But Miss Langdale would not hear of Lily giving up her drive and also disappointing Papa; so after many affectionate remonstrances, Miss Lily was obliged to depart. Just as the footman was closing the carriage-door, Miss Langdale said: ‘Will you go with her, Mr Farquhar? We know,’ she added smiling, ‘by experience that you can take care of her.’ Overjoyed, I sprang into the vacant seat beside Lily, who as we drove off exclaimed: ‘What a careful old darling aunt is! She seems to think I am never to be trusted alone; and is more particular than ever since—since,’ she added, slightly hesitating, ‘that unlucky journey.’ ‘Will you trust me, Lily?’ I asked, for the first time addressing her by that familiar name. ‘Will you trust me, and grant me a favour?’ ‘Certainly, I will, if possible,’ she replied. ‘What do you wish me to do?’ ‘I wish you to tell me why that journey from London was unlucky, and—about—the baby.’ ‘Do you really care to know?’ she asked, apparently quite amused. ‘I care for everything which concerns you, Lily,’ I replied very seriously. ‘Then I suppose I must tell you,’ said she with a sigh, the glowing colour mantling over her fair young face. ‘But I must say it is rather hard to have to proclaim one’s own folly, at the risk too of’—— ‘Of what?’ I asked anxiously. ‘Well, I was going to say, of forfeiting your good opinion; but I daresay you think me frivolous as it is.’ ‘I think, Miss Lilian,’ I replied, now greatly excited, ‘that you are amusing yourself at my expense.’ Startled by my sudden change of manner, she gazed at me in evident amazement, then said: ‘What _can_ you mean, Mr Farquhar? I am only surprised that you should feel any curiosity on the subject; I thought men were never curious.’ ‘Then I am an exception,’ I exclaimed. ‘How can I help being interested in all that concerns you? So pray, fulfil your promise at once, as we ought to be at the station in a few minutes.’ ‘Oh, there is not much to tell,’ she quietly observed. ‘But if I am to constitute you my father-confessor, I must tell you _all_, that you may understand the motives which actuated my conduct.’ ‘Yes, yes,’ I muttered; ‘as you please; only, pray, pray go on.’