The chapter opens with a conversation between a young woman named Rachel Ordway and her ex-boyfriend, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The young woman, who is now married to Henry's older brother, is upset that Henry has not responded to her recent visit to his family. She wants to know what her parents have said to her since she has left her family. Henry, however, does not respond to her inquiries. He tells her that he has not been to her family's house in a long time, and that she should come visit them next time. He then asks her if she is free to visit him the following weekend. She replies that she is, but that her mother will be sad that she will not be able to visit. She then asks Henry if he is free, and he responds that he is. She tells him that she feels jealous when she is with other friends, and she then asks him if he will be free anytime soon. He replies that he does not know, and then asks if she has something for the weekend, but she says that she does not have anything yet. She asks if he can tell her what if she goes to meet him. He responds that she can tell him what if, and when she says she does have something, he replies that it is not possible to tell her. She says that if she puts her handkerchief over his face, he will never feel cold again, and trembles. He says that he trembles when he puts it over her face, and if she put it over him, she will never have to worry about him again.