"Nay, he may some day unexpectedly become _my_ father too, as he has so wonderfully become yours," rejoined Eve, glancing archly at the glowing face of the delighted young man; "and then cousin Jack might prove too familiar and disrespectful a term." "So much stronger does your claim to him appear than mine, that I think, when that blessed day shall arrive, Eve, it will convert him into _my_ cousin Jack, instead of your father. But call _him_ as you may, why do you still insist on calling _me_ Powis?" "That name will ever be precious in my eyes! You abridge me of my rights, in denying me a change of name. Half the young ladies of the country marry for the novelty of being called Mrs. Somebody else, instead of the Misses they were, while I am condemned to remain Eve Effingham for life." "If you object to the appellation, I can continue to call myself Powis. This has been done so long now as almost to legalize the act." "Indeed, no--you are an Effingham, and as an Effingham ought you to be known. What a happy lot is mine! Spared even the pain of parting with my old friends, at the great occurrence of my life, and finding my married home the same as the home of my childhood!" "I owe every thing to you, Eve, name, happiness, and even a home." "I know not that. Now that it is known that you are the great- grandson of Edward Effingham, I think your chance of possessing the Wigwam would be quite equal to my own, even were we to look different ways in quest of married happiness. An arrangement of that nature would not be difficult to make, as John Effingham might easily compensate a daughter for the loss of her house and lands by means of those money-yielding stocks and bonds, of which he possesses so many." "I view it differently. _You_ were Mr.--my father's heir--how strangely the word father sounds in unaccustomed ears!--But you were my father's chosen heir, and I shall owe to you, dearest, in addition to the treasures of your heart and faith, my fortune." "Are you so very certain of this, ingrate?--Did not Mr. John Effingham--cousin Jack--adopt you as his son even before he knew of the natural tie that actually exists between you?" "True, for I perceive that you have been made acquainted with most of that which has passed. But I hope, that in telling you his own offer, Mr.--that my father did not forget to tell you of the terms on which it was accepted?" "He did you ample justice, or he informed me that you stipulated there should be no altering of wills, but that the unworthy heir already chosen, should still remain the heir." "And to this Mr--" "Cousin Jack," said Eve, laughing, for the laugh comes easy to the supremely happy. "To this cousin Jack assented?" "Most true, again. The will would not have been altered, for your interests were already cared for." "And at the expense of yours, dearest? Eve!"