"He wants you, Ruth."
No word, not even a movement of the lip answered this.
"He says," continued Lady Rose, "that you love him; that you are, of your own free will, pledged to him."
"It is false!"
The words startled Lady Rose.
"Oh, Ruth, do not say that. We have no other hope."
"But he, Walton Hurst I mean, is innocent. You know it—I know it."
"But this man holds the proof that would cost his life, false or true. It is in his hands, and we cannot wrest it from them."
"Is this true, Lady Rose?"
"Fatally, fearfully true; God help us! Oh, Ruth, why do you hesitate to save him?"