Friends
should be very frank when the occasion requires, or else they are
but acquaintances. I am going to be very frank with you to-day,
and if I err, charge it to friendship only. Ida Mayhew loves you,
Mr. Van Berg; she has loved you almost from the first; and now that
her life has become so noble and beautiful, I am greatly mistaken
if you do not return her affection. If this be true, what are you
offering me?"
"I HAVE given you, Miss Burton, my truth and loyalty for all coming
time. You may decline them now--you probably will--but you cannot
change my attitude towards you or alter my course. I shall not
attempt to hide anything from you. Indeed, to do so would be vain,
and I have never been intentionally insincere with you." Then he
told her of the freak of fancy that had led him to follow Ida to
the country in the first instance, and much that followed since,
making no reference, however, to her dark purpose against herself.
In conclusion he said: "Of late, for reasons obvious to you, she
has had strong fascinations for me, but above and beyond these
has been her influence on the side of all that's right, manly, and
true. I have never spoken of love to Miss Mayhew.
Pages:
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731