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。