"He told her he could not, then; there was another call he must make, but would return after a while.
"She counted the minutes, until she should see him again. Never concealing from any of us how dearly she loved him. She was truly as guileless as a child of six years.
"From the first of her acquaintance with him, she had declared 'her doctor' was like her father. Mother too, admitted, the resemblance was very decided.
"This it was, I think, that first made him so dear to her.
"Several times, after the doctor returned that evening, I saw he sought opportunity to speak to me, unheard by others. But Lilly was always near.
"Ah! it was better so. Better that from his own lips I heard not those words he would have spoken. Doubly hard would have been the trial. Oh, that night when he said, 'good-byee!' He slipped in my hand a little roll of paper. As Lilly still stood at the window, watching as long as she could see him, I stole away to open the paper. Then, for a while, I forgot Lilly, aye, forgot everything, in my great happiness. He loved me! On my finger sparkled the beautiful diamond-my engagement ring-to be worn on the morrow, 'if I could return his love,' he said.
"Quickly I hid my treasures away, his note and the ring-Lilly was coming.
"She was not yet strong, and soon tired. I helped her to get off her clothes, and as she kissed me good-night, she said:
"'I wish we had a picture of him-don't you?'
"'Who, dear?' I asked.