tle expedition. Soon as I heard that, I put George the
groom on Forester, and came in chase. . . . I find her ladyship at
Natchett, and after some straight talking I put George in charge of the
conspirators, with instructions to drive them home. They chose to say
nothing of Silk, and I didn't guess; so now the rogue must either leg it
back or gall himself on a waggon-horse."

"You worried yourself about me?"

"Certainly. You don't suppose I want my pupil to break her neck?"

"You do Madcap injustice. Why, yesterday she jumped--she almost flew--
this very gate on which I am leaning."

"The more reason--" he began, and broke off. His tone had been light,
but when he spoke again it had grown graver, sincerer. "It is a fact
that I worried about you, but that is not all the reason why I am here.
The whole truth is more selfish. . . . Ruth, I cannot do without you."

She put up a hand, leaning back against the gate as though giddy.

"But why?" he urged, as she made no other response. "Is it that you
still doubt me--or yourself, perhaps?"

"Both," she murmured. "It is not so easy as you pretend." Bliss had
weakened her for a while, but the weakness was passing.

"Those women have been talking to you. I can engage, whatever they
said, I gave it back to 'em with interest. They sail by the next ship.
. . . But what did they say?"

"_They say. What say they? Let them say_," Ruth quoted, her lips
smiling albeit her eyes were moist. "Does it matter what they said?"

"No; for I can guess. However the old harridan put it, you were asked
to give me up; and, after all, everything turns on our answer to that.
I have given you mine. What of yours?" He stepped close. "Ruth, will
you give me up?"

She put out her hands as one groping, sightless, and in pain.

"Ah, you are cruel! . . . You know I cannot."

BOOK III.

THE BRIDALS.

Chapter I.

BETROTHED.

Sir Oliver rode back to Boston that same evening. Ruth had stipulated
that his promise to her folk in the beach cottage still held good; that
when the three years were out, and not a day before, she would return to
them and make her announcement. Meanwhile, although the coast would
soon be clear of her enemies and he desired to have her near, she begged
off returning to Sabines. Here at Sweetwater Farm she could ride, with
the large air about her and freedom to think. It was not that she
shirked books and tutors. She would tu