“Only one kiss,” he urged.  “You gave it willingly last night, darling.”

“But things are not the same as they were last night.”

“No, I love you better, Dexie.  May I?” But without waiting for permission he kissed the face so near him, and found it wet with tears.

“Dexie, darling, I did not think you would care so much.  Forgive me if I vexed you; you kissed me last night without a word.”

“But you are not the same, and there was a reason last night.  It is not fair, Lancy.  You have quite spoiled our good times for the future.”

“No, not spoiled them, only made them dearer.  Dexie, you shan’t be vexed with me.  Come over on the sofa and let me talk to you.”

“No; you said you would let me go home, and I want to go now, this very minute.”

“Very well.”  He rose and pulled her shawl over her shoulders, then followed her silently into the shelter of her own door.  He would have followed her into the house as well, forgetting that Dexie’s face would tell tales, but she stopped him at the door.

“I don’t want to see you any more to-night, Lancy; I really don’t,” she said, as they stood a moment in the front hall.

“You are displeased with me for telling you that I love you.  Perhaps I should have waited a little longer before speaking about it; but, Dexie, I couldn’t keep it to myself.  I had to tell you.”

“I would not have been any more pleased to hear it, even if you had kept it longer;” and, lifting her eyes to his face for a moment, added, “I am not exactly vexed with you, Lancy, but I’m not pleased either.  Now, go home; do.”  Being thus summarily dismissed, there was no choice left him; but before he turned to obey her command, he raised her hand to his lips, and whispered a tender “Good-night, Dexie.”

She stood and watched him down the steps, then turned and went quickly to her own room, and locking the door behind her threw herself face down on the bed, and for a few minutes wept without restraint.  She felt completely unnerved; so much had happened during the last twenty-four hours that had tried her strength and courage, that Lancy’s declaration had filled up the measure of her strength.

But her thoughts, always rapid, soon worked out a semblance of order from the confusion that filled her mind, and she dried her eyes and began to review her conduct in the light that others probably judged her.

She would not deny, even to herself, that she preferred Lancy’s company to that of any of her male friends; but they were both so young that it was ridiculous to even imagine that their intimacy meant more than common friendship.  However, if Lancy chose to be silly, that was no reason that she should become sentimental also.  She was not obliged to fall in love just because Lancy fancied himself in that condition.  It would be horrid not to see him or sing with him again when their voices chorded so well together; and Lancy never misunderstood her, if everyone else did.  Yes, it would be very hard not to be friendly with him; but, there! surely one can be friendly with a gentleman without being expected to fall in love with him, and she felt positive that if there were a Prince Charming for her, his name was not Lancy Gurney.