Eva’s pallor was startling. She clasped her tiny, jeweled hands over her heart to still its jealous throbbing, while she moaned:
“Oh, Ada, be frank with me! Do you love Rupert? Has his heart turned away from me to you?”
It seemed to her as if Ada really blushed, though she answered lightly:
“Don’t be such a little silly, my dear! Of course he loves no one but you, and never will as long as you remain single! But if you should marry your grand New York lover you would not mind if I learned to care for your old love and tried to catch his heart in the rebound, would you?”
“I—I—am afraid I should care very much—for I am a silly girl, as you say, Ada!” moaned poor Eva, in despair that was bitter enough to soften a heart of stone.
It must have softened Ada’s, for she said tremulously, stroking the golden head pillowed on her breast:
“There, there, darling, I was only jesting with you! I only regard Doctor Ludington as a dear friend, and it is only as such that I wish to meet him this evening. You are welcome to be present if you wish.”
“Can I believe her? How could she help loving him?” Eva thought, with secret bitter jealousy that she tried to hide under a careless smile as she faltered:
“No, no, I must not, cannot meet him—just yet! Besides, Reggie will be calling on me, you know. So you must send away your caller early that you may meet my guest.”
Thus it was that Ada’s visit kept alive in hapless Eva’s heart the cruel pain of her hopeless love.