Well, if you think one sovereign will be enough, I will take my purse; only, remember you apply to me if you think they want more." They were standing at the door, where some one was holding Mr Bellingham's horse.

Ruth was looking at him with her earnest eyes (Mrs Mason and her errands quite forgotten in the interest of the afternoon's event), her whole thoughts bent upon rightly understanding and following out his wishes for the little boy's welfare; and until now this had been the first object in his own mind.

But at this moment the strong perception of Ruth's exceeding beauty came again upon him.

He almost lost the sense of what he was saying, he was so startled into admiration.

The night before, he had not seen her eyes; and now they looked straight and innocently full at him, grave, earnest, and deep.