l the quivering
eyelids told that consciousness was returning. A few minutes later Dexie
opened her eyes, and seeing Hugh still beside her she tried to raise
herself, but sank back again on the sofa.

"Leave me at once!" she said, faintly. "Oh! I feel so sick! Go, I say."

"I cannot leave you until I see you better, Dexie. I will not touch you
again, so do not be afraid of me."

Dexie felt too helpless even to object, so she laid back with closed eyes,
wondering what had come over her just when she needed to be strong and
bold. At last, when the silence was beginning to be unbearable to both of
them, she opened her eyes, and Hugh, seeing her efforts to rise, gently
helped her to a sitting posture, then seated himself in the chair beside
her.

"Why did you come here, Mr. McNeil?" looking at him with offended eyes. "It
is unfair to persecute me in this way."

"Forgive me for coming, then, but I had no thought of persecuting you. I
heard news to-day that troubled me, and I was not strong enough to resist
the temptation of coming to see you once more, when I found you were not at
the party."

Dexie sat with tight-clasped hands, but said not a word, and Hugh saw no
relenting look in the dark eyes that looked almost black in their
intensity.

"Dexie, you are displeased with me, and justly so, for my mad behavior in
the boat, but I have longed for the chance to ask your forgiveness, and I
went to Mrs. Beverly's to-night solely to ask it of you. Dexie, your heart
is not as hard as you would have me think, for I know whose kind hands
helped Mrs. Gurney during my illness, and how you watched beside me when
others were too terrified to be of service."

Still no response from the white lips, for Dexie's heart was throbbing too
fast to allow of speech.

"I am going away, Dexie--somewhere--it matters little where--so bear with
me, for this is the last time I shall see you alone. I cannot stay here,
knowing that others have obtained the happiness I longed for," and looking
into her face, he added: "Is it really true, Dexie, that you are going to
marry Lancy? I heard it to-day as a fact."

A deep flush spread over the face that before was so deathly white, and not
wishing Hugh to think there was any doubt about the matter she drew from
her neck the gold chain, and, as she held up the ring, said in a low tone:
"Is that enough to convince you?"

"No, Dexie, it is not, for you would not hesitate to wear the ring in its
prope