tly as
he took her hand a moment in his own.

Just then the sound of footsteps warned them that their interview was over,
and Guy rose to his feet and stood by the window as the rest entered the
room.

"Hello, Traverse! we missed you in the supper-room," and Fenerty came over
to his side. "Have you found all your persuasions in vain, Miss Dexie?"
pointing to the untasted repast on the tray.

"Man alive! do you think a man's appetite can survive everything?" said
Traverse, with a frown.

"Forgive me, Traverse! I did not mean to add to your feelings. I don't
wonder you feel cut up," said Fenerty, whispering his apologies.

"Mr. Fenerty, take him out in the dining-room. My presence has prevented
him from partaking of the refreshments I brought him. Try and make him
forget the unpleasantness that has occurred," and Dexie looked up with a
smile at Traverse, as he followed his friend from the room, and then turned
to her other guests.

She was glad to see that Gussie was doing all she could to win her way back
into favor, for she passed from group to group with a pleasant word and a
smile for all. Fingers and needles were soon busy again, and the unfinished
badges were attacked with renewed vigor.

"That was a nasty trick of Miss Gussie's, Traverse," young Fenerty was
saying, as he waited upon his friend in the dining-room, "but I am sure she
never suspected that the letter belonged to you."

"What difference did that make? The act was unpardonable when she knew it
was not her own property. I suppose I will never hear the last of it."

"'Pon honor, Traverse, I hope you do not think any of us are mean enough to
refer to the matter again. But come away to the rest, if you are through;
they are at work again, I believe."

"It is all right, Miss Dexie," nodding to her as she appeared in the door.
"He will soon get over it. Is there any objection to a little carpet dance
to finish the evening? That will make Traverse forget to be melancholy if
anything will," he added, in a low voice.

"Very well; as soon as they finish the badges you can help clear the room."

Dexie cast a backward look at Traverse and saw his amused smile, and it was
hard to control her features when his face assumed such a mournful
expression directly Fenerty addressed him.

Half an hour later, tables and chairs were set aside, and the sound that
came forth from the piano, at Dexie's bidding, set agoing the feet of the
dancers. She had played thr