第16章

"I"llnotdesertyouunlessyoudesertyourself,"saidStanton,withagestureofdisgustandimpatience;"butifyoupersistingoingdownintothedeepestquagmiresyoucanfind,youcannotexpectmetofollowyou;"andwiththesewordshelefttheroom.

Mr.Mayhewwassoonsunkinthedeepestlethargy,andhiswifespenttheafternooninimpotentlyfrettingandfumingagainsther"miserablefate,"asshetermedit,andintryingtodevisesomewayofkeepingupappearances.

ChapterXXVIII.RatherVolcanic.

Stantonwasgladtoescapefromthehouseaftertheinterviewdescribedinthepreviouschapter;andobservingthatVanBergwasrecliningunderatreeatsomelittledistancefromthehotel,stolledthitherandthrewhimselfdownonthegrassbesidehim.

Buthisperturbationwassoevidentthathisfriendremarked:

"Youareoutofsorts,Ik.What"sthematter?"

"I"vebeensettlingthisSibleybusinesswithmyauntandcousin,"

snarledStanton;"andsomewomenalwaysmakesuchblastedfoolsofthemselves.Buttheywon"thaveanythingmoretodowithhim;atleast,I"msuremyauntwon"t.AsforIda——butthelesssaidthebetter.I"msooutofpatiencewithherfollythatIcan"ttrustmyselftospeakofher."

"Stanton,"saidVanBerg,gloomily,"youhavenoideaoftheregretanddisquietwhichthatgirlhascausedmeasanartist.Ihaveseenherfeaturesnowforweeks,andIcannothelplookingatthem,fortheyalmostrealizemyideaofperfection.Buttheassociationsofthisbeautyarebeginningtoirritatemebeyondendurance."

"ItwasamotleycrowdthatIwasthemeansofbringingtoyourtable,"saidStanton,withanoath;"andI"venodoubtyouhavewishedusallawaymanytimes."

VanBerglaidhishandonhisfriend"sarm,andlookedintohiseyes.

"Ik,"hesaidslowly,"IwasyourfriendwhenIcamehere——Iamyourfriendstill.IfIcannotloveyoubetterthanIdomyself,youmustforgiveme.ButIshallnevertakeoneunfairadvantageofyou,andIrecognizethefactthatyouhaveequalrightswithmyself.Ik,letusbefrankwitheachotherthisoncemore,andthenthefuturemustsettleallquestions.Thewomanwebothloveistoopureandgoodforeitherofustodoameanthingtowinher.

Doyourbest,oldfellow.Ifyousucceed,Iwillcongratulateyouwithanhonesthearteventhoughtitbeaheavyone.Ishallnotdetractfromyouintheslightestdegree,orceasetoshowforyouthethoroughlikingandrespectthatIfeel.Itshallsimplybeamaiden"schoicebetweenustwo;andyouknowitissaidthattheheartmakesthischoiceforreasonsinexplicableeventoitself."

"Van,youareanoble,generousfellow,"saidtheimpulsiveStanton,graspinghisfriend"shand."Imustadmitthatyouhavebeenafairandconsideraterival.Evenmyjealousycouldfindnofault."

Thenheadded,indeepdespondency:"Butitisofnouse.Youhavevirtuallywonheralready."

"No,"saidVanBerg,thoughtfully,"Iwishyouwerenotmistaken,butyouare.ThereissomethinginhermannertowardsmeattimeswhichIcannotunderstand;butIhaveaconvictionthatIhavenottouchedherheart."

"Shedoesnotavoidyouasshedoesme,"saidStanton,moodily.

"No,sheacceptsmysocietymuchtoofranklyandcomposedly,"answeredVanBergwithashrug."IfearthatIcanjoinheranywhereandatanytimewithoutquickeningherpulseordeepeningthecolorinhercheeks.Now,Ik,weunderstandeachother.Happythemanwhowins,andifyouarethefortunateone,I"lldanceatyourwedding,andnooneshallseethatIcarryathousandpoundsweight,moreorless,inmyheart."

"Ican"tpromisetodoasmuchforyou,Van,"saidStanton,tryingtosmile."Icouldnotcometoyourwedding.Infact,Van,I——I

hardlyknowwhatIwoulddo——whatIwilldo.Afewweekssinceandtheworldwasabundantlysatisfactory.Nowitisbecomingavacuum.IfearIhaven"taghostofachance,andI——I——don"tliketothinkofthefuture.Yegods!Whatachangeonelittlewomancanmakeinaman"slife!Iusedtolaughatthesethings,andforthepastfewyearsthoughtmyselfinvulnerable.Andyet,Van,"

headdedwithsuddenenergy,"IthinkthebetterofmyselfthatI

canloveandhonorthatwoman.DidIregardhernowasIsupposedIwouldwhenyoufirstutteredyourhalf-jestingprophecy,whatabase,soullessanatomyIwouldbe——"

"SACRE!herecomesSibleyandothersofthesameilk,gabblingliketheunmitigatedfoolsthattheyare."

VanBergturnedhisbackupontheadvancingpartyinanunmistakablemanner,andStantonsmokedwithastolid,impassivefacethathadanythingbutwelcomeinit.Sibleywasjustsufficientlyexcitedbywinetoactoutrecklesslyhisevilself.

"What"sthematter,Stanton?"heexclaimed."Yourphizisaslongasiftheworldlookedblackandblueasaprize-fighter"seye.IsSundayanoffdayinyourflirtation?Doesthelittleschool-ma"amtakeafterherPuritandaddies,andsay"HoldthyhandtillMonday?"

Getheroutofthecrowd,andyou"llfinditallapretence."

Stantonrosetohisfeet,butwassoquietthatSibleydidnotrealizethestormhewasraising.VanBergremainedonthegroundwithhisbacktotheparty,butwassmokingfuriously.

Byaneffortatself-controlthatmadehisvoiceharshandconstrained,Stantonsaid,briefly:

"Mr.Sibley,Irequestthatyounevermentionthatlady"snametomeagaininanycircumstances.Irequestthatyounevermentionhernametoanyoneelseexceptintonesandwordsoftheutmostrespect.Imaketheserequestspolitely,asisbefittingthedayandmyownself-respect;butifyoudisregardthemtheconsequencestoyouwillbeveryserious."

"GoodLord,Stanton!hasshetreatedyousobadly!Butdon"ttakeittoheart.It"sallYankeethrift,designedtoenhancehervalue.

Weareallmenoftheworldhere,andknowwhatwomenare.Ifitistrueeverymanhashisprice,everywomanhasasmaller——"

BeforehecouldutteranotherwordablowinhisfacefromStantonsenthimsprawlingtotheearth.Hesprangupandwasabouttodrawaconcealedweapon,whenhiscompanionsinterferedandheldhim.

"Ishallsettlewithyouforthis,"hehalfshouted,grindinghisteeth.

"Youshallindeed,sir,"saidStanton,"andasearly,too,asthelightwillpermitto-morrow.HereismyfriendMr.VanBerg,"

pointingtotheartistwhostoodbesidehim,"andyouhaveyourfriendswithyou.Youmusteitherapologize,ormeetmeassoonasSundayispast."

"I"llmeetyounow,"criedSibley,withavolleyofoaths."IwantnocowardlysubterfugeofSunday."

Stantonhesitatedamoment,andthensaiddecidedly:

"No;I"mnotablackguardlikeyourself,andoutofrespectfortheSabbathandothersIwillhavenothingmoretodowithyouto-day;

butIwillmeetyoutomorrowassoonasitislight;"andStantonturnedawaytoavoidfurtherprovocation.

VanBergthusfarhadstoodquietlytooneside,buthisfacehadthatwhite,rigidaspectwhichindicatestherarebutdangerousangerofmenusuallyquietandundemonstrativeintheirnatures.

"Nowthatyouarethrough,Stanton,Ihavesomethingtosayconcerningthisaffair,"hebegan,inwordsthatwereasclean-cutandhardassteel."Ifyouproposetogivethisfellowadog"swhippingto-morrow,Iwillgowithyouandwitnessthewell-deservedchastisement.Butifyouareintendingaconventionalduel,I"llhavenothingtodowithit,fortworeasons.Thefirstreasonthisfellowwillnotunderstand.Duelingisagainstmyprinciples,andheknowsnothingofprinciple.ButevenifIacceptedtheoldandbarbarouscode,Ishouldinsistthatafriendofmineshouldfightwithagentleman,andnotalowblackguard."

"Youusethatepithetagainatyourperil,"hissedSibley,advancingasteptowardshim.

VanBergmadeagestureofcontempttowardthespeakerasheturnedandsaid:

"Youunderstandme,Stanton;itisnotfromanylackofloyaltytowardyouasmyfriend;butIwouldnotbeworthyofyourfriendshipwereIfalsetomysenseofdutyandhonor."

"Youarebothwhite-liveredcowards,"roaredSibley."Onesneaksoffundercoveroftheday——Ineversawafellowtakenwithapiousfitsosuddenlybefore.Theother,inordertokeephisskinwhole,pratesofhisdreadlesthisprinciplesbepunctured.thedeviltakeyoubothforabraceofchampionsneaks;"andheturnedonhisheelandwasabouttostalkawaywithagrandairofsuperiority,whenVanBergsaid,emphatically:

"Waitamoment;I"mnotthroughwithyouyet.Igiveyoubutabriefhalf-hourtocompleteyourarrangementsforleavingthehotel."

"Whatdoyoumean?"saidSibley,turningfiercelyuponhim.

"Imean,sir,thatyourpresenceinthathouseisaninsulttoeveryladyinit,whichI,asagentleman,shallnolongerpermit.

Curseyou,hadyounomotherthatyoucouldthusinsultallgoodwomenbytheremarkyoumadeafewmomentssince?"

Halfbesidehimselfwithrage,Sibleydrewapistol;butbeforehecouldaimcorrectlyoneofhiscompanionsstruckuphishandandthebulletwhizzedharmlesslyoverVanBerg"shead.

Therewasafaintscreamfromthehouse,whichindicatedthatthescenehadbeenwitnessedbysomeladythere.

Theintensepassionoftheartist,whichmanifesteditselfcharacteristically,heldhimunflinchingtohispurpose.

"Soyoucanbeamurdereralso?"hesaid,scornfully."ItwouldalmostcompensateamanforbeingSHOT,if,asaresult,youcouldbeHUNG."

Sibley"scompanionsspeedilydisarmedhim,stronglyremonstratinginthemeantime.He,insuddenrevulsion,begantorealizewhathehadattempted,andhisflushedfacebecameverypale.

"Letthemleavemealone,"hegrowledsullenly,"andI"llleavethemalone."

"ForHeaven"ssake,Mr.VanBerg,"criedSibley"scompanions,"letthematterendhere,lestworsecomeofit."

Inthesamesteely,relentlesstones,whichmadeverywordseemlikeabullet,VanBergtookouthiswatch,andsaid:

"Itisnowfouro"clock,sir.Afterhalf-pastfour,youmustnotshowyourlibertine"sfaceinthathouseagain,whilethere"saladyinitthatIrespect."

"Burleighisproprietorofthathouse,"repliedSibley,doggedly;

"andI"llstayuptheentireweek,justtospiteyou."

"LetusgotoBurleigh,then,"saidtheartist,promptly."Wewillsettlethisquestionatonce."

Sibleyreadilyagreedtothisappealtohishost,fullybelievingthathewouldtrytosmoothovermattersandassureVanBergthathecouldnotturnawayawealthyandprofitableguest;andso,withoutfurtherparley,theyallrepairedtoMr.Burleigh"sprivateoffice,arousingthatgentlemanfromanafternoonnaptoastateofmindthateffectuallybanisheddrowsinessfortheremainderoftheday.

"Mr.Burleigh,"beganSibley,indignantly,"thisfellow,VanBerg,hastheimpudencetosaythatImustleavethishousewithinhalfanhour.IwishyoutoinformhimthatYOUaretheproprietorofthisestablishment."

"Humph,"remarkedMr.Burleigh,phlegmatically,"thatisyoursideofthestory.Now,Mr.VanBerg,letushaveyours."

"Mr.Burleigh,"saidVanBerg,intonesthatstraightenedupthelanguidhostinhiseasychair,"wouldyoupermitaknownandrecognizeddisreputablewomantobeflauntingaboutthishotel?"

"Youknowmebetterthantoasksuchaquestion,"saidthelandlord,thecolorofhisruddycheekssuddenlydeepening.

"Well,sir,Iclaimthatamanwhobearspreciselythesamecharacterisnomoretobetolerated;andIhavelearnedtorespectyouasonewhomnoconsiderationcouldinducetopermitthepresenceofahumanbeast,whoseeverythoughtofwomanisaninsult."

"It"sallaninfernallie,"beganSibley."Ionlymadeaslight,half-jestingallusiontothatprudishlittleschool-ma"amthatthesefellowsaresocrackedover;andtheyhavegoneonlikemadbullseversince."

Mr.Burleighstartedtohisfeetwithatremendousoath.

"Youmadean"allusion,"asyoutermit,toMissBurton,eh!——theyoungladywhowasputundermycharge,andwhocomesfromoneofthebestfamiliesinNewEngland.Iknowwhatkindofallusionsfellowsofyourkidneymake;"andtheincensedhoststruckhisbellsharply.

"Sendtheporterhereinstantly,"hesaidtotheboywhoanswered.

"Whatdoyoumeantodo?"askedSibley,turningpale.

"Imeantoputyououtofmyhousewithinthenexttenminutes,"

saidMr.Burleigh,emphatically."YoumightaswellhavemadeanallusiontomywifeastoMissBurton;andletmetellyouthatifyouwagyourwantontongueagain,I"llhavemycoloredwaiterswhipyouoffthepremises."

"ButwhereshallIgo?"whinedSibley,nowthoroughlycowed.

"Gotothenearestkennelorstyyoucanfind.Eitherplacewouldbemoreappropriateforyouthanmyhouse.Mr.VanBergandMr.

Stanton,Ithinkyouforyourconductinthisaffair.YouarecorrectinsupposingthatIwishtoentertainonlygentlemenandladies."

Sibleynowbegantoblusteraboutlawandvengeance.

"Bestill,sir,"thunderedMr.Burleigh."Oneofthecarriageswilltakeyoutothedepotorlandingasyouchoose.Afterthat,troublemeormineagainatyourperil.Now,beoff.No,I"llnottakeanyofyourdirtymoney;andifthesefriendsofyourswishtogowithyou,theyarewelcometodoso."

"WeareonlyacquaintancesofMr.Sibley"s,"chorusedhislatecompanions,"andcameinmerelytoseefairplay."

"Well,youhaven"tseen"fairplay,""growledMr.Burleigh."I"vetreatedthefellowmuchbetterthanhedeserves."

BeforeSibleycouldrealizeit,acarriagewhirledhimandhisbaggageaway.Hisrecklessangerhavingevaporated,thebaseandcowardlyinstinctsofhisnatureresumedtheirsway,andhewasgladtoslinkofftoNewYork,thusescapingfurtherdangerandtrouble.

ChapterXXIX.EvilLivesCastDarkShadows.

Changesintheworldwithoutoftenmakesadhavocinourcontentandhappiness.Lossoffortuneandfriends,removaltonewscenes,deathanddisaster,sometimessoaltertheoutlookthatwehavetoaskourselves:Isthisthesameearthinwhichwehavedwelthitherto?Butthechangesthatcanmostblastandblacken,or,ontheotherhand,glorifytheworldaboutus,arethosewhichtakeplacewithinoursouls.

SucharadicalchangehadapparentlytakenplaceinIdaMayhew"sworld.Shewasbewilderedwithhertrouble,andcouldnotunderstandthedrearyoutlook.ShehadcometotheLakeHousebutafewweeksbefore,avain,light-heartedmaiden,lookinguponlifewithlaughingandthoughtlessglances,andhavingnomoredefinitepurposesthanthebutterflythatflitsfromflowertoflower,caringnotwhichareharmlessandwhichpoisonous,sothattheyyieldamomentarysweetness.

Butnow,forcausesutterlyunforeseenandhalf-inexplicable,allflowershadwithered,andtheoldpleasuresoncesoexhilaratingwereawearinesseveninthought.Herworld,onceapleasuregarden,hadbeentransformedintoapathsothornyandflintythateverystepbroughtnewbruisesandlacerations;anditledawayamongshadowssocoldanddark,thatsheshiveredatthethoughtofherprospectivelife.

Herhearthadsosuddenlyandthoroughlybetrayedher,thatshewasoverwhelmedwithasenseofhelplessnessandperplexity.Thespoiledandflatteredgirlhadalwaysbeenaccustomedtohaveherownway.Self-gratificationhadbeentheruleandhabitofherlife.IfVanBerghadonlyadmiredandcomplimentedher,ifhehadjoinedthehoneyedchorusofflatterythathadwaitedonhersensuousbeauty,hisvoicewouldprobablyhavebeenunheededandlostamongmanyothers.Buthissharpdemandforsomethingmorethanafaceandformhadawakenedher,andtoherdismayshelearnedthatherrealandlastingselfwasasdwarfedanddeformedashertransientandoutwardselfwasperfect.

Theartistseemedtoherprincely,regaleven,inhisstrongcultivatedmanhood,hisloftycallingandambition,andhishighsocialrank.Asforherself,itnowappearedthatherbeauty,whosespellshehadthoughtnomancouldresist,hadluredhimtohersideonlylongenoughtodiscoverwhatshewasandwhoshewas,andthenhehadturnedawayindisgust.

Fromtheirfirstmomentofmeeting,shefeltthatshehadbeenpeculiarlyunfortunateintheimpressionsshehadmadeuponhim.

Herattendantattheconcert-gardenhadbeenafool;andnowhewasassociatingherwithamanwhomhemorethandespised.Shebelievedthathepitiedherfatherasthevictimofawife"sheartlessnessandadaughter"sselfishnessandfrivolity,andthathefeltarepugnancetowardhermotherwhichhispolitenesscouldnotwhollydisguise.Hewasprobablylearningtocharacterizetheminhismindbyherfather"shorriblewords——"frothandmud."

Suchmiserablethoughtswereflockingroundherlikecroakingravensasshesatrigidandmotionlessinherroom,herformtensefromtheseverityofhermentaldistress.SuddenlySibley"sloudtones,andhercousin"svoiceinreply,caughtherattention,andsheopenedthelatticeoftheblinds.ShehadscarcelydonesobeforeshesawStantonstriketheblowwhichhadfelledSibleytotheearth.

WithbreathlessinterestshewatchedthescenetillVanBergsteppedforward.Thenshesprangtoadrawer,andtakingoutasmallfield-glasswhichshecarriedonhersummerexcursionswasabletoseetheexpressionoftheyoungmen"sfaces,althoughshecouldnotdistinguishtheirwords.Thestern,menacingaspectoftheartistmadehertrembleevenatherdistance,anditwasevidentthathiswordswerethrowingSibleyintoatransportofrage;andwheninhispassionhetriedtoshootVanBerg,shecouldnotrepressthecrythatattractedtheirattention.

Hermother,intheadjoiningroom,commencedknockingatthedoor,askingwhatwasthematter,butreceivednoansweruntilIdasawthattheyoungmenwerecomingtowardthehouse.Thenshethrewopenthedoor,andtoldMrs.Mayhewthatshehadseensomethingthatlookedlikealargespider,andthatnothingwasthematter.

Withoutwaitingforfurtherquestioningsheflittedhastilydown-stairsandfromoneconcealedpostofobservationtoanotheruntilshesawtheangrypartyenterMr.Burleigh"sprivateoffice.

Asmallparlornexttoitwasempty,andoncewithinit,theloudtonesspokenontheothersideoftheslightpartitionweredistinctlyheard.

AsshelistenedtothewordswhichVanBergandMr.Burleighaddressedtothemanwhomallinthehousehadregardedasheracceptedlover,oratleasthercongenialfriend,hercheeksgrewscarlet,andwhenhewasdismissedfromthehouse,shefledtoherroom;wishingthatitwereaplaceinwhichshemighthideforever,sooverwhelmingwashersenseofshameandhumiliation.

HowcouldshemeettheguestsoftheLakeHouseagain?Worsethanall,howcouldshemeetthescornfuleyesofthemanwhohaddrivenfromtheplacethesuitorthatshewassupposedtofavorashemighthavescourgedawayadog.

ShecouldnotnowexplainthatSibleywasandeverhadbeenlessthannothingtoher——thatshehadbothdetestedanddespisedhim.

Shehadpermittedherselftotouchpitch,andithadofnecessityleftitsstain.Togoaboutnowandproclaimherrealsentimentstowardthemanwhoapparentlyhadbeenherfavorite,wouldseemtoothers,shethought,thequintessenceofmeanness.Shefeltthatshehadbeencaughtinthemeshesofanevilweb,andthatitwasuselesstostruggle.

Despairing,hopeless,hercheeksburningwithshameaswithafever,shesathourafterhourrefusingtoseeanyone.Shewouldnotgodowntosupper.Sheleftthefooduntastedthatwassenttoherroom.Shesatstaringatvacancyuntilherfacebecameadimpaleoutlineinthedeepeningtwilight,andfinallywaslostintheshadowofnight.Butthedarknessthatgatheredaroundthepoorgirl"sheartwasdeeperandalmostakintotheraylessgloomthatpositivecrimecreates,sonearlydidshefeelthatshewasassociatedwithonefromwhomherwoman"ssoul,pervertedasitwas,shrankwithinexpressibleloathing.

"Idaisinoneofherworsttantrums,"whisperedMrs.MayhewtoStanton;"Ineverknewhertoactsobadlyasshehasoflate.I

wouldn"thavethoughtthatsuchamanasyouhavefoundSibleytobecouldgainsogreataholduponherfeelings.Butlaw!she"llbealloveritinadayortwo.NothinglastswithIda,andleastofall,abeau."

"Well,"saidStanton,bitterly,"sheisdisgracingherselfandallrelatedtoherbyherinexcusablefollyinthisinstance.ThosewhopretendedtobeSibley"sfriendsatdinner,arenowtryingtowinalittlerespectabilitybyturningagainsthim,andthestoryofhisbehavioriscirculatingthroughthehouse.AllwillsoonknowthatheshotatVanBerg,andthathemadeinsultingremarksaboutMissBurton.ItwillappeartoeveryoneasifIdaweresulkinginherroomonSibley"saccount;andpeopleareusuallythoughttobenobetterthantheirfriends."

"Oh,dear!"halfsobbedMrs.Mayhew,"won"tyougouptoherroomandshowhertheconsequencesofherfolly?"

"No,"saidStanton,irritably;"notto-night.Iknowhertoowell.Shewilltakenoadvicefrommeoranyoneelseatpresent.

To-morrowIwillhaveonemoreplaintalkwithher;andifshewon"tlistentoreasonIwashmyhandsofher.WhereisUncle?"

"Don"taskme.Wasthereeveramoreunfortunatewoman?Withsuchahusbandanddaughter,howcanIkeepupappearances?"

Stantonwalkedawaywithagestureofdisgustandimpatience.

"Curseitall!"hemuttered;"andtheirshadowsfallonmetoo.

WhatchancehaveIwiththesnow-whitemaidenI"dgivemylifeforwhenfollowedbysuchassociations?"

ChapterXXX.TheDeliberateWooerSpeaksFirst.

Mr.Burleighwasoneofthosefortunatemenwhowhentheweatherisroughoutside——aswasoftenthecaseinhiscalling——canalwaysfindsmoothwaterinthedomestichavenofawife"sapartment.ThusMrs.Burleighsoonlearnedthecauseofhisperturbation;andassheknewJennieBurtonwouldhearthestoryfromsomeoneelse,couldnotdenyherselfthefeminineenjoymentofbeingthefirsttotellit,andofcongratulatingherontheknightlydefendershehadsecured;forthequarrelhadcomebeforeMr.BurleighinsuchaformastomakeVanBergtheprincipalintheaffair.

MissBurton"scheekflusheddeeplyandresentfullyassheheardthecircumstancesinwhichhernamehadbeenspoken,andshesaidwithemphasis:

"Mr.VanBergimpressedmeasachivalricmanfromthefirstdayofourmeeting.ButIwishhehadpaidnoheedtothewordsofsuchacreatureasMr.Sibley.ThathislifewasendangeredonmyaccountpainsmemorethanIcantellyou;"andshesoongrewsowhiteandfaintthatMrs.Burleighmadehertakeaglassofwine.

"Deathseemssuchaterriblethingtoayoung,strongman,"sheadded,shudderingly,afteramoment,andshepressedherhandsagainsthereyesasiftoshutoutavisionfromwhichsheshrank.

"Mayhenotstillbeindangerfromthisruffian"srevenge?"sheasked,lookingupinsuddenalarm.

"I"mafraidthathewillbe,"saidMrs.Burleigh,catchingtheinfectionofherfears."IwillhaveMr.Burleighseethatheiskeptawayfromthisplace."

Soonafter,asMissBurtonwaspassingthroughthemainhall-way,shemettheartist,andsteppingintooneofthesmallparlorsthatwasunoccupied,shesaid:

"Mr.VanBerg,Iwishtospeakwithyou.Iwishbothtothankyou,andtoaskafavor."

"Pleasedothelatteronly,"hereplied,smiling.

"Mr.VanBerg,"sheresumed,lookingintohisfacewithanexpressionthatmadehisheartbeatmorequickly,"yourlifewasendangeredonmyaccountthisafternoon."

"That"sapleasantthoughttome,"hesaid,takingherhand,"thatisifyouarenotoffendedthatIpresumedtobeyourknight."

"Itisadreadfulthoughttome,"sheanswered,earnestly;theninastrangeandexcitedmannersheadded:"Youcannotknow——deathtosomeisahorriblething——itpreventssomuch——I"veknown——letitcometotheoldandsad——Icouldwelcomeit——buttosuchasyou——OmercifulHeaven!Grantme,pleasegrantme,thefavorI

wouldask,"shecontinued,clingingtohishand."TheysaythismanSibleyisverypassionateandrevengeful.Hemaystilltrytocarryouthisdreadfulpurpose.Pleaseshunhim,pleaseavoidhim——inmercydo.I"vemorethanIcanbearnow;andif——if——"

andsheburiedherfaceinherhands.

"Andcanmypoorlifebeofsuchvaluetoyou,MissBurton?"heasked,inadeeplowtone.

"Ah!youcannotunderstand,"shesaid,withasuddenandpassionategesture,"andIentreatyounottoaskmetoexplain.Fromthefirstyouhavebeenkindtome.IhavefeltfromthedaywemetthatIhadfoundafriendinyou;andyourrisk,yourcareformeto-day,givesyouapeculiarclaimasafriend,butinmercydonotaskmetoexplainwhyIamsourgentinmyrequest.Icannot,indeedIcannot——atleastnotnow,inthisplace.Somethinghappened——Suddendeathinoneyoung,strong,andfullofhope,likeyou,seemstomehorrible——horrible.Inmercypromisetoincurnoriskonmyaccount,"shesaidpassionately,andalmostwildly.

"Mypoorlittlefriend,howneedlesslyfrightenedyouare!"hesaid,soothinglyandgently."There,Iwillpromiseyouanythingthatamanofhonorcan.Butawordagainstyou,JennieBurton,touchesmeclose,veryclose.AssaidtheEarlofKent,"Itinvadestheregionofmyheart.""

Shelookedupswiftlyandquestioningly,andthenasuddencrimsonsuffusedherface.Withastronganduncontrollableinstinctsheappearedtoshrinkfromhim.

"Kentservedonewhohadlostthepowertomakereturn,"shesaid,shakingherheadsadlyassheturnedaway.

"LetmereplywithKentagain,"heearnestlyresponded.""Youhavethatinyourcountenance"——inyourcharacter——"whichIwouldfaincallmaster";andIammastered,norcanIbeshakenfrommyallegiance.IcanatleastimitateKent"sfaithfulness,ifnothisobtrusiveness,intheserviceofhisking.Youhavealreadyclaimedmeasafriend,andsomuchatleastIshalleverbe.LetmewinmoreifIcan."

Shebecameveryquietnow,andlookedsteadilyintohisflushed,eagerfacewithanexpressionofsorrowfulregretandpainthatwouldhaverestrainedhimhadaten-foldstrongerandmoreimpetuouslovebeenseekingutterance,andbyagesture,simpleyeteloquentlyimpressive,sheputherfingertoherlips.Thengivinghimherhandshesaid,withstrongemphasis:

"Mr.VanBerg,IwouldvaluesuchaFRIENDasyoucouldbetomemorethanIcantellyou."

"Ishallbetoyouallthatyouwillpermit,"hesaid,gentlyyetfirmly."AsyounowappearIcouldassoonthinkofurgingmyclamoroushumanloveonasad-eyedsaintthathadsufferedsomecruelformofmartyrdomforherfaith,andthen,asthelegendsteach,hadbeensentfromheavenamongusmortalsuponsomeerrandofmercy."

"Yourwordsaretruerthanyouthink,"shereplied,thepallordeepeninginherface."Ihavesufferedastrange,cruelformofmartyrdom.ButIamnotasaint,onlyaweakwoman.Iwouldvaluesuchafriendasyoucouldbeexceedingly.Indeed——indeed,"shecontinuedhesitatingly,"therearepeculiarreasonswhyIwishwemightmeetasfriendsoccasionally.Ifyouknew——ifyouknewall——youwouldnotasktobemore.Canyoutrustonewhoiscloudedbysadnessandmystery?"

Hetookherhandinbothofhisandanswered,"JennieBurton,therecouldnogreatermisfortunebefallmethantolosemyfaithinyou.Iassociateyouwithallthatismostsacredtome.Everyinstinctofmyheartassuresmethatalthoughthemysterythatenshroudsyourlifemaybeascoldasdeath,itis,asfarasyouareconcerned,aswhiteassnow."

"Yes,andasfarasanotherisconcernedalso,"shesaidsolemnly."Yourtrustisgenerous,andIamvery,verygrateful.

Perhaps——possiblyImay——sometime——tellyou,foryouriskedyourlifeforme;and——and——thereisanotherreason.ButIhaveneverspokenofityet.Good-night."

"Stay,"hesaid,"Icannotbeginbeingatruefriendtoyoubybeingafalsefriendtoanother.IamashamedthatIhavebeensopreoccupiedwithmyselfthatIhavenotspokenofitbefore.Mr.

StantonresentedSibley"sinsultinglanguagemorepromptlythanI

did.Ihavebeenbaselyacceptingagratitudethatrightlybelongstohim,andIassureyouheisinfarmoredangerfromSibleythanIam."

Herbrowcontractedinasuddenfrown,andtherewassomethinglikeirritationinhertonesasshesaid:

"Dangeragain!andtoanother,formysake!MustIbetorturedwithfearandanxiety,becausealowfellow,truetohisnature,willbescurrilous?Mr.VanBerg,"shecontinued,withasuddenflashofhereyes,"areyouandMr.StantonquarrellingwithMr.

Sibleyonyourownaccount,oronmine?FromhenceforthIrefusetohavetheremotestrelationtosuchaquarrel.NoremarksofamanlikeSibleycaninsultme,andhereafteranyfriendofminewholowershimselftoresentthem,orhasaughttodowiththefellow,willbothwoundandhumiliateme."

"Aftersuchwords,MissBurton,"VanBergansweredwithasmile,"restassuredIshallavoidhimasIwouldapestilence.Butremember,IhavebeenasguiltyasStanton,yes,moreso;forStantonreceivedthefirstprovocation,andheisnaturallymoreimpetuousthanIam.ButIhavebeenthanked,aswellaswarnedandjustlyrebuked.Ithink,"headded,asifthewordscosthimaneffort,"thatifyouwillkindlyaskStantontohavenothingmoretodowithSibley,hewillaccedetoyourwishes;andwhateverhepromises,hewillperform."