But she would not.  No! not if they despised her for it!  She would not put up with that impudent advertisement, and she laid down her knife and fork quite suddenly, and clasped her hands in her lap in that close grasp that always told when her feelings were stirred.

Mrs. Gurney watched the expressive face, and returned Lancy’s look with one of sympathy.

“Lancy is going to drive to the Four-Mile House this afternoon, Dexie,” said Mrs. Gurney.  “Would you like to go with him?”

“Oh, yes, indeed,” was the quick reply, delighted to escape further questioning.

“Then he will have the sleigh ready as soon as you are.  Be sure and wrap up your mouth and throat.  It never do to catch cold, you know.”

Dexie lifted her eyes for one brief moment to the smiling face of the little mother.  The reference to her throat brought back the troublesome resolution that would not stay resolved, try as she would.  She longed to throw herself at her feet and confess the whole hateful story, but she dared not.  That resolution would fall to pieces like a house of cards, if once the story were told to Mrs. Gurney.  But she hated herself for the deceit she was practising.  How would it end?

As Lancy drove round to the front door Cora ran out and whispered: 

“Don’t speak hastily to her, Lancy.  Remember how much depends on the way you put it.  But be sure and get her full consent.”

“What time am I to bring her home?”

“As early as possible; if she has not consented by four o’clock, bring her home to mother.  You know we have to dress and have tea.”

“And what about Dexie’s fine feathers?”

“Only get her consent to go, and we will make a perfect fairy of her.  Grandma’s box just came in time.”

Just then Dexie appeared, and was quickly tucked under the robes.

“Wish us good luck, or fling a slipper, do, Cora, for we are going to elope!” Dexie laughingly exclaimed.

“Good luck, then, and with all my heart I wish it; but slippers are costly, and mine are new,” was the laughing reply.

“What happy fortune takes you out of town this afternoon, Lancy?” said Dexie, a few minutes later.  “Make it forty miles, instead of four, if you wish to earn my everlasting gratitude.”

“Any other day, Dexie, I would feel like taking you at your word,” and a look full of meaning flashed from his eyes, which she understood.

By and by they passed a fence that was covered with posters, and in the most conspicuous place Dexie saw the obnoxious handbills with their great, staring letters.

“Did you see that?” and Dexie flushed angrily, as she pointed at the announcement.

“Why, yes! and everybody is coming to the hall to hear you to-night.”

“Are they, indeed!” drawing her head back stiffly.  “Then they might save themselves the trouble, for they won’t hear me.”

“Dexie, you are not in earnest!” and Lancy tried to repress the hot words that rose to his lips.  “You surely would not refuse to whistle after giving your word, and the posters all over the city?”