“First provide the hearts, little woman. What can I do, ask Louis or Ruth?”
“Jules,” she returned with vexation, “how childish! Don’t you feel well? Your cheeks are rather flushed.”
“They are somewhat warm. I am going in to kiss the child good-night; she ran off while I saw Dr. Kemp out.”
Ruth sat in her white dressing-gown, her heavy dark hair about her, her brush idle in her hand. Her father stood silently in the doorway, regarding her, a great dread tugging at his heart. Jules Levice was a keen student of the human face, and he had caught a faint glimpse of something in the doctor’s eyes while Ruth sang. He knew it had been harmless, for her back had been turned, but he wished to reassure himself.
She started up in confusion as he came in.
“Of what were you thinking, darling?” he continued, putting his hand under her soft white chin and looking deeply into her eyes.
“Well,” she answered slowly, “I was not thinking of anything important; I was thinking of you. We are going to Beacham’s next week--and have you any fine silk shirts?”
“Well, no,” he answered; “I leave all such fancies to your care. So we go next week. I am glad; and you?”
“I? Oh, I love the country in its summer dress, you know.”
“Yes. Well, good-night, love.” He took her face between his hands, and drawing it down to his, kissed it. Still holding her, he said with sweet solemnity,--
“‘The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.
“‘The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.’”
It was August. The Levices had purposely postponed leaving town until the gay, merry-making crowds had disappeared, when Mrs. Levice, in the quiet autumn, could put a crown to her recovery.
Ruth had quite a busy time getting all three ready, as she was to continue the management of the household affairs until their return, a month later. Besides which, numerous little private incidentals had to be put in running order for a month, and she realized with a pang at parting with some of her simple, sincere proteges that were this part of her life withdrawn, the rest would pall insufferably.
The evening before their departure she stood bareheaded upon the steps of the veranda with Louis, who was enjoying a post-prandial smoke. Mr. and Mrs. Levice, in the soft golden gloaming of late summer, were strolling arm-in-arm among the flower-beds. Mrs. Levice, without obviously looking toward them, felt with satisfaction that Ruth was looking well in a plain black gown which she had had no time to change after her late shopping. She did not know that, close and isolated as the young man and woman stood, not only were they silent, but each appeared oblivious of the other’s presence.