But after a moment he said quietly: "It is not the size of the
kingdom that makes its value, but what it contains. I hope you will
keep treasures of yours till you find some one worthy to receive
them, and I can scarcely imagine that such an idiot exists that he
would not retain them if he could. That is Fort Montgomery yonder,"
and he resolutely continued the story of its defence and capture,
until her father returned saying it was time to come down ad prepare
to land.
Ida had scarcely heard a word. Her heart almost stood still with
dread and foreboding, and like a dreary refrain the words kept
repeating themselves, "Oh, I'm punished, I'm punished. I thought
to win him from Jennie Burton, and my reckless words will now make
him true to her at every cost to himself. He knows that I must
have seen how he won the kingdom of her heart, and he'll keep it
now in spite of my love and something I thought love that I saw in
his face. Oh, my punishment is greater than I can bear; but it is
deserved, well deserved. If he had won my love first, what would
I think of the woman who tried to win him from me? She would have
suffered what I now must suffer. My bright but guilty dream is
over forever.
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