"On the whole, perhaps, she was right," said the old man. "Can't say unless I know everything; but on the whole, perhaps, she was right." "I think she was, grandfather," said Ruth slowly. "But now please listen. The head-mistress at the school and the governors have found out about the secret society. They have found out that it exists, but they don't know much more. They know, however, that its influence is bad in the school, and they are determined to crush it out. In order to do this they must get full particulars. They must get the name of the leader. I am afraid that they know the name of the leader, but they must also get the names of her companions--all the names--and as much as possible of the rules of the society. Now the only girl not a member of the society who can give those particulars is the girl I have been talking about; for, of course, she knows, as she belonged to it at one time although she has now left it. And the governors and the head-mistress sent for this girl and asked her to betray her companions--those girls to whom she had sworn fealty--and the girl refused." "Quite right," said old Mr. Craven. The color rushed into Ruth's cheeks. She clasped her grandfather's hand firmly. "She thought it right, but something dreadful is going to happen. It will be terribly hard for the girl if she sticks to her resolve, for the governors of the school have presented what they call an ultimatum to her; they have given her from now till Saturday to make up her mind, and if she refuses on Saturday grandfather, she is to be expelled publicly. Her sentence will be proclaimed in the presence of all the school, and she will be watched walking out of the schoolroom and out of the big gates, which will close behind her for ever, and all her chance goes--all her golden prospects. Nevertheless, grandfather, speaking to me from your own heart, ought the girl to betray her companions?" "Upon my word!" said the old man, who was intensely moved by Ruth's story. It did not occur to him for one moment that the little girl was talking about herself. "I tell you what, Ruth," he said; "I must think over it. I pity that poor girl. I don't think the governors ought to put any girl in such a position." "They are sorry, but they say they must. They must get at the truth; they must crush out the insurrection." "But it is turning king's evidence," said the old man. "I don't see how a girl is to be expected to betray her companions." "That is the position, grandfather. And now I think I will get you your dinner." Ruth went out of the room into the little kitchen. For a minute she pressed her hands against her face. "Grandfather agrees with me," she said to herself. "I am glad I consulted him. No one ever had a clearer head for business or for right and wrong than grandfather when he is at his best. He was at his best just now. I feel stronger. I won't betray Kathleen O'Hara." CHAPTER XXIII. RUTH WILL NOT BETRAY KATHLEEN.