She saw by the colorless lips and nervous contraction of the forehead, and by the bright, restless fever of the eyes that had formerly been so calm and clear, that something was amiss--terribly amiss.
"I've been telling Lady Mary how poorly you've been, Ruth, ever since Mrs.Thursby's dinner-party," said Mrs.Alwynn, by way of opening the conversation.
But in spite of so auspicious a beginning the conversation flagged.

Lady Mary made a few conventional remarks to Ruth, which she answered, and Mrs.Alwynn also; but there was a constraint which every moment threatened a silence.

Lady Mary proceeded to comment on the poaching affray of the previous night, and the arrest of a man who had been seriously injured; but at her mention of the subject Ruth became so silent, and Mrs.Alwynn so voluble, that she felt it was useless to stay any longer, and had to take her leave without a word with Ruth.
"Something is wrong with that girl," she said to herself, as she drove back to Atherstone.

"I know what it is.

Charles has been behaving in his usual manner, and as there is no one else to point out to him how infamous such conduct is, I shall have to do it myself.