The thought of the two pairs of eyes which would be raised, and the expression in them was intolerable.
"Grace," said Lady Hope-Acton, with dreadful distinctness, advancing to meet her daughter, "has he spoken ?" "No," said Lady Grace, with a little sob; "and,"-- with a sudden burst of tears--"oh, mamma, I don't think he ever will." Oh, to have coughed, to have sneezed, to have choked a moment earlier! Anything would have been better than this.
"Run up-stairs this moment, then, and change your habit and bathe your eyes," said Lady Hope-Acton, sharply.

"You need not come down till dinner-time.

I will say you are tired." And then, to the overwhelming relief of those two miserable spectators, the mother and daughter left the door.
But to the momentary sensation of relief in Ruth's mind a rush of pity succeeded for the childlike grief and tears; and with and behind it, like one hurrying wave overtopping and bearing down its predecessor, came a burning indignation against the cause of that picturesque emotion.
It is indeed a lamentable peculiarity of our fallen nature that the moment of relief from the smart of anxiety is seldom marked by so complete a mental calmness and moderation as could be wished.
Ruth rose slowly, with the book still in her hand, and Charles got off his knees as best he could, and stood with one hand on the railing of the balcony, as if to steady himself.

His usually pale face was crimson.
Ruth closed the book in silence, and with a dreadful precision put it back in its accustomed place.

Then she turned and faced him, with the western light full upon her stern face, and another light of contempt and indignation burning in her direct eyes.
"Poor little girl," she said, in a low distinct voice.