"I don't know. She always has a headache. Did she want you to come, Percival?"
"She wrote to ask me."
"I'm glad of that."
"Kitty, will you have the goodness to say what you mean, instead of hinting?"
Kitty looked frightened.
"I don't mean anything," she said, hurriedly, while a warm wave of colour spread itself over her cheeks and brow.
"Don't mean anything? That's nonsense. You should not say anything then. Out with it, Kitty. What do you think is wrong with Elizabeth?"
"Oh, Percival, don't be so angry with me," said Kitty, with the tears in her eyes. "Indeed, I scarcely meant to speak; but I did wish you to understand beforehand——"
"What?"
"I don't think she wants to marry you." And then Kitty glanced up from under her thick, curling lashes, and was startled at the set and rigid change which suddenly came over her brother's features. She dared not say any more, and for some minutes they drove on in silence. Presently, Percival turned round to her with an icy sternness in his voice.