As the word came, she sank down in a chair, bent her head on the table,
and burst into a storm of tears.

"The devil's in it!" shouted her father, and bounced out of the room.

No sooner had the door slammed behind him than the stranger's face
became transfigured.

He stood up and laid a hand softly on the girl's head.

"Ruby!"

She did not look up. Her shoulders were shaken by one great sob after
another.

"Ruby!"

He took the two hands gently from her face, and forced her to look at
him. His eyes were alight with the most beautiful smile.

"For pity's sake," she cried out, "don't look at me like that.
You've looked me through and through--you understand me. Don't lie with
your eyes, as you're lying now."

"My dear girl, yes--I understand you. But you're wrong. I lied to get
you: I'm not lying now."

"I think you must be Satan himself."