ectric reading-lamp attached to the wall, its rack for books and
papers, and cosy fur rug! Ruth tucked the rug securely in position,
and, looking up, caught the reflection of her face in the strip of
mirror opposite. The blue serge toque sat so jauntily on her head that
it looked quite smart; the pink tie was undoubtedly becoming. Well, it
was a comfort to be pretty, at least! To have been poor and plain would
have been quite too depressing. She smiled back in approving fashion,
to feel somewhat disconcerted a moment later as the mirror reflected
Donald Maclure's face beside her own. He was staring at her with the
same intent questioning which she had noticed in Eleanor's eyes, and
surely he looked paler, older, more haggard than usual! She turned
towards him, warmed into increased friendship by the presentiment that
he was in trouble like herself.

"It's so good of you to take me home, Dr Maclure! It may seem curious
to you, but it's quite a treat to me to drive about in this comfy
carriage. I so seldom travel in anything but shaky omnibuses. I should
not object to being a lady doctor, if I could have a brougham like this
of my very own. There! We never thought of that when we were
discussing my possible fields of labour!"

Dr Maclure bent forward, and glanced out of the window. His horse was
travelling quickly to-night; in another ten minutes Mr Connor's house
would be reached, and his opportunity over. He turned to face his
companion, and said quietly--

"There is another possibility open to you, Ruth, which you have perhaps
not considered. Have you ever thought of it, I wonder? Can you guess
what I mean?"

The grey eyes stared into his in frankest bewilderment.

"No," cried Ruth--"no! What is it? Something nice? Tell me what it
is."

"You have never guessed that I love you; that I have loved you for
years, since you were a girl at school? You have never once guessed it
all this time?"

He read his answer in the blank face and startled eyes, for Ruth was too
utterly taken aback to feel the usual embarrassment. She sat perfectly
still, gazing not at him but at the reflection of his face in the mirror
opposite. Dr Maclure! Was she dreaming, or was it really his voice
which she heard uttering these extraordinary words? Dr Maclure loved
her--had loved her for years! It was too inconceivable to be grasped!
He asked if she had not guessed his secret, but Ruth had not thought of
him at all;