"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 Dullhampton."
The Bishop was delighted. Miss Matilda never accepted him at his own valuation.
"So, just on your account," continued his companion demurely, "I won't say a word, though I hate any form of concealment."
"H'm—naturally," said the Bishop.