Throughout the novel, Wharton foreshadows the tragedy that befalls Mattie. Mattie feels insecure about her position at the Fromes because she senses Zeena's dislike of her. Several times she asks Ethan if Zeena's intention is to send her away. Mattie experiences an internal conflict when Zeena finally does want Mattie out of the house. Mattie doesn't know what she will do. She isn't trained: She has no money, and no connections to help her find employment. When Ethan takes Mattie to the train station (which they never reach), she declares her love for him and admits that she doesn't think she can live without Ethan. Their aborted suicide attempt transforms Mattie forever.
As a result of the accident, Mattie is paralyzed from the neck down. At the time of the Epilogue, she has lived with the Fromes and been cared for by Zeena for over twenty years. Mattie has become querulous, whining, and petulant. The beautiful, sensitive, and loving girl that Ethan fell in love with, in a sense, did die the night of the smash-up.
