As for Ruth, she had become the strongest of the two, and, in her gentle way, strove to comfort the lady, who stood upright after a while, and, pushing the young orphan from her, searched her face, as if to make sure of her firmness.
"How calm, how still you look, girl! Tell me again that you will not fail."
"I will not fail."
"But you will let me do something. We shall both go away from here, you to a new home, far from this; a pretty home, Ruth, and I to an estate very near, where we will be such friends as the world never saw. This hour has made us so. That which you are doing for him I will help you to endure."
Ruth smiled very sadly. Lady Rose kissed her, preparing to go.
"How cold your lips are! how I have made you suffer!" she said, drawing back, chilled.
"It will not last," answered Ruth, quietly. "Take no further trouble about me. I have not felt so much at rest since my father died."
"If I only knew how to thank you."
"I should thank you for pointing out the way; but for that I might never have known," answered Ruth, gently.
"You will have saved him, and he will never know. That seems hard; still, there may come a time—But, you are growing pale again; I only pain you. Good-by, for a while."