complaint," said her mother coolly; "but a 'daw in borrowed feathers' is
never a pretty sight."

"But, mamma, I am going to be just as good as I look, for this evening
anyway; and I am sure, if my eyesight does not deceive me and my friends do
not flatter, that I never looked better, so I'm content," and she left the
room to put on her outside garments.

She meekly submitted to the extra wraps that Lancy insisted on placing
round her face, and she felt, as she stood beside him, that Lancy's
tenderness and love added not a little to her daily happiness, even though
she had not just the same regard for him as he professed to have for her.

"I think I'll drive down with Hugh," she said teasingly, as they came down
the steps to the street, where both sleighs were waiting.

"But I won't let you," said Lancy quickly. "You are mine for this evening.
I have earned that much, surely. I can't spare you to anyone else, my
Dexie," and he lifted her in beside himself.

They drove quickly to the hall, and were soon in the dressing-room, among
the bevy of young ladies who were to take part in the concert. Gussie's
heart was pierced with envy as she noticed how much attention was bestowed
on her sister, and she heartily wished that Dexie had kept to her refusal
of the morning.

Mr. Ross noticed that his peace-offering was not appreciated, and wisely
refrained from further remarks, giving the necessary directions in as few
words as possible.

Very gay did the Temperance Hall look that evening, with its walls draped
with bunting and its stage decorated with palms and other ornamental
plants; and it never held a larger audience than now awaited the opening
chorus, while the applause that filled the house at its close seemed to
make the rafters ring.

The first selections were admirably performed, and were fully enjoyed by
those present, but when that part of the programme was reached in which the
"American Warbler" made her first appearance, the enthusiasm reached its
height, and found vent in round after round of applause.

Lancy made his appearance first, taking his seat at the piano. This
intimated that he was not the "Warbler," and the audience looked around in
doubt, as if asking each other what next to expect.

A moment later Dexie appeared, and the sea of expectant faces made her
tremble. What if she should fail?

The appearance of this bright young girl, bowing before them, caused a
moment's hush to fall upon the peo