“I was thinking that you might ask Wingrave to help us a bit. I don’t believe he’d hesitate for a moment.”

Ruth looked her husband in the face. There was a curious expression in her eyes.

“Do you think that it would be wise of me to ask him?” she demanded.

“Why not?” he answered. “You can take care of yourself. I can trust you.”

“I told you that I was afraid of Wingrave,” she reminded him. “I can take care of myself as a rule—and I do—as you know. I have elected to be one of the unfashionables in that respect. But to ask Wingrave for money is more than I dare do.”

“Then I shall ask him myself,” Barrington declared.

She picked up her gloves and turned to leave the room.

“I should prefer even that,” she said.

[ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]

GUARDIAN AND WARD