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here, either; I was on
the gallop when I caught sight of the lad; and, now he has fairly
sobbed and opened his eyes, I see no use in my staying in this
stifling atmosphere. May I trouble you with one thing? Will you be
so good as to see that the little fellow has all that he wants? If
you'll allow me, I'll leave you my purse," continued he, giving it to
Ruth, who was only too glad to have this power entrusted to her of
procuring one or two requisites which she had perceived to be wanted.
But she saw some gold between the net-work; she did not like the
charge of such riches.
    "I shall not want so much, really, sir. One sovereign will be
plenty—more than enough. May I take that out, and I will give you
back what is left of it when I see you again? or, perhaps I had
better send it to you, sir?"
    "I think you had better keep it all at present. Oh! what a horrid
dirty place this is; insufferable two minutes longer. You must not
stay here; you'll be poisoned with this abominable air. Come towards
the door, I beg. Well, if you think one sovereign will be enough, I
will take my purse; only, remember you apply to me if you think they
want more."
    They were standing at the door, where some one was holding Mr
Bellingham's horse. Ruth was looking at him with her earnest eyes
(Mrs Mason and her errands quite forgotten in the interest of
the afternoon's event), her whole thoughts bent upon rightly
understanding and following out his wishes for the little boy's
welfare; and until now this had been the first object in his own
mind. But at this moment the strong perception of Ruth's exceeding
beauty came again upon him. He almost lost the sense of what he was
saying, he was so startled into admiration. The night before, he had
not seen her eyes; and now they looked straight and innocently full
at him, grave, earnest, and deep. But when she instinctively read the
change in the expression of his countenance, she dropped her large
white veiling lids; and he thought her face was lovelier still.
    The irresistible impulse seized him to arrange matters so that he
might see her again before long.
    "No!" said he. "I see it would be better that you should keep
the purse. Many things may be wanted for the lad which we cannot
calculate upon now. If I remember rightly, there are three sovereigns
and some loose change; I shall, perhaps, see you again in a few days,
when, if there be any money left in the purse, you can restore it to
me."
    "Oh, yes, sir," said Ruth, alive to the magnitude of the wants to
which she might have to administer, and yet rather afraid of the
responsibility implied in the possession of so much money.
    "Is there any chance of my meeting you again in this house?" asked
he.
    "I hope to come whenever I can, sir; but I must run in errand-times,
and I don't know when my turn may be."
    "Oh"—he did not fully understand this answer—"I should like to know
how you think the boy is going on, if it is not giving you too much
trouble; do you ever take walks?"
    "Not for walking's sake, sir."
    "Well!" said he, "you go to church, I suppose? Mrs Mason does not
keep you at work on Sundays, I trust?"
    "Oh, no, sir. I go to church regularly."
    "Then, perhaps, you will be so good as to tell me what church you go
to, and I will meet you there next Sunday afternoon?"
    "I go to St Nicholas', sir. I will take care and bring you word how
the boy is, and what doctor they get; and I will keep an account of
the money I spend."
    "Very well; thank you. Remember, I trust to you."
    He meant that he relied on her promise to meet him; but Ruth thought
that he was referring to the responsibility of doing the best she
could for the child. He was going away, when a fresh thought struck
him, and he turned back into the cottage once more, and addressed
Ruth, with a half smile on his countenance:
    "It seems rather strange, but we have no one to introduce us; my name
is Bellingham—yours is—?"
    "Ruth Hilton, sir," she answered, in a low voice, for, now that
the