No idea, upon his soul-- Ruth cut his apology short before he had done more than flounder well into it.
"You must go and try it at once," she said with decision; and then she added, as Charles drew near: "I have changed my mind about going out.

It looks as if it might turn to rain.

I shall get through some arrears of letter-writing instead." Mr.Conway stammered, and repeated himself, and finally rushed out of the gallery.

Ruth expected that Charles would accompany him, but he remained standing near the window, apparently engaged like herself in admiring the view.
"It struck me," he said, slowly, with his eyes half shut, "that Conway proved rather a broken reed just now." "He did," said Ruth.

She suddenly felt that she could understand what it was in Charles that exasperated Lady Mary so much.
He came a step nearer, and his manner altered.
"I sent him away," he said, looking gravely at her, "because I wished to speak to you." Ruth did not answer or turn her head, though she felt he was watching her.