Other Things Being Equal

Chapter XXII

CHAPTER XXII RS. LEVICE'S gaze strayed pensively from the violets she was embroidering to Ruth's pale face. Every time the latter stirred, her mother started expectantly , but the anxiously awaited disclosure was not forthcoming. Outside, the rain kept up a sullen downpour, deepening the sense of comfort within; but Mrs. Levice was not what one might call comfortably minded. Her frequent inventories of Ruth's face had at last led her to believe that the pallor there depicted and the heavy, dark shadows about her eyes meant something decidedly not gladsome, something decidedly serious. "Don't you feel well, Ruth?" she asked finally, with some anxiety. Ruth raised her heavy eyes. "I? Oh, I feel perfectly well. Why do you ask? Do I look ill?" u Yes, you do; your face is unusually pale, and your eyes look tired. Did you sit up over late last night?" This was a leading move, but Ruth evaded the deeper meaning so evident to her now. "No," she replied; "I believe it couldn't have been nine when I went upstairs." "Why? Were you too tired to sit up, or was Louis's company unpleasant?" "Oh, no," was the abrupt response, and her eyes fell to the open page again. Mrs. Levice, once started on the trail, was not to be baffled by such tactics. Since Ruth was not ill, she had had some mental disturbance of which her haggard appearance was the consequence . She felt almost positive that Louis had made some advances last night judging by the flash of intelligence with which 224 OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL 225 he had met her telegraphic expression* It was natural for her to be curious; it was unnatural for Ruth to be so reticent* With expectations not a little hurt she decided to know something more* "For my part," she observed, as if continuing a discussion, "I think Louis charming in a tete^tete—when he feels inclined to be interesting he generally succeeds* Did he tell you anything worth repeating? It's a dull afternoon, and you might entertain me a little-" She looked up from the violet petal she had just completed and encountered Ruth's full, questioning gaze* "What is it you would like to know, mamma?" she asked in a gentle voice* "Nothing you do not care to tell," her mother answered proudly, but regarding her intently* Ruth passed her hand wearily across her brow, and considered a moment before answering* "I didn't mean to hurt you by my silence, mamma, but before I had decided I hardly thought it necessary to say anything* He asked me to—marry him*" The avowal was not made with the conventional confusion and trembling* Mrs* Levice was startled by the dead calm of her manner* "You say that as if it were a daily occurrence for a man like Louis Arnold to offer you his hand and name*" "I hope not*" "But you do* I confess I believe you're not one tenth as excited as I am* Why didn't you tell me before? Any other girl would have sat up to tell her mother in the night* Oh, Ruth darling, I'm so glad* I've been looking forward to this ever since you grew up* What did you mean by saying you wanted to wait till you had decided? Decided what?" "Upon my answer*" "As if you could question it, you fortunate girl! Or were you waiting for me to help you to it? I scarcely need tell you how you have been honored*" "Honor isn't everything, mamma*" 226 OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL At that moment a desperate longing for her mother's sympathy seized her, but on the heel of the impulse the knowledge of the needless sorrow it would occasion came to her, and her lips remained closed. "No," responded her mother, "and you have more than that. Surely Louis didn't neglect to tell you," "You mean his love, I suppose,—Yes, I have that," "Then what else do you want? You probably know that he can give you every luxury within reason—we needn't overlook honest practicality. As for Louis himself, the most fastidious could find nothing to cavil at—he will make you a perfect husband. You're familiar enough with him to know his faults, but you know that no man is faultless, I hope you're...