Their faces did not, if their murmurs belied their expression of countenance. But Mrs. Judson ran on untiringly--she was a "fluid" speaker--and settled herself more comfortably in her chair. Evidently Ryder had her on his hands, and he beckoned the waiter so as to have it over with as soon as possible. Ruth had said she was hungry, and Mrs. Judson looked like a woman with a hearty appetite. Her order did not belie her appearance. Ryder was too much disturbed in his mind to know whether he could eat or not; but he ordered something, and tried to be social while a dozen different threads of thought were entangled in his brain. "I think it's so romantic, don't you know, for you two to get married and come right here when the hotel is so disrupted," gushed the widow. "Very romantic," acquiesced Ryder grimly. "You two poor babes in the woods. No! I'm going to call you Romeo and Juliet," she declared. "I'm sure the opportunity for your husband to be a romantic knight," looking at Ruth, "is just as good in this hotel under present conditions as he would have found in the days of the Montagues and Capulets. "He has surely rescued one lone dame in distress--that's me!" and she laughed with a heartiness that shook her ponderous figure. "There are dragons to kill now, too. I understand that one man here in the hotel has bought up all the lamps and candles in town and refuses to let us have any save at an exorbitant price." "How mean!" murmured Ruth, trying to be polite while Ryder smiled behind his napkin. "Isn't it? I mean to get back to my rooms so that Marie can undress me before the lights are put out. I don't know what I would do in the dark." "I think it is horrid of anybody to take advantage of our necessities in such a way as this," Ruth said thoughtfully. "Fancy being at the mercy of a man who would be mean enough to corner the lighting of the world--and if he'd corner the lighting of a single hotel I suppose he would a deal rather found a Universal Lighting Trust." The little joke which he was having all to himself put Ryder in a better humor. Mrs. Judson grew more animated, and Ruth did her best to make the impromptu occasion pleasant. "Just think! this is a bridal supper," simpered Mrs. Judson. "We ought to celebrate--just a little. It's wicked, I know, to think of champagne at such a time. But we must have something more sparkling than water to drink this pretty lady's health in. If you will allow me, Mr.--er--Romeo----" "I could not think of your ordering anything at my table," said Ryder with an involuntary frown. "But if you ladies would enjoy a glass of wine we will have some, of course." "Now, that is gallant of you," cried the widow, forseeing a luxury that she loved, but seldom paid for. "When poor dear Horace was alive we had it often for dinner. He was inordinately fond of the good things of life." "But his taste in wives was not very select," thought John Ryder, his disgust growing.