he took out his
watch, then turned aside as he saw Hugh's agitated face.

"It is really settled, then," said Hugh, in a low voice, as he took Dexie's
hand. "I wish you had left something that I could do for you, so that my
life will not feel quite so empty."

"I have no favor to ask of you, Mr. McNeil, yet if I hear that you have
been kind to Nina Gordon it will please me very much. Mind, I do not ask it
of you. If someone would have the goodness of heart to save her from her
mother, she would make a sensible woman yet. If Cora Gurney would only take
a friendly interest in her, I would not be afraid of the future of my
_double_. Good-bye, Mr. McNeil, that is the warning-signal, I believe."

Hugh seemed in no hurry to heed the warning, but stood aside where he could
watch Dexie's face as she parted from Lancy. He heeded not the few hurried
words so earnestly spoken, nor the fervent clasp of their hands, for there
was no answering light in Dexie's eyes as they rested on Lancy's face.
Friends were hurrying across the gang plank, but Hugh waited till Lancy had
disappeared; then stepping to Dexie's side, he hurriedly whispered:

"I was not mistaken! your heart has not yet awakened, as I said! and
Lancy's ring binds no heart but his own. All is fair in love and war, and
my chance is as good as his, after all! _Au revoir_, my little wife!" and
he raised his hat and hurried ashore.

His heart beat rapidly, and though he carried away the memory of Dexie's
indignant look, he stepped across the plank with a firm, light step. Lancy
wondered at the transformation which seemed to have taken place in Hugh
since he had seen him on deck, a few short minutes ago; but they stood
together and watched the receding steamer, until the one that was so dear
to them both was lost to view.

While Dexie was on deck taking her last look of "dear old Halifax," Gussie
hurried below to secure the best accommodation for herself, and she was so
long in deciding the matter that she appeared only in time to wave her
farewell from the deck.

After the bustle of departure had subsided, the steward came forward
bringing a moss-lined basket, filled with choice hothouse flowers, saying:

"A gentleman left this in my care, to be delivered to Miss Dexie Sherwood.
I believe it belongs to one of you ladies."

"Oh, Dexie, they can't _all_ be for you," said Gussie, eagerly, as she
reached out her hand and took the basket from the steward's hands.

"Here i