CHAPTER XX.
DREAMS OF HAPPINESS.
“Oh, what will Doctor Rupert say to my being sent away in disgrace? Ought I to tell him all?” cried Eva anxiously, despairingly.
Miss Winton negatived the question vigorously.
“No; it would only stir up a scandal and involve your lover in a quarrel. ‘A still tongue makes a wise head,’ little Eva, but there are not many still tongues in this hospital. They are always wagging over other people’s business. So let us try to keep silent, even under wrongs and injuries, as long as possible. For what if we denounced this smooth villain who insults us, believing we cannot resent it, being poor and helpless? Well, he would simply deny the charges and try to villify our characters and make us out great liars, don’t you see?”
“Yes, I see, for I know already from a terrible experience how an innocent person may be slandered and discredited,” Eva answered, breaking down suddenly and sobbing in an abandonment of grief over her cruel fate.
It all rushed over her freshly again—the tragedy that had blighted her fair name with an indelible stain and exiled her from home, driving her mad with despair.
“Oh,” she cried, through raining tears, “I would almost rather die than go through such sorrows again.”
“Let us pray Heaven that you will not be called upon to endure any further trials,” her friend said encouragingly. “Now that you have won such a handsome, noble lover, your future life must be bright and sunny. You are weary and unnerved by what has occurred to-night. Now, try to forget the last unpleasant hour, and remember only that you have won a noble lover who will fill your whole future life with happiness. Try to get some sleep now, and in the morning I will take you over to my aunt in town, where you will be sure of a safe retreat until you are married.”
“Oh, Ada, how good you are to me! May Heaven grant me the power to repay you some day. I will pray that God will send you a lover as noble and handsome as mine,” cried Eva, embracing her with girlish fervor in a fond good night.