Van Berg led her into a private parlor near. She certainly had grown very white and faint. But after a moment there came a flash of hope and eager expectation into her face that no words could have expressed. "His name--his name?" she gasped. Mr. Burleigh looked at her a second, and then said: "Stay quietly here, I'll bring him to you; and then, Mr. Van Berg, perhaps you and I might form an enormous crowd." "Had I not better leave you at once?" the artist asked when they were alone. "Wait a moment. I--I--am very weak. It cannot be--but hope dies hard." Trembling like a leaf, and with eyes aflame with intense, eager hope, she watched the door. A moment later Mr. Burleigh ushered in a middle-aged gentleman, who commenced saying: "Pardon me, Miss Burton, for not sending my name, but you would not have known it"--then the young lady's appearance checked him. The effect of his coming was indeed striking. It was as if a gust of wind had suddenly extinguished a lamp. The luminous eyes closed for a moment, and the face became so pallid and ashen in its hue as to suggest death. It was evident to Van Berg that her disappointment was more bitter than death. "Miss Burton took a long walk this afternoon," he said, hastily, "and, I fear, went much beyond her strength. Perhaps she had better see you to-morrow." "Oh, certainly, certainly; I will remain, if there is need," the gentleman began. By a strong and evident effort Miss Burton regained self-control, and said, with a faint smile that played over her face a moment like a gleam of wintry sunshine: "You strong men often call women weak, and we, too often, prove you right. As Mr. Van Berg suggests, I am a little overtaxed to-night. Perhaps I had better see you in the morning." "I am a transient guest, and ought to be on my way with the first train," said the gentleman. "My errand is as brief as it is grateful to me. Do not leave, sir," he said to Van Berg. "If you are a friend of Miss Burton it will be pleasant for you to hear what I have to say; and, I warrant you that she will never tell you nor anyone else herself." "May I stay?" he asked. She felt so weak and unnerved, so in need of a sustaining hand and mind that she looked at him appealingly, and said: "Yes. This gentleman cannot disgrace me more than I have myself this evening."