The doors of the several rooms were closed, and no one was about.

Decima spoke in a whisper-- "Lionel, I cannot divest myself of the opinion that--that----" "That what ?" he asked, looking at her in wonder, for she was hesitating strangely, her manner shrinking, her voice awe-struck.
"That it was Dr.West who took the codicil." Lionel's face flushed--partially with pain; he did not like to hear it said, even by Decima.
"You have never suspected so much yourself ?" she asked.
"Never, never.

I hope I never shall suspect it.

Decima, you perhaps cannot help the thought, but you can help speaking of it." "I did not mean to vex you.

Somehow, Lionel, it is for your sake that I seem to have taken a dislike to the Wests----" "To take a dislike to people is no just cause for accusing them of crime," he interrupted.