Then, quite suddenly, his voice harsh: "What do you mean, Diana ?" he inquired.
Diana shrugged and turned her shoulder to him.

"You had best ask Ruth," said she, which was an answer more or less plain to both the men.
They stood at gaze, Richard looking a thought foolish.

Blake, frowning, his heavy lip caught in his strong, white teeth.
Ruth turned to her brother with an almost piteous attempt at a smile.
She sought to spare him pain by excluding from her manner all suggestion that things were other than she desired.
"I am betrothed to Mr.Wilding," said she.
Sir Rowland made a sudden forward movement, drew a deep breath, and as suddenly stood still.

Richard looked at his sister as she were mad and raving.

Then he laughed, between unbelief and derision.
"It is a jest," said he, but his accents lacked conviction.
"It is the truth," Ruth assured him quietly.
"The truth ?" His brow darkened ominously--stupendously for one so fair.