Ida's contradictory behaviour was as much a puzzle to
her as to him, and she deplored it scarcely less. But she insisted that
he should not trouble the girl by demanding explanations of her, as that,
by vexing her, would only make matters worse.
If, indeed, Paul had any disposition to take the attitude of an aggrieved
person, it vanished when he met Ida at the tea-table. The sight of her
swollen eyes and red lids, and the piteous looks, of deprecating
tenderness which from time to time she bent on him, left room for nothing
in his heart but a great love and compassion. Whatever might be the
secret of this strange caprice it was evidently no mere piece of
wantonness. She was suffering from it as much as he.
He tried to get a chance to talk with her; but Miss Ludington, feeling
slightly ill, went to her room directly after tea, and Ida accompanied
her to see that she was properly cared for, and got comfortably to bed.
After waiting a long while for her to come downstairs, Paul concluded
that she did not intend to appear again, and went off for a walk, in the
hope thereby of regaining something of his equanimity.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181