Trembling with excitement, she unlocked a drawer and took out the treasured poems and read them again. “Oh, how sweet they are--sweeter every time I read them over!” she exclaimed, then started, with a wild tremor, adding: “The note! Why, the writing is the same--surely the very same! Oh, my silly heart! Are you going to jump out of my breast with rapture?” Her cheeks burned, her eyes shone, her hands trembled, as she compared the note with the verses, finding the writing identical in both. Apparently Doctor Rupert intended to throw off his disguise and permit her to identify him as her mysterious lover. The truth flashed over her mind, thrilling her with perfect joy. “Oh, I am the happiest girl in the world!” she cried, clasping the flowers and the poems to her breast with adoration. She had not heard her door open and close noiselessly a moment ago, the sound was drowned in the rustle of the papers she held; but suddenly the sense of an alien presence thrilled her with alarm, and, looking up, Eva saw a tall form standing at her side. Eva gave a gasp of surprise and sprang up, remembering that in the excitement of receiving the flowers and note she had forgotten to lock her door. “Do not be frightened. I only wish to ask you how you like your new room?” said a bland voice that somehow made her shiver. “Oh, Doctor St. Clair, how you frightened me! I--I like my room very well, but I thought my door was locked,” she cried nervously, moving a little back from him as he reached out to pat her hand in his familiar way. “It did not matter--no one will disturb you. I only looked in to see if you liked your new room. I like all my girls to be comfortable,” he answered, in the fatherly tone that always impressed all the new girls with his kindness. “I--oh--yes, it’s very comfortable,” Eva faltered, keeping her hands out of his reach and retreating as he approached, saying suavely: “What sweet flowers you have--love letters, also, perhaps!” “Yes--they are, and I was busy reading them,” she said a little defiantly; then, with returning self-possession: “Please go, doctor. You are very kind, but this is my private apartment. You should have knocked.” “I mean no harm, little Eva, but I must speak to you privately. You are so beautiful no one can see you without loving you!” “Hush--go!” she cried, in sudden consternation. “Not yet,” he answered calmly, and went on: “I came to make you an offer of my friendship. This position as an attendant is not worthy of you, my dear, and if you will permit me, I will send you away to school and educate you to take a better place--as my little friend and darling pet. What do you say, pretty one?” She was so young and so innocent she could not comprehend his villainy, or that his words meant all they did; but she trembled at the passion in his eyes and waved him back as he tried to embrace her, saying curtly: