xpression was too
eloquent to be misread. The old man looked keenly from one to the
other, and his voice took an added sharpness as he spoke--

"Well, Druce, out with it--out with it! What is it that you have to
say?"

"Nothing, sir--nothing worth repeating. Your question reminded me of a
chance remark; but I would rather say no more about it."

"You have said too much already. Pray go on, since you have begun!"
cried Ruth, with a sudden blaze of anger. Her small head was thrown
back with a defiant gesture, and the Farrell eyebrows met in a straight
black line across her brow. "_I_ spoke of your will, Uncle Bernard--I
said I wished that I could see it. I _did_ want to see it! It was
impossible to know that it was lying there, and not feel curious."

"Of course it was. We were all curious, but some of us had not the
honesty to confess it," Jack cried quickly. "Surely it is not necessary
to keep Miss Ruth any longer, sir? She has told you that she can give
you no more information. It is cruel to the girl--" He broke off as if
afraid of speaking too strongly; and Mr Farrell lay back in his chair
with a sudden weary slackening of muscle.

"Yes, yes, she may go; you may all go! We can prove nothing at present;
but time will show--time will show!" And he raised his hand with a
gesture of dismissal.

Ruth and Victor rose and hurriedly left the room only Jack stood his
ground, nervously tugging at his moustache. He had something to say,
and was determined to say it, but the sight of the old man's figure in
its physical and mental depression turned his anger into commiseration.
It was in almost an apologetic voice that he broke the silence.

"I stayed because I wanted to have five minutes' quiet talk with you,
sir. My ankle is now practically well, and I am anxious to return to
town. Please don't think I am unappreciative of your kindness in
wishing me to stay, but as I said before I have no wish to be considered
as a candidate for your fortune. It is owing to my accident that I have
remained so long, and not to any change of mind. I hear from my partner
that the business is suffering from my absence, and we have had such a
struggle to work it up to its present condition, that you can understand
I am in a fever to get back."

Contrary to his expectation Mr Farrell showed no sign either of
surprise or anger. Perhaps he had been expecting the announcement as a
result of convalescence, perhaps he was si