'Unhappy I—evil has come!'
And ere noon was passed she was taken to task by her father in the library, prompted by her mother, no doubt.
He drew her to him caressingly, and, interlacing his fingers upon her head, drew her soft cheek upon his breast.
'I think, Eveline,' said he, 'you may know by this time how well I love you.'
'I do, indeed, papa,' replied Eveline, in a low voice, but feeling her heart sink under this unusual prelude nevertheless.
'And yet you have been deluding me.'
'Deluding you—I, papa?'
'Yes.'
'Oh, how?'
'By encouraging—pardon me, not that—rather by permitting a visitor to encourage certain hopes. That, you know, it is impossible I should view with favour.'