Beyond the City - Page 22/92

She was herself, she thought, outside the pale of love. But it was very different with

Ida, merry, little, quick-witted, bright-faced Ida. She was born for

love. It was her inheritance. But she was young and innocent. She

must not be allowed to venture too far without help in those dangerous

waters. Some understanding there was between her and Harold Denver. In

her heart of hearts Clara, like every good woman, was a match-maker, and

already she had chosen Denver of all men as the one to whom she could

most safely confide Ida. He had talked to her more than once on the

serious topics of life, on his aspirations, on what a man could do to

leave the world better for his presence. She knew that he was a man of

a noble nature, high-minded and earnest. And yet she did not like this

secrecy, this disinclination upon the part of one so frank and honest

as Ida to tell her what was passing. She would wait, and if she got the

opportunity next day she would lead Harold Denver himself on to this

topic. It was possible that she might learn from him what her sister had

refused to tell her.