Eva looked up a little surprised.
“He never declared any love for me Helen, dear,” she replied, faintly. “He does not love me; it is not likely he would.”
“Not love you?” asked Helen, with surprise.
“Oh, no!” she answered, “he never breathed one word about love to me.”
“But how has he treated you?” inquired Helen, with an astonished look.
“Gently and respectfully; oh, so very respectfully so painfully respectfully, Helen,” replied Evangeline, with more animation. “In all innocence, I am sure I arranged with him to meet me. I—I don’t think he asked me to do so—I am sure I do not recollect that he did. No, I was so very, very anxious to learn tidings of you, that, in fear of papa, I think I said I would come where I could hear what he had to communicate unheard by any one but myself. He always met me and treated me as one, oh, so far superior to himself; and now that we have all been thrown into such deep distress, he is yet more deferential and respectful than ever. Not distant, Helen, but as if he thought me a princess now, if I had been a lady before. Nay, he would not have deserted me and mamma, though we had have been thrust forth by the cruel officers into the street, for he said he would have provided a home for us”——
“A home!” echoed Helen, hoarsely; she believed the realization of her fears was coming now.
“Yes, with his sister Lotte—you know her well, Helen—she is very amiable, I believe; but you, who lived with her for some time, can best tell.”
Helen looked upon Eva perfectly astounded.
“This—this young man’s name is——?” she asked, pausing at the last word.