The Blithedale Romance

Tired from his labors, Coverdale decides to take a break and recover his thoughts. While walking in the woods, he encounters a stranger named Professor Westervelt who greets him with misplaced familiarity. Despite the man’s physical beauty, Coverdale intuitively mistrusts him. Exacerbating Coverdale’s sense of unease, Westervelt begins to ask questions about Zenobia and where he might find her. Although Coverdale shares some information on Zenobia’s possible location, he’s taken aback when Westervelt suggests that Hollingsworth is planning to take advantage of Zenobia’s wealth for his own goals. Westervelt asks after Priscilla as well, requesting that Coverdale set up a meeting between him and the young woman, but Coverdale refuses. Following this encounter, Coverdale returns to the farm to protect his friends from Westervelt should the need arise.

In the woods, Coverdale finds a secret spot in the branches of a pine tree. He often uses this private place to write poetry and watch the other residents of Blithedale, particularly Priscilla, whom he worries has fallen under Hollingsworth’s negative spell. One day, from his hiding place, Coverdale observes Zenobia conversing with Westervelt. Suspecting that the two share a romantic bond, Coverdale listens carefully as they approach his spot and is surprised to hear them talk of Priscilla.