"Ah, no," she pleaded--she knew how true was the impeachment.

"Don't say it, Diana." "It matters little that I say it," snorted Diana impatiently.

"It is a truth proclaimed by the first glance at him." "He is in poor health, perhaps," said Ruth, seeking miserably to excuse him.
"Aye," said Diana.

"He's suffering from an ague--the result of a lack of courage.

That he should so have spoken to you! Give me patience, Heaven!" Ruth crimsoned again at the memory of his words; a wave of indignation swept through her gentle soul, but was gone at once, leaving an ineffable sadness in its room.