"No, no, I mean your moustache. When you smile, it gives you a demoniac expression, which drives me out of all patience. Miss Lothrop, would he not look a great deal better if he would cut off those Hungarian twists, and wear his upper lip like a Christian?"
This was a trial! Lois gave one glance at the moustache in question, a glance compounded of mingled horror and amusement, and flushed all over. Philip saw the glance and commanded his features only by a strong exertion of will, remaining, however, to all seeming as impassive as a judge.
"You don't think so?" said Mrs. Burrage. "Philip, why are you not at that picture sale this minute, with me?"
"Why are you not there, let me ask, this minute without me?"
"Because I wanted you to tell me if I should buy in that Murillo."
"I can tell you as well here as there. What do you want to buy it for?"
"What a question! Why, they say it is a genuine Murillo, and no doubt about it; and I have just one place on the wall in my second drawing-room, where something is wanting; there is one place not filled up, and it looks badly."
"And the Murillo is to fill up the vacant space?"
"Yes. If you say it is worth it."
"Worth what?"