When Ruth entered, he went forward to meet
her, drawing her arm through his. They had had no word together, no
meeting of any kind but right here in the morning; and now, as she walked
toward the bed, the gentle smile that came as far as her eyes was all for
her father. Thought could hold no rival for him that day.
"This is Miss Levice, Dr. Stephens," said Kemp, presenting them. A swift
look of wonderment passed under the reverend gentleman's beetle-brows as he
bent over her hand. Could this tall, beautiful girl be the daughter of
little Jules Levice? Where did she get that pure Madonna face, that regal
bearing, that mobile and expressive mouth? The explanation was sufficient
when Mrs. Levice entered. They stood talking, not much, but in that
wandering, obligatory way that precedes any undertaking. they were waiting
for Arnold; he came in presently with a bunch of pale heliotropes. He
always looked well and in character when dressed for some social event; it
was as if he were made for this style of dress, not the style for him. The
delicate pink of his cheeks looked more like the damask skin of a young
girl than ever; his eyes, however, behind their glasses, were veiled. As
he handed Ruth the flowers, he said, --
"I asked the doctor to allow me to give you these.
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