‘May I not say a word of comfort to him?’ said Mrs Arabin.

‘He will be very comfortable without any such word,’ said Lily, laughing.

‘But he is not comfortable; of that you may be very sure.’

‘Yours ever and unalterably, J E,’ said Lily to herself.  ’You do not doubt his affection?’ continued Mrs Arabin.

‘I neither doubt it nor credit it.’

’Then I think you wrong him.  And the reason why I have ventured to come to you is that you may know the impression which he has made upon one who was but the other day a stranger to him.  I am sure that he loves you.’

‘I think he is light of heart.’

‘Oh, no, Miss Dale.’

’And how am I to become his wife unless I love him well enough myself?  Mrs Arabin, I have made up my mind about it.  I shall never become any man’s wife.  Mamma and I are all in all together, and we shall remain together.’  And as soon as these words were out of her mouth, she hated herself for having spoken them.  There was a maudlin, missish, namby-pamby sentimentality about them which disgusted her.  She specially desired to be straightforward, resolute of purpose, honest-spoken, and free from all touch of affectation.  And yet she had excused herself from marrying John Eames after the fashion of a sick schoolgirl.  ’It is not good talking about it any more,’ she said, getting up from her chair quickly.

‘You are not angry with me;—­or at any rate you will forgive me?’

’I’m quite sure you have meant to be very good, and I am not a bit angry.’

‘And you will see him before you go?’

’Oh, yes; that is if he likes to come today, or early tomorrow.  I go home tomorrow.  I cannot refuse him, because he is such an old friend—­almost like a brother.  But it is of no use, Mrs Arabin.’  Then Mrs Arabin kissed her and left her, telling her that Mr Eames would come to her that afternoon at half-past five.  Lily promised that she would be at home to receive him.

‘Won’t you ride with us for the last time?’ said Emily Dunstable when Lily gave notice that she would not want the horse on that afternoon.

‘No; not today.’

‘You’ll never have another opportunity of riding with Emily Dunstable,’ said the bride elect; ‘at least I hope not.’

’Even under those circumstances I must refuse, though I would give a guinea to be with you.  John Eames is coming here to say good-bye.’

’Oh; then indeed you must not come with us.  Lily, what will you say to him?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Oh, Lily, think of it.’

’I have thought of it.  I have thought of nothing else.  I am tired of thinking of it.  It is no good to think of anything so much.  What does it matter?’

’It is very good to have someone to love better than all the world besides.’

‘I have someone,’ said Lily, thinking of her mother, but not caring to descend to the mawkish weakness of talking about her.