"I came to ask you how much you lent Raymond?" Ruth's clear, earnest eyes were fixed full upon him.
At this moment Charles perceived Lady Mary at a little distance, propelling herself gently over the grass in the direction of the summer-house. In another second she had perceived Charles and Ruth, and had turned precipitately, and hobbled away round the corner with surprising agility.
"Confound her!" inwardly ejaculated Charles.
"I wish to know how much you lent him," said Ruth again, as he did not answer, happily unconscious of what had been going on behind her back.
"Only what I was well able to afford."
"And has he paid it back since?"
"I am sure he understood I should not expect him to pay it back at once."
"But he has had it three years."
Charles did not answer.
"I feel sure he is not able to pay it. Will you kindly tell me how much it was?"