In answer Ruth told her story. The young lawyer listened in pained surprise. Strictly honorable himself, he found it hard to believe that a man whom he knew so well could be guilty of the meanness of defrauding two women whose interests had been confided to him. Yet the story seemed probable. Moreover, even had matters been as Mr. Ferguson represented, his want of feeling seemed almost as bad as absolute dishonesty. He asked Ruth several questions in order that he might become fully possessed of all particulars. "This, then, was the cause of your agitation?" he said at length. "Not wholly. It was the treatment I received from Miss Ferguson that affected me most." "Miss Ferguson! Do you know Miss Ferguson?" Lindsay asked quickly. "I met her for the first time yesterday afternoon." "Where--may I ask?" "In the Erie train. I entered the cars at Port Jervis. She was already on board, but I do not know from what point she had come." "I think I know. She had been visiting a school friend at Binghamton." "You know her, then?" "Yes. I met her at a party about a year since." "If she is a friend of yours I will not say anything to her disadvantage." "But I want you to tell me all there is to tell. I have a special reason for learning all I can about her. You say she treated you ill?" "She treated me cruelly. She took offense in the cars because the conductor removed her dog from a seat in order to make room for me." "Was there no other seat in the car?" "None, or I would not have disturbed her. I did not like to stand all the way from Port Jervis to New York." "Of course not. Please favor me with the particulars." The young man listened attentively while Ruth in simple language--not exaggerating in any respect--told her story. Young Lindsay's brow contracted, for he felt indignant at the cold selfishness shown by the young lady who had hitherto attracted him. He felt that, if it were all true, he could never again look upon her even with ordinary friendship. "She feigned to look upon me as a servant," Ruth concluded, "and sharply rebuked me for thrusting myself upon her. I would gladly have taken another seat had any been unoccupied, but the car was full. I heard from the train boy that it was on account of an excursion to Shohola Glen." "I confess, Miss Patton" (Ruth had told her name), "I am surprised and pained by what you have told me. I never knew that Luella--Miss Ferguson--had such unlovely traits. To me she has always seemed kind and considerate." Looking in the young man's expressive face, Ruth Patton felt that she understood better than he why Miss Ferguson had assumed to be what she was not. She was not surprised that Luella should desire to make a favorable impression upon one who seemed to her the most attractive young man she had ever met. But of course she could not give utterance to the thought that was in her mind, and remained silent.