courtly gesture drew her forward.

"In the first place," he said, addressing the assembled company with a
good-humoured smile, "I had the courage and the energy to propose only
this afternoon. In the second place, this lady did me the inestimable
favour of takin' me seriously. And in the third place, we're goin' to
get married as soon as possible."

In the astounded silence that followed these announcements, he stooped,
with no exaggeration of reverence, and kissed the icy, trembling hand he
held.

* * * * *

Ruth never knew afterwards how she came through those terrible moments.
She was as one horror-stricken into acquiescence. She scarcely heard the
nightmare buzz of congratulation all about her. The only thing of which
she was vividly conscious, over and above her dumb anguish of
consternation, was the fast grip of Tots's hand. It seemed to hold her
up, to sustain her, while the very soul of her was ready to faint with
dismay.

She did not even remember later how she effected her escape at last, but
she had a vague impression that Tots managed it for her. It was all very
dreadful and incomprehensible. She felt as if she were suddenly caught
in a trap from which there could never be any escape. And she was
terrified beyond all reason.

All the night she lay awake, turning the matter over and over, but in
every respect it presented to her a problem too complicated for her
solution. When morning came she was tired out physically and mentally,
conscious only of an ardent desire to flee from her perplexities.

Her cousin's wedding occupied the minds of all, and she spent the
earlier hours in comparative peace in the bustle of preparation. She saw
nothing of Tots, and she hoped his responsibilities would keep him too
busy to spare her any of his attention.

Vain hope! When she went to her room to don her bridesmaid's dress, she
found a small parcel awaiting her. With a sinking heart, she opened it,
a jeweller's box with a strip of paper wound about it. The paper
contained a message in four words: "With love from Tots."

A wild tumult arose within her, and her fingers shook so that she could
scarcely remove the lid of the box. Succeeding at length, she stood
motionless, staring with wide, scared eyes at the ring that lay shining
in the sunlight, as though she beheld some evil charm. The diamonds
flashed in her eyes and dazzled her, making her see nothing but tiny
pin-points of into