"Speak, Sir Rowland, speak plainly, that I may give you a plain answer." It was a challenge in which another man had seen how hopeless was his case, and, accepting defeat, had made as orderly a retreat as still was possible.

But Sir Rowland, stricken in his vanity, went headlong on to utter rout.
"Since you ask me in such terms I will be plain, indeed," he answered her.

"I mean..." He almost quailed before the look that met him from her intrepid eyes.

"Do you not see my meaning, Ruth ?" "That which I see," said she, "I do not believe, and as I would not wrong you by any foolish imaginings, I would have you plain with me." Yet the egregious fool went on.

"And why should you not believe your senses ?" he asked her, between anger and entreaty.