Fashionable New York society could scarcely credit what they read.
That sweet, innocent-looking young girl, it could not possibly be true! There must be some mistake. Perhaps the jealous cousin had slandered the lovely bride.
Excitement ran high all the morning, and everybody was wondering how poor Eva took the tragic affair. No one could have believed that it was one of the happiest moments of her life when her stricken father told her of Reggie’s visit and furious severance of the marriage engagement.
He did not tell her that hot words had been passed, after he had owned the truth of the story, though stoutly maintaining his daughter’s innocence. He did not wish her to know that he was likely to call Reggie out and fight him before the affair was settled.
He thought it was bad enough for her to hear that her bridegroom had forsaken her. He was not prepared for her reception of his news. He looked for a fainting scene, that was certain; that was why he had desired Miss Winton to stay.
It nearly broke his own heart to tell her the horrible truth. When he had gasped out the dreadful words he expected her clinging arms to drop from his neck, while she sank a dead weight on his breast.
Nothing she could have said or done would have surprised him so much as her first eager words:
“Oh, papa, then I shall not have to marry Reggie after all! What a load it takes off my heart!”
“Eva!”
Her arms tightened about his neck, her lips pressed his cheek warmly, as she murmured: