\"Yourrathersentimentalfigureofspeech,Mr.VanBerg,showswhereyourerrorlies.MissMayhewandmyselfarenotpelluciddropsofdewthatyoulookthroughataglance.Wearewomen:andtheonethinginthisworldwhichmenneverwilllearntounderstandisawoman.I\'mgoingtopuzzleyoustillfurther.IamlearningtohaveaverythoroughrespectforMissMayhew.Iambeginningtoadmireherexceedingly,andtothinkthatsheisgrowingexquisitelybeautiful;andyetweresheherethisweekyouwouldfindthatI
wouldnotseekhersociety.Giveyourmindtoyourart,andneverhopetountanglethesnarlofawoman\'smind.Men,inattemptingsuchfolly,havebecomehopelesslyentangled.Takeawoman\'swordforit——whatyouseeyoucan\'treasonout.I\'venodoubtbutthatMissMayhewhasexcellentreasonsfordislikingme,andthefactthatyoucan\'tunderstandthemisnothingagainstthem.\"
\"MissJennie,\"saidVanBergresolutely,\"foronceIcannottakeyourwordforit.Youtwoladieshavepuzzledmeallsummer,andI\'llneverbecontenttillIsolvethemysterieswhichsobaffleme.Myinterestisnotcuriosity,butfriendship,tosaytheleast,thatIhopewilllastthroughlife.Youwilltellmesomedayallyourtrouble,andyouwillfeelthebetterfortellingme.\"
Shebecameverypaleatthesewords,andsaidgravely:\"Icannotpromisethat——Idoubtit.Youmayhavetotrustmeblindlytillyouforgetme.\"
\"Idonottrustyoublindly;Ineverwillforgetyou,\"hebegan,impetuously.