"I have done what I was asked to do," he said, drawing himself up to his full height, and turning round with folded arms and darkening brow. "I have burnt his letter, and I should now be glad, Mr. Luttrell, to hear the views which you were to explain to me."
"My cousin Brian——" began Hugo, with some deliberation; but he was not allowed to finish his sentence. Quick as thought, Dino Vasari interrupted him.
"Pardon me, would it not be as well—under the circumstances—to speak of the gentleman in question as Mr. Stretton?"
Hugo shrugged his shoulders.
"I have no objection," he said, "so long as you do not take my calling him by that name to be the expression of my opinion concerning the subject under consideration."
This was so elaborate a sentence that Dino took some little time to consider it.
"I see," he said at last, with a questioning look; "you mean that you are not convinced that he is the son of Vincenza Vasari?"
"Neither is he," said Hugo.
"But if we have proof——"
"Mr. Vasari, you cannot imagine that my cousin will give up his rights without a struggle?"