It offered such an excellent opportunity of acquiring archaeological knowledge--had not the Dean most kindly promised to conduct the party round the Cathedral himself and deliver a short lecture _en route_ ?--and of friendly social intercourse, both of which would be very advantageous to Damaris.

As she was without any engagement for the day clearly neither should be missed.

Of course, everyone understood how unsuitable it would be to ask Sir Charles to patronize parish excursions and events .-- Here Miss Bilson became lyrical, speaking with gasping breath and glowing face, of "a call to exalted spheres of action, of great Proconsuls, Empire Builders, Pillars of the State."-- Naturally you hesitated to intrude on the time and attention of such a distinguished person--that in point of fact was her main reason for disposing of the matter of the carriage horses herself.

How could she trouble Sir Charles with such a homely detail ?--But Damaris' case, needless to remark, was very different.

At her age it was invidious to be too exclusive.