She broke out into a most violent fit of emotion, shrieking, trembling, clinging to Lionel, calling out at the top of her voice that she would not leave him. All his efforts were directed to stilling the noise. He implored her to be tranquil, to remember there were listeners around; he pointed out that, until the blow actually fell, there was no necessity for those listeners to be made cognisant of it. All that he _could_ do for her protection and comfort, he would do, he earnestly said. And Sibylla subsided into a softer mood, and cried quietly. "I'd rather die," she sobbed, "than have this disgrace brought upon me." Lionel put her into the large arm-chair, which remained in the study still, the old arm-chair of Mr. Verner. He stood by her and held her hands, his pale face grave, sad, loving, bent towards her with the most earnest sympathy. She lifted her eyes to it, whispering-- "Will they say you are not my husband?" "Hush, Sibylla! There are moments, even yet, when I deceive myself into a fancy that it may be somewhat averted. _I cannot_ understand how he can be alive. Has Cannonby told you whence the error arose?" She did not answer. She began to shake again; she tossed back her golden hair. Some blue ribbons had been wreathed in it for dinner; she pulled them out and threw them on the ground, her hair partially falling with their departure. "I wish I could have some wine?" He moved to the door to get it for her. "Don't you let _her_ in, Lionel," she called out as he unlocked it. "Who?" "That Deborah. I hate her now," was the ungenerous remark. Lionel opened the door, called to Tynn, and desired him to bring wine. "What time did Captain Cannonby get here?" he whispered, as he took it from the butler. "Who, sir?" asked Tynn. "Captain Cannonby." Tynn paused, like one who does not understand. "There's no gentleman here of that name, sir. A Mr. Rushworth called to-day, and my mistress asked him to stay dinner. He is in the drawing-room now. There is no other stranger." "Has Captain Cannonby not been here at all?" reiterated Lionel. "He left London this morning to come." Tynn shook his head to express a negative. "He has not arrived, sir."