The colonel coughed, and perhaps exaggerated the premonitory symptoms of a cold.
'Italy, papa, would do you good,' said Cecilia.
'It might,' said he.
'If we go immediately, papa; to-morrow, early in the morning, before there is a chance of any visitors coming to the house.'
'From Bevisham?'
'From Steynham. I cannot endure a second persecution.'
'But you have a world of packing, my dear.'
'An hour before breakfast will be sufficient for me.'
'In that case, we might be off early, as you say, and have part of the
Easter week in Rome.'
'Mr. Austin wishes it greatly, papa, though he has not mentioned it.'