The little golden head was very close to his breast while he uttered the words, and the next moment it drooped against him and nestled there with a confidence sweeter than all words. His arms went quickly round the yielding form and he bent his lips to hers, sealing their betrothal with a caress that recreated the whole world for them with its rapturous joy. Then he led his darling to the same seat they had occupied the day his declaration of love had been twice interrupted, and, sitting down together, with arms about each other, they fell into tender converse, little recking how fast the hours flew, or that the ball was over, until they saw the few people of the town who always attended to look on going home through the moonlighted grounds. “Heavens! we have been here over two hours, but it does not seem more than five minutes!” he exclaimed, looking at his watch. “I must go in at once. It is almost midnight,” Eva cried, in a little alarm, and rising to fly from him, but he walked by her side, saying: “I am going back with you. If there is any fault to be found, we will say that we are engaged and will be married soon.” “Oh,” she cried, in shy alarm, for they had not set the day yet. “Yes, we must be married soon,” he repeated tenderly. “My little Eva must not toil her life out here. She must have some one to love and care for her in a dear little home of her own. Now, good night, my little darling. You must dream of me, as I shall of you,” kissing her fondly in the shadows before they parted outside the door. He remained outside to smoke a cigar and revel in his happiness, while Eva hurried along the dim corridor to her own little room. Doctor St. Clair’s office door opened and he intercepted her, saying in a low, imperative tone: “I have been waiting for you. Come in; I must speak to you a moment. You need not hesitate. There is no harm coming in my office. Many of the young ladies come in here to make their reports.” “I am very sleepy. Will you please wait till to-morrow?” she faltered shrinkingly. “I cannot wait. Come,” he said so sternly that Eva followed him like a frightened child over the threshold. “Sit down,” pushing forward an easy-chair. “I--I don’t want to sit down, please,” she answered, just leaning for support against the back of the chair, and continuing nervously: “If you are going to discharge me, please say so at once, doctor, without scolding me, and let me go.” “Why should I scold you?” smiling. “For shirking my duty--dancing with the patients. But I really forgot all about it. I was talking, and--time slipped away so fast.” “You must have found Doctor Rupert very entertaining to remain out with him until so unseemly an hour,” grimly. “I--I did not know it was getting so late! I am very sorry,” Eva murmured, with a kindling blush.