CHAPTER XXVI.

The embarrassing silence that followed Hugh’s entrance was broken at last by Aunt Jennie, who made some commonplace remark that allowed free speech to resume itself again.  She saw at once the position of affairs; the reason of Hugh’s coolness when in Gussie’s society was no longer any secret.  She thought he had lacked the lover-like eagerness that one might expect, judging the matter from the standpoint of Gussie’s frequent remarks.

But believing that Lancy Gurney had more than a friendly feeling for Dexie, she felt uneasy for the result of the struggle between the rivals.  Dexie would surely suffer between them.

It was impossible for Dexie to feel at ease after Hugh’s extraordinary greeting.  She felt vexed at the thought of the spectacle she must have presented to those who had witnessed it.  Did Hugh really know her, or were his words meant for Gussie alone?  The hope that it was the latter made her decide that it must be; but if she had noticed how carelessly he replied to Gussie’s entertaining chatter, or observed his eager looks in her own direction, she might have guessed that his heart was not in Gussie’s keeping.

The arrival of the trunks brought a grateful respite to all, and Dexie disappeared the moment the expressman arrived, but with the excuse of helping to lift the trunks into the hall, Hugh followed her.  Gussie, however, was close behind; not for a moment would she leave those two together.  After what she had seen in the parlor there should be no chance of further mistakes, if her vigilance could prevent it.

Dexie was so anxious to show her treasures that she opened her trunk as soon as Hugh deposited it in the hall.

“Here, Georgie,” as her brother came running down the stairs, “take this parcel to mamma, carefully, mind, and ask her if she is too tired to see me again to-night.  When you come back I will give you the box of something that I heard you wishing for,” and looking up to her sister, who was bending over to watch her, she added, “Here is your parcel, Gussie, and this is for auntie.  Where is she, I wonder?”

“Oh! do let me see what you brought for auntie?” and Gussie caught the parcel from Dexie’s hands and began to inspect the contents.

Hugh was for the moment forgotten, but he still lingered near the door, hoping that some chance would favor him.  He had so much to say, so much that had been crowded back into his heart during her long absence, that he felt he must seize the first opportunity to speak of his hopes, and he wished to assure her that there had been no mistake on his part when he met her in the parlor.  Just then Gussie stepped over to the lamp for a closer inspection of some fancy patterns, and Hugh turned to Dexie, saying: 

“You seem to have remembered everyone but me, Dexie.  You have not even a kind word to give me.”