If ever a man's pride
and self-respect received a mortal wound mine has to-day. And now
I feel with instinctive certainty, that Miss Burton will see the
truth just as clearly, and then my burden for life will be the
contempt of the two women whom I honor as I do my mother's name.
Well, there is no help for it now, my ship is on the rocks already."
He was greatly relieved to find that Ida was not at the table, but,
in spite of his best efforts, Miss Burton soon saw that something
was amiss, and that it was difficult for him to sustain his part of
the conversation. With her graceful tact, however, she was blind
to all she imagined he would not have her notice, and tried to
enliven both Mr. Mayhew and himself with her cheery talk--a vain
effort in each instance now.
"How slight and spirit-like she is becoming!" groaned Van Berg,
inwardly. "Great God! if I have wronged her, how awful will be my
punishment!"
"She loves him," was Mr. Mayhew's conclusion, "and from his manner
I fear he has given her reason. At any rate, for some cause, he
is in great perplexity and trouble."
After supper Van Berg stood near the main stairway, still conversing
with Miss Burton, when a light, quick step caused him to look up
and he saw Ida who had entered by a side door.
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