The American Falls are mere prelude to the Horseshoe. Mr. Burke provides the party with protective gear—sacks of oilcloth that go from neck to ankle and belt with rope, a tight hood that leaves only the face exposed. None of the waterproof boots are small enough to fit Asia. She’s forced to shuffle along as if she has boxes on her feet. “We look dangerous,” John says. “Brigands.”

“We look like walking hillocks,” says Edwin.

The path under the Falls is narrow enough to make the fit of Asia’s boots a matter of concern. She holds tightly to Edwin’s belt as he proceeds ahead of her, from handhold to handhold on the rocky wall to their left. The next moment she is drowning. Water sprays from above and below, filling her nose and throat, blinding her. Her instinct is to turn back, but Edwin pulls her forward through the water and into the air. Wiping her face with her soaking sleeve, she sees that she is in God’s own church. She sees the great, soaring stone arch from which a wall of water pours.

vii

Two days later, with one night spent in New York, they’re on the train back to Baltimore. It’s dark outside and Jean and John have fallen asleep opposite each other, each reflected dimly in the black windows. The train clicks and sways. Asia’s more than contented. In the lobby of their New York hotel, John had mischievously leaned down and kissed Jean on the cheek. His apology—she looked so sweet, he said, he couldn’t help himself—and Jean blushing into her hands are delightful to remember.

Finally!

Edwin tells Asia a story. He’s talking quietly so as not to wake anyone. “One time Miss Hyde made me stay after school. I don’t remember what I’d done; no doubt it was dreadful. She set me some passages to copy. I’m sure I was there at least two hours. But when I got outside, Sleeper was waiting for me. He’d never gone home, but watched the whole thing through the window. He had a large rock in his hand. ‘If I saw her go for her cane,’ he said, ‘I was going to put this rock right through the glass.’

“Sleeper is such a good man,” Edwin says. “Faithful and steadfast. And he’s loved you forever. I’d be so relieved to see you married to him. Then I’d know that you’d be well taken care of no matter what might come.”

It’s true. Sleeper has been courting her for so long, Edwin working all that same time to bring the match about. Why should her schemes work out and not his?

She surely doesn’t want to end up like Rosalie.