And she, poor girl, seemed to feel herself left most terribly alone with all her sorrow--alone amid her loving family and splendid surroundings, and with Evan's words of love lingering in her ear she was soon bidden to school herself to think of Sir Paget, and Sir Paget Puddicombe only! 'The human creature,' it has been written, 'who would have suited us to every fibre of our being we have not found, or, having found, have not possessed; but (perhaps) undervalued, and so allowed to pass out of our lives.' These two suited each other 'to a fibre,' as our author quaintly puts it, and in perfect unanimity of sentiment; and yet for all that they may be compelled to pass out of each other's lives, and live those lives far, far apart. Under her mother's scrutiny Eveline strove hard to dissemble, and on receiving her morning kiss said, 'Well, mamma, no evil has come of the wearing the diamonds--Dundargue has not taken fire.' 'No, child--indeed, good has come!' 'How, mamma?' 'This morning's mail has brought an enclosure for you--the formal proposal of Sir Paget.' Eveline was stricken dumb, but thought to herself, 'Unhappy I--evil _has_ come!' And ere noon was passed she was taken to task by her father in the library, prompted by her mother, no doubt. He drew her to him caressingly, and, interlacing his fingers upon her head, drew her soft cheek upon his breast. 'I think, Eveline,' said he, 'you may know by this time how well I love you.' 'I do, indeed, papa,' replied Eveline, in a low voice, but feeling her heart sink under this unusual prelude nevertheless. 'And yet you have been deluding me.' 'Deluding you--I, papa?' 'Yes.' 'Oh, how?' 'By encouraging--pardon me, not that--rather by permitting a visitor to encourage certain hopes. That, you know, it is impossible I should view with favour.' 'You mean--you mean----' stammered Eveline, recalling the episode in the corridor. 'Evan Cameron.' 'He is gone,' said she, with difficulty restraining her tears. 'To darken the door of Dundargue no more! Not that I have any fault to find with poor Cameron--a brave fellow who has won his V.C., and is a Black Watchman to boot; but he is Laird of Stratherroch only in name; his purse does not come up to the requisite standard, and may never do so till both your heads are grey; but he is gone, as you say, and we shall think of him no more. I have other brighter, better, and richer views for you, my dear child, and I hope you will not disappoint us all. Sir Paget loves you, and you will think seriously over all this?' 'How can I do otherwise, papa?' was the dubious response, and the girl stole away to her own room. So wearing the diamonds seemed only to be bringing about a sudden crisis in the affairs of herself and the banished Evan Cameron, for such she deemed him.