EnglandmightgotoruiniftheMostynsperishedofftheEnglishearth；but，AuntRuth，IcountmyselfworthyofabetterfatethantobecomeamerebranchinthegenealogicaltreeoftheMostyns。AndthatisallFredMostyn’swifewilleverbetohim，unlesshemarriesDora。"
"Butthatverysuppositionimpliestragedy，anditismostunlikely。"
"Yes，forDoraisagoodlittlething。Shehasneverbeenfamiliarwithvice。Shehasevenahorrorofpoorwomendivorcedfromimpossiblehusbands。Shebelieveshermarriagewillbewatchedbytheangels，andrecordedinheaven。Basilhasinstructedhertoregardmarriageasaholysacrament，andIamsurehedoesthesame。"
"Thenwhyshouldweforecasteviltotheirnames？AsforCousinFred，Idaresayheiscomfortablyasleep。"
"Iamsureheisnot。IbelieveheissmokingandcallinghimselfnamesfornothavingcometoNewYorklastMay，whenfatherfirstinvitedhim。Hadhedonesothingsmighthavebeendifferent。"
"Yes，theymight。WhenGoodFortunecalls，andthecalled`willnotwhentheymay，’
then，`whentheywill’GoodFortunehasbecomeMisfortune。Welcomeapleasureoragainatonce，ordon’tansweritatall。Itwasonthisrock，Ethel，thebarkthatcarriedmylovewenttopieces。Iknow；yes，Iknow！"
"Mydearaunt！"
"Itisallrightnow，dear；butthingsmighthavebeenthatarenot。AstoDora，IthinkshemaybetrustedwithBasilStanhope。HeisoneofthebestandhandsomestmenIeversaw，andhehasnowrightsinDora’slovenoonecantamperwith。Mostynisanhonorableman。"
"Allright，but——
"Lovewillventurein，Wherehedaurnawellbeseen；
OLovewillventurein，WhereWisdomoncehasbeen——
andthen，aunt，whatthen？"
PARTSECOND
PLAYINGWITHFIRE
CHAPTERV
THEnextdayafterlunchEthelsaidshewasgoingtowalkdowntoGramercyParkandspendanhourortwowithhergrandmother，and"Willyousendthecarriageformeatfiveo’clock？"sheasked。
"YourfatherhasorderedthecarriagetobeattheHollandHouseatfiveo’clock。Itcancallforyoufirst，andthengototheHollandHouse。Butdonotkeepyourfatherwaiting。Ifheisnotattheentrancegiveyourcardtotheoutsideporter；hewillhaveitsentuptoFred’sapartments。"
"ThenfatheriscallingonFred？Whatfor？Ishesick？"
"Oh，no，businessofsomekind。Ihopeyouwillhaveapleasantwalk。"
"Thereisnodoubtofit。"
Indeed，shewasradiantwithitsexhilarationwhenshereachedGramercyPark。Assheranupthestepsofthebig，old-fashionedhouseshesawMadamatthewindowpickingupsomedroppedstitchesinherknitting。
Madamsawheratthesamemoment，andtheoldfaceandtheyoungfacebothalikekindledwithlove，aswellaswithhappyanticipationofcovetedintercourse。
"Iamsogladtoseeyou，darlingGranny。
Icouldnotwaituntilto-morrow。"
"Andwhyshouldyou，child？Ihavebeenwatchingforyouallmorning。IwanttohearabouttheDenningdinner。Isupposeyouwent？"
"Yes，wewent；wehadto。Dinnersinstrangehousesareacommoncalamity；I
can’texpecttobesparedwhateveryonehastoendure。"
"Don’tbeaffected，Ethel。Youlikegoingouttodinner。Ofcourse，youdo！Itisonlynatural，considering。"
"Idon’t，Granny。Ilikedancesandtheatersandoperas，butIdon’tlikedinners。
However，theDenningdinnerwasagrandexception。Itgavemeandtheothersasensation。"
"Iexpectedthat。"
"Itwasbeautifullyordered。Major-domoParkinsonsawtothat。Ifhehadarrangeditforhislateemployer，theDukeofRichmond，itcouldnothavebeenfiner。Therewasnotabreakanywhere。"
"Howmanywerepresent？"
"Justadozen。"
"Mr。DenningandBryce，ofcourse。
Whoweretheothers？"
"Mr。Stanhope，ofcourse。Granny，heworehisclericaldress。Itmadehimlooksoremarkable。"
"Hedidright。Aclergymanoughttolookdifferentfromothermen。IdonotbelieveBasilStanhope，havingassumedthedressofaservantofGod，wouldputitoffonehourforanysocialexigency。Whyshouldhe？Itisagranderattirethananymilitaryornavaluniform，andnocourtdressiscomparable，foritisthecourtdressoftheKingofkings。"
"Allright，dearGranny；youalwaysmakethingscleartome，yetImeetlotsofclergymenineveningdress。"
"Thentheyoughtnottobeclergymen。
Theyoughtnottowearcoatsinwhichtheycanholdanykindofopinions。Whowasyourcompanion？"
"JamieSayer。"
"Ineverheardoftheman。"
"Heisanartist，andispaintingDora’slikeness。Heisgettingonnow，butinthepast，likeallartists，hehassufferedadeal。"
"God’swillbedone。Letthemsuffer。
Itisgoodforgeniustosuffer。Isheinlovewithyou？"
"Gracious，Granny！Hisheadissofullofpicturesthatnowomancouldfindroomthere，andifonedid，thenextnewpicturewouldcrowdherout。"
"Endthatstory，itislongenough。"
"DoyouknowMissUllman？"
"Ihaveheardofher。Whohasnot？"
"ShehasBryceDenningontrialnow。
IfhemarriesherIshallpityhim。"
"Pityhim！NotI，indeed！Hewouldhavehisjustreward。Liketolike，andAmentoit。"
"ThentherewasClaudineJeffrys，lookingquiteethereal，butverylovely。"
"Iknow。HerloverwaskilledinCuba，andshehasbeenthetypeoffaithfulgriefeversince。Shelooksitanddressesittoperfection。"
"Andfeelsit？"
"Perhapsshedoes。Iamnotskilledinthefeelingsofpensive，heart-brokenmaidens。
Buthercaseisaverycommonone。Loversarenowhereagainsthusbands，yethowmanythousandsofgoodwomenlosetheirhusbandseveryyear？Iftheyarepoor，theyhavetohidetheirgriefandworkforthem-
selvesandtheirfamilies；iftheyarerich，veryfewpeoplebelievethattheyarereallysorrytobewidows。Areanypoorcreaturesmorejeeredatthanwidows？Nomanbelievestheyaregrievingforthelossoftheirhusbands。ThenwhyshouldtheyallsympathizewithClaudineaboutthelossofalover？"
"Perhapsloversarenicerthanhusbands。"
"Prettymuchallalike。Ihaveknownafewgoodhusbands。Yourgrandfatherwasone，yourfatheranother。ButyouhavesaidnothingaboutFred。Didhelookhandsome？
Didhemakeasensation？Washeacousintobeproudof？"
"Indeed，Granny，Fredwasthewholeparty。Heisnotnaturallyhandsome，buthehasdistinction，andhewaswell-dressed。AndIneverheardanyonetalkashedid。Hetoldthemostdelightfulstories，hewasfullofmimicryandwit，andsaidthingsthatbroughteveryoneintothemerrytalk；andIamsurehecharmedandastonishedthewholeparty。
Mr。Denningaskedmequietlyafterwards`whatuniversityhewaseducatedat。’I
thinkhetookitallaseducation，andhadsomewildideasoffinishingBryceinasimilarmanner。"
Madamwasradiant。"Itoldyouso，"
shesaidproudly。"TheMostynshaveintellectaswellasland。TherearenostupidMostyns。Ihopeyouaskedhimtoplay。I
thinkhiswayofhandlingapianowouldhavetaughtthemafewthingsRussiansandPolesknownothingabout。Poorthings！Howcantheyhaveanyfeelingsleft？"
"Therewasnopianointheroom，Granny，andthecompanyseparatedverysoonafterdinner。"
"Somehowyououghttohavemanagedit，Ethel。"Thenwithatouchofanxiety，"I
hopeallthisclevernesswasnatural——Imean，Ihopeitwasn’tchampagne。Youknow，Ethel，wethinkaswedrink，andFredisn’tusedtothosefriskywines。Mostyncellarsarefullofoldsherryandclaret，andFred’sfatherwasalwaysagainstfrothing，sparklingwines。"
"Granny，itwasallFred。Winehadnothingtodowithit，butacertainwomanhad；infact，shewastheinspirer，andFredfellfiftyfathomsdeepinlovewithhertheverymomentsheenteredtheroom。Heheardnot，feltnot，thoughtnot，sostruckwithlovewashe。Ruthgothimtoawindowforafewmomentsandsohidhisemotionuntilhecouldgethimselftogether。"
"Oh，whatatale！Whatacobwebtale！I
don’tbelieveawordofit，"andshelaughedmerrily。
"’Tistrueasgospel，Granny。"
"Nameher，then。Whowasthewoman？"
"Dora。"
"Itisbeyondbelief，abovebelief，outofallreason。Itcannotbe，anditshallnotbe，andifyouaremakingupastorytoteaseme，EthelRawdon————"
"Grandmother，letmetellyoujusthowitcameabout。WewereallintheroomwaitingforDora，andshesuddenlyentered。Shewasdressedinsoftambersilkfromheadtofeet；diamondswereinherblackhair，andonthebandsacrosshershoulders，onhercorsage，onherbelt，herhands，andevenherslippers。Undertheelectriclightsshelookedasifshewasinagoldenaura，scintillatingwithstars。ShetookFred’sbreathaway。
HewastalkingtoRuth，andhecouldnotfinishthewordhewassaying。Ruththoughthewasgoingtofaint————"
"Don’ttellmesuchnonsense。"
"Well，grandmother，thisnonsenseistruth。AsIsaidbefore，Ruthtookhimasideuntilhegotcontrolofhimself；then，ashewasDora’sescort，hehadtogotoher。Ruthintroducedthem，andassheraisedhersoft，blackeyestohis，andputherhandonhisarm，somethinghappenedagain，butthistimeitwaslikepossession。Hewasthecourtierinamoment，hiseyesflashedbackherglances，hegavehersmileforsmile，andthenwhentheywereseatedsidebysidehebecameinspiredandtalkedasIhavetoldyou。Itisthetruth，grandmother。"
"Well，therearemanydifferentkindsoffools，butFredMostynistheworstIeverheardtellof。Doeshenotknowthatthegirlisengaged？"
"KnowsitaswellasIdo。"
"Noneofourfamilywereeverfoolsbefore，andIhopeFredwillcomeroundquickly。
DoyouthinkDoranoticedtheimpressionshemade？"
"Yes，AuntRuthnoticedDora；andRuthsaysDora`turnedthearrowintheheartwound’alltheevening。"
"Whatrubbishyouaretalking！SayingoodEnglishwhatyoumean。"
"Shetriedeverymomentthey，wereto-
gethertomakehimmoreandmoreinlovewithher。"
"Whatisherintention？Agirldoesn’tcarryonthatwayfornothing。"
"Idonotknow。Dorahasgotbeyondmelately。And，grandmother，IamnottroublingabouttheeventasitregardsDoraorFredorBasilStanhope，butasitregardsEthel。"
"Whathaveyoutodowithit？"
"ThatisjustwhatIwanttohaveclearlyunderstood。AuntRuthtoldmethatfatherandyouwouldbedisappointedifIdidnotmarryFred。"
"Well？"
"Iamsorrytodisappointyou，butInevershallmarryFredMostyn。Never！"
"Iratherthinkyouwillhavetosettlethatquestionwithyourfather，Ethel。"
"No。Ihavesettleditwithmyself。ThemanhasgiventoDoraallthelovethathehastogive。Iwillhaveaman’swholeheart，andnotfragmentsandfinger-endsofit。"
"Tobesure，thatisright。ButIcan’tsaymuch，Ethel，whenIonlyknowonesideofthecase，canI？ImustwaitandhearwhatFredhastosay。ButIlikeyourspiritandyourwayofbringingwhatiswrongstraightuptoquestion。YouareabitYorkshireyet，whateveryouthinkgetsquicktoyourtongue，andthenoutitcomes。Goodgirl，yourheartisonyourlips。"
Theytalkedtheafternoonawayonthissubject，butMadam’slastwordswerenotonlyadvisory，theywereinagreatmeasuresympathetic。"Bestraightwithyourself，Ethel，"shesaid，"thenFredMostyncandoashelikes；youwillbeallright。"
Sheacceptedthecounselwithakiss，andthendrovetotheHollandHouseforherfather。Hewasnotwaiting，asRuthhadsupposedhewouldbe，butthenshewasfiveminutestoosoon。Shesentuphercard，andthenlethereyesfalluponawretchedbeggarmanwhowastryingtoplayaviolin，butwasunablebyreasonofhungerandcold。Helookedasifhewasdying，andshewasmovedwithagreatpity，andlongedforherfathertocomeandgivesomehelp。Whileshewasanxiouslywatching，ayoungmanwasalsostruckwiththesufferingontheviolinist’sface。Hespokeafewwordstohim，andtakingtheviolin，drewfromitsuchstrainsofmelody，thatinafewmomentsacrowdhadgatheredwithinthehotelandbeforeit。Firsttherewassilence，thenashoutofdelight；andwhenitceasedtheplayer’svoicethrilledeveryhearttopassionatepatriotism，ashesangwithmagnificentpowerandfeeling——
Thereisnotaspotonthiswide-peopledearthSodeartoourheartastheLandofourBirth，etc。
Atumultofheartyapplausefollowed，andthenhecried，"Gentlemen，thisoldmanfoughtforthelandofourbirth。Heisdyingofhunger，"andintotheoldman’shathedroppedabillandthenhandeditroundtomillionaireandworkingmanalike。Ethel’spursewasinherhand。Ashepassedalongthecurbatwhichhercarriagestood，helookedathereagerface，andwithasmileheldoutthebatteredhat。She，alsosmiling，droppedherpurseintoit。Inafewmomentsthehatwasnearlyfull；theoldmanandthemoneywereconfidedtothecareofanhotelofficer，thestreamoftrafficandpleasurewentonitsusualway，andthemusiciandisappeared。
Allthateveningtheconversationturnedconstantlytothisevent。Mostynwassurehewasamemberofsomeoperatictroupe。
"Voicesofsuchrarecompassandexceptionaltrainingwerenottobefoundamongnon-professionalpeople，"hesaid，andJudgeRawdonwasofhisopinion。
"Hisvoicewillhauntmeformanydays，"
hesaid。"Thosetwolines，forinstance——
’Tisthehomeofourchildhood，thatbeautifulspotWhichmemoryretainswhenallelseisforgot。
Themelodywaswonderful。Iwishwecouldfindoutwhereheissinging。Hisvoice，asI
said，hauntsmyear。"
Ethelmighthavemadethesameremark，butshewassilent。ShehadnoticedthemusicianmorecloselythanherfatherorFredMostyn，andwhenRuthBayardaskedherifhispersonalitywasinteresting，shewasabletogiveaverycleardescriptionoftheman。
"Idonotbelieveheisaprofessionalsinger；heistooyoung，"sheanswered。"I
shouldthinkhewasabouttwenty-fiveyearsold，tall，slender，andalert。Hewasfashionablydressed，asifhehadbeen，orwasgoing，toanafternoonreception。Aboveallthings，Ishouldsayhewasagentleman。"
Oh，whyareourheartssoaccessibletooureyes？OnlyasmilingglancehadpassedbetweenEthelandtheUnknown，yethisimagewasprisonedbehindthebarsofhereyelids。
OnthisdayofdaysshehadmetLoveonthecrowdedstreet，andhehad"ButtouchedhislutewhereinwasaudibleThecertainsecretthinghehadtotell；
Onlytheirmirroredeyesmetsilently"；
andasweettrouble，arestless，pleasingcuriosity，hadfilledherconsciousness。Whowashe？Wherehadhegoneto？Whenshouldtheymeetagain？Ah，sheunderstoodnowhowEmmelineLabichehadfeltconstrainedtoseekherloverfromthesnowsofCanadatothemoss-veiledoaksofLouisiana。
Butherjoyous，hopefulsoulcouldnotthinkofloveanddisappointmentatthesamemoment。
"Ihaveseenhim，andIshallseehimagain。Wemetbyappointment。Destinyintroducedus。Neitherofuswillforget，andsomewhere，someday，Ishallbewaiting，andhewillcome。"
Thusthisdaughterofsunshineandhopeansweredherself；andwhynot？Allgoodthingscometothosewhocanwaitinsweettranquillityforthem，andseldomdoesFortunefailtobringloveandheart’s-easeuponthechangefulstreamofchangefuldaystothosewhotrustherforthem。
Onthefollowingmorning，whenthetwogirlsenteredtheparlor，theyfoundtheJudgesmokingthere。Hehadalreadybreakfasted，andlookedoverthethreeorfournewspaperswhoseopinionshethoughtworthyofhisconsideration。Theywerelyinginastateofconfusionathisside，andEthelglancedatthemcuriously。
"DidanyofthepapersspeakofthesingingbeforetheHollandHouse？"sheasked。
"Yes。Ithinkreportersmustbeubiquitous。
Allmypapershadsomesortofanoticeoftheaffair。"
"Whatdotheysay？"
"Onegavethebarecircumstancesofthecase；anotherindulgedinwhatwassupposedtobehumorousdescription；athirdthoughtitmighthavebeentheresultofabetordare；
afourthwasoftheopinionthatconspiracybetweentheoldbeggarandtheyoungmanwasnotunlikely，andcreditedtheexhibitionasacleverlyoriginalwayofobtainingmoney。
Butallagreedinbelievingthesingertobeamemberofsomeoperacompanynowinthecity。"
Ethelwasindignant。"Itwasneither`bet’nor`dare’nor`conspiracy，’"shesaid。"Isawthesingerashecamewalkingrapidlydowntheavenue，andhelookedashappyandcarelessasaboywhistlingonacountrylane。Whenhiseyesfellontheoldmanhehesitated，justamoment，andthenspoketohim。Iamsuretheywereabsolutestrangerstoeachother。"
"Buthowcanyoubesureofathinglikethat，Ethel？"
"Idon’tknow`how，’Ruth，butallthesame，Iamsure。Andasforitbeinganewwayofbegging，thatisnotcorrect。Notmanyyearsago，oneoftheDeReszkebrothersledacrippledsoldierintoaPariscafe，andsangthestarvingmanintocomfortintwentyminutes。"
"AndtheangelicParepaRosadidasmuchforaMexicanwoman，whomshefoundinthedepthsofsorrowandpoverty——broughtherlifelongcomfortwithacoupleofhersongs。
Isitnotlikely，then，thatthegallantknightoftheHollandHouseisreallyamemberofsomeoperacompany，thatheknewoftheseexamplesandfollowedthem？"
"Itisnotunlikely，Ruth，yetIdonotbelievethatistheexplanation。"
"Well，"saidtheJudge，throwinghiscigaretteintothefire，"ifthesingerhadneverheardofDeReszkeandParepaRosa，wemaysupposehimagentlemanofsuchcultureastobefamiliarwiththeexquisiteGreeklegendofPhoebusApollo——thatstorywouldbesufficienttoinspireanymanwithhisvoice。Doyouknowit？"
Bothgirlsansweredwithanenthusiasticentreatyforitsrecital，andtheJudgewenttothelibraryandreturnedwithaqueer-lookinglittlebook，boundinmarbledpaper。
"Itwasmyfather’scopy，"hesaid，"anOxfordedition。"Andheturnedtheleaveswithlovingcarefulnessuntilhecametotheincident。Thenbeingafinereader，thewordsfellfromhislipsinastatelymeasurebetterthanmusic：
"AfterTroyfelltherecametoArgosascarredsoldierseekingalms。Notdeigningtobeg，heplayeduponalyre；butthehandlingofarmshadrobbedhimofhisyouthfulpower，andhestoodbytheporticohourafterhour，andnoonedroppedhimalepton。
Weary，hungryandthirsty，heleanedindespairagainstapillar。Ayouthcametohimandasked，`Whynotplayon，Akeratos？"
AndAkeratosmeeklyanswered，`Iamnolongerskilled。’`Then，’saidthestranger，`hiremethylyre；hereisadidrachmon。I
willplay，andthoushaltholdoutthycapandbedumb。’Sothestrangertookthelyreandsweptthestrings，andmenheard，asitwere，theclashingofswords。AndhesangthefallofTroy——howHectorperished，slainbyAchilles，therushofchariots，theringofhoofs，theroarofflames——andashesangthepeoplestoppedtolisten，breathlessandeager，withrapt，attentiveear。Andwhenthesingerceasedthesoldier’scapwasfilledwithcoins，andthepeoplebeggedforyetanothersong。
ThenhesangofVenus，tillallmen’sheartsweresoftlystirred，andtheairwaspurpleandmistyandfullofthescentofroses。AndintheirjoymencastbeforeAkeratosnotcoinsonly，butsilverbraceletsandrings，andgemsandornamentsofgold，untiltheheaphadtoitsutmostgrown，makingAkeratosrichinallmen’ssight。Thensuddenlythesingerstoodinablazeoflight，andthemenofArgossawtheirgodofsong，PhoebusApollo，riseinglorytotheskies。"
Thegirlsweredelighted；theJudgepleasedbothwithhisownrenderingofthelegendandthemanifestappreciationwithwhichithadbeenreceived。Foramomentortwoallfelttheexquisitetouchoftheantiqueworld，andEthelsaid，inatoneoflonging，"IwishthatIhadbeenaGreekandlivedinArgos。"
"YouwouldnothavelikeditaswellasbeinganAmericanandlivinginNewYork，"
saidherfather。
"Andyouwouldhavebeenapagan，"
addedRuth。
"Theyweresuchlovelypagans，Ruth，andtheydreamedsuchbeautifuldreamsoflife。
Leavethebookwithme，father；Iwilltakegoodcareofit。"
ThentheJudgegaveherthebook，andwithasighlookedintothemodernstreet。"I
oughttobedownatBowlingGreeninsteadofreadingGreekstoriestoyougirls，"hesaidratherbrusquely。"Ihaveaveryimportantrailwaycaseonmymind，andPhoebusApollohasnothingtodowithit。Goodmorning。
And，Ethel，donotdeifythesingerontheavenue。Hewillnotturnout，likethesingerbytheportico，tobeagod；besureofthat。"
Thedoorclosedbeforeshecouldanswer，andbothwomenremainedsilentafewminutes。
ThenEthelwenttothewindow，andRuthaskedifshewasgoingtoDora’s。
"Yes，"wastheanswer，butwithoutinterest。
"Youaretiredwithallthisshoppingandworry？"
"ItisnotonlythatIamtired，IamtroubledaboutFredMostyn。"
"Why？"
"Idonotknowwhy。Itisonlyavagueunrestasyet。ButonethingIknow，IshallopposeanythinglikeFredmakinghimselfintimatewithDora。"
"Ithinkyouwilldowiselyinthat。"
ButinaweekEthelrealizedthatinopposingaloverlikeFredMostynshehadataskbeyondherability。FredhadnothingtodoasimportantinhisopinionasthecultivationofhisfriendshipwithDoraDenning。
Hecalledit"friendship，"butthismisnomerdeceivednoone，notevenDora。AndwhenDoraencouragedhisattentions，howwasEtheltopreventthemwithoutsomeexplanationwhichwouldgiveasortofrealitytowhatwasasyetanamelesssuspicion？
Yeteverydaythefamiliarityincreased。
Heseemedtodivinetheirengagements。Iftheywenttotheirjeweler’s，ortoabazaar，hewassuretostrollinafterthem。Whentheycameoutofthemilliner’sormodiste’s，Fredwaswaiting。"HehadsecuredatableatSherry’s；hehadorderedlunch，andallwasready。"Itwastoogreatanefforttoresisthisentreaty。Perhapsnoonewishedtodoso。Thegirlswereutterlytiredandhungry，andthethoughtofoneofFred’sluncheswasverypleasant。EvenifBasilStanhopewaswiththem，itappearedtobeallthebetter。FredalwaysincludedDora’sloverwithacharmingcourtesy；and，indeed，atsuchhours，wasinhismostdelightfulmood。Stanhopeappearedtoinspirehim。
Hismentalitywhentheclergymanwaspresenttookpossessionofeveryincidentthatcameandwent，andclotheditinwitandpleasantry。Dora’splightedloverhonestlythoughtDora’sundeclaredloverthecleverestandmostdelightfulofmen。Andhehadnoopportunityofnoting，asEtheldid，thedifferenceinFred’sattitudewhenhewasnotpresent。ThenMostyn’smerrymoodbecamesentimental，andhiswordswerechargedwithsoftmeaningsandlooksofadoration，andeverytoneandeverymovementmadetoexpressfarmorethanthetonguewouldhavedaredtoutter。
Asthisflirtationprogressed——foronDora’spartitwasonlyvanityandflirtation——Ethelgrewmoreandmoreuneasy。ShealmostwishedforsometriflingovertactwhichwouldgiveheranexcuseforwarningDora；
andoneday，afterthreeweeksofsuchphilandering，theopportunitycame。
"IthinkyoupermitFredMostyntotaketoomuchlibertywithyou，Dora，"shesaidassoonastheywereinDora’sparlor，andasshespokeshethrewoffhercoatinatemperwhicheffectivelyemphasizedthewords。
"Ihavebeenexpectingthisill-nature，Ethel。Youwerecrossallthetimewewereatlunch。YouspoiledallourpleasurePray，whathaveIbeendoingwrongwithFredMostyn？"
"ItwasFredwhodidwrong。Hiscomplimentstoyouwereoutrageous。Hehasnorighttosaysuchthings，andyouhavenorighttolistentothem。"
"Iamnottoblameifhecomplimentsmeinsteadofyou。Hewassimplypolite，butthenitwastothewrongperson。"
"Ofcourseitwas。Suchpolitenesshehadnorighttoofferyou。"
"Itwouldhavebeenquiteproperifofferedyou，Isuppose？"
"Itwouldnot。Itwouldhavebeenagreatimpertinence。Ihavegivenhimneitherclaimnorprivilegetoaddressmeas`MylovelyEthel！’Hecalledyoumanytimes`MylovelyDora！’YouarenothislovelyDora。Whenheputonyourcoat，hedrewyoucloserthanwasproper；andIsawhimtakeyourhandandholditinaclasp——notnecessary。"
"Whydoyoulistenandwatch？Itisvulgar。
Youtoldmesoyourself。AndIamlovely。BasilsaysthataswellasFred。DoyouwantamantolieandsayIamugly？"
"Youarefencingtherealquestion。Hehadnobusinesstousetheword`my。’YouareengagedtoBasilStanhope，nottoFredMostyn。"
"IamBasil’slovelyfiancee；IamFred’slovelyfriend。"
"Oh！IhopeFredunderstandsthedifference。"
"Ofcoursehedoes。Somepeoplearealwaysthinkingevil。"
"IwasthinkingofMr。Stanhope’srights。"
"Thankyou，Ethel；butIcantakecareofMr。Stanhope’srightswithoutyourassistance。
IfyouhadsaidyouwerethinkingofEthelRawdon’srightsyouwouldhavebeennearerthetruth。"
"Dora，Iwillnotlisten————"
"Oh，youshalllistentome！IknowthatyouexpectedFredtofallinlovewithyou，butifhedidnotliketodoso，amItoblame？"
Ethelwasresuminghercoatatthispointintheconversation，andDoraunderstoodtheproudsilencewithwhichtheactwasbeingaccomplished。Thenascoreofgoodreasonsforpreventingsuchadefinitequarrelflashedthroughherselfishlittlemind，andshethrewherarmsaroundEthelandbeggedathousandpardonsforherrudeness。AndEthelhadalsoreasonsforavoidingdissensionatthistime。AbreakintheirfriendshipnowwouldbringDoraforwardtoexplain，andDorahadawonderfulclevernessinpresentingherownsideofanyquestion。EthelshrunkfromherinnuendoesconcerningFred，andsheknewthatBasilwouldbemadetoconsiderherameddling，jealousgirlwhowillinglysawevilinDora’sguilelessenjoymentofacleverman’scompany。
Tobemisunderstood，tobeblamedandpitied，tobemadeapedestalforDora’ssuperiority，wasasituationnottobecontemplated。
ItwasbettertolookoverDora’srudenessintheflushofDora’spretendedsorrowforit。Sotheyforgaveeachother，orsaidtheydid，andthenDoraexplainedherself。
Shedeclaredthatshehadnottheleastintentionofanywrong。"Yousee，Ethel，whatafoolthemanisaboutme。Somebodysaysweoughttotreatafoolaccordingtohisfolly。ThatisallIwasdoing。IamsureBasilissofaraboveFredMostynthatI
couldneverputthemincomparison——andBasilknowsit。Hetrustsme。"
"Verywell，Dora。IfBasilknowsit，andtrustsyou，Ihavenomoretosay。IamnowsorryInamedthesubject。"
"Nevermind，wewillforgetthatitwasnamed。Thefactis，Ethel，IwantallthefunIcangetnow。WhenIamBasil’swifeI
shallhavetobeverysedate，andofcoursenotevenpretendtoknowifanyothermanadmiresme。LittleluncheswithFred，theaterandoperaparties，andevendanceswillbeoverforme。Oh，dear，howmuchIamgivingupforBasil！AndsometimesIthinkheneverrealizeshowdreadfulitmustbeforme。"
"Youwillhaveyourloverallthetimethen。Surelyhisconstantcompanionshipwillatoneforallyourelinquish。"
"Takeoffyourcoatandhat，Ethel，andsitdowncomfortably。Idon’tknowaboutBasil’sconstantcompanionship。Tete-a-tetesaretiresomeaffairssometimes。"
"Yes，"repliedEthel，asshehalf-reluc-
tantlyremovedhercoat，"theywereaboreundoubtedlyeveninParadise。IwonderifEvewastiredofAdam’sconversation，andifthatmadeherlistento——theotherparty。"
"Iamsogladyoumentionedthatcircumstance，Ethel。Ishallrememberit。Someday，nodoubt，IshallhavetoremindBasilofthefailureofAdamtosatisfyEve’sideaofperfectcompanionship。"AndDoraputherpretty，jeweledhandsuptoherearsandlaughedalow，musicallaughwithachildishnoteofmalicerunningthroughit。
Thispseudo-reconciliationwasnotconducivetopleasantintercourse。AfterashortdelayEthelmadeanexcuseforanearlydeparture，andDoraaccepteditwithoutherusualremonstrance。Thedayhadbeenoneofcontinualfriction，andDora’sirritablepettishnesshardtobear，becauseithadnowlostthatchildishunreasonwhichhadalwaysinducedEthel’spatience，forDorahadlatelyputawayallherignorantimmaturities。Shehadbecomeapersonofimportance，andhadrealizedthefact。TheyoungladiesofSt。
Jude’shadmadeapetoftheirreveredrector’slove，andtheelderladieshadalsoshownamarkedinterestinher。TheDennings’finehousewasnowtalkedaboutandvisited。MenofhighfinancialpowerrespectedMr。DanDenning，andadvisedthesocialrecognitionofhisfamily；andMrs。Denningwasnotnowfoundmoreeccentricthanmanyotherofthenewrich，whohadbeentoleratedintheranksoftheolderplutocrats。EvenBrycehadmadethestandinghedesired。Hewasseenwiththerichestandidlestyoungmen，andwasinvitedtothebesthouses。Thosefashionablewomenwhohadmarriageabledaughtersconsideredhimnotineligible，andmentemporarilyhamperedforcashknewthattheycouldfindsmilingassistanceforaconsiderationatBryce’slittleofficeonWilliamStreet。
TheseandotherpointsofreflectiontroubledEthel，andshewasgladthelongtrialwasnearingitsend，forsheknewquitewellthedisagreementofthateveninghaddonenogood。Dorawouldcertainlyrepeattheirconversation，inherownwayofinterpretingit，tobothBasilStanhopeandFredMostyn。
MorethanlikelybothBryceandMrs。
Denningwouldalsohearhowherinnocentkindnesshadbeenmisconstrued；andineachcaseshecouldimaginetheconversationthattookplace，andthesubsequentbestowalofpitying，scornfulorangryfeelingthatwouldinsensiblyfinditswaytoherconsciousnesswithoutanybirdoftheairtocarryit。
Shefelt，too，thatreprisalsofanykindwereoutofthequestion。Theywerenotonlyimpolitic，theyweredifficult。HerfatherhadanaversiontoDora，andwaslikelytoseizethefirstopportunityforrequestingEtheltodropthegirl’sacquaintance。Ruthalsohadurgedhertowithdrawfromanyactivepartinthewedding，strengtheningheradvicewiththeassurancethatwhenafriendshipbegantodeclineitoughttobeabandonedatonce。Therewasonlyhergrandmothertogoto，andatfirstshedidnotfindheratallinterestedinthetrouble。Shehadjusthadadisputewithhermilkman，wasinclinedtogivehimallhersuspicionsandallherangrywords——"animpertinent，cheatingcreature，"
shesaid；andthenEthelhadtohearthehistoryofthemonth’screamandofthemilkman’sextortion，withtheoldlady’scharacteristicdeclaration：
"ItoldhimplainwhatIthoughtofhisways，butIpaidhimeverycentIowedhim。
ThankGod，Iamnotunreasonable！"
NeitherwassheunreasonablewhenEthelfinallygothertolistentoherownseriousgrievancewithDora。
"Ifyouwillhaveawomanforafriend，Ethel，youmustputupwithwomanlyways；
anditisbesttokeepyourmouthshutconcerningsuchways。Ihatetoseeyouwhimperingandwhiningaboutwrongsyouhavebeencordiallyinvitingforweeksandmonthsandyears。"
"Grandmother！"
"Yes，youhavebeensowingthornsforyourself，andthenyougounshodoverthem。
ImeanthatDorahasthisfineclergyman，andFredMostyn，andherbrother，andmother，andfatherallonherside；allofthemsurethatDoracandonowrong，allofthemsurethatEthel，poorgirl，mustbemistaken，orprudish，orjealous，orenvious。"
"Oh，grandmother，youaretoocruel，"
"Whydidn’tyouhaveafewfriendsonyourownside？"
"FatherandRuthneverlikedDora。AndFred——ItoldyouhowFredactedassoonashesawher！"
"TherewasRoyalWheelock，JamesClifton，orthathandsomeDickPotter。Whydidn’tyouaskthemtojoinyouatyourlunchesanddances？Yououghttohavepillaredyourownside。Agirlwithoutherbeauxisalwaysonthewrongsideifthegirlwithbeauxisagainsther。"
"ItwasthegreattimeofDora’slife。I
wishedhertohaveallthegloryofit。"
"Allherownshare——thatwasright。Allofyourshare，also——thatwasaswrongasitcouldbe。"
"Cliftonisyachting，RoyalandIhadalittlemisunderstanding，andDickPotteristooeffusive。"
"ButDick’seffusivenesswouldhavebeenagoodthingforFred’seffusiveness。Twomencan’tgoonacomplimentaryran-tanatthesametable。Theyfreezeoneanotherout。
Thatgoeswithoutsaying。ButDora’sindiscretionsarenoneofyourbusinesswhilesheisunderherfather’sroof；andIdon’tknowifshehadn’tafriendintheworld，iftheywouldbeyourbusiness。IhavealwaysbeenagainstpeopletryingtodotheworkofTHEMthatareaboveus。WearetoldTHEY
seekandTHEYsave，andit’slikelytheywilllookafterDorainspiteofherbeingsounknowingofherselfastomarryapriestinasurplice，whenafoolinmotleywouldhavebeenmorelikethething。"
"Idon’twanttoquarrelwithDora。Afterall，Ilikeher。Wehavebeenfriendsalongtime。"
"Well，then，don’tmakeanenemyofher。
Onehundredfriendsaretoofewagainstoneenemy。Onehundredfriendswillwishyouwell，andoneenemywillDOyouill。Godloveyou，child！Taketheworldasyoufindit。
OnlyGodcanmakeitanybetter。Whenisthisblessedweddingtocomeoff？"
"Intwoweeks。Yougotcards，didyounot？"
"IbelieveIdid。Theydon’tmatter。LetDoraandherflirtationsalone，unlessyousetyourownagainstthem。Likecureslike。Ifthepriestseesnothingwrong————"
"Hethinksallshedoesisperfect。"
"Idaresay。Priestsareasoftlot，they’llbelieveanything。He’slove-blindatpresent。
Someday，liketheprophetofPethor，[1]hewillgethiseyesopened。AsforFredMostyn，I
shallhaveagooddealtosayabouthimbyandby，soI’llsaynothingnow。"
[1]OneoftheHebrewprophets。
"Youpromised，grandmother，nottotalktomeanymoreaboutFred。"
"Itwasaveryinconsideratepromise，averyirrationalpromise！IamsorryImadeit——andIdon’tintendtokeepit。"
"Well，ittakestwotoholdaconversation，grandmother。"
"Tobesureitdoes。ButifItalktoyou，Ihopetogoodnessyouwillhavethedecencytoanswerme。Iwouldn’tbelieveanythingdifferent。"AndshelookedintoEthel’sfacewithsuchasmilingconfidenceinhergoodwillandobedience，thatEthelcouldonlylaughandgivehertwentykissesasshestooduptoputonherhatandcoat。
"Youalwaysgetyourway，Granny，"shesaid；andtheoldlady，asshewalkedwithhertothedoor，answered，"Ihavehadmywayfornearlyeightyyears，dearie，andI’vefounditaverygoodway。I’mnotlikelytochangeitnow。"
"Andnoneofuswantyoutochangeit，dear。Granny’swayisalwaysawiseway。"
Andshekissedheragaineresherandownthestepstohercarriage。Yetastheoldladysteppedslowlybacktotheparlor，shemuttered，"FredMostynisafool！IfhehadanysensewhenheleftEngland，hehaslostitsincehecamehere。"
Ofcoursenothinggoodcameofthisirritableinterference。Meddlingwiththeconscienceofanotherpersonisadelicateanddifficultaffair，andRuthhadalreadywarnedEthelofitscertainfutility。Butthedayswererapidlywearingawaytothegreatday，forwhichsomanyotherdayshadbeenwastedinfatiguingworry，andincredibleextravaganceofhealthandtemperandmoney——andafterit？Therewouldcertainlybeabreakinassociations。Temptationwouldberemoved，andBasilStanhope，relievedforatimefromallthedutiesofhisoffice，wouldhavecontinualopportunitiesformakingeternallysecuretheaffectionofthewomanhehadchosen。
Itwastobeawhitewedding，andfortwentyhoursprevioustoitscelebrationitseemedasifallthefloristsinNewYorkwereatworkintheDenninghouseandinSt。
Jude’schurch。Thesacredplacewasradiantwithwhitelilies。Whitelilieseverywhere；
andtheperfumewouldhavebeenoverpowering，hadnottheweatherbeensoexquisitethatopenwindowswerepossibleandevenpleasant。TothesofteststrainsofmusicDoraenteredleaningonherfather’sarmandherbeautyandsplendorevokedfromthecrowdpresentaninvoluntary，simultaneousstirofwonderanddelight。Shehadhesitatedmanydaysbetweenthesimplicityofwhitechiffonandliliesofthevalley，andthemagnificenceofbrocadedsatininwhichaglitteringthreadofsilverwasinterwoven。
Thesatinhadwontheday，andthesunshinefelluponitsbeauty，asshekneltatthealtar，likesunshinefallinguponsnow。Itshoneandgleamedandglistenedasifitwereanangel’srobe；andthisscintillatingeffectwasmuchincreasedbythesparklingofthediamondsinherhair，andatherthroatandwaistandhandsandfeet。Norwasherbrilliantyouthaffectedbytheovershadowingtulleusuallysounbecoming。Itveiledherfromheadtofeet，andwasheldinplacebyadiamondcoronal。Allhereightmaids，thoughlovelygirls，lookedwanandoftheearthbesideher。Forhersaketheyhadbeencontentwiththesimplicityofchiffonandwhitelacehats，andshestoodamongthemlustrousassomeangelicbeing。Stanhopewasentrancedbyherbeauty，andnooneonthisdaywonderedathisinfatuationorthoughtremarkabletheecstasyofreverentrapturewithwhichhereceivedthehandofhisbride。Hissenseofthegiftwasravishing。
Shewasnowhislove，hiswifeforever，andwhenEthelslippedforwardtopartandthrowbackwardtheconcealingveil，heverygentlyrestrainedher，andwithhisownhandsuncoveredtheblushingbeauty，andkissedherthereatthealtar。Thenamidamurmurandstirofdelightedsympathyhetookhiswifeuponhisarm，andturnedwithhertothelifetheyweretofacetogether。
Twohourslaterallwasapastdream。
Brideandbridegroomhadslippedquietlyaway，andtheweddingguestshadarrivedatthatrathernoisyindifferencewhichpresagestheendofanentertainment。Thenflushedandtiredwithhurryingcongratulationsandgoodwishesthatstumbledovereachother，carriageaftercarriagedeparted；andEthelandhercompanionswenttoDora’sparlortorestawhileanddiscusstheeventoftheday。
ButDora’sparlorwasinastateofconfusion。
Ithad，too，anairofloss，andfeltlikeagildedcagefromwhichthebirdhadflown。Theylookeddismallyatitsdiscomfortandwentdownstairs。Menwereremovingthefadedflowersorsittingattheabandonedtableeatinganddrinking。Everywheretherewasdisorderandwaste，andfromtheservants’
quartercameanoisysenseofriotousfeasting。
"WhereisMrs。Denning？"Ethelaskedafootmanwhowasgatheringtogetherthesilverwiththeeasyunconcernofamanwhoseideaswererosywithchampagne。Helookedupwithaprovokingfamiliarityatthequestion，andsputteredout，"She’slyingdowncryingandmakingafuss。MissDayiswithher，soothingofher。"
"Letusgohome，"saidEthel。
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