“No, I do not think any one who knows us will accuse either of us of bashfulness; the opposite has been laid to my charge until it has become an old story,” she replied.

“Well, seeing that we understand each other, why not wear your ring?  I particularly want Hugh to see it on your finger; I don’t believe he has given you up yet, Dexie.  Will you wear it to please me?”

Dexie unclasped the chain from her neck, and Lancy slipped the ring in its place on her finger.

“I think you need not mind what Hugh says or thinks,” she said in a low tone.  “I did not intend to tell you, Lancy, but I will confess now that Hugh saw that ring on my finger once before,” and she told him the substance of the stolen interview in the upper hall.

“That is how it happens that we are on speaking terms again,” she added, “but when Hugh gets well enough to travel, and begins to realize that he is a rich man, he will smile at all this foolishness; but if I live a hundred years, I will never forget that dreadful afternoon in the boat.  Lieutenant Wilbur is going to give him his revolver after I am gone; that will be a reminder of it which he won’t like, I am thinking!”

The next morning the last article was removed from the house, and the last good-bye given to the friends they must leave behind them.  The two families met for the last time in Mrs. Gurney’s parlor, and as they lingered over the last words, Dexie seated herself at the piano, and there was no quiver in her voice, though there were tears in her eyes, as she sang: 

  “Farewell, farewell, is a lonely sound,
    And always brings a sigh;
  Then give to me, when loved ones part,
    That good old word, ‘Good-bye.’”

Hugh and Lancy, as well as Elsie and Cora, accompanied the family to the boat, which was to sail about noon.  Hugh lingered near the group on the steamer, hoping that Dexie would give him some kind word at parting, and at last Lancy, very generously, took her over to his side, saying: 

“Don’t look so blue, old fellow; Dexie is not taking a final leave of Halifax.  Time is most up, I expect,” he added hastily, as he took out his watch, then turned aside as he saw Hugh’s agitated face.

“It is really settled, then,” said Hugh, in a low voice, as he took Dexie’s hand.  “I wish you had left something that I could do for you, so that my life will not feel quite so empty.”

“I have no favor to ask of you, Mr. McNeil, yet if I hear that you have been kind to Nina Gordon it will please me very much.  Mind, I do not ask it of you.  If someone would have the goodness of heart to save her from her mother, she would make a sensible woman yet.  If Cora Gurney would only take a friendly interest in her, I would not be afraid of the future of my double.  Good-bye, Mr. McNeil, that is the warning-signal, I believe.”

Hugh seemed in no hurry to heed the warning, but stood aside where he could watch Dexie’s face as she parted from Lancy.  He heeded not the few hurried words so earnestly spoken, nor the fervent clasp of their hands, for there was no answering light in Dexie’s eyes as they rested on Lancy’s face.  Friends were hurrying across the gang plank, but Hugh waited till Lancy had disappeared; then stepping to Dexie’s side, he hurriedly whispered: