And, in the midst of it, in walked Decima and Lucy Tempest.
Lady Verner for once forgot herself.

She forgot that Lucy was a stranger; she forgot the request of Lionel for silence; and, upon Decima's asking what was amiss, she told all--that Lionel loved Sibylla West, and meant to marry her.
Decima was too shocked to speak.

Lucy turned and looked at Lionel, a pleasant smile shining in her eyes.

"She is very pretty; very, very pretty; I never saw any one prettier." "Thank you, Lucy," he cordially said; and it was the first time he had called her Lucy.
Decima went up to her brother.

"Lionel, _must_ it be?
I do not like her." "Decima, I fear that you and my mother are both prejudiced," he somewhat haughtily answered.