the lawn beyond. There was a wicket gate that stood unlatched, and
availing himself of this Sir Rowland tethered his horse in the lane
and threading his way briskly through the orchard came suddenly upon
the girls. Their laughter reached him as he advanced, and told him
they could know nothing yet of Richard's danger.

On his abrupt and unexpected apparition, Diana paled and Ruth flushed
slightly, whereupon Sir Rowland might have bethought him, had he been
book-learned, of the axiom, "Amour qui rougit, fleurette;amour qui plit,
drame du coeur."

He doffed his hat and bowed, his fair ringlets tumbling forward till
they hid his face, which was exceeding grave.

Ruth gave him good morning pleasantly. "You London folk are earlier
risers than we are led to think," she added.

"`Twill be the change of air makes Sir Rowland matutinal," said Diana,
making a gallant recovery from her agitation.

"I vow," said he, "that I had grown matutinal earlier had I known what
here awaited me."

"Awaited you?" quoth Diana, and tossed her head archly disdainful.
"La! Sir Rowland, your modesty will be the death of you." Archness
became this lady of the sunny hair, tip-tilted nose, and complexion
that outvied the apple-blossoms. She was shorter by a half-head
than her darker cousin, and made up in sprightliness what she lacked
of Ruth's gentle dignity.The pair were foils, each setting off the
graces of the other.