That face was no longer flushed, but growing pale with excitement and hope.
"It's true ?" she kept asking.

"It is true, Ruth ?" "Do you love him as much as that ?" "More than I can tell you--so much more!" "Try to tell me then, dear." Talking of her love affair began to brighten the other girl, and now she managed a wan smile.

"His letters were very bad.

But, between the lines, I could read so much real manhood, such simple honesty, such a heart, such a will to trust! Ruth, are you laughing at me ?" "No, no, far from that! It's a thrilling thing to hear, my dear." For she was remembering that in another man there might be found these same qualities.

Not so much simplicity, perhaps, but to make up for it, a great fire of will and driving energy.
"But I didn't actually know that I was in love.