“Will you give me a few minutes alone, Dexie, when I have come so far on purpose to see you?”

“I am sorry to hear that request, Mr. McNeil, as it forces me to seem rude when I would prefer to be cordial.  Do not let us renew our old antagonism.”

“Dexie, I think, if it ever existed, it has given place to a better feeling.  My heart has been starving for a sight of your face, and you have grown so beautiful that it is hard to resist the temptation to take you in my arms.”

Dexie shrank away from him, and she gave a quick look at Guy, who was still talking to her mother, but his smile reassured her.  She knew he would soon be at her side.

“Don’t leave me, Dexie,” Hugh entreated.  “I will not touch you, so do not he afraid of me.  Do you know I have come as fast as I could travel, just to see you face to face as I do now.  Yet I have a further hope in my heart, Dexie, for Lancy is not between us now.”

Dexie’s heart beat too fast to allow of a reply, and Hugh added: 

“You can guess how glad I was to hear that you and Lancy were friends only, and from what Gussie tells me there is hope for me yet.  Is it so, Dexie?”

“You must not put any faith in Gussie’s stories, Mr. McNeil,” Dexie managed to reply.  “I am aware she is resting under a delusion, but I did not take the trouble to convince her of the fact.  I was hoping I should not have to tell you what is surely plain to yourself,” blushing as she gave a meaning glance in Guy’s direction.

“Then your father was right!  I have come too late!  Is that what you wish me to believe?  Think a minute, Dexie, before you say what will rob me of all hope!” and he bent his head in his eagerness to read her answer in her truthful face.

“If papa told you I was engaged to Mr. Traverse, he told you the truth,” Dexie said, in a low tone.

“But do you love him, Dexie?  Are you sure your heart is given with your hand?  I was right in Lancy’s case, you know.”

As he spoke, Guy came over to her side, and she laid her hand on his arm, and looked into his face with such trust upon her own that Hugh felt she had answered his question.

“Mr. McNeil, I am not naturally jealous,” said Guy, pleasantly, “but if my little wife is making love to you here, I’m afraid there is danger that I shall grow that way,” and he laid his arm across Dexie’s shoulder, and smiled at them both.

Dexie looked over her shoulder at this declaration, and was surprised to find there was no one in the room except themselves, but Guy had brought this about in order to announce their engagement to Hugh.