When Rhoda came rushing into the room ten minutes later it was to find her brother seated by Evie on the sofa, and to meet two pairs of eyes which tried vainly to look calm and composed, but which were in reality so brimming over with happiness that the news was told without need of a single word.
“Oh!” she cried, stopping short and staring in astonishment. “Oh!” and then Evie struggled to her feet and held out wide, welcoming arms.
“Oh, Rhoda, I am never going to be unhappy any more. Harold won’t let me. He is going to help me all my life!”
“She is going to help me!” corrected Harold firmly. “I’m the happiest fellow in the world, Rhoda, and you must be happy too. Come and kiss your new sister.”
Rhoda gave a little sob of joy, and flew into Evie’s arms.
“My own sister! And I can take care of you always. I shall have a right, and you will not have to worry any more, or be anxious, or troubled. Evie, Evie, you can forgive me now, you can feel that I have not spoiled your life! You will be happy even if you are lame!”
“Yes, she will be happy—she has found a good man to take care of her!” said Mrs Chester, coming forward from the background, and taking Evie into a warm embrace. “My dear child, I thought, I hoped, it might come to this! Once upon a time I was afraid I might be jealous of Harold’s wife, but not you, dear, not you! That would be impossible. We owe you too much. You are welcome—a thousand times welcome! I am a rich woman indeed, for I have two beautiful daughters instead of one!”
Evie dropped her head on the broad, motherly shoulder and shed a tear of pure happiness and thankfulness.
“Tom was right!” she said to herself softly. “Tom was right—it was too early to judge! Good has come out of evil!”