there was no weakness in Ruth's nature. She knew how to endure. Diana,
bearing Richard not a tenth of the affection his sister consecrated to
him, was alarmed for him. Besides, her own interests urged the averting
of this encounter. And so she held in accents almost tearful that
something must be done to save him.

This, too, appeared to be Richard's own view, when presently - within
a few minutes of Blake's departure - he came to join them. They watched
his approach in silence, and both noted - though with different eyes and
different feelings - the pallor of his fair face, the dark lines under
his colourless eyes. His condition was abject, and his manners, never of
the best - for there was much of the spoiled child about Richard - were
clearly suffering from it.

He stood before his sister and his cousin, moving his eyes shiftily from
one to the other, rubbing his hands nervously together.

"Your precious friend Sir Rowland has been here," said he, and it was
not clear from his manner which of them he addressed. "Not a doubt but
he will have brought you the news." He seemed to sneer.

Ruth advanced towards him, her face grave, her sweet eyes full of
pitying concern. She placed a hand upon his sleeve. "My poor
Richard.. ." she began, but he shook off her kindly touch, laughing
angrily - a mere cackle of irritability.

"Odso!" he interrupted her. "It is a thought late for this mock
kindliness!"

Diana, in the background, arched her brows, then with a shrug turned