“Hardly, Gussie, or some other young lady would have a right to complain,” smiling at Gussie’s look of surprise.

“Then it was Hugh McNeil, as I thought.  I always said you would repent your behavior to him.  Then I suppose the affair is settled.  Where is Hugh, Dexie?”

Dexie did not answer at once, but clasped her hands, palms downward, in that convulsive grasp that always told of some mental struggle.  Something of the old terror filled her heart at the very mention of Hugh’s name, and her answer was evidently uttered with much reluctance, not unmixed with fear: 

“He is probably on his way to New York, Gussie.  Is there anything else you would like to know?” forcing a smile to her lips.

Guy felt that something unusual had brought that look of alarm to Dexie’s face; he would ask the cause at the first opportunity.

Gussie felt sure that she knew all about it now, so began to twit her sister about “giving in at last.”  She had been in a bad humor all day, and was glad of the chance to get rid of her ill-feelings by teasing Dexie in the presence of Traverse.

“So Hugh’s money has bought you, after all! and your high and mighty airs were just put on!  I am glad you have come to your senses, for I suppose that ring means a marriage in the future.”

“If the latter admission will keep you quiet and make your mind easy, then you shall hear it.  I did accept the ring with the understanding that it meant marriage in the future, but Hugh McNeil is no more to me now than he ever was.  Now, if you are satisfied, Gussie, will you be kind enough to leave my affairs alone for the rest of the evening?”

“Hum—­m, yes; I’m satisfied, since I know the whole of it!  An invisible lover! a ring! a promise of marriage! and Hugh coming back!  Oh, yes, I’ll leave you alone for the rest of the evening, never fear!” and taking a book from the table she drew an easy chair to the light, then turned her back to the rest in the room.  If Guy Traverse was soon to be married to his “city girl,” and Dexie was going to be Hugh’s wife, they could entertain each other, for she would have nothing to say to either of them!

Queer, wasn’t it, that neither of them resented this rudeness, but kept up a low conversation at the farthest side of the room!

When Guy was about to leave the house, and the “few” last words were being said in the hall, he asked what had caused her alarm at the mention of her supposed lover’s name.

“I forgot until that very minute that Elsie Gurney told me in her last letter that this McNeil would leave England for New York on the coming steamer, and for the moment my heart stopped beating from sheer fright.”

“But, dearest, he cannot harm you now.  Do you think he is coming here?”

“Indeed, I cannot tell, but I fear that is his intention; and if he should, oh, Guy, I believe I should hide!  I own to being rather afraid of him, though, luckily for me, he never found it out.”