"Surely it is strange to give her, of all, a special privilege and confidence ?" Eveena was silent.

She could in no case have reproached me in words, and even the reproach of silence was so unusual that I could not but feel it keenly.

I saw at that moment that for whatever had happened or might happen I might thank myself; might thank the doubt I would not avow to my own mind, but could not conceal from her, that Eveena had condescended to something like jealousy of one whose childish simplicity, real or affected, had strangely won my heart, as children do win hearts hardened by experience of life's roughness and evil.
"I know nothing," Eveena said at last: "yet somehow, and wholly without any reason I can explain, I fear.

Eive, you may remember, has, as your companion, made acquaintance with many households whose heads you do not believe friends to you or the Zinta.

She is a diligent correspondent.