Further tete-a-tete was interrupted by the appearance of Mr. Arnault.  The young men were courteous and even cordial to each other, but before half an hour had passed they recognized that they were rivals.  Graydon’s lips grew firm, and his eyes sparkled with the spirit of one who had not the faintest idea of yielding to another.  Miss Wildmere was delighted.  The game was in her own hands.  She could play these two men off against each other, and take her choice.  Mr. Arnault was made to feel that he was not de trop, and, as usual, he was nonchalant, serene, and evidently meant to stay.  Therefore Graydon took his leave, and was permitted to carry away the impression that his departure was regretted.

“Mr. Arnault,” said Miss Wildmere, quietly, “we have decided to spend some time at the Under-Cliff House in the Catskills.  So you perceive that I shall be deprived of the pleasure of your calls for a while.”

“Not at all.  I shall take part of my summering there also.  When do you go?”

“In a few days—­sometime before the fourth.  How fortunately it all happens!” she added, laughing.  “When did you decide on the Catskills?”

“That’s immaterial.  When did you?”

“That also is immaterial.  Perhaps you would like to ask mamma?”

“I’d rather ask papa—­both, I should say,” he replied, with a significant shrug.

“Do so by all means.  Meanwhile I would suggest that a great many people go to the Catskills—­thirty thousand, more or less, it is said.”

“I had another question in mind.  Is Graydon Muir going there in order to follow the crowd?”

“If he is going I suppose he will follow his inclinations.”

“Or you?”

“Were that possible, I could not prevent it.  Indeed, women rarely resent such things.”

“No indeed.  It is well you do not, for you would become the embodiment of resentment.  How large is your train now, Stella?”

“You can dimmish it by one if you choose,” she replied, smiling archly.

“I should be little missed, no doubt.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“I’m more afraid of Muir than of all the train together.”

“That’s natural.  The train has little chance collectively.”

“Don’t pretend to misunderstand me.  There was unmistakable meaning in Muir’s eyes.”

“I should hope so.  He means to help me have a good time.  So do you, I trust.”

“Certainly.  You may judge of the future from the past,” he added, significantly, as he rose to take his leave.

“Then the future promises well for me,” she said, giving him her hand cordially; “for you have been one of the best of friends.”

“And a good deal more.  Good-night.”

“Mamma,” said Miss Wildmere, stopping at the nursery on her way to her room, “we must get ready to go to the Catskills at once.”

“Why, Stella!  This is the first I’ve heard of this plan.  Your father has said that he doesn’t see how we can go out of town at all this summer.”