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envious； selfish misery of the 〃dog in the manger〃 was eating at his
heartstrings。 He did not want Ethel； but oh； how he hated the thought of
either John Thomas or that American Raw… don winning her！ His seat at
the dinner… table also annoyed him。 It was far enough from the objects of
his resentment to prevent him hearing or interfering in their merry
conversation； and he told himself with passionate indignation that Ethel
had never once in all their intercourse been so beautiful and bright as she
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revealed herself that evening to those two Rawdon youthsone a mere
loom…master； the other an American whom no one knew anything about。
The long； bewitching hours of the glorious evening added fuel to the
flame of his anger。 He could only procure from Ethel the promise of one
unimportant dance at the close of her programme； and the American had
three dances； and the mere loom…man two。 And though he attempted to
restore his self… complacency by devoting his whole attentions to the only
titled young ladies in the room； he had throughout the evening a sense of
being snubbed； and of being a person no longer of much importance at
Rawdon Court。 And the reasoning of wounded self…love is a singular
process。 Mostyn was quite oblivious of any personal cause for the change；
he attributed it entirely to the Squire's ingratitude。
〃I did the Squire a good turn when he needed it； and of course he hates
me for the obligation； and as for the Judge and his fine daughter； they
interfered with my business did me a great wrongand they are only
illustrating the old saying； ‘Since I wronged you I never liked you。'〃 After
indulging such thoughts awhile； he resolved to escort the ladies Aurelia
and Isolde Danvers to Danvers Castle； and leave Miss Ethel to find a
partner for her last dance； a decision that favored John Thomas； greatly
relieved Ethel； and bestowed upon himself that most irritating of all
punishments； a self…inflicted disappointment。
This evening was the inauguration of a period of undimmed delight。 In
it the Tyrrel… Rawdons concluded a firm and affectionate alliance with the
elder branch at the Court； and one day after a happy family dinner John
Thomas made the startling proposal that 〃the portrait of the disinherited；
disowned Tyrrel should be restored to its place in the family gallery。〃 He
said he had 〃just walked through it； and noticed that the spot was still
vacant； and I think surely；〃 he added； 〃the young man's father must have
meant to recall him home some day； but perhaps death took him
unawares。〃
〃Died in the hunting…field；〃 murmured the Squire。
John Thomas bowed his head to the remark； and proceeded； 〃So
perhaps； Squire； it may be in your heart to forgive the dead； and bring
back the poor lad's picture to its place。 They who sin for love aren't so bad；
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sir； as they who sin for money。 I never heard worse of Tyrrel Rawdon than
that he loved a poor woman instead of a rich womanand married her。
Those that have gone before us into the next life； I should think are good
friends together； and I wouldn't wonder if we might even make them
happier there if we conclude to forget all old wrongs and live together
hereas Rawdons ought to livelike one family。〃
〃I am of your opinion； John Thomas；〃 said the Squire； rising； and as he
did so he looked at the Judge； who immediately indorsed the proposal。
One after the other rose with sweet and strong assent； until there was only
Tyrrel Rawdon's voice lacking。 But when all had spoken he rose also； and
said：
〃I am Tyrrel Rawdon's direct descendant； and I speak for him when I
say to…day； ‘Make room for me among my kindred！' He that loves much
may be forgiven much。〃
Then the housekeeper was called； and they went slowly； with soft
words； up to the third story of the house。 And the room unused for a
century was flung wide open； the shutters were unbarred； and the sunshine
flooded it； and there amid his fishing tackle； guns； and whips； and faded
ballads upon the wall； and books of wood lore and botany； and dress suits
of velvet and satin； and hunting suits of scarletall faded and falling to
pieces stood the picture of Tyrrel Rawdon； with its face turned to the
wall。 The Squire made a motion to his descendant； and the young
American tenderly turned it to the light。 There was no decay on those
painted lineaments。 The almost boyish face； with its loving eyes and
laughing mouth； was still twenty… four years old； and with a look of pride
and affection the Squire lifted the picture and placed it in the hands of the
Tyrrel Rawdon of the day。
The hanging of the picture in its old place was a silent and tender little
ceremony； and after it the party separated。 Mrs。 Rawdon went with Ruth to
rest a little。 She said 〃she had a headache；〃 and she also wanted a good
womanly talk over the affair。 The Squire； Judge Rawdon； Mr。 Nicholas
Rawdon； and John Thomas returned to the dining… room to drink a bottle
of such mild Madeira as can only now be found in the cellars of old
county magnates； and Ethel and Tyrrel Rawdon strolled into the garden。
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There had not been in either mind any intention of leaving the party； but as
they passed through the hall Tyrrel saw Ethel's garden hat and white
parasol lying on a table； and； impelled by some sudden and unreasoned
instinct； he offered them to her。 Not a word of request was spoken； it was
the eager； passionate command of his eyes she obeyed。 And for a few
minutes they were speechless； then so intensely conscious that words
stumbled and were lame； and they managed only syllables at a time。 But
he took her hand； and they came by sunny alleys of boxwood to a great
plane tree； bearing at wondrous height a mighty wealth of branches。 A
bank of soft； green turf encircled its roots； and they sat down in the
trembling shadows。 It was in the midst of the herb garden； beds of mint
and thyme； rosemary and marjoram； basil； lavender； and other fragrant
plants were around； and close at hand a little city of straw skeps peopled
by golden brown bees； From these skeps came a delicious aroma of riced
flowers and virgin wax。 It was a new Garden of Eden； in which life was
sweet as perfume and pure as prayer。 Nothing stirred the green； sunny
afternoon but the murmur of the bees； and the sleepy twittering of the
birds in the plane branches。 An inexpressible peace swept like the breath
of heaven through the odorous places。 They sat down sighing for very
happiness。 The silence became too eloquent。 At length it was almost
unendurable； and Ethel said softly：
〃How still it is！〃
Tyrrel looked at her steadily with beaming eyes。 Then he took from his
pocket a little purse of woven gold and opal…tinted beads； and held it in his
open hand for her to see； watching the bright blush that spread over her
face； and the faint； glad smile that parted her lips。
〃You understand？〃
〃Yes。 It is mine。〃
〃It was yours。 It is now mine。〃
〃How did you get it？〃
〃I bought it from the old man you gave it to。〃
〃Oh！ Then you know him？ How is that？〃
〃The hotel people sent a porter home with him lest he should be
robbed。 Next day I made inquiries； and this porter told me where he lived。
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I went there and bought this purse from him。 I knew some day it would
bring me to you。 I have carr