"It were idle," said Ruth at last--not that she quite believed it, but that it was all-important to her that Richard should not be imperilled. "Mr. Wilding will prefer the bargain he has made."
"No doubt," growled Blake, "but he shall be forced to unmake it." He advanced and bowed low before her. "Madam," said he, "will you grant me leave to champion your cause and remove this troublesome Mr. Wilding from your path?"
Diana's eyes narrowed; her cheeks paled, partly from fear for Blake, partly from vexation at the promptness of an offer that afforded a fresh and so eloquent proof of the trend of his affections.
Ruth smiled at him in a very friendly manner, but gently shook her head.
"I thank you, sir," said she. "But it were more than I could permit. This has become a family affair."
There was in her tone something which, despite its friendliness, gave Sir Rowland his dismissal. He was not at best a man of keen sensibilities; yet even so, he could not mistake the request to withdraw that was implicit in her tone and manner. He took his leave, registering, however, in his heart a vow that he would have his way with Wilding. Thus must he--through her gratitude--assuredly come to have his way with Ruth.
Diana rose and turned to her mother. "Come," she said, "we'll speed Sir Rowland. Ruth and Richard would perhaps prefer to remain alone."
Ruth thanked her with her eyes. Richard, standing beside his sister with bent head and moody gaze, did not appear to have heard. Thus he remained until he and his half-sister were alone together, then he flung himself wearily into the seat beside her, and took her hand.
"Ruth," he faltered, "Ruth!"
She stroked his hand, her honest, intelligent eyes bent upon him in a look of pity--and to indulge this pity for him, she forgot how much herself she needed pity.
"Take it not so to heart," she urged him, her voice low and crooning --as that of a mother to her babe. "Take it not so to heart, Richard. I should have married some day, and, after all, it may well be that Mr. Wilding will make me as good a husband as another. I do believe," she added, her only intent to comfort Richard; "that he loves me; and if he loves me, surely he will prove kind."
He flung himself back with an exclamation of angry pain. He was white to the lips, his eyes bloodshot. "It must not be--it shall not be--I'll not endure it!" he cried hoarsely.
"Richard, dear..." she began, recapturing the hand he had snatched from hers in his gust of emotion.