this was what kenyon said to himself; but his reluctance, after all, and whether he were conscious of it or no, resulted from a suspicion that had crept into his heart and lay there in a dark corner.obscure as it was, when miriam looked into his eyes, she detected it at once.
"ah, i shall hate you!" cried she, echoing the thought which he had not spoken; she was half choked with the gush of passion that was thus turned back upon her. "you are as cold and pitiless as your own marble.""no; but full of sympathy, god knows!" replied he.
in truth, his suspicions, however warranted by the mystery in which miriam was enveloped, had vanished in the earnestness of his kindly and sorrowful emotion. he was now ready to receive her trust.
"keep your sympathy, then, for sorrows that admit of such solace," said she, making a strong effort to compose herself."as for my griefs, i know how to manage them.it was all a mistake: you can do nothing for me, unless you petrify me into a marble companion for your cleopatra there; and i am not of her sisterhood, i do.assure you.forget this foolish scene, my friend, and never let me see a reference to it in your eyes when they meet mine hereafter.""since you desire it, all shall be forgotten," answered the sculptor, pressing her hand as she departed; "or, if ever i can serve you, let my readiness to do so be remembered.meanwhile, dear miriam, let us meet in the same clear, friendly light as heretofore.""you are less sincere than i thought you," said miriam, "if you try to make me think that there will be no change."as he attended her through the antechamber, she pointed to the statue of the pearl-diver.