I dared not speak to her. My tongue seemed tied, while she moved on like one in a trance.
Presently we came to the churchyard gates, and as we did so I could scarcely help shuddering. Like lightning the events of a year before flashed through my mind. Vividly I remembered going down the churchyard path and opening the old church door, in order to gaze on the face of the dead. But Ruth seemed perfectly unconscious of that which haunted me. A look of expectancy was on her face, and by and by she gave a glad exclamation as we heard the sound of wheels. In a minute more a carriage drove up and stopped at our side. I still held Wilfred by the arm, and he, doubtless feeling that resistance was useless, submitted quietly.
"Roger," said Ruth huskily, "you will come home with me?"
In reply I was about to enter the carriage with Wilfred by my side; but no sooner did she see this than she exclaimed as if in horror,
"Not him, Roger; no, not him."
"Then I will ride on the box by the driver," I said. "I will not let him go yet."
"But will you be safe?" she said, anxiously.
"Perfectly safe, Ruth," I answered.
Then she allowed the servant to help her into the carriage as if she were dazed, while I mounted the box with Wilfred.
We were not long in reaching Morton Hall, I realising more clearly each minute the position in which I was placed and the hopes dearest to my heart.