young moon was going down in the west, throwing
its departing beams upon the unfinished tower of King's Chapel. Ruth,
looking out from her white-curtained window, beheld a handful of cloud
drift across the crescent orb and dissolve in thin air. She could hear
the footsteps of passers along the street growing fainter as they
receded. The bell on the Old Brick Meetinghouse struck the hour, and
then, in the distance, she heard the watchman's voice, "Ten o'clock,
and all is well." With perturbed spirit, she laid her head upon the
white linen pillow which her own deft hands had made. So Lord Upperton
was to solicit her heart and hand, and she had consented to meet him.
What should she say to him? Why should he, having an acquaintance with
the noble families of England, come across the sea and offer his
attentions to an obscure New England girl, and desire to make her
mistress at Halford Castle? Ought she not to feel flattered in having
a noble lord for a lover? The thought did not stir her blood. Why was
she averse to receiving his attentions? What was there about him that
made the thought repellent? Was he not a gentleman? Was he not
polite? Did he not show proper respect not only to herself but to
everybody? Why not make an effort to overcome her repugnance to him?
Would any other girl in Boston or anywhere else hesitate a moment over
such an opportunity as had come to her to be called My Lady,--to be
mistress of a ducal castle,--a position of power and influence among
the lords and ladies of the kingdom? To have diamonds and pearls? To
have precedence over others of lower station in social life? Questions
came in troops before her; vain her attempts to answer them.

Again the deep tones of the bell rang upon the still night air, and
once more she heard the watchman's voice announce the hour. For a
moment it interrupted her reverie, but again the questioning went on.
Her father and mother not only had given their consent for Lord
Upperton to make proposal, but they earnestly desired she should
become his wife. She could understand the motives that animated them.
She was her father's idol, her mother's joy--very dear to them. Were
they not ever doing what they could for her? Would not her marriage to
Lord Upperton contribute to their happiness? Might not her father,
through Lord Upperton's influence at court, attain a more exalted
position? Would not her marriage fill her mother's life with
happiness? Would it be an exhibit