"Yourrathersentimentalfigureofspeech,Mr.VanBerg,showswhereyourerrorlies.MissMayhewandmyselfarenotpelluciddropsofdewthatyoulookthroughataglance.Wearewomen:andtheonethinginthisworldwhichmenneverwilllearntounderstandisawoman.I'mgoingtopuzzleyoustillfurther.IamlearningtohaveaverythoroughrespectforMissMayhew.Iambeginningtoadmireherexceedingly,andtothinkthatsheisgrowingexquisitelybeautiful;andyetweresheherethisweekyouwouldfindthatI
　　wouldnotseekhersociety.Giveyourmindtoyourart,andneverhopetountanglethesnarlofawoman'smind.Men,inattemptingsuchfolly,havebecomehopelesslyentangled.Takeawoman'swordforit——whatyouseeyoucan'treasonout.I'venodoubtbutthatMissMayhewhasexcellentreasonsfordislikingme,andthefactthatyoucan'tunderstandthemisnothingagainstthem."
　　"MissJennie,"saidVanBergresolutely,"foronceIcannottakeyourwordforit.Youtwoladieshavepuzzledmeallsummer,andI'llneverbecontenttillIsolvethemysterieswhichsobaffleme.Myinterestisnotcuriosity,butfriendship,tosaytheleast,thatIhopewilllastthroughlife.Youwilltellmesomedayallyourtrouble,andyouwillfeelthebetterfortellingme."
　　Shebecameverypaleatthesewords,andsaidgravely:"Icannotpromisethat——Idoubtit.Youmayhavetotrustmeblindlytillyouforgetme."
　　"Idonottrustyoublindly;Ineverwillforgetyou,"hebegan,impetuously.
　　"Good-night,Mr.VanBerg,"shesaid,andinamomenthewasaloneonthepiazza.
　　"Sheisanangeloflight,hemuttered,"andnotawoman.Icouldworshipher,butI'mtooearthyinmynaturetoloverherasI
　　ought."
　　HetooktheearliesttraintoNewYork,andsohadalongafternooninhisstudio.Hewassurprisedtofindhowabsorbedhesoonbecameinhiswork."MissJennieisright,"hethought;"I'manartist,andnotareformerorametaphysician,andIhadbetterspendmytimeherethanintryingtosolvefeminineenigmas;"andheworkedlikeabeaveruntilthefadinglightcompelledhimtodesist.
　　"There,"hesaid,"thatisafairbeginning.Twoorthreemoredaysofworklikethiswillsecureme,Ithink,afriendlierglancethanMissIdagavemelast."Fromwhichwordsitmightbegatheredthathewasthinkingofotherrewardsthanmeresuccessinhisart.
　　IntheeveningthewandofTheodoreThomashadaspellwhichheneverthoughtofresisting,anditmustbeadmittedthattherelurkedinhismindthehopethatIdaandherfathermightbedrawntotheconcertgardenalso.Ifso,hewassurehewouldpursuehisinvestigations.
　　Hewasrewarded,forMr.Mayhewandhisdaughtersoonenteredandtookseatsinthemainlobby,whereheandStantonhadsatnearlythreemonthsbefore.VanBergcongratulatedhimselfthathewasoutsideinthepromenade,andsohadnotbeenobserved;andhesoughtaduskyseatfromwhichhemightseeksomefurtherknowledgeofacharacterthathadwonandretainedadeepeninginterestfromthetimeoftheirfirstmeeting,whichnowseemedanageago.Eventsmarktimemoretruthfullythanthecourseofthesun.
　　Atfirstsheseemedonlysolicitousaboutherfather,wholightedacigarandsaidsomethingtoherthatmusthavebeenveryreassuringandpleasant,foragladsmilebrokeoverherpaleface.Butitvanishedquickly,andtheartistsawthatherhabitualexpressionwassad,andevendejected.Shedidnotlookaroundwiththebreezyalertnessnaturaltoayounggirlinsuchaplace.Thecuriouslydiversepeoplearoundherexcitednointerest,andsheappearedinclinedtolapseintodeepreveries,evenwhenthemusicwaslightandgay,aswasthecharacteroftheearlierpartoftheentertainment.Attimesshewouldstartperceptiblywhenherfatherspoketoher,andhesitateinheranswer,asifshehadtorecallherthoughtsfromfar-offwanderings.ItwouldseemthatMr.
　　Mayhewwastroubledbyhersadfaceandabsentmanner.Hejustlyfeltthatthebrilliantmusicoughttoenlivenherlikesunlight;
　　andthatitdidnotprovedthepresenceofsomeinterveningcloud.
　　VanBerg'ssympathiesandinterestatlastbecamesostrongthathedeterminedtospeaktoheratonce,butbeforehecouldtakeasteptowardshertheorchestrabeganplayingBeethoven'sFifthSymphony,theverymusicsheignoredforthesakeofMr.Minty'scomplimentswhenfirstshehadsoexasperatedhimbyhermarvellouslyperfectfeatures,butdisagreeableface.Hehadnotlookedattheprogramme,andthatthissymphonyshouldnowberepeatedseemedsuchafortunatecoincidencethathecouldnotresistthetemptationofcontrastingthewomanbeforehimwiththesillyandundevelopedgirlhefirsthadseen.Moreover,heknewthatthemusicmustremindherofhim,andhemightgainahintofherpresentfeelingstowardhim.Eitherthebeautyorsomethingfamiliarintheexquisitestrainssooncaughtherattention,andshetookupherprogramme,whichhithertohadlainneglectedonherlap.Shecrimsonedinstantly,andherbrowcontractedintoafrown;amomentlateranexpressionofintensedisgustpassedoverherface.
　　"NowIknowwhatshethinksofme,"hethoughtwithasinkingheart."IdoubtwhetherIhadbetterspeaktoherthisevening,andatthisplace."
　　"What'sthematter,Ida?"askedherfather."Don'tyoulikethemusic?"
　　"Ihavedisagreeableassociationsconnectedwithit.Thefaultiswhollyinme,andnotthemusic."
　　"Ida,darling,youaremakingmesohappythatIwishIcoulddoasmuchforyou."
　　"Don'tworry,father,"shesaid,tryingtosmile."I'mhappierthanIdeserve.Listen!"
　　Asthelastexquisitecadencesdiedaway,VanBergsawthatthereweretearsinhereyes.Whatdidtheymean?"Stantonrepeatedmyharshwordsandsherecallsthem,"wasthebestexplanationhecouldthinkof."Bythefates!"heexclaimed,"ifthereisn'tSibleywithatoiletasspotlessasheishimselfsmirchedandblackened.
　　Cursehim!heactuallyhastheimpudencetospeaktoMissMayhew,"
　　andtheartiststartedupthreateningly,butbeforediscoveringhimself,herememberedthatIda'snaturalprotectorwasatherside.Andyethefairlytrembledwithrageandprotest,thatthisfellowshouldbesonearheragain.HealsosawthatMr.Mayhewroseandlookedverymenacing.ButIdawasequaltotheemergency,andextricatedherselfwithwomanlydignity,forwhilesheblushedscarletwithshame,shewasquietandself-possessed,andpaidnoheedtohiseagerlyprofferedhand.
　　"Iwasnotmyselfthathatefulday,MissIda,"hesaidhastily.
　　"Ifearyouwere,sir,"shecoldlyreplied."Atanyrate,Iamnotmyoldself,anduntilyouwinandmaintainthecharacterofagentleman,wemustbestrangers.Goodevening,sir;"andsheturnedherbackuponhim.
　　Hisfacebecamefairlylividwithrage,butonencounteringthesternandthreateningeyesofMr.Mayhewheslunkawayandleftthebuilding.
　　"That'smypeerless,nobleIda,"whisperedherfather."OhthankGod!thankGod!IcouldnothavesurvivedifyouhadrealizedthefearsIoncehadaboutthatlowscoundrel."
　　Ida'slipquiveredasshesaid,"Father,pleasetakemehome.I
　　don'tenjoymyselfhere."Theyhadtakenbutafewstepstowardthedoorwhentheartistconfrontedthemwitheyesaglowwithadmirationandsympathy.
　　PoorIdahadnotimetomaskherfeelingsorcheckherimpulses,andshetookhisextendedhandasifsheweresinking,whilethecolorandlightofwelcomeflashedbrightlyintoherface.Thenherbeautifulconfusionsuggestedthatshefelthergreetinghadbeentoocordial,andshesoughtwithindifferentsuccesstoregainherdignity.
　　"Pleasedon'tgojustyet,"saidVanBergeagerly."Theconcertisbuthalfover,andtherearesomeprettythingsstilltocome."
　　Idahesitatedandlookeddoubtfullyatherfather.
　　"Ishallbeverygladtostay,"hesaidwithasmile,"ifyoufeelableto.Mydaughterisnotverywell,Ifear,"headdedinexplanationtotheartist.
　　"Perhapsithasbeenalittleclosehereinthelobby,"suggestedVanBerg,"andawalkintheopenairwillbeagreeable.Ifyouwilltrustyourdaughtertome,sir,Ipromisetobringherbackbeforesheistired.Ihavemuchtotellheraboutheroldfriend,Mr.Eltinge,whomIvisitedyesterday,andthepictures.Perhapsyouwillgowithus,forIknowwhatIhavetosaywillinterestyoualso."
　　"IthinkI'lllightanothercigarandwaitforyouhere,"Mr.Mayhewansweredquietly."Oldpeopleliketositstillaftertheirday'swork,andifIdafeelsstrongenoughIwouldenjoyhearingtherestoftheconcert."
　　"ItwouldbehardtoresistthetemptationtohearanythingaboutdearoldMr.Eltinge,"saidIda,takingtheartist'sarm,andfeelingasifshewerebeingsweptawayonashiningtide.
　　"YouWEREgladtoseeme,MissMayhew,andyoucan'tdenyit,"VanBergbeganexultantly.
　　"Youalmostcrushedmyhand,anditachesstill,"washerdemurereply.
　　"Well,thatwassurelythewoundofafriend."
　　"Youareverygoodtospeaktomeatall,afterallthat'shappened,"
　　shesaidinalowtoneandwithdowncastface.
　　"Whatastrangecoincidence!ThatisexactlywhatIwasthinkingofyou.IalmostfearedyouwouldtreatmeasyoudidSibley.Howmuchgooditdidmetoseehimslinkingawaylikeawhippedcur!I
　　neverrealizedbeforehowperfectlyhelplessevenbrazenvillainyisinthepresenceofwomanlydignity."
　　"Why,wereyoupresentthen?"sheasked,withaquickblush.
　　"Notexactlypresent,butIsawyourfaceandhis,andastrongercontrastIscarcelyexpecttoseeagain."
　　"Youartistslookateverythingandeverybodyaspictures."
　　"Now,MissMayhew,youaregrowingsevereagain.Idon'tcarrytheshopquiteasfarasthat,andIhavenotbeenlookingatyouasapictureatallthisevening.Ishallmakeknownthewholeenormityofmyoffence,andtheifImustfollowSibley,Imust,butIshallcarrywithmealittleshredofyourrespectfortellingthetruth.Ihadafainthopethatyouandyourfatherwouldcometo-night,andIwaslookingforyou,andwhenyoucameIwatchedyou.IcouldnotresistthetemptationofcomparingtheMissMayhewInowsohighlyesteemandrespect,withtheladyIfirstmetatthisplace."
　　"Oh,Mr.VanBerg,"saidIda,inalow,hurttone,"Idon'tthinkthatwasfairtome,orright."
　　"Iamconfessingandnotexcusingmyself,MissMayhew.Ionceveryjustlyappearedtoyoulikeaprig,andnowIfearIshallseemaspy;butafterourvisittothatoldgardentogether,andyourfranknesstome,Ifeelunderbondstotellthewholetruth.Yousaidwewerefatedtomisunderstandeachother.Ithinknot,forifyoueverpermitmetobeyourfriendIshallbethefrankestoneyoueverhad;"atthesewordshefeltherhandtremblingonhisarm,andshewouldnotlookupnormakeanyreply.
　　"Well,"saidhe,desperately,"IexpectSibley'sfatewillsoonbemine.Isupposeitwasameanthingtowatchyou,butitwouldseemameanerthingtomenottotellyou.Iwasabouttospeaktoyou,MissMayhew,whenbyanotheroddcoincidencetheorchestracommencedplayingmusicthatIknewwouldremindyouofme.I
　　wasgainingtheimpressionbeforeyouleftthecountrythatasyoucametothinkthepastallover,youhadfoundthattherewasmoreagainstmethanyoucouldforgive,orelsethatIwassoinseparablyassociatedwiththatwhichwaspainfulthatyouwouldbegladtoforgettheonewiththeother.Imustadmitthatthisimpressionwasgreatlystrengthenedbytheexpressionofyourface,andI
　　almostdecidedtoleavetheplacewithoutspeakingtoyou.ButI
　　foundIcouldnot,and——well,youknowIdidnot.YouseeI'matyourmercyagain."
　　Idawasgreatlyrelieved,forshenowlearnedthathehaddiscoverednothinginhisfavor,andthatshewasstillmistressofthesituation.
　　"Idonotthinkyouareverypenitent;Ifearyouwoulddothesamethingoveragain,"shesaid.
　　"Indeed,MissMayhew,whenIfirstmetyouhereIthoughtIwouldalwaysdotherightandproperthing,andIfearIthoughtsomethingsrightbecauseIdidthem.I'velivedahundredyearssincethattime,andambeginningtofindmyselfout.Didn'tyouthinkmetheveriestprigthateversmiledinasuperiorwayattheworld?"
　　"Idon'tthinkIshallgiveyoumyopinion,"shereplied,avertingherfacetohideablushandalaugh.
　　"Noneed.Isawyouropinioninyourfacewhenyoulookeddownatyourprogrammehalfanhoursince."
　　"Youaremistaken;Iwasthinkingofmyselfatthatmoment,forI
　　couldnothelprememberingwhatafoolImusthaveappearedtoyouonthatoccasion."
　　Helookedatherinsurprise."MissBurtonwasright,"heejaculated,"Inevershallunderstandyou."
　　"Wasshetalkingaboutme?"askedIda,inalowtone.
　　"Yes,andshespokeofyouinthemostcomplimentaryway,asyoudidofher.Whythemischiefyoutwoladiesdonotbecomethewarmestfriendsisbeyondme.Sitdownherealittlewhile,MissMayhew,foryouaregrowingtired;"andshewasverygladtocomply.
　　Asshemadenoefforttocontinuetheconversationheresumed,"Youhaven'ttoldmewhatmypunishmentistobe."
　　"Areyousoanxioustobepunished?"sheasked,lookingupshylyathim.
　　"Well,myconsciencetroublesmegreatly,andIfeelIoughttodosomethingforyouinthewayofexpiation."
　　"AndsoIgatherthatanythingdoneformewouldbesuchseverepenancethatyourconsciencewouldbeappeased."
　　"Now,MissMayhew,"hereplied,lookingearnestlyintoherface,"tellmetruly,doyougatheranysuchimpressionfrommywordsandmanner?"
　　Butshekepthereyesresolutelyontheground,andsaiddemurely,"Suchwastheobviousmeaningofyourwords."
　　"DoyouknowwhyIaminthecity?"heaskedafteramoment.
　　"Ihavenotpresumedtothinkwhy."
　　"PerhapsIcanmakealittleinroadinyourindifferencewhenI
　　tellyouthatIhavespentseveralhoursinmystudioworkingonyourpicture,andthatIintendtoworktheremainderoftheweeksoastohaveitreadyforyouSaturdayevening."
　　Shelookedupnowwithafaceradiantwithsurpriseandpleasure,"OMr.VanBerg,Ididnotdreamofyourtakingsomuchtroubleforme."
　　"That'sasmallpaymentonanolddebt.WhatcanIdoforyouwhileIaminthecity,toatoneformyrudeness?"
　　Shelookedathimhesitatinglyandwistfullyamoment.
　　"Iknowyouwishsomething,butfeartoaskit,"hesaid,gently,"andI'msorrytorememberI'vedonesolittletoinspireyourconfidence."
　　"Mr.VanBerg,"shesaidinalowtone,lookingearnestlyathimwhileshespoke,soastolearnfromhisexpressionhowhereceivedherrequest."Yourkindnessdoestemptmetoaskafavor.PleaserememberI'mactingfromanimpulsecausedbythisunexpectedtalkwearehaving,andpardonmeifIoversteptheboundsofreserveorsuggestataskthatyoumightverynaturallyshrinkfromasdisagreeable."
　　"Ipledgeyoumywordatoncetodowhatyouwish."
　　"No,don'tdothat.Waittillyouhearall.Ifwhenitcomeseasilyandnaturallyinyourwayyouwilldoalittletowardshelpingmekeepfatherthemanhecanbe,mygratitudewillbedeeperthanyoucanunderstand.IamstudyinghimverycarefullyandIfindthatanyencouragingrecognitionfromthosewhohaveknownhispast,hasgreatweightwithhim.Atthesametimeitmustbeveryunobtrusiveandcomeasamatterofcourseasitwere.YougavehimyoursocietyoneSundaymorninglastJuneinawaythatdidhimagreatdealofgood,andifIhadonlysecondedyoureffortsthen,everythingmighthavebeendifferent.Icanneverrememberthatdaywithoutablushofshame.Ican'thelpthepast,butmywholesoulisnowbentonmakingamendstofather.Ifear,however,mydeepsolicitudehasledmetoaskmorethangoodtastecansanction."
　　"MissMayhew,"saidtheartist,eagerly,"thisisoneofthebestmomentsofmylife.Youcouldnothavemadesucharequestunlessyoutrustedme,unlessyouhadfullyforgivenmeallthewrongI
　　havedoneyou.IdoubtedifIcouldeverwinyourfriendship,butIthinkIcanclaimafriend'splacealreadyinyouresteem,sinceyouarewillingtoletmeshareinsosacredaduty.Irenewmypledgewithdoubleemphasis."
　　Heneverforgotthesmilewithwhichsherewardedhim,asshesaid,inalowtone,"That'sbetterthanIthought.Youareverykindtome.ButI'mstayingtoolongfromfather."
　　"We'llunderstandeachothereventually,"hesaidgently."NowI
　　knowwhytearswereinyoureyesbeforethesymphonywasover."
　　"Noyoudon't,"shewhisperedtoherself.
　　AstheytooktheirseatsbyMr.Mayhewheremarkedwithasmile,"Mr.VanBergmusthavehadalongbudgetofnewsfrmyourgoodoldfriend."
　　Idalookedattheartistindismay,andwasstillmoreembarrassedasshesawasuddenflashofmirthandexultationinhiseyes.ButheturnedtoMr.Mayhewandreplied,promptly,"TwopicturesaregrowingoutofmyvisitstoMr.Eltingeandhisgarden.TheonethatisforMr.EltingecontainsaportraitofMissMayhewasI
　　sawherreadingtohim.Iwishyouandyourdaughterwouldvisitmystudioto-morrowandseethesketches,andifMissMayhewwouldgivemeoneortwosittings,IcouldmakeamuchbetterpictureforMr.Eltingethannowispossible,andI'manxioustodotheverybestIcanforhim."
　　"Iwouldbeverygladtocome,"saidMr.Mayhew,andhispleasedexpressionconfirmedhiswords."WillavisitbeforeIgodowntownbetooearly?"
　　"Notatall.Iamalwaysatworkearly."
　　"Well,Ida,doesMr.Eltingemissyourvisitsverymuch?It'sselfishinmetoletyoustayinthecity."
　　"Hedoesindeed,sir,"saidtheartistansweringforher."Hetalkedtomecontinuallyaboutheryesterday,althoughIcan'tsayItriedtochangethesubject."
　　"Father,Mr.VanBergshallnotshieldmyshort-comings,"saidIda,withcrimsoncheeks."IforgottoaskaboutMr.Eltinge.Totellthetruth,weweretalkingofoldtimes.ImetMr.VanBergherelastJuneandImadeaverybadimpressiononhim."
　　"AndIatthesametimemadeaworseimpressiononMissMayhew,"
　　addedtheartist.
　　"Well,"saidherfather,withadoubtfulsmileandapuzzledglacefromonetotheother,"onealmostmightbetemptedtobelievethatyouhadbeenrevisingyourimpressions."
　　"Minehasnotbeenrevised,butchangedaltogether,"saidVanBerg,decisively.
　　"Come,father,letusgoatoncelestMr.VanBerg'simpressionschangeagain,"andhermirthfulglanceasshegavehimherhandinpartingrevealedanewelementinhercharacter.Shewasnotdevelopingthecloyingsweetnessofhoney.
　　ChapterXLVIII.Ida'sTemptation.
　　IfVanBerghadgiventhoughttohimselfthateveningashedidtoIdaMayhewhemighthavediscoveredsomeratheroddphenomenainhisvaryingmentalstates.Earlierinthesummerhehadbeenaverydeliberateandconscientiouswooer.Hehadleisurelytakencounselofhisreason,judgment,andgoodtaste;hementallyconsultedhisparents,andsatisfiedhimselfthatMissBurtonwouldhavepeculiarcharmsforthem,andsoithadcometoseemalmostadutyaswellasaprivilegetoseekthatyounglady'shand.Thesagacityandniceappreciationofcharacteronwhichhehadsogreatlypridedhimselfledtothebeliefthatfortuneingivinghimachancetowinsuchamaidenhadbeenverykind.Thathispulsewassoevenandhishearthadsolittletosayinthematterwasonlyaproofthathedidnotpossessanunbalancedhead-longnaturelikethatofStanton,whohadsoonbecomewhollymasteredbyhispassion.Hehadatonetimereasoneditallouttohissatisfaction,andbelievedhewaspayinghissuittothewomanhewouldmakehiswifeinaneminentlyproperway.butnowthathewasmerelytryingtoobtainayounggirl'sfriendship,thecoolandmasterfulpoisewhichhehadthenbeenabletomaintain,wasapparentlydesertinghim.Hemighthaveaskedhimselfifheeverrememberedbeingsuchanenthusiasticfriendbefore.Hemighthaveconsideredhowoftenhehadkeptawakeandcountedthehourstillheshouldmeetafriendfromwhomhehadjustparted.Thattheseobviousthoughtsandcontrastsdidnotoccurtohimonlyprovedthathewassmittenalreadybythatblindnesswhichacertainspiritualmaladyusuallyoccasionsinitsearlierstages.
　　AsforpoorIda,shestillfeltthatherlittleboatwasbeingcarriedforwardbyashiningtide——whithershedarednotthink.
　　Shehadcometothecitytoescapefromtheartist,andasaresultshemightspendlonghoursalonewithhiminhisstudioandseefarmoreofhimthanifshehadremainedinthecountry.Shehadnotsoughtit——shehadnotevendaredtohopeordreamofsuchathing;butnowthatthisexquisitecupofpleasurehadbeenpressedtoherverylipsbyotherhandsshecouldnotrefuseit.
　　Herfatherhadwatchedherkeenlybutfurtivelysinceshehadbeenhiscompanion,anduntiltheartisthadaccostedhertheeveningbeforehadnotbeenabletounderstandthedepressionwhichshecouldnotdisguisewhollyfromhim;butthelightandwelcomethatflashedintoherfacewhengreetingVanBerghadsuggestedhersecret,andallthatfollowedconfirmedhissurmise.Thetruthwasplainerstillwhenshecamedowntotheirearlybreakfastthenextmorningwithcolorinhercheeksandafitfullightofexcitementinhereyes.
　　Asherealizedthetruthhefairlytrembledwithapprehensionandlonging."Oh,ifIdacouldonlymarrythatmanIwouldbealmostbesidemyselfwithjoy,"hethought;"butIfearitisrasheventohopeforsuchathing.Indeed,Imyselfamtheobstaclethatwouldprobablypreventitall.TheVanBergsareaproudrace,andthisyoungman'sfatherknowsmetoowell.OGod!Icouldbeannihilatediftherebymychildcouldbehappy."
　　"Ida,"hesaid,hesitatingly,"perhapsIhadbetternotgowithyouthismorning.IimagineMr.VanBergaskedmeoutofpolitenessratherthanfromanywishtoseemeand——and——IthinkIhadbetternotgo."
　　Shelookedupathimswiftly,andtherichcolormantledherface,forshereadhisthoughtsinpart.Butsheonlysaidquietly:
　　"ThenIwillnotgo."
　　"Thatwouldnotberightorcourteous,Ida,"butIthinkyouyoungpeoplewillgetonbetterwithoutme."
　　"Youaremistaken,Father;Ineverintendtogetonwithoutyou,andanyfriendofminewhodoesnotwelcomeyoubecomesastrangerfromthathour.ButIthinkyouaredoingMr.VanBerganinjustice.
　　Atanyratewewillgivehimachancetoshowabetterspirit."
　　"Ida,mychild,ifyouonlyknewhowgladlyIwouldsacrificemyselftomakeyouhappy!"
　　Shecametohimandputherarmsaroundhisneckandlookingupintohisfacesaid,withtheearnestnessandsolemnityofavow,"IwilltakenohappinesswhichIcannotreceiveasyourlovingdaughter.AslongasyouarethemanyouhavebeensinceSundayI
　　willstandproudlyatyourside.Ifyoushouldeverbeweakagainyouwilldragmedownwithyou."
　　Heheldherfromhimandlookedatherasamisermightgloatoverhistreasure.
　　"Ida,mygoodangel,"hemurmured.
　　"Nonsense!"sheexclaimed,tryingtohideherfeelingsbyalittlebrusqueness,"I'mashumanagirlasthereisinthiscity,andwilltryyourpatienceahundredtimesbeforetheyearisout.Come,letusgoandvisitthisproudartist.Hehadbetterbeware,orhemayfindanexpressiononmyfacethathewon'tlikeifIshoulddecidetogivehimasitting."
　　ButtheartistdidliketheexpressionofIda'sfaceasheglancedupfromhisworkwithgreatfrequencyandwithanadmiringglowinhiseyesthatwasanythingbutcoolandbusiness-like.Evenherjealouslovehadnotdetectedatoneoractinhisreceptionofherfatherthatwasnotallshecouldask,andshehadneverseenthepoormanlooksopleasedandhopefulaswhenheleftthestudioforhisoffice.TherehadnotbeenaparticleofpatronageinVanBerg'smanner,butonlythecordialandrespectfulcourtesyofayoungergentlemantowardsanelderlyone.Mr.Mayhewhadbeenmadeathomeatonce,andbeforeheleft,theartisthadobtainedhispromisetocomeagainwithhisdaughteronthefollowingmorning.
　　"Hisbearingtowardsfatherwastheperfectionofgoodbreeding,"
　　thoughtIda,anditwouldseemthatsomeofthegratitudewithwhichherheartoverflowedfounditswayintohertonesandeyes.
　　"Youlooksopleasantlyandkindly,thatyoumustbethinkingofMr.Eltinge,"saidVanBerg.
　　"Youarenottopaintmythoughts,"saidIda,withaquickflush.
　　"IwishIcould."
　　"I'mgladyoucan't."
　　"Youdopuzzleone,MissMayhew.Onthedayofourvisittotheoldgardenyourthoughtsseemedascleartomeasthewaterofthelittlebrook,andIsupposedIsawallthatwasinyourmind.ButbeforethedaywasoverIfeltthatIdidnotunderstandyouatall."
　　"Mr.VanBerg,I'mastonishedyouareanartist."
　　"Becauseofthecharacterofmywork?"
　　"No,indeed.Butsuchawonderfultasteforsolvingproblemssuggestsametaphysician.Ithinkyouwouldbecomediscouragedwithsuchtasks.Justthinkhowmanyladiesthereareintheworld,andI'msureanyoneofthemisamoreabstruseproblemthanIam."
　　Theartistlookedupatherinsurpriseandbithislipwithafainttraceofembarrassment,buthesaid,afteramoment,"Butitdoesnotfollowthattheyareinterestingproblems."
　　"Youdon'tknow,"shereplied.
　　"Andnevershall,"headded."Idoknow,however,thatyouareaveryinterestingone."
　　"Ididn'tagreetocomeheretobesolvedasaproblem,"shesaiddemurely,butwithamirthfultwinkleinhereyes;"IonlypromisedyouasittingforthesakeofMr.Eltinge."
　　"Twosittings,MissMayhew."
　　"Well,yes,iftwoareneedful."
　　"Byalltheninemuses!youdonotexpectmetomakeagoodpicturefromonlytwosittings?"
　　"Youknowhowslightismyacquaintancewithanyofthosesuperiordivinities,andinthissacredhauntoftheirsIfeelthatIshouldexpressallmyopinionswithbatedbreath;buttruly,Mr.VanBerg,Ithoughtyoucouldmakeapicturefromthesketchyoumadeinthegarden."
　　"Yes,IcouldmakeApicture,buteverysittingyouwillgiveenablesmetomakeabetterpicture,andyouknowhowmuchwebothowetoMr.Eltinge."
　　"I'mlearningeverydayhowmuch,howverymuch,Iowetohim,"
　　shesaid,earnestly.
　　"ThenforhissakeyouwillpromisetocomeasoftenasIwishyouto,"washiseagerresponse,anditwassoeagerthatshelookedupathiminsurprise.
　　"Really,Mr.VanBerg,IambecomingbewilderedastowhatthatlittlesketchIaskedyoutomakemayinvolve."
　　"Willitbesowearisomeforyoutocomehere?"heasked,withalookofdisappointmentthatsurprisedherstillmore.
　　"Ididn'tsaythat,"washerquickreply;"andIpromisetocometo-morrow.Perhapsyouwillfindthatsufficient."
　　"Iknowitwon'tbesufficient."
　　"CousinIkhastoldmethatyouareverypainstakingandconscientiousinyourwork."