Receiving no answer, he looked up at Mr. Sherwood and seemed to read the truth in his face.

“You don’t mean to say that my conjecture is right?”

“Yes, Dexie’s thoughtfulness and quick perception have saved me a good thousand.  Your doings on Prince Edward Island were made known to her in a singular manner, and she was sharp enough to see the advantage that an exact copy of your letter would be to me; and as your letter was placed in her hands quite unexpectedly, she copied it.  You and I must part.  I’ll have no schemer like you for a partner any longer.  I’ll not have my name mixed up with such doubtful dealings.”

High words followed, but as Mr. Sherwood had the upper hand, Plaisted was obliged to submit to his decision, and he soon left the room to collect his belongings, having received a peremptory dismissal.

“There is one satisfaction that I wish you would grant me, Sherwood,” he said, turning as he reached the door, “Tell me how your daughter chanced upon that letter.”  “No, that you need not know; but it was by the merest accident, and was as great a surprise to her as it has been to me.  But she was sharp enough to see how important her information was, and knew that a copy of your letter was the best guarantee she could bring me of your craftiness.”

“Sharp! yes, that is just the word for her.  She is like a bunch of nettles, stinging you if you but touch her.  She has contrived to give me an unpleasant memory of her every time I have been here.  And so it is to her I owe this break in our business intercourse;” and with flushed face and flashing eyes he left the room, and before night he was journeying toward the “land of the free,” a sadder, and, let us hope, a wiser man.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

“Hope long deferred maketh the heart sick,” and Hugh became dull and morose; the happiness he hoped for seemed as far off as ever, and the continued disappointment was making his life bitter.  Mrs. Gurney saw the change, and tried to persuade Hugh to go abroad.  This he longed to do, but waited; he might yet go abroad with Dexie as his travelling companion.  He would not take the message sent him as final; surely if he could see her alone, face to face, he would compel her to give her reasons for refusing him, and he might explain away her objections.

But Dexie considered the matter settled, and feeling herself free she thought it right to drop her stiff, reserved manner, and be once more friendly.  This change made Hugh think that there was still hope for him, and he determined to take a lover’s privilege, and press his suit face to face.

With this end in view, he called on the Sherwoods one afternoon, and finding Mr. Sherwood alone, he asked permission to take Dexie out for a sail, adding that there seemed no other way of seeing her alone.

“I doubt if she will go with you, Mr. McNeil,” said Mr. Sherwood.  “Why not let the matter rest as it is?  I don’t think you are making much headway; better not press it any further.”