John smiled. 'You are perfect in the cathedral history.'

'I bought a little book about it.'

Her knowledge was, he found, in a girlish state of keen interest, and
not deficient, but what pleased him best was that, as they entered and
stood at the west door, looking down the whole magnificent length of
nave, choir, and chapel, the embowed roof high above, sustained on
massive pillars, she uttered a low murmur of 'beautiful!' and there was
a heart-felt expression of awe and reverence on her face, a look as of
rapt thought, chased away in a moment by his eye, and giving place to
quiet pensiveness. After the service they went over the building; but
though eager for information, the gravity did not leave her, nor did
she speak at once when they emerged into the Close.

'It is very impressive,' said John.

'I suppose you have seen a great many cathedrals?'

'Yes, many foreign ones, and a few English.'

'I wonder whether seeing many makes one feel the same as seeing one.'

'How do you mean?'

'I do not think I could ever care for another like this one.'

'As your first?'