and as Dexie stood a minute, enjoying the
cool breeze that blew in from the harbor, her figure was distinctly
outlined to observers from the rear of the house; but her presence might
have escaped notice, had she not been softly whistling some little song.

Hugh had just returned from the depot, where he had taken the luggage which
was to accompany the young travellers in the morning, and his heart was
full of bitter feelings as he thought of his master's son filling the place
he coveted so dearly.

As he passed into the yard, Dexie's soft whistle reached his ears. He was
too well acquainted with the sound not to recognize the source of it, and,
glancing up, he saw her there in the twilight, the breeze gently lifting
her wavy hair and fluttering the ribbons around her neck, as if
endeavoring to attract his attention. One glance was enough, and before
Dexie knew he had returned from the depot, she was startled by his
appearance beside her.

She turned to enter the house, but Hugh had not gained this opportunity
merely to let it slip by, so he boldly stepped before her and shut the
window, and his exultant face was a strong contrast to the expression
depicted on Dexie's.

They stood thus face to face for several moments, silently regarding each
other--Hugh flushed with triumph, his eyes glowing with a feeling of
victory; Dexie, her heart beating fast in her anger, white and defiant as
she regarded her audacious companion.

It was Dexie who broke the silence. In a tone of the utmost contempt she
said, as she waved him aside:

"Stand back out of my way and let me pass," and she moved towards the
window.

"Not yet, Dexie, just hear me for a moment. I want to speak to you."

"Not a word, sir, let me pass at once! How dare you keep me here against my
will!"

His tone of entreaty changed to command.

"Because it is my will that you shall hear me," and his face grew paler as
he spoke. "For once you shall listen to what I have to say. I can be silent
no longer."

"Well, if you must unburden your mind, talk to the chimney there; it will
care quite as much for what you have to say as I. It is quite in keeping
with the estimate I had formed for you, to keep me here a prisoner on the
house-top. Stand aside at once and let me enter the house."

"Dexie," he said more firmly, "I am not going to let you pass until I tell
you what I came here to say. Is it not enough that I am to lose the sight
of your bright face for such l