“Dear papa, I wish it was in your power to escape her search.”

Mr. Sherwood understood the wish, and pressed her hand in reply.

Mr. Traverse was soon back by Dexie’s side, watching the hands that were evoking such sweet strains, but she seemed hardly aware of his presence until he said, in a low tone: 

“Remembering what you told me, Miss Dexie, I was not surprised to hear that you were shortly to be married.  May I know the truth from your own lips, Miss Dexie?”

“I do not know why the report, true or otherwise, should trouble any person, Mr. Traverse,” and she stooped to pick up some scattered music, and hide her face at the same time.

“It is more to me than you think, Miss Dexie.  If you will admit that the report is true, I will not trouble you with further questions; but I understand, from what your father said, that the rumor is not correct.”

“Papa had no right to tell you anything, Mr. Traverse, but I fancy you are not much the wiser for any information he may have given you.”

Her blushing cheeks and downcast eyes did certainly convey the impression that her father was not aware how matters stood, so he replied: 

“No, I am not much wiser, I must admit, for I cannot make what he told me agree with that engagement ring.”

“Do all rings have that significance?  Gussie frequently wears several without implicating any gentleman,” smiling.

“Dexie, you do not know how much this means to me, and I do not know if I have a right to explain.  When I remember how much you told me the night that Gussie read your letter, I do not see why you should hesitate to tell me the rest now.”

“What was it that papa told you, Mr. Traverse?” Dexie asked, in a low tone.

“Only that you were free.  Yet how can I believe that, with this ring on your finger denying the fact, and that music has some connection with the past, that touches your heart, or why is it sacred to one person alone.  I do not understand it, Dexie.”

“And I do not expect or desire you to understand it, Mr. Traverse,” came the hesitating reply, as Guy awaited her answer.  “I could not explain about the music, even to papa, but the ring does not tell the story you are thinking of.”

“Well, if I may not hear the music, may I know the story of this?” and he took the hand that wore the ring in his own.

Dexie slipped the ring from her finger and held it towards him.  “Oh! what a great fire a little ring has kindled!” said she, smiling.

Guy took the ring in his hand, and noticed the words engraved inside, “Freedom and friendship,” with the letters L. and D. in monogram.

“That may mean more than the words imply, and be but a part of what the music signifies after all.  I am only too willing to believe in the motto engraved here, but I hope the word ‘friendship’ is called by its right name.  Perhaps the writer of that letter has touched your heart at last, Dexie?” he added, looking intently into her blushing face.