"Yes." Faintly whispered, as if it were wrung from her.
"He was in some difficulty, and I was enabled to get him out of it. I was attracted to him by his voice and by his resemblance to you. An acquaintanceship sprang up between us, and it has been in my power to assist him on many occasions. I have done so, as you know, for your sake, and because I love you. There is no need for me to say more. There is one reward I have looked forward to for befriending your brother, and whom I shall continue to befriend if I can hope to find some place in your affection—"
He placed his arm around her, and so overpowered was she by her inward conflict of feeling, that she had no power to resist. But at this critical moment a quick step was heard coming into the archway. Lily turned with a gasp of relief, and seeing who it was that was approaching them, involuntarily cried in a joyful tone,
"Felix!"
And made a movement towards him.
Felix raised his hat, and said:
"Your grandfather is anxious about you, Miss Lily."
"Have you seen him to-night?" asked Lily.
"Yes; I have been to see The Bells, and he told me that you had gone to the same theatre. He expected you would have been home before this time."
"Miss Lily was in perfectly safe keeping, sir," said Mr. Sheldrake, biting his lip with vexation at the interruption, and with jealousy at Lily's more cordial manner towards Felix.