The mother ran, and all the daughters ran merrily after her.
The father remarked with pleasure, that love has a far more effectual power than fear, and all were soon seated in the carriage.
We will allow them to roll away, and will now pay a little visit to
LEONORE'S CHAMBER.
Leonore sate solitary. She supported her sick head on her hand. She had impelled herself to answer kindly the leave-taking kiss of her mother and sisters; she had seen how they sought to repress their joy before her; and she had particularly remarked a sort of half-concealed roguish joy in the glance which was exchanged between Eva and her mother, which had pained her. She had heard their happy voices on the stairs, and then the driving away of the carriages. Now they were gone; now all was still and desolate in the house, and large tears traced their way down Leonore's cheeks. She seemed to herself so forlorn, so uncared for, so solitary in the world!
At that moment the door was softly opened, a smiling face looked in, and a light fascinating figure sprang forward through the chamber towards her, kissed her, laughed, and glanced with roguish and ardent affection into her astonished face.
"Eva!" exclaimed Leonore, scarcely trusting her eyes; "Eva, are you here? How! whither came you? Are you not gone with the others?"
"No, as you see," returned Eva, embracing her, laughing, and looking quite happy; "I am here, and mean to stay here."
"But why? What is the meaning of it?" asked Leonore.
"Because I would much rather remain here with you than go anywhere else," said Eva. "I have bid Axelholm with all its splendours good day."