There was silence in the room for some moments.  Hugh sat listening for the first footfall that would announce Dexie’s approach, while Mr. Sherwood lay back, with closed eyes, thinking what an easy solution of the trouble it would be if Hugh would turn to Gussie for the gift that Dexie denied him.  Then, rousing himself, he talked to Hugh of his travels and adventures on sea and land.

Meanwhile Dexie had rushed in haste to the house of her friend, and from thence despatched a note that brought Guy Traverse to her side, and her agitation and alarm were so great that Guy was almost unable to soothe her.

“I cannot go home without you, Guy.  There can be only one thing brought him here, and I cannot face him unless you are with me.”

“I will go with you, certainly, dear, but I cannot understand why you are so frightened, for by your own description of him he is a gentleman.”

A few hurried explanations of Hugh’s past history in connection with herself were given, and Guy grasped the headlines of it as it poured from Dexie’s lips.

“As my promised wife, darling, you need fear no further annoyance from him.  I will see to that,” he replied.  “Give me a few minutes while I go to the hotel and change my suit.  I have been putting in shafting with the men, and am hardly presentable in my present condition,” he laughingly added.

“I am putting you to great inconvenience, I fear, Guy; but I cannot help it, for it will not do to send word that I will not go back till he is gone.”

“No, certainly not.  He would put a different construction on your absence.  Let me find a more smiling face on my return, darling, for I will take care of you.”

Half an hour later Guy and Dexie had entered the house; and finding that Hugh was still with her father, she left Guy in the parlor while she sought Jarvis in the kitchen.

“He is still here, then?  Well, tell Eliza she can place two extra plates for to-night, as Mr. Traverse will be here also,” and giving no time for Jarvis to put the questions she was evidently anxious to have answered, she returned to the parlor.

“How I wish I could peep into the future and understand the programme of the next few hours,” she said to Guy, as she stood by his side in the shadow of the window-curtain.  “I hope it will be short, but I know by the shiver in my bones that it will not be sweet.  Your adversary’s weak point is his temper, as you will see at a glance; so, Guy, don’t—­whatever the provocation—­don’t lose your own, dear.”

Mr. Sherwood’s bell sounded through the house, but for the first time it was unheeded by Dexie.  She knew what was wanted, but feared to face it, even with Guy at her side.  But Mrs. Jarvis was in attendance, and she now appeared in the doorway, saying: 

“Your father has found out you are home, and he wishes to see you at once.”