第1章
PrefacePartI——BeforeDinnerTheFirstCountessofWessexBarbaraoftheHouseofGrebeTheMarchionessofStonehengeLadyMottisfontPartII——AfterDinnerTheLadyIcenwaySquirePetrick"sLadyAnna，LadyBaxbyTheLadyPenelopeTheDuchessOfHamptonshireTheHonourableLauraPREFACE
Thepedigreesofourcountyfamilies，arrangedindiagramsonthepagesofcountyhistories，mostlyappearatfirstsighttobeasbarrenofanytouchofnatureasatableoflogarithms。Butgivenaclue——thefaintesttraditionofwhatwentonbehindthescenes，andthisdrynessasofdustmaybetransformedintoapalpitatingdrama。
More，thecarefulcomparisonofdatesalone——thatofbirthwithmarriage，ofmarriagewithdeath，ofonemarriage，birth，ordeathwithakindredmarriage，birth，ordeath——willofteneffectthesametransformation，andanybodypractisedinraisingimagesfromsuchgenealogiesfindshimselfunconsciouslyfillingintotheframeworkthemotives，passions，andpersonalqualitieswhichwouldappeartobethesingleexplanationpossibleofsomeextraordinaryconjunctionintimes，events，andpersonagesthatoccasionallymarksthesereticentfamilyrecords。
Outofsuchpedigreesandsupplementarymaterialmostofthefollowingstorieshavearisenandtakenshape。
Iwouldmakethisprefaceanopportunityofexpressingmysenseofthecourtesyandkindnessofseveralbright-eyedNobleDamesyetintheflesh，who，sincethefirstpublicationofthesetalesinperiodicals，sixorsevenyearsago，havegivenmeinterestingcommentsandconjecturesonsuchofthenarrativesastheyhaverecognizedtobeconnectedwiththeirownfamilies，residences，ortraditions；inwhichtheyhaveshownatrulyphilosophicabsenceofprejudiceintheirregardofthoseincidentswhoserelationhastendedmoredistinctlytodramatizethantoeulogizetheirancestors。Theoutlinestheyhavealsogivenofothersingulareventsintheirfamilyhistoriesforuseinasecond"GroupofNobleDames，"will，Ifear，neverreachtheprinting-pressthroughme；butIshallstorethemupinmemoryofmyinformants"goodnature。
T。H。
June1896。
DAMETHEFIRST——THEFIRSTCOUNTESSOFWESSEX
BytheLocalHistorianKing"s-HintockCourt(saidthenarrator，turningoverhismemorandaforreference)——King"s-HintockCourtis，asweknow，oneofthemostimposingofthemansionsthatoverlookourbeautifulBlackmoororBlakemoreVale。OntheparticularoccasionofwhichIhavetospeakthisbuildingstood，asithadoftenstoodbefore，intheperfectsilenceofacalmclearnight，lightedonlybythecoldshineofthestars。Theseasonwaswinter，indayslongago，thelastcenturyhavingrunbutlittlemorethanathirdofitslength。North，south，andwest，notacasementwasunfastened，notacurtainundrawn；eastward，onewindowontheupperfloorwasopen，andagirloftwelveorthirteenwasleaningoverthesill。Thatshehadnottakenupthepositionforpurposesofobservationwasapparentataglance，forshekepthereyescoveredwithherhands。
Theroomoccupiedbythegirlwasaninneroneofasuite，tobereachedonlybypassingthroughalargebedchamberadjoining。Fromthisapartmentvoicesinaltercationwereaudible，everythingelseinthebuildingbeingsostill。Itwastoavoidlisteningtothesevoicesthatthegirlhadleftherlittlecot，thrownacloakroundherheadandshoulders，andstretchedintothenightair。
Butshecouldnotescapetheconversation，tryasshewould。Thewordsreachedherinalltheirpainfulness，onesentenceinmasculinetones，thoseofherfather，beingrepeatedmanytimes。
"Itell"eethereshallbenosuchbetrothal!Itell"eetheresha"n"t!Achildlikeher!"
Sheknewthesubjectofdisputetobeherself。Acoolfemininevoice，hermother"s，replied:
"Havedonewithyou，andbewise。Heiswillingtowaitagoodfiveorsixyearsbeforethemarriagetakesplace，andthere"snotamaninthecountytocomparewithhim。"
"Itshallnotbe!Heisoverthirty。Itiswickedness。"
"Heisjustthirty，andthebestandfinestmanalive——aperfectmatchforher。"
"Heispoor!"
"ButhisfatherandelderbrothersaremademuchofatCourt——nonesoconstantlyatthepalaceasthey；andwithherfortune，whoknows?Hemaybeabletogetabarony。"
"Ibelieveyouareinlovewithenyourself!"
"Howcanyouinsultmeso，Thomas!Andisitnotmonstrousforyoutotalkofmywickednesswhenyouhavealikeschemeinyourownhead?Youknowyouhave。Somebumpkinofyourownchoosing——somepettygentlemanwholivesdownatthatoutlandishplaceofyours，Falls-Park——oneofyourpot-companions"sons——"
Therewasanoutburstofimprecationonthepartofherhusbandinlieuoffurtherargument。Assoonashecouldutteraconnectedsentencehesaid:"Youcrowandyoudomineer，mistress，becauseyouareheiress-generalhere。Youareinyourownhouse；youareonyourownland。Butletmetell"eethatifIdidcomeheretoyouinsteadoftakingyoutome，itwasdoneatthedictatesofconveniencemerely。H-!I"mnobeggar!Ha"n"tIaplaceofmyown?Ha"n"tIanavenueaslongasthine?Ha"n"tIbeechesthatwillmorethanmatchthyoaks?Ishouldhavelivedinmyownquiethouseandland，contented，ifyouhadnotcalledmeoffwithyourairsandgraces。Faith，I"llgobackthere；I"llnotstaywiththeelonger!IfithadnotbeenforourBettyIshouldhavegonelongago!"
Afterthistherewerenomorewords；butpresently，hearingthesoundofadooropeningandshuttingbelow，thegirlagainlookedfromthewindow。Footstepscrunchedonthegravel-walk，andashapeinadrabgreatcoat，easilydistinguishableasherfather，withdrewfromthehouse。Hemovedtotheleft，andshewatchedhimdiminishdownthelongeastfronttillhehadturnedthecornerandvanished。
Hemusthavegoneroundtothestables。
Sheclosedthewindowandshrankintobed，whereshecriedherselftosleep。Thischild，theironlyone，Betty，belovedambitiouslybyhermother，andwithuncalculatingpassionatenessbyherfather，wasfrequentlymadewretchedbysuchepisodesasthis；thoughshewastooyoungtocareverydeeply，forherownsake，whetherhermotherbetrothedhertothegentlemandiscussedornot。
TheSquirehadoftengoneoutofthehouseinthismanner，declaringthathewouldneverreturn，buthehadalwaysreappearedinthemorning。Thepresentoccasion，however，wasdifferentintheissue:
nextdayshewastoldthatherfatherhadriddentohisestateatFalls-Parkearlyinthemorningonbusinesswithhisagent，andmightnotcomebackforsomedays。
Falls-ParkwasovertwentymilesfromKing"s-HintockCourt，andwasaltogetheramoremodestcentre-piecetoamoremodestpossessionthanthelatter。ButasSquireDornellcameinviewofitthatFebruarymorning，hethoughtthathehadbeenafoolevertoleaveit，thoughitwasforthesakeofthegreatestheiressinWessex。
Itsclassicfront，oftheperiodofthesecondCharles，derivedfromitsregularfeaturesadignitywhichthegreat，battlemented，heterogeneousmansionofhiswifecouldnoteclipse。Altogetherhewassickatheart，andthegloomwhichthedensely-timberedparkthrewoverthescenedidnottendtoremovethedepressionofthisrubicundmanofeight-and-forty，whosatsoheavilyuponhisgelding。Thechild，hisdarlingBetty:therelaytherootofhistrouble。Hewasunhappywhennearhiswife，hewasunhappywhenawayfromhislittlegirl；andfromthisdilemmatherewasnopracticableescape。Asaconsequenceheindulgedratherfreelyinthepleasuresofthetable，becamewhatwascalledathreebottleman，and，inhiswife"sestimation，lessandlesspresentabletoherpolitefriendsfromtown。
Hewasreceivedbythetwoorthreeoldservantswhowereinchargeofthelonelyplace，whereafewroomsonlywerekepthabitableforhisuseorthatofhisfriendswhenhunting；andduringthemorninghewasmademorecomfortablebythearrivalofhisfaithfulservantTupcombefromKing"s-Hintock。Butafteradayortwospenthereinsolitudehebegantofeelthathehadmadeamistakeincoming。ByleavingKing"s-Hintockinhisangerhehadthrownawayhisbestopportunityofcounteractinghiswife"spreposterousnotionofpromisinghispoorlittleBetty"shandtoamanshehadhardlyseen。
Toprotectherfromsucharepugnantbargainheshouldhaveremainedonthespot。Hefeltitalmostasamisfortunethatthechildwouldinheritsomuchwealth。Shewouldbeamarkforalltheadventurersinthekingdom。HadshebeenonlytheheiresstohisownunassuminglittleplaceatFalls，howmuchbetterwouldhavebeenherchancesofhappiness!
Hiswifehaddivinedtrulywhensheinsinuatedthathehimselfhadaloverinviewforthispetchild。Thesonofadeardeceasedfriendofhis，wholivednottwomilesfromwheretheSquirenowwas，aladacoupleofyearshisdaughter"ssenior，seemedinherfather"sopiniontheonepersonintheworldlikelytomakeherhappy。Butastobreathingsuchaschemetoeitheroftheyoungpeoplewiththeindecenthastethathiswifehadshown，hewouldnotdreamofit；
yearshencewouldbesoonenoughforthat。Theyhadalreadyseeneachother，andtheSquirefanciedthathenoticedatendernessontheyouth"spartwhichpromisedwell。Hewasstronglytemptedtoprofitbyhiswife"sexample，andforestallhermatch-makingbythrowingthetwoyoungpeopletogetherthereatFalls。Thegirl，thoughmarriageableintheviewsofthosedays，wastooyoungtobeinlove，buttheladwasfifteen，andalreadyfeltaninterestinher。
StillbetterthankeepingwatchoverheratKing"sHintock，whereshewasnecessarilymuchunderhermother"sinfluence，woulditbetogetthechildtostaywithhimatFallsforatime，underhisexclusivecontrol。Buthowaccomplishthiswithoutusingmainforce?Theonlypossiblechancewasthathiswifemight，forappearance"sake，asshehaddonebefore，consenttoBettypayinghimaday"svisit，whenhemightfindmeansofdetaininghertillReynard，thesuitorwhomhiswifefavoured，hadgoneabroad，whichhewasexpectedtodothefollowingweek。SquireDornelldeterminedtoreturntoKing"s-Hintockandattempttheenterprise。Ifhewererefused，itwasalmostinhimtopickupBettybodilyandcarryheroff。
Thejourneyback，vagueandQuixoticaswerehisintentions，wasperformedwithafarlighterheartthanhissettingforth。HewouldseeBetty，andtalktoher，comewhatmightofhisplan。
SoherodealongthedeadlevelwhichstretchesbetweenthehillsskirtingFalls-ParkandthoseboundingthetownofIvell，trottedthroughthatborough，andoutbytheKing"s-Hintockhighway，till，passingthevillagesheenteredthemile-longdrivethroughtheparktotheCourt。Thedrivebeingopen，withoutanavenue，theSquirecoulddiscernthenorthfrontanddooroftheCourtalongwayoff，andwashimselfvisiblefromthewindowsonthatside；forwhichreasonhehopedthatBettymightperceivehimcoming，asshesometimesdidonhisreturnfromanouting，andruntothedoororwaveherhandkerchief。
Buttherewasnosign。Heinquiredforhiswifeassoonashesetfoottoearth。
"Mistressisaway。ShewascalledtoLondon，sir。"
"AndMistressBetty?"saidtheSquireblankly。
"Gonelikewise，sir，foralittlechange。Mistresshasleftaletterforyou。"
Thenoteexplainednothing，merelystatingthatshehadpostedtoLondononherownaffairs，andhadtakenthechildtogiveheraholiday。Onthefly-leafweresomewordsfromBettyherselftothesameeffect，evidentlywritteninastateofhighjubilationattheideaofherjaunt。SquireDornellmurmuredafewexpletives，andsubmittedtohisdisappointment。Howlonghiswifemeanttostayintownshedidnotsay；butoninvestigationhefoundthatthecarriagehadbeenpackedwithsufficientluggageforasojournoftwoorthreeweeks。
King"s-HintockCourtwasinconsequenceasgloomyasFalls-Parkhadbeen。Hehadlostallzestforhuntingoflate，andhadhardlyattendedameetthatseason。Dornellreadandre-readBetty"sscrawl，andhuntedupsomeothersuchnotesofherstolookover，thisseemingtobetheonlypleasuretherewasleftforhim。ThattheywerereallyinLondonhelearntinafewdaysbyanotherletterfromMrs。Dornell，inwhichsheexplainedthattheyhopedtobehomeinaboutaweek，andthatshehadhadnoideahewascomingbacktoKing"s-Hintocksosoon，orshewouldnothavegoneawaywithouttellinghim。
SquireDornellwonderedif，ingoingorreturning，ithadbeenherplantocallattheReynards"placenearMelchester，throughwhichcitytheirjourneylay。Itwaspossiblethatshemightdothisinfurtheranceofherproject，andthesensethathisownmightbecomethelosinggamewasharassing。
Hedidnotknowhowtodisposeofhimself，tillitoccurredtohimthat，togetridofhisintolerableheaviness，hewouldinvitesomefriendstodinneranddrownhiscaresingrogandwine。Nosoonerwasthecarousedecideduponthanheputitinhand；thoseinvitedbeingmostlyneighbouringlandholders，allsmallermenthanhimself，membersofthehunt；alsothedoctorfromEvershead，andthelike——
someofthemrollickingbladeswhosepresencehiswifewouldnothavecountenancedhadshebeenathome。"Whenthecat"saway——!"
saidtheSquire。
Theyarrived，andtherewereindicationsintheirmannerthattheymeanttomakeanightofit。BaxbyofShertonCastlewaslate，andtheywaitedaquarterofanhourforhim，hebeingoneoftheliveliestofDornell"sfriends；withoutwhosepresencenosuchdinnerasthiswouldbeconsideredcomplete，and，itmaybeadded，withwhosepresencenodinnerwhichincludedbothsexescouldbeconductedwithstrictpropriety。HehadjustreturnedfromLondon，andtheSquirewasanxioustotalktohim——fornodefinitereason；
buthehadlatelybreathedtheatmosphereinwhichBettywas。
AtlengththeyheardBaxbydrivinguptothedoor，whereuponthehostandtherestofhisguestscrossedovertothedining-room。InamomentBaxbycamehastilyinattheirheels，apologizingforhislateness。
"Ionlycamebacklastnight，youknow，"hesaid；"andthetrutho"tis，IhadasmuchasIcouldcarry。"HeturnedtotheSquire。
"Well，Dornell——socunningReynardhasstolenyourlittleewelamb?
Ha，ha!"
"What?"saidSquireDornellvacantly，acrossthedining-table，roundwhichtheywereallstanding，thecoldMarchsunlightstreaminginuponhisfull-cleanshavenface。
"Surelyth"stknowwhatallthetownknows?——you"vehadaletterbythistime?——thatStephenReynardhasmarriedyourBetty?Yes，asI"malivingman。Itwasacarefully-arrangedthing:theypartedatonce，andarenottomeetforfiveorsixyears。But，Lord，youmustknow!"
AthudonthefloorwastheonlyreplyoftheSquire。Theyquicklyturned。Hehadfallendownlikealogbehindthetable，andlaymotionlessontheoakboards。
Thoseathandhastilybentoverhim，andthewholegroupwereinconfusion。Theyfoundhimtobequiteunconscious，thoughpuffingandpantinglikeablacksmith"sbellows。Hisfacewaslivid，hisveinsswollen，andbeadsofperspirationstooduponhisbrow。
"What"shappenedtohim?"saidseveral。
"Anapoplecticfit，"saidthedoctorfromEvershead，gravely。
HewasonlycalledinattheCourtforsmallailments，asarule，andfelttheimportanceofthesituation。HeliftedtheSquire"shead，loosenedhiscravatandclothing，andrangfortheservants，whotooktheSquireupstairs。
Therehelayasifinadruggedsleep。Thesurgeondrewabasin-
fullofbloodfromhim，butitwasnearlysixo"clockbeforehecametohimself。Thedinnerwascompletelydisorganized，andsomehadgonehomelongago；buttwoorthreeremained。
"Blessmysoul，"Baxbykeptrepeating，"Ididn"tknowthingshadcometothispassbetweenDornellandhislady!Ithoughtthefeasthewasspreadingto-daywasinhonouroftheevent，thoughprivatelykeptforthepresent!Hislittlemaidmarriedwithouthisknowledge!"
AssoonastheSquirerecoveredconsciousnesshegasped:""Tisabduction!"Tisacapitalfelony!Hecanbehung!WhereisBaxby?
Iamverywellnow。Whatitemshaveyeheard，Baxby?"
ThebeareroftheuntowardnewswasextremelyunwillingtoagitateDornellfurther，andwouldsaylittlemoreatfirst。Butanhourafter，whentheSquirehadpartiallyrecoveredandwassittingup，Baxbytoldasmuchasheknew，themostimportantparticularbeingthatBetty"smotherwaspresentatthemarriage，andshowedeverymarkofapproval。"EverythingappearedtohavebeendonesoregularlythatI，ofcourse，thoughtyouknewallaboutit，"hesaid。
"Iknewnomorethantheundergrounddeadthatsuchastepwasinthewind!Achildnotyetthirteen!HowSuehathoutwittedme!
DidReynardgouptoLon"onwith"em，d"yeknow?"
"Ican"tsay。AllIknowisthatyourladyanddaughterwerewalkingalongthestreet，withthefootmanbehind"em；thattheyenteredajeweller"sshop，whereReynardwasstanding；andthatthere，inthepresenceo"theshopkeeperandyourman，whowascalledinonpurpose，yourBettysaidtoReynard——sothestorygoes:
"ponmysoulIdon"tvouchforthetruthofit——shesaid，"Willyoumarryme?"or，"Iwanttomarryyou:willyouhaveme——nowornever?"shesaid。"
"Whatshesaidmeansnothing，"murmuredtheSquire，withweteyes。
"Hermotherputthewordsintohermouthtoavoidtheseriousconsequencesthatwouldattachtoanysuspicionofforce。Thewordsbenotthechild"s:shedidn"tdreamofmarriage——howshouldshe，poorlittlemaid!Goon。"
"Well，bethatasitwill，theywereallagreedapparently。Theyboughttheringonthespot，andthemarriagetookplaceatthenearestchurchwithinhalf-an-hour。"
AdayortwolatertherecamealetterfromMrs。Dornelltoherhusband，writtenbeforesheknewofhisstroke。Sherelatedthecircumstancesofthemarriageinthegentlestmanner，andgavecogentreasonsandexcusesforconsentingtotheprematureunion，whichwasnowanaccomplishedfactindeed。Shehadnoidea，tillsuddenpressurewasputuponher，thatthecontractwasexpectedtobecarriedoutsosoon，butbeingtakenhalfunawares，shehadconsented，havinglearnedthatStephenReynard，nowtheirson-in-
law，wasbecomingagreatfavouriteatCourt，andthathewouldinalllikelihoodhaveatitlegrantedhimbeforelong。Noharmcouldcometotheirdeardaughterbythisearlymarriage-contract，seeingthatherlifewouldbecontinuedundertheirowneyes，exactlyasbefore，forsomeyears。Infine，shehadfeltthatnoothersuchfairopportunityforagoodmarriagewithashrewdcourtierandwisemanoftheworld，whowasatthesametimenotedforhisexcellentpersonalqualities，waswithintherangeofprobability，owingtotherusticatedlivestheyledatKing"s-Hintock。HenceshehadyieldedtoStephen"ssolicitation，andhopedherhusbandwouldforgiveher。Shewrote，inshort，likeawomanwho，havinghadherwayastothedeed，ispreparedtomakeanyconcessionastowordsandsubsequentbehaviour。
AllthisDornelltookatitstruevalue，orrather，perhaps，atlessthanitstruevalue。Ashislifedependeduponhisnotgettingintoapassion，hecontrolledhisperturbedemotionsaswellashewasable，goingaboutthehousesadlyandutterlyunlikehisformerself。Hetookeveryprecautiontopreventhiswifeknowingoftheincidentsofhissuddenillness，fromasenseofshameathavingaheartsotender；aridiculousquality，nodoubt，inhereyes，nowthatshehadbecomesoimbuedwithtownideas。Butrumoursofhisseizuresomehowreachedher，andshelethimknowthatshewasabouttoreturntonursehim。HethereuponpackedupandwentofftohisownplaceatFalls-Park。
Herehelivedthelifeofarecluseforsometime。Hewasstilltoounwelltoentertaincompany，ortoridetohoundsorelsewhither；
butmorethanthis，hisaversiontothefacesofstrangersandacquaintances，whoknewbythattimeofthetrickhiswifehadplayedhim，operatedtoholdhimaloof。
NothingcouldinfluencehimtocensureBettyforhershareintheexploit。Heneveroncebelievedthatshehadactedvoluntarily。
Anxioustoknowhowshewasgettingon，hedespatchedthetrustyservantTupcombetoEversheadvillage，closetoKing"s-Hintock，timinghisjourneysothatheshouldreachtheplaceundercoverofdark。Theemissaryarrivedwithoutnotice，beingoutoflivery，andtookaseatinthechimney-corneroftheSow-and-Acorn。
Theconversationofthedroppers-inwasalwaysoftheninedays"
wonder——therecentmarriage。ThesmokinglistenerlearntthatMrs。
DornellandthegirlhadreturnedtoKing"s-Hintockforadayortwo，thatReynardhadsetoutfortheContinent，andthatBettyhadsincebeenpackedofftoschool。ShedidnotrealizeherpositionasReynard"schild-wife——sothestorywent——andthoughsomewhatawe-
strickenatfirstbytheceremony，shehadsoonrecoveredherspiritsonfindingthatherfreedomwasinnowaytobeinterferedwith。
Afterthat，formalmessagesbegantopassbetweenDornellandhiswife，thelatterbeingnowaspersistentlyconciliatingasshewasformerlymasterful。Butherrustic，simple，blusteringhusbandstillheldpersonallyaloof。Herwishtobereconciled——towinhisforgivenessforherstratagem——moreover，agenuinetendernessanddesiretosoothehissorrow，whichwelledupinherattimes，broughtheratlasttohisdooratFalls-Parkoneday。
Theyhadnotmetsincethatnightofaltercation，beforeherdepartureforLondonandhissubsequentillness。Shewasshockedatthechangeinhim。Hisfacehadbecomeexpressionless，asblankasthatofapuppet，andwhattroubledherstillmorewasthatshefoundhimlivinginoneroom，andindulgingfreelyinstimulants，inabsolutedisobediencetothephysician"sorder。Thefactwasobviousthathecouldnolongerbeallowedtolivethusuncouthly。
Soshesympathized，andbeggedhispardon，andcoaxed。Butthoughafterthisdatetherewasnolongersuchacompleteestrangementasbefore，theyonlyoccasionallysaweachother，DornellforthemostpartmakingFallshisheadquartersstill。
Threeorfouryearspassedthus。Thenshecameoneday，withmoreanimationinhermanner，andatoncemovedhimbythesimplestatementthatBetty"sschoolinghadended；shehadreturned，andwasgrievedbecausehewasaway。Shehadsentamessagetohiminthesewords:"AskfathertocomehometohisdearBetty。"
"Ah!Thensheisveryunhappy!"saidSquireDornell。
Hiswifewassilent。
""Tisthataccursedmarriage!"continuedtheSquire。
Stillhiswifewouldnotdisputewithhim。"Sheisoutsideinthecarriage，"saidMrs。Dornellgently。
"What——Betty?"
"Yes。"
"Whydidn"tyoutellme?"Dornellrushedout，andtherewasthegirlawaitinghisforgiveness，forshesupposedherself，nolessthanhermother，tobeunderhisdispleasure。
Yes，Bettyhadleftschool，andhadreturnedtoKing"s-Hintock。Shewasnearlyseventeen，andhaddevelopedtoquiteayoungwoman。Shelookednotlessamemberofthehouseholdforherearlymarriage-
contract，whichsheseemed，indeed，tohavealmostforgotten。Itwaslikeadreamtoher；thatclearcoldMarchday，theLondonchurch，withitsgorgeouspews，andgreen-baizelinings，andthegreatorganinthewestgallery——sodifferentfromtheirownlittlechurchintheshrubberyofKing"s-HintockCourt——themanofthirty，towhosefaceshehadlookedupwithsomuchawe，andwithasensethathewasratheruglyandformidable；themanwhom，thoughtheycorrespondedpolitely，shehadneverseensince；onetowhoseexistenceshewasnowsoindifferentthatifinformedofhisdeath，andthatshewouldneverseehimmore，shewouldmerelyhavereplied，"Indeed!"Betty"spassionsasyetstillslept。
"Hastheardfromthyhusbandlately?"saidSquireDornell，whentheywereindoors，withanironicallaughoffondnesswhichdemandednoanswer。
Thegirlwinced，andhenoticedthathiswifelookedappealinglyathim。Astheconversationwenton，andthereweresignsthatDornellwouldexpresssentimentsthatmightdoharmtoapositionwhichtheycouldnotalter，Mrs。DornellsuggestedthatBettyshouldleavetheroomtillherfatherandherselfhadfinishedtheirprivateconversation；andthisBettyobedientlydid。
Dornellrenewedhisanimadversionsfreely。"Didyouseehowthesoundofhisnamefrightenedher?"hepresentlyadded。"Ifyoudidn"t，Idid。Zounds!whatafutureisinstoreforthatpoorlittleunfortunatewencho"mine!Itell"ee，Sue，"twasnotamarriageatall，inmorality，andifIwereawomaninsuchaposition，Ishouldn"tfeelitasone。Shemight，withoutasignofsin，loveamanofherchoiceaswellnowasifshewerechaineduptonootheratall。There，that"smymind，andIcan"thelpit。
Ah，Sue，mymanwasbest!He"dha"suitedher。"
"Idon"tbelieveit，"sherepliedincredulously。
"Youshouldseehim；thenyouwould。He"sgrowingupafinefellow，Icantell"ee。"
"Hush!notsoloud!"sheanswered，risingfromherseatandgoingtothedoorofthenextroom，whitherherdaughterhadbetakenherself。
ToMrs。Dornell"salarm，theresatBettyinareverie，herroundeyesfixedonvacancy，musingsodeeplythatshedidnotperceivehermother"sentrance。Shehadheardeveryword，andwasdigestingthenewknowledge。
HermotherfeltthatFalls-Parkwasdangerousgroundforayounggirlofthesusceptibleage，andinBetty"speculiarposition，whileDornelltalkedandreasonedthus。ShecalledBettytoher，andtheytookleave。TheSquirewouldnotclearlypromisetoreturnandmakeKing"s-HintockCourthispermanentabode；butBetty"spresencethere，asatformertimes，wassufficienttomakehimagreetopaythemavisitsoon。
AllthewayhomeBettyremainedpreoccupiedandsilent。ItwastooplaintoheranxiousmotherthatSquireDornell"sfreeviewshadbeenasortofawakeningtothegirl。
TheintervalbeforeDornellredeemedhispledgetocomeandseethemwasunexpectedlyshort。Hearrivedonemorningabouttwelveo"clock，drivinghisownpairofblack-baysinthecurricle-phaetonwithyellowpanelsandredwheels，justashehadusedtodo，andhisfaithfuloldTupcombeonhorsebackbehind。AyoungmansatbesidetheSquireinthecarriage，andMrs。Dornell"sconsternationcouldscarcelybeconcealedwhen，abruptlyenteringwithhiscompanion，theSquireannouncedhimashisfriendPhelipsonofElm-
Cranlynch。
DornellpassedontoBettyinthebackgroundandtenderlykissedher。"Stingyourmother"sconscience，mymaid!"hewhispered。
"StingherconsciencebypretendingyouarestruckwithPhelipson，andwouldha"lovedhim，asyouroldfather"schoice，muchmorethanhimshehasforcedupon"ee。"
Thesimple-souledspeakerfondlyimaginedthatitasentirelyinobediencetothisdirectionthatBetty"seyesstoleinterestedglancesatthefrankandimpulsivePhelipsonthatdayatdinner，andhelaughedgrimlywithinhimselftoseehowthisjokeofhis，asheimaginedittobe，wasdisturbingthepeaceofmindoftheladyofthehouse。"NowSueseeswhatamistakeshehasmade!"saidhe。
Mrs。Dornellwasverilygreatlyalarmed，andassoonasshecouldspeakawordwithhimalonesheupbraidedhim。"Yououghtnottohavebroughthimhere。OhThomas，howcouldyoubesothoughtless!
Lord，don"tyousee，dear，thatwhatisdonecannotbeundone，andhowallthisfooleryjeopardizesherhappinesswithherhusband?
Untilyouinterfered，andspokeinherhearingaboutthisPhelipson，shewasaspatientandaswillingasalamb，andlookedforwardtoMr。Reynard"sreturnwithrealpleasure。SincehervisittoFalls-
Parkshehasbeenmonstrousclose-mouthedandbusywithherownthoughts。Whatmischiefwillyoudo?Howwillitend?"
"Own，then，thatmymanwasbestsuitedtoher。Ionlybroughthimtoconvinceyou。"
"Yes，yes；Idoadmitit。Butoh!dotakehimbackagainatonce!
Don"tkeephimhere!Ifearsheisevenattractedbyhimalready。"
"Nonsense，Sue。"Tisonlyalittletricktotease"ee!"
Neverthelesshermotherlyeyewasnotsolikelytobedeceivedashis，andifBettywerereallyonlyplayingatbeinglove-struckthatday，sheplayedatitwiththeperfectionofaRosalind，andwouldhavedeceivedthebestprofessorsintoabeliefthatitwasnocounterfeit。TheSquire，havingobtainedhisvictory，wasquitereadytotakebackthetooattractiveyouth，andearlyintheafternoontheysetoutontheirreturnjourney。
AsilentfigurewhorodebehindthemwasasinterestedasDornellinthatday"sexperiment。ItwasthestaunchTupcombe，who，withhiseyesontheSquire"sandyoungPhelipson"sbacks，thoughthowwellthelatterwouldhavesuitedBetty，andhowgreatlytheformerhadchangedfortheworseduringtheselasttwoorthreeyears。Hecursedhismistressasthecauseofthechange。
Afterthismemorablevisittoprovehispoint，thelivesoftheDornellcoupleflowedonquietlyenoughforthespaceofatwelvemonth，theSquireforthemostpartremainingatFalls，andBettypassingandrepassingbetweenthemnowandthen，onceortwicealarminghermotherbynotdrivinghomefromherfather"shousetillmidnight。
ThereposeofKing"s-Hintockwasbrokenbythearrivalofaspecialmessenger。SquireDornellhadhadanaccessofgoutsoviolentastobeserious。HewishedtoseeBettyagain:whyhadshenotcomeforsolong?
Mrs。DornellwasextremelyreluctanttotakeBettyinthatdirectiontoofrequently；butthegirlwassoanxioustogo，herinterestslatterlyseemingtobesoentirelyboundupinFalls-Parkanditsneighbourhood，thattherewasnothingtobedonebuttolethersetoutandaccompanyher。
SquireDornellhadbeenimpatientlyawaitingherarrival。Theyfoundhimveryillandirritable。Ithadbeenhishabittotakepowerfulmedicinestodriveawayhisenemy，andtheyhadfailedintheireffectonthisoccasion。
Thepresenceofhisdaughter，asusual，calmedhimmuch，evenwhile，asusualtoo，itsaddenedhim；forhecouldneverforgetthatshehaddisposedofherselfforlifeinoppositiontohiswishes，thoughshehadsecretlyassuredhimthatshewouldneverhaveconsentedhadshebeenasoldasshewasnow。
Asonaformeroccasion，hiswifewishedtospeaktohimaloneaboutthegirl"sfuture，thetimenowdrawingnighatwhichReynardwasexpectedtocomeandclaimher。Hewouldhavedonesoalready，buthehadbeenputoffbytheearnestrequestoftheyoungwomanherself，whichaccordedwiththatofherparents，onthescoreofheryouth。Reynardhaddeferentiallysubmittedtotheirwishesinthisrespect，theunderstandingbetweenthemhavingbeenthathewouldnotvisitherbeforeshewaseighteen，exceptbythemutualconsentofallparties。Butthiscouldnotgoonmuchlonger，andtherewasnodoubt，fromthetenorofhislastletter，thathewouldsoontakepossessionofherwhetherorno。
TobeoutofthesoundofthisdelicatediscussionBettywasaccordinglysentdownstairs，andtheysoonsawherwalkingawayintotheshrubberies，lookingveryprettyinhersweepinggreengown，andflappingbroad-brimmedhatoverhungwithafeather。
Onreturningtothesubject，Mrs。Dornellfoundherhusband"sreluctancetoreplyintheaffirmativetoReynard"slettertobeasgreatasever。
"Sheisthreemonthsshortofeighteen!"heexclaimed。""Tistoosoon。Iwon"thearofit!IfIhavetokeephimoffswordinhand，heshallnothaveheryet。"
"But，mydearThomas，"sheexpostulated，"considerifanythingshouldhappentoyouortome，howmuchbetteritwouldbethatsheshouldbesettledinherhomewithhim!"
"Isayitistoosoon!"heargued，theveinsofhisforeheadbeginningtoswell。"Ifhegetsherthissideo"CandlemasI"llchallengeen——I"lltakemyoathon"t!I"llbebacktoKing"s-
Hintockintwoorthreedays，andI"llnotlosesightofherdayornight!"
Shefearedtoagitatehimfurther，andgaveway，assuringhim，inobediencetohisdemand，thatifReynardshouldwriteagainbeforehegotback，tofixatimeforjoiningBetty，shewouldputtheletterinherhusband"shands，andheshoulddoashechose。Thiswasallthatrequireddiscussionprivately，andMrs。DornellwenttocallinBetty，hopingthatshehadnotheardherfather"sloudtones。
Shehadcertainlynotdonesothistime。Mrs。DornellfollowedthepathalongwhichshehadseenBettywandering，butwentaconsiderabledistancewithoutperceivinganythingofher。TheSquire"swifethenturnedroundtoproceedtotheothersideofthehousebyashortcutacrossthegrass，when，tohersurpriseandconsternation，shebeheldtheobjectofhersearchsittingonthehorizontalboughofacedar，besideherbeingayoungman，whosearmwasroundherwaist。Hemovedalittle，andsherecognizedhimasyoungPhelipson。
Alas，then，shewasright。Theso-calledcounterfeitlovewasreal。
WhatMrs。Dornellcalledherhusbandatthatmoment，forhisfollyinoriginallythrowingtheyoungpeopletogether，itisnotnecessarytomention。Shedecidedinamomentnottolettheloversknowthatshehadseenthem。Sheaccordinglyretreated，reachedthefrontofthehousebyanotherroute，andcalledatthetopofhervoicefromawindow，"Betty!"
Forthefirsttimesinceherstrategicmarriageofthechild，SusanDornelldoubtedthewisdomofthatstep。
Herhusbandhad，asitwere，beenassistedbydestinytomakehisobjection，originallytrivial，avalidone。Shesawtheoutlinesoftroubleinthefuture。WhyhadDornellinterfered?Whyhadheinsisteduponproducinghisman?This，then，accountedforBetty"spleadingforpostponementwheneverthesubjectofherhusband"sreturnwasbroached；thisaccountedforherattachmenttoFalls-
Park。Possiblythisverymeetingthatshehadwitnessedhadbeenarrangedbyletter。
Perhapsthegirl"sthoughtswouldneverhavestrayedforamomentifherfatherhadnotfilledherheadwithideasofrepugnancetoherearlyunion，onthegroundthatshehadbeencoercedintoitbeforesheknewherownmind；andshemighthaverushedtomeetherhusbandwithopenarmsontheappointedday。
Bettyatlengthappearedinthedistanceinanswertothecall，andcameuppale，butlookinginnocentofhavingseenalivingsoul。
Mrs。Dornellgroanedinspiritatsuchduplicityinthechildofherbosom。Thiswasthesimplecreatureforwhosedevelopmentintowomanhoodtheyhadallbeensotenderlywaiting——aforwardminx，oldenoughnotonlytohavealover，buttoconcealhisexistenceasadroitlyasanywomanoftheworld!BitterlydidtheSquire"sladyregretthatStephenReynardhadnotbeenallowedtocometoclaimheratthetimehefirstproposed。
ThetwosatbesideeachotheralmostinsilenceontheirjourneybacktoKing"s-Hintock。SuchwordsaswerespokencamemainlyfromBetty，andtheirformalityindicatedhowmuchhermindandheartwereoccupiedwithotherthings。
Mrs。DornellwasfartooastuteamothertoopenlyattackBettyonthematter。Thatwouldbeonlyfanningflame。Theindispensablecourseseemedtohertobethatofkeepingthetreacherousgirlunderlockandkeytillherhusbandcametotakeheroffhermother"shands。ThathewoulddisregardDornell"sopposition，andcomesoon，washerdevoutwish。
Itseemed，therefore，afortunatecoincidencethatonherarrivalatKing"s-HintockaletterfromReynardwasputintoMrs。Dornell"shands。Itwasaddressedtobothherandherhusband，andcourteouslyinformedthemthatthewriterhadlandedatBristol，andproposedtocomeontoKing"s-Hintockinafewdays，atlasttomeetandcarryoffhisdarlingBetty，ifsheandherparentssawnoobjection。
Bettyhadalsoreceivedaletterofthesametenor。Hermotherhadonlytolookatherfacetoseehowthegirlreceivedtheinformation。Shewasaspaleasasheet。
"Youmustdoyourbesttowelcomehimthistime，mydearBetty，"hermothersaidgently。
"But——but——I——"
"Youareawomannow，"addedhermotherseverely，"andthesepostponementsmustcometoanend。"
"Butmyfather——oh，Iamsurehewillnotallowthis!Iamnotready。Ifhecouldonlywaitayearlonger——ifhecouldonlywaitafewmonthslonger!Oh，Iwish——Iwishmydearfatherwerehere!I
willsendtohiminstantly。"Shebrokeoffabruptly，andfallinguponhermother"sneck，burstintotears，saying，"Omymother，havemercyuponme——Idonotlovethisman，myhusband!"