All the world had smiled upon it.

When Mr Crosbie had first come among them at Allington, as Bernard's guest, during those few days of his early visit, it had seemed as though Bell had been chiefly noticed by him.

And Bell in her own quiet way had accepted his admiration, saying nothing of it and thinking but very little.

Lily was heart-free at the time, and had ever been so.

No first shadow from Love's wing had as yet been thrown across the pure tablets of her bosom.