“I am going away, Dexie—­somewhere—­it matters little where—­so bear with me, for this is the last time I shall see you alone.  I cannot stay here, knowing that others have obtained the happiness I longed for,” and looking into her face, he added:  “Is it really true, Dexie, that you are going to marry Lancy?  I heard it to-day as a fact.”

A deep flush spread over the face that before was so deathly white, and not wishing Hugh to think there was any doubt about the matter she drew from her neck the gold chain, and, as she held up the ring, said in a low tone:  “Is that enough to convince you?”

“No, Dexie, it is not, for you would not hesitate to wear the ring in its proper place if you felt sure of your own heart.”

“If I was not sure before, I am now!” and in an instant the ring was flashing on her finger, and her eyes were lit up by an angry gleam.  She wondered how it was that Hugh always seemed to bring up her worst feelings.  She was angry, and she did not attempt to hide it.

“You have no right to speak to me like that!  You have no right even to seek me here against my will!  I have plenty of unpleasant memories of you already, so be kind enough to go home!  When I remember that boat sail, your very presence seems an insult.”

“Dexie, I did not mean to vex you again, but it is not my fault that your memory is full of unpleasant happenings in connection with me.  Fate seems against me,” said he, with a sigh, “but, Dexie, let us part friends,” and he rose from his seat and stood beside her.

But the firm, closed mouth gave no promise of yielding until Hugh dropped beside her on the sofa, and in a voice choking with emotion made one further appeal.

“Dexie, if you could but picture the anguish of my heart when I returned that day to the vessel with other help than mine, and found no trace of you, I think that even you would admit that I suffered enough for my madness and folly; and since I have been sick, memory has given me many a weary hour and adds many a thrust to wounds that are almost unbearable.  It is hard to give up all hope and face the dreary future without you, for you have robbed my life of all happiness.  If I must be sent hopeless away, tell me, at least, that the unfortunate past is forgiven; it would make it easier to bear.”

His voice had grown soft, and his eager, pleading tone was hard to resist.

Dexie felt her anger giving place to a feeling of pity.

“I do not forgive easily, I fear, Mr. McNeil,” said she, in a low tone, “but I will try and think less bitterly of that unpleasant affair in the future.  I would be sorry to think that I had, even unintentionally, spoiled your life; but you will not feel so low-spirited when you get stronger.  The best years of your life are yet before you, and I will soon drop out of your memory as entirely as if you had never known me.  Forget me as soon as you can; that is the best wish I can give you.”