“What on earth is it, Ruth?”
“Oh, mamma!” Ruth began, but was unable to proceed, and burst into tears. Mrs. Welch also had heard the story; and she divined the cause of her agitation, and drew her into her chamber, and there Ruth opened her heart to her mother.
“I know I ought to hate him, mamma,” she wept, “but I do not. I have tried to hate him, and prayed—yes, prayed to hate him; but I like him better than any man I ever met or ever shall meet, and even when I cut him on the road I liked him. I hate myself; I am humiliated to think that I should care for a man who has never said he loved me.”
“But he has said so, Ruth,” declared Mrs. Welch.
“What?” Ruth’s eyes opened wide with a vague awaking something.
“He came to see your father, and asked his consent to pay you his addresses.”
Ruth sprang to her feet as if electrified.
“Mamma!” The blood rushed to her face and back again. She seized her mother, and poured out question after question. Her whole person seemed to change. She looked like a different being. A radiance appeared to have suddenly settled down upon her and enveloped her. Mrs. Welch was carried away by her enthusiasm, and could not help enjoying her joy. For once she let herself go, and gave herself up to the delight of thorough and complete sympathy with her daughter. She told her everything that had occurred, and Ruth in return told her mother all that she knew and thought of Steve. Thus Mrs. Welch became Ruth’s confidante, and, in her sympathy with Ruth’s happiness, committed herself on Ruth’s side beyond hope of withdrawal.
Just then Major Welch opened the door. He stopped and looked in on the scene in wonderment. Ruth rose and flung herself into his arms.
In the conference that ensued, Ruth, however, found ground for more distress. Her father had heard the whole story of Captain Allen’s surrender of himself. He had just got it from Thurston. He also knew of the telegrams Thurston had received in response to his giving notice of the surrender, and he was full of anxiety. He was by no means sure that Captain Allen, however high his motive, had done a wise act in giving himself up. He did not believe his action would be effectual to obtain the release of his friends, and he had put himself in the power of those who would move heaven and earth to secure his conviction. The dispatches that had come from the city clearly indicated this.