should not say anything then.
Out with it, Kitty. What do you think is wrong with Elizabeth?"

"Oh, Percival, don't be so angry with me," said Kitty, with the tears in
her eyes. "Indeed, I scarcely meant to speak; but I did wish you to
understand beforehand----"

"What?"

"I don't think she wants to marry you." And then Kitty glanced up from
under her thick, curling lashes, and was startled at the set and rigid
change which suddenly came over her brother's features. She dared not
say any more, and for some minutes they drove on in silence. Presently,
Percival turned round to her with an icy sternness in his voice.

"You should not say such things unless you have authority from Elizabeth
to say them. Did she tell you to do so?"

"No, no, indeed she did not," cried Kitty, "and, of course, I may be
mistaken; but I came to see you, Percival, on purpose to tell you."

"No woman is happy unless she is making mischief," said her brother,
grimly.

"You ought not to say that, Percival; it is not fair. And I must say
what I came to say. Elizabeth is very unhappy about something. I don't
know what; and after all her goodness to us you ought to be careful that
you are not making her do anything against her will."

"Did you ever know Elizabeth do anything against her will?"

"Against her wishes, then," said Kitty, firmly, "and against the
dictates of her heart."

"'These be fine words, indeed!'" quoted Percival, with a savage laugh.
"And who has taught you to talk about the 'dictates of her heart?' Leave
Elizabeth and me to settle our affairs between ourselves, if you please.
We know our duty to each other without taking advice from a little
schoolgirl."

Kitty stifled a sob. "If you break Elizabeth's heart," she said,
vehemently, "you can't say I didn't warn you."

Percival looked at her, stifled a question at the tip of his tongue, and
clutched his newspaper viciously. It occurred to him that Kitty knew
something, that she would never have uttered a mere vague suspicion; but
he would not ask her a direct question. No, Elizabeth's face and voice
would soon tell him whether she was unhappy.

He was right. Kitty had seen the parting between Brian and Elizabeth;
and she had guessed a great deal more than she saw. She spoke out of no
desire to make mischief, but from very love for her cousin and care for
her happiness; but when she noted Percival's black brows she doubted
whether she had done right.

Percival did not