"Am I?" said Ruth quietly, and after a profound curtsy turned sideways
to the mare. "A lump of sugar, Tatty, if you please. . . . I thank
you, ma'am--" as Mrs. Harry, anticipating Miss Quiney, stepped forward
with a piece held between the sugar-tongs. "And I think she even
deserves a second, for clearing the yard gate."

She fed the gentle creature and dismissed her. "Now trot around to your
stall and ask one of the boys to unsaddle you!" She stood for ten
seconds, may be, watching as the mare with a fling of the head trotted
off obediently. Then she turned again and met Mrs. Harry's eyes with a
frank smile.

"It is the truth," she said. "We cleared the gate. Come, please, and
admire--"

Mrs. Harry, in spite of herself, stepped down from the verandah and
followed. The others stood as they were, planted in stiff disapproval.

The girl led Mrs. Harry to the corner of the wood pile. "Admire!" she
repeated, pointing with her riding-switch; and then, still keeping the
gesture, she sank her voice and asked quickly, "Why are you here?
You have a good face, not like the others. Tell me."

"Lady Caroline--" stammered Mrs. Harry, taken at unawares. "She has a
right, naturally, to concern herself--"

"Does _he_ know?"

"Sir Oliver? No--I believe not. . . . You see, the Vyells are a great
family, and 'family' to them is a tremendous affair--a religion almost.
Whatever touches one touches all; especially when that one happens to be
the head of his house."

"Is that how Captain Vyell--how your husband--feels it?--No, please keep
looking towards the gate. I mean no harm by these questions, and you
will not mind answering them, I hope? It gives me just a little more
chance of fair play."

"To tell you the truth," said Mrs. Harry, pretending to study the jump,
"I looked at you because I could not help it. You are an
extraordinarily beautiful woman."

"Thank you," answered Ruth. "But about 'Captain Harry,' as we call him?
I suppose he, as next of kin, is most concerned of all?"

"He did not tell me about you, if that is what you mean; or rather he
told me nothing until I questioned him. Then he owned that there was
such a person, and that he had seen you. But he does not even know of
this visit; he imagines that Lady Caroline is taking me for a pleasure
trip, just to view the country."

Ruth turned towards the house. "You will tell him, of course," she said
gravely, "when you return to the ship."

"I