William did not sleep very much that night. For some reason, the thought of Ruth Penlogan getting married had scarcely crossed his mind. There seemed to him nobody in St. Goram or St. Ivel that was worthy of her. Hence the appearance of Sam Tremail on the scene intent on marrying her was like the falling of an avalanche burying his hope and his desire. "I suppose it was bound to come some time," he sighed to himself; "and I'd rather she married Sam than some folks I know. But--but it's very hard all the same." A week later Sam rode over to St. Goram again. But Ralph was in London, and William refused to take him to the Penlogans' cottage during Ralph's absence. On the day of Ralph's return, Sam came a third time. "Yes, I'll take you this evening," William said. "I want to see Ralph myself. I've great faith in Ralph's judgment." And William sighed. "Is something troubling you?" Sam asked, with a sudden touch of apprehension. "I am a bit worried," William answered slowly, "and troubles never come singly." "Is there anything I can do for you?" "No, I don't think so," William answered. "But get on your hat; it's a goodish walk." CHAPTER XXIX A QUESTION OF MOTIVES William introduced his cousin with an air of easy indifference, apologised for calling at so late an hour, but excused himself on the ground that he wanted to see Ralph particularly on a little matter of business. Sam was welcomed graciously and heartily, for William's sake. William had been almost the best friend they had ever known. In the darkest days of their life he had come to them almost a stranger, had revealed the kindness of his heart in numberless little ways, had kept himself in the background with a delicacy and sensitiveness worthy of all praise, and had never once presumed on the kindness he had shown them. For a moment or two William saw only Ruth, and he thought she had never looked more charming and winsome. The warmth of her welcome he attributed entirely to a sense of gratitude on her part, and he was very grateful that she counted him worthy to be her friend. When he saw his cousin glance at her with admiring eyes, a pang of jealousy shot through him such as he had never experienced before. He had scarcely troubled till now that his youth had slipped away from him; but when he looked at Sam's smooth, handsome face; his wealth of hair, untouched by Time; his tall, vigorous frame--he could not help wishing that he were ten years younger, and not a shopkeeper. Sam and Ruth quickly got into conversation, and then Ralph led William into a little parlour which he used as an office. "I haven't the remotest idea what I am going to do," Ralph said, in answer to a question from William, "though I know well enough what I would do if I only had money." "Yes?" William questioned, raising his eyes slowly. "I'd buy the freehold of Hillside Farm." "It isn't for sale, is it?" William questioned, in a tone of surprise.