ry time the latter stirred, her
mother started expectantly; but the anxiously awaited disclosure was not
forthcoming. Outside the rain kept up a sullen downpour, deepening the
feeling of comfort indoors; but Mrs. Levice was not what one might call
comfortably-minded. Her frequent inventories of Ruth's face had at last
led her to believe that the pallor there depicted and the heavy, dark
shadows about her eyes meant something decidedly not gladsome.

"Don't you feel well, Ruth?" she asked finally with some anxiety.

Ruth raised her heavy eyes.

"I? Oh, I feel perfectly well. Why do you ask? Do I look ill?"

"Yes, you do; your face is pale, and your eyes look tired. Did you sit
up late last night?"

This was a leading move, but Ruth evaded the deeper meaning that was so
evident to her now.

"No," she replied; "I believe it could not have been nine when I went
upstairs."

"Why? Were you too fatigued to sit up, or was Louis's company
unpleasant?"

"Oh, no," was the abrupt response, and her eyes fell on the open page
again.

Mrs. Levice, once started on the trail, was not to be baffled by such
tactics. Since Ruth was not ill, she had had some mental disturbance of
which her weary appearance was the consequence. She felt almost
positive that Louis had made some advances last night, from the flash
of intelligence with which he had met her telegraphic expression. It
was natural for her to be curious; it was unnatural for Ruth to be so
reserved. With feelings not a little hurt she decided to know something
more.

"For my part," she observed, as if continuing a discussion, "I
think Louis charming in a tete-a-tete,--when he feels inclined to
be interesting he generally succeeds. Did he tell you anything worth
repeating? It is a dull afternoon, and you might entertain me a little."

She looked up from the violet petal she had just completed and
encountered Ruth's full, questioning gaze.

"What is it you would like to know, Mamma?" she asked in a gentle voice.

"Nothing that you do not wish to tell," her mother answered proudly, but
regarding her intently.

Ruth passed her hand wearily across her brow, and considered a moment
before answering.

"I did not wish to hurt you by my silence, Mamma; but before I had
decided I hardly thought it necessary to say anything. He asked me
to--marry him."

The avowal was not made with the conventional confusion and trembling.

Mrs. Levice was startled by the dead calm of he