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it as so many others had been。
The change of seats having been effected； she scarcely thought it
necessary to turn her back upon him while sitting at such a dim
distance。 Indeed she was inclined to regret the change； for now
her toilet and little airs； which she imagined to be so pretty；
would be lost upon him。
It would seem that they were； for Van Berg ate his dinner as quietly；
and chatted as unconcernedly to those about him as if she had no
existence。 Never had a man ignored her so completely before； and
she felt that she could never forgive him。
After the event of the day was over； and the guests were circling
and eddying through the halls and parlors and out on the piazza；
Ida still had the annoyance of observing that Van Berg was utterly
oblivious of her as far as she could perceive。 He spoke here and
there with the ease and freedom of one familiar with society； and
she saw more eyes following his tall form approvingly than were
turned towards herself。 Few gentlemen remained at the house during
the week； and Miss Mayhew was not a favorite with her own sex。
Those who most closely resembled her in character envied rather
than admired her； and those who were better endowed and developed
found fault even with her beauty from a moral point of view； as
Van Berg had on artistic grounds。 She consoled herself； however；
with the thought that it was Saturday； and that the evening boat
and trains would bring a number of gentlemen； among whom she told
Stanton； exultantly； that she had 〃some friends〃moths rather
whose wings were in danger of being singed。
As the afternoon was not sultry； Stanton had said to his friend
that they could enjoy their cigars and a ride at the same time； and
that he would drive around for him in a few minutes。 Ida overheard
the remark； and； quietly slipping off to her room； returned with
her hat and shawl。 As her cousin approached she hastened down the
steps； past Van Berg； exclaiming：
〃Oh； thank you； Ik！ How good of you！ I was dying for a ride。
Don't trouble yourself。 I can get in without aid；〃 and she sprang
lightly into the buggy before her cousin could utter a word。
He turned with a look of comic dismay and deprecation to his friend；
who stood laughing on the steps。 Ida； also； could not resist
her inclination to catch a glimpse of the artist's chagrin and
disappointment； but she was provoked beyond measure to find him
acting as if Stanton were the victim rather than himself。 As the
sweep of the road again brought them in view of the piazza； this
impression was confirmed by seeing Van Berg stroll carelessly away；
complacently puffing his cigar as if he had already dismissed her
from his mind。
〃Really；〃 grumbled Stanton； 〃I never had beauty and happiness thrust
upon me so unexpectedly before。〃
〃Very well then；〃 retorted Ida； 〃stop your horses and thrust me
out into the road。 I'd rather go back； even if I have to walk。〃
〃Oh； no！ there is to be no going back for two hours or more。 I
once cured a horse of running away by making him run long after he
wanted to stop。〃
〃You seem to be learning your friend's hateful manners。〃
〃I asked you this morning if you would take a drive； and you
declined。〃
〃I changed my mind。〃
〃Very abruptly； indeed； it seemed。 Since you took so much touble
to annoy my friend； it's a pity you failed。〃
〃I don't believe I failed。 He's probably as cross as you are about
it； only he can keep it to himself。〃
〃Dove…like creatiah！ thanks。 Will you please drive while I light
a cigar？〃
〃I don't like any one to smoke as near me as you are。〃
〃If your theory in regard to Van Berg is correct； none of us will
enjoy what we like this afternoon。 Of course I never smoke without
a lady's permission； but unless quieted by a cigar； I am a very
reckless driver；〃 and he enforced his words by a sharp crack of
the whip； which sent the horses off like the wind。
〃Oh； stop them； smoke； do anything hateful you wish； so you don't
break my neck。 I will never ride with you again； and I wish I had
never come to this horrid place； and if your sneering painter does
not leave soon； I will。〃
〃I'm afraid Van would survive； and you only suffer from your spite。
But come； since you have so sweetly permitted me to smoke； I'll
make your penance as light as possible； and then we will consider
matters even between us；〃 and away they bowled up breezy hills and
down into shady valleys； Stanton stolidly smoking； and Ida nursing
her petty wrath。 Two flitting ghosts hastening to escape from the
light of day； could not have seen less； or have felt less sympathy
with the warm beautiful scenes through which they were passing。
There is no insulation so perfect as that of small； selfish natures
preoccupied with a pique。
When； late in the afternoon； her cousin； with mock politeness； assisted
her to alight at the entrance of the hotel； Ida was compelled to
feel that she had indeed been the chief victim of her own spite。
but； with the usual logic of human nature； she never thought of
blaming herself； and her resentment was chiefly directed against
the man whose every word and glance； although he was but a stranger；
had seemed to possess a power to annoy and wound from the first。
She felt an almost venomous desire to retaliate； but he appeared
invulnerable in his quiet and easy superiority； while she； who
expected； as a matter of course； that all masculine thoughts should
follow her admiringly； had been compelled to see that his critical
eyes had detected that in her which had awakened his contempt。
〃I'll teach him this evening； when my gentlemen friends arrive；
how ridiculous are his airs；〃 she muttered； as she went to her room
and sought to enhance her beauty by all the arts of which she was
the mistress。 〃I'll show him that there are plenty who can see
what he cannot； or will not。 Because he is an artist； he need not
think he can face me out of the knowledge of my beauty； the existence
of which I have been assured of by so many eyes and tongues ever
since I can remember。〃
When she came down to await the arrival of the stages and carriages；
she was indeed radiant with all the beauty of which she was then
capable。 Her neck and shoulders； with their exquisite lines and
curves； were more suggestively revealed than hidden by a slight
drapery of gauze…like illusion； and her white rounded arms were
bare。 She trod with the light airy grace of youth； and yet with
the assured manner of one who is looking forward to the familiar
experiences of a reigning belle。
Van Berg； from his quiet corner of observation； was compelled to
admit that； seen at her present distance； she almost embodied his
best dreams； and might do so wholly were there less of the fashionable
art of the hour； and more of nature in her appearance。 But he knew
well that if she came nearer； and spoke so as to reveal herself；
the fatal defect