Ruth smiled. "The best of women," ran a saying of Batty Langton's, "if you watch 'em, are always practising; even the youngest, as a kitten plays with a leaf."
They stood in silence, waiting for the chair to overtake them.
"Tatty, you are a heroine!"
Miss Quiney, unwinding a shawl from her head under the hall-lamp, released herself from Ruth's embrace. Her nerve had been strained and needed a recoil.
"Maybe," she answered snappishly. "For my part, I'd take more comfort, just now, to be called a respectable woman."
Ruth laughed, kissed her again, and stood listening to the footsteps as they retreated down the gravelled way. Among them her ear distinguished easily the firm tread of Mr. Hanmer.
Chapter VII.
FIRST OFFER.
A little before noon next day word came to her room that Sir Oliver had called and desired to speak with her.
She was not unprepared. She had indeed dressed with special care in the hope of it; but she went to her glass and stood for a minute or two, touching here and there her seemly tresses.