“But I haven’t made my speech yet,” said Lily.  “And to tell the truth, mamma, you must go away, or I shall never be able to make it.  It’s very improper, is it not, turning you out, but it shall only take three minutes.”  Then Mrs Dale, with some little joking word, left the room; but, as she left it, her mind was hardly at ease.  Ought she to have gone, leaving it to Lily’s discretion to say what words he might think fit to Dr Crofts?  Hitherto she had never doubted her daughters—­not even their discretion; and therefore it had been natural to her to go when she was bidden.  But as she went downstairs she had her doubts whether she was right or no.

“Dr Crofts,” said Lily, as soon as they were alone.  “Sit down there, close to me.  I want to ask you a question.  What was it you said to Bell when you were alone with her the other evening in the parlour?”

The doctor sat for a moment without answering, and Lily, who was watching him closely, could see by the light of the fire that he had been startled—­had almost shuddered as the question was asked him.

“What did I say to her?” and he repeated her words in a very low voice.  “I asked her if she could love me, and be my wife.”

“And what answer did she make to you?”

“What answer did she make?  She simply refused me.”

“No, no, no; don’t believe her, Dr Crofts.  It was not so;—­I think it was not so.  Mind you, I can say nothing as coming from her.  She has not told me her own mind.  But if you really love her, she will be mad to refuse you.”

“I do love her, Lily; that at any rate is true.”

“Then go to her again.  I am speaking for myself now.  I cannot afford to lose such a brother as you would be.  I love you so dearly that I cannot spare you.  And she,—­I think she’ll learn to love you as you would wish to be loved.  You know her nature, how silent she is, and averse to talk about herself.  She has confessed nothing to me but this,—­that you spoke to her and took her by surprise.  Are we to have another chance?  I know how wrong I am to ask such a question.  But, after all, is not the truth the best?”

“Another chance!”

“I know what you mean, and I think she is worthy to be your wife.  I do, indeed; and if so, she must be very worthy.  You won’t tell of me, will you now, doctor?”

“No; I won’t tell of you.”

“And you’ll try again?”

“Yes; I’ll try again.”

“God bless you, my brother!  I hope,—­I hope you’ll be my brother.”  Then, as he put out his hand to her once more, she raised her head towards him, and he, stooping down, kissed her forehead.  “Make mamma come to me,” were the last words she spoke as he went out at the door.

“So you’ve made your speech,” said Mrs Dale.

“Yes, mamma.”

“I hope it was a discreet speech.”

“I hope it was, mamma.  But it has made me so tired, and I believe I’ll go to bed.  Do you know I don’t think I should have done much good down at the school to-day?”