She would know the worst.
She made up her mind to go, and then the brave heart gave way. Surrounded on every side with mystery, her life, once so happy, had become almost a burden to her. She had hoped to be so happy with Edward, and everything had looked so bright once, and now—— Ruth Heritage buried her head in her hands and sobbed out an hysterical cry to heaven that God would guide her feet aright through the mazes of the rough, bleak road she and her husband were treading now.
CHAPTER LX.
A SECRET MEETING.
The night was pitch dark. There was not even a star in the sky to look down upon Ruth Heritage as she crept quietly ont of her house and went swiftly down the walk towards the lodge gate.
She was bound on an errand of love and mercy. She was going to see old Dame Huntley, the sexton’s widow, who lay dying down in the low-lying district, where the fever and ague had been busy of late. The servants knew that their mistress was bound to Dame Huntley’s, the squire knew it, and the lodge-keeper, who opened the gates, knew it, otherwise they might have wondered at Ruth going out alone at such a time.
Outside the lodge gates the woman who had given Gertie the letter was waiting.
Ruth trembled violently now.
She half hoped the woman would not be there.
Instinctively she paused.
‘Don’t be afraid, madam,’ said the mysterious woman, in a sweet, reassuring voice; ‘I only wanted a few words with you. I may not tell you who I am, but I have heard your story, and I pity you.’