Ruth became as hot as she had previously been cold, and went and opened the window, and leant out into the still, sweet, evening air.

The bush of sweetbrier, underneath the window, scented the place, and the delicious fragrance reminded her of her old home.

I think scents affect and quicken the memory more than either sights or sounds; for Ruth had instantly before her eyes the little garden beneath the window of her mother's room, with the old man leaning on his stick, watching her, just as he had done, not three hours before, on that very afternoon.
"Dear old Thomas! He and Mary would take me in, I think; they would love me all the more if I were cast off.

And Mr Bellingham would, perhaps, not be so very long away; and he would know where to find me if I stayed at Milham Grange.

Oh, would it not be better to go to them?
I wonder if he would be very sorry! I could not bear to make him sorry, so kind as he has been to me; but I do believe it would be better to go to them, and ask their advice, at any rate.