But since he could not keep her always he had smiled on Hamilton’s suit, believing it would be for Eva’s good to wed him, and thus break forever with her painful past.
Never till this moment had a cry of regret escaped her lips; never before had she shown him her aching heart.
The tender, loving nature yearning for sympathy in her sorrow could not bear her burden alone.
As she only sobbed in answer to his last words, he added sadly:
“You have seen him again, Eva. I heard that he had brought you home, and I knew some time ago that he was filling Doctor Noel’s place at the —— Hospital while he went abroad.”
“You knew—and never told me, papa.”
“You had said long ago, my daughter, that you wished never to hear his name spoken again.”
“Yes, I remember it now,” faintly.
“Have you changed your mind on the matter now?”
“No, papa,” she faltered sorrowfully. “I can never forget how it would have grieved grandfather if I had married a Ludington.”