I have it in the matter that brings me here." So solemn was his air, so sober his voice, that both girls felt a premonition of the untoward message that he bore.

It was Ruth who asked him to explain himself.
"Will you walk, ladies ?" said Blake, and waved the hand that still held his hat riverwards, adown the sloping lawn.

They moved away together, Sir Rowland pacing between his love of yesterday and his love of to-day, pressed with questions from both.

He shaded his eyes to look at the river, dazzling in the morning sunlight that came over Polden Hill, and, standing thus, he unburdened himself at last.
"My news concerns Richard and--Mr.Wilding." They looked at him.
Miss Westmacott's fine level brows were knit.

He paused to ask, as if suddenly observing his absence, "Is Richard not yet risen ?" "Not yet," said Ruth, and waited for him to proceed.
"It does credit to his courage that he should sleep late on such a day," said Blake, and was pleased with the adroitness wherewith he broke the news.