r bureau, placed them before him, and was going to leave
the room.

"Leave the note on this shelf, and trust me that it goes by the maid.
The boy that drives her there in the car shall bring you an answer
back."

She was gone before he could rally his scattered senses enough to
remember that he had not the least idea of the name of the party to
whom he was to write. The quiet leisure and peace of his little study
at home favoured his habit of reverie and long deliberation, just as
her position as mistress of an inn obliged her to quick, decisive
ways.

Her advice, though good in some points, was unpalatable in others. It
was true that Ruth's condition ought to be known by those who were
her friends; but were these people to whom he was now going to write,
friends? He knew there was a rich mother, and a handsome, elegant
son; and he had also some idea of the circumstances which might a
little extenuate their mode of quitting Ruth. He had wide enough
sympathy to understand that it must have been a most painful position
in which the mother had been placed, on finding herself under the
same roof with a girl who was living with her son, as Ruth was. And
yet he did not like to apply to her; to write to the son was still
more out of the question, as it seemed like asking him to return.
But through one or the other lay the only clue to her friends, who
certainly ought to be made acquainted with her position. At length he
wrote:

MADAM,--I write to tell you of the condition of
the poor young woman--[here came a long pause of
deliberation]--who accompanied your son on his arrival
here, and who was left behind on your departure yesterday.
She is lying (as it appears to me) in a very dangerous
state at my lodgings; and, if I may suggest, it would be
kind to allow your maid to return and attend upon her
until she is sufficiently recovered to be restored to her
friends, if, indeed, they could not come to take charge of
her themselves.

I remain, madam,
Your obedient servant,

THURSTAN BENSON.

The note was very unsatisfactory after all his consideration, but it
was the best he could do. He made inquiry of a passing servant as to
the lady's name, directed the note, and placed it on the indicated
shelf. He then returned to his lodgings, to await the doctor's coming
and the post-boy's return. There was no alteration in Ruth; she was
as one stunned into unconsciousness; she did not