We were jesting, my dear. Mr. Van Berg and I did
not mean what we said."
"But I did mean what I said," replied the child, earnestly.
"Since only downright honesty," the artist resumed with a laugh,
"is permitted in this little group, so near nature's heart, I think
I must follow this small maiden's example, and stick to my original
statement. For once, Miss Burton, we have won the advantage over
you, and have proved that yours are the only insincere words that
have been spoken. But I know that if I stay another moment I shall
be worsted. So I shall leave the field before victory is exchanged
for another reverse."
As he turned laughingly away he saw--what he had not observed
before--that Ida Mayhew was sitting near. She was ostensibly
reading; but even his brief glance assured him that her downcast
eyes were not following the lines. Her face was so pale, so rigid,
so like a sculptured ideal of some kind of suffering he could not
understand, that it haunted him.
He had given but little thought to her for the past two days, and
indeed had rarely seen her. She had managed to take her meals when
he was not present, and on one or two occasions had had them sent
to her room, pleading illness as the reason.
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