“It is my turn to sit up the first part of the night, Mrs. Jarvis,” said Dexie, “so you had better go at once to bed.  I will call you if he should be worse, so do not sleep with one eye open.  I will be sure to let you know if you are needed.”

“Well, Traverse, you astonished me to-night,” said Mr. Sherwood, as soon as they were alone in the room; “that was a strange way of beginning your wooing,” and there was a smile on his white face as he looked into the manly one before him.

“Yes, I astonished them all,” and he laughed softly.  “It was quite amusing to see the effect of the announcement on the whole of you.  I thought you were going to jump out of your chair; Miss Gussie was evidently surprised, but was not very much put out at the news; and Dexie—­well, she hardly expected it, but she seemed pleased to hear she was likely to get rid of me,” and he laughed again.

Just then Dexie came into the room carrying a little alcohol lamp with attachments for keeping hot her father’s beef tea, and she stopped abruptly as she saw Traverse, saying almost rudely: 

“You here! why I thought you had gone long ago!”

“Come! never mind looking at Traverse; I want my tea.  I hope it is strong and hot.”

Dexie colored slightly as she poured it out and helped him to raise his head as he drank it, knowing how a pair of eyes were watching her.

“Shall I shake your pillows while you are up, papa?”

“No; they are quite comfortable.  Perhaps you don’t care to believe that Traverse is almost as handy a nurse as yourself; but there! he can never be quite so good as my own little girl,” and he drew her down to his side.

“You look pale yet, papa.  Are you sure the pain is gone?  There are more hot cushions outside if you would like them.  I wish I could bear the pain for you,” she said, in a low tone.

“You cannot do that, little woman, but you can do something else that would make me feel better.  Be a little less rude to Traverse here; he is my best friend, and there is no need to snap his head off every time you speak to him.  I can’t think what ails you lately, Dexie; you never used to be so quarrelsome.”

Dexie flushed painfully and softly replied: 

“As your friend, papa, I will try and give him less cause for complaint in the future—­if I can help it,” she added, without lifting her eyes.

“Well, it is something to have you promise that much itself, but he has not been complaining, Dexie.  I am the one who is finding fault, so don’t begin to scold him for that.  Now, I am going to try and sleep, so go out of the room, the both of you, and don’t come disturbing me.  I will pull the bell if I want anything,” and being thus dismissed, Dexie found herself alone with Guy in the sitting-room.

CHAPTER XL.

The house was silent and still.  All had retired, and Dexie moved gently about, placing the room in order, wishing that Traverse would make some move to leave the house; but he seemed in no hurry to depart, as he stood with his elbow on the low mantel, watching her.