her this morning, welcoming me home, and
entreating me to call."

The Judge rose as Ethel was speaking, and no more was said about the
visit at that time but a few hours later Ethel came down from her room
ready for the street and frankly told Ruth she had made up her mind to
call on Dora.

"Then I will only remind you, Ethel, that Dora is not a fortunate woman
to know. As far as I can see, she is one of those who sow pain of heart
and vexation of spirit about every house they enter, even their own.
But I cannot gather experience for you, it will have to grow in your own
garden."

"All right, dear Ruth, and if I do not like its growth, I will pull it
up by the roots, I assure you."

Ruth went with her to the door and watched her walk leisurely down the
broad steps to the street. The light kindled in her eyes and on her face
as she did so. She already felt the magnetism of the great city, and
with a laughing farewell walked rapidly toward Dora's house.

Her card brought an instant response, and she heard Dora's welcome
before the door was opened. And her first greeting was an enthusiastic
compliment, "How beautiful you have grown, Ethel!" she cried. "Ah, that
is the European finish. You have gained it, my dear; you really are very
much improved."

"And you also, Dora?"

The words were really a question, but Dora accepted them as an
assertion, and was satisfied.

"I suppose I am," she answered, "though I'm sure I can't tell how it
should be so, unless worry of all kinds is good for good looks. I've had
enough of that for a lifetime."

"Now, Dora."

"Oh, it's the solid truth--partly your fault too."

"I never interfered----"

"Of course you didn't, but you ought to have interfered. When you called
on me in London you might have seen that I was not happy; and I wanted
to come to Rawdon Court, and you would not invite me. I called your
behavior then 'very mean,' and I have not altered my opinion of it."

"There were good reasons, Dora, why I could not ask you."

"Good reasons are usually selfish ones, Ethel, and Fred Mostyn told me
what they were.

"He likely told you untruths, Dora, for he knew nothing about my
reasons. I saw very little of him."

"I know. You treated him as badly as you treated me, and all for some
wild West creature--a regular cowboy, Fred said, but then a Rawdon!"

"Mr. Mostyn has misrepresented Mr. Tyrrel Rawdon--that is all about it.
I shall not explain 'how' or 'why.' Did you en