"I shall not long interrupt the unbending process.

I only came to ask--" "To ask!" repeated Charles, who had got up as she was standing, and came and stood near her.
"You remember the first evening you were here ?" "I do." "And what we spoke of at dinner ?" "Perfectly." "I came to ask you how much you lent Raymond ?" Ruth's clear, earnest eyes were fixed full upon him.
At this moment Charles perceived Lady Mary at a little distance, propelling herself gently over the grass in the direction of the summer-house.

In another second she had perceived Charles and Ruth, and had turned precipitately, and hobbled away round the corner with surprising agility.
"Confound her!" inwardly ejaculated Charles.
"I wish to know how much you lent him," said Ruth again, as he did not answer, happily unconscious of what had been going on behind her back.
"Only what I was well able to afford." "And has he paid it back since ?" "I am sure he understood I should not expect him to pay it back at once." "But he has had it three years." Charles did not answer.
"I feel sure he is not able to pay it.

Will you kindly tell me how much it was ?" "No, Miss Deyncourt; I think not." "Why not ?" "Because--excuse me, but I perceive that if I do you will instantly wish to pay it." "I do wish to pay it." "I thought so." There was a short silence.
"I still wish it," said Ruth at last.
Charles was silent.

Her pertinacity annoyed and yet piqued him.