Mr.Mayhewattendedchurchwithhisfamilythatmorning——athingthathehadnotdoneforyears——andintheafternoonIdatookhimtoseeherspiritualbirthplace,andtocallonherspiritualfather.ThewelcomethatoldMr.Eltingegave,andthewordshespoke,didmuchtowardsestablishinginthemanwhohadbeensodisheartened,hopethatanewandbetterfuturewasopeningbeforehim.
　　Whenabouttopartheputhisleftarmaroundhisdaughter,andgivinghishandtoMr.Eltinge,said,withavoicebrokenbyhisfeelings:
　　"Iambewilderedyet.Ican'tunderstandmyhappiness.YesterdayIwasperishinginaboundlessdesert.To-daythedeserthasvanished,andI'minthissweetoldgarden.Therearenoflowersorfruitsinit,however,thatcancomparewiththeloveandtruthInowseeinthischild'sface.Iwon'tspeakoftheserviceyouhaverenderedusboth.It'sbeyondallwords."
　　Itwasindeedgreaterthanheknew,forIdhadconcludednevertospeakagainofherterriblesecret.Godhadforgivenher,andnothingwastobegainedbyanyreferencetoasubjectthathadbecomeinexpressiblypainful."Remember,"saidthestaunchandfaithfuloldmanastheywereabouttodriveaway,"nothinggoodlastsunlessbuiltupfromtheAuthorofallgood.Unlessyouactonthistruthyou'llfindyourselfinthedesertagain,andallyouarenowenjoyingwillseemlikeamirage."
　　PoorMr.Mayhewcouldnotenduretoloseamomentofhisdaughter'ssociety,forthelongthirstofyearswastobeslaked.Theytookaround-aboutwayhome,andthesummereveningdeepenedintotwilightandduskbeforetheyapproachedthehotel.
　　"See,father,thereisthenewmoon,andithangsoveryourrightshoulder,"criedIda,gleefully.
　　"It'soveryourrightshoulder,too,andthatthoughtpleasesmebetterstill.IwishIcouldmakeyouveryhappy.TellmewhatIcandoforyou."
　　"TakemetoNewYorkwithyouto-morrow,"saidIda,promptly.
　　"Nowyouaretryingtomakeamartyrofyourselfforme.YouforgethowhotanddustythecityisinAugust."
　　"I'mgoingwithyou,"shesaiddecisively,"unlessyousayno."
　　"I'mgoingtospendpartofthetimewithyouuntilyourvacationbeginsnextmonth,andthenwe'llexploreeverynookandcornerofthisregion."
　　"ThereIda,saynomoreto-day.Mycupisoverflowingnow,andthefearisalreadygrowingthatsuchhappinesswon'tlast——can'tlastinaworldlikeours."
　　"Father,"saidIda,gently,"I'vefoundaFriendthathaspromisedmemorethanpresenthappiness.Hehaspromisedmeeternallife.
　　Heispledgedtomakeallseeminglyevilresultinmyfinalgood.
　　HowitcanbeIdon'tseeatall,butI'mtryingtotakehimathisword.YoumustnotworryifI'mnotalwaysingoodspirits.I
　　supposeeveryoneintheworldhasaburdentocarry,butIdon'tthinkitcancrushusifourSaviourhelpsuscarryit.Myfaithisverysimple,yousee;IfeelI'mlikeoneofthoselittlechildrenhetookinhisarmsandblessed,andI'msurehisblessingisnotanemptyform.Ithasmademeloveandtrusthim,andthat'sallthereligionIhaveorknowanythingabout.Youmustnotexpectgreatthingsofme;youmustnotwatchmetooclosely.Justletmetakemyownquietwayinlife,forIwantmylifehenceforthtobeasquietandunobtrusiveasthelittlebrookthatrunsthroughMr.Eltinge'sgarden,thatisoftenintheshade,youknow,aswellasinthelight,butMr.Eltingeletsitflowafteritsownfashion;soyoumustletme.I'llalwaystrytomakealittlelow,sweetmusicforyou,ifnotfortheworld.Sopleasedonotcommencepuzzlingyourpoortiredbrainhowtomakemehappyorgay,orwanttotakemehereandthere.Justleavemetomyself;
　　letmehavemyownwayforawhileatleast;andifyoucandoanythingformeIpromisetotellyou."
　　EversinceherdrivewithVanBergthepreviousday,therehadbeenadeepundercurrentofthoughtinIda'smind,andshehadatlastconcludedthatshecouldscarcelykeephersecretwithanycertaintywhileunderhiseyes,andespeciallythoseofMissBurton.Shewastoodirectandpositiveinhernature,andherlovewastoostrongandabsorbingforthecoolandindifferentbearingshewastryingtomaintain.Hereyes,hercheeks,hertones,andevenwords,mightprovetraitorsatanytimeandbetrayher.Shelongedtobealone,andtehlargeemptycityhouseseemedthequietrefugethatsheneeded.Atthesametimeitwouldgiveherdeepsatisfactiontobewithherfatherafterhsreturnfrombusiness,andmakeamendsforyearsofneglect.
　　Helookedatherwistfully,feeling,inavagueway,thathedidnotunderstandheryet.Therewasaminorchordinhervoice,andtherehadbeenasadnessinhereyesattimeswhichbegantosuggesttohimthathehadnotlearnedallthecausesthatweresomarvellouslytransformingherformheroldself.Hermotherwouldquestionandquestion.He,onthecontrary,wouldwaitpatientlytilltheconfidencewasgiven,andsohemerelysaidgently,"Allright,littlegirl;I'lltrytomakeyouhappyinyourownway."
　　VanBerg,goingoutforawalkaftertea,againheardthegirlishvoicesingingthequainthymntunethathadawakenedthememoriesofhischildhoodthepreviousday.Heinstantlyconcealedhimselfbytheroadside,andinamomentortwoIdaandherfatherdroveby.Hewasableinthedusktonoteonlythatherheadrestedonherfather'sshoulder,andhervoicewassweetandplaintiveasshesangwordsthathecouldnotheardistinctly,butwhichwereasfollows,asfarashecouldcatchthem:
　　IknownotthewayheisleadingmeButIknowheisleadingmehome;
　　Thoughlonelythepathanddarktome,Itissafeanditwendstomyhome.
　　Homeoftheblest,HomethatisrestTothewearypilgrim'sfeet,tothewearypilgrim'sheart.
　　andthenherwordswerelostinthedistance.
　　Withanimpulsehedidnotthinkofresistinghefollowedthembacktothehotelandwaitedpatientlytillsheandherfathercameoutfromsupper.
　　"MissMayhew,"hesaid,alittlediscontentedly,"Ihavescarcelyhadachancetosayawordtoyouto-day,anditseemstomethatIhaveagreatdealtosay."
　　Shelookedathimwithsomesurpriseasshereplied,"Well,IthinkImightatleastbecomeagoodlistener."
　　"Doyoumeanapatientone?"
　　"Ineverhadanypatience,"sheanswered,withsomethinglikeasmile.
　　"AndIwasneversopossessedbythedemonofimpatienceasIhavebeenthisafternoon.Therehasn'tbeenasoularoundthatIcaredtotalkwith,andifyouknewhowoutofconceitIamwithmyowncompany,youwouldfeelsomecommiseration.HowIenviedyouyourvisittothegardenthisafternoon,forIfeltsureyoutookyourfatherthither.MayInotgowithyouagainto-morrow,orsoon?I
　　wishtomakemysketchmoreaccuratebeforebeginningyourpicture."
　　Shehesitatedamoment,andhelittleknowhowhewastemptingher.
　　Thenshereplied,soquietlyanddecisivelyastoseemalmostcold,"Mr.Eltinge,I'msure,willbeverygladtoseeyou,butIshallgotothecitywithmyfatherinthemorningandremainintownalltheweek."Shewaspuzzledathisunmistakableexpressionofregretanddisappointment,andadded,hastily,"Mr.VanBerg,youaretakingfartoomuchtrouble.Iwouldbemoresatisfied——I
　　wouldbedelightedwithsuchasketchasyoumadeto-day,withtheomissionofmyself."
　　"Butif,insteadofbeingtrouble,itgavemegreatpleasuretomakethepicturewiththeutmostcare?"
　　"Isuppose,"shereplied,"thatyouhaveahighartisticsensethatmustbesatisfied,andthatyouseeimperfectionsthatIcannot."
　　"Youaretoosevereuponme,MissMayhew,butsinceyouhavesuchgoodreason,Icannotcomplain.Still,injusticetomyself,I
　　mustsaythatsatisfyingmyartisticsensewasnotmymotive."
　　"Ididnotmeantobesevere——Idonotmeanwhatyouthink,"Idabegan,veryeagerly.Thenshecheckedherselfandadded,afteramoment,withaslighttingeofsadnessinhertone,"Ifearwearefatedtomisunderstandeachother.Good-night,Mr.VanBerg,"andsheturneddecisivelyawayandjoinedherfatherwhowastalkingwithStanton.
　　Theartistwasbothhurtandperplexed,andheabruptlyleftthehallandstartedagainonthewalkwhichhadbeensounexpectedlyinterrupted.Hestrodeawaythroughthestarlightwithaswiftnessthatwasscarcelyinharmonywiththewarm,stillsummernight.
　　Beforehewasawareofithewasamileaway.Stoppingsuddenlyhemuttered:
　　"Iwon'tbesobaffledandpuzzled.IwilllearntounderstandthisIdaMayhewbeforethissummerisover.It'sridiculousthatIshouldbesodullandstupid.Shesaysshefearsweare'fatedtomisunderstandeachother.'Idefysuchablindstupidfate.I
　　usedtohavesomebrainsandtactbeforeIcametothisplace,andIscarcelythinkI'vebecomeanidiot.Iamdeterminedtowinthatgirl'sfriendship,andIintendtofollowhercareerandwatchtherareandbeautifuldevelopmentofhercharacter.Thatonehourinthegardenyesterdaytaughtmewhataninspirationherexquisitebeautycanbeinmyprofession,andsurelywiththevantage-groundI
　　alreadypossessIoughttohaveskillenoughtowinaplaceamongherfriends,"andhewalkedbackalmostasquicklyashehadstalkedaway.
　　Idahadseenhisdepartureandrecognizedthefactthatshehadhurthisfeelings.Itwasstrangethatsolittleathingcoulddepresshersogreatly,forshefeltthatthefirstrealSabbathshehadeverspentandwhichhadbeenintruthaSUN-daytoherthusfar,wasnowendinginshadowsdarkerthanthenight."HowweakIam,"shethought;"Imustgoawayassoonaspossible,orelseIshallbesorry.ThecompanionshipthathecangivesoeasilyandfranklywhenMissBurtonisnotathandtooccupyhimisimpossibleforme,andwouldonlyendinthebetrayalofasecretthatIwouldhideevenmoreanxiouslythanthecrimeIcouldnotconcealfromhim.Mydutyandmyfathermustbeeverythinghereafter,"andsheturnedresolutelytohim,saying:
　　"Father,takeaseatintheparlorwhileIgoandfindmother.I
　　wantthesepeopletoseethatyouhaveafamilywhoatleastshowthattheyappreciatealltheluxuriesandcomfortsyouareprovidingforthem."
　　Mr.Mayhewwasmoredeeplygratifiedbyherwordsthanshecouldunderstand,foranyrecognitionofhismanhoodandrightfulpositionwhichwasquietandunobtrusive,wasbalmandhealingtohiswoundedself-respect.Hithertohehadbelievedcorrectlythathisfamilywishedtokeephimoutofsight,andatnotimebeforehadherealizedthechangethathadtakenplaceinIdamorekeenlythanwhenshemadethissimpleandnaturalproposition.Hisgratefulsmileashecompliedwithherrequestdidhergood,butshesoondiscoveredthatinhermothershehadaverydifficultsubjecttomanage.Shefoundthatladyinherroomwearingagloomyandinjuredexpression.
　　"YouhavecondescendedatlasttocomeandseewhetherIwasalive,Isee,"shesaid,asIdaenteredtheroom.
　　Herdaughterwentdirectlytoherandkissingherreplied,"Wehaven'tintendedtoleaveyousolongortoneglectyouintheleast,andI'llexplain."
　　"Oh,noneedofexplaining.Excusesalwaysmakemattersworse.
　　Hereisthefact——I'vebeenleftalltheafternoontomyself."
　　"Haveyounoticednootherfactto-day,mother?"askedIda,gravely.
　　"Yes,I'venoticedthatyouandyourfatherhavebeensowrappedupineachotherthatI'mnobody,andmightaswellbeMrs.JohnSmithasMrs.Mayhew."
　　"Pardonme,mother,youareexaggerating,"saidIda,firmly.
　　"Fatherwasverypolitetoyouatbreakfastanddinner,andhewenttochurchwithyouthismorning,andIcanscarcelyrememberwhenhehasdonethisbefore.Iamchieflytoblameforkeepinghimawaysolongthisafternoon,forIwantedhimtoseeandtalkwithmyfriendMr.Eltinge,whohasdonemesomuchgood.Ithoughthemighthelpfathertoo,andItrulybelievehehas.Irepeattoyouagain,inallsincerityandlove,thatwehavenotintendedtoneglectyou,andfathernowwishesyoutocomedownandjoinhimintheparlor,sothatwecan,asafamily,atlastappearasweoughtbeforetheworld.Inthenameofallthatissacred,encouragedearfathernowthatheistryingtobewhatwehavesooftenwished."
　　ButMrs.Mayhew'spetswerelikespellsofbadweatherandwouldruntheircourse.Sheonlylookedmoregloomyandinjuredthaneverasshereplied:
　　"It'sallverywelltotalk.Mr.Mayhewmustbeencouragedandcoaxedtodowhatanymanoughttodo.Imighthaveenjoyedaridethiseveningaswellasyourfather."
　　"Yousaiditwastoowarmtogooutafterdinner."
　　"Well,youmighthavewaitedtillitwasn'ttoowarm."
　　AsuddenscarletburnedinIda'scheeks,andtherecameanominoussparkleinhereyes."Mother,"shesaidsoabruptlyandsternlythattheladylookedupwonderingly,andencounteredanexpressioninherdaughter'sfacethatawakenedanundefinedfear.Intonesthatwerelow,indignant,andauthoritativeIdacontinued:
　　"Irequest——Idemandthatyouceasethisnonsenseatonce.AsaChristianwomanyououghttobeonyourkneesthankingGodthatyourhusbandisnotlyingintoxicatedonthatsofa,ashewaslastSundayatthistime.YououghttobethankingGodthatheisbecominghisformerself,andwinningrespectbyactinglikeatruegentleman.Itwasourunutterablefollythatwasdestroyinghim,andIsaythisfollymustandshallcease.Iwillnotpermitmyfather'ssensitivenaturetobewoundedasithasbeen.Youshallnotspoilthisfirstbrightdayhehashadaftersomanyyears.
　　Ifyoucareforhimwhydon'tyoutrytowinhisaffection?andwhoeverheardofaheartbeingwonbywhiningandfault-finding?
　　Butofthisbesure,youshallnotspoilthisday.Ichargeyouasawifeandaladytoceasethischildishpetulance,andcomedownatonce."
　　"Oh!"saidMrs.Mayhew,risingmechanically,"ifyouaregoingtomakeascene——"
　　"Iamgoingtopreventscenes,"saidIda,withallheroldtimeimperiousness."Iinsistthatweappearinthefuturelikeaquiet,well-bredfamily,andIwarnyouthatIwillpermitmyfathertobetrifledwithnolonger.HeSHALLhaveachance.Wait,letmehelpyoumakeamorebecomingtoiletforSundayevening."
　　Idawasverystronglyaroused,andthesuperiornaturemasteredtheweaker.Mrs.Mayhewbecameaswaxinherhands,althoughshemademanynaturalandirritableprotestsagainstherdaughterspeakingtoherasshehaddone.Idapaidnoheedtohermother'swords,andaftergivingafewfinishingtouchestoherdressrelievedhersternnessbyajudiciouscompliment,"Iwishyoutotaketheseatfatherisreservingforyou,"shesaid,"andappearthecharmingladythatyouknowhowtobesowell;"andwithoutfurtherparleytheywentdowntogether.
　　OnceinthesocialeyeitwouldbeMrs.Mayhew'sstrongestimpulsetomakeagoodimpression,andshebehavedbeautifully.SomethinginIda'smannerpuzzledherfather,butshesmiledsoreassuringlythathegavehimselfuptothequietenjoymentofthesituationthatwassonaturalandyetsonovel.Helistenedwithapleasedexpressiontothemusic,andnoted,withdeepsatisfaction,thefriendlyandrespectfulbearingofthosenear,towardsbothhiswifeandhimself;butheexultedintheevidentadmirationthathisdaughterexcited.ThepeopleattheLakeHousehadalreadydiscoveredthattherewasadecidedchangeforthebetterintheMayhewfamily,andtheygreetedtheimprovementwithakindlybutwell-bredandunobtrusivewelcomethatwascreditabletohumannature.Ofcoursetherewasagreatdealofwhisperedsurmise,butnothingoffensivetotheeye.
　　StantoncameandaskedIdatojoininthesingingatthepiano,butsheshookherheaddecidedly.
　　"Whohasbeenhurtingyourfeelings?"heasked,inalowtone.
　　Byascarcelyperceptiblegesture,sheputherfingeronherlipsandsaidquietly,"Theyarewaitingforyou,CousinIk."Thensheadded,withasmile,"SomewhereI'veheardaproverbexpressingsurprisethatSaulshouldbeamongtheprophets.Ihardlythinkitwillbeingoodtasteformetoappearamongthemjustyet."
　　"AndIoncebelievedhertobeafool,"thoughtStantonashereturnedtohisplace.
　　Again,onthisSundayevening,keeneyeswerewatchingherfromtheduskypiazza,butsofarfrombeingwolfishandravenous,theywerefullofsympathyandadmiration.
　　AsVanBergapproachedtheparlorwindowsafterhisreturn,hesawStantonstandingbythepianoatJennieBurton'sside,andshewaslookinguptohimandspeakinginaveryfriendlymanner.Hewasnotconsciousofanyappropriatepangsofjealousy,andindeeddidnotmisstheirabsence,buthelookedeagerlyaroundfortheproblemhisphilosophicalmindwassobentonsolving.
　　Atfirstthefavorableimpressionmadebythereunitedfamilycaughthisattention,andhemuttered,"Thereissomemoreofhermagic.
　　ButwhatisthematterwithMissMayhewherself.Hereyesareburningwithafirethatisanythingbuttenderandsacred,andtherearemomentswhenherfaceisalmoststern,andagainitisfulloftrouble."
　　Someonediscoveredhimonthepiazza,andtherewasageneralwishexpressedthatheshouldsingwithMissBurtonaduetthathadbecomeafavorite.Afterthisandoneortwootherpieces,heagainsoughthisplaceofobservation.ThecolorandfirehadnowwhollyfadedfromMissMayhew'sface,andshelookedpaleandsad.Herfatherturnedtoher,andsaid:
　　"Ida,Ifearyoudon'tfeelwell."
　　"I'mverytired,andthinkIhadbettergotomyroom."
　　Heroseinstantly,andgaveherhisarm,butonthewayshereassuredhim:"Anight'ssleep,andtherestIshallhavewithyouinthecityarejustwhatIneed;sodon'tworry,forIshallbereadytotakethetrainwithyouinthemorning;"andMr.Mayhewrejoinedhiswife,andcompletedahappierdaythanheeverexpectedtoseeagain.
　　ButpoorIda,whenleftalone,buriedherfaceinherhandsandsobbed,"I'vewoundedHISfeelings,I'vegivenwaytomyoldpassionateanger,I'vespokentomotherasadaughternevershould.
　　WhatwilleverbecomeoffaultyIdaMayhew?Theworm-eatenemblemistrueofmestill."
　　Then,asifwhisperedtoherbysomegoodangel,thewordsMr.
　　Eltingehadspokenrecurredtoher."YourSaviourwillbeastenderandpatientwithyouasamotherwithherbabythatislearningtowalk."
　　"Oh,"shecried,inalow,passionatetone,"thatisthekindofaGodIneed!"
　　ShealsorememberedthereassuringwordsthatMr.Eltingehadquoted——"AsonewhomhismothercomfortethsowillIcomfortyou,"
　　andthepromisewasmadegoodtoher.
　　"Stanton,"saidVanBerg,alittleabruptly,beforetheypartedthatevening,"Ifear,fromyourcousin'sappearance,shewasillwhenshelefttheparlor."
　　"I'vegivenuptryingtounderstandIda.Whenshecamedownwithhermother,shelookedlikeanincensedgoddess,andwhenshereturnedsheremindedmeofthefadingwhitelilysheworeinherhair.Igiveitup,"concludedStanton,whoselanguagehadbecomeatriflefigurativeandpoeticoflate.
　　"Idon't,"mutteredtheartist,aftersmokingthethirdconsecutivecigarinsolitude.
　　ChapterXLVII.TheConcertGardenAgain.
　　VanBerghadscarcelyeverknownadaytopassmoreslowlyandheavilythanMonday.HehadtakenpainstobepresentatIda'sdeparturewithherfather,andithaddepressedhimunaccountablythatshehadbeensoquietastoseemevenalittlecoldinherfarewell.Shewouldnotlooktowardshim,norcouldhecatchhereyeorobtainonefriendlyexpression.Hedidnotknowthatthepoorgirldarednotsmileorspeaklestsheshouldbetoofriendly,andthatsheavoidedhimwiththeinstinctofself-preservation.
　　Hisconclusionwas:"Shefinds,afterthinkingitallover,thatshehasfarmoretoforgivethanshethought,andmypresenceremindsherofeverythingshewouldbegladtoforget."
　　HetriedonceortwicetofindJennieBurton,butdidnotsucceed.
　　Shemadenoapparentefforttoavoidhim,andwassocordialinhermannerwhentheymetthathehadseverecompunctionsthathedidnotseekhersocietyresolutelyandpresshissuit."Thesummerisdrawingtoaclose,"hemuttered,"andnothingissettled.Confounditall!I'mtheleastsettledofanything.ThebestchanceIshalleverhaveispassingswiftly.EverfacultyIpossessassuresmethatsheistheonewomanofalltheworld.Ihonorher,Ireverenceher,Iadmireherandeverythingshedoesandsays.Itrustherimplicitly,eventhoughsheissoshroudedinmystery.Whatthemischiefisthematterwithmyoldwater-loggedheartthatitshouldbesoheavyanddumpish?"
　　Butsoitwas.JennieBurtonsmiledonhimandothersasbrightlyasever,andyetheknewherheartwasbreaking,forshewasgrowingslighterandmorespirit-likedaily.Hisdesiretocomforther,however,byalife-longeffortebbedaway,tillhewascursinghimselfforafickle,cold-bloodedwretch."Ihadbettershutmyselfupinmystudio,"hesaidtohimself."Imaymakeapainter,butI
　　neverwillanythingelse;"andearlyonTuesdayhewentdoggedlytoworkonMr.Eltinge'spicture.
　　Hisperplexedandjarringthoughtsgraduallyceasedtheirdiscordashebecameabsorbedinhislovedandfamiliartasks.Sweetandlowatfirst,andinthefaint,brokensuggestionofhiskindlingfancy,thesymphonicpoemhehadheardinthegardenbeganagain,butatlasthisimaginationmadeitalmostreal.HelistenedoncemoretoIda'sgirlish,plaintivevoiceblendingwiththemurmurofthebrook,thesighingwindandrustlingleaves,andtheoccasionaltrillofabird.Heleanedbackinhischair,andhiseyesbecamefullofdeepanddreamypleasure.Graduallyaheavyfrowncontractedhisbrow,andhisfacegrewwhiteandsternasherepeatedwordsthatsheoncehadspokentohim:"Imeanttocompelyourrespect,andIthoughttherewasnootherway."
　　"Pharisee,foolthatIwas!IfIhadbeenkindandtrustfulatthetimeherfamilywrongedher,shewouldnotnowshrinkfrommeasifIsummedupinmypersonthewholeofthatwretchedexperience.
　　EvenStantonappreciatedmyunutterablefolly,forhesaid:"YoulookedatherinawaythatwouldhavefrozenevenJezebelherself,"
　　andnowwheneverIglancetowardshersheisremindedofthataccursedstare.Woulditbepossible,inpaintingherlikenessforMr.Eltinge,tomakeherfacesonoble,womanly,andpure,thatshewouldrecognizemypresentestimateofhercharacter,andsoforgivemeinverytruth?"
　　Thecareandearnestnesswithwhichhefilledintheoutlinesofhissketchprovedhowzealouslyhewouldmaketheeffort.Intheafternoonhedroveovertothegardenagain,andmadeacarefuldrawingofthetreeandofMr.Eltingesittingbeneathit,forIda,andhedeterminedtogotothecitythefollowingdaythehemightavailhimselfoftheresourcesofhisstudio,andbytheaidofthishastysketchmakeasfineacrayonpictureaswouldbepossible,beforeherreturnonSaturday.
　　Theoldgentleman'sheartwasnaturallywarmtowardshisprotege,whomtheybothmissedgreatly,andhespokeofheroften.Hecouldnothelpnoticingthattheartistwaseveranexcellentlisteneratsuchtimesandwouldevensuspendhisworkforamomentthathemightnotloseaword."Itseemstomehetakesawonderfuldealofinterestinherforamanwhoisseekingtoengagehimselftoanotherlady,"musedMr.Eltinge."Ithinktheotherladyhadbetterbelookingafterhim."
　　AsVanBergapproachedthehotel,hesawMissBurtonmountingthestepswithaquantityoffernsinherhands.Sheevidentlywasreturningfromalongramble,andwhenshecamedowntosupperhesawthatshehadnotbeenabletoremovewhollyalltracesofgrief.
　　Hisconsciencesmotehimsorely.Hehesitatedinhispurposeofgoingtothecity,anddeterminedtospeakofitfrankly,andabandonit,ifsheshowed,evenbytheexpressionofherface,thatshewouldpreferhewouldremain,buthefoundhimselfbothsurprisedandrelievedthat,sofarfrommanifestingtheleastreluctancetohavehimgo,sheencouragedtheplan.
　　"Youhaveanobletheme,"shesaidcordially,"andyoucan'tdoitjusticeintheroomofasummerhotel.BesidesIdothinkyouoweittoMissMayhewtomakealltheamendsinyourpower,andafinepictureofthatemblematictree,andherkindoldfriendbeneathit,maybeofverygreathelptoherinhernewlife.I
　　hopeyouwilltakemetoseeMr.Eltingeonyourreturn."
　　"I'llwaitoveradayandtakeyouthereto-morrow,"hesaidpromptly.
　　"No,"shereplieddecisively;"youhavenotenoughtimeasitis,beforeSaturday,todojusticetoyourwork,andIwantyoutomakeMissMayhew'sfriendlookasifhewerespeakingtoher."
　　"MissJennie,"saidtheartistratherimpulsively,"youhaven'tadropofselfishbloodinyourlittlebody."
　　"IamundertheimpressionthatMr.VanBerg'sestimatesofhisladyacquaintancesarenotalwayscorrect.NotthatIwasanywiser,butthensuchpositiveassertionsseemhardlythethingfrompeoplewhohaveshownthemselvessofallible."
　　"I'mrightforonce,"VanBerginsisted."DoyouknowthatMissMayhewandInearlyhadafallingout.Indeedshehasbeenrathercooltowardsmeeversince,andyouwerethecause.IbelievedwithabsolutecertaintythatthenewIdaMayhewthatIhadlearnedtoknowinMr.Eltinge'sgardenwouldgravitatetowardsyouassurelyastwodropsofdewruntogetherwhenbroughtsufficientlynear,andIbegantospeakquiteenthusiasticallyofwhatfriendsyouwouldsurelybecome,whenMissMayhew'smannertaughtmeIhadbetterchangethesubject.Oddlyenough,shehasneverlikedyou,andyet,injusticetoher,Imustaddthatsheactedconscientiously,andIhaveneverheardoneladyspeakofanothermorefavorablyandsincerely,thanshespokeofyou,thoughitseeminglycostheraneffort."
　　AsuddenmoisturecameintoJennieBurton'seyes,andshesaidunderherbreath:"Poorchild!thatwasnobleandgenerousofhertospeaksoofme.Oh,howblindheis!"Butwithmockgravitysheansweredhim: