"The stuff you melted in this very fire, last night—wasn't that lead?"
"Of course it was. I stole it myself from the top of the church tower."
"Why?"
"To gain a footing here."
"Again, why?"
"For love of you."
During the silence that followed, the pair looked at each other.
"I am waiting for you to go and tell your father," said the stranger at length.
Ruby shivered.
"I seem to have grown very old and wise," she murmured.