"Lilias," she answered, simply, as a child that tells its name when asked.
"Lily, indeed," he said, "most fair and lovely as the snow-white lilies are; but no such gentle vision ever came to me before in these dark hours, though I have been here lonely, night by night. I thought at first it was a spirit kneeling there; and it is scarce less marvellous to me that a human being should visit me in my solitude, than that some merciful angel should come to cheer me. How is it, then, that you are here?"
"The music seemed to call me and I came," she said; "it was so very beautiful it drew my whole soul after it; but I know I should not have ventured here at such an hour, and now I will go back, only----"
She hesitated, and looked up pleadingly into the eyes that were turned with such admiring wonder on her----
"I do," he replied, and then bowed his head as though the answer were one of shame.
"Then will you promise me," she said, "that I shall hear these glorious sounds once more? I feel as though I could have no rest till I may listen to them yet again, and to the voice that was as a soul within them. May I come here to-morrow, and will you bestow on me the greatest pleasure I have ever known, for, indeed, I never felt such deep enjoyment as in hearing that solemn strain?"
"Most gladly would I--most gladly see you again, sweet Lily; since that is your sweet name; but do you know who I am?"
"No, excepting that I think you will be my friend,--at least I shall hope it,--for the soul that could utter that divine song must be so worthy of all friendship."
These gentle words seemed literally to make him tremble, as another might to hear the ravings of passion.
"Oh do not speak so softly to me," he said, "I am unused to kindness, and it unmans me; besides, soon you will know all, and then you will neither have the will nor power to befriend me, and it were better for me not to have the hope of your future sympathy, thus given for a moment and then withdrawn."
"But why withdrawn?" she said, with her gaze of innocent surprise.
"You are Sir Michael's niece, are you not, the child of his favorite brother--his heiress probably?"
"I am his niece, but not his heiress surely; there are so many worthier heirs, are you not one of them?"