"What did you say, child?"
"Nothing, nothing! But see, they are both going, I think!"
The housekeeper swayed her heavy person toward the window, and looked out.
"Yes. Lady Rose is persuading Sir Noel, who can refuse nothing she wants. It almost seems as if he were in love with her himself."
"Perhaps he is!" cried Ruth, eagerly.
"One might suspect as much, if one did not know," answered the housekeeper, shaking her head. "Anyway, he is going with her now, and I'm glad of it. The ride will do him good. Look, she drives off at a dashing pace."
CHAPTER XXXVI.
UNDER THE IVY.
RUTH needed no recommendation to watch the beautiful little vehicle that flashed down the avenue, a perfect nest of bright colors, over which the sunlight shone with peculiar resplendence, while the spirited black horse whirled it out of sight.