Chapter XXII. A Vain Wish.
As the witch-hazel is believed to have the power of indicating
springs of water however far beneath the surface, so Miss Burton,
by a subtle affinity, seemed to become speedily conscious of the
sorrows and troubles of others, even when sedulously hidden from
general observation.
She discovered that something was amiss with Ida almost as soon as
did the troubled girl herself; but for once her quick perception
of causes failed her. She had explained Ida's apparent antipathy
to Van Berg on the ground of the natural resentment of a frivolous
society girl toward the man who had, by his manner and character,
asked her to think and be a woman. It appeared to her, from her
limited acquaintance, that Ida was developing into the counterpart
of her mother; and for such a person as Mrs. Mayhew, Van Berg could
never have anything more than polite toleration.
Miss Burton was aware that the artist's manner toward Ida had
indeed been humiliating. During the previous week he had sought
her society; but in the emphatic language of his action, he had
almost the same as said of late:
"Even for the sake of your beauty I cannot endure your shallowness
and moral deformity.
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