rpose. Eh,
Esther?"

"It is Quixotic," affirmed Mrs. Levice; "but since you have gone so far,
there is no reasonable way of getting out of it. When next I see the
doctor, I shall speak to him of it."

"There will be no occasion, dear," remonstrated the indulgent father, at
sight of the annoyed flash in Ruth's eyes; "I shall."

By which it will be seen that the course of an only child is not so
smooth as one of many children may think; every action of the former
assumes such prominence that it is examined and cross-examined, and very
often sent to Coventry; whereas, in a large family, the happy-go-lucky
offspring has his little light dimmed, and therefore less remarked,
through the propinquity of others.

Chapter XII

If Ruth, in the privacy of her heart, realized that she was sailing
toward dangerous rapids, the premonition gave her no unpleasant fears.
Possibly she used no lens, being content to glide forever on her smooth
stream of delight. When the sun blinds us, we cannot see the warning
black lurking in the far horizon. Without doubt the girl's soul and
sympathies were receiving their proper food. Life was full for her, not
because she was occupied,--for a busy life does not always prove a
full one,--but because she entered thoroughly into the lives of others,
struggled with their struggles, triumphed in their triumphs, and was
beginning to see in everything, good or bad, its necessity of existence.
Under ordinary circumstances one cannot see much misery without
experiencing a world of disillusion and futile rebellion of spirit; but
Ruth was not living just at that time under ordinary circumstances.

Something of the nature of electricity seemed to envelop her, that made
her pulses bound, her lips quick to smile, and her eyes shine like twin
dreamstars. She seemed to be moving to some rapturous music unheard save
only by herself. At night, alone with her heart, she dared hardly name
to herself the meaning of it all, a puritanic modesty withheld her.
Yet all the sweet humility of which she was possessed could not banish
from her memory the lingering clasp of a hand, the warm light that
fell from eyes that glanced at her. For the present, these were grace
sufficient for her daily need. Given the perfume, what need to name the
flower?

Her family, without understanding it, noted the difference in their
different ways. Mrs. Levice saw with a thrill of delight that she was
growing more softly beautiful. Her