TheinterviewdescribedinthepreviouschaptertouchedVanBergdeeply,butitsclosepuzzledhim.Undertheinfluencesofhisarousedfeelingshadhisfaceexpressedmorethanmeresympathy?
Hadherstrongintuition,thatwaslikeasecondsight,interpretedhisheartmoreclearlythanhehadbeenabletounderstandithimselfasyet?Reasonandjudgement,hisprivycouncil,hadalreadybeguntoadvisehimtowinifpossiblethisunselfishmaiden,whowithadivinealchemytransmutedhershadowsintosunshineforothers,andoftensuggestedthethought,ifshecandothisinsorrow,howinexpressiblyhappyshemightmakeyouandyouragedfatherandmotherifyoucouldfirstfindoutinsomewayhowtomakeherhappy.
Indeed,soclearacasedidthesecounsellorsmakeout,thatconscienceaddedherauthoritativevoicealso,andassuredhimthathewouldbefalsetohimselfandhisfuturedidhenot,totheutmost,availhimselfandhisfuturedidhenot,totheutmost,availhimselfoftheopportunityofwinningonewhosesocietyfromthefirsthadbeenaninspirationtobetterthoughtsandbetterliving.
Untilthiseveninghishearthadremainedsluggish.Sweetandpotentashervoicehadbeen,ithadnotpenetratedtothe\"holyofholies\"withinhissoul.Buthadnotherlowsadtonesechoedthereto-nightinthehalfinvoluntaryconfidenceshehadgivenhim?
Inhisdeepsympathy,intheansweringfeelingevokedbyherstrongbutrepressedemotion,hethoughthishearthadbeenstirredtoitsdepths,andthathenceforthitschiefdesirewouldbetobanishthesorrowfulmemoriestypifiedtohermindbytheblackcloudsabovehim.Hadhisfacerevealedthisimpulseofhisheartbeforehehadbeenfullyconsciousofithimself?Wasitanunwelcomediscovery,thatshesohastilyfledfromit?Orhadshebeenonlystartled——hermaidenlyreserveshrinkingfromthefirstfore-shadowingofthesupremerequestthatsheshouldunveilthemysteriesofherlifetoonewhobutnowhadbeenastranger?Hedidnotknow.Hefelthescarcelyunderstoodherorhimself;buthewasconsciousofahopethatbothmightmeettheirhappyfateineachother.
Heleanedthusforatimeabsorbedinthoughtagainstapillarwhereshehadlefthim,thensaunteredwithbowedheadandpreoccupiedmannertothemainentrance,downthestepsandoutintothedarkness.
HedidnotevennoticethathepassedIdaMayhew,whereshestoodamongagroupofgaychatteringyoungpeople.StilllessdidheknowthatshehadbeenfurtivelywatchinghisinterviewwithMissBurton,andthatwhenhepassedherwithoutaglanceherfacewasaspaleashadbeenthatoftheobjectofhisthoughts.Buthehadnotstrolledveryfardownagravelledpathbeforeshecompelledhimtodistinguishherrecklesslaughandtonesabovealltheothers.
Withanimpatientgesturehemuttered,\"Godmadethemboth,I
suppose;andsothere\'sanothermystery.\"
AsVanBerg\'sinterestinMissBurtonhaddeepened,ithadnaturallyflaggedtowardtheonewhosemarvelouslyfairfeatureshadfirstcaughthisattentionandnowpromisedtobelinksinachainofcausesthatmightproduceeffectslittleanticipated.Hehadvirtuallyabandonedtheprojectofseekingtoennobleandharmonizethesefeaturesthatsuggestednewpossibilitiesofbeautytoalmosteveryglance,forthereasonthathenotonlybelievedtherewasnomindtobeawakened,butalsobecausehehadbeenledtothinkthegirlsodepravedandselfishatheartthattheverythoughtofalarger,purerlifewasrepugnanttoher.Hebelievedshedislikedandevendetestedhim,notsomuchonpersonalgroundsasbecauseherepresentedtohermindaclassofideasandaself-restraintthatwerehateful.CircumstanceshadassociatedherinhismindwithSibley,whothuscastabalefulshadowathwartevenherbeautyandmadeitrepulsive.Indeedthemockingperfectionofherfeaturesirritatedhim,andhebegantomakeaconsciousandpersistenteffortnottolooktowardher.Henowregardedhishopetoillumineherfacefromwithin,bydelicatetouchesofmind,thought,andmotive,asvainasanattempttocarvetheVenusofMilooutofmottledpumice-stone.Stillhedidnotregretto-nightthefreakoffancythathadbroughthimtotheLakeHouse,sinceithadledtohismeetingawomanwhowastohimanewandbeautifulrevelationoftherarestexcellenceandgrace.
ButtherewasnosuchcompensatingoutlookforpoorIda.Toher,hiscomingpromiseddailytoresultinincreasingwretchedness.
FromthemiserableSundaynightonwhichshehadsobbedherselftosleep,theconsciousnesshadcontinuallygrownclearerthatshecouldneverfindinheroldmodeoflifeanysatisfyingpleasure.
Shehadcaughtaglimpseofsomethingsomuchbetter,thatherformerworldlookedastawdryasthemimicsceneryofasecond-ratetheatre.Agenuineman,suchasshehadnotseenoratleastnotrecognizedbefore,hadsteppedoutbeforethegiltandtinsel,andthemiserableshamswereseenincontrastintheirrightfulcharacter.
But,inbringingtherevelation,ithappenedhehadsodeeplywoundedherpride,thatshehadassuredherself,againandagain,shewouldhatehisverynameaslongasshelived.DidshehatehimasshesawhimabsorbedinconversationwithMissBurtonwheneverhecouldobtaintheopportunity?Didshehatehimasshesawthathiseyesconsciouslyavoidedherandrestedapprovinglyonanotherwoman?Werehateandlovesonearakin?Couldthebeliefthathedespisedhermakehersowretchedifsheonlyhatedhim?
Duringtheearlypartofthepresentweekshehadstruggledalmostfiercelytoretainherholdonheroldlife.Unitingherselftoacliqueofthoughtlessyoungpeople,whomadeamusementandexcitementtheironlypursuit,sheseemedtobethegayestandmostrecklessofthemall,whileherheartwassinkinglikelead.Everyglancetowardthecold,avertedfaceoftheartist,inspiredherwithmorethanhisownscorntowardwhatshewasandthefrivolitiesofherlife.Shetriedtoshuthereyestothetruth,andclungdesperatelytoeveryimpedingtrifle;butfeltallthetimethatanirresistibletideofeventswascarryinghertowardtherevelationthatshelovedamanwhodespisedher,andalwayswoulddespiseher.
Andonthisnight,whenshesawtheirdimformsandheardtheirlowtonesasMissBurtonandVanBergtalkedearnestlyonthefartherendofthepiazza;whenshesawthattheygraspedhandsinparting,andnotedtheraptlookuponhisfaceashepassedherbyuncaringlyandunnotingly——therevelationcame.Itwasassharplyandpainfullydistinctasifhehadstoppedandplungedaknifeintoherheart.
Withallherfaultsandfollies,Idahadneverbeenapaleshadowycreature,fullofcomplexpsychologicalmoodswhichneithershenoranyoneelsecoulduntangle.Sheknewwhomandwhatshelikedanddisliked,anditwasnothernaturetodothingsbyhalves.
Therehadalwaysbeenakindofsimplicityandstraightforwardnesseveninherwickedness;andsheusuallyseemedtopeoplequiteasbad,andindeedworse,thanshereallywas.
Whyofallothersshelovedthisman,andhowitallhadcomeabout,wasamysterythatpuzzledhersorely;butshehadnolabyrinthineheartinwhichtoplayhideandseekwithherownconsciousness.
Andsovividlyconsciouswasshenowofthisnewandabsorbingpassion,thatshehastilyturnedherfacefromhercompanionstowardthecloudysky,thatlookedasdarktoherasithadtoJennieBurton,andforamomentsoughtdesperatelytorecoverfromadizzy,reelingsenseofpainthatwaswell-nighoverwhelming.Thenthewomanlyinstincttohidehersecretasserteditself,andamomentlaterherlaughjarreddiscordantlyonVanBerg\'sears,andheinterpreteditaswiselyashavethousandsofotherswhofailtorecognizethetruththatoftennocryofpainissobitterasarecklesslaugh.
Alittlelater,however,hercompanionsmissedher.Laterstillhermothersoughtadmissiontoherroominvain.
Whenshecamedowntobreakfastthenextmorning,shewasveryquietandself-possessed,butherfacewassopaleandthetracesofsufferingweresomanifest,thathermotherinsistedthatshewasnotwell.
Shecoldlyadmittedthefact.
Thevolubleladylaunchedoutintoanindefinitenumberofquestionsandsuggestionsofremedies.
\"Mother,\"saidIda,withaflashofhereyesandanaccentwhichcausednotonlythatladybutseveralotherstolooktowardherwithalittlesurprise,\"ifyouhaveanythingfurthertosaytomeinregardtomyhealth,pleasesayitinmyownroom.\"
VanBergglancedtowardsherseveraltimesafterthis,andwascompelledtoadmitthatwhateverfaulthemightjustlyfind,thefacewithwhichsheconfrontedhimthatmorningwasanythingbutweakandtrivialinitsexpression.
ButhericyreserveandcoldnessdidnotcomparefavorablywithMissBurton,whohadnowfullyregainedhersmilingreticence,actingasusualasiftheonlylawofherbeingwastouttergenialwordsandtobestowwithconsummatetactlittlegiftsofattentionandkindnessoneveryside,asthesummersunwithoutwasscatteringitsvivifyingrays.
ChapterXXI.ADeliberateWooer.
MissBurton\'sbearingtowardVanBergwasveryfriendly,buthefailedtodetectinhermannertheslightestproofthatshehadeverthoughtofhimotherwisethanasafriend.Therewasnosuddendroopingofhereyelashes,orheighteningofcolorwhenhespoketoher,orpermittedhiseyestodwelluponherfacewithanexpressionthatwasrathermorethanfriendly.Hecoulddetectnofurtiveglances,nothingtoindicatethatshehadcaughtaglimpseofthatsecretsointerestingtoeverywomanthatshewouldlookagain,thoughcoldasicetowardthemancherishingit.Norwastheretheslightesttraceoftheconstraintandreservebywhichallwomenwhoarenotcoquettesseektocheck,aswithanearlyfrost,thefirstgrowthofanunwelcomeregard.Hermannerwassimplywhatwouldbenaturaltowardagentlemanshethoroughlyrespectedandliked,withwhomherthoughts,fornohiddencause,wereespeciallypreoccupied.
Whythenhadshelookedathimsostrangelytheprecedingevening?
Whyhadsheapparentlyshrunkfromtheexpressionofhisface,asifshehadseentherearevelationsosuddenandoverwhelmingthatshetrembledatitasashy,sensitivemaidenmightinrecognizingthefactthatastrong,resolutemanwasseekingentrancetotheverycitadelofherheart?Hefelthimselfutterlyunabletoexplainheraction.
Whatwasmore,hewaspuzzledathimself.ThesympathyhefeltforMissBurtonthepreviouseveninghadnotbyanymeanslefthim,butitwasnolongerastrongandabsorbingemotion.Hispulsewasascalmandquietasthebreathlesssummermorning.Hewasconsciousofnopremonitorychillsandthrills,which,accordingtohispreconceivednotionsofthe\"grandpassion,\"oughttobefelteveninitsincipiency.Heevenfoundhimselfcriticisingherface,andwonderinghowfeaturessoordinaryinthemselvescouldcombineinsowinningandhappyaneffect;andthenhementallycursedhiscold-bloodedness,andpositivelyenviedStantoninwhosemanner,inspiteofhiseffortsatconcealment,anardentaffectionbegantomanifestitself.
DuringthedayitoccurredtohimmorethanoncethathercoursewaschangingtowardStanton.Therewasnolessreturnonherpartofhislightbanteringstyleofconversation.Indeed,sheseemedtotakegreatpainstogiveahumoroustwisttoeverythinghesaid,asifsheregardedeventhewordsinwhichhetriedtounfoldhisdeeperthoughtsasmerejests.ButVanBergimaginedshebegantomakeherselfmoreinaccessibletoStanton.Sheentrenchedherselfamongotherguestsintheparlor;shetookpainstobesooccupiedastomakehimfeelthathisapproachwouldbeaninterruption;andwhenevertheydidmeetatthetableandelsewhere,itappearedasifsheweretryingtoteachhimbyasmiling,friendlyindifferencethathewasnotinherthoughtsatall.
ThepositivecoldnessandaversionIdasoughttomanifesttowardVanBergwouldnothavebeensodishearteningasMissBurton\'sdeviceofseemingtobesoagreeablypreoccupiedwithotherpeoplethatshecouldnotorwouldnotseetheofferingStantonwaseagertolayatherfeet.
Hefeltthiskeenly,andchafedunderit;butherwoman\'stactmadehershiningarmorinvulnerable.Shepersistedinregardinghimasthegay,self-seeking,pleasure-lovingmanoftheworldthatshehadrecognizedhimtobeonthefistdayoftheiracquaintance.Heimaginedthatagreatandradicalchangehadtakenplaceinhisnature,butshegavehimnoopportunityoftellingherso.Atfirstshehad,withlaughingcourtesy,ignoredhisgallantry,asifitwereonlyafashionofhistowardsanywomanwhoforthetimehappenedtotakehisfancy;butsofarfromshunninghimshehadseemedinclinedtoemploywhatsheregardedasacapriceorabitofmalecoquetry,asthemeansofaddingtotheenjoymentofasmanyaspossible;andVanBerghadoftensmiledtoseehislanguidfriendofyoresecondingMissBurton\'seffortswithanapparentzealthatwasquitemarvellous.ToStanton\'sinfiniterelief,VanBergdidnottwithimconcerningthissurprisingdeparturefromhisoldways.Indeed,MissBurtonhadbecometoodelicateandsacredathemeinbothoftheirmindstopermitoftheiroldbanter.Theyhadbeenfriendsandweresostill,yeteachrecognizedthefactthateventswerecomingthatwouldsorelytestandperhapsdestroytheirfriendship.Whiletheygraduallyfellaloof,asmenwillwhoarelearningthattheirdearestinterestsaredestinedtoconflict,theyeachtriedneverthelesstomaintainanhonorablerivalry,andtheirbearingtowardeachother,althoughtingedwithagrowingreticenceanddignity,wasgenuinelykindandcourteous.
Astheweekdrewtoaclose,however,itgaveVanBergpleasure——thoughnotbyanymeansinthesamedegreethatitcausedStantonpain——toobservethatMissBurtonwasshunningthelatter\'ssocietyasfaraspolitenesspermitted.
Atthesametime,whilesheevidentlyenjoyedhiscompanionship,VanBergobservedthatshedidnotseemtospeciallycraveit;norintruthdidhefindhimselfwhenawayfromher\"distrait,\"vacant,andmiserable,aswasmanifestlythecasewithhisfriend.Heconcludedthatitwasdifferenceoftemperament——thatitwashisnaturetobegovernedbyjudgmentandtaste,asitwasthatofStantontobeswayedbyfeelingandpassion.Allthehigherfacultiesofhismindgavetheirvoiceforthiswomanwithincreasingemphasis.
Hisheartundoubtedlywouldslowlyandsurelygravitateinthesamedirection.
Howtowinherthereforewasgraduallybecomingtheoneinterestingandmostdifficultquestionhehadtosolve.Althoughshewaspoorandaloneintheworld,itwasevidentthatmerewealthandpositionwouldcountbutlittlewithher.Stantonwashandsome,rich,well-connected,andintelligent;butitseemedclear,assherecognizedthesincerityofhissuit,shewithdrewfromit.Somecoarse,ill-naturedpeopleinthehouse,whoatfirst,withsignificantnods,hadintimatedthat\"thelittleschool-ma\'am\"wasbentonbetteringherfortunes,weresoonnonplussedbyhercourse.
ThusfarVanBerg\'snamehadnotbeenassociatedwithhersinanysuchmannerasStanton\'s.Hiscoolerhead,orheartmorecorrectly,hadenabledhimtoactveryprudently.Hewouldenjoyawalkorconversationwithher,andthereitwouldend.Neitherbylingeringglancesnorstepsdidheshowthathecouldnotinteresthimselfinotherpeopleandthings.HedidnotattendtheexcursionsorridestowhichStantoninvitedher,andotherstopleaseher,becauseheknewhisfriend\"dotedonhisabsence.\"HefelttoothattheoccasionwasStanton\'sprivateproperty,andthatitwouldbemeannottoleavehimthefulladvantageofthedevice,whichmightcausehimmoreeffortinaforenoonoraneveningthanhehadbeenaccustomedtoputforthinaweek.
ButpoorStantonsoonlearnedthathislaborsofloveweredestinedtobeverypromiscuous.Henevercouldmanagetocarryheroffaloneinalightskiffuponthelake;hecouldneverinveigleherintothenarrowseatofhisbuggy,norcouldhismostwilystrategylongseparateherfromtheircompanionsonapicnicthathadofferedtohisardentfancyachanceforastrollintosomefavoringsolitudebythemselves.Hadshebeenaprincessoftheblood,surroundedbyaguardofwatchfulduennas,shecouldnothavebeenmoreunapproachabletolover-likeadvances.Yet,withavexationakintothatofoldTantalushimself,heconstantlycursedhisstupidityfornotmakingbetterprogresstowardsecuringthesmilingaffablemaiden,whobyeverylawofhispasexperienceoughttosecondhiseffortstowinher.
VanBerg,whoremainedatthehotel,orwentoffbyhimselfonramblesandsketchingexpeditions,wouldwatchhisopportunityandquietlyandnaturallyjoinheronthepiazzaorintheparlor,ashemightapproachanyotherlady.Asaresulttheyhadlonganimatedconversations,andfoundtheyhadmuchincommontotalkabout.
StantonwouldgnawhislipwithenvyattheseinterviewsandwonderhowVanBergbroughtthemaboutsoeasily,butfoundhecouldnotsecurethem,saveintheimmediatepresenceofothers.ThusitcameaboutthatVanBergpracticallyenjoyedmuchmoreofMissBurton\'ssocietythantheonewhomadesuchuntiringeffortstoobtainit.
InStanton\'stooeagersuit,VanBergthoughthesawthedangerhemustavoid,andhecomplacentlycongratulatedhimselfthathepossessedatemperamentwhichpermittedthoughtfulandwaryapproaches.Hewouldnotfrightenthisshybirdbytoohastyadvances.Throughunobtrusivecompanionshiphewouldfirstgrowfamiliartoherthoughts;andthen,ifpossible,wouldmakehimselfinseparablefromthem.
HereachedthisconclusionduringarambleonSaturdaymorning,andwithelastictreadreturnedtothehoteltocarryouthiswelldigestedpolicy.AshemountedthestepshesawMissBurtonintheparlor,andatonceenteredthroughanopenwindow.Shewasseatedinacorneroftheroomwithtwoorthreelittlegirlsaroundher,andwasdressingdolls.
\"Doyouenjoythat?\"heasked,incredulously.
\"I\'mnotastar,\"sherepliedlookingupwithaquietsmile,\"butonlyaplanet——oneofthesmallerasteroids——andshinewithborrowedlight.Theselittlewomenenjoythishugely;andIreceiveapalereflectionoftheirpleasure.\"
\"Youarecertainlyhappyinyouranswer,ifnotinyourwork,\"heremarked.
\"Mr.VanBerg,\"saidoneofthechildrenemphatically,\"MissBurtonisthebestladythateverlived.\"
\"Iagreewithyou,mydear,\"respondedtheartist,withansweringemphasis.
\"Yes,children,\"saidMissBurton,hereyesdancingwithmischief,\"andIwantyoutoappreciateMr.VanBerg\'sgeniustoo.Heisthegreatestartistthateverlived,andthereneverweresuchpicturesashepaints.\"
\"MissBurton,Ibegoff,\"interruptedVanBerg,laughing.\"Youalwaysgetthebetterofone.No,children,\"hecontinuedinanswertotheirlooksofwonder,\"Iknowlessaboutpaintingpictures,incomparison,thanyoudoofdressingdolls.\"
\"ButMissBurtonalwaystellsusthetruth,\"persistedthechild.
\"Nowyouseetheresultofourfolly,\"saidtheyounglady,shakingherheadathim.\"Wehavegiventhischildanexampleofinsincerity.Wewerejesting,mydear.Mr.VanBergandIdidnotmeanwhatwesaid.\"
\"ButIdidmeanwhatIsaid,\"repliedthechild,earnestly.
\"Sinceonlydownrighthonesty,\"theartistresumedwithalaugh,\"ispermittedinthislittlegroup,sonearnature\'sheart,IthinkImustfollowthissmallmaiden\'sexample,andsticktomyoriginalstatement.Foronce,MissBurton,wehavewontheadvantageoveryou,andhaveprovedthatyoursaretheonlyinsincerewordsthathavebeenspoken.ButIknowthatifIstayanothermomentIshallbeworsted.SoIshallleavethefieldbeforevictoryisexchangedforanotherreverse.\"
Asheturnedlaughinglyawayhesaw——whathehadnotobservedbefore——thatIdaMayhewwassittingnear.Shewasostensiblyreading;butevenhisbriefglanceassuredhimthatherdowncasteyeswerenotfollowingthelines.Herfacewassopale,sorigid,solikeasculpturedidealofsomekindofsufferinghecouldnotunderstand,thatithauntedhim.
Hehadgivenbutlittlethoughttoherforthepasttwodays,andindeedhadrarelyseenher.Shehadmanagedtotakehermealswhenhewasnotpresent,andononeortwooccasionshadhadthemsenttoherroom,pleadingillnessasthereason.Indeedherflaggingappetiteandalteredappearancedidnotmakemuchfeigningonherpartnecessary.
Shehadevidentlyheardtheconversationjustnarrated;andshebelievedthatVanBerghadechoedthechild\'sbeliefinregardtoMissBurtonmoreintruththaninjest.
Therulingpassionoftheartistwasaroused.Aplainwomanmighthavelookedunutterablethings,andhewouldhavepassedonwithashrug,orbutathoughtofcommiseration.Butthatoval,downcastfacefollowedhim.Itssadnessandpaininterestedhimbecauseconveyedtohiseyebyaperfectcontour.
\"Wasitatrick?\"hethought,\"orafortuitouscombinationofthefeaturesthemselves,thatenabledthemtoexpresssomuch!Itmustbeso,forsurelytheshallowcoquettehadnotmuchtoexpress.\"
\"Aplagueontheperversityofnature,\"heexclaimed,\"togivethegirlsuchfeatures.IfJennieBurtonhadthem,shewouldbetheidealwomanoftheworld.\"
Thepracticalresult,however,wasthathehalfforgotduringdinnerthatshewas\"thebestwomanthateverlived\"inhisfurtiveefforttostudyIda\'sfaceinitspresentaspect;andthathealsospentmostoftheafternooninhisroomsketchingitfrommemory.
ChapterXXII.AVainWish.
Asthewitch-hazelisbelievedtohavethepowerofindicatingspringsofwaterhoweverfarbeneaththesurface,soMissBurton,byasubtleaffinity,seemedtobecomespeedilyconsciousofthesorrowsandtroublesofothers,evenwhensedulouslyhiddenfromgeneralobservation.
ShediscoveredthatsomethingwasamisswithIdaalmostassoonasdidthetroubledgirlherself;butforonceherquickperceptionofcausesfailedher.ShehadexplainedIda\'sapparentantipathytoVanBergonthegroundofthenaturalresentmentofafrivoloussocietygirltowardthemanwhohad,byhismannerandcharacter,askedhertothinkandbeawoman.Itappearedtoher,fromherlimitedacquaintance,thatIdawasdevelopingintothecounterpartofhermother;andforsuchapersonasMrs.Mayhew,VanBergcouldneverhaveanythingmorethanpolitetoleration.
MissBurtonwasawarethattheartist\'smannertowardIdahadindeedbeenhumiliating.Duringthepreviousweekhehadsoughthersociety;butintheemphaticlanguageofhisaction,hehadalmostthesameassaidoflate:
\"EvenforthesakeofyourbeautyIcannotendureyourshallownessandmoraldeformity.\"
Littlewonderthattheflatteredbelleshouldfeelhateoratleastspitetowardthemanwhohadvirtuallygivenhersuchastingingrebuke.
ButwhilethisfactandthedifferencesofcharacterexplainedIda\'smannertowardtheartist,itdidnotaccountfortheexpressionofpainandperplexitythatsheoccasionallydetectedintheyounggirl\'sface.Itdidnotexplainwhysheshouldsitforanhouratatime,asshehadthatmorningintheparlor,hereyesfixedonvacancy,andherfacefullofdreadandtrouble,asifthereweresomethingpresenttohermindfromwhichsheshrankinexpressibly.
Shetriedseveraltimestomakeadvancestowardtheunhappygirl,butwasineveryinstancerepelled,coldlyanddecidedly.
\"WhatISpreyinguponMissMayhew\'smind?\"shequeriedwithincreasingfrequency.Herexperienceasateacherofyounggirlsmadeherquicktodetectthepresenceofthosedangerousthoughtswhichbesettheentranceonmaturewomanhood.Withafrownthatformedamarkedcontrastwithhercustomarygentleandgenialexpression,shesurmised:\"CanSibley,oranyoneelse,beseekingtotemptandleadherastray?\"
AsthemostplausibleexplanationshefinallyconcludedthatIdawasbroodingoverherfather\'sunhappytendencies.Mrs.BurleighhadtoldMissBurtonthewholestory;andshehadlistened,notastoabitofscandal,butastoanotherinstanceofthatkindoftroublewhicheverevokedfromhermoreofsympathythancensure.
Idamighttreatherfanciedrival,therefore,ascoldlyasshechose,butthefactofsufferingandtheshadowrestinguponherfromherfather\'scourse,wouldbindJennieBurtontoherasawatchfulfriendwithatiethatonlyreturninghappinesscouldsunder.
StantonandVanBergwerestandingtogetheronSaturdayevening,whenMrs.Mayhewandherdaughtercamedowntoawaitthearrivalofthestage.Idadidnotseethematfirst,andVanBergwasagainstruckbythepallorandstonyapathyofherface.Shelookedlikeoneweariedbyconflictofmind;butthequietofherfacewasnotthatofpeaceordecision.Itwassimplythevacancyandlanguorofonewornoutwithcontendingemotions.
\"Ioncesaid,\"thoughtVanBerg,\"thatshewouldbebeautifulifsheweredead,andherfrivolousmindcouldnolongermarthereposeofherfeatureswiththesuggestionofpettythoughtsandignoblevices.ByJove,Ineverrealizedhowtruemywordswere.Ashermotionlessfigureandpallidexpressionappearinyonderdoor-way,shewouldmakeagoodpictureoftheclayofEve,beforeGodbreathedlifeintotheperfectform.Oh!thatIhadsuchpower!Iwouldgiveyearstolightupthatfacetherewiththeexpressionsofwhichitiscapable.\"
ThenIdasawhim,andsheturnedhastilyaway,butnotbeforehecaughtaglimpseofthebloodmountingswiftlytoherface.Shewasbeginningtopuzzlehim,andtosuggestthatpossiblyhisestimateofhercharacterhadbeensuperficial.
\"Yourcousinhasnotseemedwellforthepastfewdays,\"heremarkedtoStanton.
\"Oh!IdaisasfullofmoodsasanAprilday,onlytheyscarcelyhaveavernalsimplicity,\"wasthesatiricalanswer.Fromsomecapriceorothersheisaffectingthepaleandinterestingstylenow.
See!shehasdressedherselfthiseveningwithseveresimplicity;
buttheminxknowsthatthinwhitedraperyismorebecomingtohermarblecheeksandneckthantherichestcolors.Besides,sheremembersthatitisasultryevening,andsogetsherselfupascoolasacucumber.Byallthejollygods!butsheisstatuesque,isn\'tshe?SaywhatyoupleaseVan,thebestofyouartistscouldn\'timagineamuchfairersemblanceofawomanthanyouseeyonder——butwhenyoucometohermentalandmoralfurniture——theGoodLorddeliverus!\"
\"\'Tispity,\'tispity,\"saidVanBerg,inalow,regretfultone.
\"An\'pity\'tis,\'tistrue,\"addedStanton,withashrug.
\"Ican\'tthinkitisonlyaffectionthathasmadeherappearillthelasttwoorthreedays,\"resumedVanBerg,musingly.\"Herfacesuggeststroubleandsufferingofsomekind.\"
