"
What torture it was to see such a man present, and yet to feel that
he justly scorned her.
Excitement and her strong will kept her up for a long time, but as
the evening advanced despondency and weariness began to gain the
mastery. Sibley came to her and said: "Miss Ida, I have your hand
for the next waltz, but I see you are worn and tired. Let us go
out on the cool piazza instead of dancing."
Listlessly she took his arm and passed through one of the open
windows near. Van Berg had disappeared some time before, and there
was no longer any motive to keep up the illusion of gayety.
Hardly had she stepped on the piazza before she heard her father
say:
"Miss Burton, if it will give you any pleasure to know that you have
made this evening memorably bright to one whose life is peculiarly
clouded, you can certainly enjoy that assurance in the fullest
measure. You have kept your word and have not preached at me at
all; and yet I feel I ought to be a better man for this interview."
"O, Miss Ida," exclaimed Sibley, "this is the opportunity that I
have been wishing for all the evening. I cannot tell you how gladly
I exchange the glare of that room for the light of your eyes only.
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