out of mischief."

"You must be very careful what you say about him to me," she replied. "I
won't hear one word against him, for we're very old friends."

"So I should infer," he retorted, "from what I've just seen. _I_ never
was allowed to put _my_ arm--"

"How dare you!" she cried, rising, really angry this time. "I--" Then
turning to the Bishop, who arrived very opportunely, she exclaimed:

"Won't you rescue me, please? Your son's becoming awfully impertinent!"

"Then," said his Lordship gallantly, "my son must be taught better
manners. If he cannot show himself worthy of such a charming companion,
we'll punish him by leaving him entirely alone."

Certainly his father was coming on, thought Cecil. But if Miss Arminster
tried to take advantage of his dotage to forge another link in her
matrimonial chain, he, Banborough, would have a word to say on the
subject.

"I wish to tell you, my dear," began his Lordship as they walked away,
leaving Cecil disconsolate, "of a very nice invitation I've received for
the rest of the week. Lord Downton is to call for me in his yacht at
Dullhampton to-morrow, and has asked me to join his party and to bring
some lady with me to make the number even."

"Oh, how jolly that'll be--for Miss Matilda!" said the artful Violet.

"Humph!--ye-es," replied the Bishop. "I hardly think my sister could
leave the palace just at this time."

"Perhaps," suggested his guest, "yachting doesn't agree with her. Has
she ever tried it before?"

"She has," replied the Bishop, with a certain asperity.

"Ah, poor thing!" said Miss Arminster. "It must have taken away from
your pleasure to feel that she was suffering such great discomfort on
your account."

"Lord Downton didn't specify my sister. He only said 'some lady'; and so
I thought if you--"

"Oh, that's just sweet of you!" exclaimed his companion. "I'm sure I
should adore yachting. It's something I've always wanted to do."

"Then we'll consider it settled," said the Bishop.

"But Miss Matilda?"

"Ah, yes," admitted his Lordship. "That's just the trouble. You see my
dilemma."

"Of course!" Violet responded promptly, understanding that he wished to
be helped out. "If your sister knew you were going, she'd feel it her
duty to accompany you, and the trip would be spoilt for you by her
sufferings. So, out of your affection for her, you think it would be
better if we were just quietly to slip off to-morrow and send her a wire
from Dullham