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Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplementaircs: 0Sho«vthrou«h/ Transparence □ Quelity of print veries/ Qualiti inigale de I'impression □ Continuous peginetion/ Pagination continue □ Includes indexlesi/ Comprend un Ides) index Title on heeder taken from:/ Le title de I'enttte provient: issue/ livretson □ Title pege of issue Page de litre de le □ Caption of issue/ Titre de depart de la livraison □ Mastheed/ Ginerique Ipiriodiquet) de la livreison This item is filmed et the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film« eu Uux de rMuction indiqui ci-dessout. 18X A »x 22X Th* copy filmad hara haa baan rapreduead thanki to Iha ganareaity of: National Library of Canada L'axamplaira film* fut raproduit griea i la g „ \ TP^ l5 S fc'P- iiiBii'iiTTiftrr sansKns* ^1 i8y»gt--~rTW»f,jiMi!Uh.^,.-ii i-iw * A S t o r Y of M o d i- ^.. "TET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER" ■*— • It THl TENTH OF TWILVM AUICR. ICAN NOVELS TO BC PUBLI.HEI) BV HA«P«l»BFOTH«R»DU«lNOIgoI,W«ITTE« FOR TH« VHT PART BY NIW AMIRICAH WRITERS, AND DEALINO WIVH DIFFERENT PHASES OF CONTEHPORARY AMERICAN UtM. ^LXl^Oy FVtUSHSD ••■ASTOVER COURT HOUSE." B,H»k BonKHAM Book, ud Kskkrh Brow,. ■•MARTIN BROOK." B, M0.0AH Bat» "A VICTIM OK CIRCUMSTAHCEB." B. Ghaloiki Anthokv. •WESTERPKLT." B, W.^l N. Ha.»,. "THE MANAOER OF THE B ft A." Bf "THE SUPREME SURRENDER." Br A. Maukicb Low. ' "THE STRENGTH OP THE HILLS." LET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER a j3oMi By Basil King " •'or It u fall! o«, ™» wiMt w« hm w« jiHie not to tha »onh, WhllM w. nior III but belni Iwk'd mod lou, Why, th«n wt rack the valugi then w» And Tl» •Irtu,, th.t poMMloii would not mo. n. WWlw It wu oun.** — MiCM Ado Aiout Nonuna. New York and London Harper & Brothers Publishers 1902 ^%%m C«t9t>- Po^ur^/e cS" ^''- ^^--' -ked, as she began to " with ii^Tf ^ '?"^' ^"^ Emmy de Bohun " "Active hostiSii r^m t^'r'"'"^ ^'''""^ '^^ <="P- ment. " ^^" *° ''^ suspended for the mo- ;;it is only a truce. I presume." said^Ea"'ttntt4X/T ^^° ^"""^^ P*---" Humphrey hSSS '' ^°"'^- "^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ing.'^^hl'wasT^awT':'; """'^ "^^ ^° ^^^^-n- life at Orpington ParrST^v^T'^y ^^ ^l""* 'he visits to En Jand OnSlt tl?^^"/"'^ ^ °" ^"'"^ at the theatfe, but on the steS'--" ^' '^ "''^ ^^« »°t only 3 Let Not Man Put Asunder "But I never thought it would come to this." "I never thought it would come to anything else A husband and wife who protest that they don't love each other are going in one sure direction." " But it seemed in fun. " " A sort of fun that is likely to turn into earnest. " But Emmy was fond of him—" "Once, undoubtedly; and he of her. But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in have choked their love. It has not become precisely unfruitful, for they have three children. Emmy doesn't say what is to become of them in the dividing of the inheritance?" "Yes, she does. Here is what she writes: 'I have deferred this step, dear Petrina, until Tristram should be old enough to go to Eton. That takes care of him • for what with school and college, and then the army or the navy a boy has no need of a home after he has reached Tristram's age. Hippolyta is going to her grandmother. Of course I shall miss her, but the dow- ager IS wild to have her. Then she is such a strange girl I She doesn t understand me, and now that she is seventeen she begins to act for herself in a way which puzzles me. The baby I mean to keep, at least for the present-that is, if Humphrey won't take him. He threatens to do so, and, if he insists, I shall let him He has already broken my heart. One sorrow more or less m such a load as mine would count for little.' " ■l^i* ^°®* P^P'^ ^ ^^^y counts for a good deal " said Mrs. Faneuil, dryly. ''Emmy never had much of the maternal sense." tshe never had much sense of any kind." "She is certainly very clever, mamma " "Clever? Yes, perhaps. But cleverness and com- mon-.ense are two very different things, my dear " Let Not Man Put Asunder wifh tv^^t -Si^-/ '- ^ -'''- -<• -- - this'shouRS'nof ;? "^'" ^^^ ^"^ =t '«'' "that Why annoying? and why now?" asked Mr, i? euH as she tapped her egg with a spoon "" ^^"■ Because/' said Petrina calmlv^'l marry Emmy's brother " ^' ^ ^ «f°'"S *" '"^pLw" ' '"^"^ •'^^ ^P""" -"h a httle gasp. i-SiS:«or^5e--s-t^s whar^you^mefS? '" """^ "^"^^ ^^-"^ I« that sonTi^irsXL":^' '»^'»'»- ^ - no great rea- H.e%^;rto-y-^L^^^^^^^^^^ no't'S-?^*"^- ^"y""""^" to say that he has '•No, not yet; but of course I see it coming " miZr^T" "^ '""'■ '^"'* " P°^«'"^ y°" -ay be "Oh, mamma, you talk as if you never had h«„ sSoSeTiir "^ ''^^™""' ' ^^-°* - •" ''^'^^" Massachuse^Tand Vennont When Petrma • grandfather had bought the sturdily trying to wnng a hvmg out of the flinty soil But among the New Hampshire hills Mother Erda is^b one of her capncious moods. She is ready to charn^ sTbU" h-^': ''u""*^' ^"* "°* *" ^^' him b^read S™ subjects him to her own spell, but will not bend to his in J ^?u "°* !^^ '^"""^ **'°« ^ seek," she seemed to say, as the patient toi.er, flung themselves, yeS after year, against her pitiless breast. " There are olh^ l^ds for them to till. Let them go elsewherT lUs Z/ ^T.u"^^ i^"^ ""-"^ "P f""' the f°nnless void and waited through centuries of calm. " Lo, this one is mine!" she might have cried when, sixty years before Petrina's birth, young Peter Faneui" ttl^f 17 ^^r^"^ "^^ thicket, first^came oufuS S ^ ■" •"" ^"^y ^""* ^^ept downward to the S the'S'^^' ^' ^""^ ^'^^ headland sweeps tow- Let Not Man Put Asunder "Glorious GodI" the young man had trasnal V,;. shore-hne and fnnged by the forest, lay sparkSne S Mngly brokenly, each tr-ying to climb higher tZ^Z last, till, with one mighty heave MaiWir r=.,-.Ij iT g^anUc shoulder, woodlli;ghru;%ot^^^^^^^^^^^ r„lS' ° *''/ ^""^ ^"** *° *^^ "°rth the bilWW s rolled onward into the horizon -tier rising Zyond tier, chain interlacing chain, crest soaring Tt^ve S valley traversing valley, and glen springing out of HtT 1 «"^^»^*ere, held in L folds olZlgMh little lakes ghnted with the glimmer of silvi Xe rrTn^'^'*''""''''''^^'''^"^""^ their wa^^hrough fo^ and over crags on their long journey to the sS^ of Uiat view less inviolably pure '-i iresnness wart strffd^Tn/^V 1°""^ ^°^*°" ""^^^hant, stal- there was n\ ^ ^""*?" *° t**^ ^'^^t's <^ore; but or thlro r "" T^ "^'^''^ °^^' *^ that of ap ness eyes diS'"^;^r"-.^^he stood with feasting nf ?=^i / ?°^*"'^' ^""^ ^P«t exulting in the sieht criSoud fy-\^'^ his arms hefvenwa d and 7 Let Not Man Put Asuhder hL7„/ K «''y'»"al *onib-she who had hardened them into beauty, clothed then, with tree and fernl^ ddver Thi, ^ ' °"' ^*J^'' '" ™''"'' This is no for bread and finH'"*^'* ^^ '^ "° '1""««1 "^"^ ,„^ T u *"'^'"» * «*°"«- This is my lover for whom I have waited and to whom I will revLl myself Sunt fe%r'"''"'''- ^"--^-nturies that manTaS count he has come, and others will follow in his tcX So Peter Faneuii bought the hill, the country oeonle wondenng why From time to time in aft^lSThe found h,s way back 'again to the spot where wfhei? to make hirase f a home on this bold inland bluff- h^ The next Peter Faneuii had built the large sauar« bnck house to which his ..cond wife had Xm^h of modem luxur;- and beauty. This If^ZLe^t days of pretty wooden cottages perch^ on ev^°'^ky cai« or pleasant country knoll. It was beforelheXys when every prosperous ciUzen thought it nece^nTte have not only a house for work, but%lso on^^^ll S'n^aneui mil ^T' "'""*,*^ ^'^'^ ''™"d-»- £^ni2^,rv?-^SS;^nr from the summer's heat or as a refuge from a Hfe S Ii was the second Mrs. Faneuii, now at breakfast wllU "^"i!"^/- 1^°'' ^^*" ^^ <='°thed the barfbrick walls with climbing vines and reUpv«l thl i lines with balconie!, bow^wTnd^'I^dvrnTas "-?;:: result was a loss of stately New Engla^ stpUc]^! O Let Not Man Put Asunder change not onlyTtasK^^ ""^ **;»'">« °^ « andtheFa„euilsou7oTFra„c?waSn T' "'England sophisticated and self-co^S t t""' ''"*^'"" morally ambitious, but se^Wne iis ^rfl — ^^" ^"'^ or the grandfather who haTL!? sto^ utV'ju '*°"'^' ^hr stYir '^^ °^ -^^* B^i^SaS^ ?^i of "JLror^^rrEXTaf tad'' ^h" ^'"= *°'-^'^'' delver and the reaper had wne T^ • ^" ^^^^ '^^^ «ng among -^^ in la'w^To'^^cT ^Z fiT "^"■ the hving they could not wrinefr^ fht m ^"- shire hills where they w Je ^m T^ " 7 "^!"^ clean, cool woods, tKnS' air JiS'ti"'''" °^ *^' petual hills. The pretty wSdeL ^tl ^"^ P"' everywhere ■ it Tr»= ^f wooden cottage was now All this was evident from the semi-open room where 9 Let Not Man Put Asunder r^i"?*..?"** *'"■ »'epn>°'her sat at breakfast. Their I'ttle table was placed in a large bow-shaped embrasure which Mrs. Faneuil had so cleverly contrived that all the lower part of the great window could be lifted up- ward In fine weather they could thus breakfast and lunch in the open air. A larger table held the centre of the room; and the walls were hung with fine old prints, brought back by Petrina's grandfather and great-grandfather from their European travels in the days when photographs were unknown. The table was spread with silver of the Georgian era, each piece en^aved with the Faneuil arms. The porcelain was of Sevres, part of the service presented to one of the Peter Faneuils whert minister to France. In any other house these things would have been kept in cab- inets as objects of beauty; but Petrina would be served only from the best. She would rather have them broken than not used, she said, with the reck- lessness of a young princess who has not yet learned to economize her lieritage. Mrs. Faneuil, in her capacity of stepmother, had made it a point, since Petrina's majority, to leave the giri as free as possible. "It was the secret of getting on with her," she said, and she was right. "You must not think that I am opposed to your choice," she said, after a long pause, " but you wiU own that it is unexpected." " The merely expected in one's selection of a husband would be rather dull," said Petrina, as she sipped her coffee. "That is just what strikes me about Mr. Vassall." "I find it one of his attractions. You may think him dull. I call him only unobtrusive. I should hate a man who was always putting himself in the fore- ground." 10 Let Not Man Put Asunder 'I You reserve that field for yourself " „''*<*"''* naturally want my proper place." Which would be in front, I presume." Hike your sarcasm, mother dear. It h os one to «ee the weak joints in one's harness. But I dra't^w? you to think me wholly selfish " """«»» w«nt " ^°\ "[ ~""^ n°'' Only independent. " idew."'^ ''"'• "^ *""• "'«= "^'^•''ding to my own "M *" "Ja^'age as much as before?" freer-'^ *"" '^'°'*- ^ """"^"^ '^°'"«» " «° niuch fn^oif *''*• '^''" ^' ^^^^" ''''^"'* «M°* »« ""Ch ^^"."i'^^^ed her pretty shoulders. "vJil '^ Ages," said Mrs. Faneuil, promptly arl^ser IT T^* ^L" ''°""« ^^P'" "unk-that Vu are wiser than the aged, and have more understanding than your teachers. You talk as if love and maJrile! were unknown things when you discoveS^^L Don t begin playmg with fire, Petrina, my child; dor? m^e rash experiments with gunpowder " " T u 7.""r\"H'' y"" metaphors, mamma. " I shall if I please. Mixed metaphors are less dan gerous than mixed ideas on grave subjects" But who thinks of danger? I don't see whv ♦»,« question should be raised." ^ *'' "It raises itself, my dear. Even with the most un- obtrusive ;nan there are moments when he muTt^ Z Sre^Jom-'"" *'°"'^^°"-' """^ '''^ ^» y°«' ^hL^^ "I have no theories. In what I do I should never want to involve any one but myself. " II Let Not Man Put Asunder You would involve your husband, however." _, >^«'urally; but that wo-V be hi, raisond'ttr, " poir.t of ^Te^ **'• ^"-" «- "^"«- '-- -other "One drives one's steed according to his temner but or'ste^;:,^-'' '^'" ^"'° '"• ^"^ •" which'^iri' w.th you and smash the coach. What then?" ^ one sc;ai .^''""f 1°"^^"*'' "'^ °"'' » n°t dead one scrambles to one's feet again, and begins retro spectively to enjoy th? excitement. " You are incorrigible." " >To, only frank. But, to chance the subject slicrht- ly, may I ask ,f you had any other\iews for mlXl "I? Jamais de la vie. I should never venture to "Or hopes, then?" "Hopes, perhaps." "And may I inquire— who?" linSrat'^Lrs.""" '""^ '"^^ '"'^ ^' ^'-^^ Wal. ''But I always told you it was out of the question. " . Xfl'x^T.- Still I have never been above tWnk .ng that Lady Wallingford had a good deaKnortv iIL^Ta °^^'l°^hood it would bl Petrina Lady £ hngford, which seems to suit your style. Th«. it riv«. me a chance, as mother-in-law to a title whS L^nU always secretly envied Mrs. Va.ssall her dignity Is Sits ;L^''^'^ "^ ^°*'""- «"* -y '^-p- - au 12 Let Not Man Put A.under Jit,!!?""" '*°«''"'- '"' •'•'™ l»»k«l «ri«,. ™ni- J":"i£tt ft* ,£"» "-»s 13 Let Not Man Put Asunder But, of course, you His religion that Mr. Vassall is very religious, might break him of that." "I am not sure that I should want to seems to be part of him." "That is, perhaps, true. And then religion is so tolerated now Professor Pembury told me the other day that at Harvard it didn't count against a man even in the best and most intellectual sets. I should Ws chwch-^' " ^'' '^"^^^ *"^'^*"' °" y°"' «°'"K *° "I did go once." "And—?" "I was rather touched. It was last spring, when I first began to know him." " Did he ask you to go?" "No, but he seemed pleased when I told him I had gone. "What a curious caprice on your parti" "I wanted to get the range of his ideas. We had t'lked about a lot of other things, in which I could un- derstand him. But here I seemed to be outside. In " A f °" *^^ *" ^ ^■""■'•^ '° "^^^^ I had no key " And so finding the door open you went in " I looked in only. I was within the church, but out- side the ideas." ,"UIUUI " Yet you say you were touched?" "Less by the religion than by his part in it He seemed so simple and honest. One felt the presence of something not only sincere in his behef but fearless in his attitude towards the world." "What a strange girl you are, Petrina! There are Umes when -ou seem to be so independent; and then suddenly you lapse into the conventional; I hesitate to say the commonplace." "Say it, if you like, mamma. For me nothing is 14 Let Not Man Put Asunder w JlSfarer ™^"^' """"'"^ " "^ ««--* to ask woufd ""L'LT -y °- ^'«e but you, the declaration •'Odious," said Petrina. " I know " 1 was going to say selfish " "L^"^ ""^ adjective is the better one " aelhsh or odious as you will, you have thp art „f on? rkS SiT *° '^ ^°"^^*^'^'- ^ ^» «*™SgHn^ "And yet with this as your object vou thJnt „f >ng a man like Henrv Vassall '' °^ "^"y* ''I think only of marrying the man I love " worJ wo"u^cor.^"" • ' "^^ """'•-"^ whether the of martagl"^'' '""' '^"'' °*^"^'- ^ should not think "Then how do you propose to keep so free?" invot S SSr^iSl^ilr '°^^'^^^'' ''*- inine with hjs." "'^ ''^^' «"y ""o'e than J^hn'l that , s«m,»h.t origi,.| vie, „f ,h. .it„- 15 Let Not Man Put Asunder 1 UKe the situation best a broken by afte™?"''" ^' "^^ ^^^^' -- --ng to tea this thatlfe inJ^hl'^Ll ' H^V"" 'f^ "!f^*- ^ ^^^^ ^i- I said he3iX briS" " ' "' "** ^' "'^°» ''Who?" ^' ','£^- Lechmere. One of the Brookline familv " The only Brookline Lechmere nowfs Kck^ "^^ abrI5"'llh?4"'"^- "^ ^°" '-^ »^-^ He lives other" "^^ ' ^°°^ ''^ "^ Wm at one time and an- Is'hfnfce'r^^"' '"^""^ °^ "^"-y'^- What is he like? sa;?!!i;''^yf£f '-?-> ^f -'y-'^- shall I like a vlnScla^/r^'^^'r ''""'■. "^ '""^s ascribe to him aU thf •; ^""^ ,7°" ^ght easily loved, as weir as all thl' "'17*'''='^ *^ ^"yalist hated." ' *^^ weaknesses the Puritans i6 Let Not Man Put Asunder ;; That sounds rather interesting." dangerous-I me^n i^fh. ^"^""^.^^iP ™ght be rather gerous to tr^^eTZZnt^Tlln^ J^^^^,"" '^^ no maps and no Puirli».Jw^i,o u ,? ""^" '"^"'e are spoui vo,caLra"n^£rXtL"?^^.°^ X^nt^^lkTf-d f^?"^ r -tund^f "nS: him I n^^ could h^ ^ ' "'''"^">- ^hen I knel apostate Ilint or a Ta2nh!«'"' ^'?^*^' '^^ ^«« ^n tion." ^ Tannhafiser seeking for redemfv -"5^"^.^y^ ^^ married badly." Ves— that Madame Felicia de Prnr,^ t. such a fiasco at the opera in New ?^^k I '"'?'' ^^' had gone off teniblv, tTough she ISZt' ^''- ''■"''^ pretty. She has one of thffe nur. f ^^V^^^itely deceive the veiy elect WhZV l^"^^ ^'"'^^ ^""Id her escapade^ir^e D^l'Cnes"" f ""'Tt 'A'^' s;eS^:;:^--w,ir^--ch.ck ^^:^inn^srst^ttttr- jr.: :™'id*^"H:rio;ri^r" r*^.^- ^^ °^ ments something of almost feHn/ ' *? .^"^ "°^'^ phasizedbyherfoft,tSngrobe ^'■"^^^"'"^««' -«- Mrs. Faneuil, still seated at the" table, took up again Let Not Man Put Asunder Mount MaiesticTouT]«?t g seT *' "'^'^ ^"^^ "^ i wonder if any one will ever know?" CHAPTER II Later in the day Mr rKrk t ^\ But there was aSv'^^ ;.?"'* ''°"'= "'^ ^""^ *ings. sation. There was a Lr7^'"^ T""" '" *«^ <=°nver- the IS'thra"nd' S^heShtTo^ '"""' ""^^ ^^^''^ Has ^ept ,.. .X'^T,!- -nenc. ^ His ^,.„, 4%^* ^'Shalrf et/Cot^ "-'-^-^ ^^' -^^^ fac^wattreat!:^^ ^-^^-'f^ed that her b;U;t^.ed.s^.presSj„^rS;nr=r^ however, he felt hi^sdf rh^t"?"".^* ''^^*- Here, 19 Let Not Man Put Asunder features and the rich, ivory tint of the comnlexion ^~- ^o; rather she is Afda " ""i v-ieo- "N«%Tr!°"i°^ travelling, then?" I mu'I^'i'vfoa" ^"* ^ ^"^ ^ ™°''-" ^--^-ng Jew. Isn't that rather dreary?" be2%aX:.d^" "^" "'"^" ^'-^^ P--- to be "And on arrival you find it ?" agZ''"'' '"' *^" *^' '^ - ---n for moving on "And yet your Brookline place is so beautiful, they 20 ■' Let Not Man Put Asunder teU me If you were to settle down there for a Httle St bestr* ^°" "^"'^ "^^ •" *« ^' y- -"e "One grows like the man in Kipling's poem- '"I must go, go, go away from here. On the other side the world I'm overdue.' 117"^ ^ ^^^^ '" Brookline, and Kve at the Meer- stcad, some reason would arise for starting off J^L caS"*^"*^ ''**'"'' *'"• ^°" ''°"'' «•=* °n ««« enmSf"'' "'^'" circumstances caprice is reason Petrina laughed. "I hke that " .she said. "It requires so much cour- age to say it, here in New England!" "And yet to me it is only one manifestation of the New England spirit. For isn't caprice often an out! let for intensity? And isn't intensity the distinguX mg quahty hat marks the true New-EnSandfr ou from among the rest of men?" S'<»naer out Lechmere's voice was deep, soft, and very pleasant withotXt"^- "^ ^'"•'^ ^'"^°"* -*---' »>"! "o?tW 1°^ n^ *™^ New-Englanders," he went on, of Aose who, like you and me, inherit the blood which founded Plymouh, Salem, and Boston. What stamps ^hem^"n tTheT""'' '"^ *.^ "^^ ^ which we hoM do *;m.'' ^^' ""' '^°' ''"* ^^' ^^y ■" ^'Wch we n(Z°J^ ^Tt^""^ "^ ^"^*^" inheritance is not one of creed, but of temperament " "Precisely. You don't believe as your ancestors 21 L" Not Man P„, A.onder and I are no lon«r vlXJ ^""'■jdeals out. You questions of Chufch 7^e^°Z"t!^'"' »""'«' ^^ them about son.etlung^i::^"^^"*'''"* ^ *^?, ^««n« '•Thin^^Ta" ;rnitnh?r'""^i-«^«^' tensity is the quality which hLf ^"^ '^tensity. In- all our joys and so^^w^*';^^°'^'=^"y other, pervades hidden; it may beXprHAwl"'"^ "^ ^"^'«'- '' "^y be fied calm; but^tTs aWsZ" „" ^" •^*^"°' °^ I^W- >n the conscience, in Ae £!'* ^""■"'^ *" *^ '^'^t, or to evil as the case mav hL if * ' J"^P'""g "« to good W ^e go righTwe doTLwv f ^'''^y' '•"^"« «« »"• if urged toft by :Corfir?'i '^ "^ «° --"g, it is as as you'dor"' """^ «°'"« ^"""^ «"d 'ound the world "iHs ifeiTp^^^^} 5!'P "''; Lechmerc laughed, bred into the blCwhich ^X'^ ^^' «>methi„| was should take thiS Suv T w " "»P°^«ible that we on our hves." ^' ""^ '^' ""^ trials sit lighUy "& Kr'" "^P""^ •'^'=°™«« a passion " of fiS^wl^^irCXiTere'" ^^!, ^^ ^^ ^^^P^ his office, as though t^^e wf ^^^^y/^^y doggedly to ure, send me from laS [o rnd T,"T^ "^"^ «^ P''^^^ though there were no such th' ^ ^'°'" ^^ '° ^- as you feel that?" ^'^ *'"« as rest. I wonder if lai!"„:tilS'"£.''^''^ ^^"- -"^ « %bt 22 Let Not Man Put Asunder JllT ,^°"'V''«'»' t° show your hand." aaid Lech- mere, feehng checked again. "I have none. The cards have not yet been dealt .: „ , *^''' *^*" ** twenty-three as I am-" Holds the pack and has the deal " upiri^^ttt" '•^"'^ "•"" ** '="^' "^'^ "^^ -' "And the cutter " aaid Lechmere, a little bitterly, • ^,!P«nd8 "Pon nothing but the blindest chance Tha aU the trumps and know nothing of it till the hand is "So that your advice would be—?" " To keep out of the game. " "And yet you haven't done so." "I have played and— lost." " You haven't the air of the vanquished " "It IS the poor devil that goes humming and smiHne away from the salles^jeu who shoots himself behind the first clump of cactus. " "=u"ia "But he has had the excitement," said Petrina with s ce-tain lifting of the head. reinna, with "That is her first confession," Lechmere thought. Do you say that?" he asked aloud. " I had begun to thmk— but perhaps I ought not to say it " " By all means. I .shall not be offended. " I had begun to think that you were one of 'hose Iffudent modern women who will not risk the stakes they hold for fear of losing them. " "They keep out of the game. I understand that to be your counsel." "A counsel given in haste, but not to be taken at leisure. In knocking about the world I see so many of my countrywomen who will not risk income and inde- pendence for higher joys. " 23 Let Not Man Put Asunder was provocaUve • Lechmere'a tone bei^or ioTuSe^:^^^ ''^i' •>"' «^^ What i, the sense that civilization h!^.. ^*"«^« quite lose badly. After nineVeJn centuries o^Th"^ IL' *""'=**'«' a« not yet quite sure whethfr I *' """^^ "■* ^e superiors, or equals a^dwh- T "'' ""'"'« '"^erio"- take, son,eoneTr«.dv"o'laih °T P°'"' °^ "^^ ^e "So that safety Ues ,1 1, ^•'' "" '° '^°™" " In H- ^ ^° '^°" •" inevitable?" way'?' '"^"'-'^'-^ -'« -« and sUll «oin. on one's men^rSr ""^"^ ^P *° ^''''^ «nd the drowning isin'Ja"n^:;lli?L^:S„\*-^^', When a won^ "Is that why w^menl^e ^„J^" ^° *° ^^« »>«^W" . "Our mothers and our Lra^Z"f? '° f f-centred?" •ng of timidity. They commffT^ I'" ^^^ ^" *e dar- question or condition to (^■^"'f themselves without confidence was soZt^ustiZ°l^f' ^"^ '^'^- ^^^ into others' keemn^ wnJ * f ^^ "hat they gave their own. 'They fiL °!^? ^'^^^ P'^^» to res^ [^ "U men werSf l^ous ^f '' *''"" protection." th ng as progress. ProSessTAh/'^u "^ ^ "° «"* "I'ouhtiess. But the^r„L?h\f£,°^trr^;;, ^4 Let Not Man Put Asunder the hare while the man has hunted with the hounds vJ^rJ:,°' '"'k"«'' '^"'^'"'' "^' "he should have £ veloped an abnormal scent for danwr " "Which—?" * ■ chalSi'o^d'efi'ir^ "*' '^"« °' *"^^'y ^y *e "And the denial of duty." "Yes, to some extent. Duty is one of the most mis- used words in the language. It is generally emnlo?^ so as to mean what other people thinl we oughTto do^ Th.v^« ^P'- ^'' ?"!» ''^"er judges than ourselves 1 hey are more impartial. ' "^vea. "But less well-informed." "It is the looker-on who sees most of the game." ;. J .".u A'^^^y* *^^ '■^«*«"'« ^or the play One judges of that for one's self. " ^ "One must go according to Hoyle " nln^H** ,'". ""^^^ ^ "u''''^* '"■ ^ ^'n "°t in this world to play Hoyle's game, but my own. " '' But if you lose the tricks?" " I maintain my individuality. " ''That is likely to be hard on your partner." Petrina.^ "^^ ""^* ^^^ ^'^ °^ himself," laughtd wil'h^^! r^'^-',' u"f ^^'^"' ^^°' sauntering up with Mrs. Faneuil had caught the last few sentences- ofZno?^'''' "°"" *="" ^'' "^^ ^^^"^ feminineLLe "And you?" Petrina fla.shed on him a look of interest. It was clear that she cared to know his point of view! 1 am too wary to risk an opinion," said Vassall offenng her a great sheaf of golde„-r;d and Mkhael- mas^d^sies. "I let this act and these emblems sS as Let Not Man Put Asunder "If r^ijJT"" '•' •• "eainst us," Mrs. Fan.uil cried t„er " *' ''^'^'"' '° P^v* Wmself a flat- tack in he. Ions chair, lrtli™1^„ JS"...h?^', '" forehead. Ih'e ^l^T ^a/g JJ^^^^ 'evt T """* whjch did not conceal the mobile, rather* ^ns^^^'^^! has tSe Stua^X^ty Uae St^L"' " ^'T"- "'^ the Stuart haplesfn^M'" ' **""' ^'^ I^^ly she looked over at the man nfh^ u • / '•"°' *» Mrs. Fane«il in the gr^s ^ ^I, Tu ''*1?^,'"« ^^ that she could reld *h^ 'eSflv Hrf k'^^'^^'=^°"' in Cairo, Constantinople orStP.t^K *^ u"''* *^"' have known him to be of thif ■^'?'"? ^^"^ ^°"''* type which is brought fori bv New T' Anglo-Saxon ^Harvard, and Lehb^ stm'S ^1^ S a^nrh^tn^gtS^aft^-"^^^^^^ importance; burfheTked to nh' "^*=T'^"'^'^^ "^ "° r~ oui sne likedto observe his intellectual 26 I Let Not Man Put Asunder forehead, his thoughtful eves hi. .»,=.-,Ui work, anHot totead Q^fZT' '^""'^ '° ««ht and That was not quhc wlSt STL^'^.S? V «»«"'«"«• would have had ess i^tL«f • "«'"?' *'"' ">«« "''«' already perfect in fhl ^'*. '" ^"'^'"8 « husband toin,p;:rSri^taxrt'T i" '"•'^''"- riage was to take a man m^T , ^** P,'"" '" ">«"•- mould him. She kn^/hTv °' fu ""^"^ed, and which she did not ^re- ^ l^'^^^ u^*^ P"'''""'' f°' the improvement of muniri^i'!-."'""'' °"'^"P'«1 ^^'h ^vith p?Ln r2l^' a7ovTtLri'orid.'"h''"""^' ""'' iirticles and attended Vnnf!-, °^' ^^ even wrote fashionable sStsteltrl'J^' '"• *''^*' ^^"-^ "•'■ no positive objilSon toThlrb^ s'^?"''^. •. '='''* ''«•' «ary to the ends she had n view Sh/X n'i"""*;^^" as other people did Ha,,! ° "°* '^e •>"" rising lawyer o?«, » ^"^ appeared to her as a take'a wXplace in pubKr V"°" "^ ™«»>' looking, well-bred, hoS you" ^n ^ho" h^/ """ how managed to touch her wf ' ^^° ^'^ """'^ name and picturesnnp TX^ T f u . °"^ decorative name, and snenH fho c„ "i ^ '™ Faneuil prince.onsort'^rL'':JlSar^' '''' ^^''^ ^ 27 Let Not Man Put Asunder rai^^'^rV^'T^^^'^^^^ °^ ^^^^^" ^« the last of her as therlhaH h ''T ^'^'' ^^"^"'J^ «J™o«t as long tLuT '^^^^^"^ Amencan history. When at h^ stood m the extreme outer circle of W IJ^ ^^ Iv exnprt;.,^ ♦ u j" .- . *^ °' "^"^ admirers, scarce- ly expectmg to be distmguished in the crowd TW tial, but detached; friendI;^bi^'^c^^i-:r H^^:^" 28 Let Not Man Pu^ Asunder ni^ltJi^ T::^^^^-^^ ^^- that neithe. by he loosed the t:uTZ hSlf^l ^"""^ "^"* and was welcomed- he r^^A ""^^"' "^ came nearer disdained. ^W he'was i^ 1?^ '°"''* ^""^ ^^« not for love where his rivals wit uTl ''^^" '" ^^' ^«« goal was well in sigh? thou:h the "' '''"'' ^"^ ^^^^ won. He was in short iw i. T""* «'«« "o* yet had placed him/Ld wL el^ had ''""]^'^ '^^^^^^^ that he should be. ^^ '°^^"' ^"r months » ■ll y CHAPTER III filling his pi^ ^ ^™'" *»'' '■°°"'' ^here he was "Why so?" Vassall asked, absently jestic. ffifhabovlhTs "T f '"^ ''"^'"'' ^0""! Ma^ ed valley/f w iS'^S^'"^ "^ ^^1^ ?"d -cross a wood- had tabulated them ^ **'" "^'^'^^^ '» ^^ich he hirt:oSte%g:r ''sKsi^^ -■"' p--n^ the pagan lack of prindJe Ih^ l^u"'^" '^' ^"^ New-Englander, at once strait^ and'. =°^™°P«!"an al. She has in her aUihT.iT ««« »aniacai; Vou wouldn't exnpr* ^^ * tiecause," said 1 prh 31 fl Let Not Man Put Asunder wroSy-'-' '' """■'' '"'■' ''"'' ''" ^' ^ '^" P'"^*^ y°" nJ?™"^/' yourself Let u be A' or M. then, as you please, so long as I deliver my soul." "Let hiin now speak, or else hereafter forever hold nis peace. "I see you have been studying the marriage service You will renieraber, then, that immediately before the words you have quoted there is a charge requirirVg any man who can show just cause why A^ and M may not be lawfully joined together to declare it " Jl remt-mber that there is something of the sort." ih. • "^ " ^vould be no true friend who failed to show the impednnent before things had gone too far?" „ Jdon t see what jou are driving at, but go on." Therefore I stand here on this balcony, this lovely New Hampshire night, and forbid the bannk That is forWd'" ' '"'' **''*" "^'"^' ^"'^ °''''^' '""^^^ t'^^" "On what ground?" "On the ground that any man is mad who of his own voluntary act gives himself away in mind, body.Tn" come, liberty, and sometimes in very soul " Inr" W? y°";; °^J^'^"<'" i« n°t to my banns in particu- lar, but to all banns m general?" "To yours in particular, because they are yours I don t want to see my old friend run his head into a hal- de«r" °l I^"*^ ^f"" "^"'^^ ""^^'^ without a goi deal of choking. I've gone through that myself vou know. I should like to keep you out of it " ^ Vassall stirred uneasily. In the three months in which Lechmere and he had passed most of their leis ure time together no reference had ever been r^adi to hat marriage and divorce whose details had been riven m the press of two continents. Vassall had stuSlJ Let Not Man Put Asunder cause he feared beSnZcrcf[T f ^«'-^-a" b ' tHou^ht .as a.ead/hacSrSKor:irhrhtd So they smoked on silenllv Th„ higher m the sky, hshUn^uTiu ,, "'°°" mounted The laughter ceJsed fro "\? ^' "'^""^'^ "^ 'he forest. «oon the whole house sank^tT'Tr^' °^ '*>•= '""' ^nd onFaneuil Hill went out '"''"''^- ^he lights "It IS growing late," said Vassall „, • r Perd, on the balustrade. "I thbk 'in """"^ f"'" '^'^ "Don't go vet " saiH T I " ^^^ '"• night for lep 'Be7desT^"''!f " ^^ '« too lovely a Vassall safd nothlg ' buT H M T" °" ^ ""'« bit. '' and refilled his glass^' ^''^"^ ^""^^'^ "garette "Vo™Vlef.?eS'vo"'''T" ^^•^•^--'^ --t on 'Physician, heal th/self."'" ^"^ ^'' "'^^'^^ ^^y- youL,xrSoSsi;tLlff "^K'^'y ''-•"- "I've often wondered sfn^ ^?""'\'''^" '"^ '"i"'^- " about together, what you'veThouTht'lf'"",!^"'"'^'"^ the past three years " ''"'"ght of my hfe during thaU^n XTou """"^^ '*' ""^ ™-' I -^-'t know criSm is^hTlTnt"";' tb"""'..''"? "°* -- *hat "I'm not much g?od at th^ Co "^"■'' '^°""^'^'" so cheap-" ^ **^'- Counsel is generally brace me up, and I don't k^nol Xl^Slt ZlT^/ifi 33 Let Not Man Put Asunder hadlhe r' p" , "^ r^ "°* unsympathetic Lt"^" *hl7°l!''' '''^'i^' •*^'"'' **''=^' D'<^k, before you speak of that he said with constraint. "You will perCrl "-yr^To?' ' ^°" -"^^ -- to-ni.ht'-^^^'^^''^ "Yes ^°s«1^' V "" "?,^ ^'f'^" ^^ ^'^< abruptly. reluctlrJce ^''^"' ""'"""^ °» *»>« subject"^ with "Where'?" York- .nT^u ^''u'^^'^' ^* ''^^ Metropolitan in New " What did you think of her?" "I thought she sang well " "Is that all?" "I thought her pretty." ', 2^ <=°"''se- But is that all ?" I don°t see wh J ^"'''' '""^ ^°^ '° ^^P'^^« th« -est. to me extrri^.^ ^ u^' questioning me. She seemed ought to say"''^ charmmg- extremely seductive, I <,«' wu"!! '^^/"'f^ y°» t*>at a man could more easily about £?^ "^^ '^^^^ '^^'^ ^"^ ^"'^h feeling 34 Let Not Man P "In what rdles have ■Several ' "t Asund er you seen her?" "As Marguerite." Never as Aida?" the '^^r^S^„y!:^^^\^^^ Sa„tu.a, as Eva in ^Iff: ^'~^^°^S^'f°^ the moment Juhet?" "^ps— Juliet." lived thro^i'^r We''^''' '* ^^""^ ^he stalls I have together, buTw VeleSTheml ""I? ^""^ "L th^, agmewhatitmuatbelom?'"'^''''^^- ^°^ «ni^! „UhmkIcan, Dick." ' The CgKfth^Vttet:;;?i3t^- """^ '^'"~ „ Are you sure it is over?" ^° * ^^^ to bear. " Myo^^litrhJm'e'a^riSfeV ^^"^ *° -^ 3^ou clew at all to hers." ^ "'"'^'^ to me; and I have no He sprang suddenly to his f«* ^ the end of the balconv V= „ ' ^"^ ™°ved away to melting, followed "^- ^^'^^"' ^ho felt his fnSty 4it"TS;;ferl^^'^^°^^-''hesaid. only to know .^T^; ^--ed, quietly, "i ,,„, Have you haH r.„ ^ askedf "since tSe^^^JlT^tion «'ith her?" Vas- 35 I' If '1 ','1 Let Not Man Put Asunder J^V'T^^u ^'^"°"^- But I've seen her. If I had .^t^dS'hf ^Z °^ "^^"S "P *^ ^'' «««" it received d«it?^ y°" "^'^'^ •'''' °"t^ Or did you meet by acci- wal'lhir 'fl •^""•^•j" London. I didn't know she where X J T '^'""''^ ^^"''^"^ ^^"^ ^'<'^^ =«P"als where she has been singing, through fear of being irom the East, and was only passing through Lon- don on my way to take the boat at liverpoo"^ I had SL°"'l"'^ u 'I tT"?' ^""^ ^ «^* her arCnced for Alda. I couldn't help it; I went " "And then?" "I found a box on the grand tier near the stage I Ir^^iU ''1J°"«P'^"°"«' to have her notice me At first I thought she didn't. She came before the cur- tain but gave me no glance of recognition. It was not until the act by the Nile, outside the temple, thalTknew she had seen me She was singing her air 'O pTil mta. Then suddenly, at the words ' Non ti rivedro mat M-ma. piU.- she turned and looked at me I kZ ^^l^^ "?'^"'-. ^1?^ ^^"S ^"h intention, and I u„ derstood. In sp.te of the pathos of the air and situa- tion I knew her heart was hardened against me 'S Hr^vedro ma, /Hft.' That signified that she never mS to see me agam She seemed to say to me, 'If you h^ve back, you are wrong. You are nothing to me but a memory I have outlived your time. I am happy enloTl'^r T '•"': ' "^"«^' howeve'tSfX l^fi, Rv. J L^:^ ^^ <^°'"« before the curtain my w?v Sh': ""^fT"'"'' •'"* '""^ '°°ked no ^re my way. She smiled m response to the applause 36 Let Not Man Put Asunder gotten me already." ^- ^ *'"'>'* she had for- "And that is all?" asked at last "' """ ^ ''°' °ld fellow?" Vassall " To advise me " IVesuffe°S'and^nl\hTlUf ':" ^^-^ . ^ou know "Sen^:*Cf"\^r''^^— ntr- awake you can'^sleep UoTr^Jw'7^^ ' '^™'^'' '^-P to-njght for our old friend^Wn'r^ ^""'..'"^ ^" hour that beneath all this stohdUv '^ ^ X°" '""^t see pretty nearly used up. If you'^caS Tl^^""^ ^^^ ^'™ " Then what ?" ^ "" ' ''^'P ""e, then—" ' Then— but never mind Ihaf tu i • source but it is always possiWetfiSft" " ^^^* ^- If you want me to help you " sliH V „ ■ down again, "you must let m^t; f Vassall, sitting . "I ask nothing better InTrT ^7 ? ^ '="^"'" ioUy good fee." ' ^'^ ^ "" "^^^^y to pay you a do!' tt"tS t ZlSlTrlT^' -^ --' - I always Rngl'^rdtgtfS*?; "'" •"" ^ •'■^ ''^ for your New ^Jz ?a;Votto is " ^- " '« *- -uch to 37 Let Not Man Put Asunder "What shall I do? sMe it was Sly "' ^""^ *''^" ^e "It is curious," he beean "thaf I h=A v.i" SS •;.ffi"i' •' 7? '*•■ ■»*■■ ..id warned you." "^^au. out don t forget I toli^oML^'ersoi'Z " "^^ ""' ""'" ^ -«t that I ever saw her I h.H I /'^" ^^° ^^^ ^P^ng and there I ^ei^Jo^t^^Xi'SAlX'^'K' both at the Savoy we ti^kM™'' ""''.^°' ^^ ^^ ^^^^ home together A^riv^ * *u^\°PP°'"'""'*y '° ^a'k 3° Let Not Man Put Asunder sing some of his ni'r« u -aking a fiasco."?' th"k Te" rT^J""' ^^^''J °f Mademoiselle de Pronv J^hn ""=""°n«' '" me that |1 in the rooms below his ow„ "'"I 'L *"=. ^'''""-'"' ^«« I'Rht knock, and before Chamot had f "'^"'"'^ ""^^ « door was thrown open and P I l""^„ '" ^r^ak the stood there. ^ ""'' ^'^''"^ de Prony herself ;;'May I come in 7' she asked, in English ohe wore a '"^- ^^"^y d'ed just as she sawtr'"""'* '•^^^ '"'=" "'"'"' 'he time when I first Af^Mhe-firsfil'nVe'rifr^^ ^"^'""''^ -""• furthernoticeof me exceot tL. ""'""^ •^'"= '°°'^ "° in hearing her say to ChaU ot ^o"'', 7"''^ "'^^ «^'^'«' e^W?' This was in ™r ?u 9"^' f^<^u garson ! Qui Chaillot how, Town in^hT^cr""' "t ^'if '=''Pl«ined^to ringing and had not beenib Ho V '^^ ^'^ ^'^"^ ^m run up for an impromptu reheasar'l' ^'{ """"'^^ *° they were singing together Pr . ^" ^ ^ew minutes flash from MargufriteTcarmen tL'''"I«' '" « murely ust inside the door I ^t ■ ^ '"^"^ ^«' ^e- out on the gas-lit ^VZ,soUhln^Z'K'°''''^ understand that the scphp h=V ^"^'"^s. You can memory. Felicia 2ng and acteSTo/ '""f ''r "^ was clear; but it was Hnn» tu ' ""^ '•^"^fi'-' that then the quality in her .X-"' "°"'''^^'"' '^'""- ^nd Ves. I remember," .aid Vassall. "The one word 40 Let Not Man Put Asunder devils of desire. " * "" "P '" » man all the seven responded to thXpt i^;" ^ „"«- "-/" "erTnd think that any one else has HstcnT.'u' " '""' *^*en I her or seen her J a„, , , "*'ened to her or spoken to or have ever been ne^r he? I?' n' "''° ^^ "-^ "e! >n; L'Africaine,' ialJL^l J «- '!« «- of the people You have been hard hit S '' ' ^'''• ^oup as."°?,t':L'^;;'^"'^^ ' ^^^ --edthe when I was, as it weVblasfed^'T' ' '"'"»^"' '«'- end of their singing ThZl^- " "'^^ a' the very which the barytones alwav, fi /"""^ '° ">«' Passage to the bull-ring. Thev hin h^""" J^^^miHo's exh .t'nies.sothat ChailS mijht " ^''f '""'^ '' ^^ve™ mterval ending in the wg'pf Ja^^ ^ v""'^ "^"^ 'J"^' ntire fots.' said Felicia ^n/tu \ ^""^« ««« der- had hitherto sung her nhms. '^ ^'^^" ^P«""- sTe 5'>ng up to him as she dr. *u*' '*' ''°'''«*'' «nug! -fshSS^/hi;^^^^^^^^ rnade a deep reverenc^ Beforf I'T^V^''' ^"''^ ««d to my feet it was all over ShJ '^ *^i?^ '" '"Pring the garden again all in J "^ "^^^ Marguerite in word or two tf Ch; J, t' sKr'J"'' «™dity' AUer^ the most modest of good niS^nH 1""'^ "« ^^ the room." ^^ "'^'^ts, and then glided from 41 :ft Let Not Man Put Asunder stage, that the curtain must go down one dav ^r,AiU, Could you not have kept that fiction up?" shegr^Uof\rpL'^:Jsr^^^^^^^^^^ high-bred conventionality of the Kfe f.L h7„ . Little bv little T?-^t fiT i ^'■°'" *»^''' ""^vo'ted me. witL hen Swarslrtb'"' v ' f"^' ^"^ ^ ^"^ towards her. TheT's stlTl " '"^ "'^"* '" "^ ^"""^^^ "Excuse me, Dick," said Vassall, uneasily, "but 42 ^ Let Not Man Put Asunder fjtSio^^Z. tCtS! ^- "-•n't ^ive imagination." ^Jmething may be left to my Egypt. In the spring welr.f ° ^^""^^' 'hen to fa> this time the idvl wL f ^"^ '" P^ris again to despise my wlfe'lL ^^t W "u"' J '"^'^ «^°-n was to run her errand. ^ "worship her. My life fancies." "" ""^"•*^' ™y ambiUon to saUsf? £ b-7her mTste?-''^^^ ^' « «-^ -hen you should have ' You talk easily, old bov K^ your own experience V„ i ^^"^^ y°" talk out of who is east w^inimlde feh bT *' .^°^*''" ~n woman out of whom you cannof Hr''°'Ju'^°? ' ^""^^ the prayer and fasting. You S ? "'^ '^^^^ ^^^n by >s all spirit and nerve and « ^"°^ ^''^ -"««« who can be neither caught nor t"Lh^ ''"^^i'^'y^ who beaten nor broken; who can S^ "°' ''"""'^ "or lash you to the bon; wkh a conl^^ 7°" '^"'^ « '°»k- or you cringing and crawW to ft T" 1^'''' °' ^ring glance of approval. A stov W^ ^* "^'^ ^ ^^'^ or a that she should not sir.g again Sh^'TT '^""ndition promise and I counted on it Yo'„ r! •^!'^ ^"^^" ■"« her on it^Vou can judge, then, of my Let Not Man Put Asunder amazement when I discovered in Paris that, even before going to Egypt she had signed a contractTrsini It Covent Garden in the following summer. WeU X a stormy scene I accepted that For o^ce I SLk lh» happy She sang as she had never sune before K V^r.'H*n'?r ^'^^ *^"y°"« began to^taS of he^* nusband of the pnma donna. I accomnanied her in thl carnage and looked after her wra^'^^St waTmv ..jt '-namberlam before the queen. " If a man is happy in his duties," said Vassall "I suppose ,t doesn't matter what they are " It wal'm^^^tT' ^u r* ^ '^"^»«» ""y unhappiness. It^was misery to be with her, and yet it was death to^ "And what during all that time were you to her?" You couldn't tell; she was so capricious, so cha^l able so impossible. There were days when she cSX do without me; there wereotherswhenTSanoSy' Uiere were others still when the very sight of mT sent her into fite of rage. You couldnTteU what ^hZ^ tw«ity-four hours would bring about. In our Se SvTr ■*"' '^'' ""^ °'^^- I« "»« «'dst of luxury we lived as m a circus-tent. The tradesmen robbed the servants looted. Money lay about W in eVS she had taken a moment's fancy were flung aside and forgotten, or lost at the theatre, or drop^ frS toe carnage. I myself fell into her ways. IcSedTtake sSteTr' °^ ''^'.^'^^ » or what w^t ou?. fn rolt ♦^^'' °T ^™"SS and all my income we were constantly embarrassed for funds. At the end of Zt London season we found ourselves positively han[-uT" 44 Let Not Man Put Asunder Poor old Dick," said Va« I'^rt to read it all " But" tTatrV;:" IT*"'"^ ^'i^* ^^^ -"'^ Pnnt. :: What do you wa^tTdo"" "' "'^* ^ ^ *° ''^'^ up^thri*:^ ^'^^^ •• '° «° "-k to her or-to throw "You mean by that—?" "Wt b^ ' ""' "'7' *^' -'^- taK "• T^^tJ £ror^;£;tnTiu^,,. ^ of th^mfc^s'i w^uidiosr^b^.^'^^ •'"* ^^"•^ I would bear thL f eT tf es^^v^l^T "" ^^""'■ only to get into her presence, oSy^„^htrhT '^°''"' to see her smile. To be with W • T?^ " ^"""^ "^ Harry; it is like nnii,^ */ • '^ ''''^ *ine to me, m^and\S„ranTS.oi " ."f " v"' '^"^^ ^^^ and everytJ^ng that /trnrdo^^^iru?''"^ ^"'^ ''^<^' "fen^i^sJuf "^"'' ^°" ^^^ *^»--- the truth-" ii^lp^S^JrS^^-womanback." dow?'^ her; force her; break her spirit; beat her 45 Let Not Man Put Asunder Lechmere laughed scornfully feet,"- wSe^rh;^t"e^'' I?"^"' «P""^"S to his gone about thirSolebuZ^"^ T'^' "Y°« have the first. As you say Z^^h" ""^"^""^ ^^^ ^^n* reversed the s,=;„atfo„ in whrrh ^^'''^- "^°" have towards his wife You W ^T'' ""^ht to stand second." °" ''^^^ P"* her first instead of "Exr.T''' never come second to any one " gospel and conConitsTX ^°"°^' ^'^^^ '^^ «nd hand shall command a^dfhi%'T''^ *^t the hus- order. and the r^suU must £ si' °^/r ^^^"^« that dom, a comic-opera Senf^,^™*"^ topsy-tur^-ey- divorces." ^ ''^^ °^ '^''^"^^^ ^^ caprices and '"iw"t '^ ^''^ ^'" "°t obey?" Kathtt'^Wl^a^^ 7Zn fi^for ift^^'^f *-«^ a woman? A woman naT„„.i u , ''^"t control great scheme ouSs^^ttt ^^" ^^.^^^'^ '« the must be put there and k^ti: ' ^T'^t^^' ^""'^ she can, but she must ^Hwf i, , "^^ ^''P°"t if you, her own hapSs del^^ ^^'^ *^^'"- Mi"d be kept in subjS'or &l'urjL *, ^J^?""^* everywhere. She is in our h^^ ^u^iu"^^ ^"-^^ our chimneys. We neerf ;t / , the fire is in and aU the arts of dviW LI nTf' ^""^ '^"'"^"^ ust there. Once let it Jm I ?"* 't must be kept and the whole houtbu^.^'^ '^ P^per confines, the greatest joy and the Llri' / *"^" '^ ^t once life. In her place she is «" ,'*^"^"' '" « "^"'^ she can be the v4 d wf S' to"! °' ''" P'^«' she will expect you to vie Irf J- ° ***'' """^e' and "o *. .m uL »r«;°i.?xt ■■-»»* 46 Let Not Man Put Asunder Sx?::.^ "t'^rttf ^°^yed, there is anarchy. ^Ve ways and our fake Z^Tf' Z'^^ °"- ^sy-go^^ a foolish habit of thin W,., '^'^^^"y- have adapted wield U,e whip. The^r^fut is^thit'^"''*^^'"^^^^^^^^ niarned couples are drivin7likpf/° many of our ■« what creates the mZclcoa7 'V'T'"'' ^hat Woman on a sort of little thmn ^^ ^ave set up of tinsel on her head and a J^^^,^ ""T ""* « ^'"^n The result has been to maike h ' ^^/.''^ '" ^er hand. cZl'ZlT^ - -^^ -^- an^ yet^rilSt ^^^- you said all this to Miss Faneuil, old she !ill l^^Taftr"'" ""^ -"* "eeds ii,, ^sson you- I«ck. If ;»: wa'n^t^JTdS it ■ ^rl *° ^^ '"™ "o to your wife. Find her Th *'^ *his. Go back outof theweshe^sinj!!!^-- «he is. Drag h^ But the divorce?" ^^T;L^Tf:^^^ J- w both Will .., this woman; you say y^uc™ ,•''""• ^°« 'ove Take her, then. If you can '?„/''^ '"'^hout her. and h^ character, take her ?„d IZT ^'' '^""duct bnng her to her knees; you "an f^^ ^^^ ^°^« her; Pursue her; persc-cute h;r^ 1^ brutaH t ^^? *° '^° "• but do what you want to do i? ° ^^' '^ y°" will; n All the divorces in ,he worM ^"' '*'" '^ ^""^ tie that has been formed between 1, '^"^?°* """^^ 'he two courses, then. If you wanrhT* ,^°" have just whether she will or no If^o^ H V^^^ ^^- ^ «y. her back into the mire whence voun" , 7u"' ^^- ^^^ thmk no more about her " ^ P""^** her out, and Smtmg theaction to the word. Vassal! Jerked the, low- Let Not Man Put Asunder ing end of his cigarette over the balustrade into the lawn bdow. Lechmere hesitated before speaking lik. fW T" f"' 1^***' ?*^' °^^ "^n^'' *° talk to me hke that, therefore I ought not to feel any resentment I will think over what you have said, and all th^Hs ^"wt Ir^r ^r'^, ^ ^" ^°"°^- « "°t' I will-" „ W'hat? Vassall asked, as Lechmere rose. Cio to sleep." "Perhaps that is the best thing for both of us to do." '•i^^u\ V°:'^^ sleep-a long, long sleep." .1 ^"i! ^^ ''H^*?*' ^^^'" ^'d Vassall, as the two clasped hands. " It is weak and— and-" "Ridiculous. Yes, I know." ''Remember that I stand with you, whatever comes " Don t promise, old chap. The day may come when you too may give me up." . n°?'. ^° *°,^- '^""'^^ «"°ked too much and talked too much, and drank too much chartreuse Go to bed and sleep on what I've said to you, and you'H get up to-morrow a wiser and a bolder man " ^^ Good-mght, old friend, and thanks." "Good-night, then." Vassall went into his room, shut the window, and drew down the curtain. stir*™^"^^ remained on the balcony looking at the CHAPTER IV mere found a reason fo^decS '"''P*^' ^"^ wi?VarXS£^^reir^'^*«'^^«^etta,. was sure he had not yet r^dv^ „^h"'^!' *''•<* «he bon from her husband. Sl^l^!' ^^^'' ' «^*- to her brother. She was^d^ t^t^ "^'f^ ^^'dom boyhood there had been lit^f J *««^ he. and since his Vassall had paid occalnl ^^^f^^hy between then, but always J& anIncS Z' *° °7'°^*°n P«^ manner of life. He S^^^^^'?''^^ °^ his sister's upon him as inddLt anS^Ln'^^^'-^-law, but 'xjked fare. While keeping aCf^i"'''^^'-«> *« Ws own wet jealous of her reSth^UdT ^-r ''"*"'' ^««^" was which h^ aameCs invS'^rErr !v""7 ^°^^'P - hgence should come to him and hi .^ ^^*^"* 'n*<^'- Posable. Petrina meant tolS ^l "^f ^" ^^""y «« Interference with this Wn^ ^^ "^"^^ '^^'^elf. unexpected quarter. PeS^^S" ^T ''""^ « ''"i*^ touches to her prettvautuZf. . '"^* P"* the last and mauve wLn^ooSg S^fT"/ ^"^''^^ brown she saw coming up the avIT ' ^^'°°m window, cariole in which w«e s^t^M? ^ ..""."j''^""^ '^""n'^y G«itian. ^^ M'- and Mrs. Tyrell and "Horrors, mammal" Petnn= ^ j ■ , room. "Do look out Herein 1'"!° *« ^''JoWng groom." '• "^"^^ '=°Me the bride and brid^ 49 M si Let Not Man Put Asunder "Nonsense, child I" Mrs. Faneuil repUed, continuing to tj^st and turn before the pier-gUss. " They're stiU on their honeymoon. It must be some one else. " "But it is, mamma. There; Gentian sees me. She IS waving her handkerchief." "You're quite right," said Mrs. Faneuil, who had gone to the window. "It is Maria; yes, and Gentian; yes, and Mr. Tyrell too." " Do go and make sure that there is enough for lunch- eon, said Petrina. "I will go down and receive tnem. "Wt've come to lunch," cried Mrs. TyreU, as the carnage drew up at the steps. "We are verj' glad to see you," said Petrina, who stood on the veranda and tried to be cordial. " But you seem to have dropped from the skies. We thoueht you were still in Europe." "Papa had business which brought us home unex- pectedly," Gentian explained, while Mrs. TyreU de- scended heavily from the cariole. "We came in the TUantc. We knew you'd be simply crazy to see papa and mamma, and so we came up to the hotel at Deane We ye dnven over from there just to get your congrat- ulaUons. You know we've never had them— have we, mamma? Have we, papa?" "I am sure I am deUghted to offer them," Petrina said, with an effort to be gracious. She kissed first Mrs. Tyrell and then Gentian, who skipped lightly over the wheel from the back seat. " Do let me introduce papa," Gentian said, in the deep tones of a high-priestess about to unveil a sacred image. "It is so dear to have a papa— so dear and so strange Papa, this IS Cousin Petrina, whom you have never seen Petnna, this is my papa, doubly, trebly mine since I have seen him married to mamma." 50 Let Not Man Put Asunder co^JL^rrdTK/L'r^^ -- - o"'- to the youijTad? gits Sl^lfr*""^'^""' -y dear kno4 you W '^eo' but fo, ' ^ '"P^ "^ ^ ^'^""^'^ ^ave »ay, circumsCces-" ^°' ««"mstances-that is to ^^' Over which you had nocontrol," saidPetrina, laugh- ''^S^SL^';J^^"''^*-^'^*tIeho.. th.«as,co„pe.U„, Fare; a^d^^I ^Ive SnTi^Ce^-t "You have, indeed, my dear " ^\:r^r ^^:iiT::i tsr i'^ «^" ^^^ but unoSruZ fewZ ^ ^t' T'' "T i?*"'*^'"*' which glowed agai^t ISwhhe silk^Lrf'TS"? '"''^ on the litUe finger of his sma Ipf v. ^'^/^ ^ '^ ««te monly supposed to sav litH. I f ^"^^ "^ '^^^ "^o™- think much ^ ^' ''"'' '" ^mpensation, to ly elegant, PaseuJ.^%,^' ^f ' *°° '=°"«='°«^ pretentious, clever bufs^^^Sw Sh/^' f "''^ ''"* aware of living on a hieh level ^^^i T*^ *°° '""•^h to drag other^JpteuD toT M *°? "P^/ determined able neighboring or th. fiw u^ut ^^ ^ ^^^ wondered why h^ ~ri ■ ^'^* ^alf-hour, and then Lookingat M« Tri °" "^^^ ^ fatiguing, why shei'i Mr tSZiTT"'*"'^""'^^-*-^ twenty years. ThS^h'ldteiytTS t-^T^" 5^ m I Let Not Man Put Asunder Gentian's infancy; and the wonder was that they should have married in the first place. It was not merely that she was much taller and larger than he (for love is not always guided by a suitability in size), but you could see that their tendencies were different. It was evident at a glance that Mr. Tyrell's taste would be for a small place in the country, and for life in a modest style; Mrs. Tyrell's for a large place in the town, and for life on a footing consistent with a generous income. Here were the rocks on which their barque of early happiness had gone to pieces. Mrs. Tyrell, as a young woman, had no mind for her husband's humdrum life, and so she had taken an early opportunity of slipping from it, carrying her child and a handsome ahmony with her. Henceforth she had her house in Beacon Street, while Mr. Tyrell found repose in a small place in the Newtons. Mrs. Tyrell had become a patroness of liberal literature, new reUgions, and drawing-room readings. Mr. Tyrell had given himself to the gentle pursuits of bee-keeping and growing flowers. Under these circumstances all had gone well until their daughter had budded towards womanhood. As early as at the age of seventeen Miss Gentian Tyrell was aware that she had a mission— that of re-marrying her parents. No Iphigenia, no Jeanne d'Arc, was ever more consciously dedicated to a cause than Gentian to the reunion of Mr. and Mrs. Tsrrell. She worked for it, wept for it, fought for it, and would have prayed for it, only that in most of the new religions through which Gentian had passed /rayer was considered a slight upon the Almighty. Mr. and Mrs. Tyrell had halted, hesitated, struggled, wriggled, advanced, reced- ed, consented, refused, and shown themselves difiScult in many ways; but in the end Gentian had had the re- ward which rarely fails to crown persistency and pluck; 52 Let Not Man Put Asunder ctoSStiTprsaTsS- '"*';/«* *" «'"'y rows were senf Krs TtXtf " r'^"''"'=^" S««"ty For the affianced couje ItZl Se r'"'!. ^"'^'^' time. Mrs Tvrpll ^u „ ^^ " second sprinif. to May. There were Lte Sfn^r"- ''n''' ^' " *«« "to meet Mr. Tyrell " a^dfiv^'T .'" ^^^'"^ Street in honor of the^^Ln^^tST £'' ;*=^%t' ^-»°" engagement -ring and felt h!' .U ,■ ^'"^^ *°'^ «" tic. Mr. Tyrell kent »1 «tuation most roman- sight and 3ed the cerr^'' ^ '^^''''^ °«t of ding Mrs. Tyrell wardre^,T"^ °^"-. ^' **>« *«>- widow; and^ijiit^n gIvethe'"bnT'-^^^' l^"^^ « were sent out enerav^ Jfi, .^^ ^"'^y- Cards "Miss Gentian Tvfer^n„r *^l statement that her father and moS Mr Z M '''? ^'"^"^ase of and then the newly w^JdJd iSr^^-^^^"" "^^^^ mg child, went off to EunS enterpris- difference, between them Mr» -r n , " ^^ ^^^ of Mrs Faneur^»,= *''^^- ^^e" made you think Tyrell wa^Zlome, MrrVe-uKS;. C" t^^ j^3^..f-^lrtC-;-5fS^dy.^ cn^w^enlJerone^^^^^^^^^^^ yeailt!" Sd M^^k^-^r "Sifsr^^^^^^^^^^^^^ them bad luck." ' '^'*"^""' and it seemed to bring 53 M Let Not Man Put Asunder " But they didn't have me then," said Gentian, archly. ^ I should hope not," Mrs. Faneuil replied, bluntly. M %<■* fi»t you don't succeed, try, try again," said Mr. Tyrell. It was his one facetious formula on the subject of his second matrimonial venture. He used It whenever a remark seemed called for and nothinit more original was at hand. "Well, I respect your courage, Maria; and yours too. Jackson." "They say it's a wise child that knows its own fa- ther, simpered Mrs. Tyrell, "but Gentian has made a match for hers." "I suppose you had something to do with it, Mrs. Tyrell," said Petrina, who had been standing some- what apart, trying to conceal her annoyance. "17 Oh, httle or nothing. Gentian did it, dear child. It was quite an original idea, wasn't it?" "I could never have carried it out," said Gentian, in her deep voice and prteiexue distinctness of utter- ance, " if it had not been for Spiritual Science. I used to sit for hours at a time and just xeiU it." "I thought you had given that up," said Mrs. Fan- euil. "Mamma has. I haven't— yet. I couldn't do with- out It. It lifts one up so. It shows one how futile are the ends for which other people live." "One can see that easily enough without Spiritual Science, ' .said Mrs. Faneuil. "And then the nothingness of everything is such a subtle, consohng truth that I wonder how people ex- ist who don't believe it." Well, I'm surprised at you, Maria," Mrs. Faneuil broke in. " When I last saw you Spiritual Science was a mama with you." " I have no longer any faith in the Western systems." S4 Let Not Man Put Asunder =Sr?^' tHeVr.x^ii^„;rat^ the EtSlta^'r '«> ""''■ ^^'- " ^e study you study EL'sostonr "*'" " ""' '"''«="''• ^ -t Ddh?" WeT; Slfe'^H"" °" headquarter, are .han^nhav^T,;^;?,^^^^^^ trines to non-beHeve" " ''"* *° '^^ °^ ""' doc- Myst^es yourself?" " ^°" "^^''^'^K Eastern witticism ^ ' "'' * """ s™>le at his own Libations, Aunt IsaHnrn "r™*- ^' -1l Let Not Man Put Asunder MbaUon of wine from a shallow golden bowl three times a day. It s very pretty, really, and so classic, too. It ^^iT"^ '^^ "i^" " figure on a Pompeii^n vase, doesn t it, mamma? Doesn't it, papa?" fhl'J*? y°"^«««t' Jackson?" Mrs. Faneuil asked, as they turned to enter the house. "Libations of ^ine S AZid Sk "^ ^^*'^' ^^^"^^- "- °^ - The bnde and bridegroom, with their daughter fol- lowed Mrs Faneuil up-stairs. Petrina remain^A t^e veranda a one with her ill-humor. She was im^ti^? for VassalKs arrival, but before he came the whole ^^^ had descended. The instant the slight confu- s^n caused by his greetings had pa.ssed, Vassall found his attention caught by Gentian's deep, musical voice and distinct enunciation. " Oh Mr. Va.ssall," she said. " I am so glad to meet you. It seems as if I already knew you, though I think we've never met in Boston. But I k^ow your S Petnna, who had observed Gentian's seizure of Vas- sal!, and who disdained all small feminine manoeui vres, now became alarmed. Gentian was quite capable of bnngmg up the subject of Lady de Bohun's sej^ra! tion from Sir Humphrey. =>epara "Luncheon is ready, mother," Petrina said, with the intention of causing a diversion. "Had we not better i.V^l "T V^ ««<=«ssfuL Vassall had time only to bow and smile and murmur some inarticulate phrase before he found himself drawn into the little irregular procession which began to move towards the dining, room. There, for the first few minutes. Petrina felt^l 56 Let Not Man Put Asunder TweuiuMl''^ ^^''^" ^^^^ Gentian and Mr« lyrell, but the conversat on turned first on iuJl ?' luie crests on some wonderful woodlanrf <=»,. t? ^ h«r places at the table they could ffk up at Ae J""" tain and down at the \au/- ., "'" '"°f "P at themoun- II .^™.l rata „y vi.i„ .A?;' '""'^ *'Wl« me. P-nSf °°' '' ""■ "■'" '^ " »• «>"'■■ »id M,.. Gentian, do have another cutlet" Ppf-,-„= • * rupted. "You are eating nothing." ^^''^'^ '^'t«- " v7 ^*''' ^^t""f ''^^'■- ^""I't think of me " D Jr Wafn'flt&g^..^"^' ^°"^ ^-^ ''--e from Orpingto;7ark-" '^ ' "^^ "^"^' ^^ Wassail, at "Reynolds, pass Miss Tyrell the oeas " «.-^ m Faneuil, who seized Petrina's idea '^; ^^ f'% nZ^"^ i^t ^hild talking so she'll ste J'T;!} need something stronger than a libation ofr-r/ ■ wine to make her fit to drive back to D^ne "^''^°™'" 57 II Let Not Man Put Asunder But Vassal! himself walked into the daneer from M Petnna and her mother would have kept^Wm Miss Tyre 1 tells me that she knows Emmy," he said leanmg shghtly towards Petrina. "esaia. It was the first time since he had arrived that theyhaf" ^ "^^Ta^}°^^ "^* °*«^ '" the eyes, ^trina^s vexed o find herself almost blushing It unnm-^ her She"^^L\^a:l'st^"*---"--^^'>«^"-S "Oh, yes," said Mrs. Tyrell. "We know Lady de Bohun very inUmately. We were at Orpington Park just before we sailed. " F'"Kiun rarK "We went down to luncheon," Gentian explained ■I^^"^yJ^ '^^^ ^'''« t° manage her own affairs " said Mrs. Faneuil, with a look at her sistHlSh w^s mean to convey unspeakable hints as to the ne^es^^v for letting the subject drop necessity • " ^^l!f ^i.' ^"■'''- '''y''^" assented, with no understand- Jw i ^,^°^Sht she was acting very wisely and onWnWng^"'^ ''"""^ '""''' *="- --^to he-ay "What Emmy needs most," said Vassall, frankly IS not to make other people think like her, bJt to tWnk "C": fT''''" ^•'iV' ^P* '" ^' t°° iniependenT" But not here, said Gentian, promptly. "Everyone Sul waV^' ^^- ^^^ "-^ --«^ herLlf in the^os! m;:'ts s^^Seit ^-^-^ ^^'^ ^° »^-" -^"^ hfxn i^" ■ ^ ^°" reniember that Ume when I should na\c sprained my ankle if—" 58 Let Not Man Put Asunder tr^nI-TLt'^fi;^f^^^I^---'l' wildly following Pe- chiidi I've oitlZ^tVZkyT^u ^°" '^^p'«y«'' limment you used, but"elch Ume C yo'u-"' "' ^'' in S:e'%S^tr^"£ heranl^ej' Vassall asked, thing aboL^Tt!" ^' ^ '°°"**' ^*«°'t l>«'d any: GeS;.''^'^ S:rj !:!i it" r ^^^^ *-'' -^ the heart for ft Even S^ H ""^ 1° '"" "^' ^^^ ^-^d him of it in London^Td hwa^lT^T; ^^^'"7^ '"^^ do. He thought i" Culd 0^^ u^ "f ^* "i"'^ ^'•^ <=°"ld things." •* ''^P '*^'" ^"""m brooding over VaS. ^^ "^^^-^ l^" -^'ined to do that," said be." Mrs. Tyrell simwred „^'i ^""^ *¥* " '""^t she assumed hialluZ^y u ""'^^^^ romantic manner "But I hoSrj;to^i ty"^?-tu'^;'^^^^ Jackson; I hope and pray that it ^y" °"" '^^^ '^°"«' POur'outattetl^nSlra" "T ?'"' '-"^t y^'" Mrs. Faneuil sc^^TuSv '^utT? ^°' l'' '^""^'" "^^ ject. Other ^^^.pl^s affairs-" * '"' "" '^^'^^^e the sub- But I don't understand " said Va..on i i ■ mystification from one tTth'e oS "^ ' ^°°^^ '" children been ill? Ha.nZSry-r^'"^^'"'''' trinaLk^SlLf,^^; LT^rr ""^y "^^ p- dawning in her miL " "«,'^. attention and a new idea 59 m iM Hi Let Not Man Put Asunder LZv^lf°"^T^^' ''"*' "^"S them both so inU- mtely as I have, I cannot but think that all is for the '^You mL"wv-,,"" "^^ ^K'™'"« t° understand. You must thmk me very dull of comprehension '' he began, tummg towards Mrs. Tyrell ./^P™^'""' .all " P?-^"'*-^f^^'^"* * '^"er from Emmy, Mr. Vas- lZ\ u^'T '"te^upted. nervously. "I J^U let vou KTiown to the family most concerned " My dear Jackson," said Mrs. Faneuil lauirh;„„ S W?h*° "^^ *•"* '""^ -- no'ann^yS^f^ll i^th^rh'^L^in^j:?- - ^^^^ -^ --^ "wJ ar?^ T"-',' "^''L'^'""- '^y'^"' '" her own defence we are a family party here. It is perhaps as wdl' 60 Let Not Man Put Asunder siders. " " ^™" "^' rather than from out- are likj'a t^J^^^^t^f «^J«ht at Pet^rfna, "we of this kind from S"lf otW N.» "?, ^T "° ^^^^t« a serious one to me and t^;,]/^"^' ^^^ '"''J«=t '^ "Td?r.i^ T ^™"^^ ^°S roll 7hr "°'^^^- '•Lad?dVBr„^pl;rorerA^^^^^^^^^^ «-••- quite to her satisf^«on s[/ H^^ If ^"'"^ ^"anged delicate i„ all his pSon or h ^''''''T 'j^^ ^^ ^ she practically dictat«i hi? * <^omfoTt. In fact, yielded to her'^irevelShiy ' " '^™^- ^" ""^pW with™ tST" tLl'erti ""^'ir^ ^* V--" .oi^r^viz rh£;"-4ifap^r' -'-^^ Didn't you think so, Mrs S,^,"'^ ^' ^"^ «« goW. Petrma liked Vassair« L • V knew that he had b^nl^th^"^'"/"'' *«^'- She yet he had led theml^ro^ of th?"'"'^ ^".'^ '^"^' ^"^ ness. °"* °^ *he moment's awkward- ErZy'^dll^H^pt "\"^^"^!. ^™"We between "umphrey,^ she said, imitating Vas- Let Not Man Put Asunder rssTlfiruch " ' " """""« '" " '° '"^t^-" M«. m JKiK:'" "^' ''^'^"' "«•''= •" ">« o- to be a„?jS?' rlr'^'SZ'"' T"^'' **•" '"»'J«=t ^«« •'topped, ana Mr. l3rrell began to compare the merit.. r.( iv,7u^ new hner TUanic with those oTher rivSS sX^ CHAPTER V upon his lean and s^t„~cW^- "^^ ^Ji^h^AuI Petnna that he had felT^e con T^'' " ^'^^^ t" r'^ keenly than he L sVown "^ "-"* *" *^'''" down to the fake"' '''" ^■^' g°»g "P to him. "Come letteSvi?"^--"*- "And won't you bring that "Wait a minute while I put on a h»t " seemed to separate thLT^stl^f ^ "<^'°^thwg «hich were kughing and gZ^^Xj"! *^' ^°"' ^^- veranda. s"=oiping at the other end of the When, a little later p«« • impressed anew with LttiT ?*"'"^' ^^^^sall was which baffled Lee"* Shf ""'""' °^ "^^^^^ « her quiet yet commandSg feS>lnr' f '""^^ ^gure. something almost to b^'lS^^'V?* T'"* * *°"^h of Let Not Man Put Asunder We shall not be long " ^° '^^°"' ^« «t"™- ing sport. " mocking mood, and we are furnish- their g.oup and 'r^cK' ^"^ P^""« Passed near up that they are no^Tlifwll^u""".-, "*^«"^ °*"^ she thinks that on tlfsuS „f '^^"r^'j.but then row views. I wonder h^^^u "V?"""'* "'^ ''"^ "ar- them?" *°"'*^' ''°* «he would have us broaden letter yester^ I Tellt to''hlv'^^°"^'""*^'^y'« seemed no chance XrMr ? ^ ^ ''""^ ^°' ''"* there "I wish vou hL " V **'^- Lechmere was here." news ra5r;s b^J bu^Tttmer""'' r^'^' "^ad from whom we S it!" ^""^^"^^ makes a difiference nnXTe^L^gi'"'*"''^"'^""-^- I thought it "Much gentler. Even as it is it i, U smce you are sharing it " ®^ annoying las7fewS«?W Lr' '° u'° *^*' I'-ring the se«„s rafher^hi^m^; S^rThriit' tj^!"^' * ^^ ^''^ tot,!:°tLro?£ti„rrr/^^^^ ^- Up have been more de™'%Tenf """^ ^'^*« ~"W first went to live in Enrian a f^^^T^^^s, when she babies, we wrote to S otW "„ *' "^^'^''P ^^^ ^"" only within five yea« that r v. ''""^'^""^^ ^t has been -a change that TcoSd n.^',!""" ^ "''^"^^ « her prove:" "''^ "^^«'" hnng myself to ap- Let Not Man Put Asunder may^^L^^oto""^^ '^'''"^^' ^»^~ihai you been brought up carefuuT m J .?*^ *°'^" «^bo has who marries into "nTlidT^^^^!, «"d religious^ goes among people who Ch ™°''*' """"'^nt '^O'W; who taught to con'X ,ax ani jr" l^'^ «he has b«L conduct which she is C:^^°„ "P^'f « ^tandard^ first shocked, then recoSeri *V ** '^™"e- She is courted, petted, and admS Wl ht h ^T'"^' ^^e is her moral sense confusS She ^JH^ '" *""«* «"«! by gomg beyond her ^y teachTr^' *I ""^* '^""^erts H«od m acts of daring " " ""'' out-Heroding .^^^dyetldoubt if you .ealizehow little wrong there lous, and indiscreet. " **'®* '« ^°oMsh, frivo- PeS":iraS^augr*"'^'^^ ''-'1«^«/' «id If eS«t^^ ^^' Wvo^y, and i^^i^retion can be banj „ we tact that she has left her hus! "n°f '^fj^""' not hers." there was a harH j„ • which was new tXS^"««' note in Vassall's tone that he was more mas":S„, tlnlt'^r '"«"^ 65 ^"^ supposed. Ill Let Npt Man Put Asunder "Won't you look at Emmv's letter?" .u i ^ almost timidly drawin^:i."s,ThS£t • ;;it is as I thought," he said. quieUy You mean that—?" H"«:uy. impulses without conscience oTtho^I^Mf **"■ *"^ Petrina flushed a ihIok * "^"^rht of consequence." and sSy brfl*Wm\'e Jid^*'7'''r'^"«^^«'8ht addin. a nL bea:t?S'th':itSy-Sn?:^ cter"^ ~'- poJS^v?^": ir^neS^LVrfr^^-"^^^^^^^ dent of conations Tad^S/! "^"'y- ^"^ '« '«d«f«n- h«hushand.asaias\trrcti«th^°TlSt^^ 66 Let Not Man Put Asun^ "ButE ■'isunder ?n,er letter iithZ s^dn^lhT^u '^'*^«« ">« line, «SnifiM '!hat' Si^fcu '"" I' Orpington Park Th„. How you „,e„ hang oLZr •' "54" ""= right." ^ ame Uke arm- "Let us sit down," said Petrina. self "Jfnl^ri'h""' °^ the arm-chairs. Vassall threw him- a^i K t *™v- 'l*"' ^'^^ P"''"'^ »"«• '"'ended. 4 ^."'^ P°«<'°n better so than side by side The afternoon was very sUll. The water was Uke burnished metal. A solitary boat lay motionless far out upon the lake The hills all round were wonderful ZTZ'-' f^?u°"^*? '"^ '*'°"« «"Kel had flown down and painted them m all the hues of heaven Nor as any relation whatever." Vassall reoeated musingly, his gaze fixed upon a tr«, which bStli ♦„?'i7?u™*^"- *° ^ '^•" »«'*' Pe*""*. «'ho ventured to look at hitn, since he was not looking at her. And exclusive." "I suppose it is that too." ;; And may I ask why you make this severe decision?" Because you are .so hard " "But if I softened?" .«.'i'i^'*T ^ ""*'^* reconsider my opinion. But I should still find you unforgiving." "But if I forgave?" n»T!*.f1 ^ f'^'^^ """'' '^""' "^ y°"; l""' I should nevertheless take note that you are narrow " "But if I broadened?" "I should begin to have hopes for you, only that I know you are so self-righteous." He winced at the last word. "I must have a great deal to overcome " 68 Let Not Man Put Asunder "You have." "Oh^uch^"'**' ''°" ^"'' "°* y*' n,e„tio„ed?" »i* wXS;;^ "'""' >- ' ■■■- '■■' "-.:.. . "Not to-day." "No, but there are other dayi, ' ^ Are you so anxious to hear your !r .NV" les, from you." "f wnifir" *'°"'' ^°"* *° ^^o them ,,1-' "-rr . • ^''^ "P anything for you " ^Sfi'^nT"^'^''""''"'^""' »"«**'«'•" "In any sense?" "In every sense." ^^\Suppose some time I wanted to take you at your "Srrm1SaJJ!»''^"'"-^-y°-'est." Jin^L':^^'"^''^ ""-«>' -«» Petrina sto,. '•S'^"*u- ^''';«>^tly- "Some day-7" ^ Oh, nothing. I will not say it " "Perhaps." was setf!p^s'S''t °\!f 1"^'^ «^W««"«J "Ps. Sh, "Tu P"?^^^™' ™t her. voice was low. 1 nen why not now?" She made no reply. 69 Hi III Let Not Man Put Asunder "Then why not now, Petrina?" She still made no reply. '* I may call you Petrina, mayn't I?" " ^^'^^'^ y°" already done so?" And you are not offended?" "No." acr^stiSe"'?:trrS?''-'^"-''-"^ ^, Do you know what that permission makes me hope?" J-lJ^^i ^ "^^^ ^° "P °"* °^ ">e dull world in which _ Is there such a world?" "Yes; near you." There was a long silence. The stillness of the world around seemed to have descended on the two who felt themsdves trembling on the edge of the supreme a Jowaf ^^ 1 ou know I love you, " VassaU said, at la. 1 " A j' '^°^'" she answered, simply. "And rdo7&r' '^' '"" •"^" ^^ ''^^- eal to'sirtl^""'.'"'' 'f T"- A ^"^ ■« the .^ood be- gan to smg sleepily and plaintively. Petrina strai^^ ?e^ w\- T'T't *" '°°^ down upon the w7t he^ feet; while he, too happy to believe or comprehend wl happiness, too happy to speak or move or ev^ to glance upward lest he should break the spell, gazS drSy ov^ the waters, at the many-coined mounU^s^a^ CHAPTER VI thII™tUeTr'f •''*"' ^"?«g^™ent at once, so wTn^ '""le flutter of interest it was bound to cause There was thus no ecstasy in Petrina's .W h„t u .he considered 1^'^^::,,-^!^. e^t, S' acno oy and by. For Petnna's happiness lay in the 71 Let Not Man Put Asunder ShlT ^ ^^^a7^^ ^f " ^*" marriage, not before. np«^ /"• ^^u^lP'r^' •"** "n'y « genial large- s^ll '", ^"^^'^.f'^f ««* herself as a star of con- to r'flS rtht'^'"'^' ^"^""^^ "y ^ ^^'^^ -W« The ecstasy and excitement were on Vassall's side Se ZrlH V ""^ t° 5°n<:eal his joy, or to hide from the world his sense of having won a notable victory Sfir^r 1^' expression to his feeUngs which Se reticent man allows himself only now and then in hfe on the rare occasions when reserve is broken down Uchmere left for Lenox, and Vassall remained alone fl^. t rl°L ^^^ """P^ *^* ^°»°^«1 '^^s for both of the betrothed one of unbroken happiness. Vassall brought adoration to Petrina's shrine, and she found such pleasure in accepting it as some youne eoddess l^s^Ii'e^br ^ ^"^-^^- " -- •>- '-' ""'-e *e They were in the stage where talk of the future was ^I vague, where there were no clashings of opinio^ because there was no definiteness of plan. Now and then Vassall gave utterance to some hope which Petrina did not share, but she maintained a smiling .siW Sr. Hfn™'? °^ her power to correct whatever in his aims she did not care for. Now and then Petrina revealed h'^^^l "Tm vf'^"'"'=y °^ ''^'^^" *Wch perplexed hxm but he held his peace, never doubting his ability to develop in her anything she lacked. To each the oUier was a new and delightful accessory to life. The strands of love and sel -love are difficult to disentangle. To Vassall Petnna s destiny was to add beauty, poetry and charm to his rough, masculine life; to Petrina, Vas^U's task was to bnng strength, stability, and importance into her manifest sphere of action. It did not occur to either to think of the other as leader; nor was th«e a„v 72 Let Not Man Put Asunder s«se of rivalry because each was in his or her own judgment so evidently first. The weeks of love-making glided by, with no vexed quesbons raised. They Mved in a world al lit up S mapc tints lie the mapl^overed mountJns^round "Toujours dans le pays hleu?" Mrs. Faneuil asked when Vassall arrived one day. " Dans k pays d'or." he replied, with fervor. skies. The masts of their barque v. ere of gold and the sails of fine-twined purple. Palaces studdSl the shore and laughter and happy music floated over the waters But in this enchanted country they two were alone, car- ^?h oUi^ '"^ '° ^^ °^^' *"®""'* t° int7^5?^'"-"^'*""^"^''«'- "^"'' 3hall wewake "TWs is reality," Vassall affirmed. "Thl- is the true hfe; this is the true world-the life andlJe woSd by love "" ^^" °"'^ ""^^ ^^^ ^^ ^""^ »>««> opened 1. ' li 1 CHAPTER VII thai Tnv shL"""' ^'*r^ }}^^ ^"'"™«» to Boston that any shadow on her happiness appeared It co^e^^unexpectedly in her first'call upT^^^aU's fasW^nllr^" '''?* """1°^ ^' ^°^''>' «nd dressed in a oi sixty, bhe had been a beauty in her time- and hough on principle indifferent to outward ad™r^™^t she could not even now extinguish the light of hTblue pfexion" ShtH^' ^''^'' transparent? of her com! ton. She had a sweet nature, a sweet voice, and CtToraTored'he7 °"^ ^^^ " ^^ ^ -"<»- When Vassall had written from Ashuelot the news of his engagement, the mother had spent one day wee^W n her room and another praying i^Jhe church. S she was ready for her renunciation He was her only son. Since Emilia had married and gone to hve in England he seemed in many wTS Te her only child. She loved and honored Wm she was very proud of him. Now she was going to IcTeWm She had no Illusions on that subject, \hfugh hTi^hi In !^ n^'^-u ^'* *•" dutifulness on his part and u^?n7f ,1 '^" ''""'' "°'" ^^' ^'^^ matter-of-course turning of the one towards the other • Yea, a sword shall go through thine own soul also " 74 *'i!?Jfi3?SB9r^^¥f^' Let Not Man Put Asunder for^mShloi""''^^"'^- "™^ '^ '^'^ P"- on. pays vassal could not narry any other. Besides she knew i|s?wo^dS.rss;^-~^ Boston had become so big that families once intimate rich'Ther rt' V;'' '"' ''"°" almost nSnJ oi each other. Then, Petnna had been much abrnaH returning only to sj«nd the summers at FrneuTffilt Th«a, Mrs. Vassall, since her widowhood had Jejt httle m touch with Boston. With a few old famSs who clung to their ancestral homes on Beacon Hm she maintained the acquaintanceship of former years W she knew nothing of the Back Bay or of Xt™c'aE £e war" '"'"'' "'" ''''' '=°'»^ '«'° Prominence sinS one of the Henry Vassalls before th Lvdu ion xSe very circumstance cut her off somewhat from the I r! rent of that modern Boston life in which she rSght h^ 1 known someth ng of Petrina Mrs V„Jl ii tiallv .,f nu r u -J ^: '^- ''assail was essen- tially of Old Cambridge. She was vaguely aware that 75 Let Not Man Put Asunder a great rich, active Boston had come of late years into being, but It was not a Boston in which she herself was concerned. As she drove through Commonwealth Av^ nue she was conscious of a large and handsome quar- ter which had not existed when she was a girl It was inhabited, she supposed, by people who "had made i^^IlJ^Tfi,"' ^P^"'«"°' -« fa<:t which must nat- urally put them in a very indefinite social place. But It was nothing to her. The Boston to which she be- longed was the Boston of old families closely related, and of old fortunes and .amily-seats transmitted from bons with Old Cambridge. Its people formed a mer- chant-aristocracy dignified, stable, large-minded, and pubhc-spinted; they were often learned, oftener ,;atty and nearly always worthy of esteem. Among them «^re to be found writers, artisU, and philosophers beautifu women, and brilliant men. Their living was Wfu "' Pnnc'Ples were high. When they trav- elled they mingled with the best in every land and did honor to their city's reputation and their own In companson, the newer Boston seemed to Mrs Vassall noisy and pretentious. She shrank from it' shutUng herself up more and more closely in her Old Cambridge hfe. As a Pepperell by birth (Sir William" fami y) and a Vassall by marriage, she had no social favors to ask of any one; .she could follow, then her own inclination, and live, as she said, "without" dis play. It was, ttiirefore, no small comfort to her that in his stIcuTs "^dT"^* '^^* '^^° ^^^ '■"''" ** ^'^' "^^^ *^ Her letters to Vassall questioned him closely as to 76 Let Not Man Put Asunder f^^'' .f^.'-a'^ter-.habits, reUgion, and looks; but except on the las point she received no answer. Hen^ I?" J^^v™"'*?- '" '°^^' »>"* ^^g"^- She therefore^ solved to be patient unUl able to judge for herself ^^1 f f/^''"g "^"^ P«*™^ came about unex- pectedly to Mrs. Vassall. She was .seated one dly sewmg at an upper window, when, looking out tow^ ards the s reet, she saw a victoria, drawn by^two hand- forTthe gtte ^'ver-mounted harness, stop be- "What display!" thought Mrs. Vassall, as her eve wandered from the steeds in their trappings to Zl coachman and footman in their liveries Display was Mrs. Vassall's horror. It belonged, ,she thought to the "new people," who liked to show tha! they had money. She, too, had money in modest meas- ure, but she was careful to spend it in such a way as to produce no visible effect. She had her horses her carnage, and her coachman, but from their style no one would ever have suspected the sums she spent upon thenr She wore only the richest and costliest materials, but from her appearance only the exnert in stuffs could have detected the fact. Thfs pleaTed^^s Vassall. It was her conception of high-bred sim- phcitjf It had been the Boston standard in the days when the Back Bay was still a bay, and not a mesh of handsome but obtrusive streets; it was still, thank God the standard of Old Cambridge. She liked to feel that she had the very best of everything, but that no one knew it but herself. '"HTiat display!" Mrs Vassall said again, as Petrina descended from the carnage. " Who can she be'" yas.sall was in New York. He had gone directly thither from Ashuelot, where he had lingered till the latest moment. Mrs. Vassall, therefore, did not know 77 Let Not Man Put Asunder ?hiv^^*!?"'' T'^.^" '"°">" ^^ ^'='"™«J to town. M b ' '" '^e*' ^."'^"l i" Beacon Street onlv the ^ht^ \7^ ^''/""^ ^^" *«'""g the earliest pos- quirnr' *° "'''-■ '" '"'^'^ •nother-in-law's'^c- The house stood back from the street, but there was no dnve-way by which . .proach it; there was onty Oie^traight garden-pa „ viU. an old-fashioned border As Petiina advanced Mrs. Va.ssall looked out with growmg disapproval This tall young woman. wiS the long but graceful tread, and the curious, delicate ^hinx-hke face was the very embodiment of that new Boston from which Mrs. Vassall shrank-the Boston n which gold and silver and gems and color had taken the place of books and quiet living and deep thinkLg and strict pnnciples. ""jmiug "What display!" Mrs. Vassall said a third time as she noted the points of Petrina's costume ' But here she was unjust, for Petrina was dressed very quietly-all m black, with pretty touches of red Only, them were graceful plumes in her hat, and over fe^th^ wv/''"^ was something long and soft and effJl^T' ^ L'",''"' '^^°^^ appearance there was that effect of subdued elegance which bespeaks mones^, taste and much thought given to details When, a moment later, the servant brought a card with the name "Miss Faneuil," Mrs. Vassall required ^me few seconds to adjust her mind to the surprise. Bring a good woman she at once rebuked herself for hasty judgment and lack of charity. J- One must not go by mere appearances," she said- she is young, and we should make allowances. Wheri down "^'^ '' '^''P^''^ ^"^ doubtless be toned 78 Let Not Man Put Asunder to descend ** «""'"• ""^^ '"ade ready dnve Had ^„ .„,. S" Jtf^ t^ ^^.'^ •said'S'visS'fo '"^srasTh"'' in CambridgeT" she the Charles. " It is iikl ' Tnf TT!^ ^'"^ '^"''«« °ver feUowship. " ^°'"^ ""'^"'^ the pale of human Her mood softened a Kttle as she passed ,„♦ *.. bowered roads of the University townTtset fh"/ ' f^ overgrown village, set amid gardens and r n^ ^'^u^i «™l.ng, .... Sh. .i „ S Li" P^yS ^ Let Not Man Put Asunder delicate attention to an old one; that, from Petrina'a point of view, was inseparable from a sense of pretty patronage. Then, she was a rich, handsome, and fashionable girl, whose society was courted and per- sonality admired, coming, with what was meant to look like eagerness, to press the hand and perhaps to kiss the cheek of one who was living in the background. Petrina naturally expected her graciousness to be re- ceived with gratitude. Up to the present Mrs. Vassall had been to her a negation — one who would not have required a second thought if Vassall had not spoken about her. Petrina was making this call to please him. It was a duty rather than a pleasure, and was of no permanent significance. But as she threaded one after another of the shady Old Cambridge streets the negative began to be more positive. She was conscious of a mental atmosphere quite different from that of the Back Bay. The rows of quiet houses standing amid spacious grounds, the general air of unostentatious plenty and of occupied tranquillity, struck her as suggestive of other aims and other standards and other points of view than any she had made her own. She had an uncomfortable sense of being among people to whom her beauty and elegance would make no appeal — who would not admit the grounds on which she claimed the right to be placed first, and would look in her for merits she had never meant to cultivate. For the first time s!i« began to wonder if it was not this Cambridge influence which had given Vassall his distinction from tlie other men she had known, his strange ardor for ideals, and his curious indifference to externals. For the first time she began to ask if Mrs. Vassall herself might not be a power to be reckoned with. 80 Let Not Man Put Asunder This suspicion deepened as she drew un before »!,. K^ir"'' ""' «m..classical facade, ana„,aru, "How stupid not to have a drive wav »nJ o . one carplpiMiv -™ M""'^". retrina gave them only one carelessly comprehensive glance. ^ moulds, ceilings, its generouT stS^^d t s'^t "^^ «Vhtr^ldf o?^V/ "'" »He confessed. iJt^Z ^" t'^'"^^' ""*«*• As she looked about her in the great drawing-room, into which ^e h«H mJ^-^.'Zlf^L l%i °^ •^^-^"^-tion," tel. There were boule cabinets. Empire sofas T (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No- 2) ^ APPLIED IIVMGE In ^^ 1653 Eail Main Street S^S Rochastar, New York U609 USA ~.SS (716) 4B2 - 0300 - Phone ^B (716) 288 - 5989 - Fo Let Not Man Put Asunder f^troKau'rtSir '"^ ^ "^^ ^-"^- -•» I don't wonder Emmy revolted against all tv,;= mcongruity." Petrina thought. " TluTmu 1 1 ^he old New England one has heard about-when 4>ple t«v ft^T^'^'i ^"^ '••'J'^'t dress for dinner; wKey tovelled for mformation, and made notes on the celeb^ nties whom they met. " But as she heard Mrs. Vassall's step upon the polished mwZ/"lT ''ir'^^ •^^ feeling^fTniS'S i/u ^"lg°t herself ready to be gracious. wmch the ladies stood looking at each other. It was Ike two a.spects of American civilization come suddenly face to face. Petnna took the initiative and went for^ ward with a rusOeof silk, and long, soft, fel^I read to Mrs VasSr<^^^' '^' T"^' ''"''^'"^ °»t both hands tos^yolsor"' ''^^-^ I <^°"'dn't wait. I wanted "You are before me," Mrs. Vassall repKed, takine rSaVreSXtTA """'^ '-^^ '''''^^^" breSrring'bTaS/^ '°'^"" ""'' ^"^-""^ '^ '^ peSsriJ* "' ''" ^°"'" ''"• "'^^^^ ^^' --^ "c'omlnTrreltth^eSirht'' ''^^- "^^^"^ ^°""- She led Petrina towards a window. "and vet°"r H^' '^ii'° ""'** ^'"'"* y°"'" «he went on, from J.rl / . ''"T y°"- ^t '« «° hard to judge irom mere descriptions " ^ Petrina felt that the tear-bedimmed blue eyes were &2 Let Not Man Put Asunder She looked for sol eSe3sf„n'T:,""^■f"■P°^«^«««^• said: '^'^'^*^'"& the girl's hands, only Mrs. Vassall sSd aUin"'^^'-" ^^""^ "«^'-'= descriptions," PeWna:^Ju;h1L"had^''^?^^'r '" '"^'" -^ effect. ^ ''^'^ "° ^^'^ of producing that Mrs. Vassall sX ^°" ''"°" "^^ '''^"er-"^ "I know how you feel dpar " cV,„ • i Petrina's hand and p^t ingi ' f.''i\'"t^""Pt«l, taking When one has been^n^S „„- J ''"'"^ '^"^ y°" feel, one is naturally consdous of on^'^ ^ ™^" "^" "^"^^ :; Very," said PetrinTd^yir " »«-°rthiness. " to greale'sWvingV.'^"" °' °"^'^ -^knes,s a stimulus "OryeT^r *''"' '/°"lf P^«^'«-'y strive-" srail^g."^ SheTik^^S'-:'?^- V^«««» interrupted, esty. "We all Sth^f '^' *^."^^' P^'^n^'s niod- at last. And yJrl ST^'hJ '"*' '"' "^ --««» not exacting. He illL h^, /IT^- '' **"'^*' ^"t he is "I am nnt\r,M u ^ '^ther in that." am not much accustomed to taking other people's 1 i^i Let Not Man Put Asund er wishes into consideration," Petrina managed to say at last. She was annoyed with herself for the crude self-assertion of the speech, but Mrs. Vassall took it in another sense. "No, I suppose not, dear. As an only child, and in some measure independent, others have hitherto thought for you, rather than you for them. But you will find the active part of life so much richer than the pas- sive." ■■ So I should imagine, but — " "But you fear your own inability to meet the de- mands that will be made upon you? Naturally. All good women do on the eve of marriage. But you will have Henry's love and guidance, and I hope you will remember that, if any counsel or sympathy of mine can help you, I shall never have any wish so dear as to be of service to both you and him." It was quite clear now to Petrina that she was in an entirely new world. The negative had become positive. The mother, who had been but a shadow, was assum- ing with each word a personality. Petrina continued to smile; her tone was soft; her gestures were gentle; but within she was annoyed. She had lost the sense of patronage with which she had set out. This prim little Puritan, whose simple dignity and middle-aged prettiness were admirably heightened by the severity of her plain black attire, had a presence quite equal to Petrina's ovra. She might live out of what Petrina called "the world "; she might be quite unfashionable; she might not heed the difference between "Chippen- dale" and "Empire," nor pay any attention to the art of hanging pictures; but she was not a woman who could be left with affectionate neglect to her knitting and the chimney-comer. Petrina grew at once aware of that. She had a renewed sense of being judged by 84 Let Not Man Put Asunder a standard which was not what she h^A .»« was conscious that her h«.„7,, . .^^* "P- She that she was bet e a trfSlX?!*^"""^ "° ^^«='' manners and perfect^n of extemaT detri^'^'r """^ unheeded in the search for the ^ of h soul '^^ their inti„,at: "and sa^'rerex^Tencl' ^X '". ^^ ;'0f course " said Petrina, vaguely w^;j-~--;^^.itedo j.^^ That ,s no doubt often true," Petrina assented, po- my^'J^U-' *"'' '^"'-"* '^'' ' •^-^ f-nd it so with "Your—?" _."My girls, dear. I mean m^ v^^^j u- " What is it?" Petrina asked, still vaguely " n„ ih fhinrthe'^P""" '^?"'=^^' - « cotlltfn ta h^lP ^ *.nk *e younger gn-ls have something of tle'stt i^ "Oh no," said Mrs. Vassall, a litOe shockpH "tu are only working girls, but such^td'^rf,, ^^Z Let Not Man Put Asund er to teach them to be simple and industrious to have She did not mean to be so blunt, but the sentence sUpped out before she could control h;rself -l""^ ''°"i^" '"■" '"'««" Mrs. Vassall. No no Mrs Vassall, I couldn't, really." But why? U IS such a noble work." oTtSd."^"' ^-^ "^^- ^"'--^ --"=X^ courlSJiv ''"'VT' ^^'"./'''^ °''^'=^ woman said, en- couragingly. But you will get over that Manv of e^xScf-"""™^" ^"^^"^'^ «' fi-t' ''"t with a h^t?e fl, 7"^^ that you will not count on me for Inythinir like that, said Petrina.with quiet decision. "I haTe no taste at all for philanthropy " ;; This is less a philanthropic than a religious work " But I am not of your religion " Petrina smiled prettily in order to soften the effect of her words, but Mrs Jassall started with surprise. chur!h™;:r '""^ ''"'''■ ^'°^'^' '■ «^^* y— -t a "No, Mrs. Vassall, I am not." .u * u f "^"^ '" Petrina's voice that slightly defiant rin^ Ss Va-Tal/r"^""^ affirmations VdSs^rf Mrs. Vassall the moment was dramatic. A Vassall who was not a churchman seemed as impossible as a pope who was not a Catholic. i^^^-ioie as a "Then you are a Unitar— ?" 86 Let Nof Man Put Asunder eiZ>" ^"'""^ interrupted, hastily- "not that. "Then what are you?" ten^r' lTt:^^'\^^''' '"^"""' ^"'J "tterance were in- Sdna ;:;-n'^^ £i sz"'' ^" ^-^'^^ -^^^^ •'I'hlt'r;:^ ^''''■''"^^"^' '--"^ her eyes. for that of sa'/nUr-li/r SSsta^ ^ she now seized the other i-etnna s hands, you hav^befn ^e^:j:ut::^r,zt:f\, s°^ influences yofhave noT h J wu*' ^°" ^"'^ '•^^ ^ood as we see il^yr^'f^f^J^^X^^J^^^' around thr^' ^T^'"" P=*""^'« ^^^^ ^^ndered slowly Ts WiiT ''"Tf "°"^'y ^"™'^hed room S sionatef; lor t^^thh „° 'P'fK^^^^'y' aWst'pas- her ignorance Thi/ ."'^'^ /etnna had professed about them.'- ^'^^' P^'^'^P"' «"°'her chat gr^e'th^aS;^ ^ """"l^" °^ ''"''' ^'^"P'^d ^i'h good " You wm nn *"™"f °" P"t to her discourse, she asked trv^nl^^ wthout having seen the house?" she Soke.' "^ ^ '" '^'^'' ^'' ^'""""n' «nd rising as 87 Let Not Man Put Asunder "I am afraid I haven't time to-day," said Petrina eager to be gone. remna, " Then yoii must come st. ., again. Harry will want .ike to h^rie -' '^ ^"««-^ -^^' changes^^yrw^S asS ifstetrnis^m^t ^'^"^^^ ""''''" ^^'^^ you taow°" '''" ^""^ '^"^ "'^^''- ^' '^ «" °W house, "But I shall not live here'" uon It seemed to ask if any one were 'ikely to exnect S thaMf 'so 'h '""^ "^"^' ""'^ «* "^^ samitimno say mat, it so, he was wrong. ;;i have my own house," Petrina continued, centuries, Mrs. Vassall said, with quiet dienitv Tt"^wu^'' "fT •=^"^^»* t° ^^' elsewhere." ^^■ 1 hey both smiled and .said no more about the matter • but the gauntlet was thrown down between them' le Uie^^S'rH °*" T'"' ^""^ '^P'^'^ the pS to d^rt '" ™''^"^- '^•^"" P^*""^ "^g«I "What display!" Mrs. Vassall said, involuntarily as Petnna's eqmpage dashed away "««niy, as But she checked herself and went ujvstairs. She sat down again to the task from which herVisitor had K her, but she did not sew. She mused a little- then sh^ cned a little; and (hen, kneeling down a her b^sit prayed a long, long while. ^®'^^' In the meantime Petrina was rolling back towards Boston in even less good humor than when she hJd se «re iJ: r °"1 "TT"' *^ ''"^^tioned the ful ure. She foresaw that her supremacy over married life would demand a struggle; but at [he tho^^S 88 Let Not Man Put Asund cr CHAPTER Vin Lihl'rpf l,"*" ^'^""^ ^^"''"'' ^ « P^S^n Puritan, i^echmere had spoken more wisely than he knew She was pagan by inheritance and temperament- neither rehgious Ideal nor spiritual creed had any pkceTr^ her U. bhe had neither knowledge nor need of it She was aware that it existed, but it was no more to her than a love of landscape to a man bom blind. It was «.ng to which she felt herself superior. {Lit peal to her was not more practical than that of a Wag- ner prdude to a sailor in a storm. She did not obj^t to It, she would never have argued against it-not any Tr^^ ^" f'' ''■°"''' ^«^^ ^^ ^ ""^d'^ against doing s[,^n^ "I^ "' '"f'j'"^ '■"''''•"S^ ^''"" °ld tombs. Shf simply stood apart from it, as an indifferent spectator .•„„»r^ °1/ when other people presented their relig- ion as a pattern to which she should be expected to con- orm that Petnna felt irritated against it'^Mr.s Va" sail s gentle assumption of spiritual leadership aroused hat sense of revolt which was always existei^t, even if latent, in the Faneuil blood. rylZFr^uT'^ separation from religious systems dated not merely from the parents who had chosen to be mar- ned and buried without sacred rites; it came from far back in her ancestral history. When the Barons de 1-aneuil first emerge into mediseval light they are al- ready in conflict with the Church. For more than two centuries there was generally a Pierre de Faneuil in a 90 Let Not Man Put Asunder natural SlTtho'1.°r' «/ ''«°«'n'"nicatio„. t wa« strange that one of the raclboWer h "'°u- ""' **'°"y should have pushed his wnv u"" '*'* ancestors, himself to the Ln^ aZC/Z^n^T ''"' ^"H P-ederaneuHhecai:£thert:/tl%l^^^^^^ hafbe^" of th" ";iTt""' V"' '"■"■^'- - they could give spfrituTr;sT "'^l^''"'^'' ^^----<^huscJs up on New England Si wie n'^r'^^"""' "'°' ^^--"-^ with the accept^ bdiefa ^'n^J £;'-''t"H'' ^^'r^ of religious thought reaction^r!, F^"}" "'^'^ P^ase or Unitarian, waf wdcTmed fl^ "^ ^^'^"^^''Trinitarian ance from every othcT bur^^hr- 7"°""="* ^' « '•^''ver- ten. lasted long"^ Knfe httol^nTc f T °"^ ^y^ ards individualism in belief Ir^w^ tendency tow- peat-grandfather, nomSalfvfnEn ""''?• ^''^^^'^ towards rationalism in h f l!^ ^P'"^°l»''an, inclined father, nominally a UnLrfan" T'"- ^"^^ ^^"d- death, an avowed free-thint 'H.rru' ^'J°'^ "'« nothing. Petrina was nothing t" Wh'* ^^^ "^^ lous instinct had ever been in fL f .^^atever relig- self at least two mLT be ^ he" thn'^' S^ •^- a pagan-a tolerant, indifferent slSt^vf ^^^^^ gan-who could not feel enoimh ; ^'^Y.^c -nful pa- which went by the nime TchrisT "k '" '''' ""^' to them. ^nnst to be even opposed But she was none the less a P„r,( ways of thought and habits „f ^f I IJ' *^'''''"'" °^ ^^^r liefs which had giv"n them birth ""^ 'T'^"^ ^^e be- outlive its cause If she "^?' '" ^" f «=' ^"" ""^n sne v^as a pagan, shr was a seri- Let Not Man Put Asunder nne was not without ideals, and was strict in livine ud o them. Aware that she was well dowered ir^liaut/ Jntelhgence and wealth, she looked upon herself as the steward of those gifts, and held hersTr^Sble for their use ,„ doing good. But her notion of^ W' was essentially non-Christian. It was part of heT^gan ism that for the poor she had little pitv,whne hrZ from the fear of some day suffering herself Philan thropy was as far from her as was religion She iS on and wondered when she saw her friends worki^ ^n Associated Charities or College Settlements £ TJ^ commended by the Church. Her views were Cldly but such as they were, she held U,em eagerly ^' hv^h^r"^ 7'?'i ^ "'•* ^"^ ^'^ young woman placed by the hazard of descent in Boston; and haditbe^l^^ sible, she w^uld not have chosen her destiny "S^r lstin:[i?aSd"?f °' '^"^^" f ^" American! sh^^s aisiinctly and before evervthinir pUo a n«»* • ^' ""r^^^T' ^'""-^ "^ P^-"t!d states w^TbuTfhe pedestal which upholds the statue. Bostl was W statue; Boston was her counfrv H„ /• V- America she was aware; but thev we-rfnLt-- tellectual or social tributaries X'^gKeTrg^ or richer or busier, but they could never bfar to Boston anyjther than the relation of Lyons or Liverjo, to And yet this civic pride was neither indiscriminate 92 Let Not Man Put Asunder II »«!, Ihc only „l„.| .,„J ri^i ™"l' '" '^'""|« by; she was not content that it shm.Mt. ^ t ™^ ^°"^ ful contestant for co„,i.S'£t'^7^';,-"-^^ higher possibilities, they were greater ruliU ^ were out of touch with the vouno- R^f ?u"^ '°^'' and the single a great tuKw^ffi ^^'"■^^" t^e married even a barrfer between fho e wh„ .v ' ""'^'^^ '^''' "'^^ ried and those Tho were martJ'' ^"^1"'^ '"^'•- The father had little s^Tal co^f^t and m.ddie- aged, the .other almost noritriSte^^ 1^^ Let Not Man Put Asunder was a Zc^So^'unet. T ^' '^'^^- ^here honor, social morals anH J^^ conscience, social suffered for ^heToie Whaf ^"hI ^""^ '"^""""^ ^ad be. one of the most deStfull r ' ^"'^ ""^^^ ^*'" was, with increase! „ ''™' .''°"eties m the world factions, for want :^f aTanr'^"^' """r^'"^ "P '"^ centrate. standard round which to con- satisfied her Puritan tJ "°/'T "'^^^ ''''^«; ^ut it to think thLt she mi^ht ^'"^' for beneficent activity "good." She had no fi ^''"""P^'^^ ^^^ amount of -n doubt that Se way .fourr™'"'' ^^ ^^^ '''^ went on. ^ '"'"''' ''^come clear as she she never questioned the f/r-t.iTfu" °^ '''^" «e^' ^ut imp-^rtant Is a nTaSed womln In''' """''' ''f '"°- It was humiliating but true that «M v ""^''' °"«- her omvemta lumrf^.l'n' "'"'"?' '"'«"""•" "H •.ry to p,„,i„ (o £„"t,"'"r i';" " "* "«"- 94 Let Not Man Put Asunder ready to give to this woman who was taking w There was a brief instant when l-f uJ^ ^"" ^""^y- do so. °^ *"^n she had meant not to littleness ' ^ '''' 'emptat.on with scorn of her own n her faslnonless Wack benrf^'"'^- • ^he Wtle mother jng eagerly, while Petrina al°^^fl r ^V^^^' *«'k- back, half scornful and half amused arV"^i^''' '^"«^ she must sit at Henry's feet Tndl *^ **'°"^^* ""^t an attitude of service '^^™' ""^ ^tand by in eridy>ff ;jrhrveT ^«''" ^^'-^ ^''^ -oth- Men are more or l^s like „ ^"'"°" '^«'' »y dear as the rest. He gefs tcrrfbr""^^-^'' ^^^^ "^nryTs ready p«,/,^^V-nbly^^^^^^^^^^ if dinner ifn't Vve dine at eight " saiH P»« • , " ^ "Oh, that will never do '^M"^',/^"^"''^'y- hastily. "Butyou win see'thJ!''- ^^'T," ^^'^i^ned, ^vith a faint smile. "He t^kes 1."^°":^ 'V '^' ^^ded at his club, so that when he c^l" ^^ 'he hghtest lunch g^y- He goes to his lunch at one T V" ^''^*'""- seven. Seven hours without Cd ^^^'7/1.^'^''^ long, my dear. You'll find ft . ■"'°"''* ^ t"" digestion." ''"^ '' so, especially with his wiSsliL'"" ''^ ''■^^^«-' *-?" Pelrina asked But Mrs. Vassal., not^understanding the remark. Let Not Man Put Asunder not think of everything in a Ut.^^i cl'^ZZ' There ,s, however, one matter on which you nev" ne^ eSfrbrSif Sr' ^'n^ "^'^ ^-" -^ anH UhL-i i He ,s particular about his coffee and hkes It strong; but I am sure you will find it sim atteZ hi:r'V° ^"^1 *° P'^" ^- o^e meal adll kLt^^m^lfnaSi;^^^^^^^^ A young hous^e! A few days later Mrs. Vassall wrote again ■ aboi HX^:Ze^.*;^*- -y remarksV other day with them hitherto! but you w 11 find Mrs Tu *'°""^ Again there was a postscript: Would you not likr to come to one of our W^dn^^o Let Not Man Put Asunder Petrina kept these letters to herwlf ,»r ^L u ^^ssall *u„t „u 1, , ^"""ea ner on her own eround • FaneJl dined, T^^iTu"" "^^"^ P^*""^ «"d Mrs. ^..M^^aT" ^^ "^^""^ ^"y ^^" '" *e country a high-tea " said Mrs. Faneuil, and so they wore gowns of onlv secondaiy importance in their wardrobes ^ 97 Let Not Man Put Asunder They found themselves mistaken. The snadous to tLf i;''dXT'''V*^''""^^^ '^'•''^'^ '« accustom^ lo usell, and does not seem to say, "ObservP wV,=,# =. success taste and skill have made of me '' ^ 1 he guests were few but important-Pepperells and iult afhrn"'"l^?u^ !!"^" by name, anTwho were equally at home m both hemispheres. The Pepnerell wefe m^ b^L-Tf 7' '^"^'"'"' P^'"- acknowleS VassaT 2 t fu"'* ™°'" «•'""'•««' than her own l^Tl *f f **, "^'^ satisfaction, was the simplest V:lKl"*arpHs:^ considerate of hosts; buTE.' The fona mother who wrote of bacon and eggs and toe washing of colored shirts was richly drS^n ^^steSL-:4SL^S£^ c«ved her guests, not with the sthnJI^Sety ^'o^^ who,s mafang an effort to entertain, but wi h the ease sl? d):::?^" t '^' ^'"■''* *° ^»>°"> *e task is famihar bhe directed the conversation tactfully anH nlrnli unprceptibly. I„ her talk there was n^ refoencTto rehgio, or Guilds of Friendship, or any of toe ho^.l„ duties in which her soul was wranned «?h» * u ^ dotes of the court of QueenTsar.K wh'ch "^^ilZ^ hadbeenmimster.and added reminiscences of theHouse Peptl^d^'h'Ld'b ■"'"'"' !^' •'^'^ '°'°- -hen r vn-to that nr ii '^""""^ *° '^"""- She talked with that pretty, unconscious brilliancy which as 98 Let Not Man Put Asunder ?urr„r Vi»tll° ^^ of .o. sen- was acJston,id totTch stcesl^ir^^^^'J'"* »»>« now, but she had had m.^.h • '■«=«ved rarely by. Mere ent^?fi£ n^t ^J'^^^'^^ « times gone forehand and buSf «tiX^ ^u ^"^ *^^y ^ among the trifles of Se ^.S? afterwards. It was a niatter of no consequence st ''^' "^ ^^'»^« ^as her Wednesday evS" with "l"^'"^ .'",V'* °>°'«that off with satisfacUo^to aU ™!? ''S ^"^^ «^»°"W Pa^s given so much thought to anvd'^"^t' ^^"^'^ at Madrid as she now s^^ e J^ '"^ ^* the Legation reception given to the Jp^ Vi ^^'" °« "^^ annual On the di; f^£nT?h. -?°^ her pansh church, letter which. X'fettrt^^^^^ t to h^" r cS ScT ^^e"sh T °"* ^"""^ «- stay to luncheon " ^ ^''^" *^P«=t y°" to ever to consider in ^^^^ ^^"^1 £"0^^."-" CHAPTER IX It was, however, a satisfaction to find that Vassall was unaware of the correspondence of which he i^s the subject Between Petnna and Mrs. VasLll there fi^ ? ^"Ly"'l«'-«tanding that their letters were coT hdential Where men are concerned, women have an instmct for strategy; and a husband or a brother, while nommally doing as he wills, is often only workiAg out the plans which well-meaning female r. Stives have made for him ,n secret. Even the woman who is treach- ThT 1 r ^"^ Z '°^^ °' friendship is rarely other than loyal in matters of domestic conspiracy And hus Petnna while conscious of a growing exaspera- Ss thTsl' '' ^^^ '"^* °" *^' subject tow- For in her opinion Vassall was a perfect lover No one could bear himself better," she often said. Corning from her the praise was high, for sne .ncknowi: edged herself fastidious. She had tasted the mingled pleasure and pam of refusing many suitors, and she had made mental notes about them all. Love she observed, sits strangely on the average AnglcvSaxon He carries it as awkwardly as the ordinary citizen wears a fancy dress. It makes him self-conscious, unnatural and ill at ease. For its expression ou; language has few words, and our habits fewer gest- ures With such poverty of ready-made resources, the Anglo-Saxon lover has need of a grace and a tact which are sc; _ely native in order not to be grotesque 100 Let Not Man Put Asunder one who coul., fitly declare hrll''^'^:' '""•' than one man's love-making shnh^Hu •"""■'= serious consideration untTha hnf .f ''^? S'^'"S further thought hv".^/- ^ P"' '""'«'='f beyond stammerinro^Kr tLwc^rr^ ^^^"^ I"'" There was a time when Mrf P .^"nimonplacc. vulgar ciashing of opinions and wills lOI Let Not Man Put Asunder oi pracucal things. Petnna avoided this sort of dia. too, that she was entenng into Vassall's life rathar Oian he into hers. She disliked maW pkns S hini; she preferred to express her wisLel She Sk vors ( v^ii himself had said so many a time) it would tea sufficient career for him to ca^ h« hiSo„s d^«1 y, T "" ""^"^ *" "^^ ^^ th^she nev« ion! dered whether or not he had desires of his own He C: was notte of "'"^ " "^ "«= ^' '^^^ -« Jiere was nothing of any consequence outside I am going to startle you," she said, smiling one evening early in the new year. «nmng, one _ "That is so easily done," he replied, "that the snort is scarcely worth your prowess " ^ ^'Does it hurt?" " Mit siisser Pein only. " "•V^Vi ^ "^ ^''^ "° compunction?" _ Wot for any such arrows of wit or irony as you have H^^yrw""^"^^^"- ^'--^^o^o-rof^r "I have observed t in you " " As a virtue, I hope?" "As one of the qualities I like. It is negative h„f strong, and it offers me a background " ^ ' "* grouid toa.l'a"L^e7."*° ^°" ' "°"'' '^""^ "^ « ''^k- " You must be both. I expect my husband to stand 102 Let Not Man Put Asunder before me as the object of my favor, and behind me as a foil. "^° ^ '" two places at once, like the Irishman's bird. "He must know how to be present without indiscre- tion, and absent without being missed. Like Char- ity, he must learn to bear all things, endure all things — " And hope all things, I presume." "Not too much, otherwise he is likely o be disap- pointed. In marriage it is wisest to be prepared for the worst; one is then quite grateful for second-best, which IS the average of what one receives." "Is this cynical sentiment the shock of which you warned me?" "Not at all. It is only the preliminary to its inflic- tion. "Thai may I beg not to be kept longer in sus- pense? " Are your nerves steady?" ^' Not very, but, all the same, let me know the worst " I have decided to be married on a Friday." Vassall looked at her with smiling incredulity They were m the hbrary of Petrina's house in Beacon Street The room was large and luxurious. The walls were well lined with books, and the only picture was the full- length portrait of Petrina's father— painted by Hunt A few marble busts stood in comers, while on the tables were some of Barye's bronzes. A cheerful wood fire was burning in the chimney. Petrina and VassaU sat before the bright blaze, while between them stood a table on which were the after-dinner coffee, hqueurs, and cigarettes. Mrs. Faneuil had discreetly left them to themselves. "Why on a Friday?" VassaU asked. "I thought 103 II J Let Not Man Put Asunder on %"a;i-"^ '^'"^y '^y- Fi»t of all, I wa, born ;;Then it is my lucky day, too." day.'^'Yo:L'rf^eTtr£%Tf.---' - « P"- and the day by thriakVat A f" '?^ "^ « F^day; a Friday, loo " "' Ashuelot last autumn was ward and took hJ hind ^^''*" '^«1 f"'- that of banter to t??„S s^eri "^"^ '°"^""» ^^°™ was at her best. ^ senousness m which she mother's weXg^'/airon^Trid"/ "^ '^*"'^ -<» quite explain to you what thU^ ^^f"" ^ ««'» would probably thfXitSiafBT".' *° "^- ^ou remember one's mother «I^ ^"^ when one cannot father, their memory teCl Ce T '^ '^^» °««'» serious portion of one's life Mt ?^ ^'^u? '" ^'^^ """^^ are a mingling of pride in,i ,.^7 "'"t"^'"'^ ^'"'"t them having nolth^relirion it^ ^^ i °""" ^'^'"'^ ^at, cannot feel for my nar^t tT^ ^ , T^ ^^"^^ '^at I have come from "kS £ wTtf *^' "^,* """^'^ matter of filial duty to cLnlVfr ^^^'^ ™^^^ '* a be wUh the important moTeS of mylLT*" ^^ "^^ 104 Let Not Man Put Asunder "I quite understand that." hnlirT/^"" '^ '"^^'*' ""' °"'y •'■rth, but name and honor and means and so much besides. And all I can do for them ,, to th nk of them, to commemorate them theirs. I has been to me a matter of something more Uian sentiment to think that if I ever married it should be upon their wedding-day. " »nouia " Which falls on— ?" " The first Friday in April." yassall bent his head and kissed her hand There is something else I wish to say," Petrina went on as Vassall raised himself. Then she paused Yes? I am listening." of Ze' " wi°"^"'^^V',f''I °'^'^"'' ^'^ « '^"''den change of tone. We have talked enough for the present. One step at a time ,s the surest method of going on " "tZI ^^i"l°"*f^ *? ^^"^ °^ «"d did notinsist. ^.Jt ^^'^V^ ^P"''" *»« ^id to himself as he i , i' I: CHAPTER X "The first Friday in April," Vaasall said next mo^ .ng at breakfast, in reply*;^ his moX * ""°^' He did not look up, but he was conscious of her eves fixed upon him in cold surprise ^ The first Friday?" she exclaimed. "A Fridav? Vou mean that Petrina wishes to be marri^ on a- J mS;t '-e ™'^«''"^' H«"7l You must have maL a misto^e. No giri m her senses—" as^h^rTuikX"" "'"* ''^""'" '^^ "^'^ °^ ^"''«y "Extraordinaiy," was Mrs. Vassall's only comment "^dZ'ti-^'^T",'''' -""J-^ftera slU ^^ut: AM isn t It— ? Yes, I am almost sure it is. " She rose qmckly and left the room. Vassall euessed f n ^ ^^«"tered she was examining the first naws of a Book of Common Prayer. '^^ Vassall rose and looked over her shoulder Here it is," she said, her voice trembling with re- pressed excitement. "April 5th, Good Friday Yot can t be married on Good Friday " "J'- r ou ha^e'^ruUTft.""*'" '^ '''^'^- "^"^^ -"'d"'' "You didn't know," he said to Petrina after dinner fall thfr' ''^^7u ■'2'" ^'''"'* '^""^ ^^^^ Good Friday falls this year m the first week in April?" Does It?" she asked, indifferently It will interfere, therefore, with the date you have 106 Let Not Man Put Asunder fixed for our wedding. It didn't occur to me till mv mother reminded me of it. " ' «Z^ ^^ *"^ *"^^ haughtily. She was eon- f«H^ f\!!'""«'- '*"'* °' ""«•*■ She had again the !Zt«™!r r"^** "'"' **' 'Snorant. She called it ^metimes rehgion sometimes conventionality, some Umes provmciahty but it was too indefinable to seizr hLTif "T*"* '•?'. ^" '" Vassall's mother, with her dehberae asceticism and housekeeping piety; but ,t was like a mysterious power blocking her way It seemed to «y, "You are Petrina Faneuil and nam- have done it before you. You .shall not sw^p through ^Zh^Z '•'^'ir^ "'u''""' °^' y°" "hall cr4. beaten track of travel, pleasure, and youth. In her mgagement and marriage she was striking out more boldly It was therefore a rude surprise to be toldThI? even the nch and the young in this sophisticated world are less like nomads, free to wander at will, than Uke fc?K ^f'^fu^fu^^^ ^"" *" Mrs. Vassall at CW todge th.» fact had been presented to her from so many points of view that she was compelled to reflect upon It, but It was always with renewed determination to force circumstances to her will It was this very reflection which caused her pres- ent anger. Hitherto she had chafed in secret Now ^„L^K '^T^^ T °^ ''^^''^- She was told that someUung she had very near at heart could not be ^rj^U l^^ '^' '^.^^ •" *« ™"d ^°^ introsSion she would have seen that never in her life had shVbe^n 107 Let Not Man Put Asunder so angry as now. Had she been able to analv^e her tZt!^"^^ ' would have perceived that, beneath the r^^"lu^'^^'''°" ^^""^ ^^^ ^l'°"ld d° Precisely as she pleased, there was a common-sense sub-consciousness that she could not be married on Good Friday. She knew already that she was holding a positio^n f^Tm which she shour be obliged to retire, but for the m" "of noUoVtr"' "^^ °^"'"™^ ""' "^^ '^'='^™- "Why should it make any difference'" seScojS.' '^°°^ ^ "'"'' '" 'P"' °^ ^""^ '^°'^ «»" "We couldn't be married on Good Friday, you know " aTguM' ^' ^ "^^ '*^"°^ ^ ^^"^ *°° °''^'°"« ^°^ "Why not?" " ^^'^.awse we couldn't. It isn't possible." _ Isn t that what you would call a woman's reason^' Perhaps, but it sums up all the reasons there HTc. "It doesn't appeal to me." _ "But, dear Petrina, you never heard of any one be- ing married on Good Friday." fcl'i^'r! T^'' ^^^"^ ^^^ ^'""^'e t° observe; but I fancy that if you were to look at one of last year's pa- pers of the morning following that day you would find that there are people in the world to whom your new moons and sabbaths mean nothing at all " ^^^'^Doubtless there are such people, but not of our "Not of yours, perhaps, but of mine " She spoke in her usual low voice, and looked at him with a smile She was sure of herself now, and knew tha^ she could carry on the discussion without any ill- bred show of annoyance. Vassall himself was de^ io8 Let Not Man Put Asund er caved by her calmness. He, too, smiled, not suspect- 11!^/ r 1'A',^ °^ ^^' ^^^""e. He took it for granted S he'did ^ ^^Planation she would see the matter 1 V^'^'^u *^?'^ °^ ^^ cigarette into the iire, and looked at her with steady gentleness. Petrina took a hand-screen and shaded her face, protecting herself less from he firehght than from his quiet gaze I know," he said, softly, "that you don't think as Ti^^ "? ma ters of rdigion. You and I have never talked of that, and, if we ever do, you will be the one to begin. I want you to feel quite free—" _" Thanks. I am not accustomed to feel otherwise " I want you to feel quite free," he went on, paying no attenUon to this shot, "to speak on the subject or o be silent. Some day, perhaps, as we grow nearer together, you will be able to enter into my leeUngs more easily than now." ^ Petrina shook her head. U •n^Tfl!"'"^'" ^V'^S"^^*' "'he missionary instinct lelf at laS"^"^ '" "^"^ " '^ showing it- '' You are like your mother," she said, aloud Of course we can't help hoping—" "Then please don't," she interrupted, with an im- patient movement of the hand-screen. In the act Vas- sall saw that .she was slightly flushed "Please don't," she repeated. "I have no instinct ot that sort. To my mind religion is a teste like any other-hke a love of music or a fancv for collecting postage-stamps. I shall never share it; I shall never even understand it. For me the subject is of no im- portence. Don't try to force it on me, Harry because It would be labor thrown away. " Because "I should never think of doing so." 109 Let Not Man Put Asunder thriirF^L^S'^s^,- °" "^'""^ '^^ «-^ ^- fa...ai„sf|;:kTLT£3S^^^^^^ the women TZie^lZZ^C^:^^.^^^ '^^"'^«' fasUons for the con^Ig "r fa tW, r"^"^l\*" never been any day at aU." ^^ ''""""'y '* ^^^ ''It is, at least, a great anniversary " "NTdZ"'hJ'"'* T"" !°>^^" ^°'S°"«> that." ta.* liTSj'!!' '"^y "»'• .» 0.- which "Not always." "Not always, perhaps; but certainly here r.^ He died many centuries ago. Your grief for that occurrence cannot be extreme I questi^tf a, the day comes round each year, you and your fdlow-be! Severs pve much more thought than I'^do to whitt no Let Not Man Put Asund er supposed to have taken place on Calvary. If you have any emoUon at all it is probably fictitious and conven- Uonal; but I venture to think it isn't even that." "The significance of the day is not in our feeling but m what we consider to be a great redemptive .u ^/^u""'** ^ '^"^'' ^'"'^ *° f°"°«' y°" there if I saw that Chnstians themselves laid any emphasis upon it " More, perhaps, than you think." "Very likely. I will not dispute you. The question IS nothing to me. I am trying only to point out that while the day I have fixed for our marriage is for you an occasion of only simulated feeUng, it is for me one which touches the most sensitive fibres of my life " Nevertheless, as they talked on, it was more and more mth the understanding that Vassall's decision would be the final one. Unconsciously Petrina found herself speaking as though she had given way It was as if she had been carried down by a strong but gentle tide. She was so little used to opposition that when it came it took her by surprise. She even al- lowed him to depart without assuring him that her mind was still unchanged. He did not suspect that she was hurt. A man has less often than a woman the impulse to look behind appearances. Vassall took facts as he found them, and went his way homeward pleased with himself and her. "Poor little thing," he thought, "it was hard for her to give up her mother's wedding-day, but how pluckily andpretblyshediditi" But a little later, after she had changed her evening dre.ss for a robe that floated and feU about her like -some long, lace-like mountain cascade, Petrina sKpped into her stepmother's bedroom. It was not late, and Mrs. Faneuil, also comfortably clad in something soft III Let Not Man Put Asunder and gorgeous like a sunset cloud, was in the act of I didn't know/' Mrs. Faneuil replied, calmly "I ajn^^always finding your belonging's in un'^ected " He isn't my property yet. " "But so soon to be!" "That remains to be seen." " The fifth of April will not be long in coming round " ^^ Did you know it was Good Friday?" rn.„ f f_ra"°»sl." Mrs. Faneuil exclaimed, as she ro.se from her writing-table and came where Petrinn was seated before the fireplace. " I nevlrt^ughrS^t' "No." "How tiresome!" "Why? What has it to do with us?" intoTnXr '" ""' ^™-*"'"-- ^■•^- ^--" ^"k "It has everything to do with us. You can't possi- bly be married on Good Friday " ^ "But I mean to be." "Then there is no more to be said. I shall be at your wedding, of course; but there will be no one else This was a new idea to Petrina, and it struck her forcibly. She had little intention of being r^S in conspicuously. With no vulgar wish for displav she Ind rl^"" ^T!^'^ *at anything less than a hand ome and representative gathering of Boston's best would be unworthy of the nuptials of the head of the house of Faneuil. Besides, ,t was thus that she secretly meant 112 Let Not Man Put Asunder to i»^ugurate her social reign. Her wedding was to be ^e first of those events which were in time to re-unite Boston s scattered social forces. As she thought over Mrs^aneuil s words, her annoyance became anxiety Do you thmk many would stay away?" she asked alter a few nnnutes' reflection. "I think every one would stay away. It would be considered most extraordinary." _''! shouidu't mind that if they would only come." But who would come? Just think. Certainly the Hammerfields wouldn't be there." "I could do without their benediction." Nor the Lougswords." ^1 1 should be sorry for that, but—" "You could do without them, too?" "Precisely." *u"tr"'* ?u" J^""'*^ ^° '^'*°"* t'le Skeffingtons, and the Marchbanks, and the Fenboroughs, and the Rip- cl w""^* ^"^ ^°"' ^'™ *=°""''"S only the Epis- "3ui Ihere are hosts of Unitarians to whom one day would be the same as another." '" 1^"^^ ^°" ^? '"^""S- ^ ^™ a Unitarian myself " Mais St pen. ih'^l ^"' ^ y°" '^'^^' ''"t «ti" enough to know how they feel. For all those ecclesiastical days thev are getting to be as bad as the EpiscopaUans. I thfnk it i^ quite nght, too I remember distinctly that in the Newbury Street Church last year they kept Gooq Fri- day on the Sunday before, ana on Easter day the pul- pit was banked with flowers. No, there wouldn't be even a Umtanan at your wedding, Petrina. You may take my word for it, and there is nothing so dreary as an empty church." '■ But I am not going to be married in a church." " 113 Let Not Man Put Asunder "Do you mean," she said, speaking slowly and with rag,c emphasis, "that the service is%o be'^performld in a parlor, under a floral bell?" Petrina shuddered. 'No, not that." "Then what?" •' I haven't decided yet," she faltered I am glad of that," said Mrs. Faneuil, drvlv " If you have not decided, there is still hope " " all." ^^^ "°' '"*^"' *° ^^''^ any reUgious service at Mrs Faneuil sank back again into her chair with a dramatic air of weariness. "You think of being hand-fasted, perhaps?" Petnna did not reply. r il?'" ^°Z°f ™^'*" *° ^° ''^f*""^ « i"s«ce of the peace? Wr dlst's " ""'''"'" '""'' '''P^"""^ ^™°"S ">- " I haven't thought out the details. " So I should suppose." "I want to be married as my mother was. She mus' have been absolutely sincere. She would have at her wedding nothing in which she did not beheve " 1 remember." "She would have no meaningless ceremony she would take no self-insulting vows: she refused 'even the empty symbolism of a wedding-ring " "I can tell you all about it. I ^as only a young girl at the tune, but I had my wits about me " ^ 1 want to do as she did, not merely because I hold her opimons, but because I cherish her memory " Certainly, dear. You are wholly right. But it ought to be within the limits of the practical" 114 Let Not Man Put Asunder "But I see no insunnountable difficuJty— " Spectes and the first Agnosticism. She wa^ as ^ettv as a picture and as clever as Margaret FuUer BeforP she was married her little group of oUoSs M upon her as the aposUe of a new movement I doni r^ira/"atdttutsr lir • ''^''^ -- iaft^Lirth^^-^X^tSSTi^J hLd T^f '^"'"^ ^^^ '"°^" ^'y hurled them a^your e^gaeS' ""tIT^u ^°' "' '^"^ ""^ ^^en they Sme rsStesiisinn^^iva^^^^^^^^ ^n?^^^^^r^^--%t^^ ^rnestness was gone. The worst wL tha , Ser to K^f f """Z r' ""^^ ''«=«'»« «ke anybSy else th/n ,W.* ^""^ ^""^"'^ independence of man and then couldn't bear your father out of her sie^t Sh. wouldn't say the word obey when they were marlJj and then simply lived to carry out his order^ "shT^ "5 Let Not Man Put Asunder fused a wedding-ring, but the one he gave her after- wards never left her finger, and she wore it to her grave " Her convictions, however, didn't change " whic^°'in^h^''^^"°'- .F"^ ^^'y ^^'^ convictions for IL *l u°!f .'•^^^^''^ P^Pl^ "'h° held them sup- posed hey had to fight It was the part of courage to stand to one s guns. But who cares about such ideas ^'Many people, I fancy." "Yes but not you, nor I, nor Mr. Vassall, nor any of our friends. The same questions r-ay still be burn- ing in remote country places and in the women's clubs but not here m Beacon Street, nor among people like ourse ves. "They may deal with highly important sul^ jects for aught I know, but they are terribly vieux ieu " Petrina shuddered again. She had not seen the mat- ter in this hght before. "I always meant to be married as my mother was " she said, for want of other argument. "Do you re- member what it looked like?" ^^"^^^■1"^°?^! ^^^' " ^^^ '" a hall. I was there w:th my faUier and mother. I distinctly recall hat it was very brief and businesslike. George Cur- f 'J fu^°''"^'^*~^''^^"'^ Harrison's friend-per- formed the service, if service it could be called- and there was some sort of magistrate to make the ceremony legal. Your mother wouldn't have bridesmaids be- causethey implied that a woman was weak and needed attendance; neither would she wear a veil, because the veil was tvpical of woman's shyness and seclusion bhe was bewitching, however, in a plum-colored walk- ing costume made with an overskirt and panniers ■ and she wore a plum-colored turban. What the occasion lacked was something sentimental and picturesque You may spend all your taste and energy on a function of il6 Let Not Man Put Asunder that kind, and yet it will always be gaunt and colorlesf as compared with a wedding in a church." "But when one doesn't believe in churches?" "I understood that Mr. Vassall did." "Oh, yes, he — " " He doesn't count, perhaps. " "He would naturally do as I wished." Petrina said this boldly, but with an unpleasant twinge of doubt. " In that case you have only to make your own plans You may count on my aid in carrying your wishes out. Hut if you want anything like a real wedding—" " I do want that, of course." "Then I should abandon, if I were you, all thought of going back to the early seventies, or of being mar- ried on Good Friday. I can't yet understand how Henry Vassall, with all his Episcopalian connecUon could have agreed to the proposition " "He didn't." "Then how—?" "I snail have to insist. That's all." Mrs. Faneuil sat for .some minutes looking at her stepdaughter in silence. "Do you know, Petrina," she asked at last, "why a wedding is Uke a quarrel?" "Is it a riddle, mamma?" "Yes, and home-made." 'Tm afraid I shall have to ask you for the answer" Because it takes two to make it. It is a riddle with a moral. "Pointed at me?" "Straight. You talk of getting married as though you were the only person concerned. You .seem to for- get that there is to be a bridegroom who may have wishes of his own." 117 Let Not Man Put Asunder "J don't forget it He has many wishes, but they can ^ le expressed in one." ' "Which is to please you, I suppose?" H JJ • *u *■ V""'' "nything of the kind Your Ue IS Uke the bishop of whom it was said that a litZ child could lead him-the way he wanted to go W? try any experiments on him." "Practically." ...r/''*'". .'^°"'' '"^'*' "P°" "■ I question the i^ood surely be repugiiant to his mother, if not to him " But 1 am not marrying his mother." Oh yes, you are. There is a sense in which vou S=f Se^m^.^."'^ ^^-^'^^ Va^^ltni/:; "Don't, motherl" tni'th ""p*^^ ^'■°^"' f"^ *='•''''' ''"* I'"* *e"'ng you the truth. People cannot marry to themselves alone As M^ Va^^r"' "^"""""y i« 'Host inclusive. When non^if fu , °**""-'^''' ^n'' Shall refuse myself none of the pleasures of the position. In ma^^nJ 'Oh, mamma, spare mel" T>Mrir,a ,.„-„j • • beginning to mo'verer:ou:iy a^SXT.^"^'"^ ^^"^ 1 may spare you, but your future relations won't f you choose to marry among them, you g"ve The^ yL^^^X'T^'' l™™ 5^°" ^ <=-*«■» Mn^ of conduct ^ou mustn t begin by deliberately running counter to aU their chenshed prejudices and pet convittior"s " ii8 Let Not Man Put Asunder Pelrina came up behind Mrs. Fancuil and slipped her arm over the elder woman's shoulder takinK the trouble to have a stomother who can be so nice and who ts so—" "I will excuse you the other adjective, my dear I never cared for antithesis of that kind. But you see again that it is the effect of marriage. When I took your father, I took you. Now we've got to make the best of each other. Petrina stooped and laid her hot cheek on her moth- er s soft brown hair. "Well" she said, wearily, "I suppose I had better break off my engagement." "Perhaps that would be wiser," Mrs. Faneuil as- sented complacently, rising as she spoke. •There never was any one quite so unsatisfactory as you, mamma Petrina cried, clasping her hands be- hind her mother s neck and looking down into her eyes That wasn t at all your cue. You should have op- posed me Then I would have broken it off. Now I sha n t. I shall go on with it." "There is one thing I should certainlv do in your place. " j"»« "Something unpleasant, I suppose," .said Petrina moving away again. reinna. "I should go to bed and try to sleep myself into a healthy, conventional frame of mind, and get up in the morning thinking like other people." "But I'm not like other people." '.'' ^"iK"" *^ P"y- ^*'^ y"" "^^^^ defect. " And I hate the conventional." "Though there is nothing that suits you so well The convHitional is only whf ■ the united good taste of mankind has found to be the most becoming " "9 Let Not Man Put Asunder "m°* '? "" "^y^"*' perhaps." One can see that you've always had it." *e«a W-"""""^' ""' '"«' «- *" ^'ou. Et main- Mrs. Faneuil pointed to the door Pn»,.„= i i. j ■n Mte of her vague feeling of'dJsZtert "" '""^''"' ^ Uh, If you want to be vulgar—" "I shall be anything that gives me the fr«Hlo,„ „f my own room. Besides, vulgarity in Fre^rh i without some distinction." ^ ^''* " "^^" k L^'l*/^' """""^ °"« sees on the French stao.,^;ii bred, but immensely chk " *-rencn stage— ill- ever^iuHnVga "" ''^'""^' '"^ " *° ^--J^' -^at- " If you mean that for a hint—" "I mean it for something a great deal stronger I am sleeping on my feet, and if—'' ^^'^onger. I But Petrina laughed again, and was gone. CHAPTER XI A FEW days later Petrina announced to Vassal! »hat ,?4Jf'*^?"* another date for her wedding-day rhe Thursday after Easter," she said Va««nT •*•? f "I"^" T" '°'^"' ^y ^^'^ d'-'^'"'"" 'hat thelhange '" ""' '° ^"^ ^" '"""^"^ ^"' "As you think best, of course," he assented "Mv '^^f^u^' » 'hat it should be nearly a week later " All things considered, it is the day that su.ts me " Petrina said, untruthfully. She was trying hard to persuade herself that the decision was noUof cii u,x!^ tier. I naturally want to take everything into con- sid«rat.on, so as to offend no one's prejudicL." Inat IS so like you, dear." l/?." ?^ii^"*'"T' "^,'^' " '« n°t at a" "ke nie. IC. -t only because! think that under the circumstances It IS wisest. But it will be no precedent. Tfter our marriage I shall expect to be free to follow my own-" Of course, of course, dearest," said Vassall, hastily. borne days ago, if you remember," he went on, "you told me you had other things to say in this connection " Yes; but I have already talked them over with mamma, and I think I need not trouble you with thTm What church would you like to be married in^' ""• int,I^?1^ yielded all the points on which she had Sr wld t ^™-. ?^ ™^'''= ^" P'«"« f°^ a wedding that would be just hke any other girl's. This wai the end of a chenshed sentiment; but she wu« begi^! 121 Let Not M an Put Asund er nmg to learn that the taste of life could be unpleasant She was too reasonable not to see that her"dea? wert understand that Vassall was not to blame therefor She had concealed from him the views on the mS° e serv.ce she had expressed to Mrs. Faneuil; anTZlhl had a feeling that it was his fault if thos; vrewrcouYd no dSubrbuMh"' ^^' '"^^"^ '^'"^ "f that she had of f h°,t • ^T ^""^ "° «'t^"'«'n w her love-none of that impulse towards self-surrender which^kes passion noble. Altruism is a Christian quality and ySTLTr " ?^""- ^""^ ''-^ "^^^n tra^nTriot "o yield but to exact; not to minister to others' happ"Ls but to have others minister to hers. She was no se^?' H^r Punan tin T^ « husband's in her own. teractrf bv bi ^'^ ^""^^"^^ self-torture was coun- This was not precisely pride; it was only the right of That she should be checked in details was there- lru.dTv?h"f. tvr fhc ir f- Fr-^' nund than hers waf at;j^^crci'-:,trl3S Let Not Man Put ^.su:ider astonishment. It was a ' ^°"^- thropic affairs. Thev were fn K • V'^ ''"'^ P'^''^"" they should see prison refon, . ^^'^ ^* ^'™'-^' ^^ere lines. They would thin T'^^ ""* "" practical Cincinnati. srioJianftr \^''^'^^°' Milwaukee, of the Middle Wes'whfr. "^^'-/'nportant cities be presented torthL^ZTZ"'"^' ^''"^'^™^ "°»W herSd;tut sheSdTnou^H^^'jr' ^" ^l^^* -- - to see that it must bel S^' ^?'^" ^^^ '^e tact ly accepted her de ision to spend th"*'^""''-""'* ^"^t" the summer at some of th/f! v uf^^"*" '" London, autumn in maldng vtils afF^^^ ''"*'"'' ""^ "»^ The winter would see them bafkfnR ?""*'-y-houses. some objection on the ground of /,f ?°''™- "« "lade his work, but Petrina'sSl/ ^°"^ ^''^^"'^^ f™™ "You will have no ne^ to TwntTr'^^ ''™- majestically; and he ^n thl ^ °^ "'^*'" ^^ said, of -ing L plant\rh'edSr:ouM' "ff"" more. <»Mae, could protest no Nevertheless. Petrina was^not wholly .satisfied. Th, Let Not Man Put Asunder knowledge that there were radical differences between them gave a sense of incompleteness to their love rlere ant than she. The fact that they were not whollv agreed was one which she resented As Go^ Fridav h^r ^r.'^ly''' "'^^'^'"^ ^^y ^"""^ round she found herse f dwelhng much upon the subject. Why could I not have been married to-day?" she mused. "What is this power which prevents me 7 I owe 1 rio allegiance and I scorn its creed, and ye t has cnppled my freedom to do the thing on whicJ^l'Tr! She sat in the large window-place of the library anH ooked out upon the Charles. The river wa.s broad a^d blue, and dancing under the strong spring sunLht far away, Corey Hill was showing tints'of gVen Th mormng paper had fallen from her lap to the floor A smal paragraph therein had set her brooding It wal here^M'litrf i.*f' *°"^ht, "when he might be J U "'^ ^^^^ °"'" marriage has been nost oTsfde. "t^'is It?^' ^"° ^^^^^ ^^ -- ^'-'-rme ^u^u ^°ft "^"^^^'-^ away over the sparkling river She heard Mrs. Faneuil enter, but did not spelk nor hersSagair-'Dick'^r't.'''''' '''' ^^^P-other asked nerseu again. Dick Lechmere would say that her face;.s m one of its Egyptian moods. It K.ffles even wil^n R.ra sTd' '^^"^ '""^"^ '-'y' «~^" "Certainly not; but why?"' As Mrs. Faneuil snoke she sat down to her desk and began to sort her pa-rs 124 '^'^ • Let Not Man Put Asunder "I am going to church." "To—?" "Yes. It's Good Friday." "Oh, is it? I thought we had Good Friday some weeks ago. No, no ; that must have been Ash Wednes- day. 1 never can remember these Episcopal days from one another. Of course, it's Good Friday though be- cause you wanted to be married to^lay. Well, I should f"'^ T^T ^°"- J^^'"' *°"'* •'^ '"^"y there, because •ood Friday is only coming into fashion at the New- bury Street Church. There are so few High Church Unitarians m Boston I Yes, Petrina dear, if it is Good i-nday I should go to church. Some one is sure to see you and give me the credit for it. And just before your wedding, tool It would look rather feeling " ij u^^*?"^"'®"'' "°* to Newbury Street, but to the old church where, she felt sure, Vassall and his mother would be. She entered late and seated herself in a corner near the door. She was afraid of seeming conspicuous and out of place, but there were so many coming and going that no one noticed her. Through a rift in the congr^ gauon she saw Vassall farther up the church, and on the other side. His profile was towards her and he was hstemng with attention. Involuntarily Petrina turned from him to hear what was being said "And when the sixth hour was come there was dark- ness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the mnrt. hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, say- ing, £, tot, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is to say be- ing interpreted. My God, my God, why hast thou for- saken me? As the words rolled down to her she was conscious of a cunous thnll; it was not of sympathy; it was not of repugnance; it was rather the shock of being in the 125 Let Not Man Put Asund presence of dread ideas to which : er to that momej wLrP f,!: ^^P«"«<^e we now come and even the angesveHhS/r" '"l^ "° ^"«'-' We have goneS ffim fro ' r .^ ""'"* "^"^ ^'"g«- ment seat^.!,^ t """."<"" Gethsemane to the judtr- "leni seat, and from the judement 'u^i tr. r„i ,,, have seen Him hfted nn tv.» r , ^^'^ary. We we must all stand back ^^?e H. ^"^ Z^''- ^°^ i!..*' My God, ,b„.* "i fci2"„J;~„;»s- Let Not Man Put Asunder iandv^"!/;?""^'' ^^^ !,^''' ^^' d^^kness over all the tasted that which To nfh "• ^ ""^"^ «°"' had Petrma hstened, fascinated and yet renelled Sh„ did not trv to unHprotar^j u ■^ '<:P'-iiea. bne she shrank from tWs?H' f" ''^' '""'"""^ °"'y that 0.1,™ ..to,i.:ii".„f ToS ""*■ *' "'•■'"■' How can he believe it?" she asked "H„.„ witchment of the will?" °' " '* ""'^ ^"'"^ b^ Presently they began to sing. Petrina fo.mH .., place and stood up with the rest "*'' "Oh come and mourn with me awhile, And tarry here the cross beside; Oh come, together let us mourn • ,|esus, our Lord, is crucified." ' tl'^n^hk^sSritSsS'" tT- '^'^r ^-^^ ■" " --- w./a sober^^ntt^t w^KteTlS ffa^of rb^L^JirirenT x^/"4'^" a neighbor of her own in LcoX't ;r ''^f ?' rnent of middle-aged propriety WW l"'''"*'- today wh.ch seem'ed ii l.S abSisTA'ss'X^ ' inr away a young architect had 127 Let Not Man Put Asunder just come in She had once or twice sat beside him at dinner and thought him a pleasant lad. What was there about lum now, serious, elevated, indicate of stura"lidr'' do something better 'than i'ss'the noVknow ThV T^' '''^' ^* *^^'^^ P^^rina did not know. The wailmg air went on, and she cast her eyes again upon the words: na sne cast her "0 Love of God I O sin of man I In this dread act your strength is tried- And victory remains with love; For, Thou, Love, art crucified." The .4m«M came like a long-drawn sigh. The mul vi"st,f"j" 1°^" ^"^ ^i'^"t P^^y«- Petrina could si liT^li rl'''^-}'' ^^'^ ^^^^«' hi« hands clasM his attitude devoutly simple. She had seen him thus before, and the act had touched her. That wrwhen he was still not hers. But now that he had b^oml her own she could no longer be so dispassionate ShTto^ knelt down, but not to pray. Her cheeks were h^' -^A^ntJ""*"** '° ^^"^ *em in her hands ' All this comes in between him and me," she thought He shuts me out He doesn't even try o win me to H He loves it more than me. " " ju me lo it. As she knelt she was, for the first time, almost con scous of her inborn hostility to this faith of mysterks and moral duties-of human sin and suffennj God The atmosphere of silent prayer became electric A woman m black was quietly crying be.side her and Petnna herself choked back a sob, as she rose drew down her veil, and went away ' ^"n ^!.'''n^^ excitement of the day she was more than usually brilliant when Vassall came that night Her eyes were glowmg and her cheeks full of color' Her 128 Let Not Man Put Asund er black evening gown, of some soft clinging stuff, height- ened the sparkle of her glance avi the radiancy of her complexion. -^ "The Egyptian has gone." Mrs. Faneuil had said to herself at dmner. " It is the turn of the Parisian " Vassal had not dined with them. He had been working late at his office, preparatory to his long ab- sence. He had looked in only on his way to Cam- bridge, apologizing for his morning dress Petnna had reacted from her depression earlier in the day. She received him with smiles, she amused him, she mada much of him. The very sense on her part that there had been a shadow between them gave a deeper thrill to her happiness in having him there be- I.f'.^"!'^^.* *° "° ^P^" ''"t hers. Vassall responded with that air of quiet, unexaggerated passion which be- came him well, and suggested rich reserves. It was one of those moments, special even between those who love each other, when the tie seems tighter, the sym- pathy fuller, and the union of hearts more complete. Vassall stayed late. When he rose to go, Petrina rose too, and stood confronting him. "You are looking superb to-nig}it," he said, with a proud smile. " ^ ^ • " she laughed. " I feel superb " -, So you ought. But why so specially to-night?" volt " ' Reaction, perhaps, or perhaps re- "Not against me, I hope." "I went to your church to-day." "Really? I didn't see you." " I didn't want you to see me. I sat in a comer, and wore a veil." "I hope you— understood." "Oh, Harry." she cried, with a gesture of the hands, ' 129 Let Not Man Put Asunder •' V« f^'~wuX^?'?" •'^8^"' " «°™e perplexity ■'But surely, every one believes that it exists." in it I H 'T^ °"^' "°* ^^^-^ °"^- I do not believe But sin, dearest, is a great fact." But every one is." thinkTf'me" TLf "l"* "''''■^.°"^' "r^" «■« ^^at you believ^r".I1 ^V"' ^"'^ "^y ^l^^ther or not you sert^^Cft? y°"'-., hymns and prayers to^ay as^ sert^-that I am guilty, that I do things-" «"t we are not required to accuse each other We are only bound to confess our own sins " then you have them, too?" "Certainly." "What are they?" Vassall looked abashed "I don't believe it." "Thank you. dear, but unfortunately -" 130 Ltt Not Man Put Asunder "Then tell me some of them. Tell i".e one. I want to see what you call a sin." "But we can't treat the matter jokingly " I am not joking. ! want to know what you do which coTfestl' "*' ^"''"« ^ ' ''''"^ expressedLday. S "Yes, dear, but not here, and not to you " Vou are a coward, Harry. If you believed what you say you do you would tell me some one Sing o which you are thoroughly ashamed " ; Oh, come, Petrinal That isn't fair " If you believed of yourself the evil vou confess you wouldn't be here t<^night making love to me You would be m sackcloth and ashes. You would^ in La Ik- 7?u 7"'i ^' """^ °f '^°'' '"""ks in Rome who stand the dead up in corridors and decorate the cchngs with whitened bones. Yes, I can admit thai l&eYsif;-'-' '" ''"' ''"* "°* y°" -'^ I' -^o Se "Then let us take it easily, dear. These big sub- "v« ■* r '•"'' '^* ™^ S°- Some other time-" ves. It IS always some other time when we ooor mTn of H™' "h^ ""^t"""' ''"'^"^ f- - ho^e: man. Oh, Harry, Harry, Harry—!" But her breath caught. She could not go on It shT lit W r'*i^"f"^ •'^'^'^u". ^ ^^"^•^ ^"'l ^ -b that Part f f CHAPTER I On the day following the arrival of Vassall and his wife at the Carlton House Hotel, Sir Humphrey de Bohun came to call on them. It was in the mornin^r, and they begged him to stay to luncheon. It will be our only opportunity to sec you," Petrina urged. We are going to-morrow to Orpington Park. We are to help celebrate Hippolyta's birthday, which comes on Sunday." "By Jove, so it doesi" cried the father. "I had quite forgotten it. Poor httle Polly; she will be eighteen. I haven't seen her for six weeks and more. • bhe comes up to town now and then with my mother. JSe-rRelufant'"' "^^^ " ^''^^"^^'^ ^' ""^ •'Is she as pretty as ever?" Petrina asked. Not in her mother's style." "She's a de Bohun," said Vassall _ "RaUier a Glendower," Sir Humphrey corrected. She s not unhke that portrait of my mother which Dante Rossetti painted. You may remember it in the small drawing-room at Orpington Park " ih ' °ni' ^^!i" ?f ''* ^^*,""^- " '^^^ ""'^ ^^e always called the Blessed Damozel. I can fancy that Hippolyta would grow to look hke that." w >"« " She is deuccdly pretty ; but it isn't a style that takes in our time. "If I remember rightly the portrait of which you speak, said Vassall, "it is a style which would take m any time. 135 Let Not Man Put Asunder "It's beauty," Sir Humphrey admitted, "but not of a type in vogue It isn't sufficiently lively, nor cfcic-" Nor canatlle," added Petrina. S.-r ^,' *t''^ ^°'"? ^"'■*^^'■ ^^^° ^ n^^"*'" protested nail^Zf^'T ur.'^T* ^^"* Hippolyta to be co- »me but I should hke to see her a little more—" Like Hetty Vienne," Petrina interrupted again. Who on earth is Hetty Vienne?" asked Vassall. Humphrey knows." Petrina laughed. The baronet reddened. n..rv li 'T' n**^*'" ^'■'^'y ^^'"■- '^°» ^^ to keep marvel ously well posted over in America." Well, we shall say no more about it, at any rate," ^5^u ""t' Pl-^^^^tly. " It's not a nice subject-" Then why do you bring it up?" said Vassall. to see you and Humphrey turn red " "I? My dear Petrina—" w'iJ v'-''""' "^7^ ^''^'- "^°" '=°lo«- at the name of. Hetty Vienne as if you really knew— " As much as you." phret?"""^'' ^^ I-which you don't. Does he, Hum- "Upon my word — " "There, there, Humphrey; we'll drop it. You men always want to talk about improper things " H;nnow"'^'^'"J"J. ^r'JP °"' ^"^ ''"J' Something for sS"^ "T ^^"^ Sir Humphrey, eager to changf the subject. I can be back in time for lunch if you give me a few minutes' grace." j-^u give "Don't you think," Vassall asked, "that I had better go with him, and get something for us to give her?" _ Go to Duvelleroy's, in Regent Street," said Petrina and ask for the white lace fan which Mrs. Vassal ordered o be put a.side for her. You will then have thepnvilege of paying ten guineas for it, and bring- Let Not Man Put Asunder ing it home. Hippolyta will use it after she is pre- sented." The two men set out upon their errand. "Shall we take a hansom?" Sir Humphrey asked, as they left the hotel. " No ; let's walk," Vassall replied. For a few minutes they went on together in silence. As they turned into Waterloo Place Vas.sall glanced at his brother-in-law, who was evidently somewhat flustered. " His face is a Uttle coarser than it used to be," Vassall thought. " And being stouter makes him look shorter. " Sir Humphrey was, however, not precisely short; he was only thick-set and stocky— the type of well- nourished, full - blooded Englishmen, for whom sport, fresh air, and Carlsbad are the necessary antidotes to ease, prosperity, and good living. His ancestors had been knights under the Normans; crusaders under the Plantagenets; statesmen under the Tudors; cav- aUers under the Stuarts; and respectable, well-to-do members of Parliament under the House of Hanover. Their names and their merits were so many that their modem representative had ceased to take account of them. Dick Lechmere had said of Sir Humphrey that he had so much family pride that he could afford to cast it to the winds. That gave him the air of having none. He was affable, with the good-nature of one whose wants are material and well supphed. He was obliging, with the easy generosity of him who has no motive for hus- banding his resources or his time. He was Uked, with the negative popularity of the man who has no con- versation, but is always ready to listen and to laugh. With nothing to seek and much to bestow, he passed among men for one who was fulfilling fairly well the purposes of an inscrutable Creator. 137 Let Not Man P„, Asunder 4j^ is-i^LSs «"'■"' ■» -^ '"«»'• It IS more eloquent than the gift of tongues " M,= Tyrell had remarked last year to Gent°ar^ ^ ' ^'• lad/hadXH^""" °' ' """^ "^*"-'" that young m2 uLVi^^'^'wS' 3tock-in-trade/' Lech- of tact and tel^fanHTl^ ^u"? '* ^^^ ^he place /aire." '^"'^ ^^^ **'°J« •^"'npass of ,at«,> when S" s"p:ro?1t'^?-t-: Sr "^^"^1^ '^^''^^' smile r!„e, i^d I am his ^'ff "r^^^^ ^^^""^ *" could charm me as a^s^^ d^es'^ S.'^^'^ *° '^^ n^^^i'Lid^i^^jjjTt-sKrd'T^^^^^ lets Oh^o"nVnlV^ *° ''^t'' ^y the scLt ofvi!: K^s^tJ^i^fLl^^-Si^JTSSiri Its very blandness became a torture " ' *"" Let Not Man Put Asunder It was to the real Sir Humphrey only what the mask is to the actor. "De Bohun smiles because he has nothing to say," Major Bertie had rephed to Lady de Bohun. And it was because he had nothing to say that Sir Humphrey now smiled on Vassall; while Vassall saw only that boyish embarrassment and that sympathetic confession of weakness which are sure of forgiveness beforehand. They had reached Piccadilly Circus, and in order to cross the stream of traffic were obUged to take separate ways. "After all, he is a good sort," Vassall thought, as he threaded his way among the vehicles. "Even in his escapades one can't help hking him." "I think," said Sir Humphrey, as they came together again and began to go up Regent Street— "I think, old chap, that as Petrina is evidently on Emmy's side, you ought to be on mine." " I don't know what you mean, Humphrey. Petrina doesn't take her side any more than yours." " Yes, she does. Emmy keeps her posted in all that's going on." "Possibly; but if Emmy had nothing to tell, Petrina would have nothing to learn." "That's gently put, and I accept the hinted repri- mand. If you spoke as severely as you feel, no doubt your language would be stronger." "I'm not su'c about that. I'm not conscious of feel- ing severely towards any one. Naturally I am a good deal disappointed that you and Emmy couldn't con- tmue to hit it off together after nearly twenty years of married life." "Bless your soul, Harry, I could go on hitting it off, as you call it, from now till doomsday. I could keep 139 Let Not Man Put Asunder tJinZ^^''^'- '' ^"^y -^«»- I was perfectly "n7\ Sri "^^ y°^J^^^ her contented?" She :i^,t;i r/o;r^J:t\sj ^-- •-- -»-* PW lir^:,,?"-^ »-« -- ground of con:- e^J|£^iefr-ltT^1^.-one. "Oh ^JZ""^ '^"^y^ This Hetty-?" sheJti'S to Pirit'' fr.^ ""^i f °"'' '^o- how She'sir i''LmfocS""%'^ ""^^ ^"™--'« ~ Just now K^ h °^ '*' ^'^'^ ^^^^ didn't care, does Why n"; mofe fhaT^ '° "^^l '"'"<^^' ^^^ «»»« know. Why Tshould^ H f*"^,".*''"'" "'"^' ^ ^on't LucyFitzaknorMarla-^f '"^ ^"""^ '°°^^ *an su;XSlif^t"airtLf?.^-- --«- in care^'^k^StJrcaJr^^^/^L^r'.r ^""^ """-'^ out is. what's her g^e" '^^t^S / T^ ^"'""''^ "And you y^ant^iiJr ° '"^"^ "P *°^" anSn^tf li£^^ "^- ^^" ^^ ^'^ -dy to do "If she wants to be reconciled?" hanI\T/:S 'a%to';crst"fSH "' T ^^ °"^- it handsome. But I wlnt t.V^.!^''^ '*' ^"^ "^^^ And which would you prefer?" I have no preference. She shall have what she 140 Let Not Man Put Asunder chooses I can live with Emmy as long as she can hv^ with me. On the other hand, I can live without "And the children?" "I miss them sometimes, poor little souls I I was always fond of them. I am ready to take them, or di- vide than, or to let her have them all. Emmy shall decide that, too. "? J* K^^"'* y°" any sense of responsibility, man? or of duty? or of conscience? or of mere animal affec- tion? Sir Humphrey found these questions embarrassing, and so took refuge in silence and a smile , .""^'■^/f,"^ ?* Duvelleroy's," he said, a minute later. Letsgom." CHAPTER II "Only about Emmy and de Bohun " "Hum£;Ts^.?i^'^ •=''"'-* -"h the situation." "Emmy is. What does Humphrey want?" And"LTr«iroS"tLtt'^^ or Lmethln. worse, of the two h! gets " " indifferent as to which "^?" ™ean that he would hke— ?" Either a reconcihation or a divorce." "Oh PeS" "^'^ "^^ '"^""^^ -""^ »>« the better." ani^iT"'"^^ *°"^ '" ^'^^'^ ^^^ ^PoJ^e g-e him "How narrow you arel" she laughed. their own apartmenT buf pT "* ^° ^'"^ ''"'^"y '« down and see the i^nl^ T* ^? P"'^^^''"' *° <^°'ne tion to be se"n soSress^'ife^^^^^^^^^^^ '"^ °' ^^' '"*^"- respectful atteition-in —M^r ""fu^ '" '"'"^ but very costly necklace ^ ^' ^'* ^ ""»P'= and rose would make thl'm^^ Snyl^^rom^ex!,? 142 Let Not Man Put Asunder and only the insolence of great beauty could be other than glad of this delicately shaded light. Yes, Ponimery sec for me." " But don't you find dining in such a crowd rather mixed and pubUc?" "That's only your Old Cambridge instinct for burial ahve. You mustn't be so frigidly unobtrusive. " " I don't Mke to see so many people. " " But they are amusing and picturesque." "Aren't we sufficient to ourselves?" " Good gracious, no! If we had been we should have stayed at home. No two persons are sufficient to them- selves—not any more than two musical notes are suf- ficient to make a melody. Don't be so wrapped up in yourself, Harry dear. A great restaurant of this sort is like a social kaleidoscope. You see the most wonder- ful combmations— Oh, how do you do. Lady York- shire? and Lord Yorkshire? and Mr. Amos? How de- nghtful this is I Let me introduce my husband— Mr Vassall." Vassall had risen. Petrina remained seated. "I know your sister. Lady de Bohun, very well," said the tall, graceful, languid young woman who had stopped to greet Petrina. "She isn't in town this year, I think." "She hasn't a house," Vassall explained. "She goes to Claridge's." "I haven't seen her about. Do bring Mrs. Vassall to tea in Bruton Street some Thursday. So glad to see you in England again." So with a nod Lady Yorkshire, with her two men, passed on. "That's what Emmy calls 'The Triangle,'" Petrina said, when they were out of ear-shot. " The three are never apart. Amos is an American— an American 143 Let Not Man Put Asunder cupy his hotel in fl,! A Yorkshires always oc- see." ^° ^°" "^^^ ''y .'The Triangle '?- Oh, I " TWr"' ^°"''" P°^"'^^Jy coloring. " explSi"!'!: -^"eTjdT"';' ^Co„;.die," Petrina didn't know':he\\r^'El^a1d'"sh1's's "*"™- ? clev^^^at one forgets her iSlf ^^'J.ry.:r^^fl seitrAitt'tinttir ^-"-^ "^- S^Jjtr-'^ <'^— dstZslS^jSigXluesfst -mv irm.?* *•'! ^"""'^ °^ the voice. andtuginT " """"'" ^^'""^ -Pond^ rising h«SS^ZrS':-S;^^---<'oing forward, "tWs is 2 „IH f ,? Ij ^' ^^' P""=« =««•« Mrs. Va;.san:Vnd";Lt Sr'vaSr ^™'' "°^ 144 Let Not Man Put Asunder ..P* ^"V."' *ho was tall and soldierly, bowed with stiff cordiality, while Petrina and the Princess chattered wiOi clipped sentences and hurried questions and replies, bhe was Sophy Gregorson, of Portland," Petrina said m a low voice to Vassall, when the parties had separated and settled down. "When I wafat school with her we used to amuse ourselves with the quaint New England country phrases. Every time I sle her Prfn.^^% °"\ '° *^™^ ""^ '"^- She married this i^ince Hans, not realizing that she wasn't stand- gemissig among the mediatized houses. When she went to Germany, of course, she was only a morga- natic wife. But Sophy's spirit couldn't bend to that. Consequently she makes her husband live in Eng- land, where morganatic marriages don't exist and her rank is recognized. She had a terrible battle to fight m Germany. The Emperor wanted to make her some sort of counters, but she wouldn't accept any- thing short of her husband's name " *- j- he"rn,?lH ""'r "^^u"^' ^°°'" ^'^'"^" ''^S^"'' ^ut before " ™?u '=°"''n"e he saw another acquaintance coining Who IS this stout lady in red, with the wonderful ex- tent of bare shoulders?" f„l"'\*^-^jV*f.'' ^^ Ambleside," Petrina managed to say.humedly "and don't forget that you know her " 1 saw you, dear, from the other side of the room " said the Duchess, in a gurgling voice, as both the Vas- shake hands with you. I hear you're married. So Ta } ^^T""?" "neeting you, Mr. Vassall, at dear Lady de Bohun's." ^jjYou are very kind. Duchess, I am sure," said Vas- "Oh, I never forget so interesting a face as yours. Where are you stajing. Miss Faneuil?" 145 Let Not Man Put Asunder "Here, at this hotel " spend Sunaay with us at Groombridge. Oh yes fetcS t^ mStVer iT- u / " '''\^'' ^"^'^^ Wallingford LcT"s„'f;;te/el°,"'.'l '"" '° •'"^^ ^°"- ^ '»'-''' our wi7a' wi' '^nf '.l!'^"^ '" «°'" P^«- broke in Cngton fL.'-"" *"' "^ "^ ""*= ^- Sunday at ihlV'^'l "'"^^ *° **"• -Poynter's party on Wednesdav " the Duchess gurgled on. " I'll send you a cfrS D^r W rffr ^T^^^ ve taken our house in BucWng- ner for W I \^''- ^^ ^'^'''- I'" giving a dk- m. ^^^5{.here t(^night^r else she's giving it for me. Whichever it is, she navs That «=m L with all the orchids Ws ker-S,e nr f^'' *"" in pink, who looks as if she ndnt;^ T^''"^ TT" •""SeS ST''!- ,\^£»^Sgh^tre: you'^ We should be glad to go if we are in town." «»If M ^^^ *•« ^ """^^ SO now. Don't trouble your- self, Mr. Vassall. So glad to have met you agZ You've such an interesting face " ^ mo'vSlwar" °'' '''"■'" "'' '''*""^' ^'^ *^ °"*-« "Rnf^'^jl'V "'*' humbug?" Va.-,11 responded But g^Kxl Heavens! she's coming k.k agai^" Th,s was true. The Duchess had returned Uont get up, she gurgled again. "I've onlv come back to say that over at our table we've got Mrs Tredelly the actress and Hartley Payne the winter' He ought to be Mr. Tredelly, you"^ know, only uStu: nately there's one already. Shameful, isn't it? And 146 Let Not Man Put Asunder yet it's so instructive to watch people in equivocal sit- uations. Iha s why I made Mrs. Poynter ask them. black, w,U, the red flowers. That's him with the lovely hair-just hke a nice French coiffeur. Well, eood-bve again. Don't forget Wednesday at Buckingham Gate Sso glad you re married. I shouldn't have forgotten your face, Mr. Vassall, if we hadn t met for ten year.. It s so interesting. " ^ ' Her Grace was gone again. ^^ She's so original I" said Petrina. "Yes; if it's original to be outrageous. Whv did she keep saying that I had such an interesting face?" _ That only means that she is willing to take you up." lake me — what?" ^JUp; show you attentions; have you go about with "About? Where?" "In the park; to parUes; to the opera; wherever people are seen. "And you?" "Oh, I should have Sir George Wallingford. She has arranged for that." "Weill upon my— I" " I wish .she would. She would modernize you " IJo you mean to say that I need that? ' ther " '^ "^"^ ^°" "^"^ ^^ out-of-date as a Pilgrim Fa- "Then I'm in good company." "It is never good company to be where you don't be- long. l'S°x''°".,'"^" ^''^ ^ ^^'°"g to-to all this?" Naturally. I do." thdMnfal°"f *° *'^'^ company of people who parade 147 Let Not Man Put Asunder '.75?' ■ ^^" strong, Harry " I Rave my sStJ::." ™^''' '""'' »**" «»» i" the form ;;rm not accustomed to observe so closely " Ulk'i^L v^Si'* The"'^^::?: Nowaday, good the Positive/^Stl^lal^r '^{^^'•^K^^^^ ^ Se":erb''and"1/'^ "°"" '^' not^£'v "b.'^r'^ "Like the miirier'i wif^^XS flf'^ "t*'''=^" mar that she could tell a £' JthouUin"^' """=' ^'^ When 'yorSa;i £.[---;-' ^^'n^olS*'^.^' hTrghT^lTera^^s?'''-^^ it will always tecome .Tl'"'"* *°'d i" the sentence, never be difficulMoTnd x^^ ^''^'''' ^'"^ ^'" there need never be a„v„n»»* ^^"^ '^ discretion, " I d™?t KL?I u ^ "P*" utterance of scandal " ^ J don t hke to hear you talk as you are doing now, ''I only speak my mind." "luZ7lCuJi^r ^^"y ^'°™ «»«h other." "I caT" as £i ''°" *°"'*' ^^« *"h me." such Zl as thP^v' Ju" '""^"'^^ y°"««lf among and thT^h^s^o ISL'dT'wl'h '"■• 5'°"'^^^ niUon of an immoral-^ ' '"" '*^'' P"'''"= ^^"g" "b!!; ^f T"'°" 'f *=^"=^'y *e word." But she knows of it; she speaks of it." She finds it instructiJeTi^SpH- ^^^^^ Let Not Man Put Asunder situations. That is probably for the purpose of com- paring notes. If fame does not belie her, she has seen such situations from a nearer point of — " "What a lot of such things you know, Petrina!" Vassall exclaimed. "And don't you?" she asked. "Possibly; but I am a man." "And does that fact give you a monopoly of knowl- edge?" "A man cannot but know things of which his wife had better be ignorant. I am old-fashioned enough to believe that. " "So I should suppose; but I am not." Petrina laughed lightly, and slowly waved her large, black, spangled fan. A note had been struck in the conversation which exhilarated her. There was in her a strain of daring that delighted to skate out on the thin ice of discussion. The danger sign-post only lured her on. She was proud, too, of being able to look at the uglier side of life with toleration. She flat- tered herself on having no Hebraic horror at the sight of what commonplace people call Wrong. Life to her was a spectacle in which one could always detect the vice of the virtuous and the virtue of the vicious. That she found amusing. She would have shrunk from the squalor of the drunkard in the slums ; but here in this great room, with its toned light, its shades of cream and rose and gold, its flash of jewels, its scent of flow- ers, its fumes of wine, its subdued laughter, its hum of talk, its distant music, its perfect correctness of all outward seeming — here vice was a stimulating con- trast; it excited the mind; it stirred the curiosity; it took away from a well-bred life something of its ex- quisite tameness. As Petrina looked about her, it was as if she was 149 ^1 Let Not Man Put Asunder Countess of Yorkshire, SeLbvhnlf'i""^"''* ^°"»^ entered, and wonder wfetheT o^ ^ ^^u ^^^^ ^^° sense of shame. She liked tn[ T ^^^ ^^ any Payne, who had a «dfe ^TdlJ""^- °T ^* "^rtley and guess whether or nTt he ia7 '" ^'"■'.^ ^°"'»°"' morse. She liked to con^emnlaf^f K \"^ ^'"""^ "^ ^'=- Gregorson and the dasrlZl u^ ^'^''^^° °^ ^P^V a Grand Ducal ffighnL-a J '"^ f *"" bore herself as sense of outrage and humillff/'^ u- T^^^''^^^ ^o the to lie within. """"''^tion which Petrina knew -Sr-s s ?rc^;^,i^: 7? ^"'-ess," she alone can it be ni\.Z "^tf^'^e it to London. Here posed to o^^n Wet ^^ y^tlTI^'L'"^ P"blic, «! Vassall, on the oth« hand " ""'* ^""'^halance. " conscious of somethinTodfousin flT "°^y- "^ ^^^ This public exhibitio^^of luxurv /"'^ «toosphere. pugnant to his New Enria^d ^ f ^P?^'"^ ^^^^ ^e- That people who haThomS of fh"'*'"'* ^°' ««^'"«'°n. to come with their guesT'd h^^'T Zu '^°"'^ ^^oose seemed to him a relS vufiri v "rh P',! """'titude make such display of their n^^^' P^' ^'^^y should that Puritan spiril-a Stur. T ^f ^"""^ «h°cked humility and dfsdain-whSrf r^f" ^"'' '^y^^^^' of on his lips. The v«y h2 Ind fl ^" "'^^ "'^ '"^^th found distasteful; their £au!"''f°'"^" ^^ music he Let Not Man Put A sunaer tess of Yorkshire should be sitting there, feasted and flattered and looked at with envious eyes — that they should not be pilloried on a platform with the Scarlet Letter A flaming on their breasts, was, he felt, a scandal. It was characteristic of him that, while for such men as Payne and Amos and Lord Yorkshire he had only a lenient scorn, for the women he had nothing but the whip-cord of severity. There were weak men and there were vile men; one knew it, and yet one was obliged to give them some sort of foothold in human society; but for the weak woman or the vile woman there could be nothing but the ducking- st(x)l or Saint -Lazare. Vassall had neither sympathy lor Hester Pryime nor pity for Manon Lescaut. He was not without sin; and yet he would have remained behind when the Scribes and Pharisees went out one by one, in the eighth chapter of St. John. He would have spared, with contemptuous mercy, Payne and Amos and Zimri the son of Salu; while he would have thrust through with a javelin Mrs. Tredelly and Lady Yorkshire and Cozbi the daughter of Zur. So, with a sense of disapproval, he ate his dirmer and sipped his wine. With a party of other men he could have enjoyed the spectacle for once, as an instance of modem luxury and fashion. But with Petrina there he was ill at ease. It pained him to see her so much at home among these people. It jarred upon him to hear her speak with so much knowledge of their charac- ters and affairs. "Are you worried, Harry?" she asked, when he had been some time silent. It was then that they spoke of Sir Humphrey and Lady de Bohun; and again a discordant note came into the talk. "How narrow you are!" Petrina laughed lightly as 151 Let Not Man Put Asunder time may cTme when hulbrd^""^"" 1° "^"^ *«^ " each other free " ''"sband and wife ought to set veSr fllSriaS-- '^^ topic, and so the con- gestS.'""" ^' '"^^ -' -ff- in the hall?" he sug- " Yes; this room is rather hot " No Englishwoman in iK^/hIT '"' ^.''^ P""^- Frenchwoman more ^race '°°'",^«'l.™°'-e dignity, „„ She nodded again to Lady VorkshTrrrP '^"'^ ^^«"«- and to Jeanne Vignon The men k' ,f° ^"""^'^ «^«' as she went on. "^" ''^^ ^"^ and bowed " Don't forget Wednesday " said th. n u passed her table, "even UiLX ^ 0"<^hess as thejr They were am^ng tC fii ?„ ''""^ ^°" ^ ^^^'i- " cool palm-court, wS s^t 2 TZ c"'h *'^^^^*' Hotel, for drawing-room !Lt ^""°" Ho"se hall, and lounge. OnrS'thT? f "ul""™' ^''^^^<=^ terrace was still free ^d .1/ ^ew tables on the httle found it amusing to ^tohZ ^^^ l'' ^^^" ^^'^^^ some leaving earlyfor the 1» . f*""'^ '=°'"« ««d go- settling themSs in s^oui't "^j'-toP-'-a-others under the palms and f^r^ 7""'^ '^^ ««le tables of spirits. She enjovrf^the^„i "Tf- "^^^ '" "'^ best ment-the ever-sE^^' ?'°'^,^"f ^'^^^ and move- the living kaleidoscope Vr*'^"'^ °^ ^^^^ «he called moods before whSTher L^' I,""''" "^^hose radiant failed to melt, Se grew t" "'^ " "loroseness never and sipped his ch^lZf/^.^^^u'^ ^' ^' «™°ked human oddities aro^^hL'S"!,^'* ^" ^^ the of the pretty robes, rtv' ^nl^il'^, '^"^ ^^™^««on I hey guessed at nationahties; Let Not Man Put Asunder and among their own compatriots distinguished be- tween those who must have come from Indiana or Illi- nois and those who were evidently of New York They agreed that there were no Bostonians but themselves. Look look Petrma cried, suddenly. "Who is that girl m white?" "Where?" "Not there; over by that fern-tree; she's standing with two men, and a lady in dark green. Now they're sitting down. Don't you see?" "No; I don't." " How stupid I She's the most wonderfully beautiful creature! It's the tabls next the Yorkshires " "Yes, yes, I see her now. Looks like some nice Eng- hsh clergyman s daughter. " "A little— you mean her air of modesty—" And goodness." "Yes and something demure and serene and di*. tinguished — " "You can fancy her cutting flowers in the vicar- age garden to decorate the chancel of the church It's a sort o Royal Academy vicar's daughter, though. 1 hat perfect oval of her face—" "And large blue eyes- Oh, Harry, do look at herl She s really too maidenly. And what a hand! Notice how she holds her cup!" "I'm trying to do justice to her lovely light hair " How prettily it grows!" said Petrina, enthusiasti- cally. I wish mine would. " "And yet I seem to know her face," said Vassall, a)> sently, searching in his memory. "And I, too. I've seen her in some photograph, I am sure. I have in mind the form without the coloring I never could have forgotten those eyes vr that com- plexion, if I had once seen them— or those pearls Just 153 Let Not Man Put Asund cr look at the pearls, Harryl One, two, three four-four deProny, Lechmere'swife." iisreuaa "?u!' ^^^n* breathed softly ' "But^'n? ^^^ T"" ^" somewhere," Vassall went on. he^ hke '£^^' "^ °" *^ ^*^«^- ^ «"'^«'t -ognize "I've always missed her, wherever I've been," said Petrma, gazing intently at the prima donna "^u must certainly take me to hear her " "itZn-V ^"''S'^J^^^ens. whatacontrastl- .Z^t:l^^' '*' ' ^"* ^""^ "' - '-'i^^^' the "I should Mke to know h>:r.'" "My dear Petrina— I" "I should. I shall." you/^°' ^'^'''^'" '^^'^^ '^^^"- "^ ™"Wn't allow tuZfL?"!*'"'* «^'>«t^:'. Petrina asked, with a sudden S™ngl'oThtm"o" "^" ""' '-"^ ' ^^''' ""' P^-Pt^ble "I couldn't allow you to meet such a woman " When I ask for permission, Harry dear," she said m^ a smi e-but a smile in which there w;s a ceSfn ^ l!tl"?*^h"-.'' '* '^I' ^ time enough to ref us^ " with' iS ?em^^:. *"^ '"^ *^ ^"-•-'''" »>« --Id, spl'e?^^ '" '"^'' * *'"^ *' *^^ ™°'« ''*«te the less 154 Let Not Man Put Asunder "I know you don't intend to disobey me, dear; so whv should we talk like two children?" A sudden flush rose to Petrina's cheek, but she check- ed the reply that was trembling on her tongue " r /u^"? ^i""^;," ^^^ ^^^- haughtily, rising as she spoke. I think I will go up-stairs." But she took the paihs to be very gracious to Ladv Yorkshire and Mr. Amos as she passed out, and to have a final word with the Duchess of Ambleside, know- ing that Vassall was behind her, silent and annoyed CHAPTER III "Can you imagine anything lovelier ih^r, =„ i summer moming at Orpington Park?" &t T1^ as she came out before br^kfast to Ln V ,f ''l^' was abeady walking on tLT^^te ' " ^''^"' "''° the two stood still to look ovor «u^ » r* i . vases, m which were plants in hinnni b 7 ""^'^ n^was^S^mday morning; and even N^tu^re^^^^To "I say. Uncle Harry," called a boy's voice, "Aren't 156 Let Not Man Put Asunder you and Aunt Petrina coming in to breakfast? I'm starving, and mother won't be down for hours." "All right, my son; we'll come," Vassall called in reply. As they turned they saw in the open French window of the breakfast-room a bright-faced boy of fifteen in an Eton jacket, turned-down linen collar, and long, gray trousers. He was as like Sir Humphrey de Bohun as a sapling is hke a tree. "Poor Tristram t" said Petrina, as they went towards him. The boy's rosy face broke into a dimpling smile, the very reflection of his father's. "Mother made a great fuss about getting me home from Bab's to meet you," he complained. "And now I'm left to die of hunger." "But we are here to come to your rescue." "That's why I'm glad you've married Uncle Harry," he returned. "I said to Polly, 'Now there will be one more person to take us off our incompetent parents' hands.'" "Don't talk like that, my young rover," Vassall said. " But you've only to look at me to see how badly they do their duty. Uncle Harry," the lad persisted. "Every one at Bab's thinks I'm the worst brought-up boy in the school, and me the heir to a baronet of Nova Scotia ! " " How should you have liked me for a mother?" said Petrina, coming up and stopping him with a kiss. "I don't know about mother," he said, as he disen- gaged himself from her embrace, "but if I had my life to begin over again you would be something nearer than an aunt." "And where should I have come in?" Vassall asked, with a laugh. ^S7 ^^t XNot Man Put Asunder beitrll?''''' ""'^ *"°"«» y°" the pleasure of " wLl'*'" **y '"t" the breakfast-room. ina wVo^r"""'""^' ""'^ '-°'" -d Petrina. ;;Hum^rey's looks but Emmy's power of language " "have" yor;«t eZ!:^t'''r^''' "-^ h" p''«. Yes," she went on- "h '^^ H.ppolyta's plate? .ckets. our f^L^ s, th^rat^lf ti^^' ^ - polk1r'm^re;Tii\i^er^S^^^ It '-^''-™«> tram remark^, a^ ty^Il^^fr^^^\-t; JlT package tied with the piece of Ted sfaW^ Ju^Sl "l* a card from Humphie Oh I « J^^'. T*"^ "Cher's tapestry-room was Inner T^ *i.^ "'"""ug room, ibe teen— a tall, shght, fair-ha red maiden like a oLtf or a samt-robed in dark green^S;i in rtl K 158 Let Not Man Put Asunder Petrina could see the likeness between the portrait and the girl. ,.t"^J Georgel" exclaimed Vassall, under his breath. Isn't she pretty?" "Pretty is not the word," said Petrina. "She's a peat beauty. But Humphrey was quite right. It's beauty too great to be chic, too pure to be a fashion " The girl came slowly down the tapestry-room, smil- ing shyly, as if in protest against her appearance Soft violet eyes like hers," Petrina went on "will inspire men to noble acts, but never invite them to flirta- tion. As Hippolyta came nearer, Petrina rose and went to meet her. " I want to wish you many happy— the very happiest —returns of the day." "Thanks, dear Petrina," the giri replied, while they kissed each other. ^ As Vassall offered his congratulations, Petrina took the fan from the box and opened it. "We hope you wiU use this— for our sakes," she said Hippolyta flushed again with pleasure. "Oh, how lovelyl I've never had anything so pretty of my own. I use mother's old fans— " "And just look here," said Tristram, as they all took their places again about the table. " Here's something from me which I hope you'll appreciate, for it has cost me more than ten common shillings' worth of self- denial. And here's something, too, from your poor emng father." *^ ' "Don't say that, Tristram, not even in fun," Hip- polyta said, gently, as she opened her father's let^ ter. "I'm not in fun. We're all liable to error— even I And how can any one tell what a man all alone in 159 Let Not Man Put Asunder London may be up to? Since Ive been at Bab's I've learned a thing or two. " u » i ve Vassall and Petrina exchanged glances, but Hi^ ^lyta was too deep ,n her letter to heed her brother^ talk fahe opened her packages with pretty pleasure Her father strmkets filled her with joy, and Tristram's boyish gift brought the shimmer of tears to her soft eyes. '"Thank you so much, dear old Tristie," she said leaning across the table to pat his hand thl,f^lr"''^ going to get something much better than that, you know," said the boy. "I don't know telhng Henshaw that it cost a tremendous lot, and that she had put mto it all her winnings for months " Hippolyta turned scarlet. "Hush I" she whispered. !' Well, she did,'' the boy insisted. "And to my cer- tain knowledge she's had very particular luck. One night, about a month ago, she won over fifty pounds ilZ^i^u- ^heard her say so. And^otSw time Dick Lechmere lost to her more than—" Do excuse me, good people," cried Lady de Bohun who rushed mto the room, with soft skirte and di- aphanous sleeves all blowing with her motion. In one hand she held a white velvet case, while with the other she was trying to adjust the lace knotted at her throat I really did hurry—" JI^T^f^ ^'^^ri" ^ ^""y- *"'* y^t never in time," said Tristram, with his mouth full " Good - morning, Petrina. Good - morning, Harry SSghtT"^' ''^"- "°^'* ^°"' ^^^ "P ^"'l^t Lady de Bohun passed round the table and pecked a hasty kiss at each one in turn. i«=v,Kcu i6o Let Not Man Put Asunder "Good-moming, Hippolyta. Let me see how Hen- shaw has done your hair. Well, you do look like your granny. I suppose we shall get used to your hair like that. At present it makes you look as if you were dressed up for private theatricals. Now, don't hold your head so much hke a Zenobia in chains. It gives you a proud look— doesn't it, Petrina?— and I'm sure a girl of your age — Oh, by the way, hej^; is your pres- ent. Mind you, this is from me, not from your father. I've earned every penny that paid for it." " You mean you've won it at cards, mother," said the boy. "It's the same thing, Tristram," said his mother, sharply. " And please don't contradict." "I wasn't contradicting; I was only explaining." "Then keep your remarks till they're asked for." "That would be too long. They won't bear salting down. " "No, don't get up," Lady de Bohun protested, as Petrina offered to yield the head of the table. " I will sit here beside Harry. Give me a cup of coffee, pour I'amour de Dieu. My strength is almost spept. The cares of a family are too much for me. I wasn't meant to be left to struggle on alone hke this " "Yet you manage to do pretty well," said Vas- sall. "My dear Harry, I begin every day like 'Phfedre'— at the highest pitch of anguish." "Mother, if I have ever given you half the anxiety that you and father have given me," Tristram began, but Lady de Bohun was paying him no attention. She was looking at Hippolyta, who sat with eyes down- cast and burning cheeks, feigning to eat, but really tak- ing nothing. The white velvet case lay unopened be- side her. Lady de Bohun rolled her eyes eloquently, •■ i6i Let Not Man Put Asunder firet towards Petrina, then towards VassaU, thiowinff •"^ her hand, with a little gesture of de,Jl;ir ^' The Blessed Damoiel," she murmured, with pinched lips so that HippolyU should not hear "'P'"'=''«*» said akud^°'IH^'"' *°.'°°'' I' y°" P""""*^" »he said, aloud. It IS scarcely worth while spending eiirht at"S a^dtm'e.'^ "'^ "°"^"' "' »" rnHxcitln"^';: ™l!l'Tl^*t "!'"! ''? *y'» ^'* «" expression of dumb pain but she took the case and open^ it. The coW fled from her cheek, and then came hotly back as she saw what her mother had given her. The sTmSe n.^^! let of pearls-one row-lying on a cushion of Sl^Wue It SS """ "°" "^"^ ^" ''^' »"»'"" 0^ thai "WeU?" JaV^' '^°^"'" "*•> K^""' nianaged to stammer and turned scarlet again. ""juhw, ''How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is " Ladv de Bohun quoted, with a laugh. ' ^^^ "I am not a thankless child, mother," the girl asserted c^irdi:d'r5:' •'-^•"-^ ^^^^ »>-«'' whue^theSS beliJu?'* "^^ ^°" ''''"' ^'^' °'^y- *t ""«' ""^ l°ok« "Tr *"r ""* V^ ^^ *° ™e, mother, but-" n«., 1 ' * ^°" *•""'' ""' ^^'^ "»« necklet with your new low-cut gown tc^night when Major Bertie and Afr Lechmere come to dinner. That reminds m?" she wS on^b„skly,turmng to Vassall: "did I tell youlSS L«:to^e was staying over at Keston Caftle wiSiS^ Then the brother and sister began to discuss com mon acquaintances and family .fffirs. ffi;SSa Tj 162 Let Not Man Put Asunder Tristram when they had finished breakfast, sHpped quietly from the room. Petrina slowly sipped her coffee and listened in silence, trying to analyie Err i de Bohun's charm. That she had charm, her severest critics never -I -i.tf. Her beauty was of the fragile, wistful type,whif 1^ .•. ii- ed to call on every one to be very tender. In ;. r "ye.- was that beseeching glance which claimed Iwf.ri'.rirf! the right to be inconsequent and irrespons ..Ic I'H ■ air of asceticism which was spiritual in l^r molti.r and in her brother stem, gave to Lady de Bohn.x ,\v expression of one purified seven times in the fire ii conversaUon with her one felt that she had suflcn I much, and had had experiences outside the ordinary range. Her tone enlisted one's sympathies. A some- thing pathetic and inefficient in her mien forced for- giveness before one had time to disapprove Even her smile was distant, wan, and sweet with the memory of unutterable things, like that of Sarah Bernhardt in La Dame aux Camelias " or " Phfedre. " She had inherited a •countenance whose expression was like the light which lingers in the sky long after sunset— the reflection of some ancestral fire gone out. If in her face there were prayers, they had been said by Pepperells and Vassalls now sleeping in Massachusetts church-yards. If in her voice there were tears, they had been shed by those who would weep no more. She mirrored the emotions she had never felt; and all that was left of joys and .sorrows and spiritual aspirations which had once thrilled human hearts was in that plaintive echo they had given to this woman's tone and the light of petition they had left burning in her eyes. But Lady de Bohun made no conscious use of these advantages. Never was there any one who thought less of personal appearance. Never was tliere any one 163 Let Not Man Put Asunder with less coquetry. She dressed at hap-hazard- she s^/eJ^* she thought; she did what the moment suggested. Nothing ever went quite aright with her. Her dressmaker was always late; her cook was always dishonest; she herself was the prey of unhappy chances. As Tnstram had just said of her, she was always in a hurry yet never in time. She was always busy vet never accomplishing anything. But in contrast with her air of inefficiency was the cleveniess of her talk and the unexpected shrewdness of her judgments. Her mind was of the kind which can Te^^i'^lfl ?*!l .f,^^^ything but duty. She did not reflect, but she had illuminations. She allowed servanU to regulate her domestic aflfairs, and any one who chose to take charge of her children ; but she read extensively. , rapidly, and retentively. There was no order in h« reading, and little preference of taste. Herbert Spencer, Wordsworth, and Gabriele d'Annunzio were equally to her hking; and her criticisms were quick and sound, bhe could judge of pictures as of books, and of men «s of pictures. She expressed herself freely and frankly, without self-consciousness, but with a certain vehement sincerity. She attached no importance to saying clever things; and had long forgotten her own epigrams when h« wr'^ ^^ ^^^ ^"""'^ ^^ specimens of "If Emmy had only married in Boston," Petrina vZa-^ ^^^.^^ ^""f "'*™«1' "«he would have been woJw f °Tu^'^ ^""^ ^'"^ England discipline would have chilled her impetuosity. Our social sdf- repression would have checked her appalling frankness of The World. She would never have enjoyed the friend- 164 Let Not Man Put Asunder ship of a prince: but she would have married a mem- ber of the Somerset Club, and had a house at Pride's Crossmg. ' Petrina's judgment was just. Lady de Bohun's nat- ural tendency was to take the tone around her Had she raarncd m Boston, she would have conformed to Bos- ton standards ; but she had married not only into English ate, but mto a special section of English society. From the farst day of her installation at Orpington Park and m turzon Street she had found herself surrounded bv peor-'i who formed a kind of social free-masonry Some were nch, some had Utles, some had talents; some had two ot these qualificaUons, and some all three, while a very few had none. In society they constituted an empire within an empire-and the throne, like that of Kussia. was neither hereditary nor elective, but oc- cupative. Admission to their ranks was both difficult and easy; people of great importance could some'-mes not get in, when the way was often open to the first cliance adventurer. The young American Lady de Bohun entered at once, by a conceded but inexplicable right. Fresh from the reticence of Old Cambridge, what she saw on her first plunge into English life surprised her. She found a society full of paradox and anomaly, at once more orthodox and more loose, more aristocratic and more lepubhcan, than that she had left behind She found herself among people so socially strong, so nat- urally proud, so individually free, that they had no need to restrain themselves. They could ignore man- ners, because there was no one whom they wished to please; they could transgress morals, because there was no one whom they were obliged to respect. They did not fear law, for they made it; nor society, for they ruled It ; nor the Church, for they were patrons of count- 165 If I Let Not Man Put Asunder less livings; nor pubUc opinion, for they held it in scorn. It IS easy to elude, or twist, or turn, or mouW or break conventions, when, like the Duch;ss oTX bleside, one of your brothers is Prime Minister ^Z another an archbishop; while your Wnsfolk I'd ac quaantance make up a handsome proporti'on of ^l clergy, the army, the navy, the learnt Sessions the House of Commons, and the House of Lords li ^„ 1^ to be capncious, and something more when dtLu°^ ^^i^^ ^"7 P^P'^ ^h° -^ondlmn your acls dehght m the honor of your friendship. The Duches^ of Ambleside found herself in a position to assS towards morahty and etiquette the attitude whkh she took towards grammar-the wrong became right S cause she did it. Lady Yorkshire could ^ the saniT ^Z^^"y°M'^ 1° "^^ '^"''- ^KllionaiVes Uke Z ^S'- t^i '■ ^'"''^^"Pr^rted the privilegerof birOi with money. Actresses like Mrs. Tredellv painters like Hartley Payne, and singers hke ES de Prony brought the aid of art. There wa^e journal! Sty ^ircot^'^V""'' "'"'^^ *° add resS- bJhty. The combination was powerful but co-onera the consciousness that she had wandered very far W the traditional mother's knee ^ "^ ure, and to Uie adoration of naked wealtk She did i66 Let Not Man Put Asunder not at first accept very easily the attentions of men other than her husband; and with regard to cards she was ndiculously Puritan. The difference between American and English materiaUsm she found hard to understand. In her own country she had known men who worked grimly, unflaggingly, and often sordidly for money, as an end; in England, tho.se with whom she was thrown snatched wildly, openly, and often hysterically, at it, as a means. It surprised her to ob- serve that at a time when Americans were endeavoring to advance by putting ideals before money, the English whom she knew were beginning to retrograde, by put- ting money before ideals. In the religious attitude of those around her she was equally perplexed. She had sprung from a people who were strict about morals, but gave large hberty in mat- ters of faith; she found herself among those who were strict about faith, but gave large liberty in matters of morals. But these and all other questions were solved as she went on and gained experience. She was able in time to take the English point of view better than the Amer- ican. She adapted herself slowly, but with great suc- cess. A moment came when she conceded the point that conversation between men and women had better be free than reticent. After that her popularity mount- ed rapidly. The httle things she whispered to her neighbors at table were repeated later amid roars of laughter in the smoking-room, and dubbed American. Next, she overcame her prejudice with regard to cards. When she did so she played with skill; and her luck became the subject of remark. As years went by the demure little maiden who had grown up in Old Cam- bridge under Mrs. Vassall's wing disappeared in the quick-witted woman of the world— a favorite at Amble- 167 Let Not Man Put Asunder side House and a frequent guest at the parties made up in those days to meet the Prince. As Petrina Ustened while the brother and sister talked she knew that Vassall was wincing inwardly at (he plainness of his sister's speech. She understood now why Mrs. Vassall had not visited her daughter for more than seven years. *.,^"« ^f ^^1 ^^^""^ •'^"^" ^^y de Bohun had the effect of a temptation-something which shocked and yet attracted her, which appalled her and yet filled her with a certain envy. ^^ CHAPTER IV SmL gossiping of things and people in Boston and Cambridge, Lady de Bohun, Petrina, and Vas- saU stroUed from the breakfast -room to the terrace and sat down on a garden seat under a great yew- tree The beUs of Bishop's Orpington Church were pealmg from the other side of the park. Presently Tristram come forth, wearing a high hat and gloves, a cane in his right hand and a huge prayer- book tucked under his left arm. "Who's coming to church?" he asked, standing at '^™f.,,! distance from the three under the yew-tree Why on earth do you want to go to church on a ul ^y ^'^^ ""^^" Lady de Bohun cried, languidly To learn how to set a good example to my chil- dren, when I get 'em," rephed Tristram. "While you are at it," Lady de Bohun returned more briskly, you might see what there is on the sub- ject of honoring your father and mother." "Oh, I've known that a long time, mamma dear, only you and papa don't give me any chance to show it " Tnstram turned on his heel and walked away "Do you know," Lady de Bohun confided, in a low- ered voice, ' I sometimes wish that boy had been bom without a tongue." " He has such a boyish face that his speeches are un- canny, said Petrina. iJ'Pu'}.^^^''''^ y°"'" ^^^y ^'= ^°hun cried, in a tone that had tears in it, "he makes me feel quite like Ham- 169 Let Not Man Put Asunder let's mother. He talks as if he knew things beyond his years. It frightens me. Not, indeed, that there is anything for him to know, but—" Lady de Bohun stopped herself as she saw her daughter, too, come out of the house on her way to church. " There's Hippol- yta. She's off, of course. She never mi,sses— and the choir-boys sing so dreadfully out of t-a.e. I simply can t go ; it gives me a headache. And I m sure there's somebody buned under our pew— I have such a smoth- mng feeling every time I sit in it. How do you like Hippolyta s hat? That sort of broad Leghorn is be- coming to her, I think." "She is really too divine," said Petrina. " That's just it," complained Lady de Bohun. " She's the gentle being quite '"Too good for human nature's daily food,' if I may alter the lines. She'll frighten the men away " , Let s hope so," said Vassall. " There isn't a man ma miUion good enough for her. " " That's all very fine," sighed Lady de Bohun. " But you won t have to take her out next winter " "No— worse luck," Vassall assented Hippolyta had crossed from the house and was about to descend to the terrace below. She paused for a sec- ond, and looked over at the group and smiled. Far down the slopes of the park Tristram's sturdy figure could be seen trudging off towards Bishop's Orpington VasiucaTreS.''^"' *° "^^^ """ ^* ^°"' "ippolyta?'' "You know I do." "Oh, Harry don't go," pleaded Petrina. " Hippolyta won't mind. It's so lovely here." Pi"'y« " Yes, let him go," Lady de Bohun insisted. " Then 170 Let Not Man Put Asunder we shall have the house to ourselves, and I do so want to have a long talk with you. I can't talk before Harry • he's so unsympathetic. It's like singing to a person who has no ear for music. Do go, Harry. Wait, Hip- polyta. Your uncle is going with you." So Vassal! went. "How you've tidied him up!" Lady de Bohun re- marked, a few minutes later, as her brother, very care- fully dressed, walked across the park at Hippolyta's side. "He used to be so indifferent about what he wore. " "I think he is improved," Petrina admitted. "Immensely. He's so much more human than he used to be. The social side of life interested him so little. " " And not enough yet. " "But you'll bring him to it; I can see that. He is really very good-looking, when you come to study his face. It never struck me before. I feel about him as one does about a familiar bit of family furniture, to which you never paid any attention until some one else admired it." "He was only your brother, you see." "I was simply amazed when I heard you were going to marry him." "Not unpleasantly, I hope." "Heavens, no. I knew it would be the making of him, and it is. Only don't — " " Yes?" asked Petrina, as Lady de Bohun hesitated "Don't what?" "Don't set going a machine which you can't control. Never forget the moral of Frankenstein." "I suppo,se you are not speaking out of a bitter ex- perience," Petrina laughed. " Humphrey doesn't seem to me exacting." 171 Let Not M?n Put Asunder "Poor Humphreyl" Lady de Bohun cried, throwing up her hands in perplexity. "What a problem I have to deal with there I" "Problem?" "Yes, problem. I must decide w/.nther to keep him as he IS or let him go." "Let him go to what extent?" " To any extent. I haven't told v j^ yet that I have begun my proceedings for divorce. 1 i^at's why I wanted Harry to go to church. I wished to tell you. " I can see you are horrified." "Not horrified exactly, Emmy dear; but I can't help wondenng — " "^ "No of co'irse not; nor L I am wondering all the time. It IS so hard to decide whether to go on with it or not. " "Then you could still withdraw? ' "I am extremely cautious. All that I've done as yet I.S to consult Sir Charies Freeman. He tells me that I can have a decree nisi—1 think that's what he called it— whenever I like to press for it." ''Wouldn't Humphrey defend it?" "He simply couldn't. He would never attempt it ^/^^ '^^^' ^^ ^ '^^ y°" ^^""^ I had met Hetty Vienne?'' Oh, Emmy! How could you?" /'1*^"^L™^ ^^^""^ I' was most interesting. It was at that big the chantant given for the King's Cross Hospital. Of course they had a lot of actresses to recite and sing and wait at table, and among them if you please, was Miss Hetty Vienne. Did you ever hear f^J^ru * "^™^-" Lady de Bohun went on, vehemenUy Why shouldn't she just as well call herself Hettv Bruxelles or Hetty Geneve? Of course she made it up" these acting women are bom with such ridiculous patronymics. There was Lucy Fitzalan, thai Hum- 172 Let Not Man Put Asunder phrey was so crazy about— but it's no use raking up ancient history of that kind. At any rate, her real name was Matilda Tabb. I think it was the discovery of that genteel fact that really put an end to Humphrey's infatuation. But I was telling you about Hetty Vienne —Hetty Pidge, or Pudge, most likely. Well, when I heard she was actually there, and that people were watching to see if some accident would throw us to- gether, I determined that thej .houldn't look in vain. I asked Gerald Bertie to introduce her to me." "He ought to have refused." " He did. I had to insist. He gave way only when he saw that if he didn't I should find some one else who would." ''And she? What was she like?" Charming— perfectly charming. A pretty girl, fair, blue-eyed— a little made-up— and with the nicest man- ners. It was difficult to believe— but then it always is difficult to believe. Take AgneU Yorkshire, for in- stance. If you didn't knoio—" " But what did you talk about?" "Why, about Humphrey." "Ob, no, Emmy." "Mais si. She began it, by saying, almost at once, 1 m so glad to meet you. Lady de Bohun. I think I know your husband.' My dear, it was better than anything on the stage. 'I think I know ' I " "Wasn't it dreadfully embarrassing?" "Not in the least. I replied, 'I think I have heard him speak of you. Miss Vienne ' ; and then I made her sit down and have tea with me. It was perfectly lovely. Everybody stared ; and they say the Prince was—" "I can't think that it was right, Emmy." "Of course it wasn't. But I've never regretted it, especiallj as Humphrey himself came in and saw it all.' 173 Let Not Man Put Asunder Poor man, if I ever had anything against him, I had my vengeance then. He strolled down the great haU, snuhng his wonderful smile quite gratis to every one who came in his way— when all at once, when he was expecting nothmg in particular, he saw us two sitting gossiping over our tea. Petrina, I felt myself repaid for having married, just to have had that moment, hhe didn t see him, and I never let him know that I did. He grew first red, then while, and then turned and fled. It was a sight to see, and was worth more than ttie price of admission. They say the Prince " But how did it end? How did you separate?" "Oh, naturally, I couldn't let her go feeling that I had met her as an equal." "No? But how?" "Just by chance ; I am always ha\nng those chances. BesBdes I was looking for an opening. She had just smd-why, I m sure I don't know-that she was an officer s daughter. 'Commissioned?' I asked, quite in- nocently, and rising as I spoke. She colored a Kttle and said, 'I didn't know there was any other kind ' Oh, yes I answered, sweetly, 'there are the non-coni- missioned- corporals, and sergeants, and such -like, uood-bye. So glad to have met you. ' " '' And Humphrey has never said—?" "Never. It is one of his gifts to know when to let well enough alone. I wonder whether I have the same faculty." "If you have I should think that now was the time to make use of it. I don't see how you are going to im- prove your position by divorce. In fact, you might easily make it worse." "Not among the really nice people. They almost like you better for the sensation and the— the scandal 174 Let Not Man Put Asunder And about the rest of the world one doesn't Petrina you know, care." arS''''' """"•'"y •"'«*»* "^"y «Bain/ " R**! ^»*L I am PosiUve of the contrary. " ^ But If he did, how should you feel?" ^^ Perhaps a twinge or two; perhaps nothing at wii7«' Z ^""'''^' ?"™y'" *«•'* P^Wna, speaking 2 l^^fff ,f "I'"**'- ""«'■ "» the lo\ryou used to feel for Humphrey quite died away?" Love, said Lady de Bohun, slowly-" love as I understand It, is Uke a garment. Whe^ it is new we wear it with pleasure. When it has lost its frwlTn^s t"4Trand11■K!,'\''rP^^ WhenhiroMw^ twist It and turn ,t and try to make it serve some useful d^ih ii^lK ?^^ "'""'^ ^^^ *« «e tired to ^^ But there are new garments. " And there is new love." eacXhS^' * "^ ^"^ *°'^" '^^•^ ""-^^ «=«'«« ^°' "They can become as if they had never cared at all Itt« Tt "^ "?M '"^'*'^'^ °^ Passion-which d^er: f«?ron Tl»r„,''''"lf °' Wendship, or any other af- toce behS ^ T^ ^" ^'^' ''"* *"y '^^« «»»« ^ort of trace behind. Love can go, and leave no trace; and once gone it is as impossible to recover as a n«^,^P scattered by the wind. Humphre^and T could^ever ove again, for the very reasonLtVeWlovedW b^rold^X: ^'LreT.^™ - ^^^ -- dearth, ;;And with you-? But I ought not to ask." Yes, ask, Petnna. Besides, I know what you mean 175 *iic»ocory »esoiution tbi chadt (ANSI ond ISO TEST CHART No. 2) A APPLIED IM/IGE In i"^™*- I6S3 East Main Slreet g%= ?-?f ??*!•'; ""• ''O''' 1*609 USA i"-^e (^'6) *e2 - 03OO - Phone ^= (716) 288 -5989 -Fax Let Not Man Put Asunder to say, and I don't quite see how to reply to you. There is some one — " " Oh! Isn't it rather — rather — soon?" " A cause can't be soon, if there is an effect." "I wonder if it is Major — ?" "Yes, Major Bertie; you've guessed. Of course you would see it before long." "What is he like?" "I think I will let you wait and see. He comes to dinner to-night. He is very EngUsh, fair and florid, and rather attractive." "That isn't very strong language." "He's clever, too. He paints a little, and writes a little. He had a very bad picture in the Academy one year, and he has published two tolerably good books of travel. He is the sort of man who passes for very brilliant in the army, but he wouldn't be considered so elsewhere." " And yet you really care for him?" " If so, it isn't for his talents. He has other qualifi- cations." "What are they?" "In the first place, he is very nice. I use the word nice, because it is vague. It means much or little, or anything or nothing; and I will leave you to make the interpretation." "And in the second place?" " He is very rich. He inherited Keston and a lot of money two years ago from some sort of uncle. Then, he has prospects. He is heir presumptive to his brother, the Earl of Ullswater, and of course that means—" " Yes, I see. And is there a third place?" "He is very influential. It would be a good thing for the children to be under such a man as he, and nat- urally a mother always thinks first of — " 176 Let Not Man Put Asunder "Naturally," said Petrina, dryly, stealing a glance at Lady de Bohun's face, but seeing nothing but an air of seraphic sweetness. "I ought to say that I am not positively sure of his attitude. The affair is as yet only in the platonic stage." " And might remain there?" "Yes; or he might even— recede. I can't quite make him out. He has compromised a lot of people, and yet with me he has never taken the slightest Uberty." "I should take that as a sign that he is serious." "I do; but a sign is not a certainty. Men are like the weather. They often promise sunshine, and then shift round and give you showers." " So that you want to be sure of the new love before you are quite off with the old?" "That isn't just my attitude. If the new love offers itself I should like to be free to accept it or reject it, as I chose. But I know I should be horribly mortified if I took the trouble to make myself free, and then the new love didn't come. Now you see my perplexity." " Yes," said Petrina. " But I think you might assure yourself beforehand — " " That next year will be a good year for roses. My dear, the one is as easy as the other. " Petrina did not reply. For a long time the two sat silent, gazing absently over the landscape of billowy green — each busy with her own thoughts. " You said, I think, that Harry's friend, Mr. Lechmere, was coming to dinner toe?" " Yes. He is spending Sunday with Gerald at Keston Castle." "We saw his wife the other night, at the Carlton House Hotel." "Oh, Felicia. Isn't she charming?" 177 Let Not Man Put Asunder "It was at a distance, and one couldn't be quite sure. Do you know her?" "Well." " I should like immensely to meet her. " "Any time you please, dear. I will ask you and Harry to lunch or dine with her the next time I am in town." "No; not Harry. He doesn't hke women of that kind. "Then it is just as well for him. But if Humphre had been Hke that I should be beating my wings no like a canary in a cage. Thank the Lord, at least that door is open." "■Tell me all about Madame de Prony. She rather fascinates me." "I couldn't tell you all about her if I wrote a book. She's the most extraordinary creature I" "Is she nice?" "Yes; if, as I said just now, you take nice as a vague word, admitting of any interpretation. " "Is she— how shall I put it?— is she a lady?" "Lady is also vague; but if you take the word in its very vaguest sense, she is." "Then I wonder that you know her so well." "Oh, one meets her everywhere now. They say her character would make her a celebrity even if she hadn't a voice; so naturally people are glad to have her; she makes their parties talked about, and that, of course, is everything. I wonder, though, why you should take such an interest in her? Is it on account of Dick?" "Partly; but I am always attracted by those of whom the world speaks evil." "You will find Felicia a perfect magnet, then. You knew Dick wanted her lo take him back, didn't you?" "No! Really?" ^ 178 Let Not Man Put Asunder " wH?' " ^^^'^" P^*""a asked. *K?|^ ---■:* -„^v«'^"™' ^_ 1 hat isn t saying much. " ing he" 'r„jTdoS'tV l"fr '°^^'"^" him for divorc- wLeK.'" ^ ^ '^°" * '^""^ '^^' "°^ P°°- Dick forgives "And yet he couldn't have—" beioming'a LZ^eT ^^'~*"',r "''^- "^ -- Dickisn^aLorfYorkshJe.'-'^"""^'"' ""^'^'"^^ ^"'l Then how is he now'" 1 think you can, too " ,^l should like to/- said Petrina, softly. "I wiU CHAPTER V As they left the church Hippoly' i stopped to speak to an elderly lady in the habit of a religious order. Vassall waited. Tristram trudged off homeward. "Who is that?" Vassall asked, when Hippolyta came up to him. He looked after the nun, who had joined a company of some twenty sisters dressed like herself, in flowing veils and mantles. " That is the Mother Superior of the Sisters of St. Luke the Physician, who have their house of rest near here. They go about nursing the sick poor in their own homes." "Moving like that amid the blossoming may,, they look like the procession of nuns in the last act of 'Cyrano de Bergerac.'" "They do a noble work," said Hippolyta, gravely, as she and Vassall passed through the churchyard to take the path towards Orpington Park. "Uncle Harry," said the giri, after a pause, "do you think mother would ever consent to my going into St. Luke's and becoming one of the o-der?" She flushed and spoke timidly. Vassall hesitated before replying. "Aren't you too youn^- to think of it?" he asked. " Too young to decivie, perhaps, but not too young to think." "Before taking so serious a step, a girl ought to know not only what she is going to, but what she is, giving up. She should see something of the world be- fore renouncing it." l8o Let Not Man Put Asunder "But I have seen so much." Vassall glanced sharply at his niece, who walked on with head uplifted, like a Zenobia in chains, as Lady de Bohun had said at breakfast. ''You are only eighteen," said Vassall, with a smile. "And yet I know more than many a woman of twenty-eight." "You are scarcely out of school." "My school has been there," she said, pointing to the long, gray house, now visible upon its terraced hill. " In one's own home—" Vassall began. " There are many lessons," she interrupted, " and I've learned them all. There are some things about which there isn't much left for me to know. If I entered the convent to-day, it would be with no illusions whatever about the life I was leaving behind." "There is an age at which we all feel that." "With me it is no question of age. I have never been young, not any more than Tristram is young. They tell us that young people shouldn't know what we know. How can we be ignorant when we see the things we see and hear the things we hear. There was a time, so my grandmother de Bohun says, when children were innocent. If so, it was in the days when parents were reticent. How can we be young when our father and mother live apart? Of course there is a reason for their doing so, and how can we not guess what that reason is?" " But it is just here that young people's guesses are so likely to be wrong." "How can we go wrong when we have listened all our lives to the table-talk of people Hke the Duchess of Ambleside and Madame de Prony and Major Bertie, and others whom it was an indiscretion merely to allovv UE, to know? Only on Thursday Tristram and I went i8r l^'il Let Not Man Put Asunder over with mother to lunch at Keston Castle. Thev talked of Lord and Lady Yorkshire and Mr. Amos"^ and do you suppose we diH„'t understand? The verv wmks and „.k1s with whicn they reminded each othe^ that there were two young people at theTabTe emn£ t^am , fir"'' u °"^^* "°* '" *>«- perceived. Tis- tram IS fifteen. He >s at a school where the other boys as h^e nl'.'JJ. """T"' ^l"""'^ '""P'^^' information as he pjcks up „i his. He is naturally a good boy He has a keen moral sense and something very ster- mg >n his nature He hates all this-this impropnety It revolts h.m. U„t the boys at his school make a oke of It, and he is growing to do it too. Oil, Uncle Harrv fhe consent.'' '"""'"" '''"^ "^"""^ *° '^' ""^ ^° ^"^0 " I will taik of it with her, if you like, but you couldn't take any such step for a long while to come." I should be willing to wait if only I had the hope of one day being free. ^ bonI°g"e."^" ^^^ """'"^ ^'■""^ ^ '^"""^^ '^y " ^«s "Yes, I know how you feel. But you haven't lived my hfe. Uncle Harry. You don't know what it is to love your parents without being able to respect them " Don t you think you ought to try not to judge your elders more than you can help?" s j'l ui "I do try. I know my father is good. I know mam- ma is good. And vet—" "And yet what?" "I don't know. There is something very wrong, though I cannot say what it is. I feel it here. I know u. 1 live m It. But when you ask me to define it it escapes me It is like the necklet mother gave me this mornmg. It was kind of her. She did it became she loves me. And yet I can never wear it " 182 Let Not Man Put Asunder Your mother would be hurt "You must wear it. if you didn't." "I never could. Uncle Harry. It would sting me. I should feel as if I were wearing shame." "I think you exaggerate, Hippolyta." "Notliing could exaggerate what I should feel. Didn't you hear Tristram say how mamma paid for it? She didn't pay for it. Mr. Lechmere and Major Bertie, and so many others, paid for it." "But public opinion recognizes gambling." "I don't," she said, proudly. "If you had seen, as I saw, not a month ago, when we were last at Clandge's, Mrs. Tredelly biting her lip to keep back the tears when she lost I don't know how much money, after she had leen to dinner with mamma- if you had heard, as I heard, Mr. Hartley Payne go cursing away from the hotel because he too had lost more than he could afford, you would know why I would wear drops of blojd or beads of fire round my neck rather than the pearls their money paid Vassal! glanced again at the girl. She still walked on with head erect; but a deep spot of scarlet was burn- ing on each cheek. He had too much sympathy with her point of view to dare to counsel her. "I think your mother would be hurt if you didn't wear the necklace," he repeated. "I couldn't," she replied, and he said no more In the afternoon, between tea and dinner, he found an opportunity to confide to his wife something of what tlippolyta had said in the morning. ""Those nuns have turned her head," Petrina com- mented. Perhaps it isn't unnatural at her age- but of course it will pass. She will feel differently after she IS presented and begins to go out a bit. I am afraid 183 Let Not Man Put Asunder Harry that she has something of the Vassall tendency towards self-nghteousness." "If so it flourishes on very stony ground," he replied, with a slight flush. "I can't imagine how any one could live in the surroundings in which poor Hippolvta has grown up and yet remain self-righteous. As a Teh-'" '"'''' ^**^ ^^^ " ^^^^ °^ "'"'^^^ touching "And of therefore being defiled. That is only her inexperience. As one grows older one learns how to k^ cki ^ "^ substance from hand to hand, and yet "I know that women think so nowadays, but it is a very dangerous game." "That is what makes it so diverting. A sportsman hke you must know the excitement of risk ; and, socially speaking, there is no risk without something risque." 1 am not of your opinion," he said, moodily ... ^ y?" J™°w," she laughed, "that is one of the things I hke about you? You're immensely impressive as a man. Nobody ever forgets you or pas.ses you by And yet you are as prudish as an old maid-only that old maids aren't prudish any longer. They're often the very worst. The things I've heard them tell would make your hair stand on end. But that's what I like Your hair Wd stand on end ; while that of most people wouldn t. ^ "What nonsen.se I" f l^u, ^ ^"- F^ ^ f*«=*- '^°" «*■» keep something of the bloom on the peach, and that's so rare. I wouldn't tor anything have you hear some of the stories told in t-nncess Hans's smoking-room. And when we go back to Boston Mrs. Bowdoin Somerset's beer-and-cheese re- ceptions on Sunday nights will startle you." ' Do you mean to tell me that you go to theml" 184 Let Not Man Put Asunder " Yes, dear ; and, p case God, you will too. Oh, there's the dressing- bell. Sor Hippolytal If sht doesn't wear the thing, there \ .il be trouble. Look her. Harry Go away and let me dress. I'll do it quickly. Then i shall go to her. I am sure I could talk her into reason. " The task was difficult, but Petrina's confidence in herself was justified. When she entered the drawing- room, a Uttle late for dinner, Hippolyta was at her side. ^ ,^' . ^i"""^ ^^'^ •'''""S of pearls. Her downcast eyes and look of shame passed for tie shyness incidental to a nrst real dinner dress. "Pelrina made me see the matter differently," she whispered to Vassall as they went in to dinner. "I was wrong in setting my own judgment up above mamma's." At table the company fell naturally into pairs— Pctiina and Lechmere, Hippolyta and Vassall, Lady de Bohun and Major Bertie. "So Orpington Park is to give another beauty to the county," Bertie remarked as they took their places; he smiled towards Hippolyta as he spoke. "All the girls are beauties where Major the Honorable Gerald Bertie goes to dine," Hippolyta replied, with a toss of the head. "Doubtless," he retorted. "But among the Ama- zons, Hippolyta alone was queen." " For the Lord's sake, Gerald, don't be mythological," Lady de Bohun cried, beginning to eat her soup. "It's so fatiguing on the day of re.-st," Lechmere drawled. _ "That's the worst of a Saturday to P.Ionday at Bertie's. One's mind gets no sabbatical repose." "Living with the clever," Petrina observed, "is like living with the rich. In trying to keep their pace one goes beyond one's means." "I've found it so at Bertie's," Lechmere rejoined. '85 Let Not Man Put Asunder "And the effort to keep up is killing, especially on a Sunday." What is there about a Sunday," Petrina asked, " which makes one feel so much more wicked than one does on a week-day?" "And unconventional," added Lechmere. "It's the same thing," said Bertie. "Virtue is only long-standing convention. Vice is only its trans- gression." "Exactly," Petrina assented. "But the taste for it always seems to be strongest on Sundays. If there is anything canaille in one's nature — " "And there always is," Bertie declared. "It is called forth on a Sunday evening," Petrina pursued. "Like this," Lechmere interposed. "Like this," Petrina repeated, "as at no other time. During the week one is content to be decently dtcdletee and to drink champagne. On Sunday one wants — " "To be indecently dtcoUetie and to drink absinthe." Bertie finished. "I wasn't going to say that," Petrina laughed. "I was thinking chiefly of Mrs. Bowdoin Somersel's beej^ and -cheese receptions on Sunday nights in Boston, of which my husband and I were speaking before din^ ner. Somehow they suit a Sunday night. One would never think of going to such a thing on a week-night. One wears a high dress and a hat, and one meets all kinds of actors and German miisicians and a sort of literary tag-rag-and-bobtail who seem made to fall in with one's humor on the Lord's Day. One eats bread- and-cheese,and drinks beer (and I hate beer, as a rule!), as though there were something sanctified in the diet. Then one goes home feeling that one has passed an j86 Let Not Man Put Asunder As a matter of fact, it is edifying Sunday evening. rather low—" ^^For a refined person that's its charm," said Lech- " Yes, but why?" Petrina insisted. " On a wcck-dav vulganty .s det^staWe. Why. then, on Sunday r'^ Hen™,; "; ^""'f- •''"'= >■"" '°"^h on one of the tiously The best of us have a taste for something bad the sweetest of us a craving for .something ac"d cocktail \ou cant explam it, any more than you can explam why a man who has a lovely and cultivated wife should neglect her for some vulgar-" ""^"'"' fniyrXj^''^, ^^^y '^^ ^°*»""' severely, "don't forget that Ilippolyta is at the table " ;; You don't really see what I mean-" Petrina began. "pit^ ' ^V -P' ^^'^y '^^ Bohun interrupted Petr ma means this," she went on, with a compreh^ sive glance around the company. "Granted thaUWe IS something of the devil in us all, why should sj^ the Lord's Day more than any other day on wWch to show .tself? I understand her perfectly It ,s simply because ,t « the Lord's Day. It is just like the Si. which I suppose every woman has, to tempt St. Anthony It s because It « St. Anthony. If he were any one else" one wouldn't care. I never see a bishop, espT^klly a celibate one, without wanting to—" t^'^ny a -mih^ ?°''"r '^".^''* ^'^' ''™'*>"'^ ^y^ and stopped, attempt ■" "^ ''^ • ^'^"^ ^^^'«- " W- aHl "Without wanting to discuss with him the Apostoli- cal Succession. You thought I was going to sayson.e- feg'S'v'^i.^-""' ""^ '^''- ^^-'' ^'^-S 187 Let Not Man Put Asunder "I was thinking less of you than of Hippolyta," he answered. "I'm used to it. Uncle Harry," the girl whispered. • "^"^'^by J°ve ! you've got some excuse," cried Ber- tie. "It's a case of filia pulchra. even if it's mater pulchrior." "She does look nice, doesn't she?" Lady de Bohun commented, as though her daughter were not there. "How delightful it is," said Petrina, "to be Hippol- yta's age and look as she does in a white mushn frock that can't have cost ten poundsl" ^^ "And yet," Lechmere said, softly, in Petrina's ear, " the flower in blossom is more beautiful than that iri the bud. Your frock must have cost — " "Fifty pounds," said Petrina. "But then there is more than fifty times the charm." "Do you know what I should like?" she said, letting her voice fall, and speaking for him alone. " I should li''e to have our acquaintance pass out of the stage of giving and receiving compliments and come into that where one talks mind to mind." "That is, you are offering me your friendship." "If you care to have it." " If I told you how much I do care — " "You needn't do that. That is a thing best left to be divined." " I understand you. Love has a golden speech, but friendship a golden silence. Very well, then. We are friends." "Good friends," said Petrina, looking him in the eyes. She was sorry for him. She noticed how much older he looked than when they had last met. His dark hair was already slightly silvered. "Thank you," said Lechmere. "One of these days you may see how much I need you." i88 Let Not Man Put Asunder '-What are you two muttering about?" cried Lady de Bohun, turning away from Bertie. " Dick, I am in the act of giving the devil his due, and I want to com- plete the operation. I have just been telling Gerald the share he has had in the handsome birthday pres- ent 1 have been able to give my daughter. Look at that row of pearls. They didn't come from the French Diamond Company in the Burlington Arcade They will bear inspection by the expert. They cost me just ?rJ hundred pounds. If I hadn't lost that two hun- dred at Wmkfield Abbey-well, we won't talk about that. It s too sore a subject. The loss is poor Hippol- yta s more than mine. However, Dick, your contri- bution was just fifty-eight pounds, ten shillings. I've kept an accurate account ever since I first began to save my poor winnings for this happy day." "I am sure that I never spent fifty-eight pound ten so well in my life before," Lechmere murmured, look- ing across the table at Hippoljta. The girl sat confused and speechless, using all her self-control to resist the impulse to tear the thing from her neck and fling it from her. "Be brave," Vassall whispered, under cover of the conversation. "Your mother doesn't understand." " I know " she whispered in return, biting her lips to keep back the tears. " But you can see how I have learned my lessons about life." "We will have the coffee in the card-room," said Lady de Bohun, at the end of dinner. " I am sure you men would rather come with us there than be left to- gether here." "It would be a privilege," said Bertie. "And what shall we play?" Lady de Bohun asked, with a glance around. "We're too many for bridge." Vassall looked across the table at his wife. 189 Let Not Man Put Asunder s JifiSnSy"^' "'^ "°* '"^^ *'^"'«*''' '^"""y'" ^'^ ^''J- n..'Tr "^ ™PP°lyte and you," Petrina interposed, so that :t can be bndge." V«« f ^ ^^^t !'V^ '^'•^ "°^ '^^^ ^^ "y^^ from his. Vassall knew that her words implied a challenge He curbed hjs impulse to speak, and rose with the rest f^w;!:!. T ^° °",* ?" ^•'^ *^"'^"'" HiPP"'yte murmured, Pete. fnn""fi'K "S^.^hile Lady de Bohun and Petnna, followed by Bertie and Lechmere, swept out of the room. " I don't want any coffee " "Nor I," said Vassall. "Let us go out and listen for a nightingale." *i.'^*'l.'^^^:[°°'" ^* Orpington Park was an after- tiiought on the part of the late Sir Tristram de Bohun bir Humphrey s father. It was a httle pavilion at the extreme eastern end of the mansion. It had windows on a^l sides and was reached through the conservatory. The mght was hot, and the windows were open. As Vassall and Hippolyta paced the terrace they could see the light streaming outward and hear the sounds of laughter. They talked of the possibility of the girls going to America with her uncle and spending the winter with'her grandmother in Old Cambridge As they walked up and down they instinctively turned on their steps before they reached the pavil- ion. Growing more interested in the idea of the visit they c^sed to note the exact direction they were tak- ing. Sudoenly they found themselves beneath the open windows of the card -room, with the view of thoae withm. The four were seated at a table on which were cards rnd counters. They were not play- ing The men had drinks before them. Lady de ttohun and Petnna were smoking cigarettes. Hip- 190 Let Not Man Put Asunder dS'^t^h^ accustomed to the sight that she won- were stiU a child ^ "' *^ *^°"Sh she CHAPTER VI "Good -NIGHT," said Petrina, hurrying into the boudoir which separated her room from her husband's. " I'm longing for my bed. Tobacco always makes me sleepy." Vassall looked up from his book. He was reading beside a small table on which a lamp was burning. Petrina was radiant, her color heightened, her eyes sparkling. The evening had excited her. Vassall's absence from the card-room had taken a restraint from the talk, which had not gone beyond the limits of clever innuendo, and yet had been amusing. While glad that her husband had not been there, she was concious of a certain irritation at his inability to hold his own among those whom she called "people of the world." As she looked at him now in his careless dress of the late evening — his hair disordered, his shirt -bosom rumpl'-d, and his cravat awry — she could not help com- paring .lis negligence with the starched correctness of the men who had just gone back to Keston Castle. Bertie was metropolitan ; Lechmere, cosmopoUtan ; Vas- sall, undeniably provincial. "Don't go yet," he said, putting aside his book; "I want to talk to you. Sit down a minute. " "For mercy's sake, Harry, put your cravat straight," she said with a yawn, sinking, as she spoke, into an arm-chair. " I hope you're not going to be the sort of man who sits with his feet on the table because there is no one present but his wife." 192 Let Not Man Put Asunder cravat!' '''"^''' "°" ' " '^^ ^^''J' '"-kly, pu„ing ,t his lik?aVorhr"a„-"" ^°" ^''"'•^ -'^^ have a valet, tio;\'"B2tofai°'? ^^'^*- ^"^ ^^^ "- °f »y P03^- ^eT^^din"';"^"^' "^ y°" "«^^' g«t °"t of that Yes, Harry? In future—?" beln t'iS" °" '° '' ""^ "•'^'^y °^ " than ^O" have thf wirf her't ''" ^^" "^"^«« -hite as herdTSs """ ^^^'"'* *h« blackness of mother." ^ ^""^ "°''=«1 " in your "We will leave my mother out d tu^ j- The question is not of\er duty.Zt o y"'^"""" WUh a great eifort she regafned her^ommand 193 Let Not Man Put Asunder " If you will excuse me I will go now," she said, rising. "I don't want you to say what you will be sorry for." "Sit down, Petrina," he ordered, sternly, not moving from his own seat. She obeyed him, " If you insist on speaking, of course I must hear you," she said, with constraint. " But I ask you to remember that I am not a forgiving person. I am not accustomed to insult." "Look here, Petrina, my darling," he began, in an- other tone, leaning forward and attempting to take her hand. "By-the-by, Harry," she interrupted, skilfully moving her hand beyond his reach, " while I think of it, let me ask you not to treat me to so many e:. bearing epithets. They are awfully bourgeois. Among people of our world they are as out of date as snuff. Now, will you go on, please?" She leaned back in her chair, and slowly waved her large black fan. " What I want to say is this. You and I are simple New England people, with simple New England ways." "Granted," she admitted, languidly. "But there is maniire et maniire of being simple, just is one man's New England may not be another's." " We have certain, conventions and certain principles and certain prejudices — " " A qui le dites-vous?" she sighed. "And I cannot think it right for either you or me — " " Suppose you were to follow your ideas of right and leave me to follow mine? Wouldn't that be Uberty of conscience?" " A msm can hardly Uve like that with his wife. He is responp'ble — " "Whai a dangerous word." 194 Let Not Man Put Asunder ^^'•Responsible for her actions as the guardian of his "Oh, la, lal" " And he i. bound to see that she conducts herself in = manner consistent with his dignity and herrn " of iitsT:s:.:n"'''kf''^Tr- "^^"'"■"'^ « ">- very thing." Nrh^:; idctTI'''"'' '"" ^^"^'"^ °^ *hat mine "Ac i . "'? ^''^' y°" should attend to iXf his^sSSraTnt" "^ '^^'""^^^ '^^'^'^ ^^^^ ^^^ affectLS^:o,:rporr7''''?„'j^? 'r?'^«'' -'h - Mr. Lechn^ere is'rhTgoodllL^l-'?^"^ ^''"^ ^'^P- to respect " """"' "''^"^'^ ^'^ «'- brought up "We?" she questioned, with a ner^-ous laueh brougSSto°rrr;^'^^^^^''^ '^ ^ "^y ^^^ are thlt^^^r^SrfS-iS^-J- ^--"''^^^'^^ yo^^^SoSraCltfnc-i:- --^ -^- ^' Don^ mock at what I say, Petrinal" woris dfs"e"'eVarnSrr '' ?"°"^'^ ^^ '^ y°- haven't left you aid go„e ifb^ Z/M"* '*""* ' in my place—" '^"^^ °ther women 19S Let Not Man Put Asunder "Would not have given nie the ground of complaint I have against you. Most other women in your place would not have spent Sunday evening in smoking and playing cards." "Really nice women would, as Emmy might say. You see, Harry, you don't know your world. You are so narrow and illiberal and spiritually puffed-up that you don't realize that there is such a thing as progress. You're so Hebraic that you're still back in the times of Abraham and Sarah. Of course, I knew that when I married you, but I didn't think you were going to prove — " " Such a tyrant?" he said, with a forced smile and with a new effort to turn the current of the conversation from one of bitterness into that of banter. "Oh, no. Not at all. I don't say that you are a ty- rant. A tjrrant must be strong. " "Only a just and constitutional king, then?" He rose, and, standing above her, tried agnin to take her hand. "I should hardly say that." "What, then? What am I?" "Well, nothing in particular. In marr3nng you I gave you privileges, but I never meant to confer rights. Sit down, Harry, please. Let me give you my point of view." " Haven't we talked enough for to-night?" He tried to speak good-naturedly. " Not quite, for I want to say a word on my side. I have borne youi- conversation with good temper, be- cause I see that I have brought you into a society where you have still much to learn. You are a less inteUig. it pupil than I expected you to be, but I can be patient." " Then I'll be hanged if I can," he cried, with renewed 196 Let Not Man Put Asunder Ihis IS no question of what you find—" "'s a society which puts evil for ffonrf ..nJ j i "If that is your opinion of modem society-" in^ oT "^ ^P^^king of modern society. I am st«ak And I." Emmy-" ^^^ ^^''^'^ ^"<=*» women as "And I." "Affect—" is ra'S:' n^owr^^ *:i S"- °^ ^^ --"* ^^at volity is life " ^' ""'' "^' *'^' he calls fri- I wish you would take him in hand. Duchess " But I 1 Simply dying to." there" '"" '''''* «° ""^^''^^ " ^e thought you'd be Tell him he'llZTme in thi n, ^* ** '^^'= P^^'^^'y^ ing-room, whefetyal!^', ^r/^ ^ l^il ^„T an excuse for sitUng in there alonp V^ vl ^^^^ sudden palpitation of the heart I H„h '^^ ^ '^^^ ^ t.m« e^peciauy when I'^^ettn rLtht '' ^ ""•- himll^tw'^irat^wilf""' ""' " ^"^*»""^ -« — Ji^rr'cai^;£AatLt^''r'^^ ^ nex. Vassall and PeW^f were cSetl :^[^ S *^TT '"• ^^:5ti^s^^r'iir-i-ss Let Not Man Put Asunder streamers of shaded reds, fastened at her breast. She was lying on a sofa in a little sitting-room. " I've done it," she gasped, as Petrina entered. " I've taken the step." " What step, dear?" Petrina asked, as she kissed her sister-in-law. " The divorce. I've told Sir Charles Freeman to go on with it. They were to serve something on Hum- phroy this morning, poor fellow. I don't know what it is, but they said they'd serve it.' Petrina looked grave, and sat down on the edge of the sofa, holding the while Emilia's hand. "Does Hippolyta know?" "Nothing yet. She mustn't be dcld till I get my decree nisi, whatever that is. She's nere in town with her grandmother in Cromwell Road.'- " And Tristram?" "Safe at Dr. Babbington's. He needn't know for a long time— not until Gerald and I—" "Then you arc sure — ?" "Oh yes. That's all right. I know he means it." "And you?" " I haven't committed myself. As things are, he has bound himself and — " " Left you free?" "Of course, Petrina dear, my position is extreme- ly delicate. I couldn't become engaged to one man as long as I am married to another? Now, could I? Reginalda de la Pole did it, and I know it's common in America: but one has to draw the line at something, and I do it there. He's given me this," she added, drawii.v from the bosom of her dress a ring fastened on a long gold chain. "I told him I couldn't wear it, but that I'd just keep it here." 202 Let Not Man Put Asunder That must mean "But you've accepted it from him. tnat you — "Oh, I suppose I'm coming to it dear 7t'<= =, n-^j f^ w/r'' ^V"" g«"inglsed io the id 1 ItW It wJ be good for Tristram to have a father." tJut there s Humphrey." "I mean a real father, dear— a real np(»,r,=i t *u>l. not one who'.s made himself talk:d Ti Xh^f tte Lucy FUzalans and Hetty Viennes in London " ' tint you told me yourself that Major Bertie had compromised .. lot of people." ° "My head aches, dear Don'Mpt ,.= (^ii u ^ dreadfully deep th/ngs this morn ig" S^LTe,'"^; ''Anything, dear Emilia." "Yes; I knew you would mother; you see I've got to But, considering how thev feel T flr.r.'* c„ u going to reconcile Them to if " '" ''°"' y°" ^" " Nor I, quite. But there's no one who can manage .* enoue-h to hpar tu„ > ^7'"."°- J"siasiii hadn t their^deas tL,^ iff '° 'ernhly behindhand in ev:n ttrpeolle^^e ditc^^f '"^'^ ^^ ^"^^ Eighth, an^d fots of i^Tthat JtmZu7j ^I'l had an encyclop^ia. Even Milton wrote Svor of it But I want you to go back and tell him 'Tel Wm hn. have struggled against it, until mrwrlngs ™ out to Heaven for redress. Don't prejudice liI' ^ns 203 Well, it's Harry and consider them to some i !l Let Not Man Put Asunder Humphrey, though. I know you won't do that But just m^e him feel that I've suffered right up to the verge of endurance; and that Humphrey has been not so much wicked as weak. Make it all as moral as you can, because that's the joint in their hames,s-moralitv IS. 1 m sure you'll know how to do it, dear- you've so much tact. Quote the nineteenth chapter of St Matthew at them. You can give it a twist that will make It just suit my case. Don't say anything r.bout Gerald-at least not yet. We must feed them with milk, you know, and not with meat. That's in the Bib e, too I feel sure, dear Petrina, that I can leave It all safely in your hands." " It goes without saying, Emmy, that I will do every- thing in my power. To whom should you turn at such a •■'".fJ^J^*^ *'*^" *" "^^ I'v"! if I didn't approve-" Which you do, don't you?" "I can't be wholly sure of that; but even if I didn't 1 should stand by you." "You're such a treasure to me," Lady de Bohun said, tenderly pressing Petrina 's hand. "I shall never for- get your kindness; and if ever you want to do any- thing like this, you will be able to count on my help as I have on yours. It's true that it's early yet in your married life, and Harry is a saint; but if it should happen — The baffling smile was on Petrina's Ups as she in- terrupted her sister-in-law and rose from the border of the couch. " I ought to go back to the hotel now," she said ■ " then I can get it over by telling Harry at luncheon. " ' CHAPTER VIII thJ^nh^''*^"^'^ ^"'^"'^' ^^^^^ himself opened ud 2 table "' '"°" ' *^^ "^"- had left tlS Ine engagement?" ''""• "^^^ y°" «"y °ther ;;None that I can't put off. So he knows?" by stE?^ "^ '^"^^"'^ -"e as if he were taken "' Nnf'°"''' ^^'^^ ^- ^"t y°"' Harry?" Not more than Humphrey, I suppose WUh = -Ji^^-S'str »"r '^'" "■"'«■■ ^■► w. bS Sw™,' ■•'"'' "« '» S~» "- »U« «nc » taTv"r„° " ' "■" " "««t by =pm.n„ ,.11,. Petrina looked at him keenly poinXS."^^" ^'^^^ -"■ °- carriage has disaj. 205 Let Not Man Put Asunder " The very question is an injury," he replied, with a laugh. " But I suppose it is only the married who know how serious a thing marriage is. No one can realize beforehand the meaning of a permanent community of life." "Of course not, if you look at it in that light. But you know it isn't modern. To tis marriage is a tem- |)orary co-operation rather than a permanent commu- nity. I could never have married if I thought other- wise, not any more than I could have taken the lifelong vows of a nun." Petrina spoke deliberately, and was surprised that Vassall did not resent her speech. " I used to think that there ought to be no loop-hole Now—" "Now," Petrina laughed, "you begin to see that the day may come when you will be glad enough to find one." " I wish you wouldn't give my words so personal an application." "Women can never argue in the abstract, Harry. They must be personal, or they can't enjoy the talk. But I am glad that you admit that marriage isn't neces- sarily binding." "I doii't admit anything. I say only that lately I have reviewed my own ideas, and I am not quite so sure as I used to be. That's all." "I've been looking up the nineteenth chapter of St. Matthew. We are told there that there was a time when even Moses suffered a man to give his wife a writing of divorcement." "But it was only for the hardness of men's hearts." "Hearts are always hard, Harry. They are cer- tainly not softer now than they were in the days of Sinai. But my point is this, that, even accepting the 206 Let Not Man Put Asunder "But the Church has decreed-" "And rhfn '!i^' r'^?«"^'^t«' before the Church " And the needs of civilized society demand-" ,, That, for the sake of the family-" ' can^^:SteSd'i^^^,£^-;''";^e family or termLtLntasi^^stS " n ^ ^l"^'* ^^^"^« ures it is a very vaguTcStion ^^.^hnstian Script- needs of different Sa«onsT' ^"''7\"^« ^th the what was pernS t!d for t^ i, ^ =°"tend therefore, that intheUme^fMos1sou^h?nnM ff °^ '"^"'^ hearts hardness of mS heS'tSy"" "" '° "^^ "'"^' attUu3e"5,^tt^,;:'i,i*^t''\^ °" ^^^ *" ™^ - Ph'cy de Sfhun's XmbeT'Tater'in 'i^^'^rf * ^'^ ""- "Well Humphrev " ^hl . -j ^^^ afternoon, "this is a gr^t ,^Z'. £Vth' ^- *' *°°k hands, can do-" ' ^' ^"* '^ "*"^ 's anything fhat we Jh^baronet smiled, and ordered his man to bring in n:en"ts%'i'£:Sl^ *^^c:strf ^ ^-jf ™- Let Not Man Put Asunder Petrina. "How they learn such things the Lord only knows." "We haven't seen anything," Vassall said, wonder- ing; "nor heard anything." "No, I suppose not," Sir Humphrey went on, "but no doubt you soon will. It's in a penny rag called English Society. Yes, that blue -covered thing," he added, as he saw Petrina's glance fall upon it. " The Duchess of Ambleside sent it to me with a note this morning." " Well, I never!" Petrina exclaimed, as she looked at a paragraph marked in red pencil. " ' We understand,' " she read aloud, "'that another social sensation is promised in the action for divorce to be brought by the wife of a well-known baronet, whose country seat is not a thousand miles from Orpington, in Kent. The lady in question is one of the prettiest and wittiest of the American women who gave an exotic flavor to London life, while the co-respondent is said to be a charming young actress at the Charing Cross Theatre. Her name resembles that of one of the great capitals of Europe.' " "Disgusting!" commented Sir Humphrey. "The way one's private affairs get into the newspapers—" Vassall glanced for himself at the paragraph and said nothing. "That kind of thing blows over," said Petrina. "If, when everything is settled, you were to go abroad for a month or two — " "I shall go to America," Sir Humphrey explained, as he sipped his tea. " That will give Emmy a chance to get used to the new conditions; and when I come back I shall be able to fall more easily into them, too." "Perhaps you could come with us," Petnna sug- 208 Let Not Man Put Asunder Stiber^' '^'' °" *•*' '^"^'^^ ^' ^''' ""^^ ^ f-ereThiy?"°"''' ^°" "'" '-^^ ^"^ *° ""^ "^^^^ ^ K«t f? 1, *u . ^^^- ^ *" ^"""^ y°"'d «iJoy it, even though there's no sport." "Thanks," repHed Sir Humphrey, and Petrina thought she detected an embarrassment in Ws a^ But I ve already promised the Tyrells to spend Sen. tember with them at Lenox." ^^ ^^ "You'll Uke that," Petrina remarked, not taking her eyes from h.s "And, by-the-way, I ^ee yoThLve a new picture of Gentian." y"u nave a ihl^^'i'^^ ^j' ^°'"^ *° *^ mantel-piece and takine the photograph down. " It's good, isn^ it?" Petnna glanced significantly at Vassall 1 hey were sUlI commenUng on Miss TyreH's por- t^it^and pose when Sir Humphrey's ma^cameTn he^Itr u?r'" '^ '"'' '"'" •'^ -'<^- "S'^-" I -k "NoTS--*^^^" "**'^^^«' Sir Humphrey, reddemng. "Yes, sir. I told 'er you was engaged— very ner- tic'lar engaged, I said." very per- "Well, then?" call for' W^ t"'^ ''^"' '•"■■ ^^''y Constance is to '-r^u ll^ "'•*,''^ carriage in 'alf an hour." Uh, then, it s not Miss—?" "No, sir," the man cried, with horrified emphasis I ope, sir, you know as I'd 'a' had more tack than to announce before company any one who-" frJely""* '^"S'^^" ^ir Humphrey breathed more ° 209 Let Not Man Put Asunder "Show Miss de Bohun up," he ordered. "Well, Polly," he cried, as Hippolyta entered. "This is a pleasant surprise. " The girl looked bewildered as she saw Vassall and Petrina. "I thought you were alone," she began. "Other- wise I shouldn't have come." "But your uncle and aunt, Polly, scarcely count." "No, no," she stammered, confusedly. She stood in the middle of the room and looked helplessly from one to the other. "Why, what's the matter?" Sir Humphrey inquired, anxiously. "Are you ill?" " No, no," she repeated. " Not ill— only— " "Only what, dear?" Petrina asked, rising and com- ing forward. "Can I help you?" "No, no," Hippolyta murmured again, as though un- conscious of what she said. " Shall we go away?" Petrina questioned. " Would you like to see your father without your Uncle Harry and me?" "No; it doesn't matter — now," she answered, still speaking dreamily. "I see," she added, turning tow- ards Vassall, who sat with the blue" a reason- "Is it true?" she demanded that-'?" ""• ^' ^^'^ '"^* °^ ■' true? Is it true w„'rH^^ dear Httle girl." Vassall broke in, coming for- ward and taking her hand. " You can trust me,^can't voke ''° ' inwTl^"''" uT""-" ^^' ^'^P''«'' i" ^ hard u^ ,,"*'',' ^"""^ whether or not this is tru^" sible ii^i, w"±"7'" y««««». ""tinned, "how impos- sible it IS for people m the position of your father and motherto keep their namesoutofthepag'i.softrpTessr Yes I am aware of that. I've often seen their names there before, but not like this. Is it true?" Papers like this live by lies, dear," Petrina saiH taking the girl's other hand i-etnna said. She freed herself impatiently. "Then is this a lie?" she insisted. "You needn't explaui to me if it isn't true. I am ready to bdieve WHct IS the use of all this mystery?" as'Sr'ThTll! '•'i '^"'^JT '^""^ ^y ^"•^h a sheet ^h Sse^eS."" '"■' '"""'^- "' ^•^^" P""- it to br'"'i '"'"• ^*?'!."' P^P^- ^ ''°y *t his school gave it to him and pointed out the paragraph " Its perfectly indecent that boys of that age-" air Humphrey began again. Tbl2\ ^^'t 'f i! anything they don't know, papa They hear it at home. Little George Magnavilk Ve^ P^ts to Tristram all the gossip that he ifst^s to a" dLJ^a'm ^^'"'^ Yorkshire's, you know; and the Wuke of Ambleside's son does the same. ' ai It really isn't Let Not Man Put Asunder Tristram's fault, papa dear. But if you'll only say it isn't irue I can write to assure him that you — " " Upon my soul, things have reached a pretty pass when a girl like you — " "Oh, I, papal Don't think of me. If only it isn't true — " " It's a scandal that a mere child of eighteen should catechise her father on a subject like this. " "I'm not a child, papa. I'm a woman. If I know all this it is because no one ever shielded me." "I think, dearest," said Petrina, "that if you'll come away with me I can explain everything to you better than if we were not alone." " I don't ask for explanations, Petrina. My question is one — " "Which you have no right to put," Sir Humphrey burst out, furiously. " Have you no shame, Hippolyta?" "Shame, father I" the girl cried, with flaming cheeks. " Do you talk to me of shame? Is it no shame that you and my mother live like strangers? Is it no shame that she is taking other men's money, while other women are taking yours? Is it no shame—?" " Be quiet, Hippolyta," Vassall said in her ear. " You are saying more than you have a right to say." " I know what I'm speaking of,' Uncle Harry. But I didn't come here to talk of it. I came to ask a question, and no one will give me an answer. " "That a daughter should put such a question to her father," said Sir Humphrey, "is beyond all be- lief. " " You have only to say no, papa, and I will go away. Surely it is a simple thing. Is there such a person as this — this actress? Have you — ?" " Hippolyta, I forbid you to go on. I never dreamed that a child of mine should come to this." 212 Let Not Man Put Asunder "That's how the sins of the fathers are visited on the children," she returned. "The fathers can answer for their own sins," Sir Humphrey asserted, trying to take an injured tone. "But the children have to bear them," the girl de- clared. " Bear?" he cried. " What have you ever had to bear? Haven't I given you a luxurious home?" "Yes, father." " And every worldly advantage?" ''Yes, father." "And allowed you to have your own way?" "Yes, father." "Then what more— ?" "Oh, much more, papal There's something better than all the things you've named ; and we've never had it. We crave it. Tristram craves it. I crave it. Even little baby Humphrey knows he doesn't get it." ^^ "Then I give it up," Sir Humphrey said, impatiently. " Run away, Hippolyta, and learn to be a sensible, obe- dient girl who doesn't meddle with what doesn't concern her." "Doesn't concern?" she cried, taking a step nearer him, and holding out the blue-covered journal. "Do you mean that a story like this, in which my father's name is dragged in the mire, doesn't concern me? Pray, then, whom does it concern? Does it concern mamma^ Does It concern Tristram? Does it concern you? Does jt concern this lady — this charming young actress? Oh, father, you dcn't know what you're saying. I am your daughter. The foulness that bespatters you be- spatters me. You may try to separate your life from mine, but I can never separate mine from yours. I bear your name. I carry the stamp of your features in my own." 2i3 Let Not Man Put Asunder "Hippolyta, dear." Petrina interrupted, "you are ipowmg excited." *^ ' "" ■ 1??" ,' "'"P '"*' Petrina- I demand what I have a right to know. Once more, father^" "What good wiU it do you to be told the truth?" Vas- sall asked, laying his hand on her arm. " Why not be advised by those—" ^ Jl *^7l.^"^5'^i° ^°'^' V"*='* ^"y- And if the truth IS that all this i.s nothing but a lie— I Oh it must be that I Say so, father. Say so, Petrina. Why do you keep me pleading and panting here? Uon t you see that I'm breaking down? Father I dont ask much. You know how Tristram loves you. You know how in his heart he thinks there is no one in the worid like you. And I think so. We've been so proud of you, father, even when you and mother don t agree. Tell me, papa, tell me that it isn t true. Why don't you speak? Why doesn't some one speak? It's so easy to say. Just a word and yet you stand there looking at me as if you were all dumb — " , " Dear, dear Hippolyta, come with me," Petrina cried throwing hrr arms about the giri. "Come into the next room. I can tell you everything in a way that you will understand." "No, no, Petrina, I'll go when papa says it isn't true. Papal Papal it is true I You're turning white It t.i true. Uncle Harry, take me away. I want to go down into the street, to get into the air. No, I can't go just yet. Let me sit down. Is there a fan anywhere?" She sank into a chair. For a minute she kept her self-control. Then, with face bowed into her hands she burst into sobs. ' But Sir Humphrey could hold out no longer. What- ever pure love was in his nature was for his "httle 214 Let Not Man Put Asunder Polly " as he called her. Dropping on one knee be^ Mde her chair, he threw his arms about her "It isn't true. It isn't true," he murmured. "You can say so to Tristic. It isn't true." "Was there ever a more useless Ue?" Vassall whis- pered to Petnna. Before many weeks are over she will know it's true." "We must try to shield her from it," Petrina whis^ pered in return. We must take her out of England " CHAPTER IX J-'I ™l^^ ^ ^^^ ''^"^'' S" and see Emmy " Petrina sail re''„1,?H'°"rn"i^"'^' ^^^^ ^'" '^'^^ •»« 0"t/' Vas- and do them A ^'°'' ^!." "' ^laridge's, and Oien go we me^t her"" ^" ^°" ''"""^ ^"^^''--^ 0' «hf" ii you d said for your sake—" ClarMge-r'"'"* ""^ ^''^ '*^^- ^^^^^ ^^ey drove to iJnlZ %^^^ "^"^^f V^«^«" "net his brother-in-law "I tv old ^■'■.^rP''"^ '"^^"^ '"^ -"d o"d " let's To ;nd,\"' ^^.u'^'^' ^^'""^ Vassall's arm, let s go and lunch together at Prince's. I don't want At table Sir Humphrey was out of spirits. plied, m answer to a suggestion from VassaH ■' She^ 216 Let Not Man Put A^ander S l^ ^? ^^"if',^^ 'he cha„g,. of seen, would what I told her yesterday afternoon, but ui.cr, you had gone away she braced up a bit, and we parted friends . lL^°°liw' ^?** """^^ ^' "^^ '«' «*en a rJnts called to book for his— his— his— " "Yes, I understand," said Vassall . "By a daughter of eighteen. It's the beastly pry- mg press, that's what it is. There's no more privacy • there are no more children; precious soon, if the divorce null grinds on, there will be no more wives " " There will always be Miss Hetty Viennes " of *W lT^ '-i^u ''T'" *^^^ '^'"- ^'^^ ^^^h«J ^y hands ot that lot. The hussy's got me into a pretty mess when my own children hale me to their judgment-seat. There s Tristram, fifteen years old. How am I ever going to look him in the face again? I'm blowed 1 • T i ^u,^ ^ ''""''^ ''""S ^" a<^"°i f°r damages agamst that blue^"'^^'" -^'^ ^--» «u" mT*^ ^l**^ '" ^""^ 'i^^e'f alone. That Petrina sho,^d have disregarded his wishes on a poinfon wSch he fel so strongly wounded him to thVquick H^ hr^uSttiik^ '^ °"^'^^ ^° ^^"^ - -^^^"e moved only by the desire to calm by physical action the agitation of his mind and nerves On he wen^ through Kmghtsbridge, into the Park, across Ken Mngton Palace Gardens, back again into Kensinfton High Street, through Earl's Court to Brompton Road along St. George's Place to Constitution Hill and th^n skirting the grounds of Stafford House and Saence SoTef' S°f u'" "?!"' ""? ^° '° *he Carlton House flZt u ^? '^ ^^ •^""''^ ""t ^alk far enough nor fast enough, nor long enough When he reached home Petrina was already dressing Z.T'l J*"" "•?'' ^^^^^ '" their own aJartmenU Has a silent one. It was not until the carriagTwS 219 m Let Not Man Put Asunder announced and Petrina. cloaked for going out, stood fastemng her gloves, that the n,att« wWch ;as^ t«^i!^" "^f^ "^^ ^"^"^^ "P^'"- Vassall was d^ termined not to speak of it till she did. Harry, before ^ye go," she said, " I've something to .^wJ ^T^^ *'"* ^^''^"e de Prony to-day " „ Why do you teU me?" he asked, coldly. I didn t hke her I thought you might care to know But smce apparently you don't—" PetnW^ *^ something that I do care for very much, h.^t^'fZ u'^ ^f *^^ t""^*' °f the whip. She held l^riSo^^diff^eSre""^"'^ - Eton to see toe bov at 1« f . '*'' ^""'^ ''°^" '» coming divorce w°iht much \f"'^ '° ^"P'^'" 'he assumi The liul man accepfeTS? f ^1'=°"''' £i^^^SSi=-!otitrttS ^^•;it's mother's fault," he sobbed-"all the boys say "The boys?" tha7^:'m*r sa'ysta! my m^othef- '^^'^"^^■"<= -^-^ E'father " "' '" """"" ^-P°"-Whty ffr either sheLSi,Krr:i'r''' -^<' P-^-a. anTso ■she^;rn,':t thSTo-eSTyr -"^^ '-'^y-" under the trees of th^e LichtSthJ.e "^11™"""^ '"'''■ And has it taken place?" :; tii'vorS:-" '"^'"^"^' ^''^ a «t-' °^ -rprise. "Yes, dear; but—" AXi:t2vz t~K !;■ tr ^^r-^- 223 Let Not Man Put Asunder bering that both . _ my father's and my mother's child. Only if you and Uncle Harry want to help me there is a way." "You know in advance that we will take it." " It is in asking papa and mamma to allow me some day— not yet, but some day— to go into the convent." A little later they returned to England, and went straight to Orpington Park. Tristram, home for the holidays, was at the station. The brother and si.ster met with some embarrassment. They spoke of their mother, but avoided their father's name. "So you didn't go to Scotland, after all," Vas.sall remarked to his sister, as they sat about the tea-table in the drawing-room, just after their arrival. "No," said Lady de Bohun, with a little pout. "I changed my mind and cancelled my acceptances. Scotland's so wet — " "And a widow whose husband isn't dead," inter- posed Tristram, "always gets a damp welcome every- where. George Magna ville's mother said that." "If I'm in need of a husband she might spare me one of hers," Lady de Bohun rejoined, with spirit. "I'm tired," said Hippolyta, putting down her un- tasted cup of tea. "I think I shall go to my room." "You clear out, too," said Vassall to Tristram. "Go and see if the luggage has arrived." Left to themselves, the three older ones talked with greater ease. Lady de Bohun was as brisk as ever, but Vassall and Petrina both detected a new, perhaps a forced, note in her cheerfulness. They observed, too, that her face was pinched and wan. Her delicate beauty seemed a little faded, and more than ever fragile. " Have you seen anything of Humphrey?" she asked, when they had talked of many other things. She seemed almost embarrassed as she spoke. 224 Let Not Man Put Asunder " A. 7u ^ ■ ^" ''•^ street?" He seemed very well." "Was he alone?" she insistpH "nu at SXriaSersijTtLflirS^" ^"^'^J try to get some of the dust off " ^"'' ^° "P ^"'^ th^e was'a ne.' "■°°'" ^^"^ '^^ ^^^un laughed-but hayjontrt'^-r'''^'''''^^^^''*' -hen her brother "He didn't," Petrina declared. "I never knew till now that there was anybody with him." **" r e'oUfeSf. ^'i^^^i'j^. "rri-f- h^^^^^^^ Petrina dear?" "^ ^'™ * y°" « httle more suspicious. Well, It s nothing to me what Humphrey does " tt wudS-or"th: r '""^''.^"'^ aiitLtr;f you knowTt-rsfm abCr '"" ^"^'^ ' ^"^^ ^° Why, he's gone to America." forwari-^iL' ^'-^ '' ^"^- -^-•' '-^^ 225 Let Not Man Put Asunder "Didn't you know? He was on his wa • to Cher- bourg when Harry met him." " Well, upon my word I I think tlwt at least he might liave written. " "He did write— to Hippolyta." "But I suppose I have some claim." "Well, Emmy, you know that the claim you had—" " Don't talk to me about that, Petrina. I know quite well what I've done; and as long as Humphrey keeps within a certain distance, where I can hear about him and know what he's doing, I'm resigned. I accept the inevitable. But— " "Resigned? Accept? Inevitable? How well you choose your words." "But when it comes to goinj; a America — to the other side of the world, I do think I— Well," she cried, jumping up and beginning to move about the room, "as I said before, it's nothing to me, nothing whatever. He might go to Australia, he might go to Fiji, wherever that is, and I shouldn't give him a thought. Of course I have to remember that he's the children's father. You can't expect me to forget that. But as to anything else, he's as dead to me as if he were the hero of one of last year's novels— deader. I don't want to be told where he goes, the Lord knows. But I should think his own feeling, his natural courtesy — and he was ah/ays polite, now wasn't he?" ^'Always," Petrina interjected. "That's one thing I liked about him, even at the worst of times. Well," she exclaimed in another tone, throw- ing herself into a chair, " let him go. I never asked him a question as to what he meant to do, and I never shall. Did he tell Harry what he was going to do when he got there?" 226 Let Not Man Put Asunder lhe'?Ss"''"-'"^ ''"* ""^ ^" «"■"« '° Lenox, to so indifferent about him aTliln'^M '"'"''"■' ^^^ without a word to 5wTfS>"" ^°"" '" ^'•■™a. "His—?" Lady de Dohun sat up straight in her chair «nH • her a.r there was something like a c.M-enge ' " su£r ^'"'^' '"^ ^^^■"«' '''-^«n«l "o'Ler on the ril™ ^-llupZe'r "°"' ^"T^ ''^^^'" «he said, Thp »„ °"PP°^e ^'nner, as usual, s at eight " JotTorTheSr *" ^'^P".*^*-""' -- « ^heer. and whl i- '^ ^**y "P «"d dine with them- S' h:??n rsVshlT^lS ^Pt HippolytaTel vivacity there wrsil,.; *^."f«' ^nghtly; but in her thdr S'tL°:r '^ °' "' -»•- '^^ -'J h'« -^e were in "I wonder if she isn't a little lonely?" he said But Petnna made no reply. She^los^ ?he door 227 Let Not Man Put Asunder between her room and his, and began lo think alone newlmcs. Presently Emmy's tap was heard. ' Come m, dear," Petrina said herpto^Xet^l^Sn^r ^'''^' "''-- Vou'-ncSrCeXid. 'tr L"^ ""''' ^««'" '-'^«'>^- bv^h^n^ '^^T '"'"'■'*'' ""PP'^Sf •"'» «" arm-chair oy the open wmdow. Alru':i^^^ '" l"^**'"^ ^' ^^y-" "he said. "He's a much h • ^Z- u- ^Tl "''"^ ' "-^^ "°«'^«» before how Sumohrov r' ''^' /^*"' '■"' ^'^'^ '^'^'^^ called him now - Wn .'^r'"' r?"^'*>'"« '■•'«'•• «' the time, but haTe anS"""-' ""'"''' ' ^""'^'"^ - shall never "Under the circumstances, I should hope not " You re so unfeeling, Petrina. I've always noticed that you weren't m the least maternal " There were several replies hoverinR on Petrina's lips, ''",! fj;? ^'^t °" brushing her hair in silence. after a long j^use, "that Gentian Tyrell was a perfec Jittle schemer? "Rather," Petrina admitted. "Why do vou ask?" Because when she was here I thought her rather silly about Humphrey. It was nothing to me— then but — ' "But it is now?" "Oh dear, no I Less than ever. But it seems to iTttle TO -'"^^' ^^^^ ""^ moment I give Humphrey a "A great deal of rope, I should say." J " '^^^l^^ ^h°"''^ SO straight to stay with them. Now doesn t it seem so to you?" " I can hardly say that it does, Emmy. Poor Hum- 228 Let Not Man Put Asunder True, dear, but all the sauie-" fleeing. ■ ^''"" '"^"^ '''°*'^' ^^'l «--«» to be re- "I wiKhr5:;^:t^,''tu';^ « t «Ht pau., to Faneuil Hill I',„ i V' " ° '"^^ '" '"■•«■■ him up much XethL. and ^dL ""7 ^T'''' ^"^^ - whl5"' do you mean by safer, Emmy? Safer from I-ZdrilumUan ' ''"' '"''^ -"'^ '"V-'f-" in a^aEretsl^rther'^- ' ^^'""^ «-^'^"'- meaning to the ques«on "^ " ""'" "" '"'"'"^^'y but-"* '° '"^ '""='^- "-^ — over now and then, ''But you are not yet decided?" that wdghrwhhtr?r™'! "'l'*''^' ^"'^ °f — little, just a Uttle T^n I, ' *r~*'"" ' y°" """^ it a "bJ" a divo c; l^t ^r" ^ 'f'^" attentions?" "' rife rue "'lldt dirr' ''^«"y*ing to wait for " "but ^mtleei^tt.^^T''^"'^^'^' thoughtfully, ceded by cer4Tn rtten'oVs-""^^"^^^ ^'^°"''' "^ P- told'S^'o^"" ""' ^'"'"^ ^''^™ «" l««t winter. You "Ah yes. But the attention., one gets as a .narried 229 Let Not Man Put Asunder wornan are so different from those one receives a, ha'nf rS'" ^' ''^^'"' '-'^"S -t herself in a pi^SiZ-I'LTe^hT^oS^^/ '^"^'" ^^'•^ '^ ^^^ came and stood Iooki„g|o^„:[J^"^- ^^^y^^^^»^ «. m^^ch „"u '^°" ^^"" ^^'" '"^^ ^^' "- fine and yet js£-£-teS-n.S;rrt£ ^,^„„ I ""Sgesuon oj nervousness and tear« P«^ J^na^glanced „p quickly. They looked ^cro^er";: "How queer you seem, Emmy, dearl" halfSob """' ^'"^ ''"''''" «he cried, with a asUo/a:^irCh «^—«^ Herself with dal^/lL^th^eta^s' "Ki'^'^^" ^^^ -^«»' that IVe wanted%^/Ssh*ThetrJT:^^r.ri hTin^trio /iiJ Tsf J?d '"T" ? ^° :vef Sncf 'h^"'^^^"^" "-^-^ 'r'Ta terir ™e Oh PeW^^'Y "^"'' "'" «" --e back to Ifarrv so srunM? ' V^^ ^'' ^°" "° 'J^"«^? Why is narryso stupid? You've invited Hippolyla toAmer- 230 Let Not Man Put Asunder "Then come, dear," said Petrina rnt fff CHAPTER I Th!r^ "^u"^" ''up '°P**' ^'''^^Pt they be agreed?" This was he problem Vassall and Petrina were now consciously trying to work out. Up to their return to Ammca they had been able to postpone its solu- wa?k a ' rt °"" "'^^ ^^ "^^^"^ immediately to «ll^^* fu^l^^fr t^""- «™^al Petrina found herself alone at the breakfast-table in the bow-fronted embra- sure of the dmmg-room at Faneuil Hill rZT^^! ^'^ ^°"^ *° ^°'*°" ^y «" ^ariy train. He could not stay away any longer from " the office. " For the rest of the autumn he would be at Faneuil HiU from Saturday afternoon to Monday morning every week. The remainder of the time he would be at work He had breakfasted alone, and had just driven away. w;J^ m"^' ^e^J^'ng.absently over the panorama of wooded New Hampshire hills, sat waiting for her moth- s' h°s action "^" ^^"^"^ ^" '*™"« disapproval "vilf^v!^ the parting of the ways," she thought. Either he must walk with me, or I shall go on alone." I hey had not quarrelled: they had only differed courteously. Since leaving England there had been severalocca-sions on which Vassall had lost his temper, but . etrina had had at conunand the soft answer which soothes for the moment but leaves a sting behind „n.nJl^''^u ^^^'f "^"""^ *° ^^^^ the Boston house opened, she said, as she leaned with her husband on 235 Let Not Man Put Asunder Hippolyta, to whom "hTSf ^^''^ «*« B°h«n TncI chaffering for laces and bS ,!^"' "T "°^^'' *«e Irishwomen on the t^der ^"'^'^ ^^^^ *'«> the "that w:i'J,;,'g^^l'i'^ --* on ignoring his words. Hill by way of Kee^e ^tI!^°" u^""^ ^'"^ ^o Faneui Boston, allfhe work on the ^ '■''''"" "^^ "^"me back to Vassall startT n,us,c-room will be finished. " wiSt:c;r" .^i^LiSr^'n^ii^fi ^"^" ^^^ -ked, the idea up." ^ ""''^^^'ood that you had given wiy'Tw^rut"!;^ :; tzr '^v' ^^ -^-^ people at a time. Besides ff tl 5°'"^ '° ''^^^ ™any but for dancing." '"' '* ^'" ^° »ot only for music rny^JStnt^r Wassail protested, "surely smile."'' '"^'^ ™"^ >« yours," she responded with'a it Kme^LTtty "hSav"^'^!^ '""^ -''i^*- When the moment wLS^'TrVj^Jn'tTdTe' ^''""j '°' by force, but by diplomatic Xitneis Th '^''*^' "°* had come when the ouesfmn 1 ! u ^'^ ^"^ moment "I shall not live in ru T^^ ^^ d'scussed. what Petrina had to^y"'"''"'^^^'" -«« the burden of huZ'd Wgume'r """ ''^^^ ^'--here," was the If either yielded it was hp Ti, * • , Let Not Man Put Asunder perceived thkt VaS;,,^^* tT"'" u'''"" P'='""« Hill that he might returtr '° '^^^,! her at Faneuil which for her^ad itUe ^. ."'"^^ Work was a word no profession and had S "^' ^^^her had had Vassall would remain in hi. f^ "fu"*^^ *° ^^^ t^^t a financial reasoT^or hl^ ddnt^o ^'"'^ "^'^ "° •""^- therlt;^r^rh^:r™';j-^P-ted; but, when her a foolish one. It was not ii\"^"™'"* '''"''^ *° of pride, but of utility There '"^"' °P'"'°"' ^ ''"^■■'«°n for him to do, thSs whfchT '""?r^°^*'"*'''"g« and for which PartJa^tetarmaShS. ^'^'''' taJX':^o::,jtietK^^ passed through her mind ' '"''" '*'^"^" ^^"""Shts ahl haVS:^ herX'e^a'n^'Z':- ^^"^"" -^''- ^^en ;o?v?biTii---^^^^^^^^^^^^ "S:^fi=f^^K^-nIthou.ht rien^" You thmk that? It isn't the'usual expe- has passed over them aTtsllv a?'"f'"'^^""'^*'^^^^'=t c^S^Tt^^^.^^---^Ss:ifun- It leaves one's self more one's self ff,=„ close contact with another life ,^1 TL r ^''^- ^^e is a point beyond wWch nn^ !^ ^^^ ^^"^^ "^^t there that'^rhapsTrfm ght be aTet,^" i "^f *° ''''"'^ of boundary-lin._a cfll?y S^^, ^^^f ^ ' ''11 Let Not Man Put Asunder n^r together but thernt'r^i"'' '" '" '"^^ ™«^ '- "Idon^ '?"''" '^■"'^^'■" a wife" cynicaT AReTaStrL- "^ °*'>™ *•>- their time trying to piecrto^e.^^ u?^ ^'^ ^J^^ing rather pathetic, I thiT and ! f """"* ^°P^- It's . "K I didn't Uw you ;'erTh' 'nr-' m' ^"?^y" her toast. ^^"^^''^^ '° ^y- vvhile she buttered "t.^ — '"l^iC -y - experimentr' a-days, and marriage mos![ of aM '' •='^P^"'»«>tal now- Im not sure that I follow you" andZLiJelS S^pl^'j; fJV" T^ -"«- women, and especiaHy New Fnl, !, ^""""^^ ""^t -areluctanceto'^mmLneLel??'""' "°"^"' *''-- "u^trarss-fctT" ""^'^ -'^•" one cannot go onTsome h" f P°'"* ^^^ ^hich de Bohun as In examl gUe "^ t"' ?'^« ^mmy held by no scruples. pSdS or n ' '"'^"">- ^^e is treats marriage, theref^e In n P'^^"n«Ptions. She tries first the oidfnarv :;nditronT''"-"'^'^^y- ^^e ■on-the one I'm t^inTni" °^ T'^^^^ ^'^P^ra- ■ndifferently good results^ Thin" he ev'' ■'"^^*^ ^'"^ what IS commonly called semr^C *T"'"^'« ^^''h unsatisfactory. Then she trkf""' T"' ''^^""s still L« Not Man Put Asunder what I call the TCe of ron^"*,' " y°" ^'^^n^ that final one-" ^^ °^ conjugal co-operation is the n.Zor1;s?"^' '°'- ^'^°'''^'^- I did think that- b Ja^eS °?X ^iSTt rnT "^"^-^^ '» "«- "I often wondeT-siM M,t 1^ ■"•r"''"«""»«" "how much of what vou III • T"''' *oughtfully, much practical." ^ ^^ '" theoretical and how "That is, whether or not I havp ♦!,„ ^npw if P'^^IS 2x;^ri^°^;l'lP"^'''- Vou wanf £ "^^hlsVot'-'-i tr •^^^ .\»«'>* ^° -k-" like to talk to you^ml V "^^' ^ *""■ ^nd I Vou can be syni^Pathe^ wZut Cerir °'"r''"'«'- receive confidences without SvhiV.^^' ^r"*^ ^^^ =^« can't be the one. and Ha^^can^ ST ♦^^' l^^^ ' ~Lf ?tl° "^ ^-^° fece Xou*"^^- ^ "'^ ing Ple::^* '?S re":;" "If ''^^- ^-^-'' '-k- husband better-that taker'tirr"" ^""J *^°^ y°«r firidthatheistheEt^onfidiT'' ^°" '^— yo«'« has*2^Jany^:[^f .^^^'i^e with Harry. Only he dangerous. Latteriy whL l^^ ^""^^^^^tion with him all the time as if I weS^^t^? 7 ^""^ ^1°"" ^'^« ^«" July. I'm always n™, 1 ?'^ °" ^'^^ ^""rth of plode." ^ nervous lest something will ex- i. 'hSruir?.' '" ^""^ ^°"^^^" I'o- much of that "And how much is mine? Ya.. mother dear. I have 239 !-«■ No. Man p„, Asunder he ^Trried'rerS ^dT^t i'"^^i'*- '^-e In. not unreasonable, mother ii^T .°"'^*^" °^ W». Jve jn that old, mouldCg house il, S T^ ^ «° ^'^ you fancy me there? And thS.K' /'?>''"''«* ^ Can }ng his own livingl If I hS^f i !? ^°"^ *'^"' '«"'- I shouldn't have teken him A^f ^""^^ ^°' ^^o •nany other things At t, v ^- ''^'" '''■" ^"^ «» «^nt.ng to Saltonstall BrowL ZT"'" ^ '''""^ "^^ and two or three other mTto co,^^ ^^f"""" ^««"et now and November BuT I .» v /"^ *^^ "* '^t'^een to be here." ""* i can t do at if Harry is„'t belonSgtirfoL^li-^^^- there isn't a man office in State 4e:tfX^/°fJf,''"n«elfupinamu% pains. 'The Office 'he caUsT ''.T ''°""« ^°^ »y god he served " "^ '*' ** '^ '* were a sort of cui^Z^""^^ '"^^ ""- '^-•^nds to have some oc- "vo'^Thot"hY;r„rr:'jf"* ^^ -«'' <■<> "" y°,l'/-J^ouhlveCndrmrn'^^'"^ ' ''''"'^""' ^"* butlhavefound-!"^ «narrying a supplementary self- ^'^^^ifC^^^^^^^ Vouwili Five what, mamma? n^ r "«mage isn t a comedy, my dear " 240 •Oh, 'Ct Not Man Put A '^yes, it is; a high comedy; sund er of jnind.'-' " "' " "'8" -"""edy; a comedy of states there must h;ve bee^'p^^^.^^^ IT*'''- "^ere has been love euAXn^lf ^nSl^th^^V' -^' ^- I'an- last word with you when v- ■ °^^ " ^''^^y" the perhaps tl^at's l^ause it's Ihe ffrS °' Tf^'^^^' ^»' That isn't so," said p", . "^^''^ouffht." "Love in « life such as f m^n?:i '^^■?^ ""^ head, thread m a brocade. It X ' , ^^'^ '^ *« 'he silver you can have the brocade whtit""?;^ beauty, but It seems to me that the iJss wl;/"''' °" 'he whole. Piness. If that seems crul lluU ^^^'^ ">« hap-' the more lightly love is in?;,v^ J'^- ""' " thus: that prospect there is of iL'LS?"'i^ '"*" '"^ 'he more clmed to think it an imSani fv" ""' "^'^y «> m! a^ thS-T '''' - ^-^2 " " :« toTe^r I'Yes? And then?" . Well, I was thinking of Mr r ^u «e«ng a good deal of h^„ "*^'- ^^'""«e- We've been 1 el] me about him h^ u "There's an insSlTce "here'th'e f^^ J"*--'«l »-" ?ne side and not on the other AnVfT'^ ^^ ^""^^^l on IS misery." °"'^'- ^"'^ the result, of course "Poor fellow! Doe«in'f i,„ i " Yes-in a way Rm, ^^ ^! °^^ "?" there." ""^- ^"^ °- 1-ines that it is always "AhorScUure'Sht"'/ ^'l'"'^' ^- -^d?" from a dif tance?buTin^i^t;T£'^^^^ -P«-lly commonplace. One can^ S„ ^^^ common and 241 "='^' Let Not Man Put Asunder m'^T^" ^°" V '^y "K* *■» wrt of thing will t» h.v. known'^wrU's^f^r^'h^-n-,*'"' ""o^ I most unworthy obiects iZ. ;. . *° "" ♦''« Z^aiZ f ".^,? '*' °"«' """ ""'' almost out at the other side and it has seemed to me such a sIii)ht«L„ -a comedy, as we said just now-" *''' """"^ In passions." looWnTup^t 'ir *"" """^'" ^"- ^--' asked. ;;Most certainly I have; and I do. But-" inen the end is not yet " it arSifL fa^S'""*- ^"* ' -"^ -y-''' - ca^J^nd^ sTS SdTht*' ^•^^"'^' -''' ^^- ^-uil huS:rtKr£^rMotriK-s°^,-r ^ '^K 'r.f towards her steJmoZ '" ^"'""^^ sheia*S.tl?:^:^L^r*'"' "'^ """" ^* ^-'" Nonsense, my dear child " "Then what is it? You seem thin and white. You're 242 Let Not Man Put Asunder I've noticed it ever since I re- a little depressed, too turned. " dering Lriiini^i'"™"' f -tly away, won- Physicians had flready i^°Xi '\'^'' '^' ""^ upon her. ^ '^ "* "^^" sentence of death CHAPTER II visa gave^t"r„If ""?"• *° ^°^*°" Lady de Bohun's lunches and dinners rndifr'*"''^''^' ^° ^^e gave thing of her araWtion w.f afternoon parties. Some- stepped aside 7 let h^f t^t ,t?' "'f''^ ^'''*^^ Boston with a natrint', i ^^^J^^f ^^d. Loving her its greatness ghl wal noT'nf ' '"'''^'^ '"^^"^^ in thusiastic. She liJ^ed^fh " T,"""' ^^^ *«« ""ly en- of Paris; the dlSlf vr°^^T''°"' ^'^^ ''riUiancy New York • thequa nTn^l \^uV ?^ ^^'-^nuousness of of Baltimore IJ.ftSTh'.f^'"'^''"^'^'*'^' ^h^mdolence lies she found S Boin 111^ ^.1,'" ^" '^"^ "l"^"- Rngland bom. pZZ'sI^^^^'^'^''^^^'^'^^^ spiritual; her ignomnt '"™^*>°"s were in things strength lavTntEl ^I "} *•>'"&« """^l; h!r ful, the tS^/the pTas^ th^' '""T' '" '""^ ^-- what some would can Th'^' • S^'^'^ P^^^'ng' and notagreatami^lieTh' "f "■^^' «»^^«^°^«' In the Boston of her bSh a^d fo "I*"" ^^' ""* ^^t' of power wedded tn rU ^"V"""^ ^he saw possibilities gayety. orfhte ^^^i^^fo '"^'""^^"'^^ ^oing with I;ady Holland oTtrMad^^r ^f s^t£ ^ ''^^ old%:gXrbf mr^r''^ ^^^"^ th^iun^fan^dr by putting ^embrSX-rr*^^ "'* *^ «'"^'^' at table with IS ' lil ^''"^ ""'" ^'"^^ ''^ «'de to dinner anywhe^ ^hl Tf "°' """^ ^^^ed anywnere. She expended much thought 244 Let Not Man Put Asunder mT^ '"dividual Cs^u'^CsTi' '^''t'y ^^^ famhes, whose entertainfng was rfi ^/"-^^^blished had sonae claims of kinsCp iLTJ° *''°^^ ^^o than one yo.mg miss in havinf h ^f ? °'^^"'^^ '° ™o>-e by a married man. Udie3 ff ''^^ °"' ^ dinner «ea«,n felt themselves hu^iSefTn^''"'" "" '''"^ ^^^t at the same board with fJ^i ^ '" ^^"^S asked to sit -xth--or who had::a^eitrep°th:" '"^^^ fi"** - ,°' *° Mrs.'^ssall's^l.^;, Ell? Cho/*f 1° P°«^'«^«ki they added Mad^ moiselle Chosette, whose songs were of the school of ^s rr i M !,"', ^"^''^*' "^'« ^ ^^^'l -tSon r. «iw ^«*l"lena' who would give examples of triLi.^i'"^ \'* °^ ^P^'*^- " ^^« t° be nothing, P^ tnna said, as she scattered her verbal invitations f;ery- .^ «„; li"!. ^^^^ P~P*^'" "°^* informally, coming in any kind of costume they chose. On a Sunday it'Slil^r^Sr.^'-'^^''' '''' ^^^"^"^ «»-' at fiiT" Vr P~P^-°°'/ a few more than I intended at first, Petnna explained to VassaU, when, by dint of hunying, he amved late on Sunday aftem^^ A Petr,^^^ ^^ of Chicago he tliought more tend-erly of Petnna s way of hfe, and if she really needed him for ^7 L« No, M.„ P„, A,„„d„ to bnng Mrs. Hany Vasil?! n!" ^•''"^ « «"'=cess into the papers, and to makfeverv "' '" ^'^^ P^nt inilW-s giri turn to Jk St^^fr^"' ^^ «"d in the street. Private even s fo?,. k7 P^'^^^ ^er America, as they do not in tl i ^""^^"^ *°Pics in and U.e reports carried oubfpi?' ""*' "^"^^ *°^W. a fand which the American press Inf' ^^'^^ ^«« ° From his absence fi,» i . ^ excellent "codv " Vassal! had re S t ti^K "?1 *«^ "^Sage *e invited poured :^ S^^f^^' iS!' "' '°^''- As' the fifty a hundred and the hundr«1 /^f" ^^'^ and more, he received them courtS'^ '"' '*"«'^^«' and Pnse. He thanked PotteSrW^;,"'"'?'^"^ his sur- liked, with as much effuSs h.^^" u P'^^"^ he dis- did not stand aghast „n«I wi^ '^""''^ command, and whimsically featured .^^^'h^^^'-^'seUe Chosette, a dressed in green, stood, ?bvS "^ ^'^' ^^^^ voice, but with distinct enuncjl"'^""' «"i«'*«J' and trina and declared thit she d^I'^t^"' ^i ^"^"^ ^^ spent such a plea^t sIh ^^T "^^^ «he had into the librar? «,Tflunt K-^ u^^^' ^^^" went the large leaSL "hafrs^ '"'"^" "^'^ »*» °- "f she'!fme"t'a'idrun?f °',1"" ^^«- -'<«'. as flushed and her eye twn^- ^''t "^ '^''^^ was ment. ^ Hashmg with pleasure and excite- "I thought it was an outracrp " u^ i* , . voice. outrage, he muttered in a low "You said—?" app^"h%frthJrmlet;'*. ^'^t ^"^^ ^^" *»>« obliged toholdhlroj'"' '" "^^'^^ ^^^ should be Let Not Man Put Asunder an outrage on mf" ^ ^"***'' " *«« ""^t of aU have lost the habit of ^SnXll ^^ "*** y°" speak to his wife. I sS^LZJ^^ •""/ ™«'' "^ould night." ^sna" remember It in future. Good- '^fcn'^"' ™!^'- T*^ ''^ confronted her. tionr he asked Hi? ""^^ *° ''""^ «»"« ^P^^na- "Of wLt?" "" ''"''*'°" ^'«'1«1 «ke aK. ^.■'01 the way we live. Of the way we are going to so/nKs^"*"^^*'^" '" « "«"- "' 'ndifference to me "So long as what?" c^ZZ^^^^^'.?^^->^onsiorn.. How apli t7ou'r "'^' ''^*^' '^° y- -«»> - to live ca;i'^^iiSyTs*;rs^*^r°"'"^- ^- to live in this housi^" ^ ^ '°"« «« y°" <=hoose "Ishallhaveloruleit/'heinterruDted "«^i I choose to live in this ho„.» t n ' ^ '"'*« ^ 250 Let Not Man Put Asunder mernbered." ^ "*^' °"^ ""«« should be re- " And that thing is—?" She raised her eyebrows, but did not sneak hec^ntu!d^\\rt£\tr;^^^^^^^^ in which we ive 1 1^! £11"^^''°"^^ "^ ^^ »«>;, Head. You follow i-"^- ^ou are the second. I«rs:^^:hr^-J^"^-eloquence,Harry. I not now begin to£^ButTsK ft"?^'' ^"^ «»>«« tion. Why did you c^ie ^i * v «'' ^'^^ *° ^^'^ « -^- Hekis^edherandtu^ed '•^^^o:;;^-li;£^^«elfashewe„tout. CHAPTER in band sfarring i„ the adSiSnl '^^"^ '° ''^^ her hus- very gracious to him when jf/""™- . ^^e meant to be unfand to her; he was^^'T' '\ "^ ^ad been Puntan "arrow - minded^ss a^„ J'' ""^^^P^ *"h his she would forgive him «5^ l^ unsocial ways; but w:th pillows Ji ^il'^W^^'^: P-PPed he4lf up When he entered his face w«f^ ^ " ^""'«- ''^/ ct%t:r^iH-a^Vi?sh^^j--,^^„. d|ly':^''^""'^"'^"-butPetri„adid„otWhow hea/l^;::?"'"^^' W™ '' «he thought again, "but I can ^^Hehad been wounded; butPetrinadidnotWhow necessarj. plans. If he w3 ^^at seemed to him the resulting like that of HumpW J! tu""^"^^^^ fr"™ must stand at the helm TSZ ul^^J"}' ^e himself course He blamed hmLuLi ^^^ ^'"^ '' '" i^s tnna too much of her own wav ^f"^ ^""^^^ Pe- Let Not Man Put Asunder thing above all was certain-he would not remain in a posiUon from which she could ask him to go. If thev were to have any life together it should be on his ground and never agam on hers. " wJ"L'"l' ^,*'«,'^"«J' when she heard him knock, laz "' ^^'^^'^ at me for not being up. I'm very H^u '!!J1*"'^.?^'** ''""*• *°''ards him with a smile. He tossed It coldly, and withdrew to a little distance. , . *""^,/°" '°*'^'" ^^'e remarked. "Haven't you slept well?" *««voi i "Not very well." aITm''^ because ybu went to bed in a bad temper. Anuable people always sleep. No, no; don't raTse Uiat curtem, she cned, as he walked towards a win- n^' Tv," not 'eady yet for the fierce light that beats upon a throne. "I want to say something before I go out," he said coming back towards the bed again. ♦I, " Si^ ""-T^ *"'' ^^ " ^^'^- Sit down on the side of me bed. There; now we can talk." She knew he was going to apologize, and so was pre- P^f /?, Ff[don. As he looked at her his courage al- most failed him, but he nerved himself to go on I want to say something before I go out," he re- pC&t6u. ^^•Say on," she consented, letting her hand rest on "You asked me last night to stay away when next I go away. delr1^^'^^°" """ * ^°'"^ *° ^^^ *^* *° ^^^' "*"y There was something frightened in her tone, though she continued to smile at him. "Could I do otherwise than take it to heart? Words 254 Let Not Man Put Asunder like that, dearest, can never be forgotten or explained away." "^ 1^ But you know I didn't mean them." "I think you did for the moment, though now you may be willing to take them back and let me stay." I am willing, Harry." "Thank you, dear." "I want you to stay." "That's because you are patient with me. But you know a moment may come when the words which are now withdrawn may be repeated." »v **" ** .can talk about it then. We can wait—" No, Petrina. That is precisely what we cannot do. I. at least, cannot permit it to be possible that such words should be said again." "You're very disagreeable," she complained, with- drawing her hand. "I don't know what you mean You made me angry last night, and so I spoke. If you would only try to please me more you would not bring such things upon yourself. As it is, I am willing to overlook your attitude of hostiUty to me, and let the past be past. We can begin again." "ExacUy, Petrina. We must begin again, but un- „ .* conditions and on other grounds." "It isn't the grounds and conditions that need to be changed, Harry dear; it's you. If you wouldn't always be to me what water is to fir©—" "I didn't come to discuss, Petrina, my darling " he said, very genUy. " I came to tell you my plans ' The time IS past for talking. I must act. " "Go on. I am listening." "I have decided that we had better leave this house and go to mine. That is where we belong and where we shall both be in our proper places." "You know my feeling about thai" 255 Let Not Man Put Asunder «I^k"11,'' ' *""' conaidered it. I sec nothing to be ^«ned by domg so any longer. The life I have to lead «m. If r'."'*!!' T'^ ."'\"°"' «"«* "how and waste of Ume of that which we've been leading " ^^ You have indicated it sufficiently by your man- "You're very young, Petrina, and I shouldn't be do- ing my duty towards you if I didS't show you tLt you are oTdt-" '"""*''''• "^°" *'" "'«"'* »« ^^en you vouflauT-lZ''''"*' ^ *"*'" "•"= "''"' "'* « ««- vous laugh, I beg you to spare your pains. " "^h°l ^^ y°" °"* °f « "'*'" he went on, steadily wS^ whiT"'' * "'*'T, •*'• ^y f""'"^ "^n". and Therefore I intend to live in Cambridge " And may I ask when? Or is it enough for me to wait until you give the word to go?" nI^S°1",^ ^-^^y- ^"^ ^ '«^« *e °ffi« this after- noon, I shall join you there." "But it isn't possible." "Our rooms are ready. The house is ours. You W jiothing to do but give your maid the necessary rZllJ^'!- ^"^^l"'' "^'^'" ^^^ '«P«'ed, in a tone of consternation. You must be crazy to think of it at all. " Nothing IS possible but that " nuhJ^rJ'^u^ Mrs. Vassall say to have us descend cmher hke that, with Emmy and Hippolyta already "My mottier is always prepared for us. She is only KuLafi^istsT"*""' '''' -•>- -" -- ">-• saldi'TXtXti^T^^"'^''-'^"'*-- ^-- 256 Let Not Man Put Asunder home?" -^ ""' ""' f"s house our again." * ' " '^■'* "-^t" ■!• •nine '•But I've already told you that I dun . ,e.,.,_ ■ You can't take back such worrit . you may regret them. I mv se^ ',h ," ; '" '^"^ '' ■poken hastily, but mv own ^if "' '"••^' *"^' toactuponthem Ic^n'tTomfKTr^ '"■"'^•■' '"«' We mustgo to Cambridge ''' ^^"^ ^"'' ^«'^"'' 'J"" "lT°."lu "°* ?'y unreasonable, but crueJ r ,rr. " Its the cruelty of circumstances It ?w*^^-.. You combine the foil,, „f P-,.- . '* '*" t mine." of a man." ^""^ "^ * ^'>''<1 »'ith the brutality ""A^omg so would be very grave '' ^ ^°"'' Piiwfanl Jute t^irst-St'^h" ^r •■" «'•' ill-treated and to blame 4i,» ^«" herself at once the previous night but it lt> ""^"^ ^" ^°'^' "^ not to let her take them back '"°"'''°"' °" '''« ^^ -.v«i. Htherr.^?L-r:-^itrp^ Let Not Man Put Asunder haps, drag herself to Cambridge; and yet she felt that hia insistence upon it would be an outrage iht^J^^ ^7 r""! °? ** conviction grew upon her that he must relent. It was so unlike him to hold out in anger agamst herl Sooner or later he had always come to throw himself at her feet. There had been differences between them in which she knew that he was right; and yet he had been the first to return and pJead for her forgiveness. So he would return again she said; but this time she would forestall his humility by her own. •' Pallid, anxious, and restless, she wandered all day from room to room, counting the hours as they went by Don t let anyone in," she ordered a servant, as the short wmter afternoon closed down, "unless it should be Lady or Miss de Bohun. Or my mother or Mrs. Vassall, of course," she added. Then she began again to wander from room to room, hstening intently for \ ,. famihar sound of Harry's latch-key at the door. The lights were lit in the drawing-room, and the tea brought in when Hippolyta was announced. Petrina was glad of some one to divert her thoughts. Besidr- Hippolyta would tell her if Harry had sent any message as to their coming to Cambridge. "Mamma told me to wait for her here," the girl said ^!i fu^"*^'!^' ^"l kissed Petrina. Hippolyta looked older than when m England; with her height, her dig- nity, and her repose, she had the air of a woman rathlr than of a girl. , Since their coming to America Petrina had begun to find Hippolyta a httle trying. "She is so ag^es- sively good," she had said to Mrs. Faneuil "She is hke a living reproach to the rest of us. How Humphrey and liramy should have come by such a child passes my understanding. The truth is that she is a Vassall with 258 Let Not Man Put Asunder -: n'^tro^Ur^r IL' 'r "^ l^^ ^-^ «-* they terrible caprice™i„7an F^ r^^^'T™ "^^ <="* ^ land conscience ThlT^ English girl a New Eng- other. WhrthefgoTir ""' l"°"«^ *'^'»°"t the fused not only w'fh Pi/X T".*^^^ S'^n^^ '"- but with Englih i^nifJtras": r^^^ ^^r-Sr--Hip.,^enter. the Quinc?Br2ir"^?be "^'^^ '^^^ ^"^^ ^°- - *» forhe^as^heyPt g,^!:iS^^^^^^ -- ^- of "hiTo^^^ I'vf irit* "r^n^ -^-^ -^>>^^ that VassaU had Tot nfoS hfs'- ^V^^S^'^ent case he could only m^Ti^fi his mother. I„ that As she poured ourHTp^yte's trp". ^""^P ^^^*- Wright were lifted fromC h^rt ' "'' ''" ^^ '^ ^ hf :t;trv^r^„te^Hat^ f ^thhigs i„ Cam- salver. """ a card on a silver askStmX"^ ' "'' "°* ^"^•^'"^' ^-ks ?" Petrina "y„ > "11, he knfw™;..? irhL'^?""'' "•'"* *^ ^^""^'"an said ^;jWhy. it's your fatner/' Petrina cried, as she took the he'STn'?£S'' "'^'^'^'^ '-''^^^- "^thought va;?|:L?iLS^^-;^tr-^^ to these. "But mother will comp ■ ,, ' J^ter. Let Not Man Put Asund cr It would upset her. like to meet him without wamine What shall we do?" back "^41/!?'°"^'' ?^^ "■"""'" P«««* *hi«P«ed together.'^ """* *'"' ^* "*" '*°°' ^-^ «='»°«i« ffippolyta parted the portJftres and passed into the next room just as her father entered »"""«'""' sav^^VnTr*"' r'"' ""S'Ph'-^y '" the girl heard Petrina T H^H„'» t^ ^^^"^ ^•'y- y°" t^''^ '°y breath away 1 djdn t know you were there. " Hippolyta paused behind the hangings. She knew ^f^A^f ^^^''}'^' ^ ^"''*'«" f«^ held her s^uluiS^ j«J ?.T /^^ '" ""y "^'"^'" Gentian said, in her some'TJ/^ ^'^'^ *° "^ ^*'" '^*- ^" ''"^ ^"'J h«^« st^tS '*'™'^ ''^ ^'' **"* "*^ ""*"* '^'°^«* "What's the matter with you two?" Petrina asked looking up at them curiously. "Humphr^? yS^ smihng and bbshmg Hke a big boy. Wiat hkv^ Jou beendomg? Why aren't you in Chicago?" Because this little woman brought me back " he answered turmng awkwardly towards Gentian I /Yn«tl'"le woman? Do sit down, Gentian. You i^f fV^%t^. '^^^'^- ''*^"'*»S there and looldng so foolish. What have you been up to?" "Oh. do tell her, Humphrey," Gentian pleaded slipping behind him and playfully pushing him fw^: J^WeU, the fact is." he began, manfully- "the fact Jck.^^ ^*®^" P^t"n« interposed, impatiently. "Be 260 Let Not Man Put Asunder That we're married " /t''°P« "'« «" going to be happy " ' ^^^^n-" but I trust you're enfbS" ""^" ''^ «"- «»-"t Petrina, and the two cluteMng the closed p;,rriLt ];^;Sd"" ™-ly /pehW^sS-ri^oH , her hand and kissing h^r ch^"^' .}^ ^'^' ^Wng nghUnthenickoftimi Lettrtod^"^; ^^^ fi J::Gtrt!;„^'"'" «>« «^' -J'^i- with her eyes "Well, I mean mv wife" "-" •nechanicany, but „o"t t;£g S'tffKat."''' e is Lady de Bohun." odalisQue Well pJ^ 5»"ltena and she is only the ivZ^Ti Well Petnna dea-, I shall go away and think of It. Luckily there .., a loU of g^ AshLZ^ ' When you've married Gerald Bertie " l^dy de Bohun laughed and rose. comLii?but-""'" ^'^ """^^ P'-'' ">- I can hef tdltg'fif"* '" ^'°"''*"^' -'^ •-«- *o P"t on thiii^-i^re^roSy^u."^'" ^^^^"^ -^'>-- "^'^ — aeIi^'^"°Vn,!' "'^''^""^ ^^y ^' ^''""' sitting down Sal." ' ""'■" ^'^« ^'^^y than an ext^ cJluaf '^* '"^"'"'^^ '^ ^^" "l""- Humphrey and "If Nemesis has been quick to act you won't exoect me to complain. I feel as if she had been TdulyCr ned m overtaking me; therefore—" '""'ynur- would.'"'"™'''^^ *^^' ^°" '°"''' P"'' "ght if you only "And I won't." ;; Hippolyta has been here. She saw them. " '•wvV'"-^°J'^ ^""^ t^^""' if she spoke her mind " Which IS just what she did " ' Bravo, Polly!" "You wouldn't .say that, Emmy, if you had heard how she insulted Gentian " "Well, I didn't hear." 2t)6 Let Not Man Put Asunder "But I think you ought to know. She told her to her face, and before Humphrey, that she hcl„ni^ ! the^mecUss as Lucy FitLlan'and HeUy vSe"^.*°' ahe s her mother's daughter I «hn„ w„ '4 r as^that myself, but it's prSeTy w'hlu IS ''^° " '" fac J.'LnTt^SlXekM '' ^ ' ''''^'^'' -^ ""^ •' Naturally. It w ..Id to anybody. " und^i/ rct'rt^ntVoroStTr'p*'" cannot make some reparation You olh . ^°" their marriage. It w^ufd'tean'^ryTh^Xhr'' I shall do nothing of the kind." ^ *^- reasTi aS'lif^^ Than'r^^' > ^^^ •- ^HruiVa^^^^ainrKi' r J"-^ 11 was not his wish; he only accenterf ™.,,= v ga.^ him his entire liberty JhenySooryouro^" And now because he acts in accordance with the f^ dom which you yourself insisted on-" For goodness' sake, stop, Petrinal" Lady de Bohun cned, springing to her feet. "Where are tLv? k 'cric° " uiv'i; r,,'" "?">■." """* ""«>"i hy» 267 Let Not Man Put Asunder hand rtLSTem * ^^'' ''"' ••«■ °»f t«tched toCii^t Sili' '''a7d"S! *="«•' <^fy'y- « "he went malediction^' '^^ '=°'"'' *» pronounce my grasped handf ''' '««'-«'«"'«> ^ce a. th^ you looked. As'ff ;ou;Hlphr?' 1 *° ^'*,'^"'* offering her hand to Wm " I ^^mi ^' ''* ''*"' '^^ you At lea,t.^\tiHVyo?::^ek'tre'°?T nicest men I ever— nu d * • 7, * °"^ °' the vously, "Ton't s^e at me' Uk^Zi ' % ""^' "- elling earth into my own^ravel^hv don-r' ^^• me some tea?" K™vei why don t you give to sil;::^ Ti^JiXc" "^^ ^-"""' »-*«^ ^ ar Humphrey laughed in his boyish, embarrassed ;;i don't know what to say, Emmy,"he began Vou never do. You novpr a:a \t "^s^n. she intemipted,as she took h'tp of ^e^ "'-r T"'" you'll find some day what a w-Ku-^' .9^*^. with a dumb man who^^n ^ It-**""^ '* '« *» hve he blinds you. BuuLlTsct'^S^!^^ ^^^ «"^'^ «" we are quite alone. How go^^tiX • f V°" ^*»«» please hand me the bis^iu " "' ""™Phr«y. bro'^^htte bSs°rndX5trr .""'"'"-^ her. Petrina and G^n^^e wh;,?!-^'^'" ^^^ tea-kettle and spirit-lamp '^'""P^^ng over the "This is a rum go,"Jr Humphrey said, in a Let Not Man Put Asunder he held the plate of biscuiU before low voice, Emilia. "It's a rum life," she returned, laconically It » queer to meet like this, Emmy But '*h«, haven't any heart " ^"uny. aut, then, you them fall on the Cr" ^''*"- ^°" « '^^'^nit ^Before Humphrey could retum to her, Emilia had wh^Tm*|L".°"GayrGtt,-^''^r '^' '"' ^ we shall be^ompari^S^s^orX ^eTInST worst of men Good-bye, Humphrey!" ^'"* "*' heart. "After all." she'^^hTS a^nl -'it*^ they who must be truly man and wife NTo^!, r ^«e\1t'rSrlts-r^--"^^^^ "^^^:^|ssi^fsrr:s-a "?:s^^?ai^Laky'SH:f .r^S th ^t^ *^'°°^' . am ., hard. Hum^phrey ^If S^'Y 'hav^'tTnJ She tried to laugh, but without much success Inen she went down the «^ ^"h a fort offered to the dSr ShTsSdT'™*' ^""^ '=°'"- ^ ucdu. one stood for a moment and Let Not Man Put Asunder gsasssss matter now " ^ ^^'"- ^"' »' won't before them 0„ th ' i f . ' ^"'^ ^^^ ^^°°^ shivering to.raph, ^r^meSin^JrntntS '""' "^^^""'^ "'^ ' hasaten'li^Si: ^^^f '''^- . "He has left me. He shouFhatTctnTio thr-'^""""^ *•"* ^' °^ ^" — - She had never ex5:creS%rLTS'15?ve'° '"''"'"^■ "Ihet"''^ T" "^^^ "° one Willi t;Lerv°"' ""■ ovI'^ht'i'jXlt-oW^' ^^"-^f ™^^ '-ed tears came pourirdown st '"^"^^'f '^'"' ^"'^ '^' ing, and it r«.t he? Sly. ^''' ^^" ""' "^«> ^^ "y away, but I didn't w^nt you toTo T k n .'""* ^^^ you. but I wanted you to mas er,^. /f ^"?^ ^S^'*^^* you but I wanted^outrs* rir J^anTtT t me, to force me to do right to hJ^SL * ° *'^'='^ would have yielded if you had pre£d bT" 1^ , ^ You never did. You never carSvA .^"t y°" d'dn't. with .me. Just becausTHnM ^°" ''^ been so hard Oh, Harry, I've s^lvou «w ^°V^ ^°' y°" ^^n*- from me^cross th" /° r ATrL S? ^°"''^ ^° ^^ so cold and lonely " "'^^'^^'='^°S'' *e snow-«nd I'm She shivered and sobbed till the fountain of her tears ■274 Let Not Man Put Asunder d'^^L^^oo Jstcl'^if ^--'-«' '='-•' in Vassal,', looked out into the str^t I tZ'^T"' ^^"'" «nd she could see the stars Heavv v h > T^^ snowing; eav>„g rough furrows inthelnow'^" ^"^^" '° «° ^y them. The city life was waC°^ ''"'"^ '^''^^ "^^^nd ui^sta!rs"ia^°' ^^""^ "°-'" «he repeated, and wen. feeS; ofaTglXfhe'rhorr^' ^"^ -"^ .t a th.t he should have sub^cte^ht^y!>^" «» P"«>ess; "I shall never forget tc^„llhf^-'°""^ ^«'n watching. worthyof himtohavetflTZ hi " '^'^- " ^' '« "«" Her self-reproach for hf • ^^"Ponme-" passing into rUte^ is ht7" "^""-^^'^ ^^^ . She went into his room ThV "u ^^""^ K""^- just struggling through thl.^""'"'"^ '^g'^' ^a« was as usual-the brufhes on fl" !""'■ Everything boots and shoes in a W linT "'^ ^'■'^^«"g-teble, the b;eath caught as she Wk^^lt fh'"' '«l^""- "- strange sense of somethineTr^vn m""' ^''^ ^^^ 'hat ^5 Let Not Man Put Asunder costly ,i,e? til which ^hflZ""' ""i^"* ''°"" amid what was in« Jfe t ht ve^/pe^^ t"", "'''f abandonment smote her to the cole ' ' '^"'^ °^ wearif; u^^nVb^^ "°"^' " '""^ ^'' ' -«» '^-- herself into her soul. The clLll^Sck'sfven' *' '"" ^"'^^ 1 shall not forerive him nn»r " =1. ' j ., when he comes." ' ** ^'^' "<>» even But he never came again. Patt W CHAPTER I She felt it iLTkTaTh^^'wh'.rLST.^ '" '''''• lace trom her memory. He haiinf«l hJ j u to lay the ghost. Once "eetom W.f ^hetfcfr/ her peace would no longer be disturb^'. ' '"''^ ^""'"' ^'»a' she had suffered none but herself anrfnn *u knew; and that other was not Vas.^11 jth^T' J^Hi her as the world had iudeed H^ ^i' "f '^^^d J"dged in his book of life as hSess "ard Ih" '" '"^ ''^ " wljile she did her best To Xtf 'v^^'iT """-'"''' toe <»uid „oi w..h ii o.t ,r,i; ^,r "' "• p"- 279 I^et Not Man Put Asunder suspected that the armw, !^ ihn uf "i?" ^''« "«ve, for h.n, have been «^^ witL "^" *'«™'«'« «uld reahze that a« the queeS^owi ^T. ^^^ ''''• "«>' has presumed too far. back wifh ^ ■ °"^'"' "ho crowd, to wait until he s c^Med^i^ '°"^"?«"' into the oo, counting it her place to Srow I"' '^.^''"'^^ waited favor. His very reverence kl.il° '"'" ""^ «"' «Kn of U-at she was above hr^Td.hT"*"^',''"^'''^ ^-f trude again. A sigh hoTul ''"",«?°lute not to in- h.m like a slave; a fear frl u ""'"'iL^^^ summoned h- spirit like a flcS He d,d „7f ^"^t ""^^P' °ver vir "-' "^«'" ^'"^ Had XuLd'-^^ra; thraXa/tterX^'S' "'^ ^""' °' ^^'P ov« learned that Vassall hrd^rft Lr^sr^'L"''"' ^^ey a topic of double disapproval H^L.Kf He "^ame thus appeared in the comZ^'pintf "'"Hie woodcuts of her paragraphs told of her action^ ."^ vulgarly written A woman whose ow" huS"'' jr'*"/' and to come marnage, finds her lev."v^r^?, ' i".f ^^* '"'»'*s of mshes a suitable subS"^^ XT^^Hle, naturally fur- raeonteur. To Petrina', fn^j" *^ Journalist and the was revolting; but "he bcS'^^f'ousness this notorieTy "^fo^ShtTfeS ^"^^ ^^ ''""' ^"^' also on a sLdS evi;i„rr^ °^ Her -nusic-room, and Quincy Brattle s^ke of M 7'*"^ Her friends again positively ^.£te. Id :a^°rl'^ ^^°^^"^ - was more Spanish than ever in h' nf .^^ Madrilena A company of gayly dressed T^f '^""^f^ ^"^^ ««««. ^ yy aressed Tziganes added that B^ Let Not Man Put Asunder Iri"bbL°r *"'■'='' ^"'^'^ '"-^ht appropriate to ^^^^''^^r::Sr:7rylZS^ -^ Vasaan-, face o( it on his way to «^e office n^l. '"*'''='''' """""^ >J was the he^nningotaZt^T"^ ^"^ P'^na stopped at nothing which S ,? ^J'"'??'f"'- She prejudice or give hfr hSnd 1„ 'sh "'''"'"''''""'^ y reckless and feverishly indiWt ^'^^r' T"^'"""" that gossip coupled her name 3 IhT ?"='w'' ^'^ Browne or Bowdoin Somerset n, ,u' "' Saltnnstall men who surroundeThT she diH"^'^'." ^ *''•' ^""nK report some »emblance^f foundafon "^'"^T '^' she was severely criticised "SSTt I /^'* *''•«' The feeling that she hnH t«wJ/ '° deserve it. whose Principles !::,it£usT '"""'^ ''^ «>-« her to fling her elove in » w . "--^nservative -irged -buke and%eiectt? go^S dWc^ Of t!e%>' - '^^ life she was more aware th«n =„ . ^""^ ' her outlet to her need of act on aTj ZIT ?"' " ^«^« «" mg the fact that she had fatled ^ ' '""^ *=°"^'»"t- and^ha^fliKh.^^^^^^^^^^ waned she found herself ^t hJ . /" *'»« winter tated Boston of whic^KeS^e^^tl 1 '''"' ^?"'"- of a noisy, foolish band of voun?^:Jr , *^ ""^-'eader single, whose wit w^s to be Trf P?P'^' "^nied and tinction 10 be coarse Petr^„f ^'^" ' !"'' ^^ose dis- menfor their weakness and th^ """l ^^"^ »"' the ners; she went among thelnikraT,/"-- '"^''i '"^"■ ing refuge with the lesser KrL^f *"''" """S^' seek- their gayeties and e^ThSul7"- .^''^ i'""^' m -urnedtothe-^^-ife-'^t.^^^^^^^ Let Not Man Put Asunder and her steMhSZrlhT ^"^ ^'^^^"^ '•^"^^ standing bom of Ltnn''^ ^^T "P « ^isunder- de Bohun and HiS>lyte had°::i of counsel. Lady year to England Hu^nhr ^"'!i^ ^^'^y '" the Italy As^W ,1 ""'"P'^'^ey and Gentian were in BXeJ'S^LtvaS^t^?"^ '^" '•^^ '°"^'^«- In the beginning of Ihtv . *^^?'^^n^e ^as complete. One day there crept into her house a mu .u , woman in fashionless black-a woman S IT^ m the past winter more ih^« A . ""^^ ^"o had aged was MrT Va.ssa^^ PeTrina 1,°^ twenty years. *" It compunction as she S^lt T'°"p°^ ^ ^^"^ °^ Harry's troubles had fXnh.f-,- ^"""^'^ a"d had already borne the triaTs S^ °" ^ "P'"* ^^ich VassallhadcarrT^heUarnts'so'r^o^'^r'r^- ^'^■ and her own. She had been t""^"^^' her husband's, brave. And now the Ine ' r T- l""^ ""'^^ «»<» sustained the steps that S" T'"'"*' "*'°"ld have ing its new ,oa?t^o^l';iS?he?hrt ^°"^^ ^«^ ''-^- Perhaps .t was the sight^of this; perhaps it was some Let Not Man Put Asunder the frail, broken hlart^P^i ''!'''°\her arms about ticulate words of wefcome ^^"^ ^""^ ""^'^ >n«^- fo " atd ■ b^SforteT 'S::' tt v^^^^ ^° -™- proud and rebellious and 7hT m ^°""^ "'"'"^n- common standing-ground. ^''P^"^n« "ley found a "I know how his father was," the little m„«u mured, and in the wnr^., ti. ^ mother mur- unackiowljged tnar Sh/V'^K ^.T*^"'" h'«t°^y °^ io submit to fh7 parent r^M ''^^ ^'■°"^'" »>^^«e« her who woulLfsuTm tt t^sT ^'I^V « "T" "^ a friend ; and at least nr,^h , °"- ^ Petnna found all appe^rance^^'hTlTgSg'^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^"^ "f her steivmother's pardon. OnboSdes and f'"'""^'^* reasons, the reconriHafi^r, 7. ?' ^"° ^°'' many There fallowed X PeTrina a vLr'T'"^ ""'^ ^"^^ elusion. The summer L^ ^ * ""'^'"^ ^"'J ««- Faneuil Hill, the ~ in the 4:!"Ji: ^^" "^'"^ ^' di^ iust as they w^ tmLg^'North''' ''"■ ^™' i-etrina spent the summer at Faneuil Hill 283 Let Not Man Put Asunder tone. Vassal! seemed vpto fo, had learned to dT^thl^ht T^ ^'""^ ^«- She Wet him. It v^aTSbJZ't'JX '^^'"'^"S to from time to time that he wis ^H^k ^^u 'f ^^ered belonged, she felt, to a ver^ dUf * ?"'^''- "«> as the years went but dilS^t t^ J^"*"^**^* ""t has waked from it. ^ ^^^ ^^"^ 's after one When she left Faneuil Hill P»«„- jj of active life again. '^^' ''««»« some sort CHAPTER II thft"'^ "u "^ beginnings are not easy We lit- ♦ t , that each event of life is linked ♦^♦u i I ^ *° ^^^' stinct is for growth rather fh ? ""f '^'*- ^"' «" The career of broke^^'' w^^" ^"^ t^^'^P'antation. that of simple. stSy'rcSSs S T"" .1^ ,"'=''' ''"* peace. Progress is the more likely to give was loosed, her isolafinn K ""'^ *'^ '» »>«• 1'^ her liberty was awful "" ^P'^"'"^ to herself; "noZt^Z; on?whS\?^ T'" ^•'^ "'-«^-- During her Wef maS Nf. t'^l ^^^^'^' ■"«'" nottohaveadhid Xwlh.^^^^'"'* ^^ ^"^°"« carried a baby in her^ali T"** -^f? ™°*«^ ^^o ^lLtt^=.;£HfF™ flected!arsh:Lu„\rd^ro&T- •"-!.'' she re- steaming towarfs Italv "A i *e ^«"«-.n Friedrich, ed. with a sjh ^' ^^ ^" hcneless." she add- nf oitymS^ioir'^r r --^ -^^-' he was conscious that fh„ i . her mind. She explaZi "^^ ^'' "«"'« '^as often in feet that he, too, had S . T"'"^^"^''^ by the had ended it as she ha™S^"u""''^PPy marriage and bad lost sight of him,'tKgh Z- /°'-*-ye!r; she he was m the East. When stt J"?^'^ ^^^uely that -r d'o-utTt;^ 4" '^- '^^^' °^ ''"' ^id to he^elf. "WanTerSs'iru"' *'^^^ •^^^«'" ^^^ each other's paths." '^^ "^ are sure to cross •^ she wac «.«* some Boston pe^^/^^^-ed -hen she learned from ;rJ"'''r"^^-'nSrt5^^ had retuS northward, they met at S ^''"'' ^'''=" «be went Eager to escape from tu^A ■ quaintances who acco2d h, "'^" ^""^ '^"g«sh ac- osseum to the ptnd^npJ-"'''?'^^''' Wtfat Co? one morning, through' the "CtJ^ driven out^-eariv found herself in the Ireen Cam ^^" ^"^^nzo, and a courier were with hfr *^^'"P«^a. Her maid ^d i*ive on to Tivoli " »k with the breath of flowers a jf"""^' ^f ^P'"*^ ri«ng way was not new to W ^kutT"^ of solitude. Thf omW-'^ always wondelr'T! '" L'^ «°"-" over Its daisies and the scarlet J" -7^ "'hite comes «^rlet on its poppies like the Let Not Man Put Asunder flush of youth into the cheek of Fa„c« i* venescence; it is alm«.t „ . ' " "'^s a reju- and then a peasant trud^^ k" '"''"""'y ^""- Now herd, clad in unshorn shee^^U'^' °' ^ ^'^^-^^^ ^^e^ rounded by his flodT ^^^^^^"^^- '=^'^^ into view suri morning?^! vast Cws of S ° "''"' ''"' ^'^'^ much had hapnent^ nJ^ff , ^''*'"^' °" "'hich so disappeared ;r^?;;i5r^-Jt -arly all had ^release fro. Vassa^ll a^i^J^i.-^-J^^J^ce hei^rSli^^f' - ^''^ '-ked about waiting to begiA again " ^'"' '^'"^^^' ^"^ "^^ i« Leaning back in a corner of «»,„ busied itself with those wL ^.^ '^^''' ^^^ ^^""y ground before her-kLr L ""^^"^ ^''■^ bit of apostles, soldiers poets !;,nr'^'°'''' ^^' 'i"^^^' Veii,Gabii,Jews'GSk; R l"' ~"*>"«'-''^«' captives and free4hosrsnru'i^f;^'?r^"^ Scythians, bond ered from the ends 0"!;'^ *\^ ^"^ «nd those gath- them rejoicing whh the „,. ^"^^""^ ''^^ «™°ng pain, o^ panUnrwith the fer'A^H^'^':'"^ "'* ">! Pride which were now as wMv •'"'''*»"?, ^"^ the ^ia's soul from the mL of AnS" ^Th^ C" ^V .^y'" cmths, and anemones wer/^1 ■ harebells, hya- than when M^enTdr:vTov"r°^r foaTto? '%'' or Zenobiato her Dalarp-r,r.c„ ver ims road to his villa, spent the only s g'S w^re ' brok -' ''"'"^" '*^°^' ly tower here and thire of th S '"'""'"'* °'' « ^°"e- out there was no Lmori;! save thr^- ^Jf' P""^^ And now it is my turn," Petrina mused. "J too Let Not Man Put Asunder have come from a far^ff i . pr«t greer. field of Sy i .^"'^ T, "°^'"S ^he Life m«,« have somethin^^nreJZ T'^ ^'^«"y-«even. f°"l 's nch with the sleepin " n!^"^^ ^°'r '"^- ^his very knows but that I mayS 'r^"' °^ ">^ P«««- Who veiy flowers, blossornHCaiM^ °"t "^t? '^^ese heie, are proofs of thl\t-. *''«' ^as hapnened knows but^^that I U; f .'?'^'^''=y o[ spring.'^wS very road has been wo^ h ?." r'°'"" °^ them? This from Egypt and SyZanIc /u'' °^ ^''"^^ ^^o came journeyed here to find'tS fate Th'"^^"'^'"- «nd as if the "e:d°y',r:eh'^:r«« ^'^ - ^-^^ mono ony must burst into 1* 5 f ," germinating in terestang must occur ^''' ^"'^ **>«* ^omething^in "hat is it to be?" P^t • the Plautian tomb an/iu'^°"^''^^' as she passed But if she hadToZt^A^r' °^ ^^^ ^illa Adria^f had co„e down fZ~he WM ' * ^ ^iburtine S hooks of the future^ hLu^^^ °^ ^^-^oli with the able to read IhS and^^s^ Sh ''.^^"'^ "^^^ ^^ wg her, she might W Tu^^ f **?* ^^^ ^^s tZ back to Rome. But aTk ™^ ''^ horses and c-onP |he Sybil's books are bu,a"''a d'^'^l^ '^ « "^^ an" «^|wmdingohv.borderX;^/l-E^«na^^^^^^^^^^^ Go to tlie Villa d'P^* " , •-^ as they entered the t " "'^'"'^ *« '^oach- ly /Se^K/Hate^esolation of the Cam- garden planned L ahun, "'"'■^° ^'"^ herself in a Le. No, M.„ p„, A,„„d„ hat she thought of the hZ ^^'"^ *° a refuge r^ ---^ -e ie^h™V;::VSe^S| «f^S^wS?t^:^ilr^in;^e Shadow of th^ shade were grateful. Undt !he sT.' '^' ^'^'"'^^^ ^''d Judas-trees relieved the dimnl u T ^yP-^esses the wh.le the lilacs and lemon tTeeffin'i i^^^^^'^ P-k! dehcate perfumes. Far be mu ''"«1 the a.r with their cades and fountains Peiri^!" "^'"^^^e sound of cas- and looked down the avenue of'.?'"^ '''' ""^^ '-"aTe below terrace. On each . ^P'^^s^es. Terrace lav and 1 Jacs, Juda^.tre" "a^/^Sr l^J^' Z^ -<^- Jails, basins, and rillpf« „ • ^ountams, water- nels bordered! ^ mailnT'"^/*''""^'' «'°ne c£. h;«-side. The marble stefrcasf-^f^J^J '"^^ "-irsTy Planetoplaneweremoss-S'^JfL"''"* [«^ '^°^" ^^°™ and thero between the c^ses l?"* ''^ '""«• Here of Monte Catillo and the towe" ^f^' ^^^ ^^'""P^^ Far down, at the end of Zu ^"^ '°°^« °^ Tivoli. he Campagna, now SearJn^ ^^^ ,1^^'^^^ vista, lay the morning. s^t^aming with the many colors of haSuT^S^TrsSe"^ ^^^^^:^^ ^'y'' "^ed Lechmere. But I was obliged to come in a 289 carnage," Petrina !■« No, M,„ P„, A,„„j„ . Which proves that, after all .♦ ;. spint, as I feared " I r^h!!, ' ' " y"" and not vour i^thrffes-^^nVKs^^ hness were being bridged over 1/^^ "\^ h«r lone. We were touching hers at last "T \ ^'?°*''"' '^"'nan you .n Rome," she contfnuS " r i, '^ '° ^^^« »«n back from India. Wha an „„» ^ ^°" ''«'' co'ne out news of youl" " ^^^ y^" have left us with in B^toa'" ^'*''""'''^^'-«»--loring slightly, "he's ::Are you with a party, thenr conceal he; embUa' S"' "'^"^"^^ ^^ «"««hade to "M " ""^ ""' alone?" But tK? atu? Ztr i^of "- ^- - outside, have you come from? Whathn^ ^u ^""^ '^'here wo-nearly three-years? ^ ^°" •'^«" doing these %t,f''^'"^^**h "eld's;/- ^°" -* h^:: Shall we walk down the garden?" u Yes; let us; I haven't befn hp" ■ ^ ^S^^^sted. dear mamma, five years ago^ ''" "'"'^^ ^ ^ame with f notice that you're in black?" T u tone of gentle questioning "Thonif^>'"""- «^'d, in a Let Not Man Put Asunder deLL^"'^Tv:'^SV'.^!' ^"'''"'-' - 'hey began to little elephant!hun?„;''"HT- °"V° "'*' extenfof a we last met, I've docked off '„eal [h" "^^ *" "'^'' ^'"" conspicuously useless career '^^ ' '"""' ^^^ °^ « It still amuses you to talk like that?" from^nX-^nractSLiTor^"- Pg. It amuses me to be useless W^ ^"^T'^ '" ""th- is nothing worth whi'» iJ^^ ^^""^ ^ ^^^^ there exterminator, TimrslowIvmT'^^ ""^ *° ^^^^ 'he great has made an end of^tmh.W^l"^, ^"J"'' "' «»«- as he on the Campagna, andtt is c umhr'° "^ °"* "'^- Villa on which Pirro Lieorio «^^ tumbling away this so much pains. The axe is Mr /^^l^° ^'^^^' «P«nt the cypresses and judaXei ^^^^^J^^^ '° '''' ^°°' "^ cascades run with greater diffl u^ ^"""tains and Look about you in^the grass ?^ T' u^^ ^'^'■ hyacinths are creeDin« ^ the effect of cypress and shadt ^n / ""PP°"'« " » shine and flowers, and all thU J u""''^"' ^'^h «"n- "And something that >L P^f^^nig of wate.s." tury and to Italy^^fto"^^ J^^^^^ '° «>« «jf teenth cen- women were not afraid of W ^T '^''^" '"«'" and death. These are th^haun ts " ^rL^^^ ^ '>f«= and Their memory lingers in iuf i ^ ■' P"»nal emotions and the Perfume^^f th" wIT"'^ V^' ^yP""--"- traction to u.s. who know orZl^' 7*^-"*'^ '''^ «*" drama, and who restrict the in^n '! ^l^ '" "^^ melo- -t of a play. We have to t, on^h ''f *" ''^^ '''"^ otncr men have felt because w! < ' "'""^ ''''"SS self-conscious, or too feeble to LT'/~ """''• "^ '^ selves. It is passion that builds^. ^"^ '^'"^^ °"'- .ardens and puts into nat J^t^^ ff h^ Let Not M.n Pu, Asunder ";f. but wc should Lr^ a ■ a?„ ou "7 "'Jl' •'»'« «^e And yet you youTBeU-'- u^^^""^' danngly. ^ "'»'"- Pctnna began, rather r-r.'out'-idXrvK^hoS ^r"- ''"• -'y a later than the time of ^gr^at P„'"'''"T '° "^ "^^ That 8 why, of recent v^arf r ?'^"' ""•* '^e Medici way^ They despise,;/^""'/;'' ''.'P' ""' "^ people's But I don't." despise myself." "I Icpow you don't Tt,-*' iu pressibly glad to see you IVe feh?h?" ''™ *> '"«■ little shade of friendship for ,^/ ^"'.^°" ''«d »°me wetelkedofitatOrpingronPaTk'""" ""'=« *« "igh? tdl me you were'/vi„g""^Tiere hari!l" ""= « ''"^^o I didn't know even that- and I'v ^ ^" ""•« when atout you It wasnTwnd " ' "'""«'" » «"«> dea" like toXiVJu'i'^eJ '°iT ^- «y so. because I about it, I mayLy t^at „h '^', "^^^^ ^e'reTlfaL seem to me qSe «« L ^'K''* ""=*' "^'^ S der, or I thought he did I wS !^Z 7 '^ '^°''' 'houl- Uie reason why-.„nless it Zs hl^^' ' ^ ~"W"'t see Ashuelot, before you werl^^ ■ .V^' °"e night at a fool I was. He'rb^ee^my Krll I'' I'™ ^^ ^ ^a "VsVJuidlhrkt^l-^^ from this point," Petrinal/^"^ ^"^°^ the villa quillity. turning as shXk?'' ""^ ^PP^-'t tS^ roundTout'tnd'CnTJin '''^ ^-"^ "^ cypress ^*"^^----£f-«S^^3pr^H Let Not Man Put Asunder ness of bloMom and JroTw that would force the fat^ VK^s t^" ^^"^^ it makes us sad " "'• ^° 'ook at •To^S"^ ^^f? *° ''*'«='*'» tlie garden =r tiS'a'^d Ss'r:rL^el""'* afked""r'm rath- " There's a^t bv l?,e ^ T *° '^" y°»" niere replied, aTd pLttlfthr' °^* *''^^'" ^ech- had reached the lowesfSf of th'/.r *° "' ^hey low them the roots of -P vni V V'J'^ grounds. B^ plain. Before uJ^thl^r struck down towards the empty Cam™ Ja On ^H "'^^.""'^"g but the open? - -" '^"^^^•-rarcaSr.r^^rr'^-^^o^e: I Frascati, 295 and far on the westf^ skv- Let Not Man Put Asunder line the dome of St PeW= j pie haze. ^*- '^'*^' ^ ™«de a dark spot i„ the pur- it is." f d?S„i;iLS"^..'';^^.h<'- wonderful ned as those of an Lai T^/' ^^^ *""« are as va- Again they iJsTL ^""""^ ^'^'d." ^ ''^ *-Ieargree^ °T£frr tS'd "h^^- ""'^ ^ow let of poppies and the purine '^1' '^^^^^ ^"h the scar- ther away into tones of K l^yacmths, merged f^ -^ into blue and mauve TnTd"' "' ^"^ ^-'^had- and violet m the distant to j ''f ^"""^into amethvst ers-refuges once of the rivafo ' ^°'"^- LonelyTow herds-made, in the S;t°"-"' «"d Colonna she^ !^e dusty thread of the o d TibnW ' ^^'^ ^""l-l ^^ace n places with the blocks of Tlva/aTd 'r''' '"" P^^^" sand years ago, and over which nol '^°'^" '^° th°«- hearted, and it seemed to methlf^"' ^.°""^ ^"'^ ^'^ht ground hke this would ov^r^owi m/''"' °" "^""^^^ 296 Let Not Man Put Asunder "And now?" Petrina went on, in a low v ^ ^"^ ""« ^ut me " distant dome of St PeZs '^'1''^ '^^^ ^^^^ »" the I've divorced Harry." "' y°" "«st be told. "Good Godl" Lechmere's start ^t he mastered himseU at o„T'' ""^^ '"voluntary, but . There is nothing to be sfliVI " d . • m the same tranquil tone "He left '""^'°""""«^' year after we were married-" '" '''^^ than a trouble betJLn ufthlt iuld h« H '^'^^^^ "^ «» But h^eft me i„ a wi/ST^^S^irl^r neS^-SheTooS Srd's^Th*"- '^'^-e was no •net. He had the ins«nclL^^™^'^' ^"^ ^^^" eyes her, and she was « for tt ^^ "»* to question thy. After all thf blame she SL t"'" °^- ^' ^^^P^' forting, too, to find some one wh^V°T' " ^^^ ^om- ed that she had been fn the .^ong "°' *^^^ ^°'- ^-t" Another lone silence fpll • o j iL began to speal. ofTnVif 'thTng^"l' 'T"''-''^' ^^^ out characteristics of the TaT t^echmere pointed and named the white towns thTcould h'" '° ^^'""«- among the hills. *^°"'° ''e seen nestling to be gofng ata?"^ "°''"'" *^ -d, at last. "I ought 297 L«t Not Man Put Asunder thai: Z:z Sa^ss'iirir ";^* ^- ^^ — nt felt old; both ^re "r^ wi,'" *"'? '"^^^''- Both mutual con.preWion.^'TK ^^ a » ^'"'^ °^ tion that trouble haH ,„=j V^ * '^"^ assump- ordinary frieS From tt o„'"f T'^'T^ -""^^ *an ed a silent offer and an e^u"f,*° ^" ?"'^'- *ere pass- consolation and aid ^ ^ ''*'"* acceptance, of CHAPTER III Petrina felt no awkwardness in the situation until as tL.y were leaving the grounds of the Villa Lech mere urged her to lunch with him. ' ""''" Rejm^" '"'"•" '^' ^'"''^' "''»* I «"> going to the " You will find it humbler at the SybiUa but we shall lunchm the open air, in the shadow of the ruh^^i^mS rl't Xr°"' °',"^^ '"°^* ^'°"°- Sin^EuroS' L€ r F- - -Lw-Ses-^r J be so bad. You must come " the ReLina'^"""""' ^ ^^"^^^ ^^^"^ *« ^'''e^ at „,J,'iiy7??,'^''"°"°'^^"'*'=°"ntermandthem Mean " musUu^ ;ue:r'^° "^^ "^"^"^ ^"'^ -^^ -•'^.^o- mZtut'i^'"'' '•=""• You are very kind, Mr. Lech. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable For the g-st time she saw that her position was a difficuh oJe were both fV'^ ^-f ' ''^^ ^ '''^"^"^ woman V'ey ThZr rh ^.l •"*' '*■ ^^^""^ to her suddenly as if in are acting according to the rules of a book of eUquStT 299 '"' N»> Man Pu, Asunder I insist. I am going to Wk If.^ ^"°"'^'- ^^'^^s, you back to Rome, Tnd shaU Lf "■ ^°''- ^ '^^ ^ke safely at the Grand HoteP' ^'^''^ y°" 'i" I ^ you but i?/silr:it;s t'- ?r"'<» -t ease; while his unobtrusive aTten^„ "^'^^ '^^^ ^««' at eminine love of being ^ervrf It T ^^^^^''^ ^° ^er taken care of once aga^l PetWni' ^^ ^° ^°°^ *" ^c only mental. For thfcommL 7 f ^ '"dependence was have a man at hand %h ^^^^ "^ "^^ «he liked to a difficult social c^mpliSorw* f^'^ °^ '^-^'"^ responsibility of feeing a Waiter or ™'^''"'' ^^°'» "^^ or registering her luggage at a s^L'^^'^lu^ '=^^'"«" gaged a courier just to hav^ *1^ . f' ^''^ ^^^ en- hands; but the vlry necesJfv^r; ^'^^ ^^'"^ °« her It forced home the fac^wf/l ^u° u T^ ^^ ^as galling, to be familiar, Tha she ^as^^t "?' ^""^ ^°^ ^<=«'^"n ing in Italy she had drif7^ ^^u^ !'°"^ ^'n*:^ aniv- Castellamare, Wnto ^T°"' ^°"f'°"- ^^P^-' chosen only because she t^u "^^'^ «t°PPing-places to lay her head W Its" fLnT ^ '^^"^' ^''^^-■n But now, since LecZ^re had crn. ^T "° ™°'-« ^ her. seemed to have comeTnto eSnce Sh" ''''^- ^ "°"'' put the thought into words ft was tc^ n °" '^ ".°* ''^^''^ even to entertain - K,.* •* °° "ew, too darinp sit therein: thhad.w o ^e sT.' '1^^ ^^ P'--""^° to feel that across the gulf of Ser ' ^v"^'" '^""^' «nd stretched out to help her '°«^hness a hand was So, looking on the gorge,^around which Tivoli clam- Let Not Man Put Asunder "Of both." mZcenC^'^ '"^ "^'^^ ^'^ ^''"" --days they "Then tell me first of her " success" ''" °"" P°'"' °''^''=- «he has made a great And from yours?" that at last all she claimS fat eSSd^' ^"^^ ^ -ell And what about Emmy?" or'lS^^lfher^'^ireToeTnt :o'^* ^7 r V^°"^''' the candle to her. AnJre^ sh^:, "hSl ffi? 301 Let Not Man Put Asunder Then why doesn't she?" J can t quite make her out T J,=„ .. know, for two years and more W. ^fV"^ ^"' y°" our-our troubles, we are less con^/'^'^', ''"' ^^ «'"=« to be. Of course it «,»? , confidential than we used tWnk I had bS unWnd" t?Ha'"'^' *^^* ^^e shouU Phrey's marriage was a shcSc?^' ^^"^ ^^'^ Hum- raake her a long visit at n^- f '^l^' ^ «™ going to ^ "And how has the ^irM..^J *" ^'=*> °«»er. ^o.J'e a beauty. She m^ ^vt tw" tv^'^^ "^f^^^^ Emmy writes that thev »,= • ^^^ "°^- o her becoming somi lort^f ^^^^ ^ .^i^ consent step; but perhaps it is the ea«L» ^^"^ » mad situation. Hip^lyta refuSs ILT*?' ''^ « ""ffi^ult father; and Humphrey's i^L °!"i^'y *° s* her meeting her by a'cciTen n a S '"f °^. ^-«-« that he prefers to know she^s sh„t " drawing-room a convent. " "^ '^ ®hut up out of danger in "TnH H°^' ^ ^"PP°'^' '■« still at Eton?" And domg very badlv Thtt ■ worry to them. He seenL ^T* '^ ^"°ther source of but in growing old^rTe hln'tl t«n2""^ '"«- "^n his childhood. He's ei Jh*» "^^"^ the promise of do Mter when he J^f^^Xd' ^?f -^^^^ h^Pe he'l he should be following the eS^i,/*, l^. <='"^°"« that -^^PJ^ :Z r^^- °^ ^e visitation "Ti^r/w^^a^sr^ren' I d?di^^:?- ^^^^^^^ -ha thing as sin. I do£k"nlSa7 J t ^t! b^I Let Not Man Put Asunder as I grow older I begin to see th»# *u • tree of the knowledg! "f g<^ ^ ""f • «/*rtainly a the garden of life ^dih^ ^ ^'^ "> ^^ °"dst of toucS it lest-" ' *"'' "»** ''^ »"st not eat of it nor ivy-hung, clematisrclad ™^;- 1 ^^^°«f «"°^ the Gregoriano and the caterac^^ r^' ^^'T'^' *^^ P°nte i-estwhat? he repeated. lately of Adam a^d Eve briL^"^"^ ^ ^^^ ^eal Paradise. It seems so haT ^""^ °"' °^ «>^ Why is it that when ° "^ ^'* ^° inevitable, stay?" ' '^'""^ ^^ are m Eden we cannot "Have you been there?" r'etnna colored ;;Have you?" she asked, in return seem not £3 ' '*""" '^"^^«'' ^^ an effort to wanfinr;^trL'r^°'"^*°^— you i You do, toTl tWnk '^°^ '^' ""^'"■"^ °^ those'^Unes! "I don't like Milton Hp'q t^ l • "I wasn't thinking of M,lton^""'''l'" ^™^«'" „g „ -^iS 01 Aiiiton so much as of you and The expression in his eyes troubled her takingtVh'^r waSr^-?;,f„«7''; '""^ -^'-™«'. andIshouIdbeo„themai:h?f^'''^?- ^^-^ P^P'^ Rome before sunset " "^^ ^^ ^^ &«t back to "Your people are going^J^^^, ,,^.^^^ ^^ ^^ ^_ Let Not Man Put Asunder Tlira^^ yo" are coming i„ another with n,e. It is ail arran^ The horses are at the door. " Again Petrma protested faintlv but «.,<,■„ .u consc ous of the luxurv nf to ■ ^ " ^^^ ^*« care of her ^ '^'""^ ^°™« °»e '» take And yet that night, alone in her apartments in R^.„„ she was not fr^ from an indefinable'Sf ^olch ' hers^r'^^ Wt^intTA^'" ^/«'""^' ^^ always made to seem ridiculous^ven t^h^leW C" were alone in Rome; they were {ri«n^rf« f ;, * ^ natural U.an that they shLine/rfetCfof ^ch stiiew^it/ir;;'; KL«fV? • nev-srn.%rbS^fL---^^^^^^^^^ 304 Let Not Man Put Asunder only as -rroundX UieirrX' '^'^ T'^ ^''"««- *., f 'f^'y ugly and commonplace! r J '°^'' " ^ that they bore the bodv T r i l''^''^ «" 'Wnk that St. Peter and cSfens and cT ^''^"^ °^^^ "' "^ to s ng and pray to jZTchrii "'""''" "^^^ «'-«", -/''Smt SuS ^TrT "^t^ ^'"^-- glass-wmdow vision of the saint's R„^u the stained- way, when I jolt over the^tont °"* ^^en I come this blank walls which Sve no h ? * T" *^^^^ '''^k, and rather restrain than st.mut''^" ^H Pagination I reahze that the firsfbe ^ve t • '°",^^""'^'"^«ons and women with flesh and I '^ °V^^^ ^^' »"-" 7JT.^\^^ Who overc-t t^v^^ ^^ ^^ rn^n^SSfSj^^ I^dn-tknowi," Hut no active faith." I shouldn't venture to sav ♦»,=* %, yourhusband'.s-Ibegyour'^dnn ri, »^ ^^'P'^' J^^e -were among the founder.^ A ' ''.'^^Ha'^y Vassall's ism. It's hard to s£ke off he J'T'"'-." ^P'^^opalian- they lose their hold on you ''"^ "'^"' ^^ ^hen Chi,?ch'X"" ^' " "^^^"^ "'^t keeps the Christian s^^arS^rdeL^wTos^V^^^^ -^^ «-" Catacombs, have given this wl. *'T.P'"^ out to the -ust have found fom^tfi ^^ ^ji',"!"/ ^^-tity. 305 very vital to have made Let Not Man Put Asunder if ZJ'l!"* "!^'^*T ^ '"^^y *"* *»«♦' 'Whatever whTt.^ .? ^c.'f ^'^^y" ^"^- «"<* that the power which builds and fills the churches is not a mere here^ £(&"*"' """^ * "^^ ^°'" **''"'•* *="'' - °"* " I'm surprised to hear you say that. You seem to me otherwise so broad-minded." JuJ^7 fu •''«^Mrs. Vassall, that the narrowness belongs to the good people who insist on denying that discerned by the naked eye. I beheve there u, a tele- scope. usid Me^"* ^° ^' '"*'' " ^ "^^ ^^ *"y °"* ^•«' •'«'' •'I have." Where?'^H^*?"'^'* '""* **'* incredulous. "When? wl!i w' *"T^ *'^? °^ y"""" questions ; not the third. Chu^hnf I? 4^^1 *■■!*, ^"^^^^f"- Where? In the Lhurch of St. Stephen m Vienna." knoi"^ how? I insist. I am keenly interested to •* •' "^jje "oraent may come when I shall tell you. But It isn t to-day. "How queer you Christian people are I You keep your religious experiences hermetically sealed You remind me of Gentian de Bohun's mother, who used to belong to a sect m which it wa^ forbidden to speak of their doctrines before non-believers. I never could draw °!l? * j^??-^^^^" "^^^^ '* "^^^ he believed in, or what good It did him to believe it. He seemed to think me too much of an outcast to hear anything about it. He hugged his religion to himself until I grew to be nearly jealous of It. I see that you would do the same. Iflevar had much to do with you I am certain your religion 306 Let Not Man Put Asunder Catoi'""'' *^-^'''°^' "" ''° '•>« ««te of entry to the w^ tt"£:;htfThrpr'.4^'''t ^^^'^^^ "^ tianity built a great temple here? U^^ ^"^^ ^•'"'^ on this spot I should have mv St pJ *"'" ^^^- " '* on the Vatican And flL?^ St Peter's, rather than privilege of tr^dinT^Jn fh7f T^'"^ l*° ''^« ^°' the before them with a torch Thi u ^^* '"""'' "'^n' men's laughter beWni Them "^ *''"'''* ^""'^^'P^ «««! the monk came back anH ♦ilTiHT^^* ^i-^." v.1. two young ^w^t^^^ t/ ^i^ ^n^.^^ Lelh^mer" ""^ ^^ '"'* '^^ comprennent," said tui'iffl Te rntxr^t' rf :'' ->-- b/rhe^r£L•t^aT'Sn''"p^^^' ^^^^^^^^ in the dark. ^*""^ ^"'^ Lechmere were " I'm afraid, " she whisnprml " t * I hate it. " wuspered. Let us go out again. 307 Let Not Man Put Asunder Then ahe felt Livhmere take her hand. "Thl^.°?i^ ,°u * "»""'«." he baid, reaMurinrfy There a the hght cominK back " """unngiy. retumT Tlrlr'""*™r ''" ''""'^ ""«' «>« monk Tnd TaHerie^w'ere^'Shrc^' °" '° ^'''^'' ""^ =-™»-- ^hftuVu '"'•*''' u*"' "* *" "'«' Through her glove knew ,t meant nothmg, that it could mean nothings £ The'^lr'f'b' " •"''* '."'*" ""*'"« fri«htenf^' tir«,t?irria'^ 're "^'^ "-' -"' «* ^-^' - „n^ ^' way back.to Rome she talked gayly and ig- qd^o^%'re\J'L'rth?h^^^^^^^ »»- - ^^Hen he h. I T^ *° '''" ■''°"'" "•"= <^«"«J' carelessly, just as he was tummg away, 'that I leave for fK '^ morraw. I'm so sorry I sha'n't see you again but no doubt we shall meet somewhere some time You've bm, so extremely kind that it's rather banal to Jy ^I .r?u' •'"* l^° '^y " '""t *e same." ^ b„/*^ 'i! " ^"''^*" decision?" he asked, with brows kiiitted, as he came back to her again No; not at all," she answered, ui.t.uthfullv " I'„« been^a little tired of Rome for a week anTmore^ " ' "' vn7'^l '"'JA^""^^, ^^^^ ^'^ '^ " hadn't been for ^ "^p..^''^ ^^^^- with compunction "Shln^" J"f *^ qualification," he said, dryly Sshall you be long in Florence?" ^^' "Only to pass through." "On your way to — " "I don't know yet. I'm thinking of London, but 308 Let Not Mar Put Asunder I'm also UunkinK of Moscow, and of a dozen other places that lie between." "•The world was all before them where to choose their place of rest, ' " Lechnicrc quoted a Z^h ^'rt^T",!!!^"' *^"''''''"' "•"= ""'"''"J, with a laugh. That n the nearest inUmation I can irive you of ray future halting-place. So good-bye, and thank you once again." Lechmere took his dismissal quietly-so quietly that when Petnna went to her room she was a little vexed. CriAPTER IV "Pange lingua gloriosi <-orporis mysterium." «k^a"Tof SaS^^^^^^^^^ ''^^ -ds rose rolled out the solemn^ n?Jn '^1°'^- ^he organ ffival harmonies ^LfttuT^rf P"'»^«ve m!d" -ere singing as they o^y ^^f^^^^W^ Catholics vobon are instinctive. Up to th^ ^"'"^ ^"'^ "^^ had sat far back i„ the church 'i^/r' ""-"^"t ^^^ gation crowding in aL =k '. fP°^ ^''"'^ ^e congre- buried in her own thojhfs "Ih"'^ '?^''''- ^^e fat m the sanctuary came to her onl ''°i'' °^ *« P^est the ^ovements'^anrgenufleSr f ll'*^"* "'"™>»^-- scarlet cassocks and cXs Wh ^ *^ ^'=°'yt««' « meaningless to her Sh^ w.^"'"' T"^ ''"=e, were many lights about the 4h altlr^^^ J m"''='°"« °f dies carried to and fro To thi^ :, Tl ^^"""^ <=^- atention. She had not coi^To 1^' V^! ^^^^ "° afternoon Benediction She hL '' ^^^Phen's for why. But now as th^ »., ^ come-she knew not Latin words w^re f^^J^"^ T'"' '^' '^'^- The thing in them mo^eah^/'^th,^-'. ^''' '°-^y ~ hngua/ It was likTtSerl^- "']°"^ **»""■ -Pan^e tragedy and isasl? rf ^? °^ ^'^'^ ^J^nhals ovfr It was hke the shout of fw T^"'. -i-^'mur own defeat. ^ ''°^t «^hose faith will not Let Not Man Put Asund er ooked up the d.m £:He at the kneeling, singing mul- titude. "Some ,.i n..m ar. ecstatic. Most of Cm are sincere. Bu, what &, th y mean? Was he rieS abled the Roman .!^v.:: ;. he martyrs is still here?" And then she passed into reverie again. " Nobis datus, nobis natus. Ex intacta virgine." The stately hymn rolled on, but Petrina was going back over the drive along the Appian Way to theCatafombt till she came for the hundredth time, to the momen wh«i, in the darkne.ss, Lechmerehad touched herhTnd '•fl^itTITf '^ ^^^^^ ^ ^"^ ^'°°e/' she mused' that I thmk so much about him. It is because no one dse^shows any interest in me that I have come to look ti^rl^f ^t^ '"'* '", '?^^ "^'^ ''™- She faced that que^ tion frankly, and knew that she had not yet reach^ the moment when she could love any one; but she wS aware of some sympathy between them which mide her glad when he was near. H« loneliness weighed on her once more. In leav- ing Rome she had felt herself setting out again o^a teckless sohtary sea. Florence, Verona, fnd W bruck had been stopping-places on the road to nowhS^ A certain time must be filled in before the date of W visit to Orpington Park, and to pass those Ss sh^ must wander. She would go to Vienna, she Jd be^ cause she wanted clothes. But she had not forgotte^ the remark made by Lechmere in connection with sT Stephens She remembered the lofty German GotWc church; she had often noticed its gree'^i-ti J itV^rf roof when, on other visits to Vienna, she had bkn ToS 3" ^« No, Man p„ A,„„d„ S and .',,*' ""^^^^ the cathedral vf ''""''^ ^° ^"^ '"&, and she seated herself =,7*i! ^^^Pers were end- *he congregation. Slervt^o'f T !!;''' '^^^^^ i can understand " sh^VJ ? benediction be^an from heaven Tl,», ■ ^^""«1 aisles a voicp «,^ • ^ Let Not Man Put Asunder M ^r '""^ "^^ °"' "' ^' Stefansplatz he ac ^'i^U^7 ""^I'u ^H "^'^' ^"" '^^y had exchanged hope you dKi^d,.' ^ ' "" ^"'^ ^"""""J y°«- I .ty which is at on'eSV fniSi ttr '' Ttr' 't you wou d be in Paris by this time " ^ ^^""^'^^ No; I ve come to Vienna from Innsbruck " " Vto"''^* to Innsbruck from-?" ^'And to Verona from—?" "Florence." ""mowSu "^^""^^'^^^^^ «--"•" goL^trCi';^.^ "^'"^^' '""'^ ^■•- «°- if one is I'jL^asn't going to Vienna." ^1 Yes, thanks." "You're quite well?" "Perfectly." "EnSely"" '■■ ^'^""'"' ''"^ ^tisfactory?" offilk aS?'^""' ""^ ^"""""^ '^"h the customs' "None whatever." "You're comfortable at the Bristol?" In every way. "•rtTll'^^'^'^ "°*'''"^ *^t I <=an do for you?" Thank you very much, but I don't think there is " 313 Let Not Man Put Asunder "You're not lonely?" ■'I'm on foot,'" she saw 'P'*' ''"'""°"' ^*°PP«J back to the hotel " ^ ^^ "^"^ ""y carriage thriSChe"'-'' '"^- "^ ^'^ ^^y^-^ left you at ca2S K?' ""'^ '"^' "'-^ ^ will you call a " Let us '.valk " -^^^'iL'KiS^ she said, a. they know that I was staying therer "°^ '^"^ J'"" yo/:j ^Jt^^Jy^^ at Innsbruck that .oufl^^i^tt^^^^^^^ V~ they to. in yerona. " ^ '^ y°" ^^ ^^^ Hdtel de Londres "Then you have followed me " ^ t said so at first." "May I ask why?" "^u^V" ^°'"^ '" ''e offended?" Ihat depends." ablut^l" •'"' ^°" '''-• ^''^ ^~ that I was anxious "Why?" „ But what harm could come?" ^ "" ^j^,i don t know. I was anxious about vou. That's 314 Let Not Man Put Asunder -y^Iuggage had been not unduly ta.ed at the fron- w^e 4' fj Stty Intti^ers '"^ 1^7 '"^^ ^"^ noyed, don't mind savin^r sn k^ - /°" "'■«' ««- ^mean to keep youT^! ^r le'T^^,^^^^^ ru""'' - uTu" ^'^ ^^^ '" °ther hands " ^ ^^ ^ ''""^ to a 3hoj>window fuToIbo^'sT T '*' ''i'= 'P°^^ ta ves incrusted with red stones' Z'"' ^"^ P^^' of It that one isn't tempted bv it And veVT '°r """'^ home I am ahvays sorrv I didn' K ^ "'*"■"" ^ ''^ach so usef uny for ,ftt,e X 'fc^ri^L^^- " ^"'"^^ ^ Shf ^a^ef tVJitff moSrni ^'f^^^^^^^ itself, treat the situation '"*' ^"'^ "^^ h°^ best to lyfa^Tew SurJaw' gS^^'^f '^^ ^^'^«'' ^^^P'" "^SioSt^^r^js^??^^*^-^"-" perie^fsLi tk'"''^ ""* ^"-«- *° I-ople-s ex- ;;So I supposed. And yet that day-" WelUtVaS"' "^ ^^•- ---ty was «.„^. Let Not Man Put Asunder always been raK^ V^uTTo^^' V' were eoine to Hp nno tu- ■. , " ^^"^ as if you OneMn^oSTfor^eX-' """ '"°'"^ ^"°'^- „ And finds only shallows. Thanks " " R ; *u °"^ "'"^ "P^n a rock. " sJw^v^ru7t£Rt'r--r'othc Bristol, tired?" ^"^ "P **>^ R'ng-Stmsse a bit? Or are you win^^'^^XrL^JhlAilttt'^'^'^^"^*^^ I first to speak ^ ^ ^''^"'^- ^^t^na was the "Srinr whaTiiihr "r^T^.*" "- i-* -w?" ened in you ^ntl: ^S^Tit >"^^* ' ^"^ ^^- For whom?" •'" "For me." "For what?" "I think you know " "When a man and a woman have made an unhappy Let Not Man Put Asunder 'my sympathy is "rS:f C"'' ''^'""^' '"^«-"^' "But secondly for him." J^erhaps. " "I should never ask more than that " ^iia:^''' "^"^ ^'^^"'- ^- a- exacting or easHy "I am both." yet/^hTlTm ISremdf t *° 1f^' Z''^' ' ''--'t -^^ on my hehal, Tw^uifthXltr ^""^""'^^ With a request not to do it again " Petnna colored, but laughed. ^ ^sure to bring jXlt^^eLT„J„T^i",? """^"^' very careful." ' ^ ""'"^s are, I am obliged to be cir;?rtfnTefir::h"fr"r^-- Ther^ matter how innocent you a^e'" '"" ^"^^^ «"'"y' «° coloI.'shtTasltSbvt' ''^'"'"' ^'^'^ « ''-per she enjoyed the shorrrlw f Presence, even though tified thislt? tef Ltri''"''^- Shewasmy^s- said good-bye. He dM nn?^^ .u^ T"*" '""""y ^•'^n he in Vienna, nor inquire! 1 1 j^" '*="^*^ °^ her stay go afterwards. Hflefthera^tb '^'T'/"" '^' '"^«"' '" that, wherever she wenMhev ^u"^V* ^"' ""derstood But before returnTn^ to b! "''' '"'^* ^S''''"- urgent telegram t™ Emir. H "^^ P"*"«« ^^nt an aHowedtocLe\tfS„„tmortSay^^^^"^ '" '^ 317 CHAPTER V O^T«"^«y again in England her tired spirit in th^Sce "^Hhr' ^'''"^ ''P°^ tor She had arrived from \^e„na oL th""'^^"''^ ^"""t^^- -vSLTthTdtTi^^F^^^ shadow of thfgrXrtrr' ?: -^^^-^^"^ ^^^^ the her hostess, who was^^, . ^^*""a ^^s waiting for other end of the°t:racr rlf^ ta'u """^''^^y ^'^^ the nusts hanging over ,u! , f "^™°°n ''ght made hawthom^^^/f over the landscape golden. The wUh the delicate o^o^TsS^' '"' "" ^'^ "^ ^"^ ~!^^ll:i^. "«^' Where the wooded at herself for having^nonforh^J^"^.- ^^-^ondered for New Hampshire She th" ^e^ "^ual spring longing dared at herself still more HetV Yff ?"' ^^^ -»- It was almost as if she had n.vi , '"^^ ^'°'» ''«'■ hfe. the achmg resentment wi^ S ^°\" ''™- ^ven his memory was nearly Jone '^^ ''^<' P'^^erved able Imll^'^Z l^foftr^n- ■-■* - -'^efin- at sea-very intimate whiLttivov ^"^-^^^ips formed before one has had time to s^v^^^K '^"'' ''"* ««''«1 She was surprised at it^l^-''^"" I Jt. She was surprised at Let Not Man Put Asunder tr^- "'^ ^^' -* -^'-tand her own indiffer- Keate'sname." "'"si oe wnt in water,' like 7?yiS^;;:i^,vijad^ ^„„^^^ Considering W she h. '"^ ^"°'' ^ ''^^'^ °^ ^^ "' had lasted it wVaJm„,f k"'^'[^ ^''''^ her troubles to feel so soon. '™°'* humiliating to have ceas5 tinu5Tot!S '"a^oJcTha's'H ^"T'" «"« -"- Humphrey rather than 1 AhJ^' '''^"'" ^"^ "^^^er to come a model motha- and J^ f"'^ ^^^ has be- Who wouw everhavrihrute''" '^'""'^ ^^^ ''-3^- -id anf ereT''ral?t!;rtr%n^°- ♦» '""^ her as she advanced notfneth«fu u'""^ ^^''^hed «8r gray and that the n~?* • ^" *'^"" ^as grow- lo^nts youthfulnet P'""^' ^'^'^"^ ^ace had quiTe Petri.;!* ^omm'n'rf "'^^'/J'it"? "■" "°* ^"^^ away." "'?^^^K^toi?^«"^^^^^ cned, assKme'^rer ''TJn'"T' "-^"^^ ''^ ^ohun fee that you have r^come r"'^"T^^"'""^*<' wait at Vienna, after vouT,nnH *u T '°^'^'' y°" didn't ^ " You don't know what i7mp "! ^°" ^''^ f'^" *o have had this hluJe a1 L S: .*.° '"^' ^-"^ d-'". ask4lS:&^t'sy^,:S",i;^t^ de Bohun "Oh, from ev^thinSnm f '^^^ *^ ^^ ^ings. -«H and from^iTmoS a^'^'' ^"^ ''°*^'«' -nd 319 ^«» Not Man Put Asunder y^:?™" Jl\tV;:^?,T n^''-" and .i„e one „ Wouldn't you?" P^a^^e in America, they'Tid^^ui"^''^^^ having taken When mvifations came Z / ^"T ^"^"^ ■* ovfr he^ Let Not Man Put Asunder ply farcical. Rut all »!,„» ■ well received." ""' " °''^' ""W- and she is veo^ Bue I've had n.^^^ S„ei^f ^°' '->'-'' "-t point. •* O Wnaf ?" Tu trina's question thanThcThowT •""'^^'"^''' '" P- bands"""' position of won,en who divo.e their hus- "Ah I" spect." "^ mterest me to hear in what re- ^istttZT(^TJCln: °' '!'^^' '»>-- a cW ;; Of course." '""°''=°* «nd 'he guilty wiiT" world"Uws nXn-gldur ''T, " "°''^- ^he Even where it does know k Z ".^'"' ^"'' ^"gs. remember. It sees a womkn 1T^ '.'^^^^ "'• '' d°e«n't about without one. iTTonlv 1 '^ ^ ^"^'^"•1 S°«g here and there who s ops ?o ^Jl'^l^""'"''' '"'' ™«» «me to the mass of the Lnle w '"^^: ^' '« ^" «>e the woman has committed^Si ^ T^,'" ^n any case, created scandal and tTken.h. I?''* °^ sins-she has her troubles. For that theJeifn ^ ^^"'^ '"''^•^^' »' there is discrimination T^ke ^J^"^?"' ^^^" ""^ faan and myself. !„ eauitv ,^5 the instance of Gen- hers. In society he"sT St^f r"'"" '^ be«ertha„ further still. sL to a J^, ^n " K™""'- ^ ^'" ^° She ,s Humphrey's wife wh^T ''^''^ "°"« ^t all. werenotforthecMdrenlmi^t ^T r'^^' « it name. " '"^^" ^ ""ght as well take my maiden "Are you sure you are not 321 exaggerating, Enuny Let Not Man Put Asunder ^If wrtCS.S'ff '""^ "' '"•' «- vie. U would be hnrri („ a time, though it's all pa J „„""'' *|th weeping many ■ny l«r,ion. When I ^ "°"^' ""'' ' '^•k'" 'o accept mean on y the eenpr..! "'t '■'>'' ^member I don't London. I .n -af th^^'w^'KV'' '^l fi-'-bom "n comes in contact with anvvvh""*'"^,""' P«»P"« °"»-- what light do you su ,Le th ■'" "1'' «"y''°'^' I" "umphrey de Bohun rfaLT/' ""-''. ^''y' «■*• who sinned against him ^^ "^'^^' ''^ "'« wonmn way, but suflifient i To e„able°LTn,?'''r' ^"^^P^^-^ admit that now and then ^nJ^. , '" ^ ""l of her. I to lean, or to recoll^t thrtTutrhT/"''^ '"'^ '~"'''« especially for the people wh„,n I 'us^ "' '^' ™J°"'y' i m a cast-oir. Gentian iZ", . *" "^^re most for ond wife. She ilTgoJ^^^.'j^f'y Humphrey's sJ: reigns in my stead " virtuous woman who you ^ih^S TorViilr ^'^^ "" "-P'^-y. -hen ing at all allu it. BlaTseTf^' '^^'l ^ ^new noth- my own heart, when I hadn'f i*^°"^^* ^ ^""^ mounded cause I took s-^ietja £ w„ J "T"^ '^.' ^^^^ce. Be- guarantee I should have Tcce'ot'eS'" R " '''' "^-^ '-' know that in England wherl^^- ^''''^ ^ '^'<^^'t we can be mighty in s jJJh h^f"'^^,^'^ '^e question, tional in actitn. Be^L^ti Jn l"'<"'i,'^ ^'^'^ ™"ven- been a foolish person amo J f'^r^'u P'='""« ^ear, I've who have taught themsTef wStr^'r^ '"""''^ their minds by paradox, a J f^ JhS^oS o7Xt Let Not Man Put Asunder have ^ouL r^emsTn fd^ '° «"" ""'^f-* 've our t,me of life, but it h^s col ,. '^"""^ '" ">ake at ^ should think it mithr^ T" "" "nawurcs." "It is worse thLn tha *fn f'*"'" "nco.nfortablc " ■n which to educate an immorJ "^ '"?' " '^"'^ keenly. As I look back it ? T"'" ' ^'■"cl that «->«ed to Pu^^^a„dtlT:"'■ n V^ "'-^ ''^"' >*="-- until I've completely lost X th '^ " f-""'"'*-' '''''-' >"«. find myself side-track^ 7„ 1 ''^'','? ° "• " to^lay I wje yet not a wife, it 'S Si LtT"v 'T ''""' « ed by people who insist on the riJh f ^ '''-" '^■''" ">'«- lease herself, and yet turn .^ I, °^ "" «""""" to re- does it. I've been m sThl ?"' ' "'^" ^''^ '^ she yo" to do the thing by l&!t^'^^» ^ho encourage offer you no position or pS^tl.^ T^'^" "^"^ ^^^o can been misled by a Church wW^uu "'^''" " '« done. I've age or the convict.on to sl^k JomT ""'^^ ""' *'«^ <=»"- nage must be either his^r thS't^; f "'^ '"^'hat mar- your own way, and frowns „„' vo, 'T^ y°" '» find taken ,t. The whole subT^t ofM • '^^'"} y°" ^ave and I'm the victim of ZSt d«v T ^ '" •=^''"': has taught me this that the, • ^ "jonfusion. But it tion for a woman '"' ^"^ " ""'^ ««« safe condi- "And what is that?" divorc^edVSintfhr'Po^ ,T ^ -^- To be husband, or a free man with^wffe!^ ^'°'?'^" ^"h a Soct. .sn-t orga„i.«, ^o r^^t^^^^^^ s m Let Not Man Put Asunder is uncertain; and in human societv u,>,»„ footing is uncertain, yoTTe ^^t^ Z"^, ?,"" ^^^^ Petnria flushed and moved unelsily L her chair peace with my babv bZv^ \ . ^PP'^' ^''^^ >" against the whole thiS Th«t° '"k*""/"^' ' P™*««' eveiy day PersonaUv *», J ^I^^ ^ ^° *° '='>•"* justify the effort T.T ^''°'^'' '" ^''^'^^ '•'^^^'t J^ay de Bohun leaned forward in her earden-chair tav o?rf •*" 7^'J'<>'^ Petrina sometS "n "The carSlo?t!;SrS;^diSce"'S:r^ "-^'"^ was not to be bonie easily ' ^ ^^ *^°"K'>* heS"* "^"^^ ' "^^ '^ ^'^^^ -«« t™e?" she asked voS?husffl*^?^Cv'i/''L\"°'r '^'^° ''^^ ""■ 324 Let Not Man Put Asunder put berseU teyond cScrr^A'""'* ^° °"' ^^^^ «"«* Then so much the worse for her «II,o . •., go and be buried ahve likVrnl u ^ """^^ "^''er world that has shut its h^^JT' 7,^^" '"»«* "^« '" a against her." ^"^ ^'^'^ '""^^ned its tongue ^onf:lu7o^^7lZT^'^'^^- ^—uldhave tim^hr¥v'e°^S:St^*:?- .T^-Wbeen name and a place once .^n ''° '*' J""* *" ^a^e a children don't hke Gerald ^H T°"^ '"^"- S"* *he that! care enough Sf ij ^yli'?. "°^ ^^'^-^ly sure , He is still waiting then?" ' Ves; and I think he eniovs it H»' u know that anticipation i^^tfLr i^ °W enough to kwps him patientV" "^" "^^''^y. That "IdoJtthilZ"''^^ *° ^^^^t '•^ °ne day?" "Rn?H u Humphrey would like it." ,«ut Humphrey has married, himself." „ ^* would you consult him?" doy^^J'SK?^''^*""^- ^--J-t sort of a woman i^^^Xi^^'"^- When she b.ke "?es" X'JroKr&i""'"^" considering eve^^hing " ^" "P wonderfully, "Hat'W:rst\tiSs^"l3Cse^^^^^^ ''^*«*^-' 325 i Let Not Man Put Asunder "Sometimes; not often. He is hMr.»j • u ■ ::Does he ever speak of-of-mer '" ''""''^•" ^^ Why do you ask?" "Because I want to know " •xSi?'* "' '° ^^" y°" ">^ --«<=t truth?" "Jeverr"^^^'-«P<^ksofyou?" "Never." heJs?r;rerfSrrli^r^'n^'K?^^^ i''> lieved she had forso°L him L "^*''^'- "°'^- She be- he should have foSu"n t Sh. fT '""^'"" '^^ was something else to ^rpf «. ^" """^^^'y ^hat it conceal her agitation she 1™'!,"? ^^^'"«* ^^- To her empty cu? upon the tfbk p^"*- ""'' ^^-^^ knew, were on her and tt,if f u .^^"""y « eyes, she ing bolder. ' ^ ^^^ ^"^^ ^'^^ necessity for be- •'S^Siy""'srde'^hir?r '?'^'= ^-*"«'- too." ^ °^ "°h"" returned. "And you 1 think you said you had sppn M, t i. ""'^Zc'e'-^'J'^ ^^-^ -"' oTpiS^sstyT'^'"^'^ "> unce, i'etrina assented. ""^ Only once?" clid you think I mSm? I onlv^«n"° T/'^"- ^^^ that he had rented OIdb;r^, f happened to remember pretty cottage y^ Sow ^n ^T ^f?''' Bertie-the Park." ^ °'^' °" ^''^ outskirts of Keston "Jn^-^^-i^ f°'"i"^ ''^^'^ to England?" It he isn't already here " ^ """ • 326 Let Not Man Put Asunder "And what about hi-' kind of dog " -%^rn;itu1t^;„1^„t?^^^^^^ '-^ *ey.re 328 Let Not Man Put Asunder "What a rapid traveUer vou are" J ^u whw he and Petrina were aki^e ' ^^^^ said ^^ 1 may say the same of you " ' wanderings." ^' "''^ end of your *„'*T*^"r^.°"^°''y°"'' kindness," said Petrin= * • to teke a hght tone. " But vou see fh=* , '" ' *'^"*f peril now. I had no idea th^^ ^ ^ ^™ °"* °f a" wonr:n to travel alone" '^''' "" ""^^^« f<" a place. "They n^v nof^ ,'"^''' '^^"ming to her shall not go emp^Uay ^ "'''°'"^' ''"* «* '^-^^ they hJr'd^rl't^eToteTndL'r.' ""^f ^'^ -- other three, busSout Jth^ut v^'a'Sr'f""^"' ''^ *« to Mnounce her. ^'''"^ ^"^ ^^ footman "Mypoordearl" she called inho,™ i- with both hands outstretS i,?^'^'!S^^°'"^'««' towards Lady de Bohun wh„ » T^^ ""^ ^^wn her. "Myp^rdear°"she7etaT^' ^^'"""ir *» "eet hands. "To think that you'^SA*°°'^,F"''««'« quite affecting." "^* y"" ^e hving, after all! It is "I feel it so. Duchess," Emilia Ian^t,«j ..t expected to see you in thifwnrU ^^^ ^ "^^ LadyYorkshire-nor you Mr I ^&='?-nor you, of you all to come aJd ^efr^e ""'• " '« «° ^^i do you do, Gerald? Take T. n u" "^ *"'"''• How tree. You'U find" some cS"^J'' """^ *? *^ y^^ there." "^"^ *"<' some old friends "We're staying at Keston Castle " LaWv v i u- said, languidly. " When M=.;„, oil'- ,^ady Yorkshire that you were in ttJs ndX^^ '"''' "^ «* ''"'^h should like to seL you!" ""'^^'^*°«J we thought we 329 Let Not Man Put Asunder as the"' mo':?rwrt;;S'in^ ^"^^ire said, .s so much more convenient than "'^. ^^f'^We. "That "The world into S v-" '" '^^'^ °*h«^' ^"^d. " gon^" Lady de Bohun t^°^ '^^^^^ "^^, to have We knew vou wnr« , &°°"-naturedly. ^^^^^■'l^^Ll^ ^at delicious E„,. fowI„"„r^ooTXX"''lhetucl^ "^"''- ^^^ n- a big, jovial laugh *'"'' ^"'^''^^s rejoined, with beside Petrina ^ "'^ Duchess, sitting down tesiilLS^^^'^--^ "^"^-'^ «^«k so, I'm sure," pro- w''Lad?reBl,r„n^:ht1rr-^'^' ■^'^'"^ ^ -P ess. "'^ ^"d passing It to the Duch- "And how is Mr. Vassall?" h vassan? her grace asked, turn- Let Not Man Put Asunder >ng suddenly to Petrina "r u , , down to GrLmbriige next ^eS' ^ ^^' him to come wanted to come." week7-you, too, if you "Thanks, Duchess hut T' ^i_ Petrina answered, wiih an eCt^StT''" ""^raged," rassed. "" ^"°" not to seem embar- "But he isn't, I hone " *!,„ n l should love to have hh^' t '"''''"^ VUT^n^. "j of him when he wL iTst her'n'""'' ^^.^ '^"""^h tl,?} - Perhaps he fhTu^h^^r^nl 'Vtl Duch:sTLrdyVo?kshrr'''"Y^" "^^ -i-«-, suavity. •^ ^orKsttire remarked, with a grave Pcl''l'^"'frhe' Tnle't'" '^^ ^^^'^'^^ -«* on to fetch him." ^'^^ ''°"^e? Send some one to you doing here^DS";orthinTit l^'T ^^«* -« ?1 alone? I shouldn't Tf ml h k'^^1 !° ^^"""^ ^im interesting face. I remembe" hi, f'^^"*^ ^^"^ ^"'^'^ «n he got it still?" "^"""er his face especially. Has ;;He had when I last saw him" «e was 50 good-looking- not a hit n n." "^' "°t a bit hke an Ameri- . "^"''^"<:hess,"saidBertie "Mr A '^iS.P'^ ^ ^^'--^^ Apol^rfhtll^dy on;;°^^^^^^^^ the blood of a certain j^oplefamn -^M"" ""^^ of finance^thathehastherd^SS^^^^^^^ "^'-afraid,Duchess,".,,,,,,^,,^^^^^^^^^^^ can m Let Not Man Put Asunder ^n V^/r W-"' '" *"' "•'-«- «- •- >nli„«te worse luck. I^ve nl^l^^TZu^^'Ct T '^"'' " Would there what?" 7.A ^""'''."'ere, Agneta?" to have heard, SaSshett ff'^u!^ ^^^*^ "°* aea.Kpftrir''"^':StS^ ''"'=^'' ^^^ *"™ed Miss Faneui? When Hn ™^ ^"^^^ ^^- Wassail, surely be he;efo;i^^eSrt''of"ther' '^'"l "^ "'» let him come without'^ me 7 That w' ,1^ ^°"'* I see his face still-such a nf^! • °"'^ ^ «=™el- so different from^mblesirs' ^Tr^'''''' '^^ :^stSn„trto^S£H- -^e^-^1 slightest '«„::. ^Not"UZttThi„*t"'=\°"'^ *« wUh such a good-looking"L*Sa„;i''te> "^''*' io^^^^Z'^^Li^^.^tt'''' ^^^-.''-stion and biscuits, had s^S " n^ v"^"! ^* <=^kes into the Duchess's ^r ^'^ '"'"'P"''^^ something anSai^ToT ll^tatS^' J^":* ^^ you say? Who's divorced? Don'^sav ^h^'w ' ^'^ now. Iwanttoknowwho'sdi-^c«1 I . *° ™^ •'S7:r™'JJ ^* deu/hti^'^t„pr'--t Miss VasS'a'„"dta^,^;-- t^ ^^^ '"^"^ "^r- subject further." ^^ ^'^'^ ''° ««* discuss the 332 Let Not Man Put Asunder pameucally. No one with any delicacy would do so But I m so sorry for you, poor thing! What a dr°a^' fonvLd and J^i'^^d her 4lo'n"^*;£^^^^^^ £oSnnnd?t\lSras^;^?rL^^^^^^^^ 4'.^Jn Mr^la^^^^^^ Xrr.:-^SrcT.lr ned, now I come to think of .* n„* j , , 7 "' ^chz:? i^XiiW't^r,!"' ^"'•'^^'' «"--«» ^'^Or you and the Duke." interposed Lady York- wil'e^iLStrT ''NotZ wiiTKe^te^r^'^L' Lt 1he"""^HH^"^ -"^ tL^^^It ;as'^ySrr HeW^ archbishop, you know-who held me hack even if you're in the right. If they have vou at ^^r houses t will only be as a kind of sh^o^s'that the men may talk about you in the smoking-room, and thatX women may watch you when you're pres;nt and tattle about you when your back is turned. I must ^ I never reahzed before what it was to have clergy in [he family. I'm sure we do them a great injus¥c^Se 333 Let Not Man Put Asunder ^fTanlSr j^;; ri'r^ '=°"'''";' -y boo to a J^d&^t':a^-'^*X^-He. ^That. .hat I gave me the most convinci^^, „f m "f "'>nds. and at Mr.,. Vyncr,' he sa"d 'a^d ll ""«^*^«''°n«- 'I^k on and I-ady StainTs and "ter ,/ ^"'*" P°'«ham^ |fct]y innocent women Til of ^k ° """"y "'hers-peVi day land of respectable ,«si^i^n * '• over at Lad'y' dr^'h„?' dM n:n Z^S H^ your sister-in-law's the other night?- '^""' "' At my — J wdl^St y^r^,n^:;::' ^"«^' «- -t aumciently exact relatLship r?^!'*-",';-' '°^T '' '^at's the She's a dear isn'?',hor « u "'"P''''^^ ■"' "'^er wife plexion-^el yoi'd si l^ ^''^^'' "y'''''' «"'' « ^om- you can't tei/ They 3:" 1^' "^i^""- B"' that neta's; and vet evor^ f ^ ^™^ ''''"S about Ag- as grass. Wei clmld I ,^?"''' ''^^ )''' «« "^t"'«' me to give the sign lo go I seir '''""'■' ^""'"« ^°^ back to Keston '• ^ ' ^«^e y"" « impatient to get wlU'u":^' "^^'^ "^ ^''"" -"'' be sorry to see the veil^^r^'^^^i^iln^en extre..y di- all rls^"'^ '° '^'^ ^"^''-^-" Petrina assented.as t^ey -idt'grrce StrMT^^'i^^ -'J Saddles," comedy. Thaf's whv I . '"*"^«".ng as a French 335 => j^ • it! Let Not Man Put Asund er I am so happy to have seen you both. Dear knows when we shall ever meet again. My brother being an archbishop, you know, obliges me to be most careful " Lechmere saw the party to their landau, and when the sound of wheels had died away Petrina and Emilia stood lookmg at each other in amazement. Then they burst mto a nnging peal of laughter. But in their laughter there was something nervous, hysterical, and very near to tears. CHAPTER VI DuSradlJL^" *^h'r i* r '""' '",'""« «' the to make it the only thTne to rfp"' **}'"'' "^"'"l Orpington Park was lorfltogether aT' ''" '''^' '° was clear that Emmy was Snl ''^ '^^ °"<=- " she herself i„ another As PelZ'" °"' ''"f' '°"' «"d was showing that, after all she wasX'^l, ''' ^'""'^ revertmg to early behefs and practices a 'dh "''" ""'^^ to be "narrow." She went Pvir,, j 1 ° •'^ginning in her convent at Bi,),!" n "^ ^""^ *° ««= Hippolyta with what Petrina^hou^hl y^T' ^""^ ««"« home the religious life She fel fntoth T> "^""«°" ^°^ her former ideas as " wronV" , ^" °^ speaking of who held those ideas smLi'"'^^^'"^ *''«' P'Wna. them there was no falling off in Iff"' ;" '"^'- ^«**^«^ that failure of symSv which .T ''"' '''^^«^«« when one and not She oth?h«, T'" ^'^""" ^"^"d« view. "^ "'"^"^ ''a* changed his point of alllw^S^e^'Sic^esro; imbT"'.'^""^^ ^''^ -"'" -t challenged. She t.^kTl'''''"''^ "^ °P'"'°n ^ Pass un- of the s^ocia. autSh'^/urxp^^t f' 'TfT would not be frightened by it Shi ^^"i-^* "''^ perfectly innocent woman,'' she SS' N "" " has a nght to cast suspicion on m™?" ^° °"^ no rebuff; she was "nl^^-al^-Her^^ ^^^^ Let Not Man Put Asunder quaintances learned of her divorce, and showed no surprise. They said it was "American," and let it pass; but they ceased to show their former friendship for Petrina. Some, who had admired her as a girl, ac- knowledged that they had always thought her queer; others who had liked her owned that they were dis^ appointed. The majority considered her " mysterious " ; her manner of appearing and disappearing, they said, was strange; she turned up from nobody knew where^ now with a husband, and now with none; it was there^ fore wiser to be on the negative safe-side in the way of intimacy. They greeted her kindly when they met by accident; but it was only by accident that they met. The perception of this came to Petrina quickly. When Sir Humphrey and Gentian invited her from Saturday to Monday to their little place in Herts she found herself the only guest. When she dined with them in town no one was asked to meet her but Gentian's father Petrina understood at once. She was being kept out of sight of Gentian's friends. She could almost hear Gentian saying that her own footing was too insecure to allow of her giving public recognition to anyone whose position could be questioned. Princess Hans of Markenstein was effusively cordial ; but when Petrina lunched at Markenstein House she noticed that her fellow-guests had been carefully chosen among those who hve in glass houses, and therefore could not be particular or throw stones. These were Petrina's social attentions. They were given from necessity, as if to a poor relation, and were kept for intimate occasions. Neither Gentian nor Princess Hans failed in protesta- tions of friendship; but their hospitahty was never repeated. From the rest of the worid there came nothing. Petnna knew that .she was not even talked about She 338 Let Not Man Put Asunder pathetic; but she did not senT 1 ^^?',^^ *^« «.V«- Party at Anableside House Ldv^Yo^v" '^'^'^ he was afra.d 5 b^„rcX2sT'"^P^^^' ^ '''--'» -intet^^ird^^'Pet™^^^^^^ hitherto carried with her Th^P*"^"^^ ^''^ had against her. There wa<= L .. ^^^ "° movement who has ..hockXrjro^rietr tV"^* '^^ ^ "- «lent refusal to consider her as„ f^w' •''^' ""'^ « group to which she had oncl lf„t ."^ '""^■' social made the objec' of gossin sh! "?'^- ^^^ ^^a« "ot "They loik upof me ' /""P'y''=«°"t. herself one day, when ?htre'.'r"r"'^*'='" ^'^^ ««'d to "' I' Petrin;FMI st'!,*'°"^f™^"P°"her. with shame. No morTL. * "''"'■''*^' She tingled h- down with s„°ch hul^S"" '^""''^ "^'^ ''-iS eveXS^^lf rht%r3 ^'f^r °- ^'- ''^'^ descriptive of her own condifion TU ^'' "^" "'"■' «« ment m the very fact S ^^'"'^ "^^^ self-judg- and it terrified her. ^' "^^^ ''^ "^xt thought. examfnaiion.^ "Is it' wssibIe"*VT'r'" ^"^^tened self- Do others see in me a Ee'cnf /.^™ deteriorating? insensible?" "eoasement of tone to which I am regrretreSSylSn 'r' -""^ «"^ no worid towards her. h was IS"* ^"'*"''" °^ ^" the that she could not even cTL J^ /^"'^^ ^° courteous difference which sees and vefo" f 'f' ^* ^^^« ^he in- therefore not unint^nliSl. '°°^'''' ^'^ ^^^i^h is 339 Let Not Man Put Asunder KovSlk:; hir"""'" '" ""^ -°'^"' "^« fete should Just then Lechmere came to town p«,™ u- S%e"c:uK"v:TredYct ^^u ^'"^'^ ^''^ her. She would not take life til" .i'*^ ^''^^^ ^"h 3he had to suffer- ralhersL^fJ'^' '" "P"*^ °^ «" and see what was iJtioL"^ ^°"" '°°^ «*«"* her "WhynotdosometS^r''^*" """ Saturfay night. Court." ^ ' ^^^° «Pend the day at Hampton "I have an idea." "S^* V*^- ^ sure you keen il " Why shouldn't we go off for t^fj , , "For a number of r^son".. '^ °^^*''*='"-" detail. But if it isn't v^°fo "T^^'^^^'y to give in "Which it isn't." ''^c'hTd:S°^^^-^--hoat-" "InTJ"' ^'"''n^.t° think it over." And :f your daemon is^affir^ative, be ready for me If: Let Not Man Put Asunder Waterb^"^'' *° ^^^ ^°" *° "'^ t«n-tWrty train from " I'm sure it's Hampton Court. I won't go. " It isn't near Hampton Court, and you must go " Petnna did go. The invitation caught her in a reek- ess moment. She remembered their day at Tivoli and their drives about Rome. She would throw propriety to the winds, and have one good day in England. Loii- don was hateful to her; its Sunday,, drove her to de- spair. She would go at all costs. When Lechmere came in the morning she was wait- CHAPTER Vn "Stop at Queen Adelaide's Tree." said Lechmere to the coachnwn, as they turned from the dusty high- way into Windsor Forest. "What a magic wood I How beautiful it is I" Petrma drew a deep breath of pleasure. As thev iT.^P^^^t^A ^^'^'- °^ ^^^ '^"^^ '^""^ oaks, it was as If they had gone mto another world. The soell of the forest fell instantly upon them. Life grew mme elemental. Boston, London, Rom^ven A^ot, whe^e they had lunched-suddenly became unreal, as the world must become to the soul that has just passed the breast-high bracken, as through an enchanted land where the very dreams of poetry might come true. It was early afternoon. The air was still. There was no sound but that of the occasional flitting of a biri from tree to tree. Here and there rays of light st™J gled through the overarching boughs, and plfyed amfd the giant trunks like wood-nymphs clad in sunbeams In the deep, successive glades there was a sense of mys- Ji^T *u '"^^'^'^ °^ ^^^^ ^""^ °^ calm-the mystery in which there is no passion, but only a patient, timdess tUn.°Lfr ^"l. ''''^ was'^con^ious'of"^ thing soothing in the spot, of something consoling and spirit and folding it in peace. "How beautifull" she murmured again, as they went deeper into the hoary wood. ^ 343 « i M I'' Let Not Man Put Asunder Suddenly the carriage stopped. get out? There is a seat here" ^°'^''« * y°" ''ke to thing healing in it " ^ ^''"^ " 8°"^- an;tii:?r*Son^*;ou ts^Ts^*^^^^^ ^"'' -°^ W. It ^e^ the\L°ditt?oSe n^c^ent"!^ *}^ isn t a tnm palacs-park like the forest of St r» ' • 344 Let Not Man Put Asunder ^»,*l?f *^^ P'^*"^ ''^^ associations for you? I won Where did you live?" "2^",^^''^ '^°nd St. Leonard's Kill " ;; You liked the neighborhood?" that^' netting suited the jewel. I can't say more than "No; becau,se when you say that you say all " 1 never should." ^J^ know that, too. We were naade to console each more^djf? '"^ *^*'"^ consolation," Petrina said, E:."L^:e\rfir^rJt^7anrii''S^£r^°"*^"'^- .-ri^l, r ,elt that we were"nXf4' ^Ke -^ 345 i^il:. Let Not Man Put Asunder moie than sympathv I loIH «„, . i u j ^"ne'n'nfif rr^z-pf^^g" jS° f-r "'^' mrther hope. When I Irf? ^o, t J^"^ "^^^ "° living tI^^' j , "* "'^'^ ^ ™^nt not to eo on found niysSTn L chu4 I wL'n'f ' "^ J''^" ^ I was too far gone for Thl't T V*'^*="? suffering, there dnily ani fn^eX JaSy'^chrsSJ" ^ ^' the great narcotics. Bv-and b v ?W *"'°°*"'«f «"«>"& I don't know what TW» '^ r ?^^^ * ^^"•'<=e; "You knew what?" "That God had given you to me." 346 Let Not Man Put Asunder "I am not to be disposed of by a God Tho* • egression which I don't underste^d!^' ^^' '" ^" ;;wha&r""'"^'^'^'''^^-'-" "^hat we need each other." ficienttSlS Ind y?u wfur * ^^^ ^ ^^ -' -^- «-t whie/,„„ i^-^5 -" -ver have any ideal but It hasn't required words." felt. " °"^''' ""' *° ^^"^ *° ™« « "^ *hich I haven 't a life whose empSs arpTlK^:"" "'" «° ^"^^ •"'" .aid Jith"lir " " """"^^ ^ P'^^" -'""de." she "Why should you try to deceive me? V„,. 1 nave never worn one " Vas^S^wouldn^veTuist'^yr-^ ™^^^ *^^ And you think you do?" f<^AZ^S'^' ^'"'^' ^^ °"^ '-"^ 'o -d a "But it remains foreign " 347 Let Nol M»n Put A.urde, explore in this wf ?„„ ' ' T^T' y°" '^W «ver There is the same " latter-day point of^few T"^^' ^TV^" ^^^^hle experiment SSght be rash n.^^'-.u *^"^ '^"^ the is httle to be 4red" * ""^^ y*"" ^'^ «« there 'Trtl^f''* "^ ^"^^^ '"' granted. I resent that " weU^^oiVa ^xSiL^'-Jo:''^* y?- How the liberty " explain if you would let me take in t?eXfn^ct^a^&i!S '^'"fir^'-^ -"« silence as permission to go on ^^^ ^•"""■'^ t°°k her I c'2:" uSti'Td iH^^ "t!Jl'"Jr ^^-«" you two were not fitt«l for each othir^*^u° "^ '''^t him as a friend I fa«ed to «« i, ^^"^ «^ ^ '"k"" him as a hustend Oh r ^C^^^ ^T l*»°"'d «-- for added, quickly, as Petri^I tulL"""^ that later," he haughtily. ^oyouhX^S^deat'-anTit: Let Not Man Put Asunder Wfre right. He Man ideal — (I,-. J i , «n,ple high-minded a„rt7oLg 'ti^' ^t'^^Z^' first there were in him all f K» .f ' . "I ^ '*"««' him Sidney. That is whTt drew m! 7?'" °^ « ^ir Philip «w But, unforturSllyZT, all^e'L"' "''^' ^"^ great nature up within 1^/1,1 •.' "*' P">ned a traditions and focal iLLffi^^cy "?ff ^^ '«™'y his mind, as a Cnina-woZn k'^j u ^^ •»""<• "P it might never ouSw w^t t'^t' ^Z ^°°'' «" t»^« Harvard, or have anXnT^ore than" ^' ^ "^^ «' tion of a world outside of M^? u " ^ "^K"*-' P«reep. New England q^fties he^^^ ^1^.*^:'' '^° ^^e bS able of New England faufcif *^' ""^^ ""»*«'- tiospective and yet Llf Z~fi^ **"''^".^y *° he in- and yet ice-bound nmentelS '"^^i""*'^ "o™! right about him in disSon'^nnH ^"^ «^«ythi„g cramped himself upTnT tr^"^ Pnnciples. he has the world in which there il ^ '^i°f «" worlds- VassallwasmeantfotaTarge rbuTf t.''"' '"^"'y- himself to tread a daily f^tL "'''! ^» "^ trained thinks nothing worthSg'b'^f ttt'Sh'^!, "°" ''^ no one worth knowing but f >,7.J L ^f'' he does, and nothing worth can^g foJt fe l^;^"™ ^" ^°^''- «nd appeals to him. He should h^'" ''"* ^'^t *hich Bayard and he has made himseWrT*^T 1 Chevalier Petrina sat silent ^1/^ *• . ^"^ ^""'^^r" deepening in h^c^ik •"°*'°"'^«' the red slowl^ "And into a life like hi« " i ^u brought your own42er1„aS'""'^ PV""«^. "you ly independent, sensitivdyTmSt'of'""f ?'^°"«- mg at tradition, and irrever«iT* I ''°"*"''' ""ck- o the past. It wouldl^Sl ttTr"' *%^-hings heforehishardnei,."andSltrtSeTo:te? 349 ' !i.| Let Not Man Put Asunder iated. When you pa^ f^lA P'^'"'f'' ^nd hiimil- proud woman like yCl i7l" Jh^°^"'^ " ^«''' ^"'■« own soul for every Cto^lrJ^^'''"?*"' °"t your are quite free your »n!n? f^ ^^^- ^"* 'hat you robl^, andkfUo ffi tif ' "^ -^ " '"*' '^ beaten! ■ Levite,, and W ^nttetSfy by '^ST,;^"'' Tivoli I couW ^^Hn R ** "f " *'*"» *«= "net at obiectless wS™ J^VienT IZ'^ '^ "V" >•-' here in Kn^land wh^e v^f " *** '*' ^^^^^ a", whoshould stand by v^u anrfw '""^""ded by tho«^ what indignation you ke^ / "° °"f '^°''- ' '«'ow amiable manner Tkno^wC" "1^" ^°"' '^°''«y could shed if you ,ere t„ lit ;ot eU S'^'""" T ast woman in the world to te^r the fate thn^K "'" *" taken you. You were meflnTj^ V- • ' has over- and not to shiver at ILT^ Yil^^ "I '^^ P°'«^«' you. It has poured ouUofyou tt^ bes^^f'T" ?'""' *« then mingled it with wonnw exposed I tween you andhfe and M . "^ ''''* ^ breakwater be- force on me " ' ""^ '"* '** «^«^^ «Pend their worst "And what could I bring you'" Let Not Man Put Asunder the atom,. When exnesm^H* '"^ ",''"="" ''""' other. Youandlari™ ., e'X" tT*"*"^" . as .„ adesolate land a^hr , ' I , .ll'' ^ " ^T """* »orrow. If I don't say Ir ,,s ',""■" ' "^^"^ ''^ all that you have felt on v ,.r Z '"^ ' *' ""^r i« a word which wete:",:. V^; "".l', '," ' '-' '"ve strong tie between us. , o.i I. '. l ' " ^"'^ ' Rxactly what it is wenJi not , I Z''"-,' ' ^"'" «" '• It is there, and that "s «. 1, ';"'"'-^^«-' "' define. am a broken man made w^I'a,, ;, ] '^P'^nce I you feel yourself a little comfon 'l Oh '■'!"' ' ''T' should we he.sitate? If ^» T '"i. i ttrina, why where ean we go bit ^liZihl^'J'""", "^"^^ "'»•"■ have both tried'that and we kn„w hit "'"^ '"'^^ ^'^ m It. What then? WhirlTtn, ^' "^^ *^«"' f° o" is to become of "s? In » 7^7" '"*' *" '"'"? "'hat leaving London But wh ''''^'' "°* y"" *'» be you to doV mw "re vot o ?' ^7 *° ^?^ ^^at are than in a pointle.rwrderinr'Tr' '•''' °''?«^''* answer to your question, n- .u^ " ""'^ ""^ find to mine There is onlv nn '%"'" ^""'""' ^^ich I we must be together Th^T '^^"^f!°' "«-but in it liked, looking^ on iJe as Te ^T "l '" ""'^^ '^ «•- over there, while we ourspll ^^ °"/ °" **''' '^^•'"^ elusion. There we^ouM h 7 ""^ embowered in .se^ tears, and stk SacrlTirer'T^' """' ''' ""' refuge, Petrina. There is a lift ' v''"^ ** ^"'^ " we could seek just the baL for * L* u "^ "' '" «''*^h seems to breathe in this dd w^^*" wSr'^' "'^'^'' ""^■ me and find it?" "'" wooa. Will you come with yieWteSuSol '" *° "^ ""' ''"' ^^^ -"W not "Would it be far?" she asked. 351 f^ Let Not Man Put Asunder V ' "Not far." ;;Should I be strong enough?" "I h? ^ ^^ enough." " Would ;:ufri^dtf™ft"''' ""*'" '''« -'«»«-d. wiufnr^oriL'^f"^;:;,''-^' «'•'' «>« touch thrilled her .-^j^^';^/' he whispered. seemed to W S shfhadt^ae ll^ong.''"^ '''^^'' ''^« Itert '& "^m CHAPTER I to find that Emilia de Roh. "^^ ^ ^^"^^ *« "lem Gerald Bertie i^ Le Nor^^ Tf,""'' ^' Homburg,and nessestothebeginmn^ofTh. "^ '"^''^ "'"^ "° *"■ Oldbams ^f Tn"L *^^ "^^ experiment. cottage, wLwgeenouJhf'^'^"1:' '''°"^h '^-""l - merehadtakenifLTS.^-^'^/fied living. Lech- was in the feeling that s^e LrfA "'^,^,^''* P^^^^'e m Boston was not a home to h." ?"°^" ''""^^ said, she might returnTi h T T"'- ■ S^^^^day, she years hence, when Z ^ \}u^ '^ ^ " '^""^ °nly be to be able to b^gbagain^'' ^ su^ciently forgotten restg^'pLrffi/trf^^t"' ^"^J-^ ^-"<^ « such a degree that at nr^=! /u ""^ P*'^* ^^^ failed to the tempom1^'''itXhJr"?'''''"°'e° beyond brought herTf huSaSn and 'f^'J*^^ ^^^^^ had be soothed in coun W ZJe Afnii"''" ^^^ ^'^'^ *» no half-estranged frfen^ to f °'''>™' ^'^^^•^ ^^re problems to solve. She was n^T' '"'',"° ™"«P«cated no longer, a waif. She lad on!°"^'' '°"''/' '^' ^^- household, and duties Sh. I? f *u"''7 ^ husband, a which to hold, and he; rfrif^ f ^''^"'^^'"'^ «"<:hor.s by mere. Any title w^cT,' '" ""^ '^^"'^J Mrs. Lech- had borne Sew h""'''""!.' '""^'^ f™« 'he oncThe =>ne had feit that she had no right to ooo Let Not Man Put Asunder lous ^sUion. She could 'cal trLrs^lr'onTX itraTli?r:S^ '^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^"-^ ^- Svin, hS »r,!?= '"'"^^'^ "'^^ courteous and considerate, but Pe- tnna was surprised to find that, after their mama^r we^t^rshe^be "' ^"^'' *"" '"^"- As Cwel's Wr^ af all H^l^", L?''"'? ""^^ ^^^ '^^ °°t know mm at all He watched over her and saw that she had no w,sh which was not gratified ; but in his own Sht he remained apart from her. That which was iSfcv in fnendship seemed like distance in marriage It was soon apparent that the Lechmere of daily U?e was a siknt man, with an occasional inspiration to tJk;rsadi^* with a frequent caprice for society. The vein of mv^' ticism in his character repelled Petrina Ws tend^cv" l^lTh^tSThlg^^LiTi^^^^^^^^ Who h. waked from the fi^of remTta"tion to £ r^'it\^u ^""™^'' ''^"t °n' P<:Wna began to ner- cave that there were limits to such consolaffon asZ had secured. The interest Lechmere had shonntn her almost ceased. He was never unkind, but he s"o^ off was so marked that she grew uneasy. She wondered InVT '"^ '^' "'^P '^^y ^^^ taken together Ihe r t J t «he regretted it herself. Here, howe.^ she tTX ^" '"f '-tions. She dared not dwell ^Xt thought. For It was curious that now, when she had 356 Let Not Man Put Asunder was more Sfnll'^Jesennha^ between then,, he their separation. Now and th.^ * T^ ^™^ ^'"^e garden, whiling away a Jlu.^ ^' ? "^ "^* '" ^er her book fell unread fnfn f f September afternoon, «elf wonderinnrw he'L^f '«P: ^"e she found herl ■narriage, and whether S^h''"^/''" "^^^« °f her perceptibly to herself sh. l^ "^."""^ ''™ P^in. Im- less bitterness. Now that s^f " '" ''^'".'^ °^ b'™ ^^'h she felt that she couTd jud' hi^' ^''°'^" ™«"'« ^'f^' before. Her marriage had l^^ Z°u ""P"««"y than former life that she^coSw S'^itT^ '"' ^"^ ^^^ sentence which a new ~^^ '''^, ^^"^ '^rt "^ achievements of theTasf Tn " '^" ''^''^^^ "" the cere's mysteriousness and reser^TT ^"'j ^ech- simple and sane. There wpli' ^''^^''"nd Vassall puzzled her. and she lon«dTnr v ^^^„.'^*'^" Lechmere And yet, with strand! K ^f^"-" ^"idance. toLechL;e'spl;^rcriTetftt""^^ '""^ ^'""^ days alone, she was restless ^nil " /° P^^^ '°ng The tie between them wfs 30 ^ht'th^r.^f ^'^"'" breaking. She was marri^ to i •!' ^^^ ^^^'^ "« they had agreed that mlS„„ *"'"' '^ ^«« t^"e, but and she lived in dread^? V f .^^^ ^ temporary tW„g at an end. Tso "he wou^d bJ"^Kr"J^"* '•'^■^ -- decision, and should wander f. i^ ^^"^ '° ^'^'^^P* ^is at the word of Abraham *^ ^^^'"' ^^^ ««gar as ™f ?ol"i?i^?^^^^^^^^^^^^ r'^ on Felicia the idea startled her 'ih u^^ ^^''^^^^ one day; and Madame de PrJnyJs other fhanT^'li'f '"^ ^°-^^-«^ -re's life; but She ^.'^ :^^^SZi^^^ 357 Let Not Man Put Asunder turbed in that corneV of WeXl'' ^"^'^ °^ ^"^ ^'^ had found rest. Amol fl fl "^ ^" wandering feet the glades of Keston Pafk^h/r^' f 1 ^^'^^ «««> she did not care^lelhfnt «,!„?", "°* ^tP^^- ^°' *at be kept hidden ^Jh^^ZTltieT.'^^u''''''''^^'^ that she might lose Lr rff ""^^ ^" *° think found it. ^ ^ ^^ '"^"S^ ^^ ««n after having Now a*5 STen's'ieLtd ^'"^"3: .^ew afraid of hin:. more than ever thf exVesSn^f v^'i''^? ^avehim the First. They fell into th^ ^= t,^ 1 Vandyke Charles old-fashioned black dres^^riT ^""°y; "> "er careless, the blaze. But it wa- «P« «he would "And you were not willing to be one." " ^r f "°* ^T'' ^^ ^"^ continued. tHouthtfSly!UL;rSrL^^:fi;t^■r'''1i women separate for the most inadequate of' re"sT„s^ £^T;of1n^;.irT:ll5lftHed^^^ deaths, or do my best to put up w^th them If I hid ^ZlTr'' °" '^' -'iect I shLd'^tiu^th: f-S^;?rts-r!isH^9t husband s phylacteries, and worn as a fronflpt L. every married woman's eyes " * ^'"'^'^ .Jih '^°"lV'^''^^e 't would be becoming," said Petrina with a rather wan smile. «trma, "That's what we women think most about nowadays ^ gTto the'at" '"'' ""^ ^^^^^ "^ P"^"^ and ThlT we go to the altar as we go to the dressmaker's, to get 359 »^«^«KP''; Let Not Man Put Asunder :; And you think it llZZ tften"?^* "^•*' and, oh, dra: they're eoin^ °2 ' ^"^- «* ^''y «»«<• didn't kno^ that! did yoLf W.^Z ^ ^^y^ You dreadful blow to me H I r„.T^ L ^^% "''■ ^t'" « when I made such a fuss aL ^ot h'^^'V"'"^ ^^^ chamben,, three years aeo I ^,h ^"""P^^y to go into «condtime. JuftTwn^«o?it l£lt?^ '^''^^' « step-mother. I shoulHn •♦ J j ^ '* t**® creature's 3tand font when SS^ttS'^^^'i they asked »« *° to oflFer me the best ntZ,^^- ^^^^ '^^'' »' « Point kind of queen^owager B*^ i^' ^' ^^^^^ ^ ^^ « that Humphrey sS" be hi ' "^"^l *° '"^ ""natural I'm still ahve!^ ^^ '^'""^ °ther children when you^^CGS*^;? ;!'•"- °^ yo- °-. Emmy, if 360 Let Not Man Put Asunder p^ftMl^he? Has Dick ceased to think of Felicia de Petrina let her sewing faU and turned .^arlet. ^don t know what you mean, Emmy," she stam- Sw T' i'^'' ^'^ **°*^"'t 8'^« « thought to Feh da "°7o.. ^*"'**' ^« "l°«sn't deserve it." '° ^'""^ ohe never did." jJAnd at present less than ever. I saw her at Hom- "P^»i^"^. ^/"T^"*' ''^' ^^'^ «" interrogation. «nW^ tl^gl'' Lady de Bohun pursued. "ShTwas t^Ki *u^''°'^°[ ^^ ^°"»«' «W-like me. She was had^sold her wonderful pearls, for those she ZTwere "Did you speak to her?" the'^rt ^m"" ^^^ ^^^ ^"^ ^y- »>«! I hadn't hJL}*^ A f*"* * '''"°«n l*e her has lost Voice I^^'^'^aVV' '^' "°^* miserable cr^^e cipher a^f Ambles.de and Agneta Yorkshirfh^d coild?; Tf '"^T ^ "'^""''^ have done so too. bTi ^S:i'hJ'^k':S:rSS'="«-^^'»3^-^ woman*" s:!^SlSL:eSL,JSkrt-l- 361 il I Let Not Man Put Asunder at heart." ^ "^°™"" " " ^°S '" the manger looked down iTto E„X.,fe,HT' **'-«'„r"' " '^e of seeing you. I faS Jn?.^ • T.*';.. ? '"'» "^^'d wrong." "*^ y°" "«ht think I had done case I feel more or less res^fwe " ^"'"'' *" y*'"' self If T if r^- ^^^ °"f " responsible but my- wle." '^"' '^''*' « '^«t«''«' «o one elLis fj you "TheTdrTi toT "^i^^* ' ««"»^°-ed sure you wouU have iSS" Uh H "^ Humphrey I am that I influenced y^uc^LSv^; l '*°'>''."«=a« atmosphere we lived in Twa, fl "* *' "^^ "» ^he WecaughtitfromSe'^otheTTusttl.r'rK*^ '°^'=""^- an air. We're aU morally sick-HL^^n^'*'"?^" ^""^^ and you and I and the whnl-7 ^^'^'^^"''^^itian Yorkshires and Pojlts^i T^ffl' "^^^'t^ ^^ -'^^.thoi; ££Sl?"-^ I am to blame. Mother thinks so t<» "' ^^^ ''^' ^^ Uoes she speak of me?" "Always. She writes pages about you " 362 ■ Let Not Man Put Asunder P^!^ ,«1^' ''"'"■'= *° "^"'^'^ °"^ '"juries." rf,r«^^*t^ * """'""" *•"> averted face. When she spoke there was a slight tremor in her voko dear^lrT; "°"""' ™^ '°^'=' ^" y^' EnnnyT-«xy ab^p«l"ih^rk^r.Xo»e t\^^^^^^^ ago «JU> instructions notio^iel t ZmZ ^7 Hesaid It was of no importance, so I suppose h is^' " Good-bye now, dear. Come over to Orpin^on as ^^ ha^frersri:c:ry^s:™&-^^^^^^^^^^ ^c r^cSr^, - ••--- =" tho,!fM''"u'l!."'' ^^"^ ^^"* ""^ something," was the U^ought which was crying through her b^ain "Mv husband has sent me this " "^ 363 MOOCOrt (ESOIUTION TBST CHAIIT (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) ^ APPLIED IfVHGg In ^B*. 16^3 East Main Street 5-^ ?-?f!'?*'t'i ''«'' I'O'''' H609 USA ^^ (716) 288-5989 -Fax CHAPTER II On an inner envelope Petrina read these words: " What is contained within was written, not quite with the ZTl'hH ^u" ^^"'"^ '"" "^^ "• "°t quite with the inten- Ir .iT. 7^" ^^T}^ "^"^"^ ^ ■' " ^^'l s«rve now to show you that I know I have been wrong. " The sight of the handwriting, once so familiar, thrilled u ■ . ''^!,°P^n«i the envelope and drew out the folded sheets She saw at a glance that the contents had been jotted down from time to time at the urging of some half- articulate emotion. She read slowly and, at first, with impertect comprehension. •' Two years to-day I Two years which might have be™' so fuU, and have been so emptyl Why did you go? Why did I let you go? Your scorn turned me to stone ; but love as great as mine should never have owned itseU defeated. It must have prevailed over you at last. I have been to blame." << o u . , , " January 3. borne one has said that we are forgiven for our sins, but never for our mistakes. I have found it so. For mine I have been chastised with scorpions. I loved you, and did not un- derstand you. It was more than a mistake; it was a crime. I should have studied you and Uarned you. I should have given myself up to the effort to know you. But is it too late now? Surely there is a place of repentance for mel I would make any reparation you demanded— saving what I owe to conscience, right, and God." 364 Let Not Man Put Asunder ..r> I . ■ " January ^. One learns much in solitude. I can understand why Moses, amid the mountains of Midian, should have grown wiser than in the court of Pharaoh. The two years since we parted have been years of solitude to me. I have mixed much with men, but among them I have been as in a desert. I have Uved with an invisible companion ; I have had but one friend ; I have seen but one f ace ; I ha vc known but one personaUty . It has been— my Wife. My Wife! How strange it seems to me that there was a time when I called you so without trembling. Now the two httle words overpower me. They have become to me what the Sacred Name was to the Jew. I can no longer speak them „,T™ *° w^'te them makes my heart seem to stop stiU. Mv Wife! Mine! Mine! I cUng to that proud possessive It gives you to me. It binds you to me. You are mine. You are far away. You have ceased to care for me. But the love you once had, the love I still have, makes you mine You gave yourself to me, and ' The gods themselves cannot recall then- gifts.' You cannot take yours back. You made your- self-my Wife. You may regret the deed, but it cannot be undone. "It cannot be undone. I repeat the words I wrote bS'^SIight And since this is so, why not try once more to be to each other what at first, we meant to be? Could you not make the effort? Could you not let me make it too? I know that you despise me ; I have given you cause for that ; but I love you so that I beheve I could win you back. I know that you hate me I have given you cause for even that ; but I love you so that I feel the power to compel your love to return to me. Could we not begin again? You are mine. I am yours. We are bone and bone and flesh and flesh. We are one entity. As long as we are apart we are cut in two. We belong together. I away from you, you away from me-we Uve only as the branches ave when they have been lopped from the tree. Oh let us go back to one another! Where are you? I do not know It IS long since I have had word of you. But wherever you may be, come back. Or give me just one sign, and I will go to you." 365 Let Not Man Put Asund er not grown uid to ^r a^nc^'l"; ^" ^^ 'T y""" ^ h«ve man grows used to ttost F^h ] ''"f """" ''^" ''""»^"ty ure. I have endur^Tonl.^ ^^^ ^^ ""^""^ *« 'ort- I did not kno^ to ^ii*°^yit;/°«f«Lr.'f-^°°>'°«''d that have been sur- that if I ao^kJ^ 7 "^""^ " ""'^ *»'»"«' I And yet that is no aV^r^th Tklv" T"" 'T "^«y- pride and anger, though Sey^ past'""' *?" "'^T ""^ I am brought low I »™ ^^ ui j ^ "" chastened, when he ha'snot Ln ed IT^' t^T^' " 'T'''"' presence; if that is too much with a wnH f!?^.""" '"^ y°" with a look ■ if ihJi^ 7 ^ .'^°''' ' 'f t^^t is too much not be aSr^'s^,V' °° °"'''' '^"^ " *^°"«»'t' '-hich wfll "I know where vou are T 1,«™ i j "January 7. are you there? It ^L^trang^tl mr™^utl*'^f ^''^ morrow I go to find you. I have w^t^ !„„„ 'Mtter. To- you cannot but admit that IhlLTl ?^ ™°"8h. Even never indifferent arso^hiv •**" j«f «°t-patient, but If I ^med^yield t^Ln 7 '"'"'°^ T *° ''^''« 8'°wn. edly, it wasKi I wS not^alw T ** f^'" ''««-•'^- could not do sponteneoTsW T \°^ y°" *^' '^'^'^l^ y°" sensitive to P^^" t^FeaW tl" '~ P?"*! *» P'^d. too for your forgiveness R ,?t ' ^"J^' *°° •'"'tal to ask wheAer I w™ht or ~^"/d °° 'r^"" J '^° "<" know row to find you. At l^sTS?sil.n ^!!?' "^^ ^ ^*^ tO""""" I shall see ^our fa1^SJJ'':;t^.11i::-^t';,;;^!r'>'en. miin t;irk"i^ Lr^rj""^ ^.'^^ mo;>Thiryou it? Canyoubel^crud^ v^"'°°°^- Can you mean can you Ly myX^ oltr^? 'r"rwir""f^ "^ »>"' staggered by this new blow sfunned w'tV "°* "^f " ^ "" ready to rardon you, to ToraeSiiL^ new.nsult. I was you to pardon mUenXeTlftUTj^^gnt 366 Let Not Man Put Asunder I wiU leave you to do as you desire Pn ^„ r .j , n » iV- ^ " nonunal freedom: I shall crrf ;« »~, But nothing can ever break the real )^r,A Cl ^ ' '°°- not deceive yourself aboS thaf T„ ^''"*" "^- °° law but you'will ^ vtquilhtd bJ°tSe dfv^nr " a'h \"^n that IS God, by all that is Nature, by Si that "rLov. ^ "^ my wife. I am vour hiioh=„,i v ''°'^*' y°" are begin." "^ J°"'«' together. Then your chastisement wiU thlSfl^r^rcll'^tfti-r *^"- ^'^'^"-^."en is wrongtoTha^^'^:''eagttt^e'er;,];.T "«'"'' '"^P^" « that you should be chai^d^t^o^'m^^tam ofX"Lt^T other wf cou"d n^er me^^'' ^', ^T "°' "^-^^ ^^^ '^<^^ -a-justen:a^oTuch"^ tr?ta?aSt''r^^^^^^ tree that has loved a pahn There isn?^* , the pine- stand rooted in my Lren nortWrnd '^"u ^ T '"' '? rfouTn:':;er ^ t J ^eH^ 'Xv^"" ' -^ ^" "- K you did not u^e^stan^ Th^ th A ^"^'r^^ thought that make you undeTstand The™ o^r^N ""'t '"^"T^'^ *° sho.d ever^^r. llTn' yt ^e" ^dtdt^ ^^ ^ 367 Let Not Man Put Asunder ^^^ck and wann yourself at its flame ; it wiU be bright for your sharp ^v"°"u ^^'- "^^'^ y" 'hi"k you could ne"r ever The f T' '^'^ "-^"'' '"''"' '"t^^W not 4an r:; tt i^^ToL-hraar- "^^ '^ -^-^- -» •- g^i' \r fi'^^"'%'''^"^ •* ■« ^ factrw!%''o^'by : good-bye. The fire is always burning in this poor heart which every one thinks frozen; but you wil nev^comTVo 7^ ^'T''" "* '' ^"5^ ""'''■ That hope, d^ as it was s ended. Once more, good-bye." ' Up to the present my arms have been open to you T^tW for your return; now they are closed But no I r ^ , ""5 it. The love I had for^you, the'pjy I^JJmtve!mi: ^gen! 368 Let Not Man Put Asunder ^i^rcZ'i z;'2zr ^"^ ^^ •»- yo. do^ you have mingled. You wi^" "T ''""'' "' *he cup S were to look towarHQ K~ "" '™n — even fhor. r a- your hus^:? ^otTe T T'" ^^ '' "o^X J°I ever, good-bye, good-byel" ^«^"' and I suppose for^ very «,d she bowed h" h'eS „Sn Sif "'^"' *° «>« Oh, Harry, my husband "^ ^ ^^^^ ^nd sobbed rae, after all. WhydWIl ^'^^ °'°«"«'. "you lov^ m this strange pfec'ti hTw^ ^^"^ Why am I W? not my husband- this U It ^"^^ ""^n? This is you? Don't you knol T , °' "^ ''"'"e. Where are you ail alongr " °"^ ^ ^°^^ you?-that I have lov^ '^Wh?t7'^'T"*"P^'*acry. -If? Whos™ wif^Cf, S-* -- I naaldng of my r-TeiJ^a-K?-^^^^ He^ Hands, andrdltXhSitS'- ^-"' one &,.S::tt ir'^-'"Pa-n; I have had H , .--^rrt^-rfst&Sl"'^ „ "" "a^'e. niakes you 369 Let Not Man Put Asunder "You are mine. I am yours. We are bone and bone and flesh and flesh. We are one entity." "N< ing can ever break the real bond between us. Do not deceive yourseU about that. You may control human taw, but you wiU be vanquished by the divine. And by aU that IS God, by all that is Nature, by aU that is Love, you are my wife. '' Only when the living heart can be torn out of the living body can your existence be wrenched out of mine." " Oh, unhappy woman — I" But she could read no more. She flung the paper from her and fell npon her knees. "Harry dear Harry, spare mel" she muttered, brc kenly. " I have wronged you. I was bitter to you. But oh, take me back I Let me come home. I am afraid. Everything here is so mysterious and awful. I don't know what Dick means. I don't know why he is so silent and strange. I don't even know why he mar- ried me. Come for mel Help me to escape I It is like living in a nightmare. I am your wife. We gave each other our young love; we were to each other what we could be to no one else, what no one else can ever be to us. All the consecration that makes two beings one came down on us and made us man and wife. We are the living heart in the living body; to be torn asunder is like death. I know it, Harry. I have always known it. But I was ignorant, wilful, and wicked. They per- plexed me with their laws and lies. They made me think the unnatural natural and the false true. But I have learned better. I am your wife. I am not Dick's. I am only Dick's — " She sprang to her feet again. The blood surged into her face and receded suddenly, leaving her pale. The room seemed to swim around her, and she leaned on the high back of a chair to keep herself steady. 370 Let Not Man Put Asunder I'Wck's what?;; she asked herself. . ™s nustress/'came the reolv a« ,f J»r j t voice outside her "h;= • .P'^'.^^ " delivered by a "St'c^^V" T' "^"■y '^^««''"'« wife." voicSounliniSSih';'? ^""^'.-^""^ ^'-d. her made a suddc^ SoTement Ske a?''r^ '''^ ^°°'»- ^he to wrench itself fTee "Ta' t-LnS"^ '^! ^"^"^1 t^J^ng dry, hard voice, fuH of a t^H '^^' "'"^.'•^P^«t«J.ina uation. "If I am h, 1 ^^' recogmtion of her sit- man'smistresi^^n'.teirrh^f^! ^ ?™ «>« "*« K I am still Harrv'fwi e it at r " *°° ''""• ^^^KrrsiE^^s: hurst down the r^m. As she passTa • '"'^,!^ "^ ^^ wjth its Ion,, tread, seemedThl:,f"Srthar f'^'"''' lelme creature in a cao-e uZ ^^ °^ ^^"^^ expression of a mufed^n thi^ very eyes had the less, pathetic paSfo? omf "S?""'^ " ^^^'- escape. '^"'"^ unhoped-for means of "K I am still Harry's wife I am a f=li I am still Harry's wife I ana f^^ "^T^"' " . Sherepeated^lhet^rLme^hanSllTT.' '""l7?r'".^rS* to be taken in auif^inc?"'' '"^^"- I ^^'nkZyT.^'^ltlllr'^'^^^^^^^ And Igavemysdf tohfminlway wWcS ! ^ "^^ ^f^" back. Nature itself IL one t t^ 1 "?x^V^'^"« a divorce? The tearing of ^ frj^^^^ ai^flti^ Let Not Man Put Asunder from flesh. If it were a possible thing it would be a cnme against Nature. But it isn't a^^posl^ble tW^g Oh, I wonder .f other women feel as I do?! kno^^ rnTert°the';' ^T* '^"^ '^"^^"'^ '» ^usSd I Tr^fTi, 'j^'^y.T"^ •>«ve moments like this? I won- der If they don't have days when Nature asserts h J^U aW sophistry, and they o.n themselves whatlhly inf^l^^"^,"^ ^rf *'°^" ^""^ '■"""'J ^nd ™«nd- turn- bv^thp f«M "^^ '■''" " *'«^*""- Suddenly she s topped K£n Sn'.^"" ^"^"^'^«> ""^ ^^ '°- ^heetsTe ''' You may tear yourself away from me,'" she read you may go where you will and become what Tou wU you may tell yourself never so often that I am nothing to you and that you are nothing to me Z m your heart there will always be the knowledge! how ever unavowed, that we are man and wife.' Yef ; t^aTs ^:i w ^'»'"^"t«J- "That knowledge is in my heart. We are man and wife " ^ hands. *"™^ ""^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^"'^ ^«» trembUng /''The farther you go from me,'" she read again the more persistently will your thoughts rehVrn rrfu"s?t"f' "'" 1'' ''' "'^^' -en wZ your ips refuse to frame the word.' But they don't refuse any longe^ Harry," she whispered, hoarsely. "I adLH I hf forgotten you; you seemed so far away it was as If I had outhved you; and now, heart of my Wtl you are back with me, claiming me, maste/ng me when I am only a fallen woman who dares norrftum: If I am your wife I am his mistres.s-mistressl-n^ tressl-mistress! Who ever could have prSd fta^ such a name should one day be applied to Te? J vS 372 Let Not Man Put Asunder She crushed the pTge in hX^A T ^^:" on the table, and ^ggercd „ Z "^T,""? " "'^mn leaned on it to suppwf herse) f r '"«"t'='-P«-«- She "I suppose," sh^n^^'e^ \1 ;,5^''^^^^^^^^^^ -f> ^aint. moments as this that ooonl. Z ,i ., " " '" s"ch They want .omVonerdo thT' "^ '•'j?"'"-''^'^'' « ««<«• pray. If I believ^ in a °oJl sTu''''"' ^"^ ^ "''-■>' there is nothing ^ aH flu • "'"^ P^^' *°°- B"t to take n,e out of the net ^ whichTH^T'^'y '^"°"«h Godl-God whom Ha^v V \^^'' '^" ^«"«ht. Lechmere believes .^f-ff^ Vassall serves and Dick with me, as they wo JlT tell meX """' '" "j'^ ^°"'" cry to you, out of all Ve dc^th, f ^"" ^"'- ^ ^°"''' to come and help me B^.tT "^ "" woman's xvoe, such Godl If Kved ?s ,n "u "'', "?" ^^"'^ '■« no call upon what ifS Lorheln,"'^ ^^^ ""= ^'^ '''"^ But a sudden change cTn o'lt h^r "l" '"^^'^''■'.' of terror passed for an ;„=i * •*" expression began oncfmofe to U^ /he^^^L!'"''^^ "^^^ ^^^ ^he try not to givfway " ""'" * "^ ^»°««h. I must "^"i^^^t^ -PetS'sheTfolSd' ""''-' ''- I shall break my own heart first rr,r'^'"'\ ''^^'■ everything I ever believedTn^of h Id Lt e ""^' °"* baS't £r ch«kThrrhrj""r'r "^-^ •^*-'-- her eyes. She look^' KerteKhh'"'"'^' "^"'" ■" A hard smile began to gb-m™b;i^:?^- ^PP--'- 373 Let Not Man Put Asunder "You've been frightened by a ehost " she «iM .j dre«.ng her reflection in the Vai Vt ,. ^'t dJrL'l rf V" '?""" ^ ■"°'«' courageous. The day isn t lost. There is still something left to fiX or. You must be strong and daring, and never awfn to a su,p.„on upon your own honor Hai^y Va^" must be nothing to you. If his image is sUH inZr at whatTC-?*' I^,«Pi«=-hatheha^swritte^ Hugh at what he thinks. Show neither weakness nor m^y for otherwise you are lost. You are lost, do you hS You must be Dick Lechmere's wife. It is Xt «tle Sd^,n r' ^^ry" "'^If-^-tecm. and enables you to hold up your head among men. You must cling to it yourself; you must let no one question your ri^ht /„ wear it. For you Harry VasJl is like a dead'^SU s"b.^r ^"1"P^ ^t^^"'^""^' ^^'^ Lechmere's wife^' bhe turned from the mirror slowly. She was calmer Her color died away again, but her excitement dT^! "Yes, I must be Dick's wife," she assenterl "T must be that. I must be that, i must Kfrry ou forever. I have no choice about it. EveryVWng dl Ta"^""? "Z^T^ ^- The lot is cast,and I mus^ «et broken ^r^ ' (^'' ' '""^' "^'-^ ^^'Z lie is broken. The man I love is nothing to me anv more. I am Dick's wife. I am Dick's wife." ^ bhe moved slowly towards the table and gathered She folded them with care. Then, stooping, she lafd them on the fire and watched them bum -riT^h^JT rtV^' ^r. ^*" "« ^^y but slowly. The sheets, bordered by a faint edge of flame grw cnsp and curled apart. Here and th^™ ♦!,» i.„5„ _. writing became legible. Petrina bent ( "Love as great as mine and read : 374 Let Not Man Put Asunder "The love I still have—" "Oh, let us go back to one anotheiW I am your husband; you are my wife " torever good-bye— good-bye I" But the fire burned up more briskly, and a auick. eaping flame blotted out all the rest. A f" w mSi^tM ater there was nothing left of the record of v3^ love but a litUe heap of ashes. Petrina turned from the fire, and, walkinir to the wmdow, laid her forehead against the pane * n,„.f t t . """Z- "^^ "'""""'•ed. "I don't cure. I must not love lum. I don't love him. I love Dick He IS my husband. I don't care " She choked back the sob which rose as if in protest agamst her words^ and tried to rega her s^l"-^:^* wn^JH ^ '"^ *".*/' *^" «" »g d«.rk. Dick thing had happened to unnerve her. ^ th^half *° ^'^ ^°°'' "''* ""^'^^^ " ^""^ ^'^ "' nto van""" ^' ^^^^^ returned?" she asked a ser- up.sSr?:" '"^^^ '•*" *°'"^"- ""^^ '^^ '"«* gone Petrina went up too, dragging herself wearily Her own room, as she entered it, was dark, but the 'fcL'eT '^°"?'' *^' *'^"-°P^" ^'^^ *Wch led into J.echme.es dressing-room. Instinctively she paused and looked within. Under the hanging lamp IS mere was standing partially turned tow^ards her I„ fes left hand which fell at his side, he grasped a new^ paper He had apparently been reading it. Petrina noticed unconsciously that it was the Paris Fi^^ ^ his nght hand he held a mimature, into whicfhe was gazmg eamesUy. Petrina knew it to be the Uke- 375 Let Not Man Put Asunder ness of Felicia de Prony, that alwavs sfn™i Ko j his bed. When he had lookSiong he^iisSIhe ^•'*'' lature to his lips. raised tne mm- txhJXl^r ^"u"^ ^"^'^ '««' ^°'ds to me." Pe- tnna thought, aa she sank into a chair art! sighed CHAPTER ni He came and stood before her In *l,o j i could not see his face bi,t fhTi, j darkness she trouble. ' "* ^^^ ^^ ^ premonition of no7sS*"' ''' '"^""■" ^'•^ '"''"'^«^' -hen he did n^Sp^lrp^neT^^lStSi^^ ShaU you be gone long?" ^rony. I can't tell yet. It may be a week Ttm=„k I will write to you, " "^^ °^ ™°''e- Other questions were on her lins h„* <=»,„ ,1 j , put them. She was trembhng ^ih fL, Auf "u she might lose him She haH ■ I ..^ ^"' but heiight be t'ed alrLSy'ofV jJrH^" •*'•!!,' not be dastardly; she was sure of tW ^ n . ^^-°"W of the one love of his hTe were to ^ ," ^" '^ '^" be deaf to any claims thT.lZ tj '"'" ^^ -°"'<1 heedless of any Sn shlmigt h'v^to'"' i"'"'' %^^ knew that she ^uld couS te n^fl f ^T" S**^ Prony were to speak *^"^ '^ ^^^'^^ ^^P« h.m, he would have Wn «, L^'^'^ ''^'' ""'y a^ked trouble." ^ "^^ «^^ed a lot of time and eX*2 n!,T'tfe"Pf"- Pleaded, did; for before Chn-stari ^^^^^ ^^^^^ Gertie readyforus/'h lid ^-^thint ^''^''^' '° ''^ ™-de .t hasn't been lived fn for yt "s /°" ^" "'^'^ "' *ough heartr^rSraXzeYa^i TfTf^ ^^*"-' ^^^se nounceraent. ^ ^* *^ ^rst words of his an- 381 Let Not Man Put Asunder I may be a long lime "I think it would be better over there." not S Ws'i^?' "''' •" " ^°'^^ ^ ^^^ *at it did again of if so noSl "' "'^'' '"J^*"™ *" America why? she asked K V"T ^'^" '^^'^ «°"^ »'y- B»t CHAPTER IV n/l"^ ''°T . ^**""^ ^'^'* " ^ ^^o-n 'he first hour at the Meerstead-the old Lechmere place on the ul lands behind Brookline. "P^ The house had long been uninhabited, and the fur- nishings were faded and old-fashioned; but the rooms were stately and cheerful with winter sunshine. The land had been the Lechmeres' meerstead from very early times m Boston. It had been at first a farm- the Lechmeres themselves were farmers. They were a dreamy, fanatical race, but at the same time thrifty Z%^ Boston grew in importance they increased iii wealth. From bemg yeomen they became gentlemen. To their farm they added merchandise, and each gen- CTation made some advance upon the last. After the Revolution the Lechmeres of his day replaced the farm- house by a colomal mansion, which, in turn, about ^^'^i' ^ *r ^^' ^?^^ P'^'^^ *° ^ ^"" ^^^Ser dwelling, pJ^l i T^T^u"^- *u^"*! Z""" *^^ P«e"do fort rhfr^Servtrtrhe^r.'^." ^^ « — ceive letters withouTLnini h .u"^ "^"^ "°' ^^en re- therefore, one nSng K:n?J T '?u^- ^■'>-' going to drive into Boston ^H i^^"" ^^ ^« '^as evening she was sudSyVrl"""'' ""' '^*"™ «" with'^^tLTimibTto^: '"' r^" ^»"« -'^^^^ "Hardin " uf ""'"^^'O'e to conceal. tooS"!^^' '>^^««--«J- "Therearesomany things I'm su^her^^ Vt^J^r^ ^"^ ^- " 'o Jones. And I'm sure I ran " r i. smile. It was his nTw 'sm^lf '^"'■" '"f'^'^' ^"th a sanity which she hTd reSklJ f ??'" °^ '=''^^"1 felt slightly reassur^ '^'^'^^ °f late-and so she ^s^i^'t£rdf;,to'rriirar r^^i; •^-^ ^- - •settHng"th< housTrheytT ^^^ ^^re still tnbuted such objects as thevh.^K ""If'^l^ed and dis- and were now icupS i„^aS,''!■°"S^,* f^""" abroad, celain and plate after XT ^"^"^n& the family por in which sh^LtlfghTed Vnf ;/r^" '' ^«« ^ ^^ had been one ofteT^^^f-J^/or m^^^^^^^ Let Not Man Put Asunder '<«t heart. She placedTh iL^ff ?.' '*«''»'"«« »he the drawing-room a^d tLn TJ?"^ °" " ««"« ^n watched himS dow„?h?i "'""""* '^ « ^"^ow. town. * *'°"'" "»« '""K avenue towards the its^i^cu^1t"i;?d'^i:l":^" "^^^ -"- "-e cart and She waf'vagry'irha^;^ TheT "' ''"'''•'^ *'-"• oncf to grow laroir »J?i^^" T^ '*°"^* ^^""ed all at from the^iLow her surrn"''.''"- ^''«» »•"= '"'"«! come strange asTh„,!lhT^"!l'^"^'' ^"^ suddenly be- She had a fetur^'SeVear fhatT '^'""^ l"°"« «"->• her there merely to T^f-M u t ''"^'""^''^ '»«'' '>™"Kht fort, and thlMhe t£''£^„''^ '" '*[«'^'y «"d com- come back no more ^ ^ ''''"'' *»* ''«'• 8°"^. to Sh!^:iJt'°tirSldt'S.w.^ ""'^ *" ^--" 't down, here, now there sSrn^r u?'" ^"'" P'«=«l " ""w her mind was ^'ot ^Ik/tatf wf "*' ^^*- «"' bowl it looked awkward an^nL Wherever she put the At last she leffTtl^^Slv „„ "f Kr*^" °^ ''^«=«'- and resolved to riveX a«onf- ! fu '^ '" * «=°"»". the pictures She vl5 . ."''°" '° *« rehanging of leys together fnl Kaf '^''^ ^'''^ '° ?«* the K before it. Judge Ea^/? ^u'"^ ""^^ "''^ ^«=°"ed century smalWolhes and ^ ^ Tr,' '" «gh'eenth- Per's, glanced at her wi n . ?f * ^t^ *" P°^t Cow- though D^ck-s own^;3:fweV°S'estrs hrsh: 386 Let Not Man Put Asunder passed hurriedly on to PenHl„,w. i u pnm young i.^^^^ mui^anrblu ^'^JT'^' ," "'•''"'^ 'he girl, too, had the L«-hrn«, nbboned cap; but tical, gentle, and Lcrnc^UW ^ r*"'""'''"'^' ">>■- "CM. Even though it wa, « «unn *"' ^''y '"^«'i'- -e to ,,,„,, thetlZrnffiSj tfd she''".;!? ^S^ste £ Tnf r '"' -"'*''" ''-. ^rhaps Dick Luirntyt^Z^^^J^'^^'^'^ -''- cormng an obsession, and she tL ^ 'u'-''? ^'"^ ''^- She turned her back upon the rt J *° ^'"''^'^ '' "« ;ng eyes, and went slowly dof.?^^' *'"^ ">«- haunt- o fix her attention on^mer ^^^ '°°'"' endeavoring looking to the eastward ^TcLu^f, ''"". ^' ^ ^'"^ow outward. Far awav nv.r ^,'"^,^"^ gazed absently landscape, two sUr'sri^^' ^ of undulating winter They were the spirTs 0^0^! rr^K°".' ''^^'"^' t'"' «ky- told her so one day andSnr^^lT^"!^"' ^^^"^^re had without thinking ^f Harry VastH ^'^Th '^" "^"^ ^''- questions concerning him to whfl u ^"^ '^'^'"^ many glad to know the answeT Had h.t' ^°"l^ ^'''■' ^'^^ returned? Would he shrink frn^ '^^^ ^^^^ '^' h«d ^he shrink from meeting wt^'Tr T'""^ ^''- ^'^ how should thev erepf !S,.u /u , "^^ ^ei^e to meet ciful? ShouldThe be aSot^''^ ^°"''' '^'= •"= »■« ' She was still p^nderin^ 1^^^..^^ self-control? of carriage-wheeK: "^£;i^,/h-^« -{i- « -und thai some old. unwelcome Jrien. 1 "' ^^' '''""^^t m on her seclusion anTered her '"S^l*^"™"^ to break was terrible abroad was^J^f n ^^l ■"'°'""de which Massachusetts. She Tema' n^V,TTu '''^ '^^ ^^^ in «ng, while the door was Zn^ \ ^^ "^'"^"^^ "sten- was^^ned and some one entered Let Not Man Put Asunder pSZ^T'h" "" *^"'" announced. ple«.u«* It could „"?bijKS" tr"^'"""' ""'"^ '""> embarraMment, and after th. fi '^'"'"" "*'"»'«* "^'h both women w^re confuL pT *''T'i"«f» ^''^ °v" a sofa, where thev«;T^' ^J''?^ '*<* »«'' K"e«t to toward, Soth^wonX'li'''' by «de M turning ^anltiw^'^'^''' •'■"'' ''-^" W"- Va.«ll be- the "de'T'wS^ 5^^*^" ke^SKtil.lJ^'^ evening " "* *^'" not be back till "I hope you will never hesitate apain It ■ camUtdfaTd^he'r'"^ '" Mrs. ^.as Ju", face be- " Wh.iu' u . ^'^^'^ '"°''« nervous >han before " A STh ^'""^"J' '"^ " *Ws," she beran bnTsouelv one." ' '^^"- ^t ™e nng for some 388 Let Not Man Put Asunder fell rather faint for a min.,#!f k . f'*^"* K° »"• I •teaing on the world. But^^^ »' Judgment were what must be heaH, and whe„ ,h« "^ ^'^" <° »>««' " Ves?" she said still h^5^ .^ "^^^ " «'as calmly what then, deaS vi^J'".? **»'= °"'«'» hand. "S "Ohr"'' '*''*''* ''*'•" "I couldn't. Shewa««.ri, not at all a lady." "^ " "''^ ^"""non person- " What did you do?" '' VoTiJe":^-.'^^:,^' -'?lj°°k „er address." "Some money. Oh not Zr^*" '" amazement, cany her over a few days!^ ""'*'' ''"^'Hust enough to And she took it?" as '^^o^s^$\T.ZTKr^7 "in'' '"^•-ned. that the stoo. she told m; wasn't fJi' J "" "° '''^"ht r;^ ''-r.iry "-^thout dZgTmeth^'' ''p ^ '^°"''''''' I didn't believe her I cried wk^^" ^^^n though It was so pitiful." "^ ^''^" «he told me her tafe tell me wVafsheIa°d '^ ^ ''"'"^ "°*'''"« about it. Do canJheth^TogSh^r.'Iro?; Jr^' ^""^ '^''^P^ we I *h.nL they'd take her. 'psTMS^a^th: Let Not Man Put Asunder head of it-such a wise person-who has had great ey: penence with women of that class." ^ ' ^"^ Women of what class? Do tell me quickly I'm and mixed you all up together in such a way th^ J ^t^-n"*! 1V^^' '^' ""^"t- She said oveTa'Li ove to^toir^she LT' """ 'T'"""'''^ "■^'^' ^"^ - -«™^ Fpl.-^'i^'™^''^ "^r "^""^ ^* °«« time to Madame Fehcia de Prony. who used to be a singer of some Te ;;i knew that This woman said it was her name." Uid you tell— your son?" po's'sSj K:.'^'' *"' '"'"'* ""'"^*^"'' ''"^ " -"'d ." M*" *^° ^' -^^ ^'^"'t '^^e '^^'■' then?" No; he went yesterday to the address she gave- a very ordinary kind of lodging-house-but she had gone " J^^" ^°'^ ^° ^°" propose to help her?" She will probably come back to me again when she has spent he money I gave her. I thought hlf ™ unpractical person. She wanted to use some of it to have her photograph taken. She said it would help her to get a position in a theatre. " T 7 "11°"'*/^!!'°'^"''°"'^ be Madame deProny. When I last heard of her siie was in such a different situation " was It with an Armenian carpet-merchant?" The suddenness of this question coming from Mrs Vassall .Imost made Petrina smile. "I think it was," she admitted. "Emmy saw her With him at Homburg." ^ ^^ 390 Let Not Man Put Asunder Ja^^' ** Pp<": *»ng told me all about him-such a sad story. She had gone into his family as companion she sajd, though I didn't understand to wh^^ H^ called himseU a Russian prince, but she learned that he was nothing of the kind. When she would have exposed him he treated her shamefully. He even beat her and robbed her of her jewels. In Paris he left her without a word or a penny. She was reduced to such straits that she was obUged to sing in some very ow place, where the men smoked and drank during the performance. This made her ill and she had to give up the position. Then some gentleman-a mana- ger she called him-brought her to America a few months ago She was to sing and dance in comic plavs • but she couldn t ; she was too ill. You can see that'by ooking at her. In San Francisco she had to give up the a tempt, and then with nearly all her money gone she struggled back to the East again. I don't faiow how she knew about me; sh ^ talked incoherently about fomaUon " actresses who had given her the in- ''Did she know that Mr. Lechmere and I had returned to this country?" Petrina put the question boldly, but she felt that all ha- future hfe depended on the answer. T J■?^!^^f ^"^ *° ^^"^ ^^^'^^ something of the sort, but 1 didn t tell her anything decisive. I was afraid she might come here and annoy you. You see, I didn't beheve that she could be the person she called herself and so I was careful about what I said. She asked me where Mr. Lechmere lived when he was in Boston and how she could find him. Of course I didn't tell " }^* ^^ ?''« ^°°^ "l^e?" Petrina inquired, abruptly. Like a dsfing woman." 391 Let Not Man Put Asunder hZ^'^I^'^'^- '^^^ ^»«^«- '«^'led Lady de Bo- huns words of several months before. ^ 1 dor» t mean that, Mrs. Vassall." she corrected " r mean her features and air. Was she beauS" W I " ^".'"^ t^' ^^^^ "^^ ^<* •^n so- though she was She had lovely fair hair, and large, soft, blue eyes TW was a refinement about her in spite of the f7ct that ,1! r^v Sd S'^- ' -"\^--beL:,°ihe;iru'ui£ She stmcd t^r"" "''^ ^•^•^'" ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ had to do i^s n^eTsar^es Th™"'' ^'""* *^ '"^""^« °f «« than beST:!X°e^-^:;-t-^--'- ^-^^ an'imtS" ''^"'" '"'^''«*' "^'^^ <«''"'* «-m like haZhlw '^ "■ rf.°»l''"'t believe that a woman who had held her position and been Mr. Lechmere's wtfe could have come to such awful want " ^ ^^Isn t It only the old story of La Cigale?" „X, y°" ^'""^ 't may be she?" wan?y.'°"'' ^ '°"''^'''* ^^ "^t," Petrina replied, heSer?wr:n?^^ '^' ''°"'* ^^^ "^nk we ought to "If we can." he'fa.ew.^*^''' ^'- ''''^"'''' "^Sht do something if ,"I'd rather he didn't know." "It is naturally a delicate matter " gueslrf Lm*h.f "^ '" *^':'^^^ ^° °»« ^°"W have S fhe could tW,?rof^* ^"^ ~^* -« *he only expedi- ;J92 Let Not Man Put Asunder "If you could find this woman, dear Mrs. Vassall " she began, slowly, "I should be willing to do anything m my power to aid her. I should spare neither care nor money to keep her from want. I should be willing to give her a large income for the rest of her hfe I should do anything, anything, to get her to go away and to keep her from— from troubling Mr. Lechraere " "I understand that dear," said the Uttle woman sadly. "If I can help you, I will." "? •. Lechmere has suffered much on her account. I don't want him to suffer more." "Then you do think it is she?" .i"^^'^'*^'^' ^" ^'^^ '^^^' '^ y°" °'^ Harry— I mean Mr. Vassall— can find her, spend any sum, however large, to feed and clothe and provide for her; only send her away." There was no mistaking the look of beseeching in Petnna's eyes, though she tried to speak steadily and to keep the rmg of appeal from her voice. She would not have any one suspect that she did not feel herself mistress of the situation. "Poor dear!" murmured Mrs. Vassall, the tears startmg to her eyes. "I understand how you feel You must love him so!" "It isn't that," Petrina stammered, coloring. "If only you and he had known each other before he met this dreadful woman, and before you and Harry—" "It isn't that," Petrina repeated, painfully "Oh Mrs Vassall," she burst out suddenly, "life is so hard I I didn t know it was possible to make such mistakes J ve been very foolish. I've tangled myself up in an awful web of circumstance, and now I can neither stay m It nor get out. I've barn like a person running through a quagmire; with every struggle to free myself I've sunk deeper in. What am I to do?'-* 393 Let Not Man Put Asunder She would not ask for She checked herself aeain pJty. Yet ^1,7/ u A "anie'ess, repudiated woman " any but vours V™^i r - "S "*; '^« I ^^^ «°" she no longer shfve^fr*£;e.lJ?-L^t her, but different to everytluW but ih^i ^tt' ^he was in- in immediate stwe fn the ^H^T^'f.u^^'", ""'^^^ ^a^e clouds came up; the'wi^d bTew t°i'tf r^"''"" snow. "If he is rom.r.^ u •,, ' ^"" '* began to thought, looW„;%Tove^' tt Ti""' "°"'" P^*"- new-fallen flake! were^kj^ fni T^' °? '^'^^'^ *« Just before it grew d^k hf i ^"{^^ °^ whiteness. ^^^^^^^^^ int^eWThrwa^fodriiSu^^S til, L a S^tLt ^^elVSt'/heT't;^^^^^^^^^^ back from burS^to tLr^.f ''^'o''^ ''°''' ''"^^l^ ing schooled to seff-comr^n^ '^^ ^"' "'^-" -•"' ^e- of relief than a rene^of 1; Tl^-^? "" °*^' «g" morning, of arranrin^ h/i. • ' •"^^"■"Pt^l in the self to work a^l^^^h b„o™„?"^T"'- -^^^ ''' ^er- fulness in he? e^^ior S-^rfe^^l^t?^^^^^^ 396 Let Not Man Put Asunder prisonff. AU danger was not passed, but the actual moment at least seemed secure. She toik up toe gold^ bowl again, and found a place for it. She rJdSihe be rdiung. It was her nature to rebound from anxiety the moment the stram became a little Ughter. EvenS found her de tennined to make anothfr effort Thf ^me to her from seeing the poor, sicl: creature Mrs & toe ht1th'"W •^f ^*'°"''* fi""* himself dazS PrfnV^! u I ^""l ^^?"*y *^"'"8f ^°' him at home. Petnna had never tned to hold him by coquetry or «t t f %"=°"^«=°'n«and toem, and would d- it now ^J M ^,^-^ ^^'^'^ ^" »« the soft, trailing smi gled black m which she knew she lUed h^V b"^," She put diamond stars on her breast, and clasped a diamond collar about her neck. As she k^ked'^the K'esT ^iSmiL' ^"r^*'"" °f her otn"com! pieteness. And, she thought, wito an astonishment that brought toe warm color to her cheek, "it is fTa dying courtesan toat he would reject suih a „ She dined late and alone. As she rose from toe table and swept into the hall, toere was som^hinf "^ thl'T- H^"* '""^ ^*°^^ su'ddTntyr/S ered. The outer door was open, and a cutting wind was driving m. Two servants were whispe^ng'^arthe oupde -"^ "^"""^ *° '^'^^ ^»« o^wlio wSs hai^^itrS'tS^SS-' '^^'^' ^°^"^ •^°- ^^ There is a person here—" ?t!^ '^^%^* "'^ ^°°'- She and Felicia de Pronv stood again face to face. ^ It was snowing hard, and toe night was cold. The 397 Let Not Man Put Asunder whiteness of theTce^d thT^ "«<=°,nsciously, the blue eyes thatlM7nSli:''''''^'Zf ""^ ^°''' a rival, but only a worn^,,* ^ • '^'^ ""' ''«^"> shelter from the cold. ' ''^"^ *'"^"' ^^^ing "Will you let me come in?" voS;r:;lLraS-r^'' ^ ^°-^«" --»■ -^^^ here'^'borily'^^'""^' '™'^- "^^ ^ave no right ;;i am so';:'old " '^' ^"^""^ "•«^^- "Go away; go away." "This is my husband's house. Let me come in " comeXSasr"" ^-^- « ^-HmrT.e to in'h^r:i:::r_tve7^'^- "^•'" -» -- -me beJa^^ai^r^BTf'-^^':-^^^^^^ -'- ^^Go. go, go," cried Petrina. wildly, and dosed the Petri^ated^fSJt ^ou'nl^'^ "^^ '^^ ^'^^e, but -a ran to the 1^::^ iTltr^:^ J^^LL^ .398 '"' No' Man Put A.under back .„d .ta« Ml BuTi'^, *' ■~» •!» 'Imnk continued lookSng out P^ti^l!^ k -^ t^'^ess sobs. S St-:; r- • »™ "'»-.'■ Kr st "f^trif r„r:;t' *'i!sr " ■"" ^'" not turn. ^ " ^""'^ ^^^e snow-drifts, did toiKi^'x^f tw^?^ ^^"f^ «^-«' - she, too ders; the wind^^re It trSTr" th/ d""^"^^;;"* ^*'°"'- her neck became like n^Tnt, nf ''>^'no"ds around nothing in her desir^ to'^e" chthf ?' l^"' "''^ ^^^^ geringon blindly throughThei"' "^^^"^^' ^^S' did^^n^t SfagaS'^th^t'td T ^^""^ ^^» -'^ faint? Or was^ tdeaU,7 st A"?"^n? Was it a herself was growing weak Jnt l^ "1 "°, '"°'''=- She theonetho^|htofLS♦^*/^' ^"'"^ °n' with nuddle of thf white Swiv if :„^ ^P^V'^ing in the took her long ^^''way. It was not far, but it The woman was lying^fece downwards. Even in Let Not Man Put Asunder "Felicia! Felicia!" she murmured "It i, • p tnria. I want to take you back™ " ■^*- ^^r-^T;:s^aS;lLtrr-tt:^:^- lookX^tL^t'IThlS^harn- ^"^ oSf^si;?cTcr5^^^^^^ sumountihesuS/oJfh '^' ^i'* ''^^ ^°''=« could not sank a«aii'i:.?oTe^^if:;:;^irhrd'S;tr- ^'''^ scious woman in her lap ''^^ ""«='"'- she knew/forbrinS her back t"rf °''" "^^"^ ^^ She caUed again more loudly than before but ♦(, onty passed away on the wi/d like ^t^^^^ ^^^, ^-^^ ^::^^ S'^aSd 'T"- 1 7'' her there." -""ung lor aid. I must drag usitrrnrd'Shr'f tJ! '^^^ ^^^^"«*'^' «>«* much, and, after a few Z. Jj^' wo-nan was too .e«s beside her charg^f ShafrSniinK fS^tt 400 Let Not Man Put Asunder When her mind awaked to it she found it cold herself, terrible. "Oh, what shall I do? What shall r h„7" u thfavelur "'* """^ '"° ''«'>'^ approaching, far down "Dickl" she cried. "Dickl" danger of being trodden on'sh '^^ *^''^ *''"« i" "o all the while Pel ciT's hanl J ^"* ''.""'= ''""• chafing lamps, like two eyes of rSfirff ^'?'"« ""^ ^^^agf Presently their light h t ^ th^ ^'T^'Ser and nearer, themselves. ^ *''^ roadside ; now it was on but^^iLl^^o'undtartV^^^^ ^^r '^^^ ^°- -^l" heird'" ''•^'''" ^''^ -«1 again, and this time he i^-^^.^'i£St?^"=^ "Oh Dickl ni, n^?*,'^,*° t'^e ground. " WhaUs t, ?et'rfna7 ' wL?" ^'^ ""'^ ^^y- What's that in your aS J!^ ^'' ^°" ''°'"g there? "Stoop and^e, Dick " ^ '^""^"^ ^^ " ^ '"an?' The sight of the onfw f'' Jhhe"r he^d'^'^r" 1°°^- lap o the 0.W seemed too ^^o^^r^ t^rt^tat i-et Not Man Put Asunder Felicia in his arms 'Tvp f™ J " *'""'' '•■'«»P'nK were coming to r^' Yoi were ^"'^ -^"l "* "^f' ^°» He kissed h,.r o„M 1- f conunjT home " moa^rf^^iS" ""'• ■"" Pa^ionately, and U.e woman You musHift h^'i„^t':,^^,^; -J ^^r «?•• '^^''h li^aT """tr "'«' "-" -n walk " " ^'' '" ""^ All at once she found herself calm Dick «n^ p r • had met, and the worst was ov^ Pnr = fu '^^''"" might be to come she f Jh ^t, anythmg there sp^. *•** '*" "'^ supreme courage of de- CHAPTER vr the doctor came she had rLS ST" '''"'•''• "^^ore n-s-s, and had given her f^/^ f "'"='" '° conscious- Go and tell Mr I „ur^ T'^ brandy, to one of the women fvhenh" '"'"'l: "'"^ -'^^''Percd Je servants from the rl^' wJi,e"sr1 '^' ^^^^^'h the bed. Felicia for th^ ^ ^"^ ^'ood back from «"."■ The stSi" £"=*• ri '^"^«^-- -" thm cheek. Lechmere not to ,f/« ?^' ^'''^ '° her distance. She opened her eves an/ f ^T "'"^ «' « She was like a child thnth ^""^ '"'"*'''' *hem again and lies a minute i„qlS enf '"'' ^^"^ ^^°" «"eep well-being. Petdna klpt bacTrtt t IS'^ P^^^-^' mere crept forward on tip-t^ in'u u' ■'^t^'^^- Lech- Fehaa opened hpr =,; • ''y 'nch. her. There'^^al no"s5s:":;Vl '""''«' -ound She seemed satisfied inh r wonder in her gaze fprt. LechmSe grew boldj ^°T'^ ^^^'"'h and comJ %ht. When her^eyL S un„^„"1,?'°°^ ^°^^«^d in the ered about her UpJ "P°" ^im a half-smile flick T tens I C'est toi^" cK had seen him yesterday "^5 '^^'-^'^^^'y, as if she Lechmere kn^U j ^i . ^ °" i'wmWm ?" 403 Let Not Man Put Asunder cau'XS: !::;'" ^^'""^ ''''^^^- ^ut the sou„d stood. towards the comer where Petrina Lechi" pfiT "'° "•" ^"^^ '^^^ °f y°«' darling," "Not noV u""'" ^"""^ demanded. Wot now; when you are stronger." in.i^Te?o;J:^;oiS'c;'„?;rrr-'-'''^- liable to sudden rai.e"rn l*"* ^'■«"<=h actress, people hidmgt rhfcomers^' -,':.- i ^^^ ^^^ - it was better to appease her P„* " forward to the liaht »nT * J Petnna came slowly Besides, she was ve^y^'sfroJr S." 1° """"^ °^ '^^^'^'^'f- of the storm would do W^' ^^ ^^^ *^ exposure Felicia lootedlt onetother"" ''^' '''"^- ^^e and :'ivernrrsotwhi^:srTr ^^^'^' '•-«-■ it in London? Yes yes Im, r l'''.'"tf'=^- ^^sn't remember her, do^^/y^'u, Mck Wtl ^''""- ^- /awte,- Humphrey de Boh..J^l -r i'*" woman, pas cet HumphrlyT^^lfi^J, ^i^- Quel noceur ,ue not fa^f Ae'Sgs^f^'^'^-'^ ^''^^^^- "^et us remfm'br'"lfi:^ r wh ' h"""^"^ "^ ^* P^«-- "I this afternoon You didn'* l. ""^u"" ^'■°'" ^""^ "^°or I was coM^h,^corrsltZ,X?l^wo„r-t 404 Let Not Man Put Asunder said, '( J, go, gor and shut the let me enter, -.h. door upon me." at'peU'nr™'" ''^'"'"'' ^^'^^'•' ^'-""g "P keenly "Into the snow''" " Yes." "To die?" Petrina hesitated again. "Tf ;". ^^^ ^"'■"^ ''"self to say. garderea? Mais non Dick nmt Jl, I Ettuvas indifferently to the broken Jh,! shadow, hstemng from the biside Fehda wis EeT '"^ T'^"^ ""'' ncss, Lechmere f rom iov Th^ ^u™"* ^'""^ ^««^- presenceorforgotZi^^ewastLe' " '^"°"' ^" 405 Let Not Man Put Asunder ^^;;Who is this woman, Dick?" Petrfna heard Fehcia "Whv /v,"^T- What is her name'' to.ar'fCe^t.hT^''^'"-''^ Are we not Vasfali iJ'sh:""?^'^'^ f ""=■ S'^^ - tJ-t Madame "Yes, dear. But—" "She is not your wife'" u^SlS^.-aL^t'^utetr''?- -"'''- ^-""- Let /.«.Sr" "°* ^°"^ -^"^^ Say so. £,fe „.,,, ^, ,„ sid?t7^^: ^Ttikirha!r°r '^^ ""^^ ^^'^y ^™- ^H^Witscoii,il^;[^-:-— ^0^ teet?u;^n1herds'-'.r4:.^'>^ S Sa'shin, her wife! YouwiUnot'sav„or''T^^"' She is your writhing under the wh'LovLet '"^"""^ ^^^•"• said!^Toaxt'l^'^"^^^-S' 'rr '" ^-'""- when you are better'' *^^ °^ ^" ^^^^^^ things v-ii^^^t;^;::l;:S:r^-wed w:fe^ Que je suis malheureuser ^^^ '" y°"' talrn yourself, madame!" said P^frJ^, * , commg forward once more from n,..ul' f '^™'y' mg beside the bed. " I am no^h ^,t "°" ^"' ^^^"^■ Lechmere, who was kneeling, s^tg to his feet 400 Let Not Man Put Asunder The woman, appeased as suddenly as she h.,,1 K„» angered, sank back upon the pillows ^^ '^'" And who then, is his wife?" she asked, tranquiUv away"' ^' ^^'""^' -°-^«"y' -^ agSTum^^ Felicia laughed lightly. to"y?u"aK?- I Zr' ""''?■ I ha—me back You^wJlS alhealfiT,:^^^^^^^^^ She laughed again, and presently began to sin? It ''HamleT'' ' Thi ^''"^"^'^ ^' ^'""^ '"^'^^ -- in namiet. t he voice was true hn* the „„< out faintly, as though all strenglk were gone '^""' 'T^w^l-'''™''^ '^"* ^°"« ''eau profonde La VViUis au regard de feu." Petrina and Lechmere listened brerthless There was something weird in the plaintive Danish air sung by a woman who seemed dying. " La-la, la-lTlaZ" leiTugh "' "''' """^ ""^^^""'^ Prett;,t!i Pe?rina^tft tht''^'"^ ""^I" ^^' ^°^^''' ^«« announced, mnna left the room, and, gomg into the large, square ,nH ff T,*'"'"'^ T"^"'y '"'^ «» arm-chair She felt mifferent to everything. She would spend the nieh "buT ^rTtV,""-"' ' '•""^-'here was no helj for that S. -but in the morning she would escaped Her whok soul revolted against him. She had clung to such pS tection as his name could give her; but, after what had occun-ed to-mght, her one desire was t^ be g^ne She was forming no plans; she was only waiting L tSe dayhght in order to go forth again, alone but free 407 ^^^ Let Not Man Put Asunder she knew there waWn!, u " ^^^ needed a friend not Vassal], but his^otfer Thf*' ^^^•"- ^^ was >n her taind. but it was the 3 ""^ ^^""^ connected needed now, rather thin fh. ^"man's tenderness she himaelf was ther" ifwas so™" 'v ^"' ^'' Wassail even if she never Hin". fu ™^*'""S '" know that WlfeetandaTkfor'ir''"^ ""' "^ ""-" --at LechLTrciiillrttt^jt: L'r "^"-^^^ '^'^^n doctor and Felicia alon° He *hl "u™' ^^^^"^ 'he other arm-chair. "^ ''''^^»' himself into an- :: Well?" Petrina asked, without looking up. a succession of shocte ' sif ^ ^T} '^'^^- °' rather he thinks that it is onfy a mattTo ^" °.f '• ^ '«°" You have at least H,r "^"" of hours." your^own roof." ^'* *' ^""^"^ of having her under ,"^hat's something.' it wouIdTav^tn' S^^tt^V 1,* ^H, ^^<^^' "^hat in at first?" "^«erent had J allowed her to come She Would not shiVt tu- from him some bitt reiSc^f 7" i ^''^ '""^^^'^ he spoke almost apathetSr- "*' '° '^^'- «"^Pri«e, -/S^:t;^;-tg^^-,hewas,,entina„. ^Pljnse tS. and sh^tm'of '""^- "^ '"^^'^ "" - 408 so i^et Not Man Put Asunder st^ w^^^\r.Ste^^^^^ too. the t^noddcd approval of the phrase. ^ before „,r Yol tot T^T l''* ^°" ^"--^^ P"' me protection. For ftat f wa"s "Tr ?" ^°" °ff"«J that you were free to SveihTlwa'ifS ^ ^"PP^^'^'J ''t'^.Tsarthr'-^-"^^^ -,T* ' ^"^ ^^^' ^ery soon." I made you think that vn„ ^ m u "^ y°" astrav. you werl a„dtri'lTer"r„t^T:jr/lt%fr come your husband, when all «h;. \ft r ''""''^ '^'^ always must be, he^s I hav! ^'''^ ^ ^^''' «"d myself, unless it is to sav that f "'"'.""' '° "^^^ f""- "That isn't quite the ^iJ T ^''u' ^ '''^'"-ion." speak," Petrina' slldl'^i^^'i;^;;' ";^i*J,-f '^ what you mean anH ,f tu ."^^'^'-Y- 1 understand have doncTw^ht share it" Bu^a'r '"^^^'^* ^^^ to say only this Vonrr.;!! *• ^"' «t present I want Possi'bly iVut L^'hrS:™ T '"v *° '"^■ myself to think that I couldn^t h! it ! -f ^" ^"""^'^t ask you to forgive me " '^'^^^^'"'' ^"^ I "n only 409 Let Not Man Put Asunder be inadequate ""^"^ ^»''e «^Wch would not They sat in silence till fh» j < room; Uaen they roTe aLJ vSt Z""; t"' °' '""^ '^■ hear what he had to say '"''^' '"™' eager to HelS^^Ct i?o^f^reht7\^^ ^°^ ^"^^ -«/' very low, thoughX mL r^ .u° ^ ^'^^ ^er. She's "HTwk"^ a FreSwT™^,!;:'.^ ''""^'^ ''^^ «'^'^*- She mere! Si>eTrina^hn"''{!r?^ expression at Lech- ^f^^.u'l^lt:^^'^ to wUhdrai. ^'^P^^i^S.ti^- --Here flush had come over Tr Ind .^''i- ''"^ ^ ^^^«"«h Now and then she Lt^L^ ?^^f.*•"ed restlessly, then she moaned ^ "nmtelligibly; now and bJirkX^trirst-ii^ <»- ^y the mg woman. By-and bv ^^v. ^ "^ °^^' ^^^ sleep- 'ooked up at him"^ but ther™""'! J^""" '"• P^trina yond an express on of f "^^^ "°th,ng m his face be- have thoughrtirh:'d&cLn'r- °"^ '"■^'•^ yield him her place by the l^ W u ^l""f °'^ered to and. softly taking anotW ^' ''^ ^'^""'^ ^is head. They could no^'sSf ""rhev'' '1.'^°^" ^''^' ^er AH future considerSmu^^K^Hf"''* i'^'^'^^'y t^ink. vapid soul of the woma^o^t^ tT^."""^'^ ^^^ ^-. its feeble body. °" ^^^ ^'' ^ad slipped from 410 Let Not Man Put Asunder ourand oW^ N°"^*'* ^u'*=f '" '^' ^^'^ l°°ked worn- out and old. Now, as she lay sleeping, her beautiful hair waving loosely on the pillow, afd fever g"vnj turned" oter'th T 1^«^V ""^^ '-' Wehnfre' turned to her. She tossed restlessly, and beean atrain clt^hr word^-"- ^^^^-e^ he-t ^rhTlo "Oh les critiques I Quels sales cochons /" her filrtf '.^V' '"™r'* "P ^^^ ^hole history of her fight smce the days when her voice began to fail La:hmere understood this, and the blood surged no went on ir\ ^''""^ ^^""''^ t" '"=« «°th,ng, and spotTgalr^^ "^""^ '""^ '^"- ^y-^-by Fe'- The words were very distinctly spoken, and Petrina p^;'^";srnSrw?ii7irstii/^^^ "'^"^^^ - o'cS.™'"' ^'""'"^ "' '^'^ ^^"'^- " ^^« «"er one iZ?°t\ ^u" r",* 1° ''^ ''°^^" he whispered to Pe- tnna, but she shook her head. Just then Felicia wokr at her Z't"^ ^'h ^'' ^'"^ ^^'"^ "P ^' 'he two sitting tV., ,1^ ^- ^"^ expression was feverishly bright T^y did not speak to her, hoping that she would go to sle^ly^""- °" ^ '"'^^ "^°"*" ^he looked at tliem JL^L^'" ^K'"^^' "*■ '^^*- "^^-'» ""^^ de me regardercommefaP-toiettamottresse." * uJx.^ fr "^"^"^ P^*""a started up; but she con- FeUcia gave a short laugh, and turned her head away 411 ^ Let Not Man Put Asunder mind. ^'"^'*'°'* passing through her " '^i! ?* ™ *"* ""^ voir »i belle en ce miroir.*" y^^^r::SaZ:^-^;:' -''^« -at e^ort. burst out, angrily, tuminVher Z ""^ ^""" '"^'" «he •nere. " Paillard-y™"Lem^ agam towards Lech- you, Dick?_he wouW noM.7 "* '"'^ ^^'''ard, don't said I sang out ^ul^l u""^ ""^ " ^"^ "«>«■ He whom princes lovJdTJ' " ^"^'- ^^''"^ ^e Prony laughed, softly as if snJlt / ".""^ ^WoMr," she wa^hegood^^t tS'wL%?f'^^'^- "^''' ^^at saidSefl^" '^ul^sheLr"' ^'^^*^" L-hmere to sij^ agafn-a^Ltch'ofan old f""°"u^".'^ >-«- ;i:3 dl^"sr- °^ ^-^--'^ Co ri'tl^S thLt^; |?iS;u[Stita^X\T4;?^''- f-^-^^^ she spoke again ^ ^^ ^^^ «'°"W sleep, but "IZ darlilg"°T^^:i: tlr ^^' ^^ ^-' ^ickr- "And you wfre Sng for 4Tp ' "■'"'' ^'''■" Vignon, who used to be at th. r ^^ ^""P^- Jeanne I saw her in San Ssco sT '''''■i°'l™^ ^° ^hen you in Naples. She was ver. ^^ T^ ^^^ ^ad seen me to get back to New Yo,7 ^T^^V •""' ""'' '^^^P^d 412 ^* «^^« ™e courage Let Not Man Put Asunder Vassall Sne was a ZiTn^l "oo^ "^^r^^^vt But it's all over now, dearest " .h.rt.d.„, i,.vi„/,hr.tai,'SH" """ '"'' wnen we used to sing • Nuit d'hymfnee' together and you were always a little flat? Ah fu /"seiner, DUi I lorget. (^-o me donne mal t la t&e I nevpr h^A a good memory for details. ' Kuit d'lZnSn^nl, nuit d'amourl' " she sairr u^Atu "?^*"*' ^ douce "n...ii ■ ,■ . "^' ^™ then stopped abnintlv more loudly than before 'cT^™ v"^."^ ^^^'"' once? Yes w« T ♦!,• i , , °" * y°" divorce me once. Yes, yes, I think-and for so little. I foreet 413 Let Not M.n p^, Asunder what I did, but it wasn't much C^ chant, fnon cher. Mai, "iTfini T"^ '? "' '« *nt. all over now, all over now a if^': " " ^" °^^' "ow. She spoke mor^ nn^ a"— over— now." Then hefh^ad^rnrutnTerln^i '"" ^^- ^a.ed. «> 'o be pa..sing into „n ^'*°!''<1'^^ and she seem- ^tartcd up wiU. a UkexcTaZr "'"??; L-*""' " forward. ^ ^'°"^*»°''' and Petrina came Jat is itr he Whispered, terrified. "I3^^,. o"t S"ft', AtS"'"^"'^'^''' «™'y- "She will come She bent over Felicia b.,a ■ , mo.stened the ^^-^J^'Z^Tt ^"- '"'^'^ «he btl^**l'^°^"'''^«''^"hcoLne F?,-^,^"'' »^""y breathed heavily. It was eSi th«f '^ '^^ '""' ^ut had come. ^^ ^""^n' Wat a great change . "f'" the doctor return soon?" P * ■ ■ously. ^°°"- Petnna asked, anx- "Not before six, I think H„ u j for medicines and ^ome tack " ^^ *° ^° *» Boston I don't think she is dyine " Pm ■ courage him. As she Zk!\h PT ^^- *° ^n- agam and began to waW pj- *°°^ "P 'he fan easily. """^ "■ i'elicm breathed more Pe2 " "~'-ness or sleep." Lechmere wWs- Th^morrSr;:t-*-ed. word on either sfde FeUcZZ'"' ^^ ^'^ 'Scarcely a fhe breathed heavily a othlrf ''""'' ''"'^"y- At times long fearful pauses';h „ Ihe did n^T^'^'' *here w^e About three o'clock ^L . ""' '"'^'he at all scream. "'""^ '^'= ^'^^ with a start and a "Dickl Dick," she called, loudly. 414 Let Not Man Put Asunder ing'£'ar« atutt;."" '"^'" ""^ «"--^' «>-- I am a CatholicI" she shrieked wilrllv -n • ^r^zf,^'^ ^ P7^t"'6:;Sck, s IVeLn^'b^dtoJ;^rrr'G':dTL7' l'"" ^^'"^- priest I" • ^ o"^ *^od s sake, bring tne a FrZr ''Brc;im"'Do'''''"r' ^^^"^'"^ '° her i„ priest will come" ^ "°' ''^■"^ yourself. The and the man cam" pJo ' t" "£'t Tu'" '"" '" ^'^'•' of the sleighs and -^ir , ;, !"" ^'^'^ *>"" ^^^e one he was coning round'tVf-''/"/." *" *°"'"- ^hile two brief note!. The first it f^'^'p''''",'^'-' '''' ^■""'-• whose mission church in Rrnntl ^' ^^V"'' ^''">^'«' the Meerstead. It beg '^ tm t"' '"T '^' ""^^^"^^ ♦" speed to minister i^!dZTca^"^r^ ''''''' '"'^''^^ second was to Vassal! »n^^^ '-athol c woman. The lines : "' ^"'^ contained but three or four st^d^elLSnTitLe^Lr '°»' *° "eattheMeer- "' Petrina." 415 Let Not Man Put Asunder "Oh, Dick." she cried, hoarsely, clinging t<. him with bothanns. "'m afraid I I'm afraid! I've been a bad won^n. I've done much harm. I have ruined people s hves Now I've reached the end of all. I am like Faus when Mephistopheles comes to carry him Z"^"tu '^'■" "'''?*-" '" ''™"'* ' «" 'he pleasure is sucked out. There is nothing left for me but to go— ko-ko- whcre, Dick, where? Oh, Dick, must I die? Can't you save me? Save rael do save mel I know you can if you only will. But you were always revenge- ful You divorced me because I went off with the Due let me die becauso-because of all the rest. Oh save me save me, save mel Don't let me diel I'm afraid!" He held her tightly to his heart, kissing her mouth, her eyes, her hair, but unable to say a word to comfort Jisshir'"' ^'^ ''' '''"'■ """ ^^^'^ P'»-^ - '■»^^l t°^^"'*- "'^ P"^"' ^°"'^'^" she cried at last. Mas that woman sent for him?" "Yes," Petrina answered, stepping forward. "Be patient, madame. He will soon be here " "Have you a rosary?" Felicia asked, suddenly "I've ost mine my pretty ruby one. It went with the other things Ce sale Arm6nien me Va voU. No, I sold it- r, V 1 R "T *' ^ Poii'^i^re. It was precisely Ouy de Ruynes who gave it to me, after- But I for- foiid praT" "" "" °^ '^"*- ^^- '^ ^ ^^ ^ '"^^y J "I will get you one," said Petrina, slipping out of «^e room. Presently she returned with it; fhe had borrowed it from a servant. Felicia seized it eagerly and began her pravers at once : r- ^ •■ " 'Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum; benedicta 416 Let Not Man Put Asunder &f wtortw nostrae. Amen •" Itend" ^y"'°"°«- ie 6on Z)i«, will under- how!"'*"'' '''"*"'" '"' »t«°»™e'-«l. "I don't know coIv^l'^?j;w'^T'• ^°» «'« not a Catholic. Be ^^^^^r^t^ 'r' *° -V'^"-* ^" "athot SmL' h«ve? If r.r..'^''*- ^* ,"^ «° «'» the O^oL^!^ ^ ' **'**' """^ ^'" ™«- Be a he ««'w Sfethi" ""' """'"^ *""•' *° ^'^^'^ qu;:!;,^^i'°;^i rrni;'^"-'' """'" '^^ — «>. n'^^'^'r';.^^^ ^°'-'' '»'' ^ "-pt- you; "Om«, mon adorte, out " h^J!Z*^7^'''\ '^^ '^^- « another tone. "Per- naps that will make me well " It was five when the priest arrived. Felicia made her confession and received Pv#ror„« tt , . ""* !"^°e 417 Let Not Man Put Asunder three to the bedside! where Fdidfrv •^'j? ^'^^ ^1 new change had co^e over her ll^^' ^"'* .'*^"«r- ^ "You wiU be baptized?" «h! ^^^'^.^^somg fast. ■^^'^Yer^dtS'^^^^^^^^^ "Now." n.L'^i^ t^SptsV""^ °^^' '^^^ '-«' -'^ I-h- "I irtXtX^iJl'*"'^^' -." he said, gravely. The pnest hesitated. ''Mi*''""* P^^Pa'-ation, it would be irregular " the beautiful golden b^wf "s^'h^'S hew'^r^?^^ priest's convenience Lerhn,»,r i ,f ,^ '* ^O"" the tified water was Sred^J^L^f "" ""^^ "^e sano The service waTso^^ ^^ and t^r'^'f ''^''• Petrina accompanied hZi^l ! P"^^* withdrew. stirwit;?S,lVi:t''t-^^^^^^^^ PetHna stool a rnoZn'tLTt^,^-^;^^^^^ Let Not Man Put Asunder ^'^dt^anlo^^^l^Se'S:-^ »'«-''■ She lifted st^r^ir" "" ""'^ ^* «'^*' -3^ aspire. P*^"^" naif-heathen spirit could cl^tfdS^nS^.'-S^-^^^nad.whaclcand need her ministrations now "° "'"^ "^""^n to thrJ:,\tsXiTth?ri°' "1^ ^-'-^ -J for Lechmere would come „„^ k"°' R *° ^er room, need her. She was verrtir^ ^K^^'^^ ^'^ "^gh finished yet. She would cS i",?* ^'^ *«« "ot and then-go. Through Ei^L J°"^*' '? ** "^^ been maturing. She sawdimT^ u T^?"* P'^^^ had , Just now shl was tooTeS^Tv *lf * f^' "^"^ *» d"- ly. She could only sU Sanrf^'^ ?' ^J^y^hing clear- with Lechmere ^"^ "^^^ ^<"- ^er last words thrXKhriarud"'^ ^"'•''-'3^ there rang no other, and which causS'^/?' "T^ Z^"^ » "kf stop still. *"^ the heart of the hearer to 419 Let Not Man Put Asunder Petrina leaped to her feet with an awful cry. and then sank back into her chair again. Up the staimay ^ was coming breathlessly-Harry VassaU. "Where? Where?" he cried. She could only point to the bedroom. He rushed to the door and threw it open. As he did so. a faint cloud of smoke rolled out. Vassall stood on the threshold and looked in Fe- hcia was lying with cahn, white, upturned face, her fan- hair waving over the pillows. By the bedside Lechme^ had fallen, with his cheek rating ^ £ C? I !!rU°"' "^^"^ ^^^ '^"PPed from him, had overturned the golden bowl, and the baptismal water was minghng with his blood. ^^ I CHAPTER Vn The doctor came and went. He and VassaU did what was needful in the chamber of d^th pSn'Sf would not move from her station in the hall Th^ women begged her to come away, to he down to 2e some refreshment, or at the very least to ch^ge her fcll ^t fu' r'**.""* ^^^ ^^^^i from tof si7 S^nn! w Tu^*""""" ""'* ^^ ''^y summer of the dial monds; but that was all. Vassal! was within busv with his silent task, and she would wait for hT' S seern^ to her, she could bear any disaster witho-t ^^g down. WTien the doctor came out she rose^d ^.ffl 'S ^"^ *"' kindnesses; she could do it wZ out effort; she was quite herself. When he left she sat down again, to wait for VassaU S J'iL^"" T ^^^ '^^f'"' ** '^«*' >»« opened the door. She rose as he advance! towards her. firing the few seconds before he spoke she noticed that he wa! ttdnZ and more gray than when she had last seen hhn H^ expression, always ascetic, had grown spwTualiS Uirough suffering; while the markrf stoop wSh which he walked was typical of the man who is no iZS thinking much of this world's Ughter things ^ All IS ready now," he said, with genUe gravity "« Slews' ' '"'' '"^**"'=^' ^^ ---'y ''"S is 421 Let Not Man Put Asunder "May I go in?" "Do you think you can bear it?" wiTHfll! '° ''° **■ " ^^ ^ easier if you are there " He led the way, and she followed him. On Se E, old he stepped aside so that she entered first ThSi tL'^S ^"' ''"* "\«"-«ity was overwSg »W iif ? ' ^^««?^g broadly in, turned into 3v that which, in the lamplight of the night'^ vi^^ hS passed weirdly, like a dream ^' *^'^ h^H^I"'*^? ^'f"^* ^^ P^*^n« had last seen her • thev K placed Lechmere on a couch beside her M ffis face was quite serene; there was nothing viable tW could recall the awfulness of his last a^t ^* fnl 4TJ"*,^'°'^'y ^""^ard, and stood looWnir ^at she nt ° v%°^ ""^ ^''' '^^'"t's compan^^J"^ What she felt chiefly was the peace which^mT^ ♦« Petrina stood there long— alone and sil™* Qi, In death they were not divided " them both back toVemsSv^""'* "^ *'"' ^™'" '"°"«'»* 4-:2 I Let Not Man Put Asunder "In death," said Vassal!, quieUy, "many are united who have been divided in life." She turned towards him, and, for the first time since he had come into the house, their eyes met. They looked at each oiber eamesUy, sadly, and without conscious- ness 01 self. "You believe," she asked, at last, taking her eyes iro .1 his and lettmg them wander from Felicia to Lech- mere and back again, "you believe that when every- thing has gone wrong in this life it is possible for some- thing at least to be put right in another?" Her question had come sofUy; his answer went more softly still. "I beUeve in a Divine Adjuster of all human errors, for whom eternity is as time." "Could you teach me to believe that, too?" I could try." Again they stood for a long while silent. The peace- fulness of the two who were dead s-med to pass into the two who were still living. iu'l^^^-" ^'f F/^'^r- ^* '^^*- "0° y°» remember that long ago I told you I did not believe in sin? I have come to know better. I myself have sinned. I have sinned against you-against him-against her. If ther.^ IS this Divine Adjuster of whom you speak I have sinned against Him, too. I want to work out my for- giveness. I don't know what I ought to do or how I should begin; that I shall learn in time. But to-day I wish only to teU you that this intention will hereafter rule my hfe And, Harry, "she added, turning again to look him m the eyes, " I want you to help me. I don't ask you to forgive me. Some day when I merit it I know you will do so. I don't deserve forgiveness yet- but I am going to try to earn it." "It is I who ought to speak hke that." he said, hum- 423 Let Not Man Put Asunder favor." * " *'*"»« you to do me a great No, no," ^he add^til 'Tlh'''''"* ^ Cambridge? face, "not as you wishS m. * * T ">* ^°°»' « Ws ""Stress-no, Ha^y "^aft^Vu^" 'l^°'«' ""t as its «ble. I am going to ask^ouTn^" '*?/ "«* "»'t P™^ -to the houle thaV wis ours InT' '* ^^ »° *" "^ let me stay for a whill^n^Il ^^''°" street. But foundings and wUh your S^l' ""T^' ^"^'' y°" «-- her I've suffered a'^^^t dSr vJ^"" ^ ''^^ to the very bone. I wMt n„w '* J^ ''*«' scourged another woman's sym^v V ° '^..f°«forted ^th I «Aall see you somSs-^ft J°" T" '^ "^^ """; to learn from her. ShT^t? ^^^^^ »'"t I want get from any one dse ^l^ZuV^^^ ^ ^^^^ never and heal me. Oh. Harry 1'™^''"''' ^f' *^* ««• but I mean to begin auYvi? • ^x '"'^''^ woman- first lessons homl^^ZZ^ P'"' ^ ^««t to grt^; «hall be very humSe-^Jshailt^^i" ^""".^^ y°"" I f «e day I may rise Tvi ? ''^'"^ ''"^n; but don't care for it any more n?-, '''"^ "^e world. I /ered-I could heirsomTothJr '^~^*^ «" ^'^^ suf! the snares into which rT "Tn^"*"" w°«an to escane for that. You:':z^^::jf^-i*hinkuo^s: been so good to me If °i^^ ^^'^'7 «« how. She's would let me go-Fl couM^ '"'"'? ^^^ "«-« vou -if I could df anyU^ine h 'r™ ""'^* y°" ^^^h Cw else-then perhaps^^^f i^^^T 7^"' for some onl atone for being hwe t^ J?^/^*^ ^^^ "ow, I mieht where, Harry,™:j;^/-J;^ -er ^^^ been ^J- 4f4 Let Not Man Put Asunder eyfl&AT^'- '^' ^'»- *« ceased her Wack „,be and pressed ii to ^slL^^Art^L^'f '""^ let her hand rest for an instant ^" , ^^''^j^elt, she new ray place was here " " *'°"'''^' ^nd I THE END ^iftricMn Contemponty Nov els THE MANAGER OF THE B. & A. By VAUGHAN KESTER Novel, to i. pMuM ihZt^, ~~°" »hi,i, .u- .,-. devl™ and 7l ? / .'""^•"'"'''"''eh road genenU •nanager.-'-rA.^^^ii^^Nr^y^r' '"'' "A rattling good railroad atorv ep«ode « thrillingly dranaSc ' * » Thedoring and incid«.t."-Ar« K^tTtJ^i^^I^f "' """•*"' I'wt Journo/. " *' '** """W done it."-JV«, Comment, from tariou, revui,,„, , ,',' ?r^^- <='"«r, engroming." „ """^l ""'"^Wy from scene to «ene" [: American Qmtempo nuy Jfp^fgu THE STRENGTfToF THE HILLS By FLORENCE WILKINSON TKiM i, rt. m«» 0/ ,*. ,^„ On,^UmtK American N««d, to h, pMUM during 190I. ^""^^ Th« Adirondack WoT^vT^il-i j mountain .ir. . . . ch Jrt'J:?c'S"." ^!::;iT -conv^Hon.,. „d thi. PhiloMthia sZ-d. •""""* '"*«™« to the tale."- ^^noch Holm, i, . ^^^^ .tudy."-BrcH^ Commmta of varioua rnineers I " Out of the ordinary " ;; One of the novde that are worth whUe." " ri~"t^ SiC^.' ""-■ "<« mind-holding... A splendid example of American fiction at ite beat " roat ito. r> tr A „ «„ ^ Orna««««J Clcth. J1.S0. fl^!^ifl^^OTHERS. PUBLISHERS AmeHan Contemporary Novels WESTERFELT By WILL N. HARBEN Thi, it Ih, tiMtk of Ih, tmtv On^o-Vom* Amtritan Notrit to it tMitkid during 1901. " A good, ingcnioiu itory, which growi more and more alSHri* " "" '"""" P«««<'»"-Ri<:h«d Henry " It \| a highly dran^tic prcMaiUtion of the warring forcei. ^. human iwMion., conadence, and distorted re- bgioua beUef.. The .tory from firstpage to Ust i. vibrant with iiutained power."— T/w.Oitftoot, N. Y. " I have qply words of praiie to write of ' Westerfelt ' It ■* an uncommonly good .tory, wherein ii presented a very iniercsfmg picture of American life as known in the author's native state."— Bokoh Timn. "Mr. Harben has Uved among North GeorgU people' he has learned their ways and their life ; and. learning this' he has woven these people and their life into a story f uU of «iarm«.d truth. It has the best claim on the attention of the pubhc— It IS thoroughly readable."-.A«toMte Journal. Comment* from various nvitiMrt 3 " A love story, pure and simple." " Unusual and unhackneyed." " Full of dramatic elements." " One of the best novels." " Strong throughout." Post am. HARPER CIM, Onumntti, ti-so BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS Amgfcw Gontemp onuy Noygja SURRENDER By A. MAURICE LOW This U tt, ^ V tt. !«*, On^Uomh ^«.rt«« «• rMch«d. "•"•*«"«>« "l« 11* grip til] th. lut Un« N«r York. ^ """^ """ tlf'-r*. (>«*«»; »i^rdl*„s':2.'£:!""'''''^'"^°-«" which V- hold ^s::::^!^^-^--^- -««.._ CommtHU from variout rnumr, , " Hi. i^^ WadnnBton almoiphere."