'But he's none the worse for it, dear.'

'I think he is--to lecture me and love you, all in one breath!'

'Still, that's only a passing phase; and you first proposed making a
confidant of him.'

'I did. . . . Very well. Then we are to tell nobody but the
Bishop?'

'And my brother Louis. I must tell him; it is unavoidable. He
suspects me in a way I could never have credited of him!'

Swithin, as was before stated, had arranged to start for Greenwich
that morning, permission having been accorded him by the Astronomer-
Royal to view the Observatory; and their final decision was that, as
he could not afford time to sit down with her, and write to the
Bishop in collaboration, each should, during the day, compose a
well-considered letter, disclosing their position from his and her
own point of view; Lady Constantine leading up to her confession by
her refusal of the Bishop's hand. It was necessary that she should
know what Swithin contemplated saying, that her statements might
precisely harmonize. He ultimately agreed to send her his letter by
the next morning's post, when, having read it, she would in due
course despatch it with her own.

As soon as he had breakfasted Swithin went his way, promising to
return from Greenwich by the end of the week.