ve not."

"Then is it because you dislike me that you will not speak a word to me? Is
that why you are so silent, Dexie?"

No answer came from Dexie's lips, but she shook her head in reply. "What
is it, Dexie that has come between us--there is something, is there not?"

"Did you ask me here on purpose to catechise me?" recovering her voice at
last. "Then I wish you 'good evening,'" and she turned to leave him.

But Guy stepped quickly before her and seized the hand that reached for the
door.

"Do not dismiss me so curtly, Dexie, but shake hands when you bid me
'good-bye' to-night."

Dexie laid her hand in his, and he held it close, while for one brief
moment her eyes were raised to his, then as quickly averted; but that was
all Guy needed--the secret was his at last.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The next afternoon, while "the twins" were out with their mother on a
shopping expedition, Mr. Traverse called at the house, and tapped lightly
at the door of Mr. Sherwood's room.

"Ah! Traverse, is that you? Glad to see you," said Mr. Sherwood. "I was
just wishing that someone would come in. The girls are out, and Jarvis is
outside rattling among the dishes, and there is not a soul to speak to.
Take a seat and be comfortable; the girls will soon be home, I expect."

"I did not come to see the girls this time, Mr. Sherwood," said Guy,
smiling. "I knew they were out, met them in a store down town, so came upon
purpose to catch you alone."

"Well, that is good of you, Traverse; it is intolerably slow to be cooped
up here all day, not sick enough to stay in bed, and not well enough to be
moved about. Any news?"

"I have not read the day's papers yet," and he pulled them out of his
pocket, and tossed them on a table near. "You can look up the news yourself
by and by. I have come to have a talk with you this afternoon, Mr.
Sherwood, and to ask a favor. I hope you are sufficiently acquainted with
me by this time to grant me this favor, without taking much time to
consider the matter. I presume you have guessed that my frequent visits
here are due to something more than the friendship I feel for yourself,"
and he smiled down at Mr. Sherwood, adding: "I have come to ask for the
hand of your daughter."

"Oh! that is what you are after, is it?" and Mr. Sherwood leaned back in
his couch and smiled. "I had not given the matter a thought, though I might
have known there were other attractions than a sick man in the house. Well,
T