By dint of inquiry here and there, she at length found the nurse's home--a little cottage, almost covered with morning-glory vines, setting back from the main road. Although the nurse had not seen Gerelda since she was a little child, she knew her the moment her eyes rested upon her face, and with a cry of amazement she drew back. "Gerelda Northrup!" she gasped. "Is it you, Miss Gerelda, or do my eyes deceive me?" She had heard of the great marriage that was to take place at the Crossmon Hotel, at Alexandria Bay, and heard, too, the whispered rumor of the bride-elect's flight; and to see her standing there before her almost took Nurse Henderson's breath away. She looked past Gerelda, expecting to see some tall and handsome gentleman, with a grand carriage drawn up at the road-side, waiting for her. The girl seemed to interpret her thoughts. "I have come alone," she said, briefly. "Won't you bid me enter?" "That I will, Miss Gerelda!" cried Nurse Henderson, laughing and crying over her. But when she drew her into the house, and took off the long cloak she wore, she was startled beyond expression to see that she wore a bridal-dress all ruined and torn. Nurse Henderson held up her hands in wild alarm. "Oh, Miss Gerelda!" she cried; "what does it mean? I am terrified!" "Do not ask me any questions, I pray; I am not able to answer them just yet. Some day I may tell you all, but not now." The old nurse placed her on a sofa, begging her to rest herself, as she looked so pale and worn, saying that she might tell her anything she wished, a little later, when she was stronger. It was a fortnight before Gerelda had strength to leave her old nurse's home, and during that time she had made a _confidante_ of old Nurse Henderson, pledging her beforehand never to reveal the story she had told her. Nurse Henderson listened, horror-struck, to the story. "I am going to see for myself, Henderson," she added, in conclusion, "just how much truth there is in this affair. If I find that Hubert Varrick has been so false to me, it will surely kill me. I am going there to see for myself." "You do not seem to realize, my dear," said Nurse Henderson, "that the people say you eloped with his rival, and that he believes them." "He should have had more confidence in me, no matter what the world says!" cried Gerelda, with flashing eyes. "He should have searched for me. I have often thought since, that Heaven intended just what has occurred to test his love for me. I firmly believe this. I intend to disguise myself, and go boldly to his home and see for myself whether the report is false or true. Of course, a rival would not stoop to make up any falsehood against him and pour it into my ears. You will help me to disguise myself, Henderson?"