I know you too well to doubt but that you will take
up this sacred duty and seek to perform it with the whole strength
of your manhood."
Never for a moment had Van Berg removed his eyes from Ida's face,
and her words and manner seemed both to awe and control him. As
she spoke, his expression became quiet and strong, and when she
concluded he came to her side and said earnestly:
"Miss Mayhew, since it is still possible, I will keep your respect,
for it is absolutely essential to me. God has indeed given you a
woman's soul, and he NEVER MADE A NOBLER WOMAN. You are a friend
in truth and not in name, and you have saved me from madly destroying
my own future, and perhaps the future of others, which is of far
more consequence. If I fail in obeying both the letter and spirit
of your words it will be because I cannot help myself."
Her face, which had been so sweet and luminous with her generous
impulse and noble thoughts, was growing very pale now, but she
rose and gave him her hand, saying with a faint smile that was like
the fading light of evening, "I knew you would not disappoint me;
I was sure you were worthy of my trust. Let the honest right be
our motto henceforth, and all will be well some day.
Pages:
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687