Mayhew, with the delicacy of a gentleman, had withdrawn out of
earshot as they conversed, but the warmth of Miss Burton's greeting
had suggested a thought that was exceedingly disquieting. As if
from a sudden impulse he went directly to the supper table, and
his quiet courtesy masked the closest observation.
Van Berg stood in his room a moment and fairly trembled with shame
and rage at himself. Then, with a bitter imprecation, he made the
brief toilet the dust of his walk required, and his face was so
stern and white one might think he was about to face an executioner
instead of Jennie Burton's blue eyes beaming with friendship at
least. The thought of discovering anything warmer in their expression
sent a mortal chill to her former wooer's heart. He expected to
meet Ida at the table, and the ordeal of meeting the woman to whom
he was pledged in the presence of the woman he loved was like the
ancient Trial by Fire.
"Curse it all," he muttered, "they both can read one's thoughts as
if they were printed on sign-boards. I was scarcely conscious of
what my ardent friendship for Miss Mayhew meant before she looked
me in the face and saw the whole truth, and she almost the same
as charged me with winning Jennie Burton's heart then throwing it
away, while in the same breath she hinted that I need not attempt
any such folly and meanness in her case.
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