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It was, after all, a poor coold He thanked his father that day for the great thoughtfulness and care hich he had amassed this sum for hiold answered all purposes, and that the yellow metal was a better possession than the house and lands which he had longed for with an inherited and insensate craving
Two days after this event Ethel, at her father's direction, signed a number of papers, and when that duty was completed, the Squire rose from his chair, kissed her hands and her cheeks, and in a voice full of tenderness and pride said, "I pay my respects to the future lady of Rawdon Manor, and I thank God for per hts you inherit, and the rights you have bought" It was a moment hardly likely to be duplicated in any life, and Ethel escaped from its tense emotions as soon as possible She could not speak, her heart was too full of joy and wonder There are souls that say little and lovethe invitations were sent for the dinner and dance, but the tiust In everyone's heart there was a hope that before that day Mostyn would have left Rawdon, but the hope was barely mentioned In the meantime he came and went between Mostyn and Rawdon as he desired, and was received with that nore offenses that our grandfathers and grandmothers would have held for strict account and punishment
It was evident that he had frequent letters from Dora He knew all herMostyn Hall and inviting the Stanhopes to stay with hiestion did not bring from any member of the Rawdon family the invitation hoped for, it was not acted upon He told hireat, and the Hall, in spite of all he could do in the interim, would look poor and shabby compared with Rawdon Court; so he put aside the proposal on the ground that he could not persuade his aunt to do the entertaining necessary And for all the irritation and hu round his loss of Rawdon and his inabilities with regard to Dora he blamed Ethel He was sure if he had beenhe could have married her, and thus finally reached Rawdon Court; and then, with all the unreason iinable, nursed a hearty dislike to her because she would not understand his desires, and provide irl with her loving heart, her abounding vitality, and constant cheerfulness, ry In none of her excellencies he had any share, consequently he hated her