m indicating an almost incredible system of
petty tyranny and cruel contradiction. Ethel was amazed, and finally
angry at what she heard. Dora was her countrywoman and her friend;
she instantly began to express her sympathy and her intention of
interfering.

"You had better neither meddle nor make in the matter," answered Mrs.
Rawdon. "Our Lucy went to see her, and gave her some advice about
managing Yorkshiremen. And as she was talking Mostyn came in, and was as
rude as he dared to be. Then Lucy asked him 'if he was sick.' She said,
'All the men in the neighborhood, gentle and simple, were talking about
him, and that it wasn't a pleasant thing to be talked about in the
way they were doing it. You must begin to look more like yourself, Mr.
Mostyn; it is good advice I am giving you,' she added; and Mostyn told
her he would look as he felt, whether it was liked or not liked.
And Lucy laughed, and said, 'In that case he would have to go to his
looking-glass for company.' Well, Ethel, there was a time to joy a
devil after Lucy left, and some one of the servants went on their own
responsibility for a doctor; and Mostyn ordered him out of the house,
and he would not go until he saw Mrs. Mostyn; and the little woman was
forced to come and say 'she was quite well,' though she was sobbing all
the time she spoke. Then the doctor told Mostyn what he thought, and
there is a quarrel between them every time they meet."

But Ethel was not deterred by these statements; on the contrary, they
stimulated her interest in her friend. Dora needed her, and the old
feeling of protection stirred her to interference. At any rate, she
could call and see the unhappy woman; and though Tyrrel was opposed to
the visit, and thought it every way unwise, Ethel was resolved to
make it. "You can drive me there," she said, "then go and see Justice
Manningham and call for me in half an hour." And this resolution was
strengthened by a pitiful little note received from Dora just after her
decision. "Mostyn has gone to Thirsk," it said; "for pity's sake come
and see me about two o'clock this afternoon."

The request was promptly answered. As the clock struck two Ethel crossed
the threshold of the home that might have been hers. She shuddered at
the thought. The atmosphere of the house was full of fear and gloom, the
furniture dark and shabby, and she fancied the wraiths of old forgotten
crimes and sorrows were gliding about the sad, dim rooms and stairways.