Poor Ruby for the moment was struck dumb with mortification.  Mrs Pipkin had given her credit for more outrageous perseverance than she possessed, and had feared that she would rattle at the front door, or attempt to climb over the area gate.  She was a little afraid of Ruby, not feeling herself justified in holding absolute dominion over her as over a servant.  And though she was now determined in her conduct,—­being fully resolved to surrender neither of the keys which she held in her pocket,—­still she feared that she might so far collapse as to fall away into tears, should Ruby be violent.  But Ruby was crushed.  Her lover would be there to meet her, and the appointment would be broken by her!  ‘Aunt Pipkin,’ she said, ‘let me go just this...