desires, and
provide means for their satisfaction. The bright, joyous girl with her
loving heart, her abounding vitality, and constant cheerfulness, made
him angry. In none of her excellencies he had any share, consequently he
hated her.

He would have quickly returned to London, but Dora and her husband were
staying with the Stanhopes, and her letters from Stanhope Castle were
lachrymose complaints of the utter weariness and dreariness of
life there the preaching and reading aloud, the regular walking and
driving--all the innocent method of lives which recognized they were
here for some higher purpose than mere physical enjoyment. And it
angered Mostyn that neither Ruth nor Ethel felt any sympathy for Dora's
ennui, and proposed no means of releasing her from it. He considered
them both disgustingly selfish and ill-natured, and was certain that
all their reluctance at Dora's presence arose from their jealousy of her
beauty and her enchanting grace.

On the afternoon of the day preceding the intended entertainment Ruth,
Ethel, and the Squire were in the great dining-room superintending its
decoration. They were merrily laughing and chatting, and were not
aware of the arrival of any visitors until Mrs. Nicholas Rawdon's rosy,
good-natured face appeared at the open door. Everyone welcomed her
gladly, and the Squire offered her a seat.

"Nay, Squire," she said, "I'm come to ask a favor, and I won't sit
till I know whether I get it or not; for if I don't get it, I shall say
good-by as quickly as I can. Our John Thomas came home this morning and
his friend with him, and I want invitations for the young men, both of
them. My great pleasure lies that way--if you'll give it to me."

"Most gladly," answered the Squire, and Ethel immediately went for the
necessary passports. When she returned she found Mrs. Nicholas helping
Ruth and the Squire to arrange the large silver and cut crystal on the
sideboard, and talking at the same time with unabated vivacity.

"Yes," she was saying, "the lads would have been here two days ago, but
they stayed in London to see some American lady married. John Thomas's
friend knew her. She was married at the Ambassador's house. A fine
affair enough, but it bewilders me this taking up marriage without
priest or book. It's a new commission. The Church's warrant, it seems,
is out of date. It may be right' it may be legal, but I told John Thomas
if he ever got himself married in that kind of a way, h