Meanwhile Eva had flung herself, sobbing, into her aunt’s arms.
“To—to—think of having such shocking relatives,” she wailed.
Mrs. Hamilton soothed her tenderly, replying:
“Miss Groves was quite handsome and well-dressed, my dear, though the old maid was rather ridiculous in speech and dress.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t mind that if she only had a good heart, auntie,” sobbed Eva. “It’s the kind heart I look for always, and that may beat behind an uncouth exterior and under the coarsest gown! But those two vile hypocrites! Oh, I would like to tell you how wickedly they treated me before papa found me and brought me away! Some day, with his permission, I will tell you all!”
“Very well, dear; but now you are so excited I must give you a sedative or we shall have to call in Doctor Ludington again, as your cousin suggested,” Mrs. Hamilton remarked rather wickedly, as she rang for a servant and the medicine.
Eva swallowed it without protest, though she had crimsoned painfully at the reference to Doctor Ludington. She thought:
“What strange thoughts auntie must have of me after the vile innuendoes of my wicked cousins! I must obtain papa’s permission to tell her my story. She deserves it for her generous loyalty to me!”
Aloud she said:
“I hope this sedative will quiet my nerves, for my dear friend Ada will arrive this evening, and I want to feel well enough to enjoy her company! Only think, what a lovely winter we shall have with dear Ada for a guest! She is very beautiful, you know, auntie, and—perhaps—she may console Reggie for losing me.”