"You are a good friend, Sir Rowland," she said, with a pale smile; and pale too was the smile with which Diana watched them.

No more than Ruth did she suspect the sincerity of Blake's protestations.
"I am proud you should account me that," said the baronet, taking Ruth's hands and holding them a moment; "and I would that I could prove myself your friend in this to some good purpose.

Believe me, if Wilding would consent that I might take your brother's place, I would gladly do so." It was a safe boast, knowing as he did that Wilding would consent to no such thing; but it earned him a glance of greater kindliness from Ruth--who began to think that hitherto perhaps she had done him some injustice--and a look of greater admiration from Diana, who saw in him her beau-ideal of the gallant lover.
"I would not have you endanger yourself so," said Ruth.
"It might," said Blake, his blue eyes very fierce, "be no great danger, after all." And then dismissing that part of the subject as if, like a brave man, the notion of being thought boastful were unpleasant, he passed on to the discussion of ways and means by which the coming duel might be averted.

But when they came to grips with facts, it seemed that Sir Rowland had as little idea of what might be done as had the ladies.
True, he began by making the obvious suggestion that Richard should tender Wilding a full apology.

That, indeed, was the only door of escape, and Blake shrewdly suspected that what the boy had been unwilling to do last night--partly through wine, and partly through the fear of looking fearful in the eyes of Lord Gervase Scoresby's guests--he might be willing enough to do to-day, sober and upon reflection.