d kissed him; and she made no resistance when he put one arm around
her and drew her down on his knee.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise, I'm sure. You have made good use of the
time, Traverse," and Mr. Sherwood laughed softly. "You have been rather a
perverse young lady, Dexie, but you have fallen into good hands at last.
You must not leave me yet, dear child, for what should I do without my
little nurse? But, bless my heart! there's three o'clock. You will not get
into your hotel at this hour, Traverse, but I expect you would not sleep
much if you did, so go back into the sitting-room, the both of you, and
finish the night!"

"Thank you, Mr. Sherwood; your liberty adds much to the pleasure. I hope we
have not tired you," he added, as he rose from his seat.

"Not at all! Another drink, Dexie, and be off with you!"

"Don't tell on us, papa," she whispered, as she prepared his drink. "Jarvis
is sure to sleep till I awaken her, and this is not likely to happen
again," laughing.

"Well, better make the most of it, then; so be off with your lover," and he
waved her away from his side.

"It was not so dreadful, after all, to come to my arms before your father,
was it?" Guy asked, a few minutes later. "I am sure it pleased him to see
it, and it was good of him to allow me a little longer bliss."

But time passed swiftly, as it always does with happy lovers, and the grey
dawn of early morning warned them that they must separate. As they stood by
the window, watching the first rays of light in the east, Dexie said:

"I will have to send you away soon, Guy, or you will be discovered; but I
am going to invite you to an early breakfast here with me before you go."

"Never mind breakfast, dearest; I would rather have you here by my side
until the last minute. I expect some machinery by the early train, so I
think I will go down and see if it has arrived; that will give us forty
minutes more together," taking out his watch.

"Then a part of the time will be well spent in preparing you a slight
refreshment--nothing elaborate, you know, or Eliza would pounce down on me
at the first sound," and she left him at the window, and hurried to the
kitchen.

A few minutes later she appeared again, looking as fresh as the morning,
with a white ruffled apron clasped round her waist and a dainty muslin cap
perched on her head, from beneath which stray curls peeped bewitchingly
out, and passing her hand through Guy's arm, said laughin