hotel, whose huge white walls, seen from the Hudson, stand out
from the dark wooded landscape, like some mammoth snow bank,
suggestive to the traveller of a quiet retreat and a cool shelter
from the summer's fervid heat. Edith's health and spirits were
visibly improved, and her musical laugh often rang through the
house in tones so merry and gleeful that the most solemn of the
guests felt their boyhood coming back to them as they heard the
ringing laugh, and a softer light suffused their cold, stern eyes
as they paused in the midst of some learned discussion to watch
the frolicsome, graceful belle of the Mountain House--the bride
elect of the blind man.

It was known to be so now. The secret was out--told by Victor,
when closely questioned with regard to Edith's relationship to Mr.
Harrington. It created much surprise and a world of gossip, but
shielded Edith from attentions which might otherwise have been
annoying, for more than Richard thought her the one of all others
whose presence could make the sunshine of their life. But Edith
was betrothed. The dun leaves of October would crown her a wife,
and so one pleasant morning some half a score young men, each as
like to the other as young men at fashionable places of resort are
apt to be, kicked their patent leather boots against the pillars
of the rear piazza, broke a part of the tenth commandment
shockingly, muttered to themselves speeches anything but
complimentary to Richard, and then, at the appearance of a plaid
silk travelling dress and brown straw flat, rushed forward en
masse, each contending frantically for the honor of assisting Miss
Hastings to enter the omnibus, where Richard was already seated,
and which was to convey a party to the glens of the Kauterskill
Falls.