"Yes, papa, all mine, and I have a verse or two composed to suit the music; so be careful, or I'll inflict them upon you as well." "Now, gentlemen," she added, "what else shall I favor you with--instrumental music, or songs, ballads, whistling choruses, or what? I await your orders. I have an extensive repertoire from which you may select," and her fingers passed softly over the keys as she smilingly waited. "Then it is no use to ask for that one piece, Miss Dexie?" Guy said, in a low voice. "No, sir, not at all! I only play that when--well, when I am sentimentally inclined, you know. Did I not say it was sacred to someone else?" and she lifted a saucy face to Guy's gaze. Then without a moment's pause Dexie began to sing, and she soon charmed away the frown that had gathered over Guy's face on hearing her frank admission. He stood and watched her as she sang, feeling that she had the power to make or mar his life. "Now, papa, you have heard quite enough, I am sure," she said, at last, going over to his side. "You are looking tired." "There! that is just the way I am served. Directly I am beginning to enjoy myself, my pleasures are nipped in the bud;" then changing his tone, he added, "Yes, dear child, I do feel a little weary. If Traverse will be kind enough to wheel me back to my room, I guess I will let Jarvis put me to bed; I hear her rummaging about looking for me now," and he smiled as he drew her face down and kissed it. "Dear papa, I wish it was in your power to escape her search." Mr. Sherwood understood the wish, and pressed her hand in reply. Mr. Traverse was soon back by Dexie's side, watching the hands that were evoking such sweet strains, but she seemed hardly aware of his presence until he said, in a low tone: "Remembering what you told me, Miss Dexie, I was not surprised to hear that you were shortly to be married. May I know the truth from your own lips, Miss Dexie?" "I do not know why the report, true or otherwise, should trouble any person, Mr. Traverse," and she stooped to pick up some scattered music, and hide her face at the same time. "It is more to me than you think, Miss Dexie. If you will admit that the report is true, I will not trouble you with further questions; but I understand, from what your father said, that the rumor is not correct." "Papa had no right to tell you anything, Mr. Traverse, but I fancy you are not much the wiser for any information he may have given you." Her blushing cheeks and downcast eyes did certainly convey the impression that her father was not aware how matters stood, so he replied: "No, I am not much wiser, I must admit, for I cannot make what he told me agree with that engagement ring." "Do all rings have that significance? Gussie frequently wears several without implicating any gentleman," smiling.