'Were you ever in Italy, Doctor Masham?' said Venetia.
'I never was out of my native country,' said the Doctor. 'I once, indeed, was about making the grand tour with a pupil of mine at Oxford, but circumstances interfered which changed his plans, and so I remain a regular John Bull.'
'Was my father at Oxford?' said Venetia, quietly.
'He was,' replied the Doctor, looking confused.
'I should like to see Oxford much,' said Venetia.
'It is a most interesting seat of learning,' said the Doctor, quite delighted to change the subject. 'Whether we consider its antiquity, its learning, the influence it has exercised upon the history of the country, its magnificent endowments, its splendid buildings, its great colleges, libraries, and museums, or that it is one of the principal head-quarters of all the hope of England, our youth, it is not too much to affirm that there is scarcely a spot on the face of the globe of equal interest and importance.'
'It is not for its colleges, or libraries, or museums, or all its splendid buildings,' observed Venetia, 'that I should wish to see it. I wish to see it because my father was once there. I should like to see a place where I was quite certain my father had been.'
'Still harping of her father,' thought the Doctor to himself, and growing uneasy; yet, from his very anxiety to turn the subject, quite incapable of saying an appropriate word.
'Do you remember my father at Oxford, Doctor Masham?' said Venetia.
'Yes! no, yes!' said the Doctor, rather colouring; 'that he must have been there in my time, I rather think.'