"What?"
"Hired a fellow as tutor to the boys without references or recommendations, solely because he was good-looking, as far as I can make out."
"Who told you?"
"My father."
"Did he do it?"
"He and Elizabeth between them. Kitty sings his praises in every letter. He teaches the girls Italian."
Rupert said nothing.
"So I am going to Italy chiefly to see what the fellow is like. I can't make out whether he is young or old. Kitty calls him divinely handsome; and my father speaks of his grey hairs."
"And Miss Murray?"
"Miss Murray," said Percival, rather slowly, "doesn't speak of him at all." Then, he added, in quicker tones—"Doubtless he isn't worth her notice. Elizabeth can be a very grand lady when she likes. Upon my word, Vivian, there are times when I wonder that she ever deigned to bestow a word or look even upon me!"