Ruth could not darn the rent in her dress with this continual motion, and she looked up to remonstrate.

As she threw her head back for this purpose, she caught the eye of the gentleman who was standing by; it was so expressive of amusement at the airs and graces of his pretty partner, that Ruth was infected by the feeling, and had to bend her face down to conceal the smile that mantled there.

But not before he had seen it, and not before his attention had been thereby drawn to consider the kneeling figure, that, habited in black up to the throat, with the noble head bent down to the occupation in which she was engaged, formed such a contrast to the flippant, bright, artificial girl who sat to be served with an air as haughty as a queen on her throne.
"Oh, Mr Bellingham! I'm ashamed to detain you so long.

I had no idea any one could have spent so much time over a little tear.

No wonder Mrs Mason charges so much for dress-making, if her work-women are so slow." It was meant to be witty, but Mr Bellingham looked grave.