“There is but little doubt of that,” said Mrs Dale.

“We shall not be rich—­” began the doctor.

“I hate to be rich,” said Bell.  “I hate even to talk about it.  I don’t think it quite manly even to think about it; and I’m sure it isn’t womanly.”

“Bell was always a fanatic in praise of poverty,” said Mrs Dale.

“No; I’m no fanatic.  I’m very fond of money earned.  I would like to earn some myself if I knew how.”

“Let her go out and visit the lady patients,” said Lily.  “They do in America.”

Then they all went into the parlour and sat round the fire talking as though they were already one family.  The proceeding, considering the nature of it,—­that a young lady, acknowledged to be of great beauty and known to be of good birth, had on the occasion been asked and given in marriage,—­was carried on after a somewhat humdrum fashion, and in a manner that must be called commonplace.  How different had it been when Crosbie had made his offer!  Lily for the time had been raised to a pinnacle,—­a pinnacle which might be dangerous, but which was, at any rate, lofty.  With what a pretty speech had Crosbie been greeted!  How it had been felt by all concerned that the fortunes of the Small House were in the ascendant,—­felt, indeed, with some trepidation, but still with much inward triumph.  How great had been the occasion, forcing Lily almost to lose herself in wonderment at what had occurred!  There was no great occasion now, and no wonderment.  No one, unless it was Crofts, felt very triumphant.  But they were all very happy, and were sure that there was safety in their happiness.  It was but the other day that one of them had been thrown rudely to the ground through the treachery of a lover, but yet none of them feared treachery from this lover.  Bell was as sure of her lot in life as though she were already being taken home to her modest house in Guestwick.  Mrs Dale already looked upon the man as her son, and the party of four as they sat round the fire grouped themselves as though they already formed one family.

But Bell was not seated next to her lover.  Lily, when she had once accepted Crosbie, seemed to think that she could never be too near to him.  She had been in no wise ashamed of her love, and had shown it constantly by some little caressing motion of her hand, leaning on his arm, looking into his face, as though she were continually desirous of some palpable assurance of his presence.  It was not so at all with Bell.  She was happy in loving and in being loved, but she required no overt testimonies of affection.  I do not think it would have made her unhappy if some sudden need had required that Crofts should go to India and back before they were married.  The thing was settled, and that was enough for her.  But, on the other hand, when he spoke of the expediency of an immediate marriage, she raised no difficulty.  As her mother was about to go into a new residence,