Besides, her own interests urged the averting of this encounter.

And so she held in accents almost tearful that something must be done to save him.
This, too, appeared to be Richard's own view, when presently--within a few minutes of Blake's departure--he came to join them.

They watched his approach in silence, and both noted--though with different eyes and different feelings--the pallor of his fair face, the dark lines under his colourless eyes.

His condition was abject, and his manners, never of the best--for there was much of the spoiled child about Richard--were clearly suffering from it.
He stood before his sister and his cousin, moving his eyes shiftily from one to the other, rubbing his hands nervously together.
"Your precious friend Sir Rowland has been here," said he, and it was not clear from his manner which of them he addressed.

"Not a doubt but he will have brought you the news." He seemed to sneer.
Ruth advanced towards him, her face grave, her sweet eyes full of pitying concern.