“Mamma, I’d sooner talk about the Royal Family just at present.”

“But, dear, you must forgive me if I persist.  I have thought much about it, and I’m sure you will not oppose me when I am doing what I think to be my duty.”

“No, mamma; I won’t oppose you, certainly.”

“Since Mr Crosbie’s conduct was made known to you, I have mentioned his name in your hearing very seldom.”

“No, mamma, you have not.  And I have loved you so dearly for your goodness to me.  Do not think that I have not understood and known how generous you have been.  No other mother ever was so good as you have been.  I have known it all, and thought of it every day of my life, and thanked you in my heart for your trusting silence.  Of course, I understand your feelings.  You think him bad and you hate him for what he has done.”

“I would not willingly hate any one, Lily.”

“Ah, but you do hate him.  If I were you, I should hate him; but I am not you, and I love him.  I pray for his happiness every night and morning, and for hers.  I have forgiven him altogether, and I think that he was right.  When I am old enough to do so without being wrong, I will go to him and tell him so.  I should like to hear of all his doings and all his success, if it were only possible.  How, then, can you and I talk about him?  It is impossible.  You have been silent and I have been silent;—­let us remain silent.”

“It is not about Mr Crosbie that I wish to speak.  But I think you ought to understand that conduct such as his will be rebuked by all the world.  You may forgive him, but you should acknowledge—­”

“Mamma, I don’t want to acknowledge anything;—­not about him.  There are things as to which a person cannot argue.”  Mrs Dale felt that this present matter was one as to which she could not argue.  “Of course, mamma,” continued Lily, “I don’t want to oppose you in anything, but I think we had better be silent about this.”

“Of course I am thinking only of your future happiness.”

“I know you are; but pray believe me that you need not be alarmed.  I do not mean to be unhappy.  Indeed, I think I may say I am not unhappy; of course I have been unhappy,—­very unhappy.  I did think that my heart would break.  But that has passed away, and I believe I can be as happy as my neighbours.  We’re all of us sure to have some troubles, as you used to tell us when we were children.”

Mrs Dale felt that she had begun wrong, and that she would have been able to make better progress had she omitted all mention of Crosbie’s name.  She knew exactly what it was that she wished to say,—­what were the arguments which she desired to expound before her daughter; but she did not know what language to use, or how she might best put her thoughts into words.  She paused for a while, and Lily went on with her work as though the conversation was over.  But the conversation was not over.

“It was about John Eames, and not about Mr Crosbie, that I wished to speak to you.”