what you mean, mother," I cried out at last, "but I must have
time, I cannot decide in a moment. I must speak to Ruth, to Wilfred."

"Why speak to Ruth? You will only give her more pain. You spoke this
afternoon. Why cause her to bear more than she is already bearing?"

Ruth had told her, then, and doubtless told her, too, what were her
feelings towards Wilfred! I saw the truth, the force of her words, and
yet it was very hard.

"I must think, mother," I said. "I know you love Wilfred the better; I
know you think him far more fit to be the head of the house than I; you
think I ought to make the sacrifice, but I must have time to think."

"How long, Roger? The day after to-morrow Ruth leaves Trewinion Manor."

"Leave! Why?"

"Need you ask? She cannot wait here in the house with the man she
thinks she has to marry, when the thought of such a thing is terrible."

I was driving Ruth away then. Not only was I giving her pain and
sorrow, but because of me she was going to leave the only home wherein
she could be happy. It was true she could return to her own home,
which had been kept in repair, but I knew she did not intend going
there until she came of age.

"She does not wish to be with me longer than she thinks she is forced
by her father's will?" I said.

"She knows she is not expected to marry you until she is twenty-one.
That will not be for some time, and so she is going away."

This was hardest of all to bear, it drove me to madness. Her
detestation of me was so great that she determined to shun me.

"Just one word more, mother. Have you spoken to me because of Ruth's
desire, or with her sanction?"

A strange look flashed across my mother's face; then she said, "Roger,
never think I can answer that question."

My brain seemed on fire, and I could not tell what to do, I could not
decide. I simply rushed out of the room saying, "You will soon know."

I made my way to my room upstairs, and in passing along a corridor I
saw a light in Mr. Inch's room. Immediately I knocked at his door, and
on receiving permission, entered. I found him busy with a lot of
papers.

"Is it correct that you and Miss Morton are going to leave us, Mr.
Inch?" I said.

He bowed, and said, quietly but distinctly, "It is so decided."

"Might I ask the reason for this abrupt departure?" I said. "I have
heard nothing about it until to-night."

He looked at me for a moment steadily; then he said,

"It is not for