next minute he had dashed into a quaint tarantelle that instantly dispelled
the former spell of grandeur.

"An artist," said some one standing near.

"Something more," murmured Kemp, rising as he saw Ruth do so. He was about
to offer her his arm when Mrs. Merrill, a gently-faced woman, stepped up to
them, and laying her hand upon Ruth's shoulder, said rather hurriedly, --

"I am sorry to trouble you, Doctor, but Mrs. Levice--do not be alarmed,
Ruth dear--has become somewhat hysterical, and we cannot calm her; will you
come this way, please, and no one need know she is in the study."

"My family is making itself prominent to-night," said Ruth, with a little
catch in her voice, as they turned with Mrs. Merrill through the
conservatory and so across the hall.

"I shall be here, Doctor, if you wish anything," said Mrs. Merrill,
standing without as he and Ruth entered and immediately shut the door after
them.

"Stay there," he said with quiet authority to Ruth, and she stood quite
still where he left her. Mrs. Levice was seated in a large easy-chair with
her back to the door; her husband had drawn her head to his bosom. There
was no one else in the room, and for a second not a sound, till Mrs. Levice
began to sob in a frightened manner.

"It's nothing at all, Jules," she cried, trying to laugh and failing
lamentably; "I--I'm only silly."