His first action seemed to crush all the desperate joy which was rising fast in her heart. He took one hand, and he led her to a chair.
“Ruth,” he said, “I have been talking to your husband. There are only a few words I want to say to you.”
“There are only three I want to hear from you,” she murmured, and her eyes were pleading with him passionately all the time. “It seems to me that I have been waiting to hear them all my life. Wingrave, I am so tired—and I am losing—I want to leave it all!”
“Exactly,” he answered cheerfully, “what you are going to do. You are going to America with your husband.”
“What do you mean?” she asked sharply.
He shrugged his shoulders.
“I am rather tired of the game,” he said, “that is all. I am like the child who likes to build up again the house of bricks which he has thrown down. I have procured for your husband a seat on the Alaskan Board. It is a very distinguished position, and you will find that it will entail considerable social obligations in America. When you return, he will be able to claim a judgeship, or a place in the Government. You will find things go smoothly enough then.”
“But you!” she cried; “I want you!”
He looked at her gravely.
“Dear Lady Ruth,” he said, “you may think so at this moment, but you are very much mistaken. What you really desire is a complete reconciliation with your husband and a place in the great world which no one shall be able to question. These things are arranged for you; also—these.”