Ruth was no longer blushing one instant and paling the next, for a vivid flush of crimson swept her whole face.
"What are you talking about, godmother?" she questioned, with a little, scornful laugh, which irritated the good dame.
"What am I talking of? Nay, nay, I have made you blush more than is kind already. Never heed my nonsense. It is natural that I should think no one good enough, and feel a little uppish that things have gone so far without one word to the old woman that loved you as if you were her own."
"What do you mean? What can you mean, godmother?" cried Ruth, with unusual courage.
"Oh, nothing. The news was over the whole neighborhood before I heard of it; but that's nothing."
"What news? Do tell me?"
"Why, that young Storms and my goddaughter would be married as soon as friend Jessup, here, is well enough to be at the wedding."
"Father, father, do you hear that? Who has dared to slander me so cruelly?" cried the girl, bursting into a passion of tears.
Jessup was greatly troubled by his daughter's grief.
"Nay, nay, it has not come to that as yet," he said, "and, mayhap, never will."