ne out of the four
remains, and he is certain to be the heir."

"You mean Mr Victor Druce?"

Ruth started, raising a flushed, bewildered face.

"Yes; but how,--what do you know about him?"

"Trix brought some of your letters to show us. His name was mentioned
very often, Ruth. I had a presentiment that you two would be more than
friends. You must forgive me, but one's perceptions grow keen when
one's interests are strong. I thought that very probably Mr Farrell
had some such hope in inviting you and Mollie to meet these two men."

"Perhaps he had. I have thought so, too, but, in any case, it has come
to nothing. Jack Melland cares for nothing but his work, and Mr
Druce--"

Ruth hesitated, possessed by a sudden impulse to confide her own
troubles to this man, who loved her, and would understand. Her lids
dropped till the dark lashes lay on her flushed cheek; she clasped her
hands nervously together. "He made love to me as long as I was in
favour, but it was only pretence. He really cares for another girl, but
he thought I should be a better bargain if I were Uncle Bernard's
heiress. He has taken no notice of me lately, but we found him out
before that,--I and the other girl. She is good and charming, and in
every way better than I am, and she had cared for him, too. I expect he
will try to marry her now that I am in disgrace, but she will never
accept him."

"And you, Ruth? Has it gone very hardly with you, poor child?"

There was silence for several moments before Ruth lifted a thoughtful
face.

"I--don't--know!" she said slowly. "It was a shock to me at first, and
I felt as if I could never believe in a man again, but since I came home
I have hardly thought about him, and if I had cared as much as I
imagined that would have been the worst trouble of all. I think it was
just part of the experience. Can you understand? Summer-time, and the
lovely country, and the holiday feeling, and nothing to do but laze
about, and amuse ourselves together. It seemed--don't laugh!--so
natural to fall in love."

Dr Maclure did not laugh, but a smile flashed over his face, full of
immeasurable relief and pleasure.

"I do understand," he said heartily. "You have had so few chances of
enjoying yourself with young people of your own age. It was, as you
say, quite natural, but I hope you will have no more to do with the
fellow. He is a pretty contemptible specimen, by all accounts."

"Oh no!" Ruth reared