d.

"Am I to take him?" said Miss Rutherford. "I didn't know that was part
of the plan. I thought we were all going together to Inishbawn, the
sanctuary."

"Didn't I tell you," said Priscilla. "We decided that you were to have
charge of Barnabas for a few days until the trouble blows over a bit.
You're to pretend that he's your husband. You don't mind, do you?"

"I'd much rather have Frank," said Miss Rutherford.

"What on earth would be the use of that?" said Priscilla.

"But, of course, I'll marry Barnabas with pleasure," said Miss
Rutherford, "if it's really necessary and Lady Isabel doesn't object."

"I won't be separated from Barnabas," said Lady Isabel, "and I'm sure
he'll never agree to leave me."

"All the same you'll have to," said Priscilla, "both of you. We can't
pretend you're not married if you're going about together on Inishbawn."

"But I don't want to pretend I'm not married. I'm proud of what we've
done."

"You'll sacrifice the respect and affection of Aunt Juliet," said
Priscilla, "the moment it comes out that you're married. As long as she
thinks you're out on your own defying the absurd conventions by which
women are made into what she calls 'bedizened dolls for the amusement
of the brutalised male sex,' she'll be all on your side. But once she
thinks you've given up your economic independence she'll simply turn
round and help Lady Torrington to hunt you down."

Mr. Pennefather emerged from the tent. He wore a black suit of clothes
of strictly clerical cut and a collar which buttoned at the back of
his neck. Except that he was barefooted and had not brushed his hair he
would have been fit to attend a Church Conference. His self-respect was
restored by his attire. He walked over to Frank, who was dripping on a
stone, and handed him a visiting card. Frank read it.

"Reverend Barnabas Pennefather--St. Agatha's Clergy House--Grosvenor
Street, W."

"I am the senior curate," he said. "The staff consists of five priests
besides the vicar."

"They want to take you away from me," said Lady Isabel. "But you won't
go, say you won't, Barnabas."

Mr. Pennefather took his place at his wife's side. He held her hand in
his.

"Nothing on earth," he said, "can separate us now."

"Very well," said Priscilla. "You're rather ungrateful, both of you,
considering all we're doing for you, and I don't think you're exactly
polite to Miss Rutherford, however----"

"Don't mind about me," said Miss Rutherfo