xperience in the so-called other world of society, a wonderful
intuition as to the relative value of people and circumstances in this
ordinary world which already, during her short life, had presented
various interesting phases for her inspection; consequently she
recognized the abyss of circumstance between her and the heiress of
Henry Van Ostend. But, with an intensity proportioned to her open-minded
recognition of the first material differences, her innate womanliness
and pride refused to acknowledge any abyss as to their respective
personalities. Hence she kept silence in regard to certain things;
laughed and made merry over the letters filled with the Van Ostends'
doings--and held on her own way, sure of her own status with herself.

Aileen kept her secret, and all the more closely because she was
realizing that Champney Googe was far from indifferent to her. At first,
the knowledge of the miracle of love, that was wrought so suddenly as
she thought, sufficed to fill her heart with continual joy. But,
shortly, that was modified by the awakening longing that Champney should
return her love. She felt she charmed him; she knew that he timed his
coming and going that he might encounter her in the house or about the
grounds, whenever and wherever he could--sometimes alone in her boat on
the long arm of the lake, that makes up to the west and is known as
"lily-pad reach"; and afterwards, during the autumn, in the quarry woods
above The Gore where with her satellites, Dulcie and Doosie Caukins, she
went to pick checkerberries.

Mrs. Champney was baffled; she determined to await developments, taking
refuge from her defeat in the old saying "Love and a cough can't be
hidden." Still, she could but wonder when four months of the late
spring and early summer passed, and Champney made no further appearance
in Flamsted. This hiatus was noticeable, and she would have found it
inexplicable, had not Mr. Van Ostend written her a letter which
satisfied her in regard to many things of which she had previously been
in doubt; it decided her once for all to speak to Aileen and warn her
against any passing infatuation for her nephew. For this she determined
to bide her time, especially as Champney's unusual length of absence
from Flamsted seemed to have no effect on the girl's joyous spirits. In
July, however, she had again an opportunity to see the two together at
Champ-au-Haut. Champney was in Flamsted on business for two days only,
an