As her character seemed to unfold, Eive’s individuality became as distinctly parted from the rest as Eunane’s, though in an opposite direction.  Comparatively timid and indolent, without their fulness of life, she seemed to me little more than a child; and she fell with apparent willingness into that position, accepting naturally its privileges and exemptions.  She alone was never in the way, never vexatious or exacting.  Content with the notice that naturally fell to her share, she obtained the more.  Never intruding between Eveena and myself, she alone was not wholly unwelcome to share our accidental privacy when, in the peristyle or the grounds, the others left us temporarily alone.  On such occasions she would often draw near and crouch at my feet or by Eveena’s side, curling herself like a kitten upon the turf or among the cushions, often resting her little head upon Eveena’s knee or mine; generally silent, but never so silent as to seem to be a spy upon our conversation, rather as a favourite child privileged, in consideration of her quietude and her supposed harmlessness and inattention, to remain when others are excluded, and to hear much to which she is supposed not to listen.  Having no special duties of her own in the household, she would wait upon and assist Eveena whenever the latter would accept her attendance.  When the whole party were assembled, it was her wont to choose her place not in the circle, still less at my side—­Eveena’s title to the post of honour on the left being uncontested, and Eunane generally occupying the cushions on my right.  But Eive, lying at our feet, would support herself on her arm between my knee and Eunane’s, content to attract my hand to play with her curls or stroke her head.  Under such encouragement she would creep on to my lap and rest there, but seldom took any part in conversation, satisfied with the attention one pays half-consciously to a child.  A word that dropped from Enva, however, on one occasion, obliged me to observe that it was in Eveena’s absence that Eive always seemed most fully aware of her privileges and most lavish of her childlike caresses.  The kind of notice and affection she obtained did not provoke the envy even of Leenoo or Eirale.  She no more affected to imitate Eveena’s absolute devotion than she ventured on Eunane’s reckless petulance.  She kept my interest alive by the faults of a spoiled child.  Her freaks were always such as to demand immediate repression without provoking serious displeasure, so that the temporary disgrace cost her little, and the subsequent reconciliation strengthened her hold on my heart.  But with Eveena, or in her presence, Eive’s waywardness was so suppressed or controlled that Eveena’s perceptible coolness towards her—­it was never coldness or unkindness—­somewhat surprised me.