Suddenly, as if a happy thought had struck him, he said a
little abruptly:
"I foresee that you and Miss Burton are destined to become great
friends. You have not yet learned what a lovely character she
possesses and how broad and deep are her sympathies."
Ida's silence caused him to turn and look at her, and he saw that the
light and color had faded from her face, but she said, emphatically:
"Miss Burton is even more admirable than you think her to be, if
that were possible."
"I am pleased to hear one lady speak so strongly and generously of
another. It is not usual. I shall do my utmost to make you better
acquainted with each other, and in this pleasant task am sure I
shall render you a very great service."
"Mr. Van Berg, I beg you will not," she exclaimed, hastily, and he
saw with surprise that she appeared painfully embarrassed.
"Pardon me, Miss Mayhew," he said; "I did not mean to be officious."
Ida saw no way of extricating herself save by promptly changing the
subject, and this she did; but she could not fail to observe that
her companion was hurt by her apparent unfriendliness towards one
on whom he believed he had bestowed the best a man could give.
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