"You might marry me now rather than see him hung."
Ruth shuddered, and looked wildly around, as a bird seeks to flee from a serpent that threatens its life.
"Say, isn't my tongue worth bridling at a fair price?"
"I—I do not understand you," faltered the poor young creature, drawing back with unconquerable aversion, till the wall supported her.
"But you will understand what it all means, when he is dragged to the assizes, for all the rabble of the country side to look upon."
Ruth covered her face with both hands.
"Oh, you seem to see it now. That handsome face, looking out of a criminal's box; those white hands held up pleading for mercy. Mind you, his high birth and all his father's gold will only be the worse for him. The laws of old England reach gentlemen as well as us poor working folks. Ha! what is this?"
The cruel wretch might well cry out, for Ruth had fainted at his feet.