It is a strange, unearthly devotion that
time only increases. I felt weeks since that I could worship her
as a saint far easier than I could love her as a woman, and I now
know the reason. It would indeed be an insult for any man to speak
to her of love and marriage, if he knew what I have learned to-day."
"Then poor Cousin Ik has no chance either," said Ida, with tears
in her eyes.
"No, I do not think he has, although she has learned to appreciate
him. She spoke of him as a 'true, noble-hearted gentleman,' and
such terms from the lips of a woman like Jennie Burton are better
than a king's title. As far as my complacent and deliberate wooing
of last summer is concerned, I believe that when it did not pain and
annoy her she was rather amused by it. She had seen the genuine
thing, you know, and thus I was the only one imposed upon by a
sentiment which at the time received the unqualified approval of
my infallible reason and judgment. The very superior Mr. Harold
Van Berg once declined your acquaintance, as you may remember. Take
your full revenge upon him now, for you see to what a battered and
dilapidated condition of body and mind he has been reduced.
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