Can you ascertain this for me, and bring me word next Sunday ?" "Oh, yes, sir," said Ruth, glad that this commission was completely within her power to execute, and anxious to make up for her previous seeming neglect.

"I'll look directly I get home, and ask Mrs Mason to write and let you know." "Thank you," said he, only half satisfied; "I think perhaps, however, it might be as well not to trouble Mrs Mason about it; you see, it would compromise me, and I am not quite determined to purchase the picture; if you would ascertain whether the painting is there, and tell me, I would take a little time to reflect, and afterwards I could apply to Mrs Mason myself." "Very well, sir; I will see about it." So they parted.
Before the next Sunday, Mrs Wood had taken her daughter to her distant home, to recruit in that quiet place.

Ruth watched her down the street from an upper window, and, sighing deep and long, returned to the workroom, whence the warning voice and the gentle wisdom had departed..