"Well?"
"If that mistress-ship—is there such a word?—ever comes to pass, I shall not be the master of it."
Lucy looked pleased. "That is just what Decima says. She says it to Lady Verner. I wish you would go to them."
"So I will. Good-bye. I shall not come in again. I have a hundred and one things to do this afternoon."
He took her hand and held it. She, ever courteous of manner, simple though she was, rose and stood before him to say her adieu, her eyes raised to his, her pretty face upturned.
Lionel gazed down upon it, and, as he had forgotten himself once before, so he now forgot himself again. He clasped it to him with a sudden movement of affection, and left on it some fervent kisses, whispering tenderly—
"Take care of yourself, my darling Lucy!"
Leaving her to make the best of the business, Mr. Lionel proceeded to the drawing-room. A few minutes' stay in it, and then he pleaded an engagement, and departed.