r the great thoughtfulness and care with
which he had amassed this sum for him, and he tried to console himself
with the belief that gold answered all purposes, and that the yellow
metal was a better possession than the house and lands which he had
longed for with an inherited and insensate craving.

Two days after this event Ethel, at her father's direction, signed a
number of papers, and when that duty was completed, the Squire rose
from his chair, kissed her hands and her cheeks, and in a voice full
of tenderness and pride said, "I pay my respects to the future lady of
Rawdon Manor, and I thank God for permitting me to see this hour. Most
welcome, Lady Ethel, to the rights you inherit, and the rights you have
bought." It was a moment hardly likely to be duplicated in any life, and
Ethel escaped from its tense emotions as soon as possible. She could not
speak, her heart was too full of joy and wonder. There are souls that
say little and love much. How blessed are they!

On the following morning the invitations were sent for the dinner
and dance, but the time was put forward to the eighth of August. In
everyone's heart there was a hope that before that day Mostyn would have
left Rawdon, but the hope was barely mentioned. In the meantime he came
and went between Mostyn and Rawdon as he desired, and was received with
that modern politeness which considers it best to ignore offenses that
our grandfathers and grandmothers would have held for strict account and
punishment.

It was evident that he had frequent letters from Dora. He knew all her
movements, and spoke several times of opening Mostyn Hall and inviting
the Stanhopes to stay with him until their return to America. But as
this suggestion did not bring from any member of the Rawdon family the
invitation hoped for, it was not acted upon. He told himself the
expense would be great, and the Hall, in spite of all he could do in the
interim, would look poor and shabby compared with Rawdon Court; so he
put aside the proposal on the ground that he could not persuade his
aunt to do the entertaining necessary. And for all the irritation and
humiliations centering round his loss of Rawdon and his inabilities with
regard to Dora he blamed Ethel. He was sure if he had been more lovable
and encouraging he could have married her, and thus finally reached
Rawdon Court; and then, with all the unreason imaginable, nursed a
hearty dislike to her because she would not understand his