"Not exactly present,but I saw your face and his,and a stronger contrast I scarcely expect to see again.""You artists look at everything and everybody as pictures.""Now,Miss Mayhew,you are growing severe again.I don't carry the shop quite as far as that,and I have not been looking at you as a picture at all this evening.I shall make known the whole enormity of my offence,and the if I must follow Sibley,I must,but I shall carry with me a little shred of your respect for telling the truth.I had a faint hope that you and your father would come to-night,and I was looking for you,and when you came I watched you.I could not resist the temptation of comparing the Miss Mayhew I now so highly esteem and respect,with the lady I first met at this place.""Oh,Mr.Van Berg,"said Ida,in a low,hurt tone,"I don't think that was fair to me,or right.""I am confessing and not excusing myself,Miss Mayhew.I once very justly appeared to you like a prig,and now I fear I shall seem a spy;but after our visit to that old garden together,and your frankness to me,I feel under bonds to tell the whole truth.You said we were fated to misunderstand each other.I think not,for if you ever permit me to be your friend I shall be the frankest one you ever had;"at these words he felt her hand trembling on his arm,and she would not look up nor make any reply.
"Well,"said he,desperately,"I expect Sibley's fate will soon be mine.I suppose it was a mean thing to watch you,but it would seem a meaner thing to me not to tell you.I was about to speak to you,Miss Mayhew,when by another odd coincidence the orchestra commenced playing music that I knew would remind you of me.Iwas gaining the impression before you left the country that as you came to think the past all over,you had found that there was more against me than you could forgive,or else that I was so inseparably associated with that which was painful that you would be glad to forget the one with the other.I must admit that this impression was greatly strengthened by the expression of your face,and Ialmost decided to leave the place without speaking to you.But Ifound I could not,and--well,you know I did not.You see I'm at your mercy again."Ida was greatly relieved,for she now learned that he had discovered nothing in his favor,and that she was still mistress of the situation.
"I do not think you are very penitent;I fear you would do the same thing over again,"she said.
"Indeed,Miss Mayhew,when I first met you here I thought I would always do the right and proper thing,and I fear I thought some things right because I did them.I've lived a hundred years since that time,and am beginning to find myself out.Didn't you think me the veriest prig that ever smiled in a superior way at the world?""I don't think I shall give you my opinion,"she replied,averting her face to hide a blush and a laugh.
"No need.I saw your opinion in your face when you looked down at your programme half an hour since.""You are mistaken;I was thinking of myself at that moment,for Icould not help remembering what a fool I must have appeared to you on that occasion."He looked at her in surprise."Miss Burton was right,"he ejaculated,"I never shall understand you.""Was she talking about me?"asked Ida,in a low tone.
"Yes,and she spoke of you in the most complimentary way,as you did of her.Why the mischief you two ladies do not become the warmest friends is beyond me.Sit down here a little while,Miss Mayhew,for you are growing tired;"and she was very glad to comply.
As she made no effort to continue the conversation he resumed,"You haven't told me what my punishment is to be.""Are you so anxious to be punished?"she asked,looking up shyly at him.
"Well,my conscience troubles me greatly,and I feel I ought to do something for you in the way of expiation.""And so I gather that anything done for me would be such severe penance that your conscience would be appeased.""Now,Miss Mayhew,"he replied,looking earnestly into her face,"tell me truly,do you gather any such impression from my words and manner?"But she kept her eyes resolutely on the ground,and said demurely,"Such was the obvious meaning of your words.""Do you know why I am in the city?"he asked after a moment.
"I have not presumed to think why."