's heart turned homewards with yearning affection. The love of the
little mother was a certainty which could be depended upon through good
report and ill; nothing that could be said against her child would shake
her trust and faith, she would be even more tender in failure than
success.

The dear old pater, too--how good he had been all these years, making no
distinction between his step-daughters and his own children, except
perhaps to show a more anxious care for their needs! He worked so hard,
and was so absolutely self-denying and uncomplaining; it was not his
fault if he did not possess the power of money-making. When she was at
home again she would be more thoughtful of his comfort, more
affectionate and sympathetic. She recalled all the step-brothers and
sisters whose very existence she had grudged at times, each name
bringing with it some kindly, humorous recollection. How truly lovable
they were, despite their faults!

Then Ruth's thoughts roamed a little further afield to the few intimate
friends of the family, foremost among whom came Eleanor Maclure and her
brother. What would Eleanor say if the grand expedition ended in
ignominious failure? A good many words of sympathy, of cheer, and a few
simple heart-to-heart truths, pointing out the spiritual side of the
puzzle, spoken in that soft Scotch voice which was so good to hear. Ah
yes, it would be a help to meet Eleanor again. And the--the doctor!

During the first weeks of her stay at the Court, Ruth had been so much
absorbed in the present that she had had no leisure to think of old
friends; but during the last few days the vision of Dr Maclure's face
had risen before her not once but many times--strong, earnest, resolute,
with steady glance and square-built chin, such a contrast from that
other face with the veiled eyes, which seemed to hide rather than reveal
the soul within.

In the midst of soreness and humiliation it had been a comfort to
remember that such a man had loved her enough to wish to make her his
wife. She recalled the conversation in the brougham with new sympathy
and understanding. Had he suffered as she was suffering now? Did his
life also stretch ahead blank and grey because of that little word from
her lips? Her heart yearned over him, yet felt mysteriously lightened
at the thought.

"There's the postman's collie!" cried Mollie's voice, interrupting her
reverie. "That means that the evening post is in. I'll run down a