as accompanied with a glint in his eyes that reminded her forcibly of
that memorable boat sail, and her voice was less firm as she replied:

"I cannot think you are in earnest, Mr. McNeil; you would not wreck
another's life for merely an unfortunate resemblance! No! I cannot think it
of you; but it is wicked to say it, even in jest!"

"Would you take even that small comfort from me?" he said, almost fiercely.
"Do you know what love is, and think that I can bear the burden of solitude
that you have laid upon my life; even the solace of your shadow denied me,
while you have everything!"

"There! I think you two had better say no more," Guy firmly though
smilingly remarked. "You will be quarrelling in earnest the first thing I
know. Of course I do not understand what all this means, Mr. McNeil, but I
have such confidence in Dexie's judgment that I join her in the request
that you will do nothing hasty, and throw the best years of your life away
because of this disappointment. Come, shake hands, you two, and make it up,
and let us join Mr. Sherwood in his room, or he will think we have shared
the fate of the Kilkenny cats."

Dexie held out her hand and Hugh clasped it in both his own, and, looking
tenderly into her eyes, said, in a voice so changed that it seemed to come
from other lips:

"Forget my hasty words, Dexie, if they have hurt you, and try to think of
me kindly sometimes. We would have been better friends if I had loved you
less. I give you up, though most unwillingly, for I cannot say now as I did
before that your heart has not awakened, for I see that it has, beyond a
doubt," and like a courtier of old he stooped and kissed her hand.

Gussie was full of curiosity concerning the interview; but when the little
group appeared in the room, their faces told no tales that she could
interpret.

Hugh looked more sober than usual, and listened to the conversation rather
than joined in it. Guy looked cool and composed and, maybe, a trifle
triumphant. Dexie looked rather paler than usual, and remained almost as
silent as Hugh. This might mean much or little, but something in the manner
of each checked Gussie's light chatter.

When Guy rose to go, Hugh rose also, and asked permission to accompany Guy
to his hotel. Then, promising to return the next day to see Mr. Sherwood,
Hugh followed Guy from the room.

At a look from Guy, Dexie followed them into the hall, and while Hugh put
on his coat and gloves, Guy said, in