have often thought I should like to purchase it, if it still
remained there. Can you ascertain this for me, and bring me word
next Sunday?"

"Oh, yes, sir," said Ruth, glad that this commission was
completely within her power to execute, and anxious to make up
for her previous seeming neglect. "I'll look directly I get home,
and ask Mrs. Mason to write and let you know."

"Thank you," said he, only half satisfied; "I think, perhaps,
however, it might be as well not to trouble Mrs. Mason about it;
you see it would compromise me, and I am not quite determined to
purchase the picture; if you would ascertain whether the painting
is there, and tell me, I would take a little time to reflect, and
afterwards I could apply to Mrs. Mason myself."

"Very well, sir; I will see about it." So they parted.

Before the next Sunday Mrs. Wood had taken her daughter to her
distant home, to recruit in that quiet place. Ruth watched her
down the street from an upper window, and, sighing deep and long,
returned to the workroom, whence the warning voice and gentle
wisdom had departed.


CHAPTER III


SUNDAY AT MRS. MASON'S