A moment later and the outburst of melody that filled the hall seemed to come from a multitude of song-birds, and the peculiar, bird-like whistle never sounded sweeter or clearer as it rang out in answer to Lancy’s more powerful notes, their fingers meanwhile flying over the keys in delightful harmony.  Dexie forgot the hundreds of eager listeners.  She seemed to have partaken of the free, joyous nature of the birds she was so cleverly imitating, and when the last notes had died away the applause that greeted their ears seemed to shake the building.

It was a decided relief when the notes from the piano overruled the uproar.  A moment later and the stage was peopled by the members of the club, the notes of the National Anthem sounded through the hall, and the audience below rose to their feet at this the closing signal.

As the crowd passed out the door, Hugh McNeil made his way to the front; and as he went at once to help Cora Gurney, and gave Gussie the assistance she asked for, Dexie thought nothing of his sudden appearance amongst them until he bent over her and hissed in her ear: 

“I could have killed the both of you as you stood there making love to each other before them all, as if you belonged to him already!  You shall be mine, not his!  I swear it! so take care how you trifle with me!”

Dexie, terrified by his angry looks, hurried away, and Lancy, noticing her white face, asked anxiously: 

“What has happened to you, Dexie?  You are as white as a ghost.”

“Oh! that big Frenchman has frightened me.  Didn’t you see him talking to me just now?”

“Yes, but I supposed he was congratulating you on your success.”

“It is a pity you could not have heard his congratulations, Lancy.  I fancy you would not consider them complimentary,” and they hurried homeward.

Mrs. Gurney had arranged a little supper for those of the household who attended the concert, and if anyone noticed Hugh’s absence, no one dreamed of the cause thereof.

The skill that was required to keep out of Hugh’s way during the weeks that followed, might have raised Dexie to an eminent position if it could have been turned into another channel.  Such a sharp lookout lest Hugh might find her alone, such a dodging through doors when his strategy had almost succeeded in bringing her face to face—­really it was a marvel how skilfully she avoided him.  Yet the fact that she did avoid him gave him a false hope, and he thought if he could once lay his heart before her the battle would be his.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Winter changed into spring slowly yet surely, and the almanac declared that summer was nigh long before people were prepared to accept the assurance.

To Elsie Gurney the spring had been particularly trying, and her mother began to feel anxious as day after day found her lying on a couch, listless and weary.  The doctor advised change of scene as the best means to recover health and spirits, and Mrs. Gurney decided at last to accept the kind and repeated invitation of a dear friend living in Charlottetown, and send Elsie thither under Lancy’s escort.  Mrs. Gurney wrote to her friend explaining Elsie’s condition, and the kind letter that came in reply caused preparations to be made at once for the visit.