She withdrew soon afterwards, having warmly praised Ruth's action in warning Mr.Wilding--unable to understand that it should be no part of Ruth's design to save the Duke--and went to her room to pray for the preservation of the late King's handsome son.
Left alone with her cousin, Ruth gave expression to the fears for Richard by which she was being tortured.

Diana poured wine for her and urged her to drink; she sought to comfort and reassure her.

But as moments passed and grew to hours and still Richard did not appear, Ruth's fears that he had come to harm were changed to certainty.

There was a moment when, but for Diana's remonstrances, she had gone forth in quest of news.

Bad news were better than this horror of suspense.