"Yes, it is quite settled," she said, and the colour deepened on her neck and face.
"Well, he's a good fellow—a very good fellow by all accounts," he said, with a little sigh. "I shall be sorry to lose you. Still, I don't know that you could have done much better."
"Oh, but you are not going to lose me yet," she answered, with a bright little laugh, though she did not raise her eyes to meet his.
"Well, no. Not for a month or two, I presume. But I have noticed that when men become engaged they get terribly impatient," and he dropped his eyes to his plate again.
"Yes, I have heard the same thing," she replied demurely. "But the truth is, I have decided not to get married at all."
"You mean——"
"I could not accept his offer, Ralph. I think a woman must care an awful lot for a man before she can consent to marry him."
"And vice versâ," he answered. "Yes, yes, I think you are quite right in that. But how did he take it, Ruth?"
"Not at all badly. Indeed, I think he was prepared for my answer. When he was leaving he met Mary Telfer outside the gate, and he stood for quite a long time laughing and talking with her."
"I did not know he knew her."