And now, my friend, permit
me to say that your rather ardent words on one or two occasions
never deceived me for a moment. You mistook your warm sympathy
for love. I, who had seen and known the love of Harrold Fleetwood,
could not make such a mistake. You do love Ida Mayhew, and she is
worthy; and in no possible way could you do so much to add to my
happiness, now and always, as by aiding that beautiful girl develop
her new and beautiful life. Harold Van Berg, I would regard it as
an insult if you ever spoke to me of love and marriage after what
I have told you to-day. I shall always value your friendship very,
very much, for I am now alone in the world, and I think I have
found in you a friend in whom I can trust absolutely, and to whom
I could go in case there should be need. Probably there never will
be, for, in my simple, busy life, I have few wants. You may tell
Mr. Stanton what you think best of my story after I am gone. I
regret unspeakably that he should think of me as he does, for I have
learned to respect him as a true, noble-hearted gentleman. It is
one more of life's strange mysteries. Mr. Van Berg," she said,
springing up, "you have made to me one pledge that you can keep--only
one.
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