"Wait a moment, Ida, please. I wish to speak with you--to ask your
pardon--to apologize in the strongest terms."
She would not break again her ominous silence, but continued on
with bowed head, up the steps, and through the hall. Stanton, to
save appearances before the guests who were near, walked at her
side, but her manner chilled and embarrassed him so greatly, that
only as she was about to enter her room did he again address her,
and now entreatingly:
"Ida, won't you speak to me?"
"No!" was her stern, brief response; and she locked her door against
him.
"Van," said Stanton gloomily, "I'd give a year's income if I had
not spoken to my cousin as I did last night. She'll never forgive
me. It seems as if my words had turned her into ice, she is so cold
and calm; and yet her eyes were red with weeping. I have strange
misgivings about the girl."
"Yes, Ik," said the artist, gloomily, "we have both made an
unpardonable blunder. If Miss Burton cannot thaw her out, I shall
not dare to try."
"With her usual perversity," replied Stanton, "she dislikes Miss
Burton, and I doubt if she will listen to her."
"I have great faith in her tact and genuine goodwill.
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