\"Youwereratherdistantthen,\"Idaremarkedwithapiquantsmile.
\"ButamInow?Answermethat,\"hesaidsoeagerlythatshewasagainmentallyenragedathertell-talecolor,andshesaidhastily:
\"ButwhereamItofindtheambrosiaandnectarthatyouwillexpectthisevening?\"
\"Anymarketcanfurnishthecrudematerials.Itisthetouchofthehostessthattransmutesthem.\"
\"Alas,\"saidIda,\"Ineverlearnedhowtocook.IfIshouldprepareyourdinner,youwouldhaveanawfulmoodto-morrow,andprobablysendforthedoctor.\"
\"Iwouldneedanursemorethanadoctor.\"
\"Iknowofanancientwoman——aperfectMrs.Harris,\"saidIda,gleefully.
\"Wouldn\'tyoucomeandseemeifIwereveryill?\"
\"Imightcallatthedoorandaskhowyouwere,\"shereplied,hesitatingly.
\"Now,MissIda,theundertakerwoulddoasmuchasthat.\"
\"Ourmotivesmightdifferjustalittle,\"shesaid,droppinghereyes.
\"Well,\"saidtheartist,laughing,\"ifyouwillpreparethedinner,I\'llriskundertaker,ancientwoman,andall,ratherthanspendsuchanotherlongstupideveningasIdidlastnight.Iexpectedtomeetyouattheconcertgardenagain.\"
\"That\'sstrange,\"shesaid.
\"IshouldsayratherthatIhopedtomeetyouandyourfatherthere.
WouldyouhavegoneifIhadaskedyou?\"
\"Imight.\"
\"I\'llsetthatdownasoneofthelostopportunitiesoflife.\"
\"Whydidn\'tyoulistentothemusic?\"
\"Well,Ididn\'t.IthoughtI\'dinflictmystupidityonyouforawhile,andcameasfarasyourdoorstepsbeforeIrememberedthatIhadnotbeeninvited;soyouseewhatanarrowescapeyouhad.\"
InspiteofherselfIdacouldnothelpappearingdisappointedasshesaid,alittlereproachfully,\"Wouldafriendhavewaitedforaformalinvitation?\"
\"Afrienddid,\"repliedVanBergregretfully;\"buthewon\'tagain.\"
\"I\'mnotsosureaboutthat;mymusicmusthavefrightenedyouaway.\"
\"IlisteneduntilIfearedthepolicemightthinkIhaddesignsagainstthehouse.Ididn\'tknowyouwereamusician.MissMayhew,I\'malwaysfindingoutsomethingnewaboutyou,andI\'mgoingtoaskyouthiseveningtosingagainformeaballadthemelodyofwhichremindedmeofarunningbrook.Ittookholdonmyfancyandhasbeenrunninginmyheadeversince.\"
\"Oh,youwon\'tlikethat;it\'sasilly,sentimentallittlething.
Idon\'twonderyoupausedandretreated.\"
\"Spareme,MissIda;Ialreadyfeelthatitwasafaint-heartedretreat,inwhichIsufferedseriousloss.Ihaveaccountedformyselfsinceweparted;howdidYOUspendthetime?Ofcourseyouyawnedoveryourmorning\'sfatigue,andtookalongnap.\"
\"IndeedIdidnotsleepawink.WhyshouldIbeanymoreindolentthanyourself?Ireadmostoftheafternoon,anddrummedonthepianointheevening.\"
\"IknowthatIlikeyourdrumming,butamnotyetsureaboutyourauthor;buthemustbeanexceedinglyinterestingone,toholdyourattentionalonghotafternoon.\"
Idacoloredinsuddenembarrassment,butsaid,afteramoment:\"I
shallnotgratifyyourcuriosityanyfurther,foryouwouldlaughatmeagainifItoldyou.\"
\"Now,indeed,youhavepiquedmycuriosity.\"
\"Sinceyou,aman,admithavingsomuchofthisfeminineweakness,Iwhoamonlyawomanmaybepardonedforshowingjustalittle.
Whatworkwasitthatsoabsorbedyouyesterdayafternoonthatyouceasedtobehumaninyourneeds?\"
\"MissMayhew,youhavebeenlaughingatmeinyoursleeveeversinceyoucamethismorning.Ishalltakemyrevengeonyouatoncebyheapingcoalsoffireonyourhead,\"andheturnedtowardsheralargepicture,allofwhichwasyetinoutline,saveMr.Eltinge\'sbustandface.
Idasprangdownonherkneesbeforeit,exclaiming:\"O!mydear,kindoldfriend!He\'sjustspeakingtome.Mr.VanBerg,I\'llnowmaintainyouareageniusagainstalltheworld.Youhaveputkindness,love,fatherhoodintohisface.Youhavemadeitastrongandnoble,andyettenderandgentleasthemanhimself.I
neverknewitwaspossibleforaportraittoexpresssomuch,\"andtearsofstrong,gratefulfeelingfilledhereyes.
Wasitsuccessinhisartorpraisefromherlipsthatgaveherlistenersuchanexquisitethrillofpleasure?Hedidnotstoptoconsider,forhewasnotinananalyticalmoodatthattime.
Hewasonthecrestofthespiritualwavethatwassweepinghimheavenward,ortowardssomebeatificstateofwhichhehadnotdreamtbefore.Hisfaceglowedwithpleasureashesaid:
\"Sinceitpleasesyou,it\'snomorethanjusticethatyoushouldknowthatyourvisitwasthecauseofmysuccess.Eitheryourlaughoryourkindpartingwordsbrushedthecobwebsfrommymind,andIwasabletodobetterworkinafewhoursthanImighthaveaccomplishedinweeks.\"
Shetriedtolookatthepicturemoreclosely,butfast-comingtearsblindedher.Thensherose,andavertingherfacehastily,wipedhereyes,asshesaidinalowtone:\"Ican\'tunderstanditatall,andthememoryofMr.Eltinge\'skindnessalwaysovercomesme.Pleasepardonmyweakness.There,Iwon\'twasteanymoreofyourtime,\"andshereturnedtoherchair.ButherfacestillworetheuncertaintyofanAprilday.
\"YouraffectionforMr.Eltinge,\"hesaidgently,\"isasbeautifulasitisnatural.Nomanifestationofitneedsanyapology,andleastofalltome,forIowetohimfarmorethanlife.ButIampainingyoubyrecallingthepast,\"hesaidregretfully,asIda\'stearsbegantogatheragain.\"Letmetrytomakeamendsbyreturningatoncetothepresentandtomywork.BeforeIgoonanyfartherwithyourportraitIwantyoutoputthisrose-budinyourhair,\"
andfromahiddennookhebroughtalittlevasecontainingonlyoneexquisitebud.Idahadbarelytimetoseethatitwasincolorandsizepreciselyliketheemblemofherselfthathehadthrownaway,andforafewminutessheutterlylostherself-control.Sheburiedherfaceinherhands,andherlow,stifledsobsfilledVanBergwiththekeenestdistressandperplexity.
\"MissIda,\"hesaidearnestly,\"Iwouldrathereverytearyouaresheddingwereadropofmyblood,\"buthiswordsonlymadethemflowfasterstill.
Suddenlyshesprangup,andturningherbackuponhim,dashedawayhertearsalmostfiercely.\"Oh!thisisshameful!\"sheexclaimed,inlow,indignanttones.\"Mr.VanBerg,whatmustyouthinkofme?PleaseturnMr.Eltinge\'sfaceaway,forheislookingatmejustashedidwhenmyheartwasbreaking,and——and——I\'velostmyself-control,andIhadbetternotcomeheretillIcanceasebeingsoweakandfoolish.\"
\"Isitweaktobegrateful?\"heasked,gently.\"Isitfoolishtoloveonesothoroughlyentitledtoyourlove?IhonoryouforyourdeepandtenderaffectionforMr.Eltinge,andeverytearyouhaveshedprovestomethatinthisperfectflowerIamnowfindingthetrueemblemofyourself.\"
\"No,\"shesaid,almostpassionately,\"Ihavenorighttoit.Theotheronethatyouthrewawayistrueofme,andalwayswillbe.
Thisbutmocksmewithitsperfection.IwouldbeahypocriteifIshouldputitinmyhair,andsmilecomplacentlywhileyoupaintedit.Myheartclingstotheotheremblem,andIknowImustdevelopasbestIcan,asthatwouldhavedoneafteritsdestroyerwastakenaway.No,Mr.VanBerg.Ihaveseenmyselfinthestrong,sharplightoftruth.Ifyouarewillingtobemyfriend,pleasebeanhonestone.Myfaithfuloldfriendinthecountrywouldscarcelytakemyportraitifthisperfectflowerwereintroducedwithanysuchmeaningasyouattachtoit,andIcertainlywouldbeashamedtogiveittohim.Mr.Vanberg,weMUSTletbygonesbybygones,orwenevercangeton.SeehowabsurdlyIhaveactedbothyesterdayandto-day,andallthroughrecallingthepast.
Indeed,indeed,itwillneverdoformetocomehereagain,andifyoucanmakesuchamarvellouslikenessofMr.Eltingeasyouhave,Iscarcelythinktherewillbeanyneed.\"
\"MysuccesswithMr.Eltinge\'sportraitistheresultofafewhappystrokesthatImightnotbeabletogiveagainifItriedayear.
Believeme,MissMayhew,Inotonlywishtobeanhonestfriend,butaveryconsiderateone.Ipromisenevertourgeyoutodoanythingthatwillcauseyoupain.Icanunderstandhowthefeaturesofyourkindfriendhavetouchedthetenderestchordsofyourheart,andIrespectyourstudyfidelitytoyourconscienceinrefusingtoletmepaintthisbudinyourhair;butyoumustalsodomethejusticetobelievethatImeantnohollowcomplimentwhenIsearchedforitamongtheflorists.MustIthrowthisoneaway,too?\"heasked,withaglancethatwasveryardentforafriend;\"forsinceIobtaineditforyou,itmustreceiveitsfateatyourhandsonly.\"
\"I\'llwearit,simplyasyourgift,withpleasure,\"andshefasteneditinherbreastpin,sothatitscrimsonblushrestedagainstthesnowywhitenessofherneck.
Helookedherfullintheeyesandsaid,withlow,sademphasis:
\"Idonotdeservesuchrespect.\"Thentheknowledgethatshewasharboringapurposewhichtroubledherconscience,butwhichshecouldnotabandon,becamethecauseofatraceofheroldrecklessnessofmanner.Sheassumedasuddengayety,asifshehadsteppedoutofshadowsintotoostrongalight,asshesaid:
\"Mr.VanBerg,youmaywellhesitatetobringtheappetiteyousayhadlastnighttoourhousethisevening,andifIstayamomentlonger,youwillgetnodinneratall.Ihavenotbeenafterthecrudematerial——asyoucallit——yet,andI\'mtoldthatthereisnotamanlivingsoamiableandphilosophical,butthatapoordinnerprovokesmartyr-likeexpression,ifnothingworse;\"andwithasmileandapiquancyofmannerthatseemedpeculiarlybrilliantagainstthebackgroundofherdeepandrepressedfeeling,sheagainlefthim.
Hetriedtoreturntohiswork,butfoundhimselfoncemorepossessedbythedemonofunrestandimpatience.Thespiritualwavethathadbeenliftinghimhigherandhigherwaschangingitscharacterandbecomingasmoothlyglidingcurrent.Itwassoirresistiblethatheneverthoughtofresisting.\"Whyshouldheresist?\"heaskedhimself.CircumstanceshadinterestedhiminthisrareUndinebeforeshereceivedawoman\'ssoul;circumstanceshadentangledhislifeandhersinwhathadalmostbeenanawfultragedy;andnowcircumstances,orsomethingfarbeyond,wereswiftlydevelopingbeforehiseyesaspirituallovelinessthatwasthecounterpartofheroutwardbeauty,andheassuredhimselfthatitwouldbethegreatestfollyofhislifetoloseatraceoftheexquisiteprocessthathemightbeprivilegedtosee.WhatartistorpoethasnotpicturedhimselfthefairfaceofEveasGodfirstbreathedintoherperfectclaythebreathoflife,orhasnot,inimagination,seentheclosedeyesopeninginsurpriseandintelligenceorkindlingwiththelightoflove?AndyetthechangeinIdaMayhewseemedtoVanBergfarmorewonderfulandinteresting;andtohisfancyif,insteadoflyinginthebeautyofherbreathless,statuesquepreparationforlife,Evehadbeenpossessedbyalegionofdistortingimps,shewouldhavebeenthetypeofthemaidenhefirsthadrecognized.Buthehadseentheseevilspiritsexorcised,andintheirplacewascominganoble,womanlysoul——sweet,tender,andstrong——andtheperfectformandfeaturesseemedbutatransparentmould,acrystalvaseintowhichheavenwaspouringanewanddivinelife.Whyshouldhenotlongtoescapefromthedustymatter-of-factworldandwitnessthisspiritualrepetitionofthemostbeautifulstoryofthepast?ThushisphilosophicalmindwasableoncemoretoreasonthewholematteroutclearlyandprovethathiswishtoannihilatetheinterveninghoursbeforehecoulddaretopresenthimselftoIdaMayhew,wasthemostnaturalandproperdesireimaginable.HeconcludedthatawalkthroughCentralParkmightbanishhisdisquietude,andleavetimeforacarefultoilet,sinceforsomeoccultreasontheoccasionseemedtohimtorequireunusualpreparation.
HeknewhewasunfashionablyearlywhenherangMr.Mayhew\'sdoor-bell,buthehadfounditimpossibletocurbhisimpatiencetoseeinwhatnewaspectIdawouldpresentherselfthatevening.
Ahundredtimeshehadqueriedhowshewouldappearinherownhome,howshewouldpresideashostess,andwhetherthetasteofthefloridandfashionablemotherwouldnotbesoapparentastoannoyhimlikeabadtoneinthepicture.yes,thatwasMrs.Mayhew\'sparlorintowhichhewasshown.Itdidnotsuggestthemaidenwhohadcometovisit,northequiet,dignifiedgentlemanMr.Mayhewwasseentobewhenatthetouchoflove\'swandadegradingvicefellawayfromhim.Buttheartistcouldfindnofaultwiththehostwhogreetedhimpromptly,andwhen,afewmomentslater,therewasabreezyrustleonthestairsandheturnedtogreethishostess,hisfaceflushedwithadmirationandpleasure.Itbecameevidentthattheworshipperofbeautywasinthepresenceofhisdivinity,andhiseveryglanceburnedincensetoherhonor.Shehadtwinedafewrose-leavesinherhair,butworenootherornamentsavetherosehehadgivenherinthemorning,whichevidentlyhadbeenkeptcarefullyfortheoccasion,foritwasunchanged,withtheexceptionthatitrevealeditsheartalittlemoreopenly,asdidIdaherself.Andyetshedidherbesttoinsurethathermannershouldbenomorecordialthanhercharacterofhostessdemanded.
Butinspiteofallshecoulddo,thelightofexultationandintensejoywouldflashintohereyesandtrembleinhertonesthatevening.AmaidenwouldhavebeenblindindeedhadshenotbeenabletoreadtheriddleofVanBerg\'sardentfriendshipnow,andIdahadseenthatexpressiontoooftennottoknowitsmeaningwell.Inthemorningshehadstronglyhoped,nowshebelieved.
Shenolongerwalkedbyfaithbutinfullvision,andshetrodwiththegraceofaqueenwhoknowsherpowerintherealmthatwomanlovesbest.Theglowofhereyes,herrepressedexcitement,thatvitalizedeverythingshesaidordid,mystifiedwhiletheycharmedherguest.\"Shehasbecometruetonature,\"hethought,\"andlikenatureisfullofmysteriouschanges,forwhichweknownotthecause.Atonetimeitisasharpnorthwind,againthesouthwind.
Thismorningtherewasasuddenshoweroftears,andbeforeitwasoverthesunlightofsmilesflashedthroughthem.NowsheappearslikeaJunemorning,andIpraytheweatherholds.\"
\"Oh,\"thoughtIda,inthewild,madgleeofherheart,\"howcanI
behavemyselfandlookinnocentandunconscious,seeingwhatIdo?
Heismyverygoodfriendishe?Iwishforonlyonesuchfriendintheworld.Itwouldn\'tbepropertohaveanother.Oh,butisn\'titrichtoseehowunconsciousheisofhimself!Heispassingintoanexceedinglyacuteattackofmyowncomplaint,andthepoormandoesn\'tknowwhatisthematter.Idon\'tbelieveheeverlookedatJennieBurtonashelooksatme.Ah,JennieBurton!\"Thejoyousnesssuddenlyfadedoutofherfaceandshesigheddeeply.
ItseemedtoVanBergforatimethathisJunemorningmightbecomecloudedafterall,butwhilehisfacewasturnedtowardsherwiththeexpressionitnowworenosadthoughtsormisgivingscouldshadowIdaverylong.
ChapterL.SweptAway.
TherewasnovulgarprofusioninthedinnerwhichIdahadordered,norwereitscoursesinterminable;andasshegracefullyandquietlydirectedeverything,thethoughtwouldkeepinsinuatingitselfinVanBerg\'smind,thatthehomeoverwhichshemighteventuallypresidewouldbeanearsuburbofParadise.HeheartilysecondedIda\'spurposethatherfathershouldtakepartintheirconversation,anditwasanotherdeepsourceofhergladnessthattheonewhomshehadseensodepressedanddespairing,nowlookedasshewouldalwayswishhimtoappear.\"Oh,it\'stoogoodtolast,\"shesighed,asherheartfairlyachedwithitsexcessofjoy.
AfterdinnerMr.MayhewaskedVanBergtolightacigarwithhiminhisstudy,buttheartistdeclinedandfollowedIdatotheparlor.
\"Mr.VanBerg,\"shesaid,withagreatshowofsurprise,\"howisityoudon\'tsmokethisevening?ItseemedtomethatyouandCousinIkweredrawntoacertaincornerofMr.Burleigh\'spiazzawiththecertaintyofgravitationafterdinner,andthenyouwerelostintheclouds.\"
\"OnthisoccasionIhavetakenmychoiceofpleasuresandhavefollowedyou.\"
\"Thisisaproudmomentforme,\"shesaid,withamirthfultwinkleinhereyes.\"Ineverexpectedtorivalagentleman\'scigar,andIdon\'tthinkIeverdidbefore.\"
\"Anotherproofofmyfriendship,MissIda.\"
\"Yes,\"shereplieddemurely,\"anactlikethisgoesagoodwaytowardsmakingmebelieveyouaresincere.\"
\"MissIda,youarealwayslaughingatme.IwishIcouldfindsomewaytogetevenwithyou,andIwilltoo.\"
\"Youdomeinjustice.I,inturn,willlayanofferingonthealtaroffriendshipandwillgowithyouthiseveningtotheconcertgarden.\"
\"Ithinkyouexceedingly,butwillleavetheofferingonthealtar,ifyouwillpermitme.Iwouldmuchratherremaininyourparlor.\"
\"Why,Mr.VanBerg,youarebentonbeingamartyrformysakethisevening.\"
\"Yes,whollybentuponit.\"
\"Howamiablegentlemenareafterdinner!\"sheexclaimed.\"Butwherewasyourappetitethisevening?ClearlyourcookknowsnothingofthepreparationofambrosianorIofnectar,althoughImadethecoffeemyself.\"
\"Didyou?Thataccountsforitsdivineflavor.Don\'tyourememberItooktwocups?\"
\"Isawthatyourpolitenessledyoutosendmeyourcupasecondtime.Isupposeyouaccomplishedavastdealagainto-dayafteryouwereoncefinallyridofanembodimentofAprilweather?\"
\"IwouldloseyourrespectaltogetherifIshouldtellyouhowI
havespenttheafternoon.Youwouldthinkmeanabsurdjumbleofmoodsandtenses.Imayaswellownup,Isuppose.Ihavedonenothingbutkilltime,andtothatendItookawalkthroughCentralPark.\"
\"Thishotafternoon!Mr.VanBerg,whatpossessedyou?\"
\"Ademonofimpatience.ItseemedasifoldJoshuahadcommandedthesuntostandstillagain.\"
\"Youmustindeedbyagenius,Mr.VanBerg,forI\'vealwaysheardthatthepeculiarlygiftedwerefullofunaccountablemoods.\"
\"Iunderstandthesatireofyourexpression\'PECULIARLYgifted,\'
butmyturnwillcomebeforetheeveningisover,\"andheleanedluxuriouslybackagainstthesofacushionwithalookofinfinitecontentwiththeprospectbeforehim.\"Blessme,whatisthisoverwhichIhavehalfbrokenmyback,\"heexclaimed,andhedraggedoutofitspartialconcealmentahugevolume.
\"Pleaseletmetakethatoutofyourway,\"saidIda,steppinghastilyforwardwithcrimsoncheeks.
\"Don\'ttroubleyourself,MissMayhew;fortuneisfavoringmeoncemore,andIamonthepointofdiscoveringthefavoriteauthoryouwouldnotmentionthismorning.Anencyclopedia,asIlive!fromAtoB,withahair-pininsertedsharplyatthewordAmsterdam.
Really,MissIda,Ican\'taccountforyourabsorbinginterestinAmsterdam.\"
\"Mr.VanBerg,thereisnouseintryingtohideanythingfromyou.
YoufindmeouteverytimeandI\'mreallygrowingsuperstitiousaboutit.\"
\"Iwishyourwordsweretrue;but,forthelifeofme,Ican\'tunderstandwhyyoushouldcraveencyclopaediasasAugustreading,norcanIseetheremotestconnectionbetweentheexquisitecolorofyourfaceandtheoldDutchcityofAmsterdam.\"
\"Well,theFatesareagainstmeoncemore.WhyIleftthatbookthereIdon\'tknow,forI\'mnotusuallysocareless.Mr.VanBerg,Iscarcelyneedtoremindyouofafactthatyoudiscoveredlongago——Idon\'tknowanything.Doyounotrememberhowyoutriedtotalkwithmeoneevening?Youtouchedonalmostasmanysubjectsasthathugevolumecontains,andmyfaceremainedasvacantthroughthemallastheblankpagesinthatbookbeforetheprintedmatterbegins.\"
\"Butnow,MissIda,yourfaceistomelikethisbookaftertheprintedmatterbegins,onlyIreadtherethatwhichinterestsmefarmorethananythingwhichthisbulkytomecontains,evenunderthewordAmsterdam.\"
\"Youimaginefarmorethanyousee.Ithinkartistsarelikepoets,andaregiventogreatflights.Besides,youarebecomingversedinmysmalltalk.WhenyoutrieditontheeveningIreferredto,youwerejustatrifleponderous.\"
\"Yes,Icannowseemyselfperforminglikealameelephant.Didyouproposetoreadthisencyclopaediaentirelythrough?\"
\"Imighthaveskippedartasasubjectfartoodeepforme.\"
\"Whenyoucometothatletmetaketheplaceoftheencyclopaedia.
Iwillsitjustherewhereyoukeepyourbookandgiveyouaseriesoffamiliarlectures.\"
\"Ineverenjoyedbeinglectured,sir!\"
\"ThenI\'llteachyouaftertheSocraticmethod,andaskyouquestions.\"
\"Ifearsomeofthemmightbetoopersonal.Youhavesuchamaniaforsolvingeverything.\"
\"AnddidyoufearthatatsomeofthemanysittingsIshallneedthisfallImightagainbroacheverysubjectunderthesun,andsoyouwereledtoreadanencyclopaediatobeprepared?\"
\"IsthatwhatyoumeanbytheSocraticmethod?Ideclineanylessonsconcerningartoranythingelseonthatplan,foryouwouldfindouteverything.\"
\"Ishall,anyway.HowlongagoitseemssincewetookthatstupidwalktogetheronMr.Burleigh\'spiazza!Wearenearertogethernow,MissIda,thanwewerethen.\"
\"Oh!no,indeed,\"sherepliedquickly;\"Ihadyourarmonthatoccasion.\"
\"Butyouhavemysincerefriendshipandrespectnow.Ican\'ttellyouhowpleasedIwaswhenIsawhowyouhadhonoredthelittleemblematicflowerIgaveyouthismorning.Thatyouwearitto-nightasyouronlyornamentgivesmehopethatyoudovaluemyrespectandregard.\"
\"IthinkIhadbetterlettherose-budansweryou,andIconfessIliketothinkhowperfectitiswhenIrememberthemeaningyougavetoit,thoughhowyoucanrespectmeatallIcannotunderstand.
Still,Iamlikefather——nexttoGod\'sfavortherespectofthoseIesteemdoesmosttosustainandreassureme.But,oh!Mr.VanBerg,youcan\'tknowwhatanhonestsenseofill-desertIhave.Itissohardjusttodoright,nomatterwhattheconsequencesmaybe.\"
\"ThetroublewithmeisthatIamnottryingasyouare.ButI
know,withabsolutecertainty,thatthestrongestimpulseoftruefriendship,oratleastofmine,inthisinstance,istorendersomeservicetomyfriend.YouwillmakemeveryhappyifyouwilltellmesomethingIcandoforyou.\"
\"Youarehelpingmeverymuchinyourmannertowardsfather,andIdothankyoufromtheverydepthsofmyheart.Innowaycouldyouhavewonfrommeadeepergratitude.And——well——yourkindnessalmosttemptsmetoaskforanotherfavor,Mr.VanBerg.\"
Hesprangtohersideandtookherhand.
Quicklywithdrawingit,shesaidwithalittledecisivenode:\"Youmustsitdownandsitstill,forIhavealong,tiresomestorytotell,andaveryprosaicfavortoask;\"forshehadresolved,\"heshallgoforwardnowwithhiseyesopen,andheshallneversayI
wonhimbyseemingwhatIwasnot.IfIcan\'tdealrightbyJennieBurton,Iwillbyhim.\"
\"Ishallfindnoserviceprosaic;see,I\'mallattention,\"andhedidlookveryeagerindeed.
\"Thatencyclopaediasuggestsmystory,andImayhavetoreferincidentallytomyself.\"
\"Leavethebookout;I\'lllistenforages.\"
\"Ishouldbeoutofbreathbeforethat.Mr.VanBerg,I\'minearnest;
Idon\'tknowanythingworthknowing.Mylifehasbeenworsethanwasted,andtheonlytwothingsIunderstandwellaredancingandflirting.NowIknowyouaredisgusted,butitsthetruth.Myold,fashionablelifeseemstomelikethetawdryscenesofasecond-ratetheatre,whereeverythingisforeffectandnothingisreal.I
havehostsofacquaintances,butIhaven\'tanyfriendsexceptMr.
Eltinge.\"
\"AndHaroldVanBerg,\"putintheartist,promptly.
\"It\'sgoodofyoutosaythataftersuchconfessions,\"shecontinued,withashyglance.\"Ihopeitwasn\'toutofpoliteness.Well,I\'vewakedupatlast.Ithinkyoufirststartledmeoutofmyinsufferablestupidityandsillinessattheconcertgarden,andI\'mverymuchobligedtoyoufortheremarkyoumadetoCousinIkonthatoccasion.\"
\"Yes,Iremember,\"VanBerggroaned.\"IwakedyouupasifIweretryingtoputyourshoulderoutofjoint.Well,I\'mwakingupalso.\"
\"YouhavenoideawhataperfectshamofalifeIled,\"andshetoldhimfranklyofherwastedschooldaysandofhertripabroad,forwhichshehadnopreparationofmindorcharacter.\"Abutterflymighthaveflownoverthesamegroundandcomebackjustaswise,\"
shesaid.\"ButIhavesuddenlyenteredanewworldoftruthandduty,andIambewildered;Iamanxioustofitmyselfforthesocietyofsensible,cultivatedpeople,andIamdiscouragedbythetaskbeforeme.Iwenttofather\'slibraryyesterdayandwasperfectlyappalledbythenumberofbooksandsubjectsthatIknownothingabout.ThefactthatIstumbledintothatencyclopaedia,whichgaveyouthelaughagainstme,showshowhelplessIam.
Indeed,I\'mlikealittlechildtryingtofinditswaythroughawildernessofknowledge.IblunderedonasfarasAmsterdam,andthereIstoppedindespair.Ididn\'tknowwhatwasbeforeme,andIwasgettingeverythingIhadbeenoverconfusedandmixedupinmymind.Andnow,Mr.VanBerg,withyourthorougheducationandwideexperienceyoucantellmewhattoreadandhowtoread.\"
VanBerg\'sfacewasfairlyalivewithinterest,andhesaideagerly:
\"Thefavoryouasksuggestsafargreateroneonmypart.Letmegowithyouthroughthiswildernessofknowledge.Wecantakeupcoursesofreadingtogether.\"
AtthismomentMr.Mayhewentered,andtheartisthesitatedtogoonwithhisfar-reachingoffers,and,indeed,hesuddenlybegantorealize,withsomeembarrassment,howmuchtheydidinvolve.
ButIdamaintainedherpresenceofmind,andsaid,simply:\"Thatwouldbeimpossible,thoughnodoubtexceedinglyhelpfultome.
Here,asintheinstanceofthepictures,yourgood-natureandkindnesscarryyoufarbeyondwhatIeverdreamedofasking.I
merelythoughtthatinsomeofyourmomentsofleisureyoucouldjotdownsomebooksandsubjectsthatwouldbethesameasifyouhadpointedoutsmoothandshadypaths.Yousee,inmyignorance,I\'vetriedtopushmywaythroughthewildernessstraightacrosseverything.LasteveningIpesteredmyfatherwithsomanyquestionsaboutpoliticsandthetopicsoftheday,thathethoughtIhadlostmywits.\"
Mr.Mayhewleanedbackinhischairandlaughedheartily,ashementallyejaculated:\"Welldone,littlegirl!\"
\"Iwillbrushupmyliteraryideas,anddothebestIcan,verygladly,\"saidVanBerg.\"Butyougreatlyunderrateyourselfandoverratemyability.Iamstillbutontheedgeofthiswildernessofknowledgemyself,andincrossingawildernessonelikescompany.\"
\"Oh,Icouldneverkeepupwithyourmanlystrides,\"saidIda,withasuddentrilloflaughter.\"Havingsecuredmywish,Ishallnowrewardyouwithsomeverypoormusic,whichwillsuggestmyneedoflessonsinthatdirectionalso.\"
VanBergwasnotlongindiscoveringthatshewouldneverbecomeagreatmusician,nomatterhowmanylessonsshehad.Butsheplayedwithtasteandagracefulrhythm,whichprovedthatmusicinitssimplestformsmightbecomealanguagebywhichshecouldexpressherthoughtandfeeling.
\"Ida,\"saidMr.Mayhew,alittleabruptly,\"Iwishtoseeafriendattheclub.I\'llbebackbeforetheeveningisover.\"
\"Pleasedon\'tstaylong,\"Idaanswered,lookingwistfullyafterhim.
Thentheyfoundsomeballad-musicthattheycouldsingtogether,andVanBergexpressedgreatpleasureinfindinghowwelltheirvoicesblended.
\"Youhavemodestlykeptquiteallsummer,andIamjustfindingoutthatyouplayandsing,\"hesaid.
