He hated even a touch of flattery.
"It is very good of you, Mr.Francis.I will certainly speak to Mr.
Snowford.

I understand that you offer yourselves as--as Masters of Ceremonies-- ?" "Yes, sir; and sacristans.

I have studied the German ritual very carefully; it is more elaborate than I had thought it.

It will need a good deal of adroitness.

I imagine that you will want at least a dozen _Ceremoniarii_ in the Abbey; and a dozen more in the vestries will scarcely be too much." Oliver nodded abruptly, looking curiously at the eager pathetic face of the man opposite him; yet it had something, too, of that mask-like priestly look that he had seen before in others like him.