It is a very good view, indeed. We overlook the green valley, with the hotel in the foreground, and a beautiful stretch of varying landscape behind. Blue, wooded hills inclose it like the walls of an amphitheatre, and we see beyond still bluer heights, with the pomp of the sunset sky spread above. It is a pomp which is dazzling in its glory. Fantastically shaped clouds of crimson and rose color are shot with luminous splendor, and their edges are gilded with a radiance at which we can scarcely look. “What royal magnificence!” says Sylvia. “Sometimes the sun dies like a sovereign.” “Rather too much magnificence!” says Eric. “At least there are too many clouds; I fear we shall have bad weather again.” “That will be a pity,” I observe, “since Aunt Markham has consented to start back to Asheville to-morrow.” “What!” cries Mrs. Cardigan, with an expression of the most sincere dismay, “are you going to leave the Springs? Oh, how sorry I am! I hoped we should climb a great many more mountains together.—O Mr. Markham! how can you be so faithless? You know you promised to take me up _this_ mountain”—and she points to the one behind the cliff on which we are seated. “I am at your service,” says Eric. “Shall we climb it now?” “You know that is nonsense; how can we climb it with the sun gone and twilight about to fall? But, if you leave to-morrow, I shall consider that you have broken your plighted faith, and perhaps I shall throw myself from this rock like the ubiquitous Indian maiden who was afflicted with suicidal mania a hundred years or so ago.” “In that case we can’t think of leaving you behind,” says Sylvia. “Why should you not come with us? The gorge of the French Broad from this point to Asheville is a great deal better worth seeing than any thing you can find here.” “It would be a good idea,” Mrs. Cardigan answers. “If I return by Wolf Creek—as I came—I shall fail to see the finest scenery on the river—shall I not?” “You will have seen none at all,” says Eric. “The grandeur of the gorge is all above here.” “Then I must see it!” she says. “I have only waited for a good opportunity to do so, and I am sure I could not find a better one than this.” So the matter seems to be settled. I suggest aside to Charley that he had better invite Miss Hollis to join our party also; but he does not receive the idea with favor. “I think we are best as we are,” he says. “I would rather vote for decreasing than increasing our number.”