Gertie was standing in the garden near the front entrance as he came up the path. She noticed his black look and shrank aside. He went straight through the house and shut himself in his study. He was busy all the morning with some papers which he took from a drawer that he always kept locked. Ruth saw nothing of him till evening, when they sat down to dinner. Gertie had told her that he had one of his ‘fits’ on him, and Ruth, like a sensible little woman, thought discretion was the better part of valour, and did not go and worry him. At dinner he scarcely spoke, and Ruth and Gertie had the conversation to themselves. When the servants were out of the room, Ruth, thinking to coax him out of his silence, laughingly offered him a penny for his thoughts, and, when he did not reply, raised her offer to twopence, and put the two coppers in front of him on the table. He pushed them angrily away, and in doing so his hand caught the wine-glass and dashed the contents all over the table-cloth. ‘Oh, Edward, how careless!’ exclaimed Ruth. ‘Why, what-ever’s put you out?’ ‘Nothing!’ he answered snappishly. ‘Nonsense! something has. Come, tell me. Why have secret from me? Was it anything in the letters this morning?’ ‘Will you leave me alone?’ exclaimed her husband, clinching his hand, and striking it on the table. The tears came into Ruth’s eyes. ‘Gertie dear,’ she said, ‘go up and sit with mamma a little, will you?’ Gertie took the hint and went out, her cheeks scarlet and her lip quivering. ‘Edward, what is the matter with you?’ Ruth then said. ‘I never heard you speak like this before! Are you mad?’ ‘No, I’m just coming to my senses,’ answered her husband; ringing the bell violently. The servant entered. ‘Bring me the time-table.’ The servant went into the study and brought the local time-table. The squire ran his finger down it. ‘There’s a train to town at 9.30. Pack my portmanteau at once.’ The servant withdrew, as much astonished at the idea of the master’s abrupt departure as Ruth was. ‘Do you mean to say that you are going to town to-night’, Edward?’ she asked, scarcely believing her ears. ‘Yes, I do.’ ‘But you never said a word——’ ‘Madam, am I bound to consult you about my move——’ He broke down suddenly. The sight of Ruth’s grave face and the hot tears welling to her eyes was too much for him. ‘Forgive me, my darling,’ he cried, clasping her to his breast and kissing her passionately. ‘Ah, Ruth, Ruth! if you only knew what I have suffered you would forgive me.’ ‘Tell me what it is, Edward,’ sobbed Ruth. ‘Let me bear your secret with you.’ ‘I cannot,’ he moaned. ‘I am going to town now. When I return all may be well. In the meantime trust in me.’ He kissed her passionately and went out of the room. Half-an-hour later he bade her adieu and drove to the station.