It was the correct thing, and therefore it was not a little surprising that Lucia did not do it.

An expression of disapproval passed over his pale, fastidious face.
"Father won't mind," she said.
"No, but I should." He said it in a tone which was meant to settle the question.
She sat still, turning over the pages of the manuscript which she had again taken on her lap.
"I suppose he is very dreadful.

Still, I think we ought to do something for him." "And what would you propose to do ?" There was an irritating smile on her cousin's face.

He was thinking, "So she wants to patronize him, does she ?" He did not say what he thought; with Lucia that was unnecessary, for she always knew.

He only said, "I don't exactly see you playing Beatrice to his Dante." Lucia coloured, and Horace felt that he had been right.