I only hope," added Miss Tyler, with a venomous smile, "that Lydia did not go up to meet him." "Why should she ?" demanded Lucian bluntly.
"Oh, I'm not blind!" cried Bella, shrilly laughing.

"No, indeed.

The Count--a most amiable man--was _very_ attentive to me at one time; and Lydia--a married woman--I regret to say, did not like him being so.

I am indeed sorry to repeat scandal, Mr.Denzil, but the way in which Mrs.
Vrain behaved towards me and carried on with the Count was not creditable.

I am a gentlewoman, Mr.Denzil, and a churchwoman, and as such cannot countenance such conduct as his." "You infer, then, that Mrs.Vrain was in love with the Italian ?" "I shouldn't be at all surprised to hear it," cried Bella again.