The Keepers of the People

1833Colonel Sayers and Dr. Brand came to her with congratulations; but she said nothing; she wished to be alone to think. Of a sudden she rose; murmured faintly some thanks; and with her two maids came out of the hall, and walked slowly to the Golden Rooms. She could not realise that the bond which had bound her to Lord Lisdor so long and so closely had suddenly snapped. But when the curtains of her room fell behind her, she stretched out her arms as one relieved of a heavy burden; cried in a breathless voice, “I am free — free!” and fell on her knees by her bed, sobbing.

1834But Althea realised quickly Ruth’s freedom; and her uneasiness grew and grew. She betook herself to the deserted Pavilion of Wonderful Delights to wrestle alone with her trouble; and spent the afternoon assuring herself again and again that her dread was groundless, that Ruth and Prince Ralph were no more than friends; but she would not be assured. At dinner she could not eat; she observed or fancied that Prince Ralph’s eyes burned with a new fire when they rested on Ruth, that Ruth wore a shy, timid air, and would not meet them; and when dinner was done she slipped away, and came back to the lonely Pavilion.

1835Presently, Ruth, who had wondered at her troubled air, came out in search of her to learn the reason of it, and cheer her from her gloom; and Prince Ralph followed Ruth.

1836She had come through the wing into the gardens before she knew that he was behind her; then with her heart a-flutter, her breath coming short, she quickened her steps. A few swift strides brought him to her; for a moment the desire to fly was strong upon her; then she turned to meet him with shy, shrinking eyes, and cheeks that flamed and paled by turns. His face was alight with joy, and passion, and triumph. He caught in his the hands she thrust out, in spite of herself, to hold him off, and cried, “At last, dear love! At last!”

1837She sank forward, leaning against him; and holding her to him, he said with a great sigh, in deep, soft tones, “How often have I dreamed of this hour, dear love! How often have I feared it would never come!”