"
"Oh, that it had been my privilege to answer," she sighed.
"You saved me when I was in far worse peril," he resumed in words
that flowed like a torrent. "You saved my honor, my manhood; you
saved me from folly that would have blasted my life. I owe far more
to you than to Jennie Burton, and I know at what cost to yourself.
Ida, I shall never hide anything from you. I came back last Monday
for my sketch-book, and I heard you say: 'It would be easier for
me to die than give him up for your sake, Jennie Burton.' Then
only I learned your secret; then for the first I understood your
self-sacrifice for the sake of honor and duty. Until then I thought
the struggle to forget would be on my part only. From that moment
never did a man honor a woman more than I honor and reverence you.
My mother gave me this ring and told me never to part with it until
I found a woman that I could love and honor even more than her,
and I never shall part with it till I put it on your hand," and
she had scarcely time to glance down, before she saw a diamond
glittering on her engagement finger.
"I gave up that which was life to me for His sake, and thus soon He
gives back to me far more," Ida murmured, and she rested her head
on Van Berg's shoulder with a look of infinite content.
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