But Dexie was well aware that there were a sharp pair of eyes about, and it took considerable manoeuvring to get a word with Guy without having Louie pounce in upon them at the most unexpected moment.

“Seems to me, Dexie,” she said one day, as they were in their chamber dressing for the afternoon, “if I was Mr. Traverse’s young lady in the city,” and she made a grimace, “I would not care to have my young man visit so much in a house where there are marriageable young ladies.  Do you think she is aware of his frequent visits here?”

“What lady do you refer to, Louie?” turning from the mirror, where a blushing face was too freely reflected.

“You know who I mean well enough!  The lady that Gussie says he is going to marry.  I suppose you know that story as well as Gussie.”

“Oh, yes; it is quite an old thing now.  I have had it dinned into my ears till I am tired, both of the story and the lady as well,” she carelessly replied.

“Oh, indeed!” said the laughing girl.  “I suppose he has told you all about her during one of your many interviews.  When is the wedding to take place?”

“The exact time was never mentioned, Louie.  If you feel very curious about it, why not ask Mr. Traverse yourself.  He might give you an invitation to the wedding, you know.”

“But, honestly, Dexie, does he ever talk to you about his future wife?”

“Certainly! why shouldn’t he?  Didn’t Gussie tell you that he announced his approaching marriage before the whole family?”

“Well, Dexie Sherwood, you can smile and smile and be—­the young lady yourself, after all,” said Louie, not yet convinced, “and that ring looks new, and I see no photograph of Hugh McNeil lying inside your favorite book, so there!”

“Well, you might have seen one in the album if you had looked for it, you silly girl.  And how many new rings has Gussie had since you were home, and yet I hear no word of her engagement!”

“That may be, my dear sister Dexie; but I have not seen any young man kiss Gussie good-bye at the door, either; therefore I begin to think—­”

What her thoughts might be upon the matter, Dexie did not give her time to express, but disappeared from the room as suddenly as if the cry of “Fire” had been raised in the house.

“Well, I may be mistaken; then, again, I may not,” said Louie, reflectively, as she found herself alone, “but appearances point to the latter view.  However, auntie says that ’circumstantial evidence is not positive proof,’ so I will wait for further developments.  If it is so—­all right; if it is not so, well—­then I think they should not be quite so familiar when Dexie shows him out.  He is quite a handsome young gentleman and will make a distinguished-looking brother-in-law, and I am ready with my approval and blessing as soon as they ask for it; but, by the way things look to me, my approval and blessing have not been waited for.”