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is bride； and though the matrimonial idea had collapsed as completely as the political one； the 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 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； 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。 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。 I went there