It was not the place or time to introduce your cousin s name.
"You think, Sir Rowland," put in Ruth, her air grave, judicial almost, "that Richard behaved well ?" "As I would like to behave myself, as I would have a son of mine behave on the like occasion," Blake protested.

"But we waste words," he cried.
"I did not come to defend Richard, nor just to bear you this untoward news.

I came to consult with you, in the hope that we might find some way to avert this peril from your brother." "What way is possible ?" asked Ruth, and sighed.

"I would not...

I would not have Richard a coward." "Would you prefer him dead ?" asked Blake, sadly grave.
"Sooner than craven--yes," Ruth answered him, very white.
"There is no question of that," was Blake's rejoinder.