"What, Sister Madge? She must have changed greatly if she will dance at all. She is an invalid, you know." "I hear she has returned vastly improved in health--indeed, that she is quite a beauty." "I hope so," he said, cordially, "but fear that rumor has exaggerated. My brother said she was better, and added but little more. Have you seen her?" "No. I only heard, a short time since, that she had returned." Madge had not gone into society, and had she met Miss Wildmere face to face she would not have been recognized, so greatly was she changed from the pallid, troubled girl over whom the beauty had enjoyed her petty triumph; but the report of Miss Alden's attractions had aroused in Miss Wildmere's mind apprehensions of a possible rival. Graydon's manner was completely reassuring. Whatever Miss Alden might have become, she evidently had no place in his thoughts beyond that natural to their relations. No closer ties had been formed by correspondence during his long absence. Further tête-à-tête was interrupted by the appearance of Mr. Arnault. The young men were courteous and even cordial to each other, but before half an hour had passed they recognized that they were rivals. Graydon's lips grew firm, and his eyes sparkled with the spirit of one who had not the faintest idea of yielding to another. Miss Wildmere was delighted. The game was in her own hands. She could play these two men off against each other, and take her choice. Mr. Arnault was made to feel that he was not _de trop_, and, as usual, he was nonchalant, serene, and evidently meant to stay. Therefore Graydon took his leave, and was permitted to carry away the impression that his departure was regretted. "Mr. Arnault," said Miss Wildmere, quietly, "we have decided to spend some time at the Under-Cliff House in the Catskills. So you perceive that I shall be deprived of the pleasure of your calls for a while." "Not at all. I shall take part of my summering there also. When do you go?" "In a few days--sometime before the fourth. How fortunately it all happens!" she added, laughing. "When did you decide on the Catskills?" "That's immaterial. When did you?" "That also is immaterial. Perhaps you would like to ask mamma?" "I'd rather ask papa--both, I should say," he replied, with a significant shrug. "Do so by all means. Meanwhile I would suggest that a great many people go to the Catskills--thirty thousand, more or less, it is said." "I had another question in mind. Is Graydon Muir going there in order to follow the crowd?" "If he is going I suppose he will follow his inclinations." "Or you?" "Were that possible, I could not prevent it. Indeed, women rarely resent such things." "No indeed. It is well you do not, for you would become the embodiment of resentment. How large is your train now, Stella?" "You can dimmish it by one if you choose," she replied, smiling archly. "I should be little missed, no doubt." "I didn't say that."