Mrs Dale, when she was left alone, began to turn over the question in her mind in a much fuller manner than the squire’s presence had as yet made possible for her.  Would not such a marriage as this be for them all the happiest domestic arrangement which circumstances could afford?  Her daughter would have no fortune, but here would be prepared for her all the comforts which fortune can give.  She would be received into her uncle’s house, not as some penniless, portionless bride whom Bernard might have married and brought home, but as the wife whom of all others Bernard’s friends had thought desirable for him.  And then, as regarded Mrs Dale herself, there would be nothing in such a marriage which would not be delightful to her.  It would give a realisation to all her dreams of future happiness.

But, as she said to herself over and over again, all that must go for nothing.  It must be for Bell, and for her only, to answer Bernard’s question.  In her mind there was something sacred in that idea of love.  She would regard her daughter almost as a castaway if she were to marry any man without absolutely loving him,—­loving him as Lily loved her lover, with all her heart and all her strength.

With such a conviction as this strong upon her, she felt that she could not say much to Bell that would be of any service.

CHAPTER XX

Dr Crofts

If there was anything in the world as to which Isabella Dale was quite certain, it was this—­that she was not in love with Dr Crofts.  As to being in love with her cousin Bernard, she had never had occasion to ask herself any question on that head.  She liked him very well, but she had never thought of marrying him; and now, when he made his proposal, she could not bring herself to think of it.  But as regards Dr Crofts, she had thought of it, and had make up her mind—­in the manner above described.

It may be said that she could not have been justified in discussing the matter even within her own bosom, unless authorised to do so by Dr Crofts himself.  Let it then be considered that Dr Crofts had given her some such authority.  This may be done in more ways than one; and Miss Dale could not have found herself asking herself questions about him, unless there had been fitting occasion for her to do so.

The profession of a medical man in a small provincial town is not often one which gives to its owner in early life a large income.  Perhaps in no career has a man to work harder for what he earns, or to do more work without earning anything.  It has sometimes seemed to me as though the young doctors and the old doctors had agreed to divide between them the different results of their profession,—­the young doctors doing all the work and the old doctors taking all the money.  If this be so it may account for that appearance of premature gravity which is borne by so many of the medical profession.  Under such an arrangement a man may be excused for a desire to put away childish things very early in life.