CHAPTER XXVIII.
"Hope long deferred maketh the heart sick," and Hugh became dull and
morose; the happiness he hoped for seemed as far off as ever, and the
continued disappointment was making his life bitter. Mrs. Gurney saw the
change, and tried to persuade Hugh to go abroad. This he longed to do, but
waited; he might yet go abroad with Dexie as his travelling companion. He
would not take the message sent him as final; surely if he could see her
alone, face to face, he would compel her to give her reasons for refusing
him, and he might explain away her objections.
But Dexie considered the matter settled, and feeling herself free she
thought it right to drop her stiff, reserved manner, and be once more
friendly. This change made Hugh think that there was still hope for him,
and he determined to take a lover's privilege, and press his suit face to
face.
With this end in view, he called on the Sherwoods one afternoon, and
finding Mr. Sherwood alone, he asked permission to take Dexie out for a
sail, adding that there seemed no other way of seeing her alone.
"I doubt if she will go with you, Mr.
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