Lily turned her head away without replying, while Colville, bending over her, whispered gallantly:
"Ah, my obdurate fair one, have you relented yet?"
"No," answered Lily, briefly and coldly, withdrawing the hand he had tried to take in his own.
"I hoped your mind had changed in the long interval since we last met," said he, taking a seat near her.
Doctor Pratt had already taken a chair by the grated window.
"You were mistaken," she answered, coldly, as before.
"I think you will admit that I have waited long and patiently on your pleasure, Lily," said he, in a tone of expostulation.
Lily lifted her large blue eyes for a moment and looked at him with a glance in which contempt and weariness were blended.
"Mr. Colville," she said, quietly, "pray spare yourself the useless discussion of that subject. You had my answer long ago. I assure you my decision is unalterable."