“Let me go now,” she said, preparing to leave the conservatory.
“Not till you have promised; not till your dear lips have once answered mine,” he replied, straining her to his bosom again, spite of her breathless protest. “Leave everything to me. Have no fear that your womanly dignity will suffer, or that I shall yield one jot of the independence that belongs to me.”
Eva had no heart to answer. She withdrew herself gently from his arms, and moved toward the door, pale and trembling; for, to her, it was a final parting. He followed her haughty and resolute.
CHAPTER XLIII.
HERSELF AGAIN.
Eva took refuge with Mrs. Carter, who still maintained her post in the drawing-room.
“Are you tired, Eva? Has anything happened to distress you?”
Eva turned, and saw Mr. Ross, whose low, fatherly voice was like a balm to her wounded self-love.
“I am a little tired, and all this bewilders me,” Eva replied, lifting her troubled eyes to his. “Ah, Mr. Ross, I have no real place here.”
“That is to be decided,” said Ross. “Come with me to the supper-room. A glass of wine will do no harm here.”
Ross was about to lead her away, when she uttered a faint exclamation, and clung nervously to his arm. Mrs. Lambert was making her way toward the hostess, and the very sight of her sent the proud blood to Eva’s cheek.