Crosbie's name was frequently mentioned between them, but in the tone of Mrs Dale's voice, and in her manner when she spoke of him, there was lacking that enthusiasm and heartiness which real sympathy would have produced.

Lily did not analyse her own feelings, or closely make inquiry as to those of her mother, but she perceived that it was not all as she would have wished it to have been.

"I know mamma does not love him," she said to Bell on the evening of the day on which she received Crosbie's first letter.
"Not as you do, Lily; but she does love him." "Not as I do! To say that is nonsense, Bell; of course she does not love him as I do.

But the truth is she does not love him at all.

Do you think I cannot see it ?" "I'm afraid that you see too much." "She never says a word against him; but if she really liked him she would sometimes say a word in his favour.