"And I would die rather than speak that word!" said Lily, with a scornful curl of her beautiful lip.
"You will change your mind, doubtless, before you have remained long in this place," said Mr. Colville, in a tone so significant that she stared and looked at him keenly, as if trying to fathom its hidden meaning, but she could not read the expression on his face, and dropped her eyes with a weary sigh.
Doctor Heath came in, followed by a neat young woman with a large and apparently very strong frame. She came in and stood behind Lily's chair.
"This young woman will attend you to your room," said Doctor Heath, with a polite bow. "I dare say you are tired and would like to seek repose."
Mr. Colville approached Lily and bent down to say, softly:
"I may not see you again for several weeks, Lily; but if you should change your mind and wish to recall me sooner, you need only signify it to Doctor Heath, and he will communicate with me at once."
"I am not likely to change my mind," she answered, coldly, turning from him and following the strong-limbed young woman out of the room.
Her guide led her up a stairway and along a wide hall, with a number of closed doors on each side. At length she paused and threw open the door, saying, politely:
"This will be your room for the present, miss."
Thus addressed, Lily stepped reluctantly across the threshold and looked around her.