"Then you don't want to be forgiven, is that it? or do you mean that you are going to be good to me in the future?" "I don't know what 'being good' implies, so I won't promise," she replied, smiling. "It means that you will not act as if you were afraid to be alone with me a minute, and to talk to me as freely as you did before, well--before that snowstorm. You have never put your hand on my shoulder, and asked me to take you any place since then. You don't know how I miss the pleasant hours we used to spend together, or the delight I felt in the pressure of the hand that has never willingly touched mine since I spoke to you here in the parlor. The Dexie I knew a few weeks ago seems to have gone away, and I miss her very much, indeed." "I can't be the same as I used to be, Lancy. Something is different, and I'm so afraid someone will make remarks about us if we are so much together as we used to be." "What kind of remarks? tell me, Dexie. Something we would be ashamed to hear?" and he smiled into her distressed face. "You know what I mean very well, Lancy, and I couldn't bear it." "Did you ever hear any remarks before--before that snowstorm?" "No! I never thought there was anything to make remarks about, but I have been looking at things differently lately." "In what way, Dexie? Do tell me?" and he caught her hands in a firm clasp. "Don't, Lancy! Please stop! There has been enough said and done already to make people talk if they knew about it." "Only a few words, and one little kiss, that was all, Dexie. If the thought of what people might say keeps us apart, you are very foolish, for if we were never to speak to each other again we would be accused of having had a 'lover's quarrel,' so don't keep me at a distance any longer on that account. You are making us both miserable for nothing; for I don't believe you are enjoying yourself a bit under the new rule that you have set up. Confess now, are you? honor bright, Dexie?" and he looked eagerly into her eyes. "Well, no, Lancy," and she looked up with a smile. "It isn't quite so nice as it used to be, and I have stayed home several times when I wanted to go out. I am not shy, naturally, you know, and I would have asked for your escort if there had not been reasons to prevent me. Hugh has been very anxious to show his gallantry, but nothing would tempt me to go three steps with that big Frenchman." "Well, I wish Hugh could hear you say that, Dexie, for I was beginning to feel jealous. He talks so much about you I was afraid he had entered the lists against me." "Lancy, what nonsense you talk! Hugh is Gussie's particular property. What made you fancy that I had stepped into her shoes?" "Nothing that need vex you, Dexie, so don't frown; but he told me in confidence, you know, that you were--but there; it was in confidence, so I won't repeat what he said. I know he cares more for you than for Gussie, and the fact don't please me very well."