re be inevitable, would be insupportable; she would prefer to
be in Boston when he should first recognize her; and, if she tormented
herself yesterday with the fear that he would not come, the dread that
he might do so was a still greater cause of distress to her to-day.

She was therefore relieved when, after dinner, Mr. Phillips proposed to
drive to the lake. Dr. Gryseworth and one of his daughters had agreed to
take seats in a carriage he had provided, and he hoped she would not
refuse to occupy the fourth.

At the lake Dr. Gryseworth and his daughter Ellen had been persuaded by
a party whom they had met there to engage in bowling. Mr. Phillips and
Gertrude declined taking part, and stood looking on. As they sat thus,
surveying the beautiful sheet of water, a couple approached and took up
a position near them. Mr. Phillips was screened from their observation
by the trunk of a tree, and Gertrude sufficiently so to be unnoticed,
yet the paleness of her face as they drew near indicated that she saw
and recognized William Sullivan and Isabel Clinton. The words which they
spoke fell distinctly upon her ear. "Shall I then be so much missed?"
asked Isabel, looking earnestly into the face of her companion, who,
with a serious air, was gazing out upon the water.

"Missed!" replied he, turning towards her and speaking in a slightly
reproachful voice; "how can it be otherwise? Who can supply your place?"

"But it will be only two days."

"A short time under ordinary circumstances," said Willie, "but an
eternity----" He here checked himself and made a sudden motion to
proceed on their walk. Isabel followed him, saying, "But you will wait
here until my return?"

He turned to reply, and this time the reproachful look of his features
was visible to Gertrude as he said, with earnestness, "Certainly; can
you doubt it?" The strange, fixed, unnatural expression of Gertrude's
countenance as she listened to this conversation, to her so deeply
fraught with meaning, was fearful to witness.

"Gertrude!" exclaimed Mr. Phillips, after watching her for a moment;
"Gertrude, for Heaven's sake do not look so! Speak, Gertrude! What is
the matter?"

But she did not turn her eyes, did not move a feature of that stony
face; she evidently did not hear him. He took her hand. It was cold as
marble. His face now wore an appearance of distress almost equal to her
own; great tears rolled down his cheeks. Once he stretched forth his
arms as if he w