Mr. Wildmere informed her that his affairs would keep him in town until late in the following week, but that, as the house to which she was going was a quiet family hotel, she would have no trouble.

Mr. Muir had telegraphed the arrival of his brother, and the latter had written a few cordial but hasty lines to both his sister-in-law and Madge.  Where he spent his evenings was unknown to Mr. Muir, but that gentleman had little trouble in guessing when he saw his brother greet the Wildmeres as if he understood their plans, and laughingly promise Mr. Wildmere that he would see the ladies and their belongings safely established in the Under-Cliff House.  Graydon observed the slight cloud on his brother’s face, but ignored it, feeling that his preference was an affair of his own.  He believed that the long-wished-for opportunity to press his suit with vigor had come, and had no hesitation as to his purpose.  He did not intend to act precipitately, however.  He would first learn just how Mr. Arnault stood, and become reasonably assured by Miss Wildmere’s manner toward himself that her preference was not a hope, but a reality.

The enterprise in which Mr. Muir had engaged, and which now so taxed his financial strength, was outside of his regular business, and Graydon knew nothing of it.  The young man believed that his own means and exceptionally good prospects were sufficient to warrant the step he proposed to take.  He assuredly had the right to please himself in his choice, and he felt that he would be fortunate indeed could he win one whom so many had sought in vain.

It never entered Mr. Muir’s mind to interpose any authority or undue influence.  He merely felt in regard to the matter a repugnance natural to one so alien in disposition to Mr. Wildmere and his daughter, and it was a source of bitter mortification to him that he now found himself in a position not unlike that of the broker, in what would appear, in the present aspect of affairs, to be an outside speculation.  During the ride to the mountains he mentally compared Miss Wildmere’s behavior with that of Madge a week before.  Witnessing Graydon’s evident infatuation, he would have been glad to recognize any manifestation of traits that promised well for his future; but the young lady was evidently altogether occupied with the attentions she received, her own beauty, and the furtive admiration of fellow-passengers.  Poor Mrs. Wildmere and the nurse were left to manage the cross baby as best they could.  Graydon once or twice tried to do something, but his strange face and voice only frightened the child.

To Madge it had seemed an age since the telegram announcing Graydon’s arrival had thrilled every nerve with hope and fear.  Then had come his hasty note, proving conclusively his affectionate indifference.  She was simply Madge to him, as of old.  He was the one man of all the world to her, and no calculating “if” would be the source of her restraint.