plies tragedy, and it is most unlikely."

"Yes, for Dora is a good little thing. She has never been familiar
with vice. She has even a horror of poor women divorced from impossible
husbands. She believes her marriage will be watched by the angels, and
recorded in heaven. Basil has instructed her to regard marriage as a
holy sacrament, and I am sure he does the same."

"Then why should we forecast evil to their names? As for Cousin Fred, I
dare say he is comfortably asleep."

"I am sure he is not. I believe he is smoking and calling himself names
for not having come to New York last May, when father first invited him.
Had he done so things might have been different."

"Yes, they might. When Good Fortune calls, and the called 'will not when
they may,' then, 'when they will' Good Fortune has become Misfortune.
Welcome a pleasure or a gain at once, or don't answer it at all. It was
on this rock, Ethel, the bark that carried my love went to pieces. I
know; yes, I know!"

"My dear aunt!"

"It is all right now, dear; but things might have been that are not. As
to Dora, I think she may be trusted with Basil Stanhope. He is one of
the best and handsomest men I ever saw, and he has now rights in Dora's
love no one can tamper with. Mostyn is an honorable man."

"All right, but--

"Love will venture in,
Where he daurna well be seen;
O Love will venture in,
Where Wisdom once has been--

and then, aunt, what then?"

PART SECOND -- PLAYING WITH FIRE

CHAPTER V

THE next day after lunch Ethel said she was going to walk down to
Gramercy Park and spend an hour or two with her grandmother, and "Will
you send the carriage for me at five o'clock?" she asked.

"Your father has ordered the carriage to be at the Holland House at five
o'clock. It can call for you first, and then go to the Holland House.
But do not keep your father waiting. If he is not at the entrance give
your card to the outside porter; he will have it sent up to Fred's
apartments."

"Then father is calling on Fred? What for? Is he sick?"

"Oh, no, business of some kind. I hope you will have a pleasant walk."

"There is no doubt of it."

Indeed, she was radiant with its exhilaration when she reached Gramercy
Park. As she ran up the steps of the big, old-fashioned house she saw
Madam at the window picking up some dropped stitches in her knitting.
Madam saw her at the same moment, and the old face and the young face
both alike kin