Ruth's eyes, looking up at him, kindled with pride and admiration.
It warmed her heart to hear him speak thus, to have this assurance
that he was anything but the coward she had been so disloyal as to
deem him; no doubt she had been right in saying that it was his health
was the cause of the palsy he had displayed that morning; he was a
little wild, she knew; inclined to sit over-late at the bottle; with
advancing manhood, she had no doubt, he would overcome this boyish
failing. Meanwhile it was this foolish habit - nothing more - that
undermined the inherent firmness of his nature. And it comforted her
generous soul to have this proof that he was full worthy of the
sacrifice she was making for him. Diana watched him in some surprise,
and never doubted but that his offer was impulsive, and that he would
regret it when his ardour had had time to cool.

"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.