vellers passed one night only at West Point. The weather
continued hot, and Dr. Jeremy, perceiving that Emily drooped under the
oppressive atmosphere, was desirous to reach the summit of Catskill
Mountain before the coming Sabbath.

One solitary moonlight evening sufficed to give Gertrude some idea of
the beauties of the place. She could not observe it in detail, only as a
whole; but, thus presented in all the dreamy loveliness of a summer's
night, it left on her mind a vague sentiment of wonder and delight at
the surpassing sweetness of what seemed rather a glimpse of Paradise
than an actual show of earth, so harmonious was the scene, so still, so
peaceful. "Emily, darling," said she, as they stood together in a rustic
arbour, commanding the most striking prospect both of the river and the
shore, "it looks like you; you ought to live here and be the priestess
of such a temple;" and, locking her hand in that of Emily, she poured
into her ear the holy and elevated sentiments to which the time and the
place gave birth.

At an early hour in the morning they steamed up the river. But West
Point was hardly passed before Gertrude's watchful eye detected in
Emily's countenance signs of weariness and debility. Sacrificing,
without hesitation, the pleasure she was herself deriving from beautiful
scenes through which the boat was passing, she proposed that they should
seek the cabin, where Miss Graham might rest in greater stillness. But
Emily would not listen to the proposal; would not think of depriving
Gertrude of the pleasure she knew she must be experiencing.

"The prospect is all lost upon me now, Emily," said Gertrude. "I see
only your tired face. Do go and lie down, if it be only to please me;
you hardly slept at all last night."

"Are you talking of going below?" exclaimed Mrs. Jeremy. "I, for one,
shall be thankful, too; it's as comfortable again, and we can see all we
want to from the cabin windows; can't we, Emily?"

"Should you really prefer it?" inquired Emily.

"Indeed, I should!" said Mrs. Jeremy, with such emphasis that her
sincerity could not be doubted.

"Then, if you will promise to stay here, Gertrude," said Emily, "I will
go with Mrs. Jeremy."

Gertrude assented to the plan; but insisted upon first accompanying
them, to find a vacant berth for Emily, and see her under circumstances
which would promise repose. Emily was too weak to endure the noise on
deck, and after she had laid down in the quiet sa