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."