at home?  And in this way her mind wandered off to thoughts upon life in general, and she repeated to herself over and over again the two words which she had told John Eames that she would write in her journal.  The reader will remember those two words—­Old Maid.  And she had written them in her book, making each letter a capital, and round them she had drawn a scroll, ornamented after her own fashion, and she had added the date in quaintly formed figures—­for in such matters Lily had some little skill and a dash of fun to direct it; and she had inscribed below it an Italian motto:—­’Who goes softly, goes safely’; and above her work of art she had put a heading—­As arranged fate for L.D.’  Now she thought of all this, and reflected whether Emily Dunstable was in truth very happy.  Presently the tears came into her eyes, and she got up and went to the window, as though she were afraid that her uncle might wake and see them.  And as she looked out on the blank street, she muttered a word or two—­’Dear mother!  Dearest mother!’ Then the door was opened, and her cousin Bernard announced himself.  She had not heard his knock at the door as she had been thinking of the two words in her book.

‘What; Bernard!—­ah, yes, of course,’ said the squire, rubbing his eyes as he strove to wake himself.  ’I wasn’t sure you would come, but I’m delighted to see you.  I wish you joy with all my heart—­with all my heart.’

‘Of course, I should come,’ said Bernard.  ’Dear Lily, this is so good of you.  Emily is so delighted.’  Then Lily spoke her congratulations warmly, and there was no trace of a tear in her eyes, and she was thoroughly happy as she sat by her cousin’s side, and listened to his raptures about Emily Dunstable.  ‘And you will be so fond of her aunt,’ he said.

‘But is she not awfully rich?’ said Lily.

‘Frightfully rich,’ said Bernard; ’but really you would hardly find it out if nobody told you.  Of course she lives in a big house, and has a heap of servants; but she can’t help that.’

‘I hate a heap of servants,’ said Lily.

Then there came another knock at the door, and who should enter the room but John Eames.  Lily for a moment was taken aback, but it was only for a moment.  She had been thinking so much of him that his presence disturbed her for an instant.  ‘He probably will not know that I am here,’ she had said to herself; but she had not yet been three hours in London, and he was already with her!  At first he hardly spoke to her, addressing himself to the squire.  ’Lady Julia told me you were to be here, and as I start for the Continent early tomorrow morning, I thought you would let me come and see you before I went.’

‘I’m always glad to see you, John,’ said the squire—­’very glad.  And so you are going abroad, are you?’