Something perhaps they achieved in that Ruth grew more or less resigned to the fate that awaited her.

By repeating to herself the arguments she had employed to Richard--that she must wed some day, and that Mr.Wilding would prove no doubt as good a husband as another--she came in a measure to believe them.
Richard meanwhile appeared to avoid her.

Lacking the courage to adopt the heroic measures which at first he had promised, yet had he grace enough to take shame at his inaction.

But if he was idle so far as Mr.Wilding was concerned, there was no lack of work for him in other connections.

The clouds of war were gathering in that summer sky, and about to loose the storm gestating in them upon that fair country of the West, and young Westmacott, committed as he stood to the Duke of Monmouth's party, was forced to take his share in the surreptitious bustle that was toward.