Lancy seconded Miss Taylor’s request that Dexie should drive out with them, and the gay little party reached the Taylor homestead about sundown, greatly to the surprise and relief of Mrs. Taylor, who feared that Susan might try and walk the distance rather than miss the evening’s festivities; for there was to be a marriage in the family that night, and Susan had been obliged to hasten to the city for some necessary trifles that had been forgotten until the last moment.  Lancy and Dexie stayed until after the ceremony, but, having a long drive before them, declined the kind invitation to linger.

As they drove homewards the conversation turned on the intending departure of the family from Halifax.

“I have been waiting for a chance to have a good talk with you, Dexie, ever since I heard you were going away; but there has been so much going on that I never seem to see you alone a minute.  Are you sorry to go, Dexie?”

“Yes, indeed I am.  I have found Halifax so pleasant that I shall always regret leaving it.”

“But you are coming back sometime, you know, Dexie?  I am sure you know I am constantly looking forward to the time when you will be my wife.  We understand each other, do we not?”

“Well, I am not sure that we do, Lancy.  I doubt if we look at things in the same light,” and she gave a quick glance into the face that was regarding her so earnestly.

“But you know how much I care for you—­that I love you, Dexie?” he said, taking her hand.  “You have never told me you cared for me in so many words, Dexie, but I am sure you do.  They are all pleased with the idea at home, and father has promised to take me into partnership the first of the year.  Until then I shall not know just how much of an income I shall have, but I know it will be enough for us to live on quite comfortably; and we could live in the part of the house that you occupy now.  But you have not said the word yet that will bind us.  Will you be my wife, Dexie?”

“Lancy, I will be honest and plain-spoken; then there will be no misunderstanding.  Of course, I care a good deal for you, but I really do not believe I love you as a woman should love the man she marries; and you may meet the one who will give you that love some day, then you will be sorry you put that question to me.  Honestly, Lancy, although we have cared very much for each other’s society, I don’t believe we would be half as happy together as man and wife as we are now.  I can’t imagine myself living with you day after day, and performing the little daily services for you that come so naturally from your mother, and which goes to make your father’s life so comfortable and happy.”

“Why need you pattern your future life after that of my mother; your mother does not—­” Lancy paused in embarrassment.

“Oh! you need not mind saying it to me; it is only between ourselves.  You want to say that my mother does not put herself out to do much for the happiness of the rest of us.”