for his
life. But to all his petitions she gave no encouragement.

"I cannot do as you ask, Wilfred," she said, "neither would my father,
or your father, if either were alive, have me do it. My eyes have been
opened as to their real wishes, and I cannot marry you."

"But, Ruth," he continued, "you do not know. My very existence depends
on your answer. Do not think I care for your money; but, driven to
madness by your constant refusal of my love, I have acted foolishly, I
have blindly engaged in speculation, until Trewinion estate is no
longer mine, except in name. If you do not have pity on me it will
become the property of strangers, and those who care nothing for us or
ours will possess it. My mother will be homeless, and the old rooms,
which were my father's and--Roger's will be desecrated by others. For
myself I care nothing, but I cannot bear that my mother should have to
leave the home of our people."

She seemed moved at this, for in her pure guilelessness I do not
believe she ever thought that Wilfred was seeking her for her wealth
alone. Hence what he had said appealed to her, as my brother intended
it should, as an additional reason for her to accept him. Still, it
did not alter her determination.

"I will help you, Wilfred," she said, "if it is in my power to do so.
I will see that all shall be well with your mother, but I cannot do as
you wish."

"But why?" Wilfred asked hoarsely. "Roger is dead, and even if he were
not you could never wed him when you know that his heart is full of
murder. You know that he sought my life, and but for a fortunate----"

"I do not know it," she said passionately, "neither do I know that he
is dead."

"What!" he exclaimed, savagely, "you believe that I----"

"I know that you have deceived me about him in the past," she said. "I
know that you drove him from home. I know that you have tried to make
me believe that he sought to murder you, but let me tell you this,
Wilfred: If I believed he were dead, which I do not, and if he has been
all you say he has, then, knowing you as I do, I cannot, will not, be
what you ask. Now, I will go home. Stand aside, please?"

"You refuse, then?"

"Certainly, Wilfred. And now that I have yielded to your wish for this
unseemly interview, I wish it to be the end of all such scenes."

"Ay, and it shall be, for I have a few words to say." His tone
changed, and he spoke with haughty insolence. "We are in a lonely
place,