the presence of Traverse.

"So Hugh's money has bought you, after all! and your high and mighty airs
were just put on! I am glad you have come to your senses, for I suppose
that ring means a marriage in the future."

"If the latter admission will keep you quiet and make your mind easy, then
you shall hear it. I did accept the ring with the understanding that it
meant marriage in the future, but Hugh McNeil is no more to me now than he
ever was. Now, if you are satisfied, Gussie, will you be kind enough to
leave my affairs alone for the rest of the evening?"

"Hum--m, yes; I'm satisfied, since I know the whole of it! An invisible
lover! a ring! a promise of marriage! and Hugh coming back! Oh, yes, I'll
leave you alone for the rest of the evening, never fear!" and taking a book
from the table she drew an easy chair to the light, then turned her back to
the rest in the room. If Guy Traverse was soon to be married to his "city
girl," and Dexie was going to be Hugh's wife, they could entertain each
other, for she would have nothing to say to either of them!

Queer, wasn't it, that neither of them resented this rudeness, but kept up
a low conversation at the farthest side of the room!

When Guy was about to leave the house, and the "few" last words were being
said in the hall, he asked what had caused her alarm at the mention of her
supposed lover's name.

"I forgot until that very minute that Elsie Gurney told me in her last
letter that this McNeil would leave England for New York on the coming
steamer, and for the moment my heart stopped beating from sheer fright."

"But, dearest, he cannot harm you now. Do you think he is coming here?"

"Indeed, I cannot tell, but I fear that is his intention; and if he should,
oh, Guy, I believe I should hide! I own to being rather afraid of him,
though, luckily for me, he never found it out."

"But if he knows you are mine, surely, Dexie, he is enough of a gentleman
to leave you alone in the future."

"Well, I may be needlessly alarmed, but I feel a presentiment of evil, and
should an ill wind blow him this way, you must be extra good to me while he
is here--come oftener--and I will feel safe, at least, while you are with
me."

About two weeks later, when all thought of Hugh McNeil had been dispelled,
Dexie's presentiment of evil took shape. He arrived in Lennoxville on the
afternoon train, and a few inquiries soon brought him to Mr. Sherwood's
residence.

Mrs. Sherwood an