'Quite right; and what did he say then?'
'He said, because he had never seen anybody so handsome, and as he had seen everybody in London, he supposed—I forget the exact words, but they were very nice; I am sure he admired my new hat; but you—you haven't told me how you liked it. Do you think I should wear it down on my eyes, or a bit back?'
'I think it very becoming as it is; but tell me more about Captain
Hibbert.'
'He told me he was coming to meet us at Mass. You know he is a Roman
Catholic?'
'I know he is, dear, and am very glad.'
'If he weren't, he wouldn't be able to meet us at Mass.'
VIII
According to old-established custom, on the arrival of his family Arthur had turned his nudities to the wall, and now sitting, one leg tucked under him, on the sofa, throwing back from time to time his long blond locks, he hummed an Italian air.
'How tired you look, Alice dear! Will you have a cup of tea? It will freshen you up; you have been walking yourself to death.'
'Thanks, mamma, I will have a cup of tea; Cecilia and I went to see the
Brennans.'