‘Edward!’ she cried, ‘where are you going?’
‘Hush, Ruth!’ he exclaimed, seizing her arm. ‘Don’t say a word. I have heard all. I followed you. God forgive me for dragging you down to this! I will save you yet if I can.’
‘Oh, Edward! what would you do?’ she cried.
‘You call me Edward still?’ he said, with a look of gratitude in his eyes—‘you, who are so pure and good, though you know now the secret that has preyed upon and been slowly killing me for years? Ruth, can you ever forgive me for my base treachery in letting you link yourself with a God-forsaken wretch?’
‘Yes, Edward, I forgive you. You are my husband—my kind, loving husband—still.’
‘Thank God for those words, Ruth!’ he said. ‘Kiss me.’
He bent over her in the dark night, and his trembling lips pressed hers.
‘Where are you going?’ she said. ‘Let me go with you.’
‘No; there is only one chance now. I must find out Egerton at once. He is the enemy who is doing this. I believe I can silence him yet. If I can’t I must leave the country at once. Ruth, if we never meet again, God bless you!’
He tore himself from her agonized embrace, and went swiftly down the walk and along the road to the station.