"Odd!" said he; "did you mark that girl's discomposure ?" But Wilding's thoughts were elsewhere.

"Come, Nick! If I am to render myself fit to sit at table with Monmouth, we'll need to hasten." They went their way, but not so fast as went Diana, urging with her her protesting and short-winded mother.
"Where is your mistress ?" the girl asked excitedly of the first servant she met at Lupton House.
"In her room, madam," the man replied, and to Ruth's room went Diana breathlessly, leaving Lady Horton gaping after her and understanding nothing.
Ruth, who was seated pensive by her window, rose on Diana's impetuous entrance, and in the deepening twilight she looked almost ghostly in her gown of shimmering white satin, sewn with pearls about the neck of the low-cut bodice.
"Diana!" she cried.

"You startled me." "Not so much as I am yet to do," answered Diana, breathing excitement.
She threw back the wimple from her head, and pulling away her cloak, tossed it on to the bed.

"Mr.Wilding is in Bridgwater," she announced.
There was a faint rustle from the stiff satin of Ruth's gown.

"Then..." her voice shook slightly.