“Dear, I know that Doctor Ludington is in New York—to tell you the truth, we have corresponded occasionally ever since he went away. Don’t turn so pale with jealousy, little Eva! I believe he only wrote for news of you—a sort of heart-hunger, you know! Have you ever seen him since he came here?”
The ice thus broken, Eva confessed everything.
Ada heard all about the two handsome lovers; the one she wished to marry but must not, the one she could marry and did not want.
“Oh, you poor, suffering darling! Are you still so set against your poor Rupert?”
“I can never, never marry him, though it breaks my heart!”
“I think you are wrong!” declared Ada, taking her former stand.
“I am sure that I am right, Ada! But, oh! I am so wretched I am almost tempted to take my father’s and aunt’s advice and marry Reggie, just for something to make me forget!” cried Eva so piteously that it made Ada’s heart ache. “Oh, Ada, do you believe that they are right? That the best remedy for my trouble is to marry another?”
“I do not know; I am sure I should not wish to try it in my own case,” declared Ada frankly. “But when I have seen this Mr. Hamilton I can judge better whether he could make you happy.”
“He is coming to-night, so you can soon decide,” cried Eva anxiously, starting as her friend added:
“Now, Eva, darling, I have something to ’fess,’ as children say. I wrote a note to Doctor Ludington requesting him to call on me here this evening, and he is coming. You will not mind my receiving him in some little reception room alone, will you, dear, if you do not wish to see him again?”