Page:A Colonial Wooing.djvu/84

 "No, father," exclaimed Ruth, standing up before him and giving him one of those steady, fearless looks that made him lose confidence in himself,—"no, I am not ill, but I have had too much to happen in one day perhaps. This is indeed sudden; but as to leaving mother, no, not for any fortune in England or all the fortunes in all England, and thee can send word to Revell Stacy as soon as thee chooses."

"Do not be rash, dear," Ruth's mother almost whispered; "thee must think it over."

"Very well, then, I'll think it over and ask Cousin Robert what he thinks," said Ruth, quietly.

Her suggestion to refer it to Robert Pearson made her step-father look very black, and he closed the lid of his desk with a startling slam.