It was not until breakfast was nearly over that she understood who he was.
"Don't go, Mabel," said her husband, as she made a movement to rise.
"You will like to hear about this, I expect.

My wife knows all that I know," he added.
Mr.Francis smiled and bowed.
"I may tell her about you, sir ?" said Oliver again.
"Why, certainly." Then she heard that he had been a Catholic priest a few months before, and that Mr.Snowford was in consultation with him as to the ceremonies in the Abbey.

She was conscious of a sudden interest as she heard this.
"Oh! do talk," she said.

"I want to hear everything." It seemed that Mr.Francis had seen the new Minister of Public Worship that morning, and had received a definite commission from him to take charge of the ceremonies on the first of October.

Two dozen of his colleagues, too, were to be enrolled among the _ceremoniarii_, at least temporarily--and after the event they were to be sent on a lecturing tour to organise the national worship throughout the country.
Of course things would be somewhat sloppy at first, said Mr.Francis; but by the New Year it was hoped that all would be in order, at least in the cathedrals and principal towns.
"It is important," he said, "that this should be done as soon as possible.