and within two weeks Nicholas Rawdon was Squire of Rawdon
Manor, and possessor of the famous old Manor House. Then there followed
a busy two weeks for Tyrrel, who had the superintendence of the packing,
which was no light business. For though Ethel would not denude the Court
of its ancient furniture and ornaments, there were many things belonging
to the personal estate of the late Squire which had been given to her by
his will, and could not be left behind. But by the end of October cases
and trunks were all sent off to the steamship in which their passage was
taken; and the Rawdon estate, which had played such a momentous part in
Ethel's life having finished its mission, had no further influence, and
without regret passed out of her physical life forever.

Indeed, their willingness to resign all claims to the old home was a
marvel to both Tyrrel and Ethel. On their last afternoon there they
walked through the garden, and stood under the plane tree where
their vows of love had been pledged, and smiled and wondered at their
indifference. The beauteous glamor of first love was gone as completely
as the flowers and scents and songs that had then filled the charming
place. But amid the sweet decay of these things they once more clasped
hands, looking with supreme confidence into each other's eyes. All that
had then been promised was now certain; and with an affection infinitely
sweeter and surer, Tyrrel drew Ethel to his heart, and on her lips
kissed the tenderest, proudest words a woman hears, "My dear wife!"

This visit was their last adieu, all the rest had been said, and early
the next morning they left Monk-Rawdon station as quietly as they had
arrived. During their short reign at Rawdon Court they had been very
popular, and perhaps their resignation was equally so. After all, they
were foreigners, and Nicholas Rawdon was Yorkshire, root and branch.

"Nice young people," said Justice Manningham at a hunt dinner, "but
our ways are not their ways, nor like to be. The young man was born a
fighter, and there are neither bears nor Indians here for him to
fight; and our politics are Greek to him; and the lady, very sweet and
beautiful, but full of new ideas--ideas not suitable for women, and we
do not wish our women changed."

"Good enough as they are," mumbled Squire Oakes.

"Nicest Americans I ever met," added Earl Danvers, "but Nicholas Rawdon
will be better at Rawdon Court." To which statement there was a general
ass