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