Mr.
Alwynn, opposite, his thin hands clasped listlessly over his knee, was as unconscious of the two pairs of eyes fixed upon him as Nelson himself, laid out in Madame Tussaud's.
Charles's eyes, twinkling with suppressed amusement, met Ruth's.

He shook his head energetically, as she made a slight movement as if to wake them, and stepping forward, pointed with his hat towards the open window, which reached to the ground.

Ruth understood, but she hesitated.
At this moment Mrs.Alwynn began a variation on the simple theme in which she had been indulging, and in so much higher a key that all hesitation vanished.

She stepped hastily out through the window, and Charles followed.

They stood together for a moment in the blazing sunshine, both too much amused to speak.
"You are bareheaded," he said, suddenly; "is there any"-- looking round--"any shade we could take refuge under ?" Ruth led the way round the yew hedge to the horse-chestnut; that horse-chestnut under which Dare had once lost his self-esteem.
"I am afraid," said Charles, "I arrived at an inopportune moment.