“Men, especially confirmed old bachelors, are sometimes very capricious and foolish; and my friend Mr. Chesley appears to have fallen hopelessly into the depth of your eyes.  In vain I assured him that Helmholtz has demonstrated that the deepest blue eye is after all only a turbid medium.  In his infatuation he persists that science is a learned bubble, and that your eyes are wells of truth and inspiration.  Of course you desire that I shall present your affectionate regards to your future guardian?”

“You can improvise any message you deem advisable, but I send none.”

A faint colour was stealing into her cheeks, and the long lashes drooped before the bright black eyes, that had borne down many a brave face on the witness stand.

The clock struck, and Mr. Palma compared his watch with its record.

He was loath to quit that charming quiet room, which held the fair innocent young queen of his love, and hasten away upon the impending journey; but it was important that he should not miss the railway train, and he smothered a sigh: 

“This morning I neglected to give you a letter which arrived yesterday, and of course I need expect no pardon when you ascertain that it is from ‘India’s coral strand.’  If ‘Brother Douglass’ is as indefatigable in the discharge of his missionary as his epistolary labours, he deserves a crown of numerous converts.  This letter was enclosed in one addressed to me, and I prefer that you should postpone your reply until my return.  I intended to mention the matter this morning, but was absorbed in court proceedings, and now I am too much hurried.”

She put the letter into her pocket, and at the same time drew out a small envelope containing the amount of money she had borrowed.  Rising, she handed it to him.

“Allow me to cancel my debt.”

As he received it, their fingers met, and a hot flush rushed over the lawyer’s weary face.  He bit his lip, and recovered himself before she observed his emotion.

“That alms-giving episode is destined to yield an inestimable harvest of benefits.  But I must hurry away.  Pray do not take passage for the jungles of Oude before I return, for whenever you leave me I should at least like the ceremony of bidding my ward adieu.  Good-bye.”

She gave him her hand.

“Good-bye, Mr. Palma.  I hope you will have a pleasant trip.”

As she stood before him, the rich blue of her soft cashmere dress rendered her pearly complexion fairer still, and though keen pain gnawed at her heart, no hint of her suffering marred the perfection of her face.

“Lily, where did you get those lovely white hyacinths?  Yesterday I ordered a bouquet of them, but could procure none.  Would you mind giving me the two that smell so deliciously in your hair?  I want them—­well—­no matter why.  Will you oblige me?”

“Certainly, sir; but I have a handsomer fresher spike of flowers in a glass in my room, which I will bring down to you.”