She could not speak to him, but she loved him, as he well deserved. Even
as he deserved, she loved him.

'She will open Martin's eyes,' said Tom, with a glow of pride, 'and that
(which is indeed wrong) will be set right. Nothing will persuade her, I
know, that I have betrayed him. It will be set right through her, and he
will be very sorry for it. Our secret, Ruth, is our own, and lives and
dies with us. I don't believe I ever could have told it you,' said Tom,
with a smile, 'but how glad I am to think you have found it out!'

They had never taken such a pleasant walk as they took that night. Tom
told her all so freely and so simply, and was so desirous to return
her tenderness with his fullest confidence, that they prolonged it far
beyond their usual hour, and sat up late when they came home. And
when they parted for the night there was such a tranquil, beautiful
expression in Tom's face, that she could not bear to shut it out, but
going back on tiptoe to his chamber-door, looked in and stood there till
he saw her, and then embracing him again, withdrew. And in her prayers
and in her sleep--good times to be remembered with such fervour,
Tom!--his name was uppermost.

When he was left alone, Tom pondered very much on this discovery of
hers, and greatly wondered what had led her to it. 'Because,' thought
Tom, 'I have been so very careful. It was foolish and unnecessary in
me, as I clearly see now, when I am so relieved by her knowing it; but I
have been so very careful to conceal it from her. Of course I knew that
she was intelligent and quick, and for that reason was more upon my
guard; but I was not in the least prepared for this. I am sure her
discovery has been sudden too. Dear me!' said Tom. 'It's a most singular
instance of penetration!'

Tom could not get it out of his head. There it was, when his head was on
his pillow.

'How she trembled when she began to tell me she knew it!' thought Tom,
recalling all the little incidents and circumstances; 'and how her
face flushed! But that was natural! Oh, quite natural! That needs no
accounting for.'

Tom little thought how natural it was. Tom little knew that there was
that in Ruth's own heart, but newly set there, which had helped her to
the reading of his mystery. Ah, Tom! He didn't understand the whispers
of the Temple Fountain, though he passed it every day.

Who so lively and cheerful as busy Ruth next morning! Her early tap at
Tom's door, and her light foot