“Do tell us what makes you so anxious, Mr. Ross——”
The girl broke off with a cry of dismay, for Ross had flung his arms around her, and was straining her to his heart with wild vehemence.
“My child! My darling! My own, own beautiful child!”
The man was raining kisses upon her forehead, which was wet with his tears.
Mrs. Carter started up, and with her two shaking hands attempted to tear the man and girl apart.
“Herman! Herman! Are you crazy? And she under this roof, under my care! Give her up, I say!”
Ross still held the girl close; but lifted his head, and looked his angry sister in the face. He could not speak, though his tremulous lips moved, and his eyes were flooded. The woman’s voice softened.
“Herman, what does this mean?”
“It means, my sister, that as God has been merciful, I believe this girl to be my own child!”
The man was trembling from head to foot. He put Eva’s face back from his bosom, and looked tenderly down upon it.