“Yes,” she repeated heavily, “I understand.”
“Marie!”
“Lady Henry was taken suddenly ill in one of the rooms, Miss Allerton,” said Glen hurriedly. “Fortunately I was there.”
“Ill,” said Ruth slowly, as she ran to Marie’s side. “Fortunately you were there. Captain Glen, I will see to my cousin now. Will you have the goodness to go?”
He raised his hat and slowly walked away.
“Marie, Marie!” cried Ruth piteously. “How could you deceive me so?”
“No, no!” cried Marie excitedly. “I did not know he was here. It was an unexpected meeting. Take me—”
She was about to say “home,” but she could not utter the word, and as they walked back Ruth thought of this, and a hand seemed to compress her heart as she said to herself:
“The work of months undone!”