"I know that," he answered, the colour mounting suddenly to his cheeks. "But as far as his son Geoffrey is concerned, it may do him good not to have unlimited cash."
"I was not thinking of Geoffrey. I was thinking of Miss Dorothy."
"It may do her good also," he said, a little savagely. "Women are none the worse for knowing the value of a sovereign."
For several minutes there was silence; then Ruth said, without raising her eyes--
"For why?" he questioned with a smile, half guessing what was in her mind.
"You would like to go back there again to live?"
"Shouldn't I just! Oh, Ralph, it would be like heaven!"
"I'm not so sure that I should like to go back," he said, after a long pause.
"Don't you think the pain would outweigh the pleasure?"
"Oh no. I think father and mother wander through the orchard and across the fields still, and I should feel nearer to them there; and I'm sure it would make heaven a better place for them if they knew we were back in the old home."
"Ah, well," he said, with a sigh, "that is a dream we cannot indulge in. Sir John Liskeard asked me why I did not buy it."
"What could I say, Ruth, except that I could just as easily buy the moon?"
"No, no, I don't mean that, you silly boy; but is land so very, very dear?"
"Compared with land in or near big towns or cities, it is very, very cheap."
"But I mean it would take a lot of money to buy Hillside?"
"You and I would think it a lot." And then the sound of footsteps was heard outside, followed a moment later by a timid knock at the door.
"I wonder who it can be?" Ruth said, starting to her feet. "I'm glad you are at home, or I should feel quite nervous."
"Do you think burglars would knock at the front door and ask if they might come in?" he questioned, with a laugh.
Ruth did not reply, but went at once to the door and opened it, much wondering who their visitor could be, for it was very rarely anyone called at so late an hour.
It had grown quite dark outside, so that she could only see the outline of two tall figures standing in the garden path.
She was quickly reassured by a familiar voice saying--
"Is your brother at home, Miss Penlogan?"
And then for some reason the hot blood rushed in a torrent to her neck and face.