Pshaw! it's none of my business," and she resolutely turns her face toward the bright scene on the street, only to glance back again a dozen seconds later.
The doctor comes up; singularly enough Lady Ruth has just bethought herself of her fan, and the military figure of the stalwart Briton is seen passing through the door-way upon a wild-goose chase for the much maligned article of ladies' warfare, which has played its part in many a bit of diplomacy, and which he will never find, as it is at that moment resting in the folds of milady's dress, cleverly hidden from view.
"I trust you have had no bad news, doctor ?" says the English girl, with a touch of sympathy in her voice.
"On the contrary, Lady Ruth, I have heard something that is of intense moment to me," he replies, showing emotion.
"About--your mother ?" she asks, quickly.
"It is so.

Lady Ruth, you have heard me speak enough of my past to realize that it has been a lonely life.

My father loves me after his own fashion, and I--respect him deeply; but all my life I have longed for the love of a mother, until it has reached an intensity you can hardly comprehend.

Now I have received certain news that gives me a wild hope." "I, too, lost my mother when young, and that circumstance enables me to feel for you." Her tender eyes thrill him as he never yet has been touched; the bond of sympathy is akin to love; he has never had a confidant, and human nature yearns to unbosom itself.
"I promised to tell you the story, Lady Ruth.

If I were sure we would not be interrupted, I would be inclined to speak now, for I am about starting upon a mission, the result of which Heaven alone can foresee." His earnestness impresses her ladyship; trust a bright girl for bridging over a trifling difficulty such as this.
"There is a little private parlor attached and generally empty," she suggests, artlessly.
"Just the ticket," he boldly exclaims.
In a few minutes they are seated alone in this bijou parlor; its decorations are quaint, even barbaric in their splendor, and a lover of the _bizarre_ would happen upon such a scene with the keenest of pleasure.
"Here are some drawings we can be looking over," she suggests, and he nods eagerly, inwardly blessing her ready sagacity.
Thus they look harmless enough.
"Now I will play the lady confessor.