If ever you should want anybody to do anything for you, remember that I will do it, whatever it is." And as he paced away from her across the lawn, the special deed in her favour to which his mind was turned,--that one thing which he most longed to do on her behalf,--was an act of corporal chastisement upon Crosbie.

If Crosbie would but ill-treat her,--ill-treat her with some antenuptial barbarity,--and if only he could be called in to avenge her wrongs! And as he made his way back along the road towards Guestwick, he built up within his own bosom a castle in the air, for her part in which Lily Dale would by no means have thanked him.
Lily when she was left alone burst into tears.

She had certainly said very little to encourage her forlorn suitor, and had so borne herself during the interview that even Crosbie could hardly have been dissatisfied; but now that Eames was gone her heart became very tender towards him.

She felt that she did love him also;--not at all as she loved Crosbie, but still with a love that was tender, soft, and true.

If Crosbie could have known all her thoughts at that moment, I doubt whether he would have liked them.