He told them all, with the brief passionate eloquence which perfect joy inspires. Before half his narrative was over, Eva had crept into his arms, and Mrs. Carter was sobbing like a child. “And this lady is my own mother?” Ross leaned forward and kissed Eva’s forehead. “Yes, Eva, your unhappy, bereaved mother.” “Poor lady!” “She is waiting for you now.” Eva arose agitated and trembling. “I am ready; take me to my mother. Oh! how strangely the word seems; but my mother that was! how can I give her up!” “There is nothing to give up, Eva; but everything to accept.” “You—you have always been my father!” cried the girl with a sudden outburst of affection, “from the first moment I have loved you.” “And you will love me?” “Dearly, papa.” The girl gave a little joyous laugh. “Oh, what a dear, dear word, papa, papa!” “But there is one dearer yet, Eva.” “Yes, by-and-by I shall get used to it; but will she let me, I hardly dare.” “My sweet child, how little you know her. She is counting every moment till you come. I left her crying like a child.” “Poor lady, poor mamma.” The girl’s face brightened all over, as the word fell from her lips. She looked shyly at Ross, and whispered it again and again as if to familiarize herself with the sweet sound. He smiled and passed his hand over her head. “Come now, your mother is waiting.” Eva left the room and then Ross saw that his sister was crying bitterly. “What is the matter! Why are you distressed?” he asked. “Oh! I loved her so! She was like my own child. Now—now that other woman will take her from me.” “That she never will! Elizabeth understands too well all that you have done for her child.” “After all,” said the kind woman, brightening up like a child, “she _is_ my niece, and that is something.” “Besides, you forget that Elizabeth is your sister,” said Ross. “Mrs. Lambert my sister—mine! How strange it seems—such a beautiful, lovely lady.” Before Eva came down stairs, Mrs. Carter had begun to console herself; after all, it was something to have a niece like Eva, and a sister-in-law who had been for years a leader in society. Mrs. Lambert was indeed waiting with passionate impatience for a sight of her child. The flood of her own happiness fairly transfigured the woman. Her pride was all swept away; the calm force of her character had disappeared with the secret that she had guarded so well. She walked the room; she flung herself on the couch and wept the sweetest tears that had ever visited her eyes. She went to the window and looked longingly out. Would they never come? surely, surely more than an hour had passed.