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" 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.


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