Ashortstone\'s—throwfromwheretheyhadhaltedstoodacottagebackfromtheroadinalittleplotofground,thepropertyofakindlyoldwomanknowntoboth。ThereDianaexpressedthewishtorestawhile,andthithertheytooktheirway,Ruthleadingbothhorsesandsupportingherfalteringcousin。Thedamewasallsolicitude。Dianawasledintoherparlour,andwhatcouldbedonewasdone。Hercorsagewasloosened,waterdrawnfromthewellandbroughthertodrinkandbatheherbrow。
Shesatbacklanguidly,herheadlollingsidewaysagainstoneofthewingsofthegreatchair,andlanguidlyassuredthemshewouldbebettersoonifshewerebutallowedtorestawhile。Ruthdrewupastooltositbesideher,forallthathersoulfrettedatthisdelay。WhatifinconsequencesheshouldreachZoylandChasetoolate—tofindthaMr。Wildinghadgoneforthalready？Butevenasshewasabouttosit,itseemedthatthesamethoughthadofasuddencometoDiana。Thegirlleanedforward,thrusting—asifbyaneffort—someofherfaintnessfromher。
\"Donotwaitforme,Ruth,\"shebegged。
\"Imust,child。\"
\"Youmustnot;\"theotherinsisted。\"Thinkwhatitmaymean—Richard\'slife,perhaps。No,no,Ruth,dear。Goon;goontoZoyland。I\'llfollowyouinafewminutes。\"