“My dear! have you never read the words, ’I was a stranger, and ye took Me in.’  You know there is such a thing as entertaining angels unawares.”

“I thought you were that kind of people,” Elsie whispered, as Mrs. Taylor bent to kiss her cheek.

“Did you, dear?  Then I need not remind you that your thanks are due elsewhere, for I am sure you both have grateful hearts to-night.”

“Will you please tell us how Lancy is before you go?  We have not heard his voice since we came in,” said Dexie.

“To be sure! but you need not be anxious about him.  Your brother is in the kitchen, snug and warm, by this time.  I must go and put him to bed; but I don’t think I shall offer to carry him there,” and she laughed softly, adding, as she reached the door.  “Do not get up in the morning till I give you leave.  You cannot get home until the roads are broken; so stay in bed till the house is well warmed.  Good-night, my dears.”

There was an interval of silence; then Elsie said softly, “I wonder if our mothers will be frightened because we are not home.  I am afraid mother would cry if she knew we were out in the storm to-night.”

“Oh! they’ll not fret, at least my mother will not.  They know that Lancy will look after us.”

“Lancy kissed you to-night, didn’t he, Dexie?  Do you know I believe he has fallen in love with you,” said Elsie, in a confidential tone.

“Oh, Elsie! how can you say such a thing?” and Dexie blushed in the darkness.  “He kissed you good-bye, and, considering our danger, it was natural enough to treat me the same; indeed he seems like a brother.  Even the people here think I am your sister.”

“Oh! you needn’t mind me, Dexie.  Our folks all like you and would have no objections, for I heard mamma tell Cora that she was pleased at Lancy’s choice, and thought you would get on very well together.”

“Nonsense!  Elsie; you must have misunderstood what they were talking about.  Lancy and I have been much together on account of our music, and your mother would rather he spent his time over the piano with me, than with the wild young men about the city; that is what she meant.  It is only the music that Lancy thinks of; so don’t get foolish notions into your head, Elsie.”

“Well, perhaps mamma did mean that, but I’m sure she didn’t say it so.  I thought she meant—­something else,” and whatever suspicions had been aroused in Elsie’s innocent heart were lulled to rest for the time.

But this revelation aroused various feelings in Dexie’s heart.  She never thought that the friendship existing between Lancy and herself would be so differently construed.  She liked Lancy very much, and never hesitated to affirm it, but it made the blood rush to her face when she thought of Lancy’s good-bye kiss in the way Elsie had spoken of it.

“Such silliness!  Our good times will all be spoiled if people begin to imagine such nonsense about us.  How shall I be able to meet him in the morning?  But there! it is only Elsie’s foolish mistake; I will not think of it any more,” so, resolutely putting the subject from her mind, she fell asleep.