He did not tell her that hot words had been passed, after he had owned the truth of the story, though stoutly maintaining his daughter’s innocence. He did not wish her to know that he was likely to call Reggie out and fight him before the affair was settled. He thought it was bad enough for her to hear that her bridegroom had forsaken her. He was not prepared for her reception of his news. He looked for a fainting scene, that was certain; that was why he had desired Miss Winton to stay. It nearly broke his own heart to tell her the horrible truth. When he had gasped out the dreadful words he expected her clinging arms to drop from his neck, while she sank a dead weight on his breast. Nothing she could have said or done would have surprised him so much as her first eager words: “Oh, papa, then I shall not have to marry Reggie after all! What a load it takes off my heart!” “Eva!” Her arms tightened about his neck, her lips pressed his cheek warmly, as she murmured: “Dear papa, it is hard for you, but do not worry over me. I have been realizing that I made a great mistake, promising to marry Reggie. Love was so slow in coming I feared I might never find it, and that was unjust to poor Reggie. But you were all so pleased, so happy, I could not turn back. I had to go right on and make the best of it.” “My poor darling! But you do not realize that Reggie has made you a target for the world’s scorn.” “I can outlive it, cannot I, papa? But it is hard for you, dear, you had such pride in me! Oh, let me creep away and die somewhere, and never trouble you more, darling.” “That is nonsense, my child. Life has been hard and cruel to you, but you were not to blame. As for Patty Groves, I shall know how to punish her for her sin.” “Is auntie very angry with me, papa, dear?” “She was at first--with us both. She took Reggie’s part, because we had never taken her into our confidence. She was lying on the floor in a faint when I came up to you, but I sent her maid.” “Oh, go to her at once and make friends, papa. Then perhaps she will let me come to her, or she will come to me, and Ada will help me to tell her everything, so that she can believe me and love me again.” Ada Winton came forward and drew her from her father’s arms. “You are a brave little heroine, Eva. I love you more than ever. Go now to your sister, Mr. Somerville. I will care for our dear girl.” He went out, and then the friends wept in each other’s arms--the one from relief, the other from sympathy. “I am so glad, so glad,” was all the burden of the girl’s cry while the world thought she was disconsolate. And by and by Mrs. Hamilton, disheveled and tearful, rushed into the room and took her into her arms. “Poor darling, how you have suffered! How much you have gone through!” she cried, in passionate sympathy. “Oh, auntie, you believe in me after all you have heard?” incredulously.