Will you wear it to please me?"
Dexie unclasped the chain from her neck, and Lancy slipped the ring in its
place on her finger.
"I think you need not mind what Hugh says or thinks," she said in a low
tone. "I did not intend to tell you, Lancy, but I will confess now that
Hugh saw that ring on my finger once before," and she told him the
substance of the stolen interview in the upper hall.
"That is how it happens that we are on speaking terms again," she added,
"but when Hugh gets well enough to travel, and begins to realize that he is
a rich man, he will smile at all this foolishness; but if I live a hundred
years, I will never forget that dreadful afternoon in the boat. Lieutenant
Wilbur is going to give him his revolver after I am gone; that will be a
reminder of it which he won't like, I am thinking!"
The next morning the last article was removed from the house, and the last
good-bye given to the friends they must leave behind them. The two families
met for the last time in Mrs. Gurney's parlor, and as they lingered over
the last words, Dexie seated herself at the piano, and there was no quiver
in her voice, though there were tears in her eyes, as she sang:
"Farewell, farewell, is a lonely sound,
And always brings a sigh;
Then give to me, when loved ones part,
That good old word, 'Good-bye.
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