“You might have left it long ago if you would but have accepted what I wished to do for you!” Eva answered reproachfully. “Forgive my foolish pride, dear,” laughed Ada quickly, and to turn the subject she spoke aloud a name that was always in their thoughts, though held back from the lips. “Dear, I know that Doctor Ludington is in New York--to tell you the truth, we have corresponded occasionally ever since he went away. Don’t turn so pale with jealousy, little Eva! I believe he only wrote for news of you--a sort of heart-hunger, you know! Have you ever seen him since he came here?” The ice thus broken, Eva confessed everything. Ada heard all about the two handsome lovers; the one she wished to marry but must not, the one she could marry and did not want. “Oh, you poor, suffering darling! Are you still so set against your poor Rupert?” “I can never, never marry him, though it breaks my heart!” “I think you are wrong!” declared Ada, taking her former stand. “I am sure that I am right, Ada! But, oh! I am so wretched I am almost tempted to take my father’s and aunt’s advice and marry Reggie, just for something to make me forget!” cried Eva so piteously that it made Ada’s heart ache. “Oh, Ada, do you believe that they are right? That the best remedy for my trouble is to marry another?” “I do not know; I am sure I should not wish to try it in my own case,” declared Ada frankly. “But when I have seen this Mr. Hamilton I can judge better whether he could make you happy.” “He is coming to-night, so you can soon decide,” cried Eva anxiously, starting as her friend added: “Now, Eva, darling, I have something to ’fess,’ as children say. I wrote a note to Doctor Ludington requesting him to call on me here this evening, and he is coming. You will not mind my receiving him in some little reception room alone, will you, dear, if you do not wish to see him again?” Eva’s pallor was startling. She clasped her tiny, jeweled hands over her heart to still its jealous throbbing, while she moaned: “Oh, Ada, be frank with me! Do you love Rupert? Has his heart turned away from me to you?” It seemed to her as if Ada really blushed, though she answered lightly: “Don’t be such a little silly, my dear! Of course he loves no one but you, and never will as long as you remain single! But if you should marry your grand New York lover you would not mind if I learned to care for your old love and tried to catch his heart in the rebound, would you?” “I--I--am afraid I should care very much--for I am a silly girl, as you say, Ada!” moaned poor Eva, in despair that was bitter enough to soften a heart of stone. It must have softened Ada’s, for she said tremulously, stroking the golden head pillowed on her breast: “There, there, darling, I was only jesting with you! I only regard Doctor Ludington as a dear friend, and it is only as such that I wish to meet him this evening. You are welcome to be present if you wish.”