"Iwouldnothavetheconfidencetodoeitheratahotel.Ishallneverbeabletodoanymorethanfurnishalittlesimplehomemusictofriends,notcritics."
　　"I'mcontentwiththatarrangement,forIhavefinallydroppedmycharacterofcritic."
　　"Buttruefriendsneverflatter,"shesaid."Ifyouwon'thelpmeovercomemyfaultsIshallhavetofindanotherfriend."
　　"Asyourecommendedanancientwomanasnurse,soIwillrecommendthevenerablefriendyouhavealreadyfound,andaskyoutolethimdoallthefault-finding."
　　Sheturnedtohimandsaidearnestly:"Mr.VanBerg,areyounotasufficientlysincerefriendtotellmemyfaults?"
　　"Yes,MissIda,ifyouaskmeto."
　　"Onlyasyoudosocanyoukeepmyrespect."
　　"Youareverymuchinearnest.Ineversawgreaterfidelitytoconsciencebefore;andIshouldbeverysorryif,foranycause,yourconsciencewerearrayedagainstme."
　　Shesuddenlyburiedherfaceinherhandsandtrembled.Thenturningfromhimtoherpianoagainshefaltered:"IdisregardedconscienceonceandIsuffereddeeply,"andinthedepthsofhersoulsheadded,"andIfearIshallagain."
　　"MissIda,"hesaidimpetuously,"Icannottellyouwhatafascinationyournew,beautifullifehasformeasseenagainstthedarkbackgroundofmemorieswhichneitheryounorIcaneverwhollybanish.ButIamcausingyoupainnow,"forshebecameverypale,aswaseverthecasewhentherewasthefaintestallusiontotheawfulcrimewhichshehadcontemplated."Forgiveme,"headdedearnestly,"andsing,please,thatlittlemeadowbrooksong,ofwhichIcaughtafewbarslastevening.That,Ithink,mustcontainanantidoteagainstallmorbidthoughts."
　　"Youaremistaken,"shesaid."It'sverysillyandsentimental;
　　youwon'tlikeit."
　　"Neverthelesspleasesingit,forifnottomytaste,youwillpreventitfromrunninginmyheadanylonger,asithaseversinceIheardit."
　　"Youwillneveraskforitagain,"shesaid,andshesangthefollowingwordstoalow-glidingmelodydesignedtosuggestthemurmurofasmallstream:
　　'Twasdowninameadow,closebyabrook,Avioletbloomedinashadowynook.
　　Shegazedattherillwithawistfuleye——
　　"Hecaresnotforme,he'shasteningby,"
　　Shesighed.
　　Insunshineandshadethebrookspedalong,Norceasedforamomenthisgurglingsong.
　　"'TwouldsingallthesamewereIwitheredanddead"——
　　Andtheblue-eyedvioletbowedherheadAnddied.
　　ButtherillandthesongwentonthesameTillthepitilessfrostofwintercame,Whenthesongwashushedinanicychill,AndthegaylittlebrookatlaststoodstillAndthought——
　　"Oh,couldInowseethevioletbluethatlookedatmeoncewitheyesofdew,I'dspringtoherfeetandlingeringstayTillsureIwasbearingherloveaway,Wellsought."
　　Thesongseemedtodisturbtheartistsomewhat."Thestupidbrook!"
　　heexclaimed."Itwassostupidastobealmosthuman."
　　"Iknewyouwouldn'tlikeit,"shesaid,lookingupathiminsurprise.
　　"Ilikeyoursingingandthemusic,butthatbrookprovokesme,thelittleidiot!Whydidn'titstopbefore?"
　　"Itakethebrook'spart,"saidIda."Becausethevioletgazedatitinalackadaisicalwaywasnoreasonforitsstoppingunlessitwantedto.Indeed,ifIwerethevioletIshouldwantthebrooktogoon,unlessitcouldn'thelpstopping."
　　"Itdidstopwhenitcouldn'thelpitself,andthenitwastoolate,"saidVanBerg,withafrown.
　　Idatrilledoutoneofhersuddenlaughs,asshesaid,"Don'ttakethemattersotoheart,Mr.VanBerg.Whenspringcamethebrookwentonasmerrilyasever,andwaswellcontentedtohaveothervioletslookatit."
　　"MissIda,youareawitch,"saidtheartist,andwithanodd,involuntarygesturehepassedhishandacrosshisbrowasiftobrushawayamistorfilmfromhismind.
　　"Oh!"thoughtIda,withpassionatelonging,"maymyspellshold,orelseImayfeellikefollowingtheexampleofthesillylittleviolet."Butshepirouetteduptoherfather,whowasjustentering,andsaid:"It'stimeyoucame,father.Mr.Vanberghasbeguncallingmenames."
　　"Ishallfollowhisexamplebycallingyoumygoodfairy.Mr.VanBerg,Ihavebeeninparadisealltheweek."
　　"Ishallnotjointhismutualadmirationsociety,andIinsistthatyoutwogentlementalkinasensibleway."
　　ButVanBergseemedtofinditdifficulttocomedowntoamatter-of-factconversationwithMr.Mayhew,andsoonaftertookhisleave.BeforegoinghetriedtoinduceIdatocometothestudioagain,butshedeclined,saying:
　　"Motherhasentrustedtomeseveralcommissions,andImustattendtothemto-morrowmorning.Asitis,myconsciencetroublesmeverymuchthatIhaveleftheralonealltheweek,andIshalltrytomakealltheamendsIcanbygettingwhatshewishes."
　　"Oh!yourterribleconscience!"hesaid.
　　"Yes,ithasbeenscoldingmealldayforwastingsomuchofyourtime.Nowdon'tburdenyourswithanydenials.Good-night."
　　Heturnedeagerlytoprotestagainstherwords,butshewasretreatingrapidly;shegavehimasmileoverhershoulder,however,thatwasatoncefullofmirthandsomethingmore——somethingthathecouldnotexplainorgraspanymorethanhecouldthesoft,silverylightofthemoonthatfilledthesky,andwasasrealasitwasintangible.
　　Hewalkedawayasifinadream;hecontinuedhisaimlesswanderingsforhours,butswiftaswerehisstridesaswiftercurrentofpassion,deepandstrong,wassweepinghimawayfromJennieBurtonandthepowertomakegoodhisopenpledgetowinherifhecould.
　　Hestillwasdreaming,hestillwaslostintheluminousmistsofhisownimagination.Butthehourofwakingandclearvisionwasdrawingnear,andHaroldVanBergwouldlearnanewthatthecool,well-balancedreasononwhichhehadoncesopridedhimselfwasscarcelyequaltoallthequestionswhichcomplexhumanlifepresents.
　　ChapterLI.FromDeepExperience.
　　WiththenightdreamsbegantovanishandtheproseofrealitygraduallytotakeformandoutlineinVanBerg'smind.Hewascompelledtoadmitthattheplausibletheoriesbywhichhehadhithertosatisfiedhimselfscarcelyaccountedforhismoodsandsensationsthepastfewdays,andmemoryquietlyinformedhimthatithadneverhadanyconsciousnessofsuchafriendshipashenowwasforming.Butlikemanyanothermanintheprocessofconvictionagainsthiswill,hebecameirritableandangrilyblindtoatruththatwouldplacehiminanintolerabledilemma.Hewenttohisstudio,andwordedwithdoggedobstinacyonthepicturedesignedforIda,givinghistimetothosedetailswhichrequiredonlyartisticskill,forhisperturbedmindwasinnomoodforanynicecreativework.
　　HehadagreedtomeetIdaandherfatherontheafternoonboat;
　　andhisimpatience,andtheearlyhourhestartedtokeeptheappointment,wasanotherstrawwhichhewascompelledtoseeinspiteofhimself;norcouldhefailtonotewhichwaythecurrentwasbearinghim.
　　"Well,"hemuttered,withthefatuitycommoninallstrongtemptations,"I'llspendafewmorehourswiththisrareUndine,thisgenuinewoman,who——infinitelymorebeautifulthanVenus——isrisingoutofthedarkwatersofsorrow,shame,anddespair,andthenifIfindthatitwillbewiserandsafertobeonlyasomewhatunobtrusiveanddistantfriend,showingmygood-willmorebydeedsthanbyseekinghersociety,Icangraduallytakethiscoursewithoutwoundingherfeelingsorexcitingsuspicionofthecause.Shewasright,althoughshelittleimaginesthereason;wecouldneverhavethosereadingstogether,andIfearImustmanagewithfarfewervisitstomystudiothanIhadhopedfor.Whatanaccursedchaoticoldworlditisanyway!HowgratefulsheisbecauseImerelytreatherfatherpolitely!Itwouldbeimpossibletodoanythingelse,nowthatheishimselfagain,andyet,bythissimple,easymethod,IhavewonafriendlierregardthanIcouldbyanyothermeans.
　　Likeanidiot,Ioncethoughtshewouldhavetowithdrawfromherfathertodevelophernewandbeautifullife.IfeveninfaintestsuggestionIhadrevealedthatthoughttoher,Idon'tbelieveshewouldhavespokentomeagain;andIforeseethatIshallhavetobeexceedinglypolitetoMrs.Mayhewalso,formyUndineisdevelopingaconsciencethatmightbecomeaman'simplacableenemy.
　　ButwhatamIthinkingabout!IfIdonotintendtoseemuchofthedaughter,Ishallnotwasteanytimeonthemother.IwonderifMissMayhewmeantanythingbythatoddlittleballadlastevening.
　　Couldshehaveintendedtoremindmeofblue-eyedJennieBurton?
　　No,forshewassingingitbyherself,whenshedidnotknowIwaslistening.Theidioticbrook!IfIhadgivenmywholehearttotheeffortImighthavewonJennieBurtonbythistime.IdaMayhewwasright;nowomanthatIwishtowinwillshowaloveranyfavortillhecannothelpstoppingandstaying,too."
　　Amomentlaterhestoppedshortinthestreet."GreatGod!"mutteredhe,"doIwishtowinJennieBurton?WhitheramIdrifting?WouldtoheavenIhadnotmadethisappointmentthisafternoon.Well,I'minforitnow,"andhestrodealongasifheweregoingtobattle,resolvingtobeguardedtothelastdegree,lestIdashouldsuspecthisweakness.
　　Hesawhercomeontheboatwithherfatheratthelastmoment,hercheeksflushedwiththeheatandhereyesaglowwiththehurryandexcitementoftheoccasion.Hesawoneandanotherofheryounggentlemenacquaintancesstepeagerlyforwardtospeaktoherandadmiringeyesturningtowardsheroneveryside."Shewon'tlackforfriendsandcompanionsnow,andIsoonwillbelittlemissed,"hethoughtbitterly.Onegentleman,inhisimpatienceforhersociety,soughttoobtainhersmalltravelling-bag,adwasassuringherthathecouldobtainseatsforherselfandfatheronthecrowdedboat,when,byhertimidglancearound,sheshowedthatshewasexpectingsomeone,andVanBerghastenedforwardandsaidquietly,"Ihaveseatsreservedinthepilot-house."
　　Shegavehimagladsmileofwelcome;butalmostinstantlyherfacebecamegraveandquestioninginitsexpression;andshelookedathimkeenlyashecordiallyshookhandswithherfather.Astheywentawaywithhim,asifbyaprearrangementseveralguestsoftheLakeHouselookedateachotherandnoddedtheirheadssignificantly.
　　Whileonthewaytothepilot-house,andduringtheirconversationafterarrivingthere,Idaoftenturnedaquick,questioningglancetowardsVanBerg,andherexpressionremindedhimofsomechildren'sfaceshehadseenastheytriedtoreadthethoughtsorintentionsofthosewhohadtheirinterestsinkeeping.Hetriedhisbesttobecordialandnaturalinmanner——tobe,inbrief,thesincerefriendthathehadprofessedhimself——andMr.Mayhewdidnotnoticeanythingamiss;butevenatsomeinflectionofhisvoice,oratapauseintheconversation,Idawouldturntowardshimthissudden,questioning,child-likelook,whichtouchedhimdeeplywhileitpuzzledhim.Butshegraduallybegantogrow"distrait"andquiet,andtolooklessandlessoften.VanBerghadadeepaffectionforthenobleriveronwhichtheyweresailing,andhadfamiliarizedhimselfwithitshistoryandlegends.BymeansofthesehesoughttoentertainIdaandherfather,andwiththelatterhesucceededabundantly;butheoftendoubtedwhetherIdaheardhim,forhereyesandthoughtsseemedtobewanderingbeyondtheblueHighlandswhichtheynowwereentering.AtlastMr.Mayhewleftthemforawhile,andVanBergturnedandsaidgently:
　　"MissIda,youarenotingoodspiritsthisafternoon."
　　Shedidnotanswerforamoment,butavertedherfacestillfurtherfromhim.Atlastshesaid,inalowtone:"Mr.VanBerg,didyoueverhaveapresentimentofevil?"
　　"Idon'tbelieveinsuchthings,"herepliedpromptly.
　　"Ofcoursenot;youareaman.ButIhavesuchapresentimentthisafternoon,anditwillcometrue."
　　"Whatdoyoufear,MissIda?"
　　"Whatdoesawomanalwaysfear?Earthquakes,politicalchanges,disturbancesintheworldatlarge,ofcourse."
　　"Ihaveheardthatawoman'skingdomwasherheart,"VanBergwasindiscreetenoughtosay.
　　"Itisapity,"Idarepliedwithoneofherrecklesslaughs,"foritsooftenhappensthatshecannotkeepit,andthosewhowrestitfromherdonotcaretokeepit,andsoitcomestobewhatthegeographiesusedtocalloneofthe'wasteplacesoftheearth.'
　　Astheworldgoes,IthinkIhadbetterretainmykingdom,smallasitis."
　　Heturnedverypale,andswiftaslighthethought:"Hasshe,bytheaidofherwoman'sintuition,readmythoughts?Hassheseenthebeginningsofaregardforherfarwarmerthanmyprofessedfriendship,and,rememberingmysuittoJennieBurton,isshelearningtodespisemeasfickle,or,worse,asahypocriticalspecimenofthatmeanesttypeofhumanvermin——amaleflirt?"andhisfacegrewsowhitethatIdainherturnwasnotonlyperplexed,butalarmed.
　　Butafteramomenthesaidquietly:"Itisnotthesizeofthekingdomthatmakesitsvalue,butwhatitcontains.Ihopeyouwillkeeptreasuresofyourstillyoufindsomeoneworthytoreceivethem,andIcanscarcelyimaginethatsuchanidiotexiststhathewouldnotretainthemifhecould.ThatisFortMontgomeryyonder,"
　　andheresolutelycontinuedthestoryofitsdefenceandcapture,untilherfatherreturnedsayingitwastimetocomedownadpreparetoland.
　　Idahadscarcelyheardaword.Herheartalmoststoodstillwithdreadandforeboding,andlikeadrearyrefrainthewordskeptrepeatingthemselves,"Oh,I'mpunished,I'mpunished.IthoughttowinhimfromJennieBurton,andmyrecklesswordswillnowmakehimtruetoherateverycosttohimself.HeknowsthatImusthaveseenhowhewonthekingdomofherheart,andhe'llkeepitnowinspiteofmyloveandsomethingIthoughtlovethatIsawinhisface.Oh,mypunishmentisgreaterthanIcanbear;butitisdeserved,welldeserved.Ifhehadwonmylovefirst,whatwouldIthinkofthewomanwhotriedtowinhimfromme?ShewouldhavesufferedwhatInowmustsuffer.Mybrightbutguiltydreamisoverforever."
　　VanBergassistedherdowntothegangwayandoutonthewharfwithagraveandscrupulouspoliteness,butshefeltevenmorethanshesawthatherwordshadstunghisverysoul.Itwastheirapparenttruthwhichhecouldneverexplainawaythatgavethemtheirpowertowoundsodeeply,andeverymomentbroughttohimaclearerrealizationofthefactthathehadtriedtowin,andwaspledgedtowinawomanwhomtowrongevenunwittinglywouldbeanactforwhichhecouldneverforgivehimself.Andyethisheartsankatthethoughtofmeetingher;indeed,soguiltyandembarrasseddidhebecomeinhisfeelingsthathedecidedhewouldnotmeetherbeforeothers,andsprangoutofthestage,sayingtothedriverthathepreferredwalkingtheremainderoftheway.Mr.Mayhewlookedathiminsomesurprise,forhismannerhadchangedsonowastoattracthisattentionandexcitedisagreeablesurmises.
　　ToIda'sgreatreliefStantonhadcomedowntomeetherwithhislight-wagon.HehadseenVanBergathersideagainwithsurprise,and,afterhisfasthorseshadwhirledthemwellawaybythemselves,heaskedalittleabruptly:
　　"Ida,haveyouseenVanthisweek?"
　　Shehesitatedamoment,andthensaidbriefly:"Yes.Wemetattheconcert-gardenagain,andhedinedwithuslastevening."
　　Stantonturnedandlookedatherearnestly,andhercolorroseswiftlyunderhisquestioningeyes.
　　"MypoorlittleIda,weareinthesameboat,Ifear,"hesaidcompassionately.
　　Shehidherfaceonhisshoulder."Oh,Ik,spareme,"shefaltered.
　　"It'sjustasIfeared,"Stantonresumed,withadeepsigh.
　　"Maledictionsonsuchaworldasours!Thedevilrulesit,sureenough."
　　"Oh,hush,hush,"Idasobbed.
　　"Iseeitall,now;indeed,I'vethoughtitalloutthispastweek.
　　YouSibleyusedonlyasablind,poorchild."
　　"Yes,Ik,Iloathedanddetestedhimalmostfromthefirst."
　　"AndinthemeantimethesagaciousVanBergandmyselfweretramplingonyoulikeacoupleoflong-earedbeasts.Howdidyoueverforgiveus!"
　　"Oh,Ik,Ik,myheartisbreaking.I'vehadsuchdreamsthelasttwoweeks.I'vedaredtothinkIhadlearnedalittleofGod'slove,andoh——wasIblindedbymywishes,bymyhopes,bythepassionatelongingofmyheart?——IthoughtIsawloveinhiseyes,andhearditinhistones,lastevening.Everythingnowisslippingfromme——happiness,hope,andevenmyfaith.ButIdeserveitall,"sheaddedinherheart."Icouldalmostcursethewomanwhotriedtowinhimfromme."
　　Stantonturnedhishorsesoffintoashadyandunfrequentedsideroadwheretheywouldnotbeapttomeetanyone."Goodheavens!"
　　hethought;"thisisjusttheconditionofmindthatVanwarnedmetoguardagainst,and,confoundhim,heisthecauseoftheevilshefeared,andintheirworstform.IbehangedifIcanunderstandhim.AllthroughJulyhewasJennieBurton'sopensuitor——atleasthemadenosecretofittome,althoughhiscoolheadenabledhimtothrowthepeopleofthehouseoffthescent——andnowhefollowsanotherladytoNewYork,andleaveshisfirstloveonveryflimsypretexts.ByJove!Idon'tlikeit,eventhoughitwerepossibleformetoprofitbyhisfolly."
　　"MypoorlittleIda,"hesaidgently,puttinghisarmsaroundher,"youandImuststandbyeachother,forweareliketohaveroughweatheraheadforawhile.It'snokindnesstoyounowtohidethetruth.IdonotknowthatVanBerghasformallyproposedtoMissBurton,but,asanhonorableman,heiscommittedtoher,andIbelievehehaswonheraffections,althoughIconfessIdon'tunderstandherverywell.Shehasevidentlyhadverydeepsorrowsinthepast,andIamsatisfiedthatshehasfelthisabsencekeenlythisweek."
　　"Ideserveitall,"Idamurmuredagain,butsolowhecouldnothearher,andshegavewaytoanotheroutburstofgrief.
　　"Itwillpainevenyourheart,Ida,toseehowslightandpaleMissBurtonisbecoming.Shealsoappearsstrangelyrestless,andtakeslongwalksthatarefarbeyondherstrength."
　　"It'sallplain,"groanedIda."Howcansheactotherwise!Well,shewillbecomfortednow,nomatterwhatbecomesofme."
　　"Youwillbeabravewoman,Ida,andpullthroughallright."
　　"No,Ik,I'mnotbrave.IcouldeasilydieforthoseIlove;butIcan'tjustsufferandbepatient,atleastIdon'tseehowIcan;
　　butIsupposeImust."
　　Hisarmtightenedaboutherwaist,andshefeltittrembling.
　　"Ida,"hesaid,inalowsolemntone,"promisemebeforeGodthatwhateverhappensyouwillnever——"
　　"Hush!"shegasped,shuddering,"IwilldieinGod'sownway.I
　　willendureasbestIcan."
　　Hestoopeddownandkissedhertenderlyashesaid:"Ida,dear,fromthishourI'mnolongeryourcousinmerely,butabrother,andyourcompanioninmisfortune.I'mgoingtostandbyyouandseeyouthroughthistrouble.Justcountonmetoshieldyouineverypossibleway.Idon'tcarewhattheworldthinksofme,butneveratongueshallwagagainstyouagain,ortherewillbeaheavyscoretosettlewithme.VanandIhavebeengoodfriends,buthe'sonticklishgroundnow.He'llfindhecan'tplayfastandloosewithtwosuchwomenasyouandJennieBurton.Curseitall!itisn'tlikehimtodoiteither.Buttheworldistopsy-turvey,anyhow."
　　"Ik,Ipleadwithyou,saynothing,donothing.Beblindanddeaftoeverythingofwhichwehavespoken.OnlyhelpmehidemysecretandgetawayfromthisplacetosomeotherwhereIamnotknown."
　　"Hasyourfatheranyideaofallthis?"
　　Idaexplainedinpartherfather'sknowledge.
　　"Wecaneasilymanageitthen,"hesaid."Ihaddecidedtoleavenextweek.MissBurtonleavesforhercollegedutiesverysoonalso.Theideaofthatfragileflowerbeingtrampledonninemonthsoftheyearbyacrowdofthoughtless,heedlessgirls!Andsoourdisastroussummercomestoanend.AndyetI'mwronginapplyingthattermtomyownexperience.IwishyoufeltasIdo,Ida.I
　　haven'taparticleofhope,andyetIwouldnotgiveupmyloveforJennieBurtonforalltheworld;andIdon'tbelieveIevershallgiveitup.Ithinksheisbeginningtounderstandmealittlebetternow,althoughshedoesnotgivememuchthought.Oneday,whileyouhavebeengone,Imetherreturningfromoneofherwalks,andshelookedsofaintandsadthatIcouldnotendureit,andI
　　wentstraighttoherandtookherhandasIsaid:'MissBurton,isthereanythingIkStantoncandotomakeyouhappier?It'snoneofmybusiness,Isuppose,butit'sbreakingmyhearttoseeyoubecomingsosadandpale.ImayseemtoyouveryfoolishandQuixotic,butthereisnoearthlythinkIwouldnotdoorsufferforyou.'Shedidnotwithdrawherhandasshereplied,verygently:
　　'Mr.Stanton,pleasedomethekindnesstobehappyyourself,andforgetme.'Icouldonlysay,inhonesty:'Youhaveaskedjustthetwothingswhichareutterlyimpossible.'Tearscameintohereyesasshereplied,withemphasis:'Then,myFRIEND,youcanunderstandme.ThereisonewhomIcanneverforget.'Shewaskindenoughtosaysomewordsaboutmyhavingbeengenerousandconsiderateofherfeelings,etc.,butnomatteraboutthem.Weparted,andit'salloverasfarassheisconcerned.WhenIlefttownlastJuneIthoughtI'dbeabacheloralways,becauseIlovedmyjollyease.I'veabetterreasonnow,Ida.OfcourseVanmustbetheonereferredtobyMissBurton.Youhaveseenhowshelooksathimattimeswhenthinkingherselfunobserved!"
　　"Yes,"sighedIda,"it'sallright.Godisjust,andthereisnouseoftryingtothwarthiswill."
　　"Well,Ida,Idon'tknow.It'sallasnarltome.SometimesIthinktheworldgoesonthetoss-up-a-pennyplan,andagainitseemsalmostasifOldNickhimselfwasbehindthescenes.
　　"DearBrotherIk,don'ttalktomethatway.IfIdoloseALLmyfaithnow,Idon'tknowwhatwillhappen."
　　"Forgiveme,Ida,IwilltrytodobetterbyyouthoughIfearI
　　shallproveoneofJob'scomforters.We'llstopinthevillage,getsomesupperthere,and,thusyouwon'thavetofaceanybodyto-night,andbyto-morrowyouwillbeyourownbraveself."
　　"Oh,"moanedIda,"Iamalmostassorryforfather'ssakeasformyown.HowcanIkeephimupwhenIamsinkingmyself?"
　　Mr.Mayhewstoodonthepiazza,waitingforIdaandwonderingwhyshedidnotcome,asVanBergmountedthesteps.Themajorityofthepeoplehadgoneintosupper,butMissBurton,whowasalittlelate,recognizedhimfromthehallway,andshecameswiftlyouttogreethim.Herverycordialitywasanotherstab,andheexertedthewholepowerofhismanhoodtomeetherinlikespirit.
　　"IdidnotknowIshouldmissyousomuch,"shesaid,hereyesgrowingalittlemoistfromherstrongfeeling."Isupposewenevervalueourfriendsasweoughttilltaughttheirworthtousbyabsence.ButifyouhavebeensuccessfulinyourworkIshallbewellcontent."
　　"Yes,MissJennie,"hereplied,"IthinkIhavebeensuccessful.
　　Thepictureisfarfrombeingcomplete,butI'vebeenabletoobtainamuchbetterlikenessofMr.EltingethanIevenhopedtocatch."
　　"Mr.VanBerg,youhavebeenworkingtoohard.Youlookexceedinglyweary.Whatpossessedyoutowalkallthesemiles?Leaveuswomentodotheunreasonablethings,andleastofallaretheybecominginyou;comeatonceandgetagoodsupper."
　　Hecouldnotdisguisethepainandhumiliationthatherwordscausedhim,andsaidhurriedly,"Iwilljoinyouinafewmoments,"andthenhastenedtohisroom.
　　Mr.Mayhew,withthedelicacyofagentleman,hadwithdrawnoutofearshotastheyconversed,butthewarmthofMissBurton'sgreetinghadsuggestedathoughtthatwasexceedinglydisquieting.Asiffromasuddenimpulsehewentdirectlytothesuppertable,andhisquietcourtesymaskedtheclosestobservation.
　　VanBergstoodinhisroomamomentandfairlytrembledwithshameandrageathimself.Then,withabitterimprecation,hemadethebrieftoiletthedustofhiswalkrequired,andhisfacewassosternandwhiteonemightthinkhewasabouttofaceanexecutionerinsteadofJennieBurton'sblueeyesbeamingwithfriendshipatleast.Thethoughtofdiscoveringanythingwarmerintheirexpressionsentamortalchilltoherformerwooer'sheart.HeexpectedtomeetIdaatthetable,andtheordealofmeetingthewomantowhomhewaspledgedinthepresenceofthewomanhelovedwasliketheancientTrialbyFire.
　　"Curseitall,"hemuttered,"theybothcanreadone'sthoughtsasiftheywereprintedonsign-boards.IwasscarcelyconsciousofwhatmyardentfriendshipforMissMayhewmeantbeforeshelookedmeinthefaceandsawthewholetruth,andshealmostthesameaschargedmewithwinningJennieBurton'sheartthenthrowingitaway,whileinthesamebreathshehintedthatIneednotattemptanysuchfollyandmeannessinhercase.Ifeveraman'sprideandself-respectreceivedamortalwoundminehasto-day.AndnowIfeelwithinstinctivecertainty,thatMissBurtonwillseethetruthjustasclearly,andthenmyburdenforlifewillbethecontemptofthetwowomenwhomIhonorasIdomymother'sname.
　　Well,thereisnohelpforitnow,myshipisontherocksalready."
　　HewasgreatlyrelievedtofindthatIdawasnotatthetable,but,inspiteofhisbestefforts,MissBurtonsoonsawthatsomethingwasamiss,andthatitwasdifficultforhimtosustainhispartoftheconversation.Withhergracefultact,however,shewasblindtoallsheimaginedhewouldnothavehernotice,andtriedtoenlivenbothMr.Mayhewandhimselfwithhercheerytalk——avaineffortineachinstancenow.
　　"Howslightandspirit-likesheisbecoming!"groanedVanBerg,inwardly."GreatGod!ifIhavewrongedher,howawfulwillbemypunishment!"
　　"Sheloveshim,"wasMr.Mayhew'sconclusion,"andfromhismannerIfearhehasgivenherreason.Atanyrate,forsomecause,heisingreatperplexityandtrouble."
　　AftersupperVanBergstoodnearthemainstairway,stillconversingwithMissBurton,whenalight,quickstepcausedhimtolookupandhesawIdawhohadenteredbyasidedoor.HeknewshemusthaveseenhimandMissBurtonalso,butshepassedhimwithveiledanddowncastface,andwentswiftlyupthestairwaytoherroom.Itseemedtohimacutdirect."sheandStantonhavebeencomparingnotes,"hesaidtohimself,andhecrimsonedatthethoughtofwhathemustnowappeartoher.MissBurtonhadbeenstandingwithherbacktowardsthestairwayandhadnotseenIdaatfirst,butVanBerg'shotflushcausedhertoglancearoundandseethecause,andthensheunderstoodhismannerbetter.Butitwashercreedthatpeoplemanagesuchthingsbestwithoutinterference,evenfromthekindliestmotives,andshethereforemadenoallusiontoMissMayhewthatevening.
　　"MissJennie,"saidVanBerg,yieldingtowhathenowfelthadbecomeanecessity,"Imayseemmoreofaheathentoyouto-morrowthanever.ThereisadistantmountainandlakethatIwishtovisitbeforeIreturntotown,andIshallstartearlyto-morrow.
　　SoifIdonotcomebackveryearlyyouneednotthinkthattheearthhasswallowedmeuporthatIhavefallenapreytowildbeasts.Goodnight,"andhepressedherhandwarmly.
　　Shelookedathimwistfullyandseemedabouttospeak,forshewasvaguelyconsciousofhisdeeptrouble.Shecheckedtheimpulse,however,andpartedfromhimwithakindlysmilethatsuggestedsympathyratherthanreproach.
　　StantoncalledMr.Mayhewasideandthetwogentlemanspokeveryfranklytogether.
　　"Idaseemsevenmoreconcernedaboutyouthanherself,"saidStantoninconclusion,"anditwouldkillher,asshenowfeels,ifyoushouldgivewaytoyouroldweaknessagain.Shefearsthatshewon'tbeabletosustainandcheeryouassheintended,butItoldherthatwewouldbothstandbyherandseeherthroughhertrouble."
　　"Iunderstandyou,Ik,"saidMr.Mayhew,quietly."FrommyheartIthankyouforyourkindnesstoIda.Butyoudon'tunderstandme.Ihadadeeperthirstthanthatforbrandy,andwhenmychildgavemeherlove,myrealthirstwasquenched,andtheotherisgone."
　　"That'snoble;we'llpullthroughyet!"Stantonresumed,heartily.
　　"IdaandIgotoursupperatavillageinn——atleast,wewentthroughthemotions——forIwasboundnooneshouldhaveachancetostareatherto-night."
　　"Nomatter,"saidherfather,decisively."IhavehadpreparedasniceasupperasMr.Burleighcouldfurnish,andIshalltakeittoherroom.Sheshallseethatsheisnotforgotten."
　　Idatriedtoeatalittletopleasehim,butshesooncameandsatbesidehimonhersofa,saying,assheburiedherfaceagainsthisshoulder,"Father,Ishallhavetoleanveryhardonyounow."
　　"Iwon'tfailyou,Ida,"wasthegentleandsimplereply,buttheyunderstoodeachotherwithoutfurtherwords.Withunspokensympathyandtendernesshetriedtofilltheplacehermothercouldnot,forifMrs.MayhewhadgainedanyknowledgeofIda'sfeelings,shewouldhavehadagreatdealtosayonthesubjectwiththebestandkindestintentions.Withheavytouchshewouldtrytoexamineandhealthewoundtwentytimesaday.
　　Mr.MayhewwasrightwhenhesaidtheVanBergswereaproudrace,andthistraithadfounditsculmination,perhaps,intheheroofthistale.Hewasjustlyproudofhisoldandunstainedname;hewasproudofthosewhoboreitwithhim,andhehonoredhisfatherandmother,notinobediencetoacommand,butbecauseeveryonehonoredthem;andifhissisterwasalittlecoldandstately,sheembodiedhisideasofrefinementandcultivation;hewasproudofhissocialposition,ofhistalent——forheknewhehadthatmuch,atleast——andoftherecognitionhehadalreadywonintherepublicofart.Butchiefofallhadhebeenproudofhisunstainedmanhood,ofthehonor,whichhebelievedhadbeenkeptunsullieduntilthismiserableday.Butnow,ashestrodeawayinthemoonlight,hefoundhimselfconfrontingcertainfactswhichhefelthecouldneverexplaintoanyone'ssatisfaction,notevenhisown.Hehadopenlyprofessedtoloveapoorandorphanedgirl,andhadpledgedhimselftowinherifhecould——tobeherfriendtillhecouldbecomefarmore.Evengrantingthatshestilllookedonhimmerelyasafriend,thatdidnotreleasehim.Itwaswhilepossessingthedistinctknowledgethatshecherishednowarmerfeelingthathehadmadethepledge,andthoughshemightnotbeableorwillingto-dayorto-morrow,orforyearstocome,togiveupapastloveforhissake,hispromiserequiredthatheshouldpatientlywooandwaittillshecouldburythepastwithheroldlover,andreceive,athishands,thefuturethathewasinhonorboundtokeepwithinherreach.Ofcourse,if,afterthelapseofyears,sheassuredhimshecouldnotandwouldnotacceptofhishandinmarriage,hewouldbefree,buthehadscarcelywaitedweeksbeforegivinghislovetoanother.Foraughtheknew,thehopeofhappierdays,whichhehadurgeduponher,mightbealreadystealingintoherheart.
　　ItgavehimbutlittlecomfortnowtorecognizethefactthathehadneverlovedJennieBurton——thathehadneverknownwhatthewordmeantuntilsweptawaybytheirresistibletideofapassion,thepowerofwhichalreadyappalledhim.Tosaythathedidnotfeellikekeepinghispromisenow,orthathisfeelingshadchanged,heknewwouldberegardedasanexcusebeneathcontempt,andaweeksincehehimselfwouldhavepronouncedthemostmercilessjudgmentagainstamaninhispresentposition.