regarding her patiently, as if awaiting some remark.

"Surely you do not wish me to be present at this interview?" she
questioned, her voice slightly trembling.

"Not only that, but I desire your most earnest attention and calm reasoning
powers to be brought with you. You have not forgotten what I told you to
consider, Ruth?"

"No, Father."

She felt, though in a greater degree, as she had often felt in childhood,
when, in taking her to task for some naughtiness, he had worn this same sad
and distant look. He had never punished her nominally; the pain he himself
showed had always affected her as the severest reprimand never could have
done.

She looked like a peaceful, sweet-faced nun in her simple white gown, that
fell in long straight folds to her feet; not another sign of color was upon
her.

A calmness pervaded her whole person as she paced the softly lighted
drawing-room and waited for Kemp.

When he was shown into the room, this tranquillity struck him immediately.

She stood quite still as he came toward her. He certainly had some
old-time manners, for the reverence he felt for her caused him first of all
to raise her hand to his lips. The curious, well-known flush rose slowly
to her sensitive face at the action; when he had caught her swiftly to him,