithme。"

Thenhesaid"Goodmorning"withanintentionalcheerfulness，andRuthwasleftalonewithherbook。Shegaveamoment’sthoughttothevalueofgoodexample，andthenwithasighofcontentlethereyesrestonthewordsEthel’spresencehadforawhilesilenced：

"Iamfilledwithasenseofsweetnessandwonderthatsuch，littlethingscanmakeamortalsoexceedinglyrich。ButIconfessthatthechiefestofallmydelightsisstillthereligious。"（TheodoreParker。）Shereadthewordsagain，thenclosedhereyesandletthehoneyofsomesacredmemorysatisfyhersoul。

Andinthosefewminutesofreverie，RuthBayardrevealedthekeynoteofherbeing。

Wanderingsfromit，causedbytheexigenciesanddutiesoflife，frequentlyoccurred；butshequicklyreturnedtoitscentralandcontrollingharmony；andherserenityandpoisewerethereforeasnaturalaswasherniece’sjoyousnessandhope。Norwasherreligiouscharactertheresultoftemperament，orofasecludedlife。RuthBayardwasawomanofthoughtandculture，andwiseinthewaysoftheworld，butnotworldly。Herpersonalitywasveryattractive，shehadagoodform，anagreeableface，speakinggrayeyes，andbrownhair，softandnaturallywavy。ShewasadistantcousinofEthel’smother，buthadbeenbroughtupwithherinthesamehousehold，andalwaysregardedherasasister，andEthelneverrememberedthatshewasonlyherauntbyadoption。Tenyearsolderthanherniece，shehadmotheredherwithawiseandlovingpatience，andherthoughtsneverwanderedlongorfarfromthegirl。

Consequently，shesoonfoundherselfwonderingwhatreasontherecouldbeforDoraDenning’surgency。

InthemeantimeEthelhadreachedherfriend’sresidenceanewbuildingofunusualsizeandveryornatearchitecture。LiveriedfootmenandwaitingwomenbowedherwithmuteattentiontoMissDenning’ssuite，anabsolutelyprivatearrangementoffiverooms，marvelouslyfurnishedfortheyounglady’scomfortanddelight。Thewindowsofherparloroverlookedthepark，andshewasstandingatoneofthemasEthelenteredtheroom。Inapassionofwelcominggladnesssheturnedtoher，exclaiming："Ihavebeenwatchingforyouhoursandhours，Ethel。I

havethemostwonderfulthingtotellyou。I

amsohappy！Sohappy！NoonewaseverashappyasIam。"

ThenEtheltookbothherhands，and，astheystoodtogether，shelookedintentlyatherfriend。Somenewcharmtransfiguredherface；forherdark，gazelleeyeswerenotmorelambentthanhercheeks，thoughinadifferentway；whileherblackhairinitspicturesquelyarrangeddisorderseemedinstinctwithlife，andhardlytoberestrained。Shewasconstantlypushingitback，caressingorarrangingit；andherwhite，slenderfingers，sparklingwithjewels，movedamongthecrimpedandwavylocks，asiftherewasanintelligentsympathybetweenthem。

"Howbeautifulyouareto-day，Dora！

Whohasworkedwondersonyou？"

"BasilStanhope。Helovesme！Helovesme！Hetoldmesolastnight——inthesweetestwordsthatwereeveruttered。Ishallneverforgetoneofthem——never，aslongasIlive！

Letussitdown。Iwanttotellyoueverything。"

"Iamastonished，Dora！"

"Sowasmother，andfather，andBryce。

Noonesuspectedouraffection。Motherusedtogrumbleaboutmygoing`atallhours’toSt。Jude’schurch；butthatwasbecauseSt。

Jude’sissoveryHighChurch，andmotherisaMethodistEpiscopal。Itwasthemorningandeveningprayerssheobjectedto。Noonehadanysuspicionoftheclergyman。Oh，Ethel，heissohandsome！Sogood！Soclever！Ithinkeverywomaninthechurchisinlovewithhim。"

"Thenifheisagoodman，hemustbeveryunhappy。"

"Ofcourseheisquiteignorantoftheiradmiration，andthereforequiteinnocent。I

amtheonlywomanheloves，andheneverevenremembersmewhenheisinthesacredoffice。Ifyoucouldseehimcomeoutofthevestryinhiswhitesurplice，withhisraptfaceandpropheticeyes。Somystical！Sobeautiful！

YouwouldnotwonderthatIworshiphim。"

"ButIdonotunderstand——howdidyoumeethimsocially？"

"ImethimatMrs。Taylor’sfirst。ThenhespoketomeonemorningasIcameoutofchurch，andthenextmorninghewalkedthroughtheparkwithme。Andafterthat——

allwaseasyenough。"

"Isee。Whatdoesyourfatherandmotherthink——orrather，whatdotheysay？"

"Fatheralwayssayswhathethinks，andmotherthinksandsayswhatIdo。Thisconditionsimplifiedmattersverymuch。Basilwrotetofather，andyesterdayafterdinnerhehadaninterviewwithhim。Iexpectedit，andwasquitepreparedforanyclimaxthatmightcome。Iworemyloveliestwhitefrock，andhadliliesofthevalleyinmyhairandonmybreast；andfathercalledme`hislittleangel’

andpiouslywondered`howIcouldbehisdaughter。’AlldinnertimeItriedtobeangelic，andafterdinnerIsang`LittleBoyBlue’andsomeofthesongsheloves；andI

felt，whenBasil’scardcamein，thatIhadpreparedtheproperatmospherefortheinterview。"

"Youarereallyveryclever，Dora。"

"Itriedtocontinuesingingandplaying，butIcouldnot；thenotesallrantogether，thewordswerelost。Iwenttomother’ssideandputmyhandinhers，andshesaidsoftly：`I

canhearyourfatherstormingalittle，buthewillsettledownthequickerforit。IdaresayhewillbringMr。Stanhopeinherebeforelong。"

"Didhe？"

"No。ThatwasBryce’sfault。HowBrycehappenedtobeinthehouseatthathour，I

cannotimagine；butitseemstobenaturalforhimtodropintoanyinterviewwherehecanmaketrouble。However，itturnedoutallforthebest，forwhenmotherheardBryce’svoiceabovealltheothersounds，shesaid，`ComeDora，weshallhavetointerferenow。’ThenIwasdelighted。Iwasangelicallydressed，andIfeltequaltotheinterview。"

"Doyoureallymeanthatyoujoinedthethreequarrelingmen？"

"Ofcourse。Motherwasquitecalm——calmenoughtofreezeatempest——butshegavefatheralookhecomprehended。ThensheshookhandswithBasil，andwouldhavemadesomeremarktoBryce，butwithhisusualimpertinencehetooktheinitiative，andtoldhe：

veryauthoritativelyto`retireandtakemewithher’——callingmethat`demurelittleflirt’inatonethatwasveryoffensive。Youshouldhaveseenfatherblazeintoangerathiswords。HetoldBrycetorememberthat`Mr。

BenDenningownedthehouse，andthatBrycehadfourorfiveroomsinitbyhiscourtesy。’

Hesaidalsothatthe`ladiespresentwereMr。BenDenning’swifeanddaughter，andthatitwasimpertinentinhimtoorderthemoutofhisparlor，wheretheywerealwayswelcome。’Brycewaswhitewithpassion，butheansweredinhisaffectedway——`Sir，thatslygirlwithherpretendedpietyandhersneakofaloverismysister，andIshallnotpermithertodisgracemyfamilywithoutmakingaprotest。’"

"Andthen？"

"Ibegantocry，andIputmyarmsaroundfather’sneckandsaidhemustdefendme；

thatIwasnot`sly，’andBasilwasnot`asneak，’andfatherkissedme，andsaidhewouldsettlewithanyman，andeveryman，whopresumedtocallmeeitherslyoraflirt。"

"IthinkMr。Denningactedbeautifully。

WhatdidBrycesay？"

"HeturnedtoBasil，andsaid：`Mr。Stanhope，ifyouarenotacad，youwillleavethehouse。Youhavenorighttointrudeyourselfintofamilyaffairsandfamilyquarrels。’

Basilhadseatedmother，andwasstandingwithonehandonthebackofherchair，andhedidnotanswerBryce——therewasnoneed，fatheransweredquickenough。HesaidMr。

Stanhopehadaskedtobecomeoneofthefamily，andforhisparthewouldwelcomehimfreely；andthenheaskedmotherifshewasofhismind，andmothersmiledandreachedherhandbackwardtoBasil。Thenfatherkissedmeagain，andsomehowBasil’sarmwasroundme，andIknowIlookedlovely——

almostlikeabride！Oh，Ethel，itwasjustheavenly！"

"Iamsureitwas。DidBryceleavetheroomthen？"

"Yes；hewentoutinapassion，declaringhewouldnevernoticemeagain。ThismorningatbreakfastIsaidIwassorryBrycefeltsohurt，butfatherwassureBrycewouldfindplentyofconsolationinthefactthathisdisapprovalofmychoicewouldexcusehimfromgivingmeaweddingpresent。YouknowBryceisameanlittlemiser！"

"Onthecontrary，Ithoughthewasvery；

luxuriousandextravagant。"

"WhereBryceisconcerned，yes；towardeveryoneelsehisconductistoomeantoconsider。Why，fathermakeshimanallowanceof$20，000ayearandheemptiesfather’scigarboxeswheneverhecandosowithout————"

"LetustalkaboutMr。Stanhopeheisfarmoreinteresting。Whenareyougoingtomarryhim？"

"IntheSpring。FatherisgoingtogivemesomemoneyandIhavethefortuneGrandmotherCahillleftme。Ithasbeenwellinvested，andfathertoldmethismorningI

wasafairlyrichlittlewoman。Basilhassomeprivatefortune，alsohisstipend——weshalldoverywell。Basil’sfamilyisoneofthefinestamongtheoldBostonaristocrats，andheiscloselyconnectedwiththeEnglishStanhopes，whorankwiththegreatestofthenobility。"

"IwishAmericanswouldlearntorelyontheirownnobility。IamtiredoftheireverlastingattemptstograftonsomeEnglishnoblefamily。Nomatterhowgreatorcleveramanmaybe，youaresuretoreadofhisdescentfromsomeScottishchieforEnglishearl。"

"Theycan’thelptheirdescent，Ethel。"

"Theyneednotpinalltheyhavedoneontoit。Oftenfatherfretsmeinthesameway。

Ifhewinsadifficultcase，hedoesitnaturally，becauseheisaRawdon。Heishandsome，gentlemanly，honorable，evenaperfecthorseman，allbecause，beingaRawdon，hewasbynatureandinheritancecompelledtosuchperfection。

Itisveryprovoking，Dora，andifI

wereyouIwouldnotallowBasiltobeginasongabout`theEnglishStanhopes。’AuntRuthandIgetverytiredoftenoftheEnglishRawdons，andarereallythankfulfortheseparatingAtlantic。"

"Idon’tthinkIshallfeelinthatway，Ethel。Ilikethenobility；sodoesfather，hesaystheDenningsareafineoldfamily。"

"WhytalkofgenealogieswhenthereissuchamanasBasilStanhopetoconsider？

LetusgranthimperfectionandagreethatheistomarryyouintheSpring；wellthen，thereistheceremony，andtheweddinggarments！

Ofcourseitistobeachurchwedding？"

"WeshallbemarriedinBasil’sownchurch。Icanhardlyeatorsleepforthinkingofthejoyandthetriumphofit！Therewillbewomentherereadytoeattheirheartswithenvy——Ibelieveindeed，Ethel，thateverywomaninthechurchisinlovewithBasil。"

"Youhavesaidthatbefore，andIamsureyouarewrong。Agreatmanyofthemaremarriedandareinlovewiththeirownhusbands；

andthekindofgirlswhogotoSt。

Jude’sarenotthekindwhomarryclergymen。

Mr。Stanhope’swholeincomewouldhardlybuytheirglovesandparasols。"

"Idon’tthinkyouarepleasedthatIamgoingtomarry。YoumustnotbejealousofBasil。Ishallloveyoujustthesame。"

"Undernoconditions，Dora，wouldIallowjealousytotroublemylife。Allthesame，youwillnotlovemeafteryourmarriageasyouhavelovedmeinthepast。Ishallnotexpectit。"

Passionatedenialsofthisassertion，reminiscencesofthepast，assurancesforthefuturefollowed，andEthelacceptedthemwithoutdisputeandwithoutfaith。ButsheunderstoodthatthemerecircumstanceofherengagementwasallthatDoracouldmanageatpresent；andthatthedetailsofthemarriagemergedthemselvesconstantlyinthewonderfulfactthatBasilStanhopelovedher，andthatsometime，notfaroff，shewasgoingtobehiswife。Thisjoyfulcertaintyfilledherheartandhercomprehension，andshehadanaturalreluctancetosubjectittothedetailsofthesocialandreligiousceremoniesnecessary，Suchthingspermittedotherstoparticipateinherjoy，andsheresentedtheidea。ForatimeshewishedtokeepherloverinaworldwherenootherthoughtmighttroublethethoughtofDora。

Ethelunderstoodherfriend’smood，andwasratherrelievedwhenhercarriagearrived。

ShefeltthatherpresencewaspreventingDora’sabsolutesurrenderofherselftothoughtsofherlover，andallthewayhomeshemarveledatthegirl’sinfatuation，andwonderedifitwouldbepossibleforhertofallintosuchadotageofloveforanyman。Sheansweredthisquerypositively——

"No，ifIshouldlosemyheart，Ishallnotthereforelosemyhead"——andthen，beforeshecouldfinishassuringherselfofherdeterminatewisdom，somemockinglinesshehadoftenquotedtolove-sickgirlswentlaughingthroughhermemory——

"OWoman！Woman！Oourfrail，frailsex！

Nowondertragediesaremadefromus！

Alwaysthesame——nothingbutlovesandcradles。"

ShefoundRuthBayarddressedfordinner，butherfatherwasnotpresent。Thatwassatisfactory，forhewasalwaysalittleimpatientwhenthetalkwasofloversandweddings；andjustthenthistopicwasuppermostinEthel’smind。

"Ruth，"shesaid，"Doraisengaged，"

andtheninafewsentencesshetoldthelittleromanceDorahadlivedforthepastyear，anditshappyculmination。"Settingmoneyaside，Ithinkhewillmakeaverysuitablehusband。Whatdoyouthink，Ruth？"

"FromwhatIknowofMr。Stanhope，I

shoulddoubtit。Iamsurehewillputhisdutiesbeforeeveryearthlything，andIamsureDorawillobjecttothat。ThenIwonderifDoraismadeonapatternlargeenoughtobethemoneyedpartnerinmatrimony。I

shouldthinkMr。Stanhopewasaproudman。"

"DorasaysheisconnectedwiththeEnglishnoblefamilyofStanhopes。"

"WeshallcertainlyhavealltheconnectionsoftheEnglishnobilityinAmericaverysoonnow——butwhydoeshemarryDora？Isithermoney？"

"Ithinknot。IhaveheardfromvarioussourcessomefinethingsofBasilStanhope。

TherearemanyrichergirlsthanDorainSt。

Jude’s。Idaresaysomeoneofthemwouldhavemarriedhim。"

"Youaremistaken。DoyouthinkMargeryStarey，JaneLewes，oranyofthegirlsoftheirorderwouldmarryamanwithafewthousandsayear？Andtomarryforloveisbeyondthefrontiersofsuchwomen’sintelligence。

Intheircreedahusbandisabanker，notamantobelovedandcaredfor。YouknowhowmuchofabankerMr。Stanhopecouldbe。"

"BryceDenningisveryangryatwhatheevidentlyconsidershissister’smesalliance。"

"IfMr。StanhopeisconnectedwiththeEnglishStanhopes，themesalliancemustbelaidtohischarge。"

"IndeedtheDenningshavesomepretensestogoodlineage，andBrycespokeofhissister`disgracinghisfamilybyhercontemplatedmarriage。’"

"Hisfamily！MydearEthel，hisgrandfatherwasamanufactureroftintacks。AndnowthatwehavegotasfarawayastheDenning’sgrandfather，supposewedropthesubject。"

"Content；IamalittletiredoftheclanDenning——thatistheiroriginalnameDorasays。Iwillgonowanddressfordinner。"

ThenRuthroseandlookedinquisitivelyaroundtheroom。Itwasasshewishedittobe——theveryexpressionofelegantcomfort——warmandlight，andholdingthescentofroses：aplaceofdeep，largechairswithnooddsandendstoworryabout，aroomtoloungeandchatin，andwherethelasttouchofperfecthomefreedomwasgivenbyabigmastiffwho，havingheardthedoor-bellring，strolledintoseewhohadcalled。

CHAPTERII

DURINGdinnerbothRuthandEthelwereawareofsomesub-interestintheJudge’smanner；hisabsent-mindednesswasunusual，andonceRuthsawafaintsmilethatnothingevidentcouldhaveinduced。Unconsciouslyalsohesetatoneofconstraintandhurry；

themealwasnotloiteredover，theconversationflagged，andallrosefromthetablewithasenseofrelief；perhaps，indeed，withafeelingofexpectation。

Theyenteredtheparlortogether，andthemastiffrosetomeetthem，askingpermissiontoremainwiththelittlecoaxingpushofhisnosewhichbroughtthereadyanswer：

"Certainly，Sultan。Makeyourselfcomfortable。"

Thentheygroupedthemselvesroundthefire，andtheJudgelithiscigarandlookedatEthelinawaythatinstantlybroughtcuriositytothequestion：

"Youhaveasecret，father，"shesaid。

"Isitaboutgrandmother？"

"Itisnewsratherthanasecret，Ethel。

Andgrandmotherhasagooddealtodowithit，foritisaboutherfamily——theMostyns。"

"Oh！"

ThetoneofEthel’s"Oh！"wasnotencouraging，andRuth’slookofinterestheldinabeyancewasjustaschilling。Butsomethinglikethisattitudehadbeenexpected，andJudgeRawdonwasnotdiscouragedbyit；heknewthatyouthiscapableofgreatandsuddenchanges，andthatitsabilitytofindreasonablemotivesforthemisunlimited，sohecalmlycontinued：

"Youareawarethatyourgrandmother’snamebeforemarriagewasRachelMostyn？"

"Ihaveseenitathousandtimesatthebottomofhersampler，father，theonethatisframedandhanginginhermorningroom——

RachelMostyn，November，AnnoDomini，1827。"

"Verywell。ShemarriedGeorgeRawdon，andtheycametoNewYorkin1834。

TheyhadaprettyhouseontheBowlingGreenandlivedveryhappilythere。Iwasbornin1850，theyoungestoftheirchildren。

YouknowthatIsignmynameEdwardM。

Rawdon；itisreallyEdwardMostynRawdon。"

Hepaused，andRuthsaid，"IsupposeMrs。Rawdonhashadsomenewsfromheroldhome？"

"Shehadaletterlastnight，andIshallprobablyreceiveoneto-morrow。FrederickMostyn，hergrand-nephew，iscomingtoNewYork，andSquireRawdon，ofRawdonManor，writestorecommendtheyoungmantoourhospitality。"

"Butyousurelydonotintendtoinvitehimhere，Edward。Ithinkthatwouldnotdo。"

"HeisgoingtotheHollandHouse。Butheisourkinsman，andthereforewemustbehospitable。"

"Ihavebeentryingtocountthekinship。

Itisoutofmyreckoning，"saidEthel。"I

hopeatleastheisniceandpresentable。"

"TheMostynsareahandsomefamily。

Lookatyourgrandmother。AndSquireRawdonspeaksverywellofMr。Mostyn。

Hehastakentherightsideinpolitics，andislikelytomakehismark。Theywerealwaysgreatsportsmen，andIdaresaythisrepresentativeofthefamilyisagood-lookingfellow，well-mannered，andperfectlydressed。"

Ethellaughed。"IfhisclothesfithimhewillbeanEnglishwonder。IhaveseenlotsofEnglishmen；theyareallfrightsastotrousersandvests。TherewasLordWycomb，hisbroadclothsandsatinsandlinenweremarvelsinquality，butthemake！Thegirlshatedtobeseenwalkingwithhim，andhewouldwalk——`goodfortheconstitution，’

washisexplanationforallhispeculiarities。

TheCaylerswerewearytodeathofthem。"

"Andyet，"saidRuth，"theysangsongsoftriumphwhenLouCaylermarriedhim。"

"Thatwasadifferentthing。Louwouldmakehimget`fits’andstopwearingsloppy，baggyarrangements。AndIdonotsupposetheEnglishlordhasnowasinglepeculiarityleft，unlessitbehisconstitutionalwalk——

that，ofcourse。IhaveheardEnglishbabiesgetoutoftheircradlestotakeaconstitutional。"

DuringthistiradeRuthhadbeenthinking。

"Edward，"sheasked，"whydoesSquireRawdonintroduceMr。Mostyn？

Theirrelationshipcannotbeworthcounting。"

"Thereyouarewrong，Ruth。"Hespokewithalittleexcitement。"Englishmenneverdenymatrimonialrelationships，iftheyareworthyones。MostynandRawdonareboundtogetherbymanyagoldweddingring；wereckonsuchtiesrelationships。SquireRaw-

donlosthissonandhistwograndsonsayearago。Perhapsthisyoungmanmayeventuallystandintheirplace。TheSquireisnearlyeightyyearsold；heisthelastoftheEnglishRawdons——atleastofourbranchofit。"

"YousupposethisMr。MostynmaybecomeSquireofRawdonManor？"

"Hemay，Ruth，butitisnotcertain。

ThereisalargemortgageontheManor。"

"Oh！"

Bothgirlsmadetheejaculationatthesamemoment，andinbothvoicestherewasthesamecurioustoneofspeculation。Itwasacryaftertruthapprehended，butnotrealized。

Mr。Rawdonremainedsilent；hewasdebatingwithhimselftheadvisabilityoffurtherconfidence，buthecamequicklytotheconclusionthatenoughhadbeentoldforthepresent。TurningtoEthel，hesaid："Isupposegirlshaveacodeofhonorabouttheirsecrets。IsDoraDenning’s`extraordinarynews’shutupinit？"

"Oh，no，father。Sheisgoingtobemarried。

Thatisall。"

"Thatisenough。Whoistheman？"

"ReverendMr。Stanhope。"

"Nonsense！"

"Positively。"

"Ineverheardanythingmoreridiculous。

Thatsaintlyyoungpriest！Why，Dorawillbetiredtodeathofhiminamonth。Andhe？

Poorfellow！"

"Whypoorfellow？Heisverymuchinlovewithher。"

"Itishardtounderstand。St。Jerome’slove`palewithmidnightprayer’wouldbemorebelievablethanthebutterflyDora。

Goodness，gracious！Theideaofthatmanbeinginlove！Itpullshimdownabit。I

thoughtheneverlookedatawoman。"

"Doyouknowhim，father？"

"Asmanypeopleknowhim——bygoodreport。

Iknowthatheisaclergymanwhobelieveswhathepreaches。IknowaWallStreetbrokerwholeftSt。Jude’schurchbecauseMr。Stanhope’ssermonsonSundayputsuchafineedgeonhisconsciencethatMondaysweredangerousdaysforhimtodobusinesson。AndwhateverWallStreetfinanciersthinkoftheBiblepersonally，theydolikeamanwhostickstohiscolors，andwhoholdsintactthetruthcommittedtohim。Stanhopedoesthisemphatically；andheissowelltrustedthatifhewantedtobuildanewchurchhecouldgetallthemoneynecessary，fromWallStreetmeninanhour。Andheisgoingtomarry！GoingtomarryDoraDenning！Itis`extraordinarynews，’indeed！"

Ethelwasalittleoffendedatsuchunusualsurprise。"Ithinkyoudon’tquiteunderstandDora，"shesaid。"ItwillbeMr。Stanhope’sfaultifsheisnotledintherightway；

forifheonlylovesandpetsherenoughhemaydoallhewisheswithher。Iknow，I

havebothcoaxedandorderedherforfouryears——sometimesonewayisbest，andsometimestheother。"

"Howisamantotellwhichwaytotake？

Whatdoherparentsthinkofthemarriage？"

"Theyarepleasedwithit。"

"Pleasedwithit！ThenIhavenothingmoretosay，exceptthatIhopetheywillnotappealtomeonanyquestionofdivorcethatmayarisefromsuchanunlikelymarriage。"

"Theyareonlyloversyet，Edward，"saidRuth。"Itisnotfair，orkind，toeventhinkofdivorce。"

"MydearRuth，thefashionablegirloftodayacceptsmarriagewiththeprovisionofdivorce。"

"Doraishardlyoneofthatset。"

"Ihopeshemaykeepoutofit，butmarriagewillgivehermanyopportunities。Well，Iamsorryfortheyoungpriest。Heisn’tfittomanageawomanlikeDoraDenning。

Iamafraidhewillgettheworstofit。"

"Ithinkyouareveryunkind，father。

Doraismyfriend，andIknowher。Sheisagirlofintensefeelingsandveryaffectionate。

AndshehasdissolvedallherlifeandmindinMr。Stanhope’slifeandmind，justasalumpofsugarisdissolvedinwater。"

Ruthlaughed。"Canyounotfindamorepoeticsimile，Ethel？"

"Itwilldo。Thisisanageofmatter；amaterialsymbolistheproperthing。"

"IamgladtohearshehasdissolvedhermindinStanhope’s，"saidJudgeRawdon。

"Dora’sintellectinitselfischildish。Whatdidthemanseeinherthatheshoulddesireher？"

"Father，younevercantellhowmuchbrainsmenlikewiththeirbeauty。Verylittlewilldogenerally。AndDorahasbeauty——greatbeauty；noonecandenythat。I

thinkDoraisgivingupagreatdeal。Toher，atleast，marriageisastateofpassingfromperfectfreedomintothecomparativeconditionofaslave，givingupherownwayconstantlyforsomeoneelse’sway。"

"Well，Ethel，theremedyisinthelady’shands。Sheisnotforcedtomarry，andtheslaverythatisvoluntaryisnohardship。

Now，mydear，Ihaveacasetolookover，andyoumustexcusemeto-night。To-morrowweshallknowmoreconcerningMr。Mostyn，anditiseasiertotalkaboutcertaintiesthanprobabilities。"

ButifconversationceasedaboutMr。Mostyn，thoughtdidnot；for，acoupleofhoursafterwards，Etheltappedatheraunt’sdoorandsaid，"Justamoment，Ruth。"

"Yes，dear，whatisit？"

"DidyounoticewhatfathersaidaboutthemortgageonRawdonManor"’

"Yes。"

"Heseemedtoknowallaboutit。"

"Ithinkhedoesknowallaboutit。"

"Doyouthinkheholdsit？"

"Hemaydoso——itisnotunlikely。"

"Oh！ThenMr。FredMostyn，ifheistoinheritRawdon，wouldlikethemortgageremoved？"

"Ofcoursehewould。"

"Andthewaytoremoveitwouldbetomarrythedaughteroftheholderofthemortgage？"

"Itwouldbeoneway。"

"Soheiscomingtolookmeover。Iamamatrimonialpossibility。Howdoyoulikethatidea，AuntRuth？"

"Idonotentertainitforamoment。

Mr。Mostynmaynotevenknowofthemortgage。

Whenmenmortgagetheirestatestheydonotmakeconfidencesaboutthematter，ortalkitoverwiththeirfriends。Theyalwaysconcealandhidethetransaction。Ifyourfatherholdsthemortgage，IfeelsurethatnoonebuthimselfandSquireRawdonknowanythingaboutit。Don’tlookatthewrongsideofevents，Ethel；becontentwiththerightsideoflife’stapestry。Whyareyounotasleep？Whatareyouworryingabout？"

"Nothing，onlyIhavenotheardallI

wantedtohear。"

"Andperhapsthatisgoodforyou。"

"Ishallgoandseegrandmotherfirstthinginthemorning。"

"IwouldnotifIwereyou。Youcannotmakeanyexcuseshewillnotseethrough。

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