CHAPTER IX.
THE MEETING Graydon had completed his final transactions abroad with more expedition than he had anticipated, and, having been favored by a quick passage, had arrived several days sooner than he was expected.
Therefore he decided to accompany his brother to the Catskills on Saturday, spending the intervening time in business and such arrangements as would leave him free to remain in the country for a week or two.

The second evening after his arrival again found him in Miss Wildmere's parlor, and before he left he was given to understand that Mrs.Wildmere had decided upon the Under-Cliff House also, and that they would depart on Saturday.
"Then you will be _compagnon de voyage_," said Graydon, with undisguised pleasure.
Somewhat to Mrs.Wildmere's surprise, her husband quietly acquiesced in his daughter's wishes, telegraphed for rooms, and desired his wife to be ready.
She was a quiet, meek little woman, whose life had somehow become entangled in a sphere which was not in harmony with her nature.

Her beauty had faded early, and she had little force of character with which to maintain her influence over her husband.

His life was amid the fierce excitements of Wall Street; hers, as far as she had a life, was a weary effort to keep up appearances and meet the expenses of a fashionable daughter, on an uncertain and greatly fluctuating income.
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.