"Ah, well!" responded the other. "She has chosen a nature now that--Oh
me!... Ruth, I shall speak to her mother! I am the only one who can.
I'll see Mrs. Morris some time this evening, and lay the whole thing out
to her as we four see it who have known one another almost from the one
cradle."

Ruth smiled sadly. "You will fail. I think the matter will have to go on
as it is going. And if it does, you must remember, Godfrey, we do not
really know but they may work out the happiest union. At any rate, we
must help them to try."

"If they insist on trying, yes; and that will be the best for Leonard."

"The very best. One thing we do know, Godfrey: Arthur will always be a
passionate lover, and dear Isabel is as honest and loyal as the day is
long."

"The day is not long; this one is not--to me. It's most lamentably
short, and to-morrow I must be gone again. I have something to say to
you, Ruth, that"--

The maiden gave him a look of sweet protest, which suddenly grew remote
as she murmured, "Isabel and her mother are coming out of their front
door."




II