[CHAPTER VIII.]
HERCULES AND OMPHALE.
The next morning Neil Webster was conspicuous by his absence. His excuse was that he had been suddenly recalled to town on business. Mrs. Marshall was not deceived, and on the first available opportunity she drew her brother aside.
"You have got rid of him, I see," she remarked, with evident satisfaction. "But Ruth will not submit quietly to all this. In the first place, she will refuse to believe that he has given her up; such a sacrifice is beyond the conception of a pretty girl. In the second----"
"Wait a bit, Inez. Let us dispose of Number One first of all. Ruth will be convinced that Webster has given her up, for the simple reason that he has left a letter telling her so."
"Ah! Then that is wily she has not come down to breakfast. I daresay she is weeping and storming in her room. I'll go and----"
"No, no. Leave her alone. If you go and annoy her, there is no knowing what she will do. You know how headstrong-----"
"You should have trained her better," said his sister.
"All the training in the world will not tame our mother's blood in her--or in you, for the matter of that!"
"I know I am strong-minded, if that is what you mean."