was a great success. Oh, Miss
Levice, he has no parallel but himself!"

It did not sound exaggerated to Ruth to hear him thus made much of. It
was only very sweet and true.

"I knew just what he must be when I saw him," the girl babbled on; "that
was why I went to him. I knew he was a doctor by his carriage, and his
strong, kind face was my only stimulus. But there, you must forgive me
if I tire you; you see he sent you to me."

"You do not tire me, Rose," she said gravely. And the same expression
rested upon her face till evening.

Chapter XVII

Monday night had come. As Ruth half hid a pale yellow bud in her heavy,
low-coiled hair, the gravity of her mien seemed to deepen. This was
partially the result of her father's expressive countenance and voice.
If he had smiled, it had been such a faint flicker that it was forgotten
in the look of repression that had followed. In the afternoon he had
spoken a few disturbing words to her:

"I have told your mother that Dr. Kemp is coming to discuss a certain
project and desires your presence. She intends to retire rather early,
and there is nothing to prevent your receiving him."

At the distantly courteous tone she raised a pair of startled eyes. He
was regarding her patiently, as if awaiting some remark.

"Surely you do not wish me to be present at this interview?" she
questioned, her voice slightly trembling.

"Not only that, but I desire your most earnest attention and calm
reasoning powers to be brought with you. You have not forgotten what I
told you to consider, Ruth?"

"No, Father."

She felt, though in a greater degree, as she had often felt in
childhood, when, in taking her to task for some naughtiness, he had worn
this same sad and distant look. He had never punished her nominally; the
pain he himself showed had always affected her as the severest reprimand
never could have done.

She looked like a peaceful, sweet-faced nun in her simple white gown,
that fell in long straight folds to her feet; not another sign of color
was upon her.

A calmness pervaded her whole person as she paced the softly lighted
drawing-room and waited for Kemp.

When he was shown into the room, this tranquillity struck him
immediately.

She stood quite still as he came toward her. He certainly had some
old-time manners, for the reverence he felt for her caused him first of
all to raise her hand to his lips. The curious, well-known flush rose
slowly to her sensitive fa