Butthemaidenherself——whydidhiseyesturnsooftentoher,andwhydidhe,unasked,introduceherintothesketchwithacareandlingeringdelicacyoftouchthatmadeevenherpencilledimageseemalivinggirl?Whennotaffectedorrenderedconventionalbysociety,hervoicewassingularlygirlishandnatural,andtherewouldoftenbeatoneinaplaintiveandminorkeythatvibratedlikealow,sweetchordinhisheartratherthaninhisears.Itmustbeadmittedthathegavelittleheedtothesacredwordssheread;buttheflexiblemusicofhervoice,mingledwiththemurmurofthebrook,therustleoftheleavesandtheoccasionalsongofabird,allcombinedtoformthesweetestsymphonyhehadeverheard.
Asanartistheexulted.Hishandhadnotlostitscunning,andhisrulingpassion,whichthestrangeexperiencesofthepastfewweekshadheldinabeyance,wasreassertingitselfwithafuller,richerpowerthanhehadknownbefore.ThatWASIdaMayhew\'sfacethatwasgrowingbeautifulandfullofhernewandbetterlifeunderhisappreciativeandskilfultouch,andtheconsciousnessofsuccessinthekindofeffortinwhichsuccessmeanttohimsomuch,filledhimwithastrongenthusiasm.
OnceortwiceIdaglancedshylyathim,andhisappearancedidnottendtofixherthoughtswhollyonthesacredtext.
AtlastMr.Eltingesaid:\"Thatwilldoforto-day.Ithink,underthecircumstances,youhavegivenmostpraiseworthyattentiontowhatyouhaveread,andtowhatlittleIcouldsayinthewayofexplanation.Nowforthepicture,andIconfessI\'maseagerasachildtoseeit;\"andtheycameandlookedoverVanBerg\'sshoulder.
AlmostinstantlyIdaclappedherhands,exclaimingwithdelight:
\"Thetreeisperfect,andoh,Mr.Eltinge,Ishallalwayshaveyounow,withyourdearkindfaceturnedtowardsmeasIhaveseenitto-day!\"Suddenlyhermannerchanged,andinatonefullofdisappointmentsheadded,\"Oh,Mr.VanBerg,howcouldyouspoilmypicture?Youhaveputmeinit.\"
\"Certainly,\"hereplieddemurely,\"youwereapartofthepicture.\"
\"Notanecessarypart.Ididnotaskyoutodothat,\"sheanswered,inawaythatprovedherfeelingswerehurt.
\"Iamwillingtodomorethanyouask,andifyouinsistonitI
willeffaceyourimage,althoughIshouldmuchregrettodoso.\"
\"Iprotestagainstthat,\"criedMr.Eltinge.\"Sofarfromspoilingthepicture,yourbeingtheremakesitinvaluabletome.I\'mgoingtotaxMr.VanBerg\'sgenerosity,andaskforthisinthehopethathewillmakeanotherdrawingoftheoldmanandthetreeonly,foryou.\"
\"Wouldyouliketohaveitsoverymuch?\"saidIda,muchpleasedwiththisarrangement.
\"Yes,mydear,verymuchindeed,andI\'llplaceitnearmyfavoritechimneycorner,whereIcanseeyouallwinter.Mr.VanBerg,Icongratulateyou;I\'mnotmuchofajudgeofart,butthisismylittlefriendhere,truetolife.YouhavebeenveryhappyincatchingtheexpressionwhichIamlearningtoknowsowell.\"
\"Yourwordshaveafullermeaningthanyouthink,\"repliedtheartist,heartily.\"Ihaveindeedbeenveryhappyinmywork.I
neverenjoyedamorningmoreinmylife.\"
\"ButI\'mtogohomewithoutanypicture,\"saidIda,tryingtohideherpleasurebyassumedreproachfulness.
\"Thereisnopictureyet,foranyone,\"heanswered,\"thisisonlyasketchfromwhichIshalltrytomaketwopicturesthatwillsuggestasceneparticularlyattractivetooneofmycalling,tosaytheleast.\"
Asheplacedthesketchinhisbook,theworkhehadbeenengagedonthatmorningwhenIdamethimbytheroadside,droppedout,andshesawherselfleaningonthebalusterrailofthestaircase,withherhandhalfextendedasatokenofforgivenessandreconciliation.
Hercheeksflushedinstantly,butshewasabletoremarkquietly:
\"Isupposethatisthewayyouartistskeepamemorandumofcurrentevents.\"
Herepliedgravely,butwithsomeansweringcoloralso:\"Yes,MissMayhew,whenthecurrentisdeepandstrong.\"
VanBergfelthimselfhappyinsecuringfromMr.Eltingeaninvitationtocomeagain.Astheywereridinghome,Idaremarked,shyly:
\"Ididnotknowyoucoulddrawsowell.\"
\"NordidIeitherbefore.Thatoldgardenisenchantedground.\"
\"Yes,\"saidIda,\"poorEvewasdrivenoutoftheGardenofEden,butIfeelasifIhadfoundmywayintoit.IonlywishIcouldstaythere,\"andhersighwaslonganddeep.
\"Doestheworldoutsideseemveryfullofthornsandthistles?\"heasked,kindly.
Afteramomentshereplied,simplyandbriefly,\"Yes.\"
Helookedathersympatheticallyforamoment,andthensaidearnestly:
\"MissIda,pardonmeifIventureaprediction.Whereveryoudwell,hereafter,allthatisgoodandbeautifulinlifeandcharacterwhichthegardentypifieswillbegintotaketheplaceofthornsandthistles.\"
\"Ihopeso,\"shefaltered,\"butthatinvolvesbleedinghands,Mr.
VanBerg.Iamnotcastinheroicmould.Iamweakandwavering,andasaproofIamdwellingontheverysubjectthatIhadforbidden.
Itrustthatyouwillbetoomanlytotakeadvantageofmyweaknesshenceforthandwilltrytohelpmeforgetmyself.\"
\"Thatmaybeahardertaskthanyouthink,butIwillattemptwhateveryouask,\"andfromherpleasedandinterestedexpressionitwouldseemthatduringthenexthalfhourhesucceededremarkablywell.Suddenly,asifahappythoughthadstruckhim,hesaidalittleabruptly:
\"IforeseethatyouandMissBurtonaredestinedtobecomegreatfriends.Youhavenotyetlearnedwhatalovelycharactershepossessesandhowbroadanddeeparehersympathies.\"
Ida\'ssilencecausedhimtoturnandlookather,andhesawthatthelightandcolorhadfadedfromherface,butshesaid,emphatically:
\"MissBurtonisevenmoreadmirablethanyouthinkhertobe,ifthatwerepossible.\"
\"Iampleasedtohearoneladyspeaksostronglyandgenerouslyofanother.Itisnotusual.Ishalldomyutmosttomakeyoubetteracquaintedwitheachother,andinthispleasanttaskamsureI
shallrenderyouaverygreatservice.\"
\"Mr.VanBerg,Ibegyouwillnot,\"sheexclaimed,hastily,andhesawwithsurprisethatsheappearedpainfullyembarrassed.
\"Pardonme,MissMayhew,\"hesaid;\"Ididnotmeantobeofficious.\"
Idasawnowayofextricatingherselfsavebypromptlychangingthesubject,andthisshedid;butshecouldnotfailtoobservethathercompanionwashurtbyherapparentunfriendlinesstowardsoneonwhomhebelievedhehadbestowedthebestamancouldgive.Theremainderofthedrivewasnotenjoyedbyeitherofthemastheearlierparthadbeen,andsomethinglikeconstrainttingedthemannerandwordsofboth.
AstheydroveuptothehotelStantongavealowwhistleofsurprise,butwasinnomoodforhisold-timebanter.
ChapterXLV.ProblemsBeyondArt.
WhenVanBergleftthegardenhethoughthehadlearnedtounderstandIdaalmostasclearlyashesawthepebblybedofthelittlebrookthroughthelimpidcurrentthatflowedoverit,andyetwithinabriefhalf-houranotherbafflingmysteryhadarisen.WhydidshedislikeJennieBurton?WhysheHADdislikedherwasplain,butitseemedtofollowinevitablythatonewhocouldloveoldMr.Eltingemustalsofindacongenialfriendinthewomanhesogreatlyadmired.
Astheremainderofthedaypassed,thisnewclouddarkenedandseemedtoshadowevenhimself.Whilehecoulddetectnoflawinhercourtesy,hecouldnothelpfeelingthatshemadeaconsciousefforttoavoidthemboth.Atdinnersheconversedchieflywithhercousin.VanBerg\'seyeswouldwanderoftentoherface,butsheneverlookedtowardshimunlesshespoketoher.WhenheorMissBurtonaddressedhertherewasnotatraceofcoldnessinhermannerofresponding;asuperficialobserverwouldmerelythinktheywerepeopleinwhomshewasnotespeciallyinterested.
\"Poorchild,\"thoughtJennieBurton,\"sheactsherpartwell,\"andshepuzzledtheartiststillfurtherbytakinglessnoticeofIdathanusual.
\"ButwhenIthinkofit,\"hemused,\"it\'sjustlikemyuniquelittlefriend.Onlythoseintroubleinteresther,andMissMayhewisonastraightroadtohappinessnow,shebelieves,althoughtheyoungladyherselfseemstodreadaworldfullofthornsandthistles,andherfatherandmother,atleast,willinsureanabundanceofbothinherownhome.ButherrepulsionfromMissBurton,theveryonetowardswhomIsupposedshewouldbeattractedinhernewlife,iswhatperplexesmemost.Iimagineallwomenaremysterieswhenyoucometoscrutinizetheirmotivesandimpulsesclosely.Thetwowhohaveoccupiedmythoughtsthissummercertainlyare,andI\'llsticktopaintingifIevergetoutofthismuddle.\"
AfterdinnerhefoundachancetoaskStantonifMr.Mayhewwasexpectedthatevening.
\"Yes,\"wasthereply.\"InmemoryoflastSundayhewrotehewouldnotcome,butIdasentatelegramaskinghimtobeherewithoutfail.Itookitovertothestationforher,andmadesurethatmyunclereceivedit.Shewillpuzzlehimmorethanshehastherestofus,Isuppose,andIamquitecurioustoseetheresult.\"
Theartistmadenoreply,butwenttohisroomandtriedtoworkonhispictures.Hewasmorethancurious——hewasdeeplyinterested,butfeltthathewastrenchingondelicateground.Therelationsbetweenthefatheranddaughterweretoosacred,hebelieved,forevensympatheticobservationonhispart.
Hesoonthrewasidehiswork.Theinspirationofthemorningwasallgone,andinitsplacehadcomeanunaccountabledissatisfactionwithhimselfandtheworldingeneral.Hehadleftthegardenwithasenseofexhilarationthatmadelifeappearbeautifulandfullofrichestpromise.Hehadbeensavedfromdisasterthatwouldhavebeencrushing;hisobjectincomingtothecountryhadbeenaccomplished,andtheUndinehediscoveredHADreceivedawoman\'ssoulthatwasblendingtheperfectbutdiscordantfeaturesintoanexquisitelybeautifulface.Theresult,certainly,hadnotbeenbroughtaboutasheexpected,norinawaytendingtoincreasehisself-complacency,buthefeltthathewouldbeabroaderandbettermanfortheordealthroughwhichhehadpassed.HealsorealizedthatthechangesinIdawerenotthesuperficialoneshehadcontemplated.hehadregardedherfaceandcharacteraslittlebetterthanapieceofcanvasonwhichtherewasalreadyadrawingofgreatpromise,butverydefective.Byerasureshereandskillfultouchestherehehadhopedtoassistnatureincarryingoutherevidentintentions.Thetragedythatwell-nighresultedtaughthimthathumanlivesaredangerousplaythings,andthatquackeryinattemptingspiritualreforminvolvedmoreperilthanignorantinterferencewithphysicallaws.
Andyetthatmorninghadprovedthatthedesiredchangehadbeenaccomplished,evenmorethoroughlythanhehadhoped.Thedangerousperiodoftransitionhadbeensafelypassed,andthebeautifulfaceexpressedthatwhichwasmorethanwomanlyrefinement,thoughtandculture.Theseelementswoulddevelopwithtime.Butthecountenanceonwhichhehadseentheimpressofvanity,pride,andinsincerity,andlaterthedespairofawrongedanddesperatewoman,hadgrownopenandchildlikeagainasshetoldhimherstoryandreadtoMr.Eltinge;andinit,asthroughacleartransparency,hehadwitnessedthekindlinglightoftheChristianfaithhismotherhadtaughthimtorespectatleast,longyearsbefore.
HehadleftthegardenwiththebeliefthathehadsecuredthefriendshipofthisrareUndine,andthatshewouldbringtohisartaninspirationlikethatofwhichhewassograndlyconsciouswhilemakingthepictureinwhichsheformedtheloveliestfeature.
Hehadexpectedwithinstinctivecertaintythatshewouldnowbedrawntowardsthewomanhehopedtomakehiswife,andthatfriendshipswouldbecementedthatwouldlastthroughlife.
ButinsuggestingthishopeandexpectationtoIdaithadbeenasifacloudhadsuddenlypassedbeforethesun,andnowthewholeskywasdarkening.JennieBurtonseemedmoreshadowyandremotethanever——morewrappedupinapastinwhichshehadnopart;andthemaidenintowhoseverysoulhethoughthehadlookedbecameinscrutableagaininthedistantcourtesyofhermanner.Evenduringthebriefhourofdinnerhewasledtofeelthathehadnoinevitableplaceinthethoughtsofeitheroftheladies,andthisimpressionwasincreasedashesoughttheirsocietylaterintheday.
Moreover,inhischangedmoodheagainbegantochafeirritablyatIda\'sassociations.Sheherselfhadbeenthoroughlyredeemedinanartisticpointofview,anditwashisnaturetolookatthingsinthislight.Whileheshudderedatherterriblepurposeherecognizedthehigh,strongspiritwhichinitperversionandwronghadrenderedthedeedpossible,andherdarkdesignmadeagrandandsombrebackgroundagainstwhichthemaidenhehadsketchedthatmorningwasallthemoreluminous.Hithertoeverythingconnectedwithherchangeofcharacterhadbeennotonlyconventional,buthadappealedtohisaesthetictemperamentassingularlybeautiful.
Thequaintgardenwithitsflowers,brook,andallegoricaltreewereassociationsthatharmonizedwithIda\'sloveliness,whileMr.Eltinge,whohadrenderedsuchanimmeasurableservicetothemboth,realizedhisbestidealofdignifiedandvenerableage.
Butwhenhecomparedherspiritualfatherwiththemansheexpectedthatnight,hefoundhiswholenaturebecomingfullofirritableprotestanddissatisfaction.
\"Thismorning,\"hemuttered,\"sheappearedcapableofrealizingapoet\'sdreams,butalreadyIseethehardandprosaicconditionsofherlotdwarfinghergrowthandthrowingtheirgrotesqueshadowsacrossherbeauty.Whatcanshedowhileinseparablefromsuchafatherandmother?Themoreunlikethemshebecomesthemorehideoustheywillappear.Mrs.Mayhewisessentiallylackinginwomanlydelicacy,andmerecoarsenessismoretolerablethanfashionable,veneeredvulgarity.Mr.Mayhewisaspiritlesswretchwhoseonlyprotestagainsthiswife\'soverbearanceandindifferencehasbeenintoxication.Linkedoneithersidetosomuchdeformity,whatchancehasthedaughterunlesssheescapesfromthemanddevelopsaseparatelife?Butarenotthetiesofnaturetooclosetopermitsuchescape,andwoulditnotbewrongtoseekit?ItcertainlywouldnotbeChristian,andIamconfidentMr.Eltingewouldnotadviseit.Herlotisindeedacruelone.NowondersheclingstoMr.Eltingeandthegarden,andthattheoutsideworldseemsfullofthornsandthistles.Well,Ipityherfromthedepthsofmyheart,andcannotseehowshewillsolvetheharshproblemofherlife.Iimagineshewillsoonbecomediscouragedandseekbymarriagetoobliterateherpresenttiesasfaraspossible.\"
Havingreachedthisunsatisfactoryconclusionhethrewhissketchimpatientlyasideandwentdowntothepiazza.Idaandhermotherwerealreadythere,foritwasabouttimeforarrivalsfromtheearliertrain.VanBergfeltalmostsurethatIdamusthavebeenawarethathewasstandingnearher,butsheexhibitednoconsciousnessofhispresence.Whenalittlelatertheymetinpromenadeshebowedpolitelybutabsently,andinawaythatwouldleadanywhowereobservingthemtothinkthathewasnotinherthoughts.Sohewasledtobelievehimself,butMissBurton,whowasreadinginoneoftheparlorwindows,smiledandwhisperedtoherself,\"Welldone.\"
IdawasinhopesthatherfatherwouldtakethefirstopportunityofreachingtheLakeHouse,andshewasnotdisappointed.Thetelegramhadflashedintohisleaden-huedlifethatdaylikeameteor.Diditportendgoodorevil?Evilonly,hefeared,foritseemedtohimthatevilwouldeverbehisportion.Itwasthereforewithavaguesenseofapprehensionthathelookedforwardtomeetinghiswifeanddaughter.
AsheemergedfromthestagewiththeothershefoundIdahalf-waydownthestepstogreethim.
\"I\'msogladyou\'vecome!\"shesaidinalowearnestvoice,andshekissedhim,notintheoldformalway,asifitweretheonlyproperthingtodo,butasadaughtergreetingherfather.Then,beforehecouldrecoverfromhissurprise,hislighttravellingbagwastakenfromhimandtheyounggirl\'sarmlinkedlovinglyinhis,andheledtoMrs.Mayhew,whoalsokissedhim,butinaway,itmustbeadmitted,thatsuggestedadutyratherthanapleasure.
Herhusbandscarcelygavetoheraglance,however,butkepthiseyesfixedonhisdaughter.
\"Idaisbewitched,\"saidMr.Mayhew.
\"AndIhopeyouwillfindmebewitching,father,forIwantasmuchofyoursocietyasyouwillgivemeduringthisvisit.\"Shetriedtospeakplayfullyandnaturally,buttearsweregatheringinhereyes,forhisexpressionofperplexitywassingularlypatheticandfullofthekeenestreproach.\"OGod,\"shemurmured,\"whathaveIbeenthatheshouldbespeechlessfromsurprise,whenImerelygreethimasadaughtershould!\"
VanBergturnedhastilyaway,forhefeltthatsceneswerecoming,onwhichhehadnorighttolook.TherewasnothingyettoindicateawishonIda\'sparttoavoidinartisticassociations,anddeepinhishearthewascompelledtoadmitthatshehadneverappearedsosupremelybeautifulaswhenshelookedloveandwelcomeintotheeyesofthesmirchedanddisheartenedmantowhomnaturegavethebestrighttoclaimthesegifts.
\"Comewithme,father,\"saidIda,tryingtogivehimareassuringsmile,\"andIwillansweryourscaredandquestioningglancesinyourroom,\"andhewentwithherasifwalkinginadream.
TearsnowgatheredinJennieBurton\'seyes,butshesmiledagainasshethought,\"Betterdonestill,IdaMayhew,andMr.VanBerg,whoisstalkingawaysorapidlyyonder,isnotthemanIthinkhim,ifyouhavenotnowmadeyourbestanddeepestimpressiononhisheart.\"
\"Ida,\"herfatherfaltered,aftertheyhadreachedtheprivacyofhisroom,\"whatdoesyourtelegrammean?Whatisimportant?\"
\"YOUaretome.Ofather,please,pleaseforgiveme,\"andsheputherarmsaroundhisneckandburstintoapassionoftears.
Thebewilderedmanbegantotremble.\"Canit——canitbethatmydaughterhasaheart?\"hemuttered.
\"Yes,father,butit\'sbrokenbecauseofmycrueltreatmentofyou;
Inowhopebetterdaysarecomingforusall.\"
Heheldherawayfromhimandlookedintoherfacewithalongingintensitythatsuggestedasoulperishingforthelackofloveandhope.
\"Father,father,Ican\'tbearthatlook.Oh,Godforgiveme,howIhavewrongedyou!\"andsheburiedherfaceonhisshoulderagain.
\"Ida,\"hesaid,slowlyandpleadingly,\"beverycareful——besurethisisnotapassingimpulse,amereremorsefultwingeofconscience.
I\'vebeenhopingforyears——Iwouldhaveprayed,ifIdaredto——forsometokenthatIwasnotaburdentoyouandyourmother.Youseemedtolovemesomewhenyouwerelittle,butasyougrewolderyougrewawayfromme.I\'vetriedtoforgetthatIhadaheart.
I\'vetriedtobecomeabeastbecauseitwasagonytobeaman.whyIhavelivedIscarcelyknow.IthoughtIhadsufferedallthatI
couldsufferinthisworld,butIwasmistaken.IleftthisplacelastMondaywiththefearthatmybeautifuldaughterwasgivingherlovetoamanevenbaserthanIam,baseandlowfromchoice,baseandcorruptineveryfibreofhissoulandbody,andfromthathourtothisithasseemedasifIweregroundbetweentwomillstones,\"andheshudderedasifsmittenwithanague.\"Ida,\"
heconcludedpiteously,\"I\'mtooweak,I\'mtoofargonetobeardisappointment.Thisismorethananimpulse,isitnot?Youwillnotthrowyourselfaway?Oh,Ida,myonlychild,ifyoucouldbeinheartwhatyouwereinyourfaceasyougreetedmeto-night,I
coulddiecontent!\"
Forafewminutesthepoorgirlcouldonlysobconvulsivelyonhisbreast.Atlastshefalteredbrokenly:
\"Yes,father——itisanimpulse——animpulsefromheaven;butIshallpraydailythatitbenotapassingone.I——Ihavelostconfidenceinmyself,butwithmySaviour\'shelp,Iwilltrytobealovingdaughtertoyouandmakeyourwishesfirstineverything.\"
\"GreatGod!\"hemuttered,\"canthisbetrue?\"
\"Yes,father,becauseGodISgreat,andvery,VERY,kind.\"
Hisbentformbecameerectandalmoststeelyinitstenseness.Hegentlybutfirmlyplacedherinachair,andthenpacedtheroomrapidlyamomentortwo,hisdarkeyesglowingwithastrongandkindlingexcitement.Idabegantoregardhimwithwonderandalmostalarm.Suddenlyheraisedhishandtoheaven,andsaidsolemnly:
\"Thisshallbenoone-sidedaffairsohelpmeGod!\"
Thenopeninghisvalise,hetookoutabottleofbrandyandthewit,withacrash,intotheemptygrate.
Idasprangtowardshimwithagladcry,exclaiming,\"Ofather,nowIunderstandyou!ThankGod!thankGod!\"
Hekissedhertearful,upturnedfaceagainandagain,asifhefoundtheretheveryelixiroflife.
\"Ida,mydearlittleIda,\"hesaid,huskily,\"youhavesavedyourfatherfromadrunkard\'send——fromadrunkard\'sgrave.Iwasinadrunkard\'shellalready.\"
Mr.Mayhewrequestedthatsuppershouldbeservedinhisownroom,forneitherhenorhisdaughterwasinamoodtomeetstrangersthatevening.Idacalledhermother,andtriedtoexplaintoherwhytheydidnotwishtogodown,butthepoorwomanwasnotabletograspverymuchofthetruth,andwasdecidedlymystifiedbythedomesticchangeswhichshehadverylimitedpowertoappreciate,andinwhichshehadsolittlepart.Shewasnotacoarsewoman,butmatteroffact,superficial,andworldlytothelastdegree.
VanBergcouldscarcelybelievehiseyeswhenMr.MayhewcamedowntobreakfastwithhisfamilySundaymorning.Thebondmanhadbecomefree;theslaveofadegradingvicehadbeentransformedintoaquiet,dignifiedgentleman.Hisformwaserect,andwhilehisbearingwassingularlymodestandretiring,therewasnothingoftheoldcowering,shrinkingmannerwhichsuggesteddefeat,lossofself-respect,andhopelessdejection.Allwhoknewhiminstinctivelyfeltthattheprostratemanhadrisentohisfeet,andtherewassomethinginhismannerthatmadethembelievehewouldholdhisfootingamongothermenhereafter.
Theartistfoundhimselfbowingtothe\"spiritlesswretch\"withapolitenessthatwasbynomeansassumed,andfromthenaturalandalmostcordialmannerinwhichMr.Mayhewreturnedhissalutation,hewasverygladtobelievethatIdahadnottoldhimthedeeperanddarkersecretsofherexperienceduringthepastweek.
\"Thisisherwork,\"hethought,andIda\'sradiantfaceconfirmedtheimpression.Shethenfeltthatafterherfather\'swords,\"Youhavesavedme,\"shecouldneverbeveryunhappyagain.Ahundredtimesshehadmurmured,\"Oh,howmuchbetterGod\'swayoutoftroublehasbeenthanmine!\"
Mr.MayhewhadalwayshadpeculiarattractionsforMissBurton,andtheyatonceenteredintoconversation.Butassherecognizedthemarvellouschangeinhim,thepleasedwonderofherfacegrewsoapparent,thatherepliedtoitinlowtones:
\"Inowbelieveinyour\'remedies,\'MissBurton;butagreatdealdependsonwhoadministersthem.MylittlegirlandIhavebeendiscoveringhownearlyrelatedweare.\"
Hereyesgrewmoistwithhersympathyandgladness.\"Mr.Mayhew,\"
shesaid,\"I\'minclinedtothinkthatheavenisalwayswithinasteportwoofus,ifwecouldonlytaketherightsteps.\"
\"Tomeithasseemedbeyondthefartheststar,\"hereplied,verygravely.\"Tosome,however,thewordisasindefiniteastheplace,andacessationofpainappearsheaven.IcouldbecontenttoasknothingbetterthanthisSabbathmorninghasbroughtme.IhavefoundwhatIthoughtlostforever.\"
JennieBurtonbecameverypale,asdeepfromherheartrosethequery,\"ShallIeverfindwhatIhavelost?\"Thenwithastronginstincttomaintainherself-controlandshunaperilousnearnesstoherhiddensorrow,shechangedthesubject.
ItwastouchingtoseehowoftenMr.Mayhew\'seyesturnedtowardshisdaughter,asiftoreassurehimselfthatthechangeinhermannertowardshimwasnotadream,andtheexpressionofherfaceasshemethisscrutinyseemedtobrightenandcheerhimlikeacomingdawn.
\"WhatheavenlymagicistransformingMissMayhew?\"JennieBurtonaskedofVanBerg,astheysaunteredoutonthepiazza.
\"Withyourwontedfelicity,youexpressitexactly,\"hereplied.
\"ItisaheavenlymagicwhichIdon\'tunderstandintheleast,butmustbelievein,sincecauseandeffectaredirectlyundermyeyes.Ithasbeenmygoodfortunetowitnessasbeautifulasceneasevermortalsaw.Sincesherefersnaturallyandopenlytothefriendswhomshehasvisitedduringthepastweek,ImaytellyouaboutMr.Eltinge\'sinfluenceandteachingwithoutviolatinganyconfidence,\"andinharmonywiththefrankandfriendlyrelationswhichhenowsustainedtoMissBurton,herelatedhisexperienceofthepreviousday,remainingscrupulouslyreticentoneverypoint,however,thatheevenimaginedIdawouldwishveiledfromtheknowledgeofothers.\"Icannottellyou,\"heconcluded,\"howdeeplythesceneaffectedme.Itnotonlyawokealltheartistinme,butthemanalso.InonebriefhourIlearnedtoreverethatnobleoldgentleman,andifyoucouldhaveseenhimleaningagainsttheemblematictree,asIdid,Ithinkhewouldhaverealizedyouridealofage,whollydevoidofweaknessandbleakness.AndthenMissMayhew\'sface,asshereadandlistenedtohim,seemedindeed,initscontrastwithwhatwehaveseenduringthepastsummer,theresultof\'heavenlymagic.\'ItwillbenoheavytasktofulfiltheconditionsonwhichIwaspermittedtoentertheenchantedgarden.
Theyexpectmorepencilsketches,butIshalleventuallygivethemastruthfulapictureasIamcapableofpainting,foritisraregoodfortunetofindthemessoinspiring.\"
GuardedasVanBergwasinhisnarrative,MissBurtonwasabletoreadmore\"betweenthelines\"thaninhiswords.Hedidnotunderstandhermotivewhenshesaid,asifitwereherfirstobviousthought:
\"Thepicturewhichyouhavepresented,eventotheeyeofmyfancy,isuniquelybeautiful,andIthinkitmustredeemMissMayhewinyourmind,fromallherdisagreeableassociations.Butinmyestimationsheappearedtoevenbetteradvantageinthegreetingshegaveherfatherlastevening.Wasthereeveramoredelicioussurpriseonearth,thanthatpoormanhadwhenhereturnedandfoundatrueandlovingdaughterawaitinghim?Withherfilialhandsshehasalreadyliftedhimoutofthemireofhisdegradation,andto-dayheisagentlemanwhomyouinvoluntarilyrespect.O
Mr.VanBerg,Icannottellouhowinexpressiblybeautifulandreassuringsuchthingsaretome!Youlookatthechangeswearewitnessingfromthestandpointofanartist,Ifromthatofpoorwoundedhumanity;andwhatIhaveseeninIdaMayhewandherfather,isprooftomethatthereisagoodGodaboveallthechaosaroundme,whichIcannotunderstandandwhichattimesdisheartensme.
Theirhappierandennobledfacesareaprophecyandanearnestofthattimewhentheswayofevilshallbebroken,whenfamishingsoulsandemptyheartsshallbefilled,whenbroken,thwartedlivesaremadeperfect,andwhatwasmissedandlostregained.\"
Shelookedawayfromhimintothesummersky,whichthesunwasfloodingwithcloudlesslight.Therewerenotearsinhereyes,butanexpressionofintenseandsorrowfullongingthatwasfarbeyondsuchsimpleandnaturalexpression.
\"JennieBurton,\"saidVanBerg,inalow,earnestvoice,\"therearetimeswhenIcouldsufferallthingstomakeyouhappy.\"
Shestartedasifshehadalmostforgottenhispresence,andansweredquietly:\"Youcouldnotmakemehappybysuffering.OnlyasI
canbanishalittlepainandgloomhereandtheredoIfindsolace.
ButIcandosovery,verylittle.ItreassuresmetoseeGoddoingthisworkinhisgrand,largeway.Andyetitseemstomethathemightbrightentheworldasthesunfillsthisskywithlight.Asitis,theraysthatillumineheartsandfacesglintonlyhereandtherebetweenthethreateningcloudsofevil.Mr.
VanBerg,youdonotknow——youneverrealizedhowshadowedhumanityis.Withinamileofyourstudio,thatisfulloflightandbeauty,therearethousandswhoareperishinginaslow,remorselesspain.
Itisthisawfulmysteryofevil——thiscontinuousgroanandcryofanguishthathasgoneuptoheaventhroughalltheages——thatappallsmyheartandstaggersmyfaith.Butthere——afterwhatIhaveseento-dayIhavenorighttosuchgloomythoughts.Isupposemyreligionseemstoyounomorethanaclingingfaithinafar-away,incomprehensibleGod,andsoisnotveryattractive?IwishIcouldsuggesttoyousomethingmoresatisfactory,butsinceIcannotI\'llleaveyoutofindbetterinfluences.\"
\"Itdoesseemtomethatrash,faultyIdaMayhewhasabetterfaiththanthis,\"hethought;\"shebelievesshehasfoundanearandhelpfulFriend,whilemysad-eyedsainthasonlyaGod,andisalwaysinpatheticdoubtwhetherherprayercanbridgetheinfinitedistancebetweenthem.Whoisright?Iseitherright?IusedtobeimpressedwithhowmuchIknew;I\'mgladtheoppositeimpressionisbecomingsostrong,for,asMissBurtonsays,thehopelessfoolsarethosewhoneverfindthemselvesout.
\"Shewasright.IdaMayhewwilleverappeartobetteradvantageinaidingherpoorfathertoregainhismanhood,thanbythemostartisticcombinationofcircumstancesthatIcouldimagine.Allthemaninmerecognizesthesacrednessofthedutyandthebeautyofitsperformance.AndyetbutyesterdayIwasstupidenoughtobelievethatherbestchancefordevelopmentwastoescapefromherfatherandliveaseparatelife.Ithastakenonlyafewhourstoprovehowsuperficialwasmyphilosophyoflife.Guidedsimplybytheinstinctofloveandduty,thisfaultygirlhasaccomplishedmorethanIhadsupposedpossible.Buthermotherwillcontinueathorninherside,\"andVanBergwasnotfarastray.
ChapterXLVI.AResolutePhilosopher.
