He had made his fortune as a contractor by sheer
hard work, by patient perseverance and the concentra-
tion of all his powers on the work. Ruth's mother,
the only woman who was ever known to influence his
sternness, or bask in his love, had married him in the
early struggling days, and had lived long enough to
enjoy the full fruits of his toil. She had been a friend
of Lady Vandeleur's in her girlhood, and Jos. Morley
had built his house on the slopes of some wooded hills,
between Red Tor and Dawcombe, in order that one



An Evening at Red Tor. 43

woman friend in whom his wife had confidence might
be a constant guest. The acreage of his land was not
large, but enough to give him employment in his
declining years; while, after Mrs. Morley's death,
Lady Vandeleur was always at hand to chaperon Ruth
in society and introduce her to the county sets. His
sister, Mrs. Slade, or Aunt Letitia, by which name she
was best known, made long and frequent visits to the
" Court," bringing sunshine and harmony wherever she
showed herself, and caps of gorgeous colours and costly
materials, enough to stock a milliner's whole establish-
ment.
CHAPTER IX.
AN EVENING AT RED TOR.
Fast and furious was the chaff between the young men
, that night at the dinner-table, while each asked and
recounted the news and adventures of the past four
months. Many the warning looks from Lady Vande-
leur, directed to each and all, when too lively sallies
appeared likely to provoke the interference q{ Mr.
