\"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.\"