With many women the question would have been, did she care for Dr. Kemp’s good opinion? Now, though Ruth was indeed put on her mettle, her quick sympathy had been instantly touched by the girl’s miserable story. Perhaps the doctor’s own feelings had influenced her, but had the girl stood before her at the moment, she would have seized her hand with all her own gentle nobility of soul.
As they turned the corner of the block where Ruth’s house stood, Kemp said deliberately,—
“Well?”
“I thank you. Where does she live?”
Her quiet, natural tone told nothing of the tumult of sweet thoughts within. They had reached the house, and the doctor opened the gate before he answered. When he did, after they had passed through, he took both her hands in his.
“I shall take you there,” he said, looking down at her with grave, smiling eyes; “I knew you would not fail me. When shall I call for you?”
“Do not call for me at all; I think—I know it will be better for me to walk in alone, as of my own accord.”
“Ah, yes!” he said, and told her the address. She ran lightly up the steps, and as he turned her key in the door for her, she raised a pair of starry eyes to his.
“Dr. Kemp,” she said, “I have had an exceptionally lovely evening. I shall not soon forget it.”
“Nor I,” he returned, raising his hat; holding it in his hand, he gently raised her gloved hand to his lips. Herbert Kemp was a gentleman of the old school in his manner of showing reverence to women.