“I am ready, Traverse; let us go at once, and may God help me to get over this,” and with his arm drawn through Guy’s they both walked out into the night.

CHAPTER XLII.

One morning when Dexie was out in the back garden whistling like a bird, and busy about some domestic matters, someone outside the high fence called: 

“Georgie!  I say, Georgie! come here a minute.”

No answer being received, a shower of small pebbles came over the fence, and the call was repeated.

Thinking it was Mark Perrin, a wild young lad with whom Georgie was forbidden to associate, Dexie called out: 

“Go away from here at once, you torment, or you’ll get your jacket dusted for you,” and hastening to the gate as if eager to perform the operation, she found Guy Traverse awaiting the promised punishment.

Astonishment rendered her silent for a moment, when she laughingly exclaimed: 

“For pity sake, Guy! was it you threw the pebbles?”

“Yes, and am I to believe that it was you who was whistling?”

“Well, as you took me for Georgie, it must have been well done, so I’ll own to the whistling; but what brings you here so early in the morning?  I am not dressed for visitors at this hour,” and she glanced down at her short frock, that revealed a neat foot and well-turned ankle; then pulling forward the sun-bonnet that had fallen back from her head, added: 

“This is the latest style.  I hope you admire it.”

“I do, indeed,” and his face filled the front of it for a moment.

“Oh! do come in till I shut the gate; someone might see us.  Now, what do you want with Georgie, if I may ask?” and she lifted a saucy face to his.

“I didn’t want him particularly, but I thought it was he who was whistling, and I was going to ask him to look for you, but as it is your own sweet self, so much the better, for I want to speak to you here a minute.”

“But why here, at the back gate?”

“I wanted to ask if you would drive into the country with me, as I have to go on a matter of business.”

“Then why didn’t you go to the front door and ask me properly, sir?”

“Well, I am going to, just as soon as I find out if you can come or not.  You were up part of the night with your father, and I did not know but you were resting or too busy to come with me.  In that case, Gussie might feel it her duty to accompany me.”

“Oh, I see!  I shall be most happy to accept your invitation, Mr. Traverse; so go around to the front door and ask me like a gentleman.”

Shutting the gate after him, she entered the house, intending to have a little fun over the invitation.

His ring at the door was answered by Gussie, and Mr. Sherwood, who was dozing on his couch, brightened at once as he saw who was the visitor.

“A splendid morning, Traverse,” was his greeting.  “You are early to-day.”