know, Miss. Lord,--to give lectures in a big hall on the elements
of Art. A great deal might be done in that way, don't you think so,
Miss. Morgan?'

'I have no faith in anything popular,' Jessica replied loftily.

'No, no. But, after all, the people have got the upper hand
now-a-days, and we who enjoy advantages of education, of culture,
ought not to allow them to remain in darkness. It isn't for our own
interest, most decidedly it isn't.'

'Did your sisters go to see the procession?' Nancy asked.

'Oh, they were afraid of the crowd. The old gentleman took them out
to Tooting Common this afternoon, and they enjoyed themselves.
Perhaps I should have been wiser if I had imitated their example; I
mean this morning; of course I wouldn't have missed this evening for
anything whatever. But somehow, one feels it a sort of duty to see
something of these great public holidays. I caught a glimpse of the
procession. In its way it was imposing--yes, really. After all,
the Monarchy is a great _fact_--as Gurty would have said. I like
to keep my mind open to facts.'

The sun had set, and with approach of dusk the crowds grew denser.
Nancy proposed a return westwards; the clubs of Pall Mall and of St
James's Street would make a display worth seeing, and they must not
miss Piccadilly.

'A little later,' said their escort, with an air of liberality, 'we
must think of some light refreshment. We shall be passing a