with the
past, that touches your heart, or why is it sacred to one person alone. I
do not understand it, Dexie."

"And I do not expect or desire you to understand it, Mr. Traverse," came
the hesitating reply, as Guy awaited her answer. "I could not explain about
the music, even to papa, but the ring does not tell the story you are
thinking of."

"Well, if I may not hear the music, may I know the story of this?" and he
took the hand that wore the ring in his own.

Dexie slipped the ring from her finger and held it towards him. "Oh! what a
great fire a little ring has kindled!" said she, smiling.

Guy took the ring in his hand, and noticed the words engraved inside,
"Freedom and friendship," with the letters L. and D. in monogram.

"That may mean more than the words imply, and be but a part of what the
music signifies after all. I am only too willing to believe in the motto
engraved here, but I hope the word 'friendship' is called by its right
name. Perhaps the writer of that letter has touched your heart at last,
Dexie?" he added, looking intently into her blushing face.

"No! oh, no! The ring did not come from him, Mr. Traverse."

"My thoughts have not been pleasant to me since my eyes rested upon this,
and heard the rumor connected with it. Dexie, be honest with me and tell me
what it means."

Dexie slipped the ring back on her finger, and shook her head.

"It has been discussed enough, Mr. Traverse, please say no more about it,"
she said, shrinking away from the eager, searching looks that made every
moment more embarrassing to her.

"Just a moment, Dexie! Your father said that you asked Mr. Gurney to
release you from any promise between you. When speaking of him that
evening, you told me that you never had met anyone that you liked better.
Tell me, Dexie, have you met anyone _since_ then, that you asked to be
free?" and he bent nearer and looked intently into her face.

Why had he put such a question to her? If she said "No," it would imply
that she still cared for one that was betrothed to another; but she could
not say "Yes," for that might betray her secret.

Guy's face was very near her own, as she answered with a beating heart:

"You have no right to put such a question to me, Mr. Traverse, and please
to remember that I am 'Dexie' to no man but papa," and there was a touch of
anger in her tone, to which, however, Guy gave no heed.

"Excuse me, Miss Dexie, if I have offended you," and a bright smi