第26章 Glimpses of Tragedy.(3)

"I am inclined to think that Mr.Van Berg's English,like Hebrew,reads backwards.I warn you Mr.Stanton,not to express any indebtedness to me,or I shall straightway exhibit one of the Yankee traits which you undoubtedly detest,and attempt a bargain.""Although assured that I shall get the worst of this bargain,Ishall nevertheless heartily thank you that you were not only 'at hand,'but that you acted so promptly and courageously that the child was saved.What pleasure could I have taken with my horses if their feet had trampled that little boy?""I see my opportunity,"replied Miss Burton,with a decisive little nod."Your afternoon drives might have been marred by unpleasant thoughts as one's sleep is sometimes disturbed by bad dreams.You have no idea what a delight it is to the average New England mind,Mr.Stanton,to secure the vantage ground in a bargain.In view of your own voluntary admissions,you can scarcely do otherwise than let me have my own way."With the exception of the two or three who had formed Miss Burton's acquaintance at dinner,those who at first had gathered around her had by this time dwindled away.Ida Mayhew sat near in an open window of the parlor,ostensibly reading a novel,but in reality observant of all that occurred.Both she and Van Berg had been amused by the fact that Stanton,usually so languid and nonchalant,had been for once thoroughly aroused.Between anger at his coachmen,alarm for the child,and interest in its preserver,he was quite shaken out of his wonted equanimity,which was composed equally of indolent good-nature,self-complacency,and a disposition to satirize the busy,earnest world around him.It was apparent that he was somewhat nonplussed by Miss Burton's manner and words,and those who knew him well enjoyed his perplexity,although at a loss themselves to imagine what object Miss Burton could have in view.

Half unconsciously Van Berg turned his smiling,interested face towards Ida Mayhew,who was regarding her cousin with a similar expression,but the moment she caught the artist's eyes she coldly dropped her own to her book again.

"Well,Miss Burton,"said Stanton,with a slightly embarrassed laugh,"I admit that I am cornered,so you can make your own terms.""They shall be grievous,I assure you.Do you see that rueful face in your carriage yonder?""That of my coachman?Bad luck to his ill-omened visage!Yes.""No need of wishing bad luck to any poor creature--it will come only too soon without.In view of the indebtedness--which you have so gracefully acknowledged--to one of that trading and thrifty race that never loses an opportunity to turn,if not a penny more or less honest,why,something else,to their advantage,I stipulate that you give your dependent there another chance.I heard you dismiss him from your service a short time since,and he evidently does not wish to go.His disconsolate face troubles me;so please banish his dismal looks,and he'll be more careful hereafter.""And have you had time to see and think about him?"said Stanton,with a little surprise in his tone."You shall banish his dismal looks yourself.Barney,"he called,"drive close to the piazza here.This lady has probably saved you from arrest,and she now intercedes in your behalf.In compliance with her request,I will keep you in my service,but I wish you to thank her and not me."Barney took off his hat and ejaculated:"May yees shadder niver grow less,me leddy,an'may the Powers grant that yees bright eyes may see no trouble o'their own,bain they're so quick to see a poor man's bad luck."The smiling manner with which she acknowledged his good wishes seemed to warm the man all over,and he looked as if transformed as he drove back to his stand.

"How is this,Miss Burton?"said Stanton."I feel as if I had had the best of this bargain.""That impression is wholly due to my Yankee shrewdness;and now,having gained my point,"she added,with a graceful inclination,"I will not keep you from your drive any longer.""My conscience will not permit me to complete this transaction until I have assured you that my horses and carriage are at your service at any time.""Be careful;I may take advantage of you again.""Please do so,"replied Stanton,lifting his hat;and then he went to his carriage more surprised at himself than at anything else that had occurred.Miss Burton returned to the doorway and quietly resumed the conversation that had been interrupted by the peril of the child.

Van Berg was about to follow his friend,but an acquaintance coming up the steps,detained him a few moments.

"Oh,Harold,come!"cried Stanton,impatiently.

Miss Burton started violently.The sentence upon her lips was never finished,and her face became ashen in color.She looked at Van Berg with a strange expression as he,unconscious of her agitation,answered:

"Yes,I'm coming,"and moved away.

"My dear Miss Burton,"said the lady with whom she was speaking,"you are ill;you look ready to faint.This excitement has been a greater strain upon you than you have realized.""Perhaps I had better go to my room,"faltered the young lady;and she fled with a precipitancy that her companion could not understand.

Ida Mayhew also witnessed this unexpected bit of mystery,and it puzzled her not a little.She had left the parlor and was standing in the hall-way when her cousin's voice summoned his friend after his familiar fashion.Why should this stranger look at Mr.Van Berg as if the sound of his Christian name were a mortal wound?Or was that a mere coincidence--and in reaction from excitement and unwonted effort had she suddenly taken ill?For a wonder,she thought more about Miss Burton than herself that afternoon.She had decided from the first that she did not like this new-comer.

That point had been settled by the fact that the artist's first impressions concerning her had evidently been favorable,and she remembered that his earliest glances and words in regard to herself had been anything but complimentary.