ood's
room.

Gussie soon noticed how intently Hugh was watching Guy Traverse, and she
made up her mind to "tell Hugh a thing or two" regarding Dexie's behavior,
for since the night Gussie had decided in her own mind about Dexie's ring
she saw there was an unexpected intimacy between her sister and this
engaged young man. She wondered how it happened that Guy was present at
that hour; it would complicate matters with Dexie, surely, but to her
surprise she found herself paired off with Hugh as they went to the supper
table.

"You should have returned long ago, Hugh," she whispered. "Dexie has
developed into a desperate flirt! Just now it is Mr. Traverse, as you can
see for yourself, though she is aware he is engaged to a lady in the city."

"Gussie, are you sure of what you are saying? Is this only a flirtation?"

"Well, I don't see what else you can call it."

"Do you think she has given me up? I have come on purpose to find out."

"Oh! is that all you have come for? Why, I thought it was a settled thing
between you. Then she must be going to marry you just for your money! and
now that I think of it, she said as much," said Gussie bluntly.

There was no chance for further conversation, but Gussie's words raised all
sorts of questions in Hugh's mind, and he watched the couple on the
opposite side of the table, his hopes and fears alternately rising.

Dexie's manner bore out her father's statement, but how was it that Gussie
looked at the matter so differently.

As they rose from the table Guy stood for a moment talking to Mrs.
Sherwood, but Hugh crossed over at once to the window where Dexie was
standing, bending over some flowers.

In his quick, eager tone, Hugh asked:

"Will you give me a few minutes alone, Dexie, when I have come so far on
purpose to see you?"

"I am sorry to hear that request, Mr. McNeil, as it forces me to seem rude
when I would prefer to be cordial. Do not let us renew our old antagonism."

"Dexie, I think, if it ever existed, it has given place to a better
feeling. My heart has been starving for a sight of your face, and you have
grown so beautiful that it is hard to resist the temptation to take you in
my arms."

Dexie shrank away from him, and she gave a quick look at Guy, who was still
talking to her mother, but his smile reassured her. She knew he would soon
be at her side.

"Don't leave me, Dexie," Hugh entreated. "I will not touch you, so do not
he afraid of me. Do you know