"Didn't Lucy tell you," asked Ada amazed.
"Not I," cried Lucy triumphantly.
"Oh Lucy."
Then a thundering rap at the door from Harry, who was impatient to see his sister; made them hasten down, all in high spirits at the unlooked for meeting.
Lady Ashton hardly seemed herself she was so pleasant, and even Grace did the agreeable to perfection.
Lucy, lectured Everard, and condemned severely his taking Isabel to be eaten up by savages; as she persisted would be the case if he carried out his preposterous intentions. But Everard only laughed. "I cannot see how you can reconcile it to your conscience, to doom such a girl as that, to so wretched an existence, look at her, is she fit for such a hum-drum-knock-about life."
"Everard cast a very admiring glance at his bride elect, but his only answer was a rather sad smile.
"Oh I see I am right," she cried, "I know you think that she is more fitted for civilized society, confess now, confess, I used to think you so considerate, but now I see you are very selfish.
"Perhaps I am," and he walked out on the lawn, leaving Lucy much astonished and very indignant.
"Be merciful Lucy," said Charles offering his arm.