iliarly
associated with one who had treated her with scorn.

She had to summon all her self-command, and endeavour to behave with
serenity and composure. Gertrude compelled herself to enter the room
where Emily was awaiting her, bid her a cheerful "good morning," and
assist in her toilet. Her face bore indications of recent tears, but
that Emily could not see, and by breakfast-time even they were
effectually removed.

New trials too awaited her, for Dr. Jeremy, according to his promise,
after recovering his cane, went to meet her as agreed upon, and, finding
her false to her appointment, was full of inquiries as to the path she
had taken. The truth was, that when Gertrude heard Mr. Phillips
approaching in the direction she should have taken, she, in her
eagerness to avoid meeting any one, took the contrary path to that she
had been pursuing, and, after he joined her, retraced her steps to the
hotel the same way she had come, consequently eluding the search of the
doctor. But before she could plead any excuse Netta Gryseworth came up,
full of pleasantry and fun, and leaning over Gertrude's shoulder, said,
in a whisper loud enough to be heard by all the little circle, who were
being delayed on their way to breakfast by the doctor's demand for an
explanation, "Gertrude, my dear, such affecting partings ought to be
private; I wonder you allow them to take place directly at the
door-step."

This remark did not lessen Gertrude's discomfiture, which became extreme
on Dr. Jeremy's taking Netta by the arm and insisting upon knowing her
meaning, declaring that he always had suspicions of Gertrude, and wanted
to know with whom she had been walking.

"Oh, a certain tall young beau of hers, who stood gazing after her when
she left him, until I began to fear the cruel creature had turned him
into stone. What did you do to him, Gertrude?"

"Nothing," replied Gertrude. "He saved me from being thrown down by the
little rail-car, and afterwards walked home with me." Gertrude answered
seriously; she could have laughed and joked with Netta at any other
time, but now her heart was too heavy. The doctor did not perceive her
agitation, and pushed the matter further.

"Quite romantic! imminent danger! providential rescue! _tete-a-tete_
walk home, carefully avoiding the old doctor, who might prove an
interruption!--I understand!" Poor Gertrude, blushing and distressed,
tried to offer some explanation and stammered out, with a faltering