But believing that Eva never intended to marry him, she had let some romantic fancies creep into her mind along with admiration for his sparkling black eyes, broad shoulders, and musical voice. When the tempest of grief and disappointment was over she sat up and scolded herself. “Ada Winton, you have been a silly goose!” she cried, wiping her eyes. “Whatever made you even hope he could look twice at you, you little country mouse? Even if Eva hadn’t married him, he would have turned to some others of his set, rich and fashionable girls, not you, who have no wealth, but a pretty face and true heart. Now, don’t waste another tender hope on him, but put self aside, and try to teach Eva to love him as he deserves to be loved, not with the poor half-hearted fancy she is giving for his genuine passion.” The next morning she was calm and composed, and deceived every one with her superb acting. Mrs. Hamilton, who already thought her a charming girl, was more pleased than ever, and condescended to say graciously: “Really, all the West Virginia girls I have seen are beautiful and charming. It is no wonder my fastidious brother loved and married one.” She was anxious that the girl should accept Eva’s invitation to accompany her abroad, and wondered at her gentle refusal that she could not be coaxed into reconsidering. “She does not wish to go away from Doctor Ludington,” Eva said, with bitterness she could not repress. Ada did not try to defend herself, and the lady looked curiously from one to the other. The tone of bitterness in Eva’s voice reminded her of the angry accusations of Patty Groves the morning of her memorable call. Eva had promised to explain everything, with her father’s permission, but the truth was that he had sternly refused his consent. He did not know whether his sister could be brought to believe in Eva’s innocence as he did. He knew that circumstances looked very dark against her, and he preferred not to run the risk of telling Mrs. Hamilton, and have her betray everything to her stepson, and perhaps arouse a prejudice against Eva that would destroy all chances of the match on which he had set his heart. The day came when he bitterly repented his reticence, but now he was immovable to Eva’s entreaties. It was much better his sister should not learn the truth, he said. When he learned of the engagement and approaching speedy marriage he was delighted, and applauded himself for the reticence with which he had kept the secrets of Eva’s shadowed past. He did not believe that they could ever rise like unquiet ghosts to vex her brilliant future. Had he known of the presence of her cousins in New York he might have felt a little uneasy, but neither Eva nor her aunt had spoken to him of their visit. They did not even know whether they were still in New York. Without a thought of future disaster, he lent himself with eagerness to the preparations for Eva’s marriage.