She nerved herself against it; then she felt her hand taken, raised and touched lightly against trembling lips.

When she stepped back she knew that the decisive moment of her life had been passed.
"You are free to go," said John Mark to Caroline.

"Therefore don't wait.
Go at once." "Ruth!" whispered the girl.
Ruth Tolliver turned away, and the movement brought Caroline beside her, with a cry of pain.

"Is it what I think ?" she asked.

"Are you making the sacrifice all for me?
You don't really care for him, Ruth, and--" "Caroline!" broke in John Mark.
She turned at the command of that familiar voice, as if she had been struck with a whip.