mmodious parlors, Hugh searched in
vain among the different groups for a trace of the face he was so anxious
to see. Once he gave a start as a face turned towards him--a face that
seemed to belong to the form he was seeking--but when the sound of the
voice reached his ears he turned in disgust, for it was only Nina Gordon.

Later on he learned from Gussie that Dexie had turned "sulky" at the last
moment and refused to come. His face lighted up at the information, and
Gussie never knew that her news sent him to make excuses and adieus to his
hostess, and drove him homeward at a pace that seemed unnecessary, seeing
that he had so much leisure time at his command.

Dexie had gone to the parlor to get a book, and stepping to the bow window
to draw the curtains, saw his well-known figure hurrying down the street.

"Goodness! here is Hugh coming back! What has happened, I wonder?"

It took her but a moment to fasten the hall-door, and running to the
kitchen, said:

"Nancy, if anyone calls, do not admit them to-night. You can say the family
are out. I am going to the upper hall to finish my book." Then, laying her
hand on Nancy's arm, she said in a low tone: "Don't let Hugh McNeil come in
to-night, Nancy. I have fastened the front door, so he can't come in unless
you let him."

"Rest easy, missie; you shan't be troubled if you don't like. But I mind he
is off to the party with the rest."

"I have seen him coming back, so I wanted to warn you."

"All right, then. Ye have had a hard day, missie; run off with yer book.
It's meself that will see ye are not troubled the night by anybody."

Nancy had been in the family long enough to know something of their
affairs, and she took quite an interest in the doings of her favorite. She
saw more than she let anyone suppose, and her apparent stupidity was often
put on as a "blind."

With a book as a companion, Dexie was soon in her favorite retreat, for she
had one cosy little corner which no one cared to dispute with her. The
recess at the end of the upper hall she had curtained off, and besides the
few blooming plants on the wide window-sill it held an old-fashioned but
comfortable sofa, a big chair and a tiny table. It was here Dexie made up
her housekeeping accounts, and performed such other duties as she could
bring to her snug little corner. It was the one spot in the house which she
claimed as her own.

She had no sooner seated herself to read than the sound of the door-b