for the first time, he left it
contented and happy, the sweet "Good-bye" in the hall being in strong
contrast to the usual curt dismissal that had fallen to his lot hitherto
when Dexie showed him out.

CHAPTER XLI.

Dexie stood in the doorway until her lover was out of sight; then,
remembering that the little table in the kitchen would tell tales, she was
soon stepping briskly about, and quickly removed all traces of the early
meal. Going softly into her father's room, she found him awake and feeling
very well, and in the best of spirits.

"I heard you in the hall," said he, pretending to scold. "A fine time for a
young man to be leaving the house, isn't it, now? I am astonished at you,
Dexie!"

"Well, dear papa, I am astonished too!" and they both laughed. "I am sure
if anyone had told me such a thing was about to happen, I would have
thought him a fit subject for a lunatic asylum."

"You look very happy over it, dear, or your face tells a story! But I
thought I smelt coffee when I woke up."

"So you did! My young man stayed to breakfast. What do you think of that?
He says he is going to plead 'extenuating circumstances,' if he is brought
to the bar. But don't you think you would like a cup of coffee and a nice
piece of toast?"

"Yes, I think I would; it is rather early for breakfast, but I feel ready
for it."

Dexie was soon beside him with a small tray, and as he drank his coffee he
said, as he looked at her keenly:

"I want to know one thing, Dexie, and then I won't question you any more.
What was the trouble between you and Traverse these few weeks back?
Something was wrong with you, at any rate, but you do not confide in me as
you used to do."

"Well, you naughty papa! How could I tell you my little secrets when you
let them out the first thing?" she laughingly replied.

Her father looked at her in surprise, and she added,

"I told you not to tell that I broke the engagement with Lancy Gurney, and
you told Guy that very first evening."

"Well, where was the harm? He seemed very anxious to know about it, and I
am sure you seemed to rejoice over your freedom."

"Yes! but I didn't want Guy to know it, for it made it so much harder for
me to meet him."

"Dexie, did you break your promise with Lancy on account of Traverse? Well,
well! I understand it now; but who would have thought that you cared for
him when you were so cool and short!"

"You surely would not have me make the first advanc