Their city home was a beautiful one, and their connections and associations were such as to surround them at once with the most desirable companionships.  At first it was hard for Ellen to readjust her system of living and to accustom herself to the demands of even a moderately social life.  But she was by nature very fond of all such pleasures, and her house soon became one of the pleasantest centres, in a quiet way, of the comparatively quiet city.  John Gray expanded and brightened in the new atmosphere; he had always been a man of influence among men.  All his friends,—­even his acquaintances,—­loved him, and asked his advice.  It was a strange thing that a man so inert and procrastinating in his own affairs, should be so shrewd and practical and influential in the affairs of others, or in public affairs.  This, however, was no stranger than many other puzzling incongruities in John Gray’s character.  Since his college days he had never mingled at all in general society until this winter, after their removal to town; and it was with delight that I watched his enjoyment of people, and their evident liking and admiration for him.  His manners were singularly simple and direct; his face, which was not wholly pleasing in repose, was superbly handsome when animated in conversation; its inscrutable reticence which baffled the keenest observation when he was silent, all disappeared and melted in the glow of cordial good-fellowship which lighted every feature when he talked.  I grew very proud of my brother as I watched him in his new sphere and surroundings; and I also enjoyed most keenly seeing Ellen in a wider and more appreciative circle.  I spent a large part of the first winter in their house, and shared all their social pleasures, and looked forward to ever increasing delight, as my nieces should grow old enough to enter into society.

Early in the spring I went to the West and passed the entire summer with relatives; I heard from my sister every week; her letters were always cheerful and natural, and I returned to her in the autumn, full of anticipations of another gay and pleasant winter.

They met me in New York, and I remembered afterwards, though in the excitement of the moment I gave it no second thought, that when John Gray’s eyes first met mine, there was in them a singular and indefinable expression, which roused in me an instant sense of distrust and antagonism.  He had never thoroughly liked me.  He had always had an undercurrent of fear of me.  He knew I thought him weak:  he felt that I had never put full confidence in him.  That I really and truly loved him was small offset for this.  Would it not be so to all of us?