Bellairs had completely lost patience with her, and the incorrigible
girl had only been stopped by the fear of her guardian's displeasure
from insisting on driving Lucia home, while Doctor Morton, who had been
all day absorbed by his patients, waited for her decision about some
arrangements for their journey. Lucia could not help giving her what
Bella called a lecture, but when she reached home and was seated in her
usual place at her mother's feet, she was still puzzling over the
subject, and over what Mrs. Costello had said when she first heard of
the engagement.

"Mamma," she said, at last, "do you remember saying you thought Bella's
might be a very happy marriage? I wonder if you think so still?"

"Why should not I? What is changed?"

"I don't know that anything is; but you know how tiresome she is. I
cannot imagine how Doctor Morton bears it."

"Probably, he bears it because he thinks her tiresomeness will soon be
over. When she is married and in her own house, she will have other
things to think of besides teasing him."

"But, mamma, do you think she _loves_ him?"

Mrs. Costello laughed. "Indeed, my dear, I can't tell. If she does not
now, I suppose she intends to."

"But that can't be right. Mamma, I am certain you do not think that kind
of marriage right."