Dexie had taken her place at the organ as usual, and in so doing had displayed a ring that was new to the eyes of those standing near.  Dexie blushed painfully when attention was called to the ring by her teasing friends; but she would acknowledge nothing when they tried to draw the truth from her lips.  When Guy Traverse joined the circle, to see what all the fun and laughter meant, Dexie rose to her feet and slipped away, unable to meet his eyes.  But, with the knowledge he had of Dexie’s affairs, he thought there could be only one explanation of the ring’s appearance; her engagement to the lover over the sea must be a settled fact.  But Guy’s frequent visits to the Sherwoods made the rest believe there was an engagement between him and Dexie.

Dexie’s ring aroused considerable discussion among her friends, and it only made it seem more complicated when Gussie declared to a friend that she believed “Dexie had that ring before she left Halifax, but never wore it.”

But it was her sign of freedom, and its glitter and sparkle was like the light of her own eyes when they rested upon it.  She was afraid that her secret, that sweet secret of her own, might be surprised from her.  Not for worlds would she have that person know that her heart had awakened at last.  With that ring on her finger, who could charge her with caring for anyone but the giver?

Guy Traverse thought he had every reason to feel sad and gloomy.  How was it that he ever supposed she cared for him, for now she was as reserved and cool when in his society as she had before been frank and pleasant, and, of course, that ring was responsible for the change.

Gussie took the opportunity of relating to Guy, as well as to others, many an interesting story concerning Dexie and her Halifax lover, but she neglected to add that most of her stories were creations of her own brain.  Guy felt little interest in these stories.  He felt that there was something going on that he did not understand, but he intended to ask an explanation from Dexie at his first opportunity, feeling quite sure she would own the truth to him.

But the opportunity did not present itself readily, and even Mr. Sherwood felt the change and wondered what had come between Dexie and his friend.  He tried to seek into the trouble, but could find no explanation of it.

Mr. Sherwood was able now to be lifted to a wheeled chair or couch, and as he could be gently wheeled from room to room, he found the change quite agreeable.  The time did not seem so long as when he was confined within four walls.

There were times when Dexie thought her father might be spared for years instead of months, but when one of his attacks of pain seized him such hopes as suddenly sank away.  His mind was more free from care, since his lawyer, Mr. Hackett, had brought his business matters to a satisfactory state; but his visits to the house were always times of trial.  Mrs. Sherwood would listen to no explanations that would bring to her mind the thought of her husband’s decease.  But someone had to stand in the gap, and, as usual, it was Dexie; she it was to whom Mr. Hackett explained the many papers and the various transactions to which their contents related.