“Oh, Adolphus, I am so glad he has come,” said Lily.  “Do try to like him.”  Of Dr Crofts, who was the new comer, she had sometimes spoken to her lover, but she had never coupled her sister’s name with that of the doctor, even in speaking to him.  Nevertheless, Crosbie had in some way conceived the idea that this Crofts either had been, or was, or was to be, in love with Bell; and as he was prepared to advocate his friend Dale’s claims in that quarter, he was not particularly anxious to welcome the doctor as a thoroughly intimate friend of the family.  He knew nothing as yet of Dale’s offer, or of Bell’s refusal, but he was prepared for war, if war should be necessary.  Of the squire, at the present moment, he was not very fond; but if his destiny intended to give him a wife out of this family, he should prefer the owner of Allington and nephew of Lord De Guest as a brother-in-law to a village doctor,—­as he took upon himself, in his pride, to call Dr Crofts.

“It is very unfortunate,” said he, “but I never do like Paragons.”

“But you must like this Paragon.  Not that he is a Paragon at all, for he smokes and hunts, and does all manner of wicked things.”  And then she went forward to welcome her friend.

Dr Crofts was a slight, spare man, about five feet nine in height, with very bright dark eyes, a broad forehead, with dark hair that almost curled, but which did not come so forward over his brow as it should have done for purposes of beauty,—­with a thin well-cut nose, and a mouth that would have been perfect had the lips been a little fuller.  The lower part of his face, when seen alone, had in it somewhat of sternness, which, however, was redeemed by the brightness of his eyes.  And yet an artist would have declared that the lower features of his face were by far the more handsome.

Lily went across to him and greeted him heartily, declaring how glad she was to have him there.  “And I must introduce you to Mr Crosbie,” she said, as though she was determined to carry her point.  The two men shook hands with each other, coldly, without saying a word, as young men are apt to do when they are brought together in that way.  Then they separated at once, somewhat to the disappointment of Lily.  Crosbie stood off by himself, both his eyes turned up towards the ceiling, and looking as though he meant to give himself airs; while Crofts got himself quickly up to the fireplace, making civil little speeches to Mrs Dale, Mrs Boyce, and Mrs Hearn.  And then at last he made his way round to Bell.

“I am so glad,” he said, “to congratulate you on your sister’s engagement.”

“Yes,” said Bell; “we knew that you would be glad to hear of her happiness.”

“Indeed, I am glad; and thoroughly hope that she may be happy.  You all like him, do you not?”

“We like him very much.”

“And I am told that he is well off.  He is a very fortunate man,—­very fortunate,—­very fortunate.”