"He has other views for Ruth," said Mrs. Denham coldly.

"Other views!" repeated Lynde, paling. "I thought her free."

"She is not free in that sense."

The assertion Ruth had made to him the previous day on the mountain
side, to the effect that she had never known any gentleman as intimately
as she had known him, flashed across Lynde's memory. If Mr. Denham had
views for her, certainly Ruth was either ignorant of them or opposed to
them.

"Is Miss Ruth aware of Mr. Denham's intentions regarding her?"

"I must decline to answer you, Mr. Lynde," said Mrs. Denham, rising with
something like haughtiness in her manner.

"You are right. I was wrong to speak at present. I cannot conceive what
impelled me; it was neither the time nor the place. I beg you to
consider everything unsaid, if you can, and I especially beg you not to
mention this conversation in your note to Mr. Denham. The one important
thing now is to have proper medical attendance for your niece. The rest
will take care of itself."

Lynde bowed somewhat formally and was turning away, when Mrs. Denham
laid her fingers lightly on the sleeve of his coat. "I am sorry I have
pained you," she said, as if with a touch of remorse.

"I confess I am pained," he replied, with the faintest smile, "but I am
not discouraged, Mrs. Denham."