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took charge of Mrs。 Mostyn until she was ready to leave for London。
She was more nearly ready than they ex… pected。 All her trunks were
packed； and the butler promised to take them immediately to the railway
station。 In a quarter of an hour she appeared in traveling costume； with her
jewels in a bag； which she carried in her hand。 There was a train for
London passing Monk… Rawdon at eight o'clock； and after Justice
Manningham had left； the cook brought in some dinner； which Dora asked
the Rawdons to share with her。 It was； perhaps； a necessary but a painful
meal。 No one noticed Mostyn。 He was enforced to sit still and watch its
progress； which he accompanied with curses it would be a kind of
sacrilege to write down。 But no one answered him； and no one noticed the
orders he gave for his own dinner； until Dora rose to leave forever the
house of bondage。 Then she said to the cook：
〃See that those gentlemanly constables have something good to eat
and to drink； and when they have been served you may give that man〃
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pointing to Mostyn〃the dinner of bread and water he has so often
prescribed for me。 After my train leaves you are all free to go to your own
homes。 Farewell； friends！〃
Then Mostyn raved again； and finally tried his old loving terms。
〃Come back to me； Dora；〃 he called frantically。 〃Come back； dearest；
sweetest Dora； I will be your lover forever。 I will never say another cross
word to you。〃
But Dora heard not and saw not。 She left the room without a glance at
the man sitting cowering between the officers； and blubbering with shame
and passion and the sense of total loss。 In a few minutes he heard the
Rawdon carriage drive to the door。 Tyrrel and Ethel assisted Dora into it；
and the party drove at once to the railway station。 They were just able to
catch the London train。 The butler came up to report all the trunks safely
forwarded； and Dora dropped gold into his hand； and bade him clear the
house of servants as soon as the morning broke。 Fortunately there was no
time for last words and promises； the train began to move； and Tyrrel and
Ethel； after watching Dora's white face glide into the darkness； turned
silently away。 That depression which so often follows the lifting of
burdens not intended for our shoulders weighed on their hearts and made
speech difficult。 Tyrrel was especially affected by it。 A quick feeling of
something like sympathy for Mostyn would not be reasoned away； and he
drew Ethel close within his arm； and gave the coachman an order to drive
home as quickly as possible； for twilight was already becoming night； and
under the trees the darkness felt oppressive。
The little fire on the hearth and their belated dinner somewhat relieved
the tension； but it was not until they had retired to a small parlor； and
Tyrrel had smoked a cigar； that the tragedy of the evening became a
possible topic of conversation。 Tyrrel opened the subject by a question as
to whether 〃he ought to have gone with Dora to London。〃
〃Dora opposed the idea strongly when I named it to her；〃 answered
Ethel。 〃She said it would give opportunities for Mostyn to slander both
herself and you； and I think she was correct。 Every way she was best
alone。〃
〃Perhaps； but I feel as if I ought to have gone； as if I had been
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something less than a gentleman； in fact； as if I had been very un… gentle。〃
〃There is no need；〃 answered Ethel a little coldly。
〃It is a terrible position for Mostyn。〃
〃He deserves it。〃
〃He is so sensitive about public opinion。〃
〃In that case he should behave decently in private。〃
Then Tyrrel lit another cigar； and there was another silence； which
Ethel occupied in irritating thoughts of Dora's unfortunate fatality in
trouble…making。 She sat at a little table standing between herself and
Tyrrel。 It held his smoking utensils； and after awhile she pushed them
aside； and let the splendid rings which adorned her hand fall into the
cleared space。 Tyrrel watched her a few moments； and then asked； 〃What
are you doing； Ethel； my dear？〃
She looked up with a smile； and then down at the hand she had laid
open upon the table。 〃I am looking at the Ring of all Rings。 See； Tyrrel； it
is but a little band of gold； and yet it gave me more than all the gems of
earth could buy。 Rubies and opals and sapphires are only its guard。 The
simple wedding ring is the ring of great price。 It is the loveliest ornament a
happy woman can wear。〃
Tyrrel took her hand and kissed it； and kissed the golden band； and
then answered； 〃Truly an ornament if a happy wife wears it； but oh； Ethel；
what is it when it binds a woman to such misery as Dora has just fled
from？〃
〃Then it is a fetter； and a woman who has a particle of self…respect will
break it。 The Ring of all Rings！〃 she ejaculated again； as she lifted the
rubies and opals； and slowly but smilingly encircled the little gold band。
〃Let us try now to forget that sorrowful woman；〃 said Tyrrel。 〃She will
be with her mother in a few hours。 Mother…love can cure all griefs。 It never
fails。 It never blames。 It never grows weary。 It is always young and warm
and true。 Dora will be comforted。 Let us forget； we can do no more。〃
For a couple of days this was possible； but then came Mrs。 Nicholas
Rawdon； and the subject was perforce opened。 〃It was a bad case；〃 she
said； 〃but it is being settled as quickly and as quietly as possible。 I believe
the man has entered into some sort of recognizance to keep the peace； and
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has disappeared。 No one will look for him。 The gentry are against pulling
one another down in any way； and this affair they don't want talked about。
Being all of them married men； it isn't to be expected； is it？ Justice
Manningham was very sorry for the little lady； but he said also ‘i