“Perhaps—­yes, then,” and she stepped softly into her father’s room.

But it needed only a few minutes to assure her that he was sleeping soundly and peacefully, so she returned to her waiting lover.

“Not beside me, but here, where you promised!” and he held out his arms as she endeavored to take a seat on the sofa beside him.  “I wonder how long it will be before you will make my heart glad by coming to my arms of your own accord.  It is hard to believe that this is the same little girl that used to send me home with such an aching heart that I walked the floor for hours, instead of going to bed.”

“Oh, Guy!  I am so sorry.  I never thought you cared for me like that,” she whispered, as she laid her head on his shoulder.

“I wish I could tell you how much I do care, my own darling! but words give so little expression to one’s feelings; yet I am longing to hear just three little words from you.  Don’t you think it would be fair to take away the memory of your unkind words by telling me that you love me?”

“Dear Guy, you know I love you, or I would not be here!  I have loved you ever since papa was hurt, but I did not want you to know it.  Will that confession do?”

“I knew you cared for me, my darling! yet it is sweet to hear the admission from your own lips.  And to think how long we have misunderstood each other!  If I had only taken you in my arms that first night I was present when your father was so ill, and made you own to what I felt was true, these unhappy weeks might have been spared us; but it is something to have this joy in the end, my own little wife.”

Dexie gave a little start of surprise at this sweet epithet, and a rosy blush spread over her face, at which Guy repeated lovingly: 

“My own little wife!  Is it not so, Dexie?”

“I had not thought of the future, so much has happened in such a short time,” she answered, in a low voice; “but I love you, Guy, and the future shall be as you wish.”

“I am glad you have no rings on to-night, Dexie,” said Guy, as he took a little parcel from his pocket.  “You have one that has troubled my peace of mind for some time, but I have something to take its place,” and as he took her hand in his the flash of a ring told Dexie his intention.

“Oh, Guy! wait!  I cannot let you put that on yet.  I am afraid to trust myself that much to-night; it is all so sudden, Guy!”

“My darling! what do you fear?  You are not afraid to trust yourself to my keeping when you know I love you?” and he drew her closer, as he looked down into her eyes.

“No, Guy, but it is all so new and strange that I hardly know myself.  You know I accepted a ring once before when I ought not to have done so, but I wore it honestly lately, Guy; I did, truly.”

“Tell me about it, Dexie, and clear up the mystery.  The ring has a story, one that has given me much trouble of mind.”