elf; or to take no
notice of it, further than by conveying Lucy to the Hall in place of
Decima.

Lucy laughed. She did not seem to care at all for the omission; but as
to going without the invitation, or in anybody's place, she would not
hear of it.

"Decima will not mind staying at home," said Lady Verner. "She never
cares to go out. You will not care to go, will you, Decima?"

An unwonted flush of crimson rose to Decima's usually calm face. "I
should like to go to this, mamma, as Miss Hautley has invited me."

"_Like_ to go to it!" repeated Lady Verner. "Are you growing capricious,
Decima? You generally profess to 'like' to stay at home."

"I would rather go this time, if you have no objection," was the quiet
answer of Decima.

"Dear Lady Verner, if Decima remained at home ever so, I should not go,"
interposed Lucy. "Only fancy my intruding there without an invitation!
Miss Hautley might order me out again."

"It is well to make a joke of it, Lucy, when I am vexed," said Lady
Verner. "I dare say it is only a mistake; but I don't like such
mistakes."

"I dare say it is nothing else," replied Lucy, laughing. "But as to
making my appearance there under the circumstances, I could not really
do it to oblige even you, Lady Verner. And I would just as soon be at
home."

Lady Verner resigned herself to the decision, but she did not look
pleased.

"It is to be I and Decima, then. Lionel," glancing across the table at
him--"you will accompany me. I cannot go without you."

It was at the luncheon table they were discussing this; a meal of which
Lionel rarely partook; in fact, he was rarely at home to partake of it;
but he happened to be there to-day. Sibylla was present. Recovered from
the accident--if it may be so called--of the breaking of the
blood-vessel; she had appeared to grow stronger and better with the
summer weather. Jan knew the improvement was all deceit, and told them
so; told _her_ so; that the very greatest caution was necessary, if she
would avert a second similar attack; in fact, half the time of Jan's
visits at Deerham Court was spent in enjoining perfect tranquillity on
Sibylla.

But she was so obstinate! She would not keep herself quiet; she would go
out; she would wear those thin summer dresses, low, in the evening. She
is wearing a delicate muslin now, as she sits by Lady Verner, and her
blue eyes are suspiciously bright, and her cheeks are suspiciously
hectic, and the old laboured breath