to ride, part to take a drive, and the rest a nap. Among
these last was Gertrude, who made her headache as an excuse to Emily for
this unwonted indulgence.

In the evening she had an urgent invitation to accompany Dr. Gryseworth,
his daughters, and the Petrancourts to a concert at the United States
Hotel. This she declined. She felt that she could not undergo another
such encounter as that of the morning--she should be sure to betray
herself; and now that the whole day had passed and Willie had made no
attempt to see her, she felt that she would not, for the world, put
herself in his way and run the risk of being recognised by him in a
crowded concert-room.

Thus the parlour, being half deserted, was very quiet--a great relief to
Gertrude's aching head and troubled mind. Later in the evening an
elderly man, a clergyman, had been introduced to Emily, and was talking
with her; Madam Gryseworth and Dr. Jeremy were entertaining each other,
Mrs. Jeremy was nodding, and Gertrude, believing that she should not be
missed, was gliding out of the room to sit in the moonlight when she met
Mr. Phillips in the hall.

"What are you here all alone for?" asked he. "Why didn't you go to the
concert?"

"I have a headache."

"I saw you had at dinner. Is it no better?"

"No. I believe not."

"Come and walk with me on the piazza a little while. It will do you
good."

She went; and he talked very entertainingly to her, told her a great
many amusing anecdotes, succeeded in making her smile, and even laugh,
and seemed pleased at having done so. He related many amusing things he
had seen and heard since he had been staying at Saratoga in the
character of a spectator, and ended by asking her if she didn't think it
was a heartless show.

Gertrude asked his meaning.

"Don't you think it is ridiculous in so many thousand people coming here
to enjoy themselves?"

"I don't know," answered Gertrude; "but it has not seemed so to me. I
think it's an excellent thing for those who do enjoy themselves."

"And how many do?"

"The greater part, I suppose."

"Pshaw! no they don't. More than half go away miserable, and nearly all
the rest dissatisfied."

"Do you think so? Now, I thought the charm of the place was seeing so
many happy faces; they have nearly all looked happy to me."

"Oh, that's all on the surface; and, if you'll notice, those who look
happy one day are wretched enough the next. Yours was one of the happy
faces yesterday,