"Well,thankGod,braveIdaMayhewputanhonorablepurposeinmyheartbeforeIdied,andImeanttohavecarrieditout.There'snouseofpraying,foritseemsasifIwerenomorethanoneofthesemillionsofleavesovermyheadwhenitfallsfromitsplace.
　　NatureispitilessandGodisascoldtowardsmeasIwasoncetoonewhoturnedherappealingeyestomeforalittlekindnessandsympathy.OGod!ifImustdie,letitbesoon,formypainandthirstarebecomingintolerable."
　　Thedawnwasnowbrighteningtheeast.Natureasiftiredofwaiting——likesomeprofessedfriends——foronewhowaslongindying,ceaseditsbreathlesshush.Afreshbreezerustledthemotionlessleaves,birdswithdrewtheirheadsfromundertheirwings,andbeganthetwitteringpreliminarytotheirmorningsongs;andtwosquirrels,springingfromtheirnestinahollowtree,likechildrenfromacottagedoor,scrambleddownandoverVanBerg'sprostrateformintheirwildsport,buthewastooweak,toofargoneindull,heavyapathytoheedthem.
　　Atlasthethoughthewasdying,andhebecameunconscious.
　　Helearnedthatitwasonlyaswoonfromthefactthatherevivedagain,andwasdimlyconsciousofsoundsnearhim.Itseemedtohimthathewashalfasleep,andthathecouldnotwakeupsufficientlytodistinguishwhetherthesoundswereheardinadreamorinreality.
　　Buthesoonbecamesurethatsomeonewascryingandmoaningnotfaraway,andhenaturallyassociatedsuchevidencesofdistresswithwhathehadseenlastinMr.Eltinge'sgarden.Hethereforecalledfeebly:
　　"Ida——IdaMayhew."
　　"MercifulGod!"exclaimedavoice,"whoisthat?"
　　Hisheartbeatsofasthecouldnotansweratonce,butheheardalight,swiftstep;theshrubberyandlowbranchesofthetreesweresweptaside,andJennieBurton'sblueeyes,fulloftearsbutdilatedwithwonderandfear,lookeduponhim.
　　"O,JennieBurton,goodangelofGod!hehassentyoutome,"criedtherescuedman,whowithagladthrillofjoyfeltthatlifewascomingbackinthelineofhonorandduty.
　　"HaroldVanBerg!whatareyoudoinghere?"sheaskedinwildamazement.
　　"Iwasdyingtillyoucameandbroughtmehopeandlife,asyouhavetosomanyothers."
　　"ThankGod,thankGod,"shepanted,andsherushedattherockthathadheldhiminsuchterribledurance.
　　Hestruggledupandtriedtopullherhandsaway.
　　"Don'tdothat,Jennie,"hesaid,"youarenotquiteanangelyet,andcannot'rollthestoneaway.'"
　　"OGod!"sheexclaimed,withasharpcryofagony,"insomesuchwayandplaceHEmayhavedied,"andshesanktotheground,moaningandwringingherhandsasifoverwhelmedwithagonyatthethought.
　　VanBergreachedoutandtookherhand,forgettingforamomenthisowndesperateneed,ashesaid:"DearJennie,don'tgrievesoterribly."
　　"Godforgiveme,thatIcouldforgetyou!"shesaid,startingup.
　　"Imustnotloseasecondinbringingyouhelp."
　　Butheclungfeeblytoherhand."Wait,Jennie,tillyouaremorecalm.Mylifedependsonyounow.Thehotelisalongwayoff,andifyoustartinyourpresentmoodyouwillneverreachityourself,andIhadbetterdieathousandtimesthancauseharmtoyou."
　　Sheputherhandonhersideandherconvulsivesobbingsoonceased.
　　Afteramomentortwoshesaidquietly:"Youcantrustmenow,Mr.VanBerg;Iwon'tfailyou."
　　"Doyouthinkyoucouldbringmealittlewaterbeforeyougo?"heasked.
　　"Yes,there'saspringnear;Iknowthisplacewell,"anditseemedtohimthatsheflittedbackandforthlikearayoflight,bringingallthewatershecouldcarryinalargeleaf.
　　"Oh,"hesaid,withalongdeepbreath,"dideverasweeterdraughtpassmortallips,andfromyourhands,too,JennieBurton.MayI
　　dieasIwouldhavediedhereifIdonotdevotemylifetomakingyouhappy!"
　　"Iacceptthatpledge,"shesaid,withawansmilethatonherpale,tear-stainedfacewasinexpressiblytouching."Itmakesmeboldenoughtoaskonemorepromise."
　　"It'smadealready,sohelpmeGod!"herepliedfervently.
　　Afaint,far-awaygleamofsomethinglikemirthcameintoherdeepblueeyesasshesaid,"I'veboundyounow,andyoucanhavenochoice.Yourpledgeisthis——thatyouwillmakemehappyinmyownway.Now,notanotherword,notanothermotion;keepeveryparticleoflifeandstrengthtillIcomeagainwithassistance,"
　　andshebroughthimwatertwiceagain,silencinghimbyanimperiousgesturewhenheattemptedtospeak,andthenshedisappeared.
　　"Thatwasanoddpledgethatshebeguiledmeinto,"hemurmured.
　　"Ifearthatinthewilesofherunselfishheartshehascaughtmeinsomekindofatrap."Butafteralittletimeherelapsedagainintoaconditionofpartialunconsciousness.
　　ChapterLIV.Lifeandtrust.
　　IdadidnotleavetherefugeofherroomforseveralhoursafterherreturnfromthememorablevisittoMr.Eltinge'sgarden,——forfarmorethanthelonghotdrive,herheroic,spiritualconflictwithtemptation,thesenseofimmeasurableloss,andtheoverwhelmingsorrowthatfollowed,hadexhaustedher.Assheralliedfromherdeepdepression,whichwasphysicalaswellasmental,andfoundthatshecouldthinkconnectedly,sheturnedtoherBibleinthehopeofdiscoveringsomecomfortingandreassuringtruthsspokenbythatFriendforwhosesakeshehadgivenupsomuch.
　　Thesewordscaughtherattention,andinaccordancewiththesimplicityanddirectnessofhernatureshebuiltuponthemheronlyhopeforthefuture:"HETHATLOSETHHISLIFEFORMYSAKE
　　SHALLFINDIT!"
　　Shesighed:"Ihavelostthatwhichislifeandmorethanlifetome,anditwasforChrist'ssake.Itwasbecauseheforgavemeandwaskindinthatawfulmomentwhenmycrimewascrushingmysoul.Icouldnothavegivenupmychanceofhappinessjustbecauseitwasright,butthethoughtthatheaskeditandthatitwasforhissake,turnedthewaveringscale;andnowIwilltrusthimtofindmylifeformeagaininhisowntimeandway.Asfarasthisworldisconcerned,mylifeprobablywillbeanincreasingcareoffatherandothers,who,likemyself,have,orhavehad'awormi'
　　thebud.'Butbethefuturewhatitmay,I'vemademychoiceandIshallabidebyit."
　　Thensheturnedtothexiv.chapterofSt.John,thatwindowofheaventhroughwhichtheloveofGodhasshoneintosomanysadhearts;andbythetimeshehadreadthewords——"PeaceIleavewithyou,mypeaceIgiveuntoyou:notastheworldgiveth,giveIuntoyou.Letnotyourheartbetroubled,neitherletitbeafraid"——shefoundthatthepeacepromised——deep,quiet,sustaining——wasstealingintoherheartasthedawnturnsnightintoday.Simple-mindedIdaMayhewbelievedthatJesusChristhadkepthisword,forthatwasallfaithmeanttoher.Therationalistpracticallymaintainsthatsucheffectsarewithoutcauses,andthematerialistexplainsthattheyarephysicalconditionstobeaccountedfor,bythestateofthenervoussystem.
　　Idawentdowntosupper,andspenttheeveningwithhermotherintheparlor.Sheresolvedtotakeupherburdenatonce,andthatthereshouldbenosentimentalsighinginsolitude.Thoughsosorelywounded,shemeanttokeepherplaceintheranksandwinfromsocietysomethingbetterthanpity.JennieBurtonlookedatherwistfullyandwonderinglymanytimes,fortheimpressofthespiritualexperienceofthatdaywasonherface,andmadeitmorethanbeautiful.Theblendingofsadnessandserenity,ofquietstrengthwithcalmresolve,wasapparenttoonepossessingMissBurton'sinsightintocharacter."Canitbe,"shethought,"thatVanBerghasdiscoveredhersecret,andfindsthatwhilehecangiveherwarmfriendshipandsympathyinhernewlife,hecannotgiveanymore,andhasmadeasmuchapparenttoherbyhismanner?
　　IthoughtIdetectedadifferenttendencyinhismindbeforehewenttothecity.Somethinghasoccurredbetweenthemevidently,thattopoorIdameansgivingupahopethatislikelifetoawoman.Iwishshewouldletmetalkwithher,forIthinkwecouldhelpeachother.ThereiscertainlyasustainingelementinherfaithwhichIdonotpossessorunderstand.YearafteryearI
　　juststruggledesperatelytokeepfromsinkingintodespair,andtheconflictiswearingmeout.Howtomeetto-morrowwithallitsmemoriesIdonotknow.IcanseefromtheexpressionofMissMayhew'sfacehowIoughttomeetthisanniversaryofadaythatonceseemedtomelikeheaven'sgate;butallIcandoisjustclingtomyhopeinGod,whileIcrylikeachildthathaslostitselfandallitlovesinathornywilderness.IDOwishwecouldtalkfrankly,butsheisutterlyunapproachable."
　　PoorStantonstalkedupanddownonthepiazzawithout,smokingfuriouslyandmutteringstrangeoaths.Ifthetroublesthatpreyeduponthetwomaidenstowardswhomhisheartwassotender,wereoutwardenemies,thesmallestgrainofdiscretionwouldhavekeptthemoutofhiswaythatnight,andifVanBerghadquietlywalkedupthepiazzastepsasIdawasexpecting,hewouldhavereceivedanythingbutafriendlygreeting.ThathedidnotcomewasadisappointmenttoIda,andyetdeepinherhearttherewasasecretsatisfactionthathefounditsodifficulttoenteronthetaskthatdutyandhonordemanded."Ishallseehimatbreakfast,however,"shethought;"andhe'llbequiet,sane,andtruetohispledge."
　　Butwhenshedidnotseehimthenextmorning,andalsolearnedfromStantonthathehadnotbeeninhisroomduringthenight,forebodingsofsomekindofevilbegancominglikeprowlingbeastsofhenightthatthetravelercannotdriveveryfarawayfromhiscamp-fire.Couldhehavebrokenhispromisetoher,andhavefledfromdutyafterall?Shefeltthatshewouldlovehimnomatterwhathedid——forpoorIdacouldnotloveonstrictlymoralprincipals,andwithdrawherloveinoffendeddignityiftheoccasionrequired;
　　butherpurerandwomanlyinstinctsmadeherfearthatifheforfeitedherrespectherlovemightdegenerateintopassion.
　　Herwishthathewouldcomegrewmoreintenseeverymoment,andfromherheartshepitiedJennieBurtonasshesawherturnawayfromanalmostuntastedbreakfast,andwithafacethatwassofullofsufferingthatshecouldnotdisguiseit."Ifhefailsherutterlyshe'lldie,"murmuredIda,assheclimbedwearilytoherroom."MercifulSaviour,forgivemethatItriedtotempthimfromher."
　　Shewatchedfromherwindow,buthedidnotcome.ShesawJennieBurtonhasteningawayononeofthelonelywalkstowhichshewasgivenoflate.ShesawStantondriveoffrapidly,andwhenafewhourslaterhecameback,shewentdowntomeethim,andaskedhesitatingly:
　　"HaveyouseenorheardanythingofMr.VanBerg?"
　　"Confoundhim!no.Idon'tseewhatthedeucehemeansbyhiscourse!BurleighsayshehasnotseenorheardawordfromhimsinceearlyMondaymorningwhenhestartedoffwithhissketch-book,andBurleighalsosaysheseemedveryglumandoutofsortswhenhejokedhimalittle.I'vebeentothelandinganddepot,andnoonehasseenhim.UnlessVancangiveabetteraccountofhimselfthanIexpect,heandIwillhaveatremendousfallingout."
　　"No,CousinIk,youwillleavehimtohimself,foranythinglikewhatyouthreatenwouldwoundtwoheartsalreadysadenough."
　　"Well,curseitall!Imustdosomethingorother,orI'llexplode,Ican'tsitbyandtwirlmythumbswhiletwosuchwomenasyouandMissBurtonareintrouble.Whenamanbreaksagirl'sheartIfeellikebreakinghishead."
　　"Mercifulheaven!See——quick——MissBurton——she'sbeckoningtoyou."
　　Stantonsprangfromthepiazzaatabound,andwasalmostinstantlyatJennieBurton'sside,whosankintoaseatnear,andgasped:
　　"DoasIbid——nowords——acarriage,andastoutmanwithyourself——takebrandy.Haste,orMr.VanBergwilldie."
　　"OGod!don'tsaythat,"Idasobbed,kneelingatherfeetwithalowshudderingcry.
　　Jenniestoopedoverandkissedherandsaid:"Courage,MissMayhew,allwillyetbewell.Beyourbraveself,andyoucanhelpmesavehim.TellMr.Burleightocomehere.Haveaphysiciansentfor."
　　Idaalmostdraggedthebewilderedhostfromhisoffice.Undertheinspirationofhopehermotionswerelitheandswiftasaleopard's.
　　WithinfiveminutesafterMissBurton'sarrival,acarriagecontainingherself,Stanton,andtwostoutmen,dashedfuriouslytowardstheravineinwhichVanBergwaslying,andabuggywassentwithequalrapidityforaphysician.ThencametopoorIdatheawfulsuspenseandwaiting,whichissooftenwoman'spartinlife'stragedies.
　　"Oh,canitbe,"shethought,withthrillsofdreadandhorror,"thathehasattemptedmycrime?"andshegrewsickandfaint.
　　Thensheresolutelyputthesuspicionawayfromherasunjusttohim."Willtheyneverreturn?OGod,iftheyshouldbetoolate!"
　　Shestoodonthepiazzawitheyesdilatedandstrained,inonedirection,caringnotwhatanyonesaworsurmised;butintheincreasingexcitement,astherumorspreadandgrew,shewasunnoticed.
　　Atlastthecarriageappeared,anditwasdrivensoslowlyandcarefullythatitsuggestedtothepoorgirlthedeliberateandmournfulpaceofafuneralprocession,whenallneedforhasteispastforever,andshesprangdownthestepsinherintenseanxiety,andtooksomeswiftstepsbeforeshecontrolledherself.Thenpressingherhandonherside,shesankintotheseatwhichMissBurtonhadoccupiedalittlebefore.
　　JennieBurtonwavedahandkerchief——thatmeantlife."ThankGod!"
　　shemurmured,andtearsofjoyrushedintohereyes.ShenowsawthatStantonwassupportingVanBerg.Shesprangupthestepsagain,brokethroughtheexcitedandcuriousthrongonthepiazza,andwasbackwithastrongarm-chairfromtheofficebythetimethecarriagestoppedatthedoor.
　　"That'sasensiblegirl,Ida,"saidStanton,"that'sjustthethingtocarryhimin.Now,Van,rallyanddoyourbestafewmomentslonger,andyou'reallright."
　　AtthesoundofIda'snameheliftedhisheadandlookedaroundtillhemethereyes,andthensmiledgladly.Hissmilesatisfiedhercompletely,andshesteppedquietlyintothebackground."Hehasnotbrokenhispledge,eveninthought,"shemurmured."Icantrusthimstill."
　　Hewascarriedupthestepsandstairstohisroom,followedbyalleyes.IdastoletoJennieBurton,andkeptnearherasshesoughttoquietlygainherroombyasidestairs.
　　"Youarefaint,MissBurton,"shesaidgently,"leanonme,"andJenniedidleanonhermoreandmoreheavilyuntilshereachedherroom,andthenherblueeyesclosed,andthedayshesodreadedwasover,asfarasshehadconsciousnessofit.SoslightandfragilehadshebecomethatevenIdawasabletocarryhertohercouch.Herswoonofutterexhaustionwaslonganddeep,andwhensheralliedfromitthereweresymptomswhichledthephysiciantosaythatshemusthaveabsolutequietandsleep,andhegaveherstrongopiatestoinsurethelatter.JennieonlyreachedoutherhandforIdaandwhispered:"Don'tleaveme,"andthenpassedintoaslumberthatseemedlikedeath.
　　WithheroldimperiousmannerIdasilencedallwhoenteredtheroom,ormotionedthemoutiftheyhadnobusinessthere.
　　Stantonwhispered:"YouknowIwillbewithincallanymoment."
　　ButIda'sreplywas:"Ifyouloverher,ifyoucareforme,don'tleavehim;makehimlive."Thus,inrestoringrestandpatientvigilsthenightworeaway.ThephysicianfoundthatwhileVanBerg'slegwasmuchbruisedandwrenched,ithadreceivednopermanentinjury;andinregardtoMissBurtonhesaid:"Ifshewakesquietandsane,alldangerwillbepast,Ithink."
　　Hishopeswerefulfilled.Withthedawnherdeepstuporpassedintoalightandbrokenslumber,inwhichshetossed,andmoaned,andwhispered,asifthelightofthoughtwerealsostreamingintoherdarkenedmind.AtlastsheopenedhereyesandlookedatIda,whosmiledreassuringly.Inafewmomentstheeventsofthepastdaycamebacktoher,andshestartedupandaskedearnestly:
　　"Mr.VanBerg——ishesafe?"
　　Idastoopeddownandkissedherasshereplied;"Mr.VanBergisrallyingfast,andisoutofalldanger."
　　Jennieleanedbackamongherpillowswithasmileofdeepcontent,andclosedhereyes.WhensheopenedthemagainIdahadgone,andMrs.Burleighhadtakenherplaceaswatcher.
　　Buttheneedofsuchcarepassedspeedily.Thedoctor,afterhismorningcall,saidthatthecriticalmomentofdangerhadgoneby.
　　Soithad,buthisunderstandingofJennie'scasewassuperficialindeed,andheascribedtohisopiateavirtuethatithadneverpossessed.Thebalmthathadsoothedherwoundedspiritwasthethoughtofsavedlifeandthehappinessthatmightresulttothoseinwhomshewasdeeplyinterested.Thedreadedanniversaryhadpassed,andshewasprofoundlygratefulthatithadendedinphysicalexhaustionratherthaninvainandagonizedregret.Shereadilyobeyedthephysician'sinjunctiontokeepveryquietfortwoorthreedays,formemoryduringthepastfewweekshadcausedafeverofmindthatwasscarcelylesswearingthanwouldhavebeenthediseaseagainstwhichrestwasthebestsafeguard.TheconditioninwhichshefoundVanBergsuggestedsomelightonthedarkproblemofherlife,butsheonlysigheddeeply:"Ishallneverknowinthisworldwhyhedoesnotcome."
　　WhentoldhowIdahadtakencareofherandwatchedtillalldangerwaspassed,shemurmuredtoherself,"Brave,nobleIdaMayhew!butImaybeabletorewardheryet."Sheneededverylittlecare,andfeltnosurprisethatIdanowpermittedotherstorendertheseattentions,contentingherselfwithbriefbutgentleinquiriesconcerningherwelfare.JennieonlytookpainstolearnthatIdawouldnotleavetheLakeHousetillMondayofthefollowingweek,andthenrestedandwaited.ShewasnotsureofVanBerg,anduntilshewasshewouldshieldIdaasherself.Butifitweretrue,asshesurmisedthatVanBergimaginedthathonorandloyaltyboundhimtoher,whilehisheartwasdisposedtorewardthemaidenwhohadgivenhimhers,shehopedthatalittlewisediplomacyonherpartmightdonoharm.SheveryjustlyfearedthatVanBerg'sgratitudetoherselfwouldbesostrongthathewouldconsidernothingelse,andshealsofearedthatinordertoaccomplishherkindintentionstowardsthem,itmightbecomenecessaryforhertotellhimthesadstoryofherlife——astorywhichshehadneveryetputinwords.Thereforeshesoughttoobtainthestrengthandtranquilityofmindwhichthiseffortmighttaxtotheutmost.ShealsoimaginedthatifshecouldonlyseeIdaandVanBergtogetherafewtimes,hercoursewouldbeclearer.
　　VanBerg'svitalforceshadnotbeendrainedbyweeksofmentaldistress,andheralliedrapidly.Stantontookcareofhimwithasortofgrimfaithfulnesswhichhisfriendappreciated,butneitherofthemmadeanyreferencetothesubjectuppermostintheirminds.
　　Ontheafternoonofthedayfollowinghisrescue,hewasabletousecrutches,andseatedinhisarm-chairwascarrieddowntothehotelparlor.Thegueststhrongedaroundhimwithcongratulations,andIdacameforwardpromptlywiththeothersbuthermannerwasthemostundemonstrativeandquietofanywhospoketohim.Hisearnestlookandthepressureofhishandmeantsomuchtoher,however,thatshesoonretreatedtothesolitudeofherroom,andhersmilewasalmostgladasshemurmured:
　　"Oh,howmuchbetteritistojusttakeGodathiswordanddoright!IfIhadyieldedtomystrongtemptationIwouldnothavewonhim,fornowheisboundtoMissBurtonbyeverymotive.ButbydoingrightIhavekepthisrespect.ThankGodfortheglanceIhavejustreceived,foritisworthfarmorethananyexpressionsofdishonorablepassion.Myconscienceislight,ifmyheartisheavy!"
　　InthequietandfriendlycourtesythatVanBergandIdamaintainedtowardseachother,acasualobserverwouldhaveseennothingtoexciteremark,andthegossipsatthehousebelievedtheyhadbeenmisledbythefactsthattheartisthadfollowedIdatothecity,andreturnedwithherasifbyarrangement.Theynowallagreedthathecouldnotdolessthanbestowhimselfasarewarduponthe"prettylittleschoolma'am,"assomeofthetattlinggenuspersistedincallingMissBurton.Mr.Mayhewhadwrittenthatunexpectedbusinesscomplicationshadarisenwhichrequiredhiswholeattention,andashewasactingintrustforothershecouldnotgivehistimejustthentomakingthechangethatIdahadwished,butthathewouldarrangematterssohecouldenteronhisvacationthefollowingweek,andthenwouldtakeIdawherevershewishedtogo.Hewrotedaily,andhislettersweresourcesofdoublecheertoIda,forshereadbetweenthelinesherfather'sdeepsympathyandinthelinesfoundincreasingproofthathewasachangedman.
　　Nowthateventshadtakentheirstrangeandunexpectedturn,shewasnotsorrytoremain.Shehadnobeliefthatchangeofplacewouldmakeanydifferenceinherfeelings,andshefoundthatherheartclungstronglytothesceneswithwhichwereassociatedherrecentdeepexperiences.TherewasnothinginVanBerg'smannernowthatmadeitembarrassingforhertomeethim.Whileinhishonestefforttokeephispledges,shesawthatheapparentlygavethemostofhisthoughtstoMissBurton,anddailyhadconveyedtoherroomtherarestflowersandfruitshecouldobtain,sendingtothecityforthemaswellashavingthecountryscouredforitschoicesttreasures,shealsooccasionallycaughtaglimpseofthetruththathehonoredandreverencedherfromthedepthsofhisheart.Althoughinhersincerediffidenceshedidnotregardherselfasworthyofsuchesteem,stillthepoorgirl,whohadbeensodeeplyhumiliatedanddiscouraged,wascomfortedandsustainedbyhisstrongandsilenthomage.ShewouldalsobeverysorrytoforegoherdailyvisitstoMr.Eltinge.
　　AsThursdaywaswarm,VanBergspentthegreaterpartofitonthecoolpiazza,forhewasnowabletomoveaboutoncrutchesverywell.Hehadnolackofcompany,butallfoundhimreticentconcerninghisaccidentandthecauseswhichhadledtoit.Themostpersistentgossipinthehouselearnednomorethanthebarefacts,andwasinclinedtobelievetherewasnothingmoretolearn.
　　ThatStantonwassodistantwasexplainedbythefactthathewasanunsuccessfulrival.BothVanBergandIdapuzzledStantonasfarashegavethemthought,butinhishonestloyaltyhisheartwasinthedarkenedroominwhichpoorJenniewasresting,morefromherlongpassionatestrugglewithasorrowshecouldnotburythanfromtheexhaustioncausedbyherrescueofVanBerg.
　　Fridaymorninghappenedtobeverywarm,andIdadidnotvisitMr.
　　Eltinge,butensconcedherselfinadistantcornerofthepiazzawithabook,thepagesofwhichwerenotturnedveryregularly.
　　"Iwonder,"shethought,"when,ifever,weshallhaveanotherfriendlytalk.Whatastrange,deephush,asitwere,hascomeafterthepassionatejoyanddesperatesorrowandfearofthepastweek!Itisthetypeofwhatmyinnerlifewillbe.ButImustnotcomplain;thousandsofhearts,nodoubt,aretheburial-placesofasdearahopeasmine;andOneispledgedtogivemebackmylifeinsomeway,andatsometime.
　　"MissIda,"saidavoicethatmadeherstartandcrimsoninspiteofherself,"mayIcomeoutandtalkwithyoualittlewhile?"andshesawthatVanBergwasspeakingtoherthroughthewindowblindsofoneoftheprivateparlors.
　　"Yes,"shesaidhesitatingly,"ifyouthinkitisbest."
　　Hewentaroundandcameopenlytoherside,bringingasmallcamp-chairwithhim.ashesteadiedhimselfagainstapiazzacolumnintakinghisseat,andleanedhiscrutchesontherailing,herlookswereverysympathetic.Withasmilehetookonofhiscrutchesinhishandsashesaid:
　　"Ihavecometotheseveryproperlyatlast,andyoumusthaveseentheirsignificance.Itismyspiritualandmorallameness,however,thatnowtroublesmemost,MissMayhew.Whenlyingatthebottomofthatravine,expectingdeath,Ivowed,likemostsinnersinsimilarcircumstances,Isuppose,thatifIeverescapedI
　　wouldbecomeaChristianman.Iintendtokeepthevowifitisapossiblething.ButImakenoprogress.Iprayedthen,andI
　　haveprayedandreadmyBiblesince,buteverythingisforcedandformal,andthethoughtwillcometomecontinually,thatImightaswellpraytoSocratesorPlatoastoChrist.Iwishyoucouldteachmeyourfaith."
　　"Mr.VanBerg,"repliedIda,withatroubledface,"I'mnotwiseenoughtoguideyouinsuchamatter.IwouldmuchratheryouwouldtalkwithMr.Eltingeorsomelearned,goodman."
　　"IshallbegladtoseeMr.Eltinge,butIdon'tcaretogotothelearnedmanjustyet.Wemightgetintoanargument,inwhichofcourseIshouldbeworsted,butIfearnotconvinced.Ihaveneverknownanythingsorealasyourfaithhasseemed,butIcanobtainnothingthatintheleastcorrespondswithit.Iask,butreceivenomoreresponsethanifIspoketotheemptyair.Thencomesthestrongtemptationtorelapseintotheoldmaterialisticphilosophy,whichIhadpracticallyaccepted,andtobelievethatreligiousexperiencesareimaginary,ortheresultofeducationandtemperament.AtthesametimeIhavefoundthisphilosophysuchawretchedsupport,eitherinlifeorintheprospectofdeath,thatIwouldbegladtothrowitawayasworthless."
　　"Ifeartospeaktoyouonthissubject,"shesaid,"andshallnotforamomentattempttoteachyouanything.Theysayfactsarestubbornthings,andI'lltellyouafew,whichtomysimple,homelycommon-senseareconclusive.Toaman'sreasontheymaycountforlittle.Myreligiousexperiencesarenottheresultofeducationortemperament,butarecontrarytoboth;andiftheyareimaginary,allmyexperiencesareimaginary.PerhapsIcanbesttellyouwhatImeanbyanillustrationthatisapleasantonetome.ThereisapartiallyfinishedpictureinyourstudiothatIhopetohangsomedayinmyownsanctumathome.HowshallIeverknowthatI
　　havethatpicture?HowshallIeverknowthatyouhavegivenittome?Ishallknowitbecauseyoukeepyourpromiseandsendittome.Ishallhaveitinmypossession,andIshallenjoyitdaily.
　　Arenothope,patience,peace,whentheworldcouldgivenopeace,asrealasyourpicture?Isnotthehonestpurposetoovercomeanaturethatyouknowissoveryfaulty,asrealagiftasanyI
　　couldreceive?IftheFriendIhavefoundpromisesmesuchthings,andatoncebeginstokeephisword,whyshouldInottrusthim?
　　Butremember,youmustnotexpectfrommeverymuchatfirst,anymorethandidMr.Eltingefromthelittlepear-treeheliftedupandgaveachancetolive.Now,withonemorethought,mysmallcupoftheologyisemptied.Togobacktomyillustration:SupposesomepersonshouldsaythathehadnotapictureofMr.Eltinge;
　　thatwouldbenoproofthatIdidnothaveone,orthatyouhadnotgivenonetome.Idon'tsee,Mr.VanBerg,thatthefactthatyouhavenofaiththismorning,isanythingagainstthefactthatIandMr.Eltinge,andsomanyothersdohavefaith,withgoodreasonsforit,andareabletosay,"IKNOWthatmyRedeemerliveth.'Thetestimonyofotherpeoplecountsforsomethinginmostmatters.WhymustsuchmenasMr.Eltingebesetdowneitherasdeceiversordeceived,whentheystatesomeofthemostcertainfactsoftheirexperience?"
　　"Iknewyouweretherightonetocometo,"hesaid,lookingathersoearnestlythathereyesfellbeforehis;"butwhyisit,doyouthink,thatIreceivenoanswer?"
　　"AsItoldyou,mylittlecupofknowledgeisempty,butitseemstomethatinyourhappy,wonderfulrescueyouwereanswered.YouhavepromisedtobecomeaChristian,Mr.VanBerg.Youcertainlydidnotlimityourefforttothisweek.SurelytobeaChristianisworthalifetimeofeffort."
　　"Iunderstandyouagain,"hesaidwithasmile;"youleavemenootherchoicethantomakealifetimeofeffort.ButIfearitwillbeawfullyup-hillwork.TheBibleseemstomeanold-worldbook.Manypartstakeastrongholdonmyimagination,andofcourseIknowitssurpassingliterarymerit;butIdon'tfindinitmuchthatseemspersonallyapplicableorhelpful.Doyou?I
　　admit,though,thatwhenIreadwordsthismorningtotheeffectthat'abrutishmanknowethnot,neitherdothafoolunderstand.'
　　Ifeltthatthegoodoldsaintmusthavehadhispropheticeyeonmeatthetimeofwriting."
　　"Youareasunjusttowardsyourselfasever,Isee,"shesaid.
　　"IhavefoundanotherPsalmthattomemeantsomuchthatIhavecommittedthefirstpartofittomemory.Youcanunderstandwhythefollowingwordsaresignificant,"andintheplaintivetonesthathadvibratedsodeeplyinhisheartwhenshereadtoMr.Eltinge,sherepeated:
　　"IlovetheLordbecausehehathheardmyvoiceandmysupplication.
　　"Becausehehathinclinedhisearuntome,thereforewillIcalluponhimaslongasIlive.
　　"Thesorrowsofdeathcompassedme,andthepainsofhellgotholduponme:Ifoundtroubleandsorrow.
　　"ThencalledIuponthenameoftheLord;OLord,Ibeseechthee,delivermysoul.
　　"TheLordpreserveththesimple:IwasbroughtlowandheHELPED
　　me.
　　"Returnuntothyrest,Omysoul;fortheLordhathdealtbountifullywiththee.
　　"Forthouhastdeliveredmysoulfromdeath,mineeyesfromtears,andmyfeetfromfalling.
　　"Andthisismyconclusion,Mr.VanBerg,'IwillwalkbeforetheLordinthelandoftheliving.'Iamgoingtofindplentyofgood,live,wholesomeworktodo'inthelandoftheliving,'andIintendtodoitasifIenjoyedit;indeed,IthinkIshallenjoyit,"andsheroseandlefthimwithagenialandcheerysmile.
　　Buthesatstillandthoughtlonganddeeply.Atlasthemutteredinconclusion:"'Bytheirfruitsyeshallknowthem.'Oncemore,GodblessIdaMayhewforallshehasbeentome!"
　　Whentheyweregatheredatdinner,JennieBurtonwalkedinandtookherseatinthemostquietandmatterofcoursewaypossible.
　　VanBerglaiddownhisknifeandforkandexclaimed:"Youhavestolenamarchonus.Wedesignedgivingyouanovationwhenyoucamedown."
　　"Willyoupleasepassmethebreadinitsplace,Mr.VanBerg?"sherepliedinherformerpiquant,mirthfulway."Withtheappetitethatiscomingbacktome,oneofMr.Burleigh'sgooddinnersisfarmoretomytastethananovationwhichInowdeclinewiththanks."
　　Verypaleandslightshecertainlyhadbecome,buttheysawheroldcheery,indomitablespiritoncemorelookedoutofherblueeyesandvibratedinthetonesofhervoice.Withthechangesindicated,shewasthesamebrightlittle"enigmainbrown"thathadsofascinatedVanBergthefirstdayofherarrival,andledhimtomakethehalf-jestingpredictiontoStantonthathadbeensothoroughlyfulfilled.Inspiteofthemselvesherirresistiblegrace,wit,andhumorcreatedcontinuousandirrepressiblemerrimentattheirtable,whichIdasecondedwithatactandpiquancybutlittleinferiortothatofMissBurtonherself.Straightforwardandratherslow-wittedStantonrubbedhiseyesandvowedbetweenthefirstheartylaughshehadknownformanyalongdaythathewaspractisedupon,andthatheintendedtohaveMissBurtonindictedasawitch,andIdaasanaccomplice.
　　ButJennieBurtoncouldnotescapetheovation,forshehadwonasecureandlargeplaceintheesteem,andinmanyinstances,intheaffectionsofhersummerassociates.Afterdinner,nomatterwhichwaysheturned,handswereextendedandheartywordsspoken,andwhileatdinnereventhecoloredwaitersgrinnedapprovinglywhenevershelookedtowardsthem.Mr.Burleighfinallybroughtthecongratulationsandjollitytoaclimaxbyhoistingtheflagandtryingtodrum"HailColumbia"onagong.
　　"That'shisway,"saidMrs.BurleighinanasidetoJennie;"butwouldyoubelieveit,thepoormanhasscarcelyeatenorsleptsinceyouhavebeenill.IfithadbeenanyoneelsebutyouI'dbeenjealous."
　　ButVanBergknewwellthatallthisgenialitywasliketherippleandsparklethatplayabovedeepwaters.OccasionallyhefoundMissBurton'seyesdirectedtowardshimselfinawaythatcausedhimdeepanxiety,andhehadanuneasyconsciousnessthatshewasreadinghisinnermostthoughts.Whileheexertedhisutmostpowertobanisheverythingfromhismindthatwasnotloyaltoher,hemadenoefforttoavoidIdaorsaylittletoheratthetableandduringtheafternoon,butrathertookpainstotreatherwithfrankandcordialcourtesy;however,inspiteofhimself,hecouldnotkeepoutofhiseyesatalltimesthereverenceandgratitudewithwhichhisverysouloverflowed;forhefeltthatheowedtoIda,whohadsavedhismanhood,farmorethantoJennie,whohadsavedhislifeonly.
　　IdaalsoobservedMissBurton'sslightandcarefullydisguisedscrutinywithaflutteringheart."Isupposehedoesthebesthecan,"shethought;"butshe'llsurelyfindhimout;thereisnouseoftryingtohideanythingfromawomanwholoves.Well,well,letherbutremaindiscreetlyblindforalittletime,andwithherpowersoffascinationshewillwinhimheartandsoul."
　　BeforeJenniesleptthatnighthermindwasclearastohercourse.
　　"Ithink,"shemurmured,"Iunderstandthembothnow.HismannertowardsMissMayhewiscertainlynotthatofaconventionallover;butasIhaveseenhimlookathertwiceasifhecouldsayhisprayerstoher,IthinkI'llventureontheonlymatch-makingIeverattempted.ButwhattodowithMr.Stanton,Idon'tknow.
　　Poorman!hemightaswellloveashadowasme,andyetheseemssosimple,honest,andrealhimself.Heisdisappointingmedaily,andIhavewrongedhimverymuch.Ithoughthimaselfishmanoftheworld,buthepersistsinofferingmeachivalric,unselfishdevotion,forwhichheasksnothinginreturn.Alas!Icangivehimnothing——nothingcomparedwithwhathegives."
　　"IamgoingtomakemylastvisittoMr.Eltingeandtheoldgarden,"saidIdatoVanBergasshepassedhimonthepiazzathefollowingmorning.
　　Helookedafterhersowistfully,andsighedsodeeply,thatJennieBurton,unseenherself,smiledasifshehaddiscoveredsomethingthatgaveherdeepsatisfaction.
　　"Mr.VanBerg,"shesaidafewmomentslater"canyougivemealittleofyourvaluabletimeto-day?"
　　"Allofit,"hesaidpromptly.
　　"Thanks.Ishalltake,then,allIwant.Comewithmetoyondershadyrusticseat,forIlongtobeoutofdoorsagain;andyouhavelearnedtohobblesogracefullyanddeftlythatyoucanmanagethejourney,I'msure."
　　Heaccompaniedher,wonderingalittleatherwordsandmanner.
　　Whentheyhadreachedtheseclusionshesoughthermannerchanged,andshebecameverygraveandearnest,forshefeltthatitmightbethecrisismomentoftwolives,andshewasnotonewhocouldself-complacentlyandconfidentlyseektoshapehumandestiny.
　　"Mr.VanBerg,"shesaid,"Ishallnotuseanytediouscircumlocution,foryourtimeispreciousthismorning;moresothanyouthinkatthismoment.NorshallItrytoentrapyoubyguileandfemininediplomacy;butyoumademeaveryexplicitpledgewhenIfoundyoulastTuesdaymorning."
　　"Yes,JennieBurton,Iamyours,bodyandsoul."
　　"Buthowaboutyourheart,Mr.VanBerg?"