Ruth and to me. You accuse us of being
disloyal and ungrateful, so it's only fair you should hear our defence.
I will bring down the letters, and you can read them at your leisure.
They may bore you a little, but you will see that we are not so bad as
you think, and that we have not always been uncomplimentary."

She walked hastily towards the house, leaving Ruth and the old man
alone. He stood leaning on his stick, staring fixedly at her with his
sunken eyes; but her head remained persistently drooped, the dark lashes
lying on the flushed cheeks.

In the tension of that silence she could hear the beating of her own
heart, and her ears strained nervously for the sound of returning
footsteps. She had not long to wait. With a clatter, Mollie came
scrambling out of the library window, the letters in her hand.

"There's our defence! Please read them before you scold us any more."

Mr Farrell took the letters, thrust them into his pocket, then stood
silently, as if waiting for something more.

Mollie stared at him curiously, but he paid no attention to her; his
gaze was fixed on Ruth's bent figure and downcast face. At length,
surprised at the prolonged silence, she lifted her eyes with a
frightened glance, and immediately Uncle Bernard broke into speech.

"Yes, I was waiting for you! Have you nothing to say on your own
account?" he demanded sternly. "You seem content to sit silently and
let your sister fight your battles. Is it because you are innocent of
having offended in the same way yourself?"

Ruth's cheeks flushed to an even deeper rose.

"I," she stammered--"I--I'm sorry! I didn't mean--"

Mr Farrell turned to re-enter the house.

"Ah," he said coldly," so it was cowardice, after all! I understand.
It is an interesting discovery!"

CHAPTER TWENTY.

RECEIVING AND PAYING CALLS.

Two days later Mr Farrell returned Trix's letters with a brief "Thank
you!" which Mollie had enough tact to receive without remark. She was
not conscious of having gained in the old man's graces, though Ruth was
sadly conscious of having fallen from favour. Victor was evidently for
the time being the _persona grata_, his remarks being received with
attention, and his wishes carefully carried out.

Mollie confessed to herself that Victor's manners were perfect where his
host was concerned, and wondered why it was that she found herself
constantly suspecting his motives. What if he were playing a part to
win the