\"Touchofdyspepsia,likeenough.However,Sibleywillbehereinafewminutesandhewillcheerherup,neverfear.I\'mdisgustedwithherthatshetakessotothatfellow;foralthoughnosaintmyself,Ican\'tstomachhim.\"
AtthementionofSibley\'sname,VanBergfrowned,turnedonhisheelandwalkedaway.
\"IfStantonisrightaboutthatfellow\'spoweroverher,\"hemuttered,\"I\'lltearupthesketchImadethisafternoonandnevergiveheranotherthought.\"
ThemomentIdabecameconsciousofVanBerg\'sobservanteyesherlanguorpassedaway.Shehadscarcelyglancedathimwhileatdinner,butshehadfelt,bysomesubtlepowerofperception,thathewasfurtivelywatchingher,andshealsofelttherewasmoreofcuriositythankindlinessinhisregard.Withaninstinctasstrongasthatofself-preservation,shesoughttohidehersecret,andwhenafewmomentslaterthestagewasdriventothedoor,shewaspreparedtowelcomethemanshenowdetested,inordertoconcealherheartfromthemansheloved.
VanBerg,leaningagainstapillarnear,sawMr.Mayhewwithhissallow,listlessfaceandlifelesstreadmountthestepstogreethiswifeanddaughter;but,beforehecouldtakeIda\'shand,Sibley,insnowylinenandacoatfromwhichthestainsanddustofearthseemedeverkeptmiraculously,brushedpasthim,andseizingthedaughter\'shand,exclaimed: