“Don’t be a goose, Elsie,” was her flattering remark.  “Just as if no one else in the country could make a decent cake but your Susan!  Don’t, for goodness’ sake, get sentimental over eatables just because Mr. McNeil happens to be struck that way.”

The tears forgot to fall, the handkerchief was left in a crumpled heap, hanging half out of her pocket; and as soon as the lump that was in her throat could be disposed of, Elsie ventured meekly to remark that she “was sure Lancy would be late if he did not hurry in.”

This recalled Hugh to the fact that unless he made good use of the few remaining minutes, his words to Dexie would be left unsaid; and as Elsie leaned out the window in hopes of seeing Lancy, he bent forward to Dexie, saying in a low voice,

“Say that you forgive me, Dexie, before you go.  I was wild with pain at the thought of you leaving me so long with nothing to hope for.  I cannot let you go without a word of forgiveness for my hasty words; you know I never meant to do it, Dexie, for I would die to save you from harm.”

“Very kind of you, I am sure! but pray do not have any funeral on my account.  I feel quite capable of looking after myself, and I hope you will not make it necessary for me to repeat this assertion in the future.  Say no more about forgiveness; the occurrence is too recent for that, but I will try to forget it.”

“Dexie, do not speak so cruelly.  How can I prove that I love you, and that it was the thought of losing you that drove me to madness!  You can’t believe that I meant to carry out my murderous threat—­no!  I cannot think it, when my own heart aches with love and longing for you.  If I write to you, Dexie, and lay my heart open before you, surely you will believe me!”

“Do not trouble yourself to write, Mr. McNeil,” was the scornful reply.  “If you have any heart-trouble, you will find me a poor physician, for I have not the slightest interest in your condition.”

“Dexie, are you going to leave me with no kinder remembrance of you than those cruel words?  I must write, Dexie; say that you will answer my letter,” and a look of entreaty beamed from the dark eyes raised to her face.

“Couldn’t think of it!  I am going away to enjoy myself, and am not going to bother writing to every Tom, Dick and Harry, so I’ll have to throw you over!” and a pair of defiant eyes met his gaze.

Hugh’s passionate nature was raised to the utmost, but he choked back the words that rose to his lips, and giving her one long, earnest look, said in a hoarse voice: 

“You repeat my words!  May you never have a happy moment until you are as sorry for saying them as I am!” and he rose and left the car, meeting Lancy on the steps.

“Well, Hugh, we are away at last,” said Lancy, gaily.  “Good-bye, old fellow!”

But Hugh merely raised his eyes and hurried past, and before Elsie knew he had left the car she saw him driving furiously down the road, past cabs and trucks, escaping collision as if by a miracle, and the speed never slacked until he had covered more ground than was necessary to take him home.