第8章

Onre-enteringhisroomthethirdorfourthmorningafterhisadventattheSummitHouse，shenoticedwithsomeconcernthattherewasaslightflushonhischeekandacertainexaltationwhichsheatfirstthoughtpresagedfever。Butanexaminationofhispulseandtemperaturedispelledthatfear，andhistalkativenessandgoodspiritsconvincedherthatitwasonlyhisyouthfulvigoratlastovercominghisdespondency。Afewdayslater，thischeerfulnessnotbeingcontinued，Dr。DuchesnefollowedMissTrotterintothehall。"Wemusttrytokeepourpatientfrommopinginhisconfinement，youknow，"hebegan，withaslightsmile，"andheseemstobesomewhatofanemotionalnature，accustomedtobeamusedand——er——er——petted。"

"Hisfriendswerehereyesterday，"returnedMissTrotterdryly，"butIdidnotinterferewiththemuntilIthoughttheyhadstayedlongenoughtosuityourwishes。"

"IamnotreferringtoTHEM，"saidthedoctor，stillsmiling；"butyouknowawoman’ssympathyandpresenceinasickroomisoftenthebestoftonicsorsedatives。"

MissTrotterraisedhereyestothespeakerwithahalfcriticalimpatience。

"Thefactis，"thedoctorwenton，"Ihaveafavortoaskofyouforourpatient。Itseemsthattheothermorninganewchambermaidwaiteduponhim，whomhefoundmuchmoregentleandsympatheticinhermannerthantheothers，andmoresubmissiveandquietinherways——possiblybecausesheisaforeigner，andaccustomedtoservitude。IsupposeyouhavenoobjectiontoHERtakingchargeofhisroom？"

MissTrotter’scheekslightlyflushed。Notfromwoundedvanity，butfromtheconsciousnessofsomewantofacumenthathadmadehermakeamistake。Shehadreallybelieved，fromherknowledgeofthepatient’scharacterandthedoctor’spreamble，thathewishedHER

toshowsomemorekindnessandpersonalsympathytotheyoungman，andhadevenbeenpreparedtoquestionitsutility！Shesawherblunderquickly，andatoncerememberingthattheprettySwedishgirlhadonemorningtakentheplaceofanabsentfellowservant，inthereboundfromhererror，shesaidquietly："YoumeanFrida！

Certainly！shecanlookafterhisroom，ifheprefersher。"Butforherblundershemighthaveaddedconscientiouslythatshethoughtthegirlwouldproveinefficient，butshedidnot。Sherememberedtheincidentofthewood；yetifthegirlhadaloverinthewood，shecouldnoturgeitasaproofofincapacity。Shegavethenecessaryorders，andtheincidentpassed。

Visitingthepatientafewdaysafterward，shecouldnothelpnoticingacertainshygratitudeinMr。Calton’sgreetingofher，whichshequietlyignored。ThisforcedtheingenuousChristomorepositivespeech。HedweltwithgreatsimplicityandenthusiasmontheSwedishgirl’sgentlenessandsympathy。"Youhavenoideaof——

her——naturaltenderness，MissTrotter，"hestammerednaively。MissTrotter，rememberingthewood，thoughttoherselfthatshehadsomefaintideaofit，butdidnotimpartwhatitwas。Hespokealsoofherbeauty，notbeingcleverenoughtoaffectanindifferenceorignoranceofit，whichmadeMissTrotterrespecthimandsmileanunqualifiedacquiescence。Fridacertainlywaspretty！Butwhenhespokeofheras"MissJansen，"andsaidshewassomuchmore"ladylikeandrefinedthantheotherservants，"sherepliedbyaskinghimifhisbandageshurthim，and，receivinganegativeanswer，graciouslywithdrew。

Indeed，hisbandagesgavehimlittletroublenow，andhisimprovementwassomarkedandsustainedthatthedoctorwasgreatlygratified，and，indeed，expressedasmuchtoMissTrotter，withtheconscientiousadditionthathebelievedthegreaterpartofitwasduetohercapablenursing！"Yes，ma’am，hehastothankYOUforit，andnooneelse！"

MissTrotterraisedherdarkeyesandlookedsteadilyathim。

Accustomedashewastomenandwomen，thelookstronglyheldhim。

Hesawinhereyesanintelligenceequaltohisown，aknowledgeofgoodandevil，andatolerationandphilosophy，equaltohisown，butasomethingelsethatwasasdistinctanddifferentastheirsex。Andthereinlayitscharm，foritmerelytranslateditselfinhismindthatshehadveryprettyeyes，whichhehadnevernoticedbefore，withoutanyaggressiveintellectualquality。Andwiththis，alas！cametheman’spropensitytoreason。ItmeantofcoursebutONEthing；hesawitallnow！IfHE，inhispreoccupationandcoolness，hadnoticedhereyes，soalsohadtheyoungerandemotionalChris。Theyoungfellowwasinlovewithher！Itwasthatwhichhadstimulatedhisrecovery，andshewaswonderingifhe，thedoctor，hadobservedit。Hesmiledbackthesuperiorsmileofoursexinmomentsofgreatinanity，andpoorMissTrotterbelievedheunderstoodher。Afewdaysafterthis，shenoticedthatFridaJansenwaswearingapearlringandasomewhatostentatiouslocket。SherememberednowthatMr。BilsonhadtoldherthattheRoanokeLedgewasveryrich，andthatCaltonwaslikelytoproveaprofitableguest。ButitwasnotHER

business。

Itbecameherbusiness，however，somedayslater，whenMr。Caltonwassomuchbetterthathecouldsitinachair，orevenloungelistlesslyinthehallandcorridor。ItsochancedthatshewaspassingalongtheupperhallwhenshesawFrida’spinkcottonskirtdisappearinanadjacentroom，andheardherlightlaughasthedoorclosed。Buttheroomhappenedtobeacard-roomreservedexclusivelyforgentlemen’spokeroreuchreparties，andthechambermaidshadnobusinessthere。MissTrotterhadnodoubtthatMr。Caltonwasthere，andthatFridaknewit；butasthiswasanindiscretionsoopen，flagrant，andlikelytobediscoveredbythefirstpassingguest，shecalledtohersharply。Shewasastonished，however，atthesamemomenttoseeMr。Caltonwalkinginthecorridoratsomedistancefromtheroominquestion。

Indeed，shewassoconfoundedthatwhenFridaappearedfromtheroomalittleflurried，butwithacertainaudacitynewtoher，MissTrotterwithheldherrebuke，andsentheroffonanimaginaryerrand，whilesheherselfopenedthecard-roomdoor。ItcontainedsimplyMr。Bilson，heremployer；hisexplanationwasglaringlyembarrassedandunreal！MissTrotteraffectedobliviousness，butwassilent；perhapsshethoughtheremployerwasbetterabletotakecareofhimselfthanMr。Calton。

AweeklaterthistensionterminatedbythereturnofCaltontoRoanokeLedge，aconvalescentman。AveryprettywatchandchainafterwardwerereceivedbyMissTrotter，withafewlinesexpressingthegratitudeoftheex-patient。Mr。Bilsonwashighlydelighted，andfrequentlyborrowedthewatchtoshowtohisguestsasanadvertisementofthehealingpowersoftheSummitHotel。

WhatMr。CaltonsenttothemoreattractiveandflirtatiousFridadidnotaspubliclyappear，andpossiblyMr。Bilsondidnotknowit。Theincidentofthecardroomwasforgotten。Sincethatdiscovery，MissTrotterhadfeltherselfdebarredfromtakingthegirl’sconductintoseriousaccount，anditdidnotinterferewithherwork。

II

OneafternoonMissTrotterreceivedamessagethatMr。Caltondesiredafewmoments’privateconversationwithher。Alittlecurious，shehadhimshownintooneofthesitting-rooms，butwassurprisedonenteringtofindthatshewasinthepresenceofanutterstranger！ThiswasexplainedbythevisitorsayingbrieflythathewasChris’selderbrother，andthathepresumedthenamewouldbesufficientintroduction。MissTrottersmileddoubtfully，foramoredistinctoppositetoChriscouldnotbeconceived。Thestrangerwasapparentlystrong，practical，andmasterfulinallthosequalitiesinwhichhisbrotherwascharminglyweak。MissTrotter，fornoreasonwhatever，feltherselfinclinedtoresentthem。

"Ireckon，MissTrotter，"hesaidbluntly，"thatyoudon’tknowanythingofthisbusinessthatbringsmehere。Atleast，"hehesitated，withacertainroughcourtesy，"Ishouldjudgefromyourgeneralstyleandgaitthatyouwouldn’thaveletitgoonsofarifyouhad，butthefactis，thatdarnedfoolbrotherofmine——begyourpardon！——hasgoneandgothimselfengagedtooneofthegirlsthathelphere，——ayellow-hairedforeigner，calledFridaJansen。"

"Iwasnotawarethatithadgonesofarasthat，"saidMissTrotterquietly，"althoughhisadmirationforherwaswellknown，especiallytohisdoctor，atwhoserequestIselectedhertoespeciallyattendtoyourbrother。"

"Thedoctorisafool，"brokeinMr。Caltonabruptly。"HeonlythoughtofkeepingChrisquietwhilehefinishedhisjob。"

"Andreally，Mr。Calton，"continuedMissTrotter，ignoringtheinterruption，"IdonotseewhatrightIhavetointerferewiththematrimonialintentionsofanyguestinthishouse，eventhoughor——

asyouseemtoputit——BECAUSEtheobjectofhisattentionsisinitsemploy。"

Mr。Caltonstared——angrilyatfirst，andthenwithakindofwonderingamazementthatanywoman——aboveallahousekeeper——shouldtakesuchaview。"But，"hestammered，"Ithoughtyou——you——lookedaftertheconductofthosegirls。"

"I’mafraidyou’veassumedtoomuch，"saidMissTrotterplacidly。

"Mybusinessistoseethattheyattendtotheirdutieshere。

FridaJansen’sdutywas——asIhavejusttoldyou——tolookafteryourbrother’sroom。AndasfarasIunderstandyou，youarenotheretocomplainofherinattentiontothatduty，butofitsresultinginanattachmentonyourbrother’spart，and，asyoutellme，anintentionastoherfuture，whichisreallytheonethingthatwouldmakemy’lookingafterherconduct’animpertinenceandinterference！IfyouhadcometotellmethathedidNOTintendtomarryher，butwashurtingherreputation，Icouldhaveunderstoodandrespectedyourmotives。"

Mr。Caltonfelthisfacegrowredandhimselfdiscomfited。HehadcometherewiththefirmbeliefthathewouldconvictMissTrotterofagravefault，andthatinherpenitenceshewouldbegladtoassisthiminbreakingoffthematch。Onthecontrary，tofindhimselfarraignedandputonhisdefensebythistall，slimwoman，erectandsmartlybuckramedinlogicandwhalebone，waspreposterous！

Butithadtheeffectofsubduinghistone。

"Youdon’tunderstand，"hesaidawkwardlyyetpleadingly。"Mybrotherisafool，andanywomancouldwindhimroundherfinger。

SHEknowsit。SheknowsheisrichandapartnerintheRoanokeLedge。That’sallshewants。Sheisnotafitmatchforhim。

I’vesaidhewasafool——but，hangitall！that’snoreasonwhyheshouldmarryanignorantgirl——aforeignerandaservant——whenhecoulddobetterelsewhere。"

"Thiswouldseemtobeamatterbetweenyouandyourbrother，andnotbetweenmyselfandmyservant，"saidMissTrottercoldly。"IfyoucannotconvinceHIM，yourownbrother，IdonotseehowyouexpectmetoconvinceHER，aservant，overwhomIhavenocontrolexceptasamistressofherWORK，when，onyourownshowing，shehaseverythingtogainbythemarriage。IfyouwishMr。Bilson，theproprietor，tothreatenherwithdismissalunlessshegivesupyourbrother，"——MissTrottersmiledinwardlyatthethoughtofthecard-roomincident，——"itseemstomeyoumightonlyprecipitatethemarriage。"

Mr。Caltonlookedutterlyblankandhopeless。Hisreasontoldhimthatshewasright。Morethanthat，acertainadmirationforherclear-sightednessbegantopossesshim，withthefeelingthathewouldliketohave"shownup"alittlebetterthanhehadinthisinterview。IfChrishadfalleninlovewithHER——butChriswasafoolandwouldn’thaveappreciatedher！

"Butyoumighttalkwithher，MissTrotter，"hesaid，nowcompletelysubdued。"Evenifyoucouldnotreasonheroutofit，youmightfindoutwhatsheexpectsfromthismarriage。Ifyouwouldtalktoherassensiblyasyouhavetome"——

"Itisnotlikelythatshewillseekmyassistanceasyouhave，"

saidMissTrotter，withafaintsmilewhichMr。Caltonthoughtquitepretty，"butIwillseeaboutit。"

WhateverMissTrotterintendedtododidnottranspire。Shecertainlywasinnohurryaboutit，asshedidnotsayanythingtoFridathatday，andthenextafternoonitsochancedthatbusinesstookhertothebankandpost-office。HerwayhomeagainlaythroughtheSummitwoods。ItrecalledtoherthememorableoccasionwhenshewasfirstawitnesstoFrida’sflirtations。

NeitherthatnorMr。Bilson’spresumedgallantries，however，seemedinconsistent，inMissTrotter’sknowledgeoftheworld，withaseriousengagementwithyoungCalton。Shewasneithershockednorhorrifiedbyit，andforthatreasonshehadnotthoughtitnecessarytospeakofittotheelderMr。Calton。

Herpathwoundthroughathicketfragrantwithsyringaandsouthernwood；thefaintperfumewasreminiscentofAtlantichillsides，where，longago，agirlteacher，shehadwalkedwiththegirlpupilsoftheVermontacademy，andkeptthemfromtheshyadvancesofthelocalswains。Shesmiled——alittlesadly——asthethoughtoccurredtoherthatafterthisintervalofyearsitwasagainherbusinesstorestrainthecallowaffections。Shouldsheneverhavethematchmakinginstinctsofhersex；neverbecomethetrustedconfidanteofyouthfulpassion？YoungCaltonhadnotconfessedhispassiontoHER，norhadFridarevealedhersecret。

Onlytheelderbrotherhadappealedtoherhard，practicalcommonsenseagainstsuchsentiment。Wastheresomethinginhermannerthatforbadeit？ShewonderedifitwassomeuneasyconsciousnessofthisqualitywhichhadimpelledhertosnubtheelderCalton，andrebelledagainstit。

Itwasquitewarm；shehadbeenwalkingalittlefasterthanherusualdeliberategait，andcheckedherself，haltinginthewarmbreathofthesyringas。Heresheheardhernamecalledinavoicethatsherecognized，butintonessofaintandsubduedthatitseemedtoherpartofherthoughts。SheturnedquicklyandbeheldChrisCaltonafewfeetfromher，panting，partlyfromrunningandpartlyfromsomenervousembarrassment。Hishandsomebutweakmouthwasexpandedinanapologeticsmile；hisblueeyesshonewithakindofyouthfulappealsoinconsistentwithhislongbrownmustacheandbroadshouldersthatshewasdividedbetweenalaughandseriousconcern。

"Isawyou——gointothewood——butIlostyou，"hesaid，breathingquickly，"andthenwhenIdidseeyouagain——youwerewalkingsofastIhadtorunafteryou。Iwanted——tospeak——toyou——ifyou’llletme。Iwon’tdetainyou——Icanwalkyourway。"

MissTrotterwasalittlesoftened，butnotsomuchastohelphimoutwithhisexplanation。Shedrewherneatskirtsaside，andmadewayforhimonthepathbesideher。

"Yousee，"hewentonnervously，takinglongstridestohershorterones，andoccasionallychangingsidesinhisembarrassment，"mybrotherJimhasbeentalkingtoyouaboutmyengagementtoFrida，andtryingtoputyouagainstherandme。Hesaidasmuchtome，andaddedyouhalfpromisedtohelphim！ButIdidn’tbelievehim——

MissTrotter！——Iknowyouwouldn’tdoit——youhaven’tgotitinyourhearttohurtapoorgirl！Hesayshehaseveryconfidenceinyou——thatyou’reworthadozensuchgirlsassheis，andthatI’mabigfoolorI’dseeit。Idon’tsayyou’renotallhesays，MissTrotter；butI’mnotsuchafoolashethinks，forIknowyourGOODNESStoo。IknowhowyoutendedmewhenIwasill，andhowyousentFridatocomfortme。Youknow，too，——foryou’reawomanyourself，——thatallyoucouldsay，oranybodycould，wouldn’tseparatetwopeoplewholovedeachother。"

MissTrotterforthefirsttimefeltembarrassed，andthismadeheralittleangry。"Idon’tthinkIgaveyourbrotheranyrighttospeakformeorofmeinthismatter，"shesaidicily；"andifyouarequitesatisfied，asyousayyouare，ofyourownaffectionandFrida’s，Idonotseewhyyoushouldcareforanybody’sinterference。"

"Nowyouareangrywithme，"hesaidinadolefulvoicewhichatanyothertimewouldhaveexcitedhermirth；"andI’vejustdoneit。Oh，MissTrotter，don’t！Pleaseforgiveme！Ididn’tmeantosayyourtalkwasnogood。Ididn’tmeantosayyoucouldn’thelpus。Pleasedon’tbemadatme！"

Hereachedouthishand，graspedherslimfingersinhisown，andpressedthem，holdingthemandevenarrestingherpassage。Theactwaswithoutfamiliarityorboldness，andshefeltthattosnatchherhandawaywouldbeanimputationofthatmeaning，insteadoftheboyishimpulsethatpromptedit。Shegentlywithdrewherhandasiftocontinueherwalk，andsaid，withasmile：——

"Thenyouconfessyouneedhelp——inwhatway？"

"Withher！"

MissTrotterstared。"WithHER！"sherepeated。Thiswasanewidea。Wasitpossiblethatthiscommon，ignorantgirlwasplayingandtriflingwithhergoldenopportunity？"Thenyouarenotquitesureofher？"shesaidalittlecoldly。

"She’ssohighspirited，youknow，"hesaidhumbly，"andsoattractive，andifshethoughtmyfriendsobjectedandweresayingunkindthingsofher，——well！"——hethrewouthishandswithasuggestionofhopelessdespair——"there’snoknowingwhatshemightdo。"

MissTrotter’sobviousthoughtwasthatFridaknewonwhichsideherbreadwasbuttered；butrememberingthattheproprietorwasawidower，itoccurredtoherthattheyoungwomanmightalsohaveitbutteredonbothsides。Hermomentaryfancyofunitingtwoloverssomehowweakenedatthissuggestion，andtherewasahardeningofherfaceasshesaid，"Well，ifYOUcan’ttrusther，perhapsyourbrothermayberight。"

"Idon’tsaythat，MissTrotter，"saidChrispleadingly，yetwithaslightwincingatherwords；"YOUcouldconvinceher，ifyouwouldonlytry。Onlyletherseethatshehassomeotherfriendsbesidemyself。Look！MissTrotter，I’llleaveitalltoyou——there！Ifyouwillonlyhelpme，Iwillpromisenottoseeher——nottogonearheragain——untilyouhavetalkedwithher。There！Evenmybrotherwouldnotobjecttothat。Andifhehaseveryconfidenceinyou，I’mshowingyouI’vemore——don’tyousee？Come，now，promise——won’tyou，dearMissTrotter？"Heagaintookherhand，andthistimepressedakissuponherslimfingers。Andthistimeshedidnotwithdrawthem。Indeed，itseemedtoher，inthequickrecurrenceofherprevioussympathy，asifahandhadbeenputintoherlovelesspast，graspingandseekinghersinitsloneliness。

Noneofherschoolfriendshadeverappealedtoherlikethissimple，weak，andlovingyoungman。Perhapsitwasbecausetheywereofherownsex，andshedistrustedthem。

Nevertheless，thismomentaryweaknessdidnotdisturbhergoodcommonsense。Shelookedathimfixedlyforamoment，andthensaid，withafaintsmile，"PerhapsshedoesnottrustYOU。Perhapsyoucannottrustyourself。"

Hefelthimselfreddeningwithastrangeembarrassment。ItwasnotsomuchthequestionthatdisturbedhimastheeyesofMissTrotter；eyesthathehadneverbeforenoticedasbeingsobeautifulintheircolor，clearness，andhalftenderinsight。Hedroppedherhandwithanew-foundtimidity，andyetwithafeelingthathewouldliketoholditlonger。

"Imean，"shesaid，stoppingshortinthetrailatapointwhereafringeofalmostimpenetrable"buckeyes"markedtheextremeedgeofthewoods，——"Imeanthatyouarestillveryyoung，andasFridaisnearlyyourownage，"——shecouldnotresistthispeculiarlyfeminineinnuendo，——"shemaydoubtyourabilitytomarryherinthefaceofopposition；shemayeventhinkmyinterferenceisaproofofit；but，"sheaddedquickly，torelievehisembarrassmentandacertainabstractedlookwithwhichhewasbeginningtoregardher，"Iwillspeaktoher，and，"sheconcludedplayfully，"youmusttaketheconsequences。"

Hesaid"Thankyou，"butnotsoearnestlyashispreviousappealmighthavesuggested，andwiththesameawkwardabstractioninhiseyes。MissTrotterdidnotnoticeit，asherowneyeswereatthatmomentfixeduponapointonthetrailafewrodsaway。"Look，"

shesaidinalowervoice，"ImayhavetheopportunitynowforthereisFridaherselfpassing。"Christurnedinthedirectionofherglance。Itwasindeedtheyounggirlwalkingleisurelyaheadofthem。TherewasnomistakingthesmartpinkcalicogowninwhichFridawaswonttoarrayherrathergenerousfigure，northelongyellowbraidsthathungMarguerite-wisedownherback。Withtheconsciousnessofgoodlookswhichshealwayscarried，therewas，inspiteofheraffectedease，aslightfurtivenessintheoccasionalswiftturnofherhead，asifevadingorseekingobservation。

"Iwillovertakeherandspeaktohernow，"continuedMissTrotter。

"Imaynothavesogoodachanceagaintoseeheralone。Youcanwaithereformyreturn，ifyoulike。"

Chrisstartedoutofhisabstraction。"Stay！"hestammered，withafaint，tentativesmile。"Perhaps——don’tyouthink？——Ihadbettergofirstandtellheryouwanttoseeher。Icansendherhere。

Yousee，shemight"——Hestopped。

MissTrottersmiled。"Itwaspartofyourpromise，youknow，thatyouwereNOTtoseeheragainuntilIhadspoken。Butnomatter！

Haveitasyouwish。Iwillwaithere。Onlybequick。Shehasjustgoneintothegrove。"

Withoutanotherwordtheyoungmanturnedaway，andshepresentlysawhimwalkingtowardthepinegroveintowhichFridahaddisappeared。Thensheclearedaspaceamongthemattedmossandchickweed，and，gatheringherskirtsabouther，satdowntowait。

Theunwontedattitude，thewholesituation，andthepartthatsheseemeddestinedtotakeinthissentimentalcomedyaffectedherlikesomequaintchild’splayoutofherlostyouth，andshesmiled，albeitwithalittleheighteningofcolorandlivelybrighteningofhereyes。Indeed，asshesattherelistlesslyprobingtherootsofthemosseswiththepointofherparasol，thecasualpasser-bymighthavetakenherselffortheheroineofsomelovetryst。Shehadafaintconsciousnessofthisassheglancedtotherightandleft，wonderingwhatanyonefromthehotelwhosawherwouldthinkofhersylvanrendezvous；andastherecollectionofChriskissingherhandsuddenlycamebacktoher，hersmilebecameanervouslaugh，andshefoundherselfactuallyblushing！

Butshewasrecalledtoherselfassuddenly。Chriswasreturning。

Hewaswalkingdirectlytowardsherwithslow，determinedsteps，quitedifferentfromhispreviousnervousagitation，andashedrewnearershesawwithsomeconcernanequallystrangechangeinhisappearance：hiscolorfulfacewaspale，hiseyesfixed，andhelookedtenyearsolder。Sherosequickly。

"Icamebacktotellyou，"hesaid，inavoicefromwhichalltraceofhisformeragitationhadpassed，"thatIrelieveyouofyourpromise。Itwon’tbenecessaryforyoutosee——Frida。Ithankyouallthesame，MissTrotter，"hesaid，avoidinghereyeswithaslightreturntohisboyishmanner。"Itwaskindofyoutopromisetoundertakeafoolisherrandforme，andtowaithere，andthebestthingIcandoistotakemyselfoffnowandkeepyounolonger。Pleasedon’taskmeWHY。SometimeImaytellyou，butnotnow。"

"Thenyouhaveseenher？"askedMissTrotterquickly，premisingFrida’srefusalfromhisface。

Hehesitatedamoment，thenhesaidgravely，"Yes。Don’taskmeanymore，MissTrotter，please。Good-by！"Hepaused，andthen，withaslight，uneasyglancetowardthepinegrove，"Don’tletmekeepyouwaitinghereanylonger。"Hetookherhand，helditlightlyforamoment，andsaid，"Go，now。"

MissTrotter，slightlybewilderedandunsatisfied，neverthelesspassedobedientlyoutintothetrail。Hegazedafterherforamoment，andthenturnedandbeganrapidlytoascendtheslopewherehehadfirstovertakenher，andwassoonoutofsight。MissTrottercontinuedherwayhome；butwhenshehadreachedtheconfinesofthewoodsheturned，asiftakingsomesuddenresolution，andbeganslowlytoretraceherstepsinthedirectionofthepinegrove。Whatsheexpectedtoseethere，possiblyshecouldnothaveexplained；whatsheactuallysawafteramoment’swaitingwerethefiguresofFridaandMr。Bilsonissuingfromtheshade！Herrespectedemployerworeanairofsomewhatostentatiousimportancemingledwithrusticgallantry。Frida’smannerwasalsoconsciouswithgratifiedvanity；andalthoughtheybelievedthemselvesalone，hervoicewasalreadypitchedintoahighkeyofnervousaffectation，indicativeofthepeasant。ButtherewasnothingtosuggestthatChrishaddisturbedthemintheirprivacyandconfidences。Yethehadevidentlyseenenoughtosatisfyhimselfofherfaithlessness。Hadheeversuspecteditbefore？

MissTrotterwaitedonlyuntiltheyhadwellprecededher，andthentookashortercuthome。ShewasquitepreparedthateveningforaninterviewwhichMr。Bilsonrequested。Shefoundhimawkwardandembarrassedinhercool，self-possessedpresence。HesaidhedeemedithisdutytoinformherofhisapproachingmarriagewithMissJansen；butitwasbecausehewisheddistinctlytoassureherthatitwouldmakenodifferenceinMissTrotter’spositioninthehotel，excepttopromotehertotheentirecontroloftheestablishment。HewastobemarriedinSanFranciscoatonce，andheandhiswifeweretogoabroadforayearortwo；indeed，hecontemplatedeventuallyretiringfrombusiness。IfMr。BilsonwasuneasilyconsciousduringthisinterviewthathehadoncepaidattentionstoMissTrotter，whichshehadignored，sheneverbetrayedtheleastrecollectionofit。Shethankedhimforhisconfidenceandwishedhimhappiness。

SuddenaswasthisgoodfortunetoMissTrotter，anindependenceshehadsooftendeservedlylookedforwardto，shewas，nevertheless，keenlyalivetothefactthatshehadattaineditpartlythroughChris’sdisappointmentandunhappiness。Hersanemindtaughtherthatitwasbetterforhim；thathehadbeensavedanill-assortedmarriage；thatthegirlhadvirtuallyrejectedhimforBilsonbeforehehadaskedhermediationthatmorning。Yetthesereasonsfailedtosatisfyherfeelings。ItseemedcrueltoherthattheinterestwhichshehadsuddenlytakeninpoorChrisshouldendsoironicallyindisastertohersentimentandsuccesstohermaterialprosperity。

Shethoughtofhisboyishappealtoher；ofwhatmusthavebeenhisutterdiscomfitureinthediscoveryofFrida’srelationstoMr。

Bilsonthatafternoon，butmoreparticularlyofthesingularchangeithadeffectedinhim。Hownoblyandgentlyhehadtakenhisloss！

Howmuchmorelikeamanhelookedinhisdefeatthaninhispassion！Theelementofrespectwhichhadbeenwantinginherpreviousinterestinhimwasnowpresentinherthoughts。Itpreventedherseekinghimwithperfunctorysympathyandworldlycounsel；itmadeherfeelstrangelyandunaccountablyshyofanyotherexpression。

AsMr。Bilsonevidentlydesiredtoavoidlocalgossipuntilafterhismarriage，hehadenjoinedsecrecyuponher，andshewasalsodebarredfromanynewsofChristhroughhisbrother，who，hadheknownofFrida’sengagement，wouldhavenaturallycometoherforexplanation。ItalsoconvincedherthatChrishimselfhadnotrevealedanythingtohisbrother。

III

WhenthenewsofthemarriagereachedBuckeyeHill，itdidnot，however，makemuchscandal，owing，possibly，tothescantnumberofthesexwhoareapttodisseminateit，andtomanythenameofMissJansenwasunknown。TheintelligencethatMr。Bilsonwouldbeabsentforayear，andthatthesuperiorcontroloftheSummitHotelwoulddevolveuponMissTrotter，DID，however，createastirinthatpracticalbusinesscommunity。Noonedoubtedthewisdomoftheselection。EveryoneknewthattoMissTrotter’stactandintellectthesuccessofthehotelhadbeenmainlydue。Possibly，thesatisfactionofBuckeyeHillwasduetosomethingelse。SlowlyandinsensiblyMissTrotterhadachievedasocialdistinction；thewivesanddaughtersofthebanker，thelawyer，andthepastorhadmademuchofher，andnow，asanindependentwomanofmeans，shestoodfirstinthedistrict。Guestsdeemeditanhonortohaveapersonalinterviewwithher。ThegovernoroftheStateandtheSupremeCourtjudgestreatedherlikeaprivatehostess；middle-

agedMissTrotterwasconsideredaseligibleamatchastheproudestheiressinCalifornia。Theoldromanticfictionofherpastwasrevivedagain，——theyhadknownshewasa"reallady"fromthefirst！Shereceivedtheseattentions，asbecamehersaneintellectandcooltemperament，withoutpride，affectation，orhesitation。OnlyherdarkeyesbrightenedonthedaywhenMr。

Bilson’smarriagewasmadeknown，andshewascalleduponbyJamesCalton。

"Ididyouagreatinjustice，"hesaid，withasmile。

"Idon’tunderstandyou，"sherepliedalittlecoldly。

"Why，thiswomanandhermarriage，"hesaid；"youmusthaveknownsomethingofitallthetime，andperhapshelpeditalongtosaveChris。"

"Youaremistaken，"returnedMissTrottertruthfully。"IknewnothingofMr。Bilson’sintentions。"

"ThenIhavewrongedyoustillmore，"hesaidbriskly，"forI

thoughtatfirstthatyouwereinclinedtohelpChrisinhisfoolishness。NowIseeitwasyourpersuasionsthatchangedhim。"

"Letmetellyouonceforall，Mr。Calton，"shereturnedwithanimpulsiveheatwhichsheregretted，"thatIdidnotinterfereinanywaywithyourbrother’ssuit。Hespoketomeofit，andI

promisedtoseeFrida，butheafterwardsaskedmenotto。Iknownothingofthematter。"

"Well，"laughedMr。Calton，"WHATEVERyoudid，itwasmostefficacious，andyoudiditsograciouslyandtactfullythatithasnotalteredhishighopinionofyou，if，indeed，hehasn’treallytransferredhisaffectionstoyou。"

LuckilyMissTrotterhadherfaceturnedfromhimatthebeginningofthesentence，orhewouldhavenoticedthequickflushthatsuddenlycametohercheekandeyes。Yetforaninstantthiscalm，collectedwomantrembled，notatwhatMr。Caltonmighthavenoticed，butatwhatSHEhadnoticedinHERSELF。Mr。Calton，construinghersilenceandavertedheadintosomeresentmentofhisfamiliarspeech，continuedhurriedly：——

"Imean，don’tyousee，thatIbelievenootherwomancouldhaveinfluencedmybrotherasyouhave。"

"Youmean，Ithink，thathehastakenhisbrokenheartverylightly，"saidMissTrotter，withabitterlittlelaugh，sounlikeherselfthatMr。Caltonwasquiteconcernedatit。

"No，"hesaidgravely。"Ican’tsayTHAT！He’sregularlycutup，youknow！Andchanged；you’dhardlyknowhim。Morelikeagloomycrankthantheeasyfoolheusedtobe，"hewenton，withbrotherlydirectness。"Itwouldn’tbeabadthing，youknow，ifyoucouldmanagetoseehim，MissTrotter！Infact，ashe’soffhisfeed，andhassometroublewithhisarmagain，owingtoallthis，I

reckon，I’vebeenthinkingofadvisinghimtocomeuptothehoteloncemoretillhe’sbetter。SolongasSHE’Sgoneitwouldbeallright，youknow！"

BythistimeMissTrotterwasherselfagain。Shereasoned，orthoughtshedid，thatthiswasaquestionofthebusinessofthehotel，anditwasclearlyherdutytoassenttoChris’scoming。

Thestrangeyetpleasurabletimiditywhichpossessedheratthethoughtsheignoredcompletely。

Hecamethenextday。Luckily，shewassomuchshockedbythechangeinhisappearancethatitleftnoroomforanyotherembarrassmentinthemeeting。Hisfacehadlostitsfreshcolorandroundoutline；thelinesofhismouthweredrawnwithpainandaccentedbyhisdroopingmustache；hiseyes，whichhadsoughtherswithasingularseriousness，nolongerworethelookofsympatheticappealwhichhadoncesoexasperatedher，butwerefilledwithanolderexperience。Indeed，heseemedtohaveapproximatedsoneartoherownagethat，byoneofthoseparadoxesoftheemotions，shefeltherselfmuchyounger，andinsmileandeyeshowedit；atwhichhecoloredfaintly。Butshekepthersympathyandinquirieslimitedtohisphysicalhealth，andmadenoallusiontohispastexperiences；indeed，ignoringanyconnectionbetweenthetwo。Hehadbeenshockinglycarelessinhisconvalescence，hadhadarelapseinconsequence，anddeservedagoodscolding！Hisrelapsewasareflectionupontheefficacyofthehotelasaperfectcure！

Sheshouldtreathimmoreseverelynow，andallowhimnoindulgences！IdonotknowthatMissTrotterintendedanythingcovert，buttheireyesmetandhecoloredagain。Ignoringthisalso，andpromisingtolookafterhimoccasionally，shequietlywithdrew。

ButaboutthistimeitwasnoticedthatachangetookplaceinMissTrotter。Alwaysscrupulouslycorrect，andevensevereinherdress，sheallowedherselfcertainprivilegesofcolor，style，andmaterial。She，whohadalwaysaffecteddarkshadesandstiffwhitecuffsandcollars，cameoutindelicatetintsandlaces，whichlentabrilliancytoherdarkeyesandshortcrispblackcurls，slightlytingedwithgray。Onewarmsummereveningshestartledeveryonebyappearinginwhite，possiblyareminiscenceofheryouthattheVermontacademy。Themasculinegueststhoughtitprettyandattractive；eventhewomenforgaveherwhattheybelievedanaturalexpressionofherprosperityandnewcondition，butregrettedatastesoinconsistentwithherage。Forallthat，MissTrotterhadneverlookedsocharming，andthefaintautumnalglowinherfacemadenooneregretherpassingsummer。

OneeveningshefoundChrissomuchbetterthathewassittingonthebalcony，butstillsodepressedthatshewascompelledsofartoovercomethesingulartimidityshehadfeltinhispresenceastoaskhimtocomeintoherownlittledrawing-room，ostensiblytoavoidthecoolnightair。Itwastheformer"card-room"ofthehotel，butnowfittedwithfemininetasteandprettiness。Shearrangedaseatforhimonthesofa，whichhetookwithacertainbrusqueboyishsurliness，thelastvestigeofhisyouth。

"It’sverykindofyoutoinvitemeinhere，"hebeganbitterly，"whenyouaresorunafterbyeveryone，andtoleaveJudgeFletcherjustnowtotalktome，butIsupposeyouaresimplypityingmeforbeingafool！"

"Ithoughtyouwereimprudentinexposingyourselftothenightaironthebalcony，andIthinkJudgeFletcherisoldenoughtotakecareofhimself，"shereturned，withthefaintesttouchofcoquetry，andasmilewhichwasquiteasmuchanamusedrecognitionofthatqualityinherselfasanythingelse。

"AndI’mababywhocan’t，"hesaidangrily。Afterapauseheburstoutabruptly："MissTrotter，willyouanswermeonequestion？"

"Goon，"shesaidsmilingly。

"Didyouknow——that——womanwasengagedtoBilsonwhenIspoketoyouinthewood？"

"No！"sheansweredquickly，butwithoutthesharpresentmentshehadshownathisbrother’ssuggestion。"IonlyknewitwhenMr。

Bilsontoldmethesameevening。"

"AndIonlyknewitwhennewscameoftheirmarriage，"hesaidbitterly。

"Butyoumusthavesuspectedsomethingwhenyousawthemtogetherinthewood，"sheresponded。

"WhenIsawthemtogetherinthewood？"herepeateddazedly。

MissTrotterwasstartled，andstoppedshort。Wasitpossiblehehadnotseenthemtogether？Shewasshockedthatshehadspoken；

butitwastoolatetowithdrawherwords。"Yes，"shewentonhurriedly，"IthoughtthatwaswhyyoucamebacktosaythatIwasnottospeaktoher。"

Helookedatherfixedly，andsaidslowly："Youthoughtthat？

Well，listentome。IsawNOONE！Iknewnothingofthis！I

suspectednothing！IreturnedbeforeIhadreachedthewood——

because——because——Ihadchangedmymind！"

"Changedyourmind！"sherepeatedwonderingly。

"Yes！Changedmymind！Icouldn’tstanditanylonger！Ididnotlovethegirl——Ineverlovedher——Iwassickofmyfolly。Sickofdeceivingyouandmyselfanylonger。NowyouknowwhyIdidn’tgointothewood，andwhyIdidn’tcarewhereshewasnorwhowaswithher！"

"Idon’tunderstand，"shesaid，liftinghercleareyestohiscoldly。

"Ofcourseyoudon’t，"hesaidbitterly。"Ididn’tunderstandmyself！Andwhenyoudounderstandyouwillhateanddespiseme——

ifyoudonotlaughatmeforaconceitedfool！Hearmeout，MissTrotter，forIamspeakingthetruthtoyounow，ifIneverspokeitbefore。Ineveraskedthegirltomarryme！IneversaidtoHERhalfwhatItoldtoYOU，andwhenIaskedyoutointercedewithher，Ineverwantedyoutodoit——andneverexpectedyouwould。"

"MayIaskWHYyoudiditthen？"saidMissTrotter，withanacerbitywhichsheputontohideavague，tantalizingconsciousness。

"YouwouldnotbelievemeifItoldyou，andyouwouldhatemeifyoudid。"Hestopped，and，lockinghisfingerstogether，threwhishandsoverthebackofthesofaandleanedtowardher。"Youneverlikedme，MissTrotter，"hesaidmorequietly；"notfromthefirst！

FromthedaythatIwasbroughttothehotel，whenyoucametoseeme，Icouldseethatyoulookeduponmeasafoolish，pettedboy。

WhenItriedtocatchyoureye，youlookedatthedoctor，andtookyourspeechfromhim。AndyetIthoughtIhadneverseenawomansogreatandperfectasyouwere，andwhosesympathyIlongedsomuchtohave。Youmaynotbelieveme，butIthoughtyouwereaqueen，foryouwerethefirstladyIhadeverseen，andyouweresodifferentfromtheothergirlsIknew，orthewomenwhohadbeenkindtome。Youmaylaugh，butit’sthetruthI’mtellingyou，MissTrotter！"

Hehadrelapsedcompletelyintohisoldpleading，boyishway——ithadstruckherevenashehadpleadedtoherforFrida！

"Iknewyoudidn’tlikemethatdayyoucametochangethebandages。Althougheverytouchofyourhandsseemedtoeasemypain，youdiditsocoldlyandprecisely；andalthoughIlongedtokeepyoutherewithme，youscarcelywaitedtotakemythanks，butleftmeasifyouhadonlydoneyourdutytoastranger。Andworstofall，"hewentonmorebitterly，"thedoctorknewittoo——guessedhowIfelttowardyou，andlaughedatmeformyhopelessness！Thatmademedesperate，andputmeuptoactthefool。Idid！Yes，MissTrotter；IthoughtitmightyclevertoappeartobeinlovewithFrida，andtogethimtoasktohaveherattendmeregularly。

Andwhenyousimplyconsented，withoutawordorthoughtaboutitandme，IknewIwasnothingtoyou。"

MissTrotterfeltasuddenthrill。TherecollectionofDr。

Duchesne’sstrangescrutinyofher，ofherownmistake，whichshenowknewmighthavebeenthetruth——flashedacrossherconfusedconsciousnessinswiftcorroborationofhiswords。ItwasaDOUBLE

revelationtoher；forwhatelsewasthemeaningofthissubtle，insidious，benumbingsweetnessthatwasnowcreepingoverhersenseandspiritandholdingherfast。Shefeltsheoughttolistennolonger——tospeak——tosaysomething——togetup——toturnandconfronthimcoldly——butshewaspowerless。Herreasontoldherthatshehadbeenthevictimofatrick——thathavingdeceivedheronce，hemightbedoingsoagain；butshecouldnotbreakthespellthatwasuponher，nordidshewantto。Shemustknowtheculminationofthisconfession，whosepreamblethrilledhersostrangely。

"Thegirlwaskindandsympathetic，"hewenton，"butIwasnotsogreatafoolasnottoknowthatshewasaflirtandaccustomedtoattention。IsupposeitwasinmydesperationthatItoldmybrother，thinkinghewouldtellyou，ashedid。Hewouldnottellmewhatyousaidtohim，exceptthatyouseemedtobeindignantatthethoughtthatIwasonlyflirtingwithFrida。ThenIresolvedtospeakwithyoumyself——andIdid。Iknowitwasastupid，clumsycontrivance。ItneverseemedsostupidbeforeIspoketoyou。Itneverseemedsowickedaswhenyoupromisedtohelpme，andyoureyesshoneonmeforthefirsttimewithkindness。AnditneverseemedsohopelessaswhenIfoundyoutouchedwithmyloveforanother。YouwonderwhyIkeptupthisdeceituntilyoupromised。Well，Ihadpreparedthebittercupmyself——IthoughtI

oughttodrinkittothedregs。"

Sheturnedquietly，passionately，and，standingup，facedhimwithalittlecry。"WhyareyoutellingmethisNOW？"

Herosetoo，andcatchingherhandsinhis，said，withawhiteface，"BecauseIloveyou。"……

Halfanhourlater，whentheunder-housekeeperwassummonedtoreceiveMissTrotter’sorders，shefoundthatladyquietlywritingatthetable。AmongtheordersshereceivedwasthenotificationthatMr。Calton’sroomswouldbevacatedthenextday。Whentheservant，who，likemostofherclass，wasdevotedtothegood-

natured，good-looking，liberalChris，askedwithsomeconcerniftheyounggentlemanwasnobetter，MissTrotter，withequalplacidity，answeredthatitwashisintentiontoputhimselfunderthecareofaspecialistinSanFrancisco，andthatshe，MissTrotter，fullyapprovedofhiscourse。Shefinishedherletter，——

theservantnoticedthatitwasaddressedtoMr。BilsonatParis，——

and，handingittoher，badethatitshouldbegiventoagroom，withorderstorideovertotheSummitpost-officeatoncetocatchthelastpost。Asthehousekeeperturnedtogo，sheagainreferredtothedepartingguest。"Itseemssuchapity，ma’am，thatMr。

Caltoncouldn’tstay，ashealwayssaidyoudidhimsomuchgood。"

MissTrottersmiledaffably。Butwhenthedoorclosedshegaveahystericallittlelaugh，andthen，droppingherhandsomegray-

streakedheadinherslimhands，criedlikeagirl——or，indeed，asshehadnevercriedwhenagirl。

WhenthenewsofMr。Calton’sdeparturebecameknownthenextday，someladyguestsregrettedthelossofthismosteligibleyoungbachelor。MissTrotteragreedwiththem，withtheconsolingsuggestionthathemightreturnforadayortwo。Hedidreturnforaday；itwasthoughtthatthechangetoSanFranciscohadgreatlybenefitedhim，thoughsomebelievedhewouldbeaninvalidallhislife。

MeantimeMissTrotterattendedregularlytoherduties，withthedifference，perhaps，thatshebecamedailymoresociallypopularandperhapslesssevereinherreceptionoftheattentionsofthemasculineguests。ItwasfinallywhisperedthatthegreatJudgeBoompointerwasaseriousrivalofJudgeFletcherforherhand。

When，threemonthslater，someexcitementwascausedbytheintelligencethatMr。Bilsonwasreturningtotakechargeofhishotel，owingtotheresignationofMissTrotter，whoneededacompletechange，everybodyknewwhatthatmeant。AfewwerereadytonamethedaywhenshewouldbecomeMrs。Boompointer；othershadseentheengagementringofJudgeFletcheronherslimfinger。

NeverthelessMissTrottermarriedneither，andbythetimeMr。andMrs。Bilsonhadreturnedshehadtakenherholiday，andtheSummitHouseknewhernomore。

Threeyearslater，andataforeignSpa，thousandsofmilesdistantfromthesceneofherformertriumphs，MissTrotterreappearedasahandsome，stately，gray-hairedstranger，whosearistocraticbearingdeeplyimpressedafewofherowncountrymenwhowitnessedherarrival，andbelievedhertobeagrandduchessattheleast。Theywerestillmoreconvincedofhersuperioritywhentheysawherwelcomedbythewell-knownBaronessX。，andafterwardsengagedinaveryconfidentialconversationwiththatlady。Buttheywouldhavebeenstillmoresurprisedhadtheyknownthetenorofthatconversation。

"IamafraidyouwillfindtheSpaveryemptyjustnow，"saidthebaronesscritically。"Butthereareafewofyourcompatriotshere，however，andtheyarealwaysamusing。Youseethatsomewhatfadedblondesittingquitealoneinthatarbor？Thatisherpositiondayafterday，whileherhusbandopenlyflirtsorisflirtedwithbyhalfthewomenhere。QuitetheoppositeexperienceonehasofAmericanwomen，whereit’salltheotherway，isitnot？

Andthereisanoddstoryaboutherwhichmayaccountfor，ifitdoesnotexcuse，herhusband’sneglect。They’reveryrich，buttheysayshewasoriginallyamereservantinahotel。"

"YouforgetthatItoldyouIwasonceonlyahousekeeperinone，"

saidMissTrotter，smiling。

"Nonsense。Imeanthatthiswomanwasamerepeasant，andfrightfullyignorantatthat！"

MissTrotterputuphereyeglass，and，afteramoment’sscrutiny，saidgently，"Ithinkyouarealittlesevere。Iknowher；it’saMrs。Bilson。"

"No，mydear。Youarequitewrong。ThatwasthenameofherFIRST

husband。Iamtoldshewasawidowwhomarriedagain——quiteafascinatingyoungman，andevidentlyhersuperior——thatiswhatissofunny。SheisaMrs。Calton——’Mrs。ChrisCalton，’asshecallsherself。"

"Isherhusband——Mr。Calton——here？"saidMissTrotterafterapause，inastillgentlervoice。

"Naturallynot。HehasgoneonanexcursionwithapartyofladiestotheSchwartzberg。Hereturnsto-morrow。YouwillfindHERverystupid，butHEisveryjolly，thoughalittlespoiledbywomen。

Whydowealwaysspoilthem？"

MissTrottersmiled，andpresentlyturnedthesubject。ButthebaronesswasgreatlydisappointedtofindthenextdaythatanunexpectedtelegramhadobligedMissTrottertoleavetheSpawithoutmeetingtheCaltons。