"Now," holding out his hand, "do you promise never, et cetera, et cetera, without first consulting your _friends_ ?" Ruth put her hand into his.
"I do." "That is right.

How amiable we are both becoming! I suppose I must now inform you that two hundred pounds is the exact sum I lent your brother." Ruth went back to the house, and in a few minutes returned with a check in her hand.

She held it towards Charles, who took it, and put it in his pocket-book.
"Thank you," she said, with gratitude in her eyes and voice.
"We have had a pitched battle," said Charles, relapsing into his old indifferent manner.

"Neither of us has been actually defeated, for we never called out our reserves, which I felt would have been hardly fair on you; but we do not come forth with flying colors.

I fear, from your air of elation, you actually believe you have been victorious." "I agree with you that there has been no defeat," replied Ruth; "but I won't keep you any longer from your studies.