"Oh, yes, the form; but the ceremony—the accompanying service, I mean—was cut out of the Church Prayers at the time of the Reformation. It has become illegal."
"Inside a church, yes; not outside. At least that is his contention. Oh, I have already done my best! He got quite excited when I ventured to discuss the matter,—asked me if I understood the nature of an oath, and whether I had ever taken one."
"Is he much set on it?"
"I have had to write to the Archbishop."
"What do you think he'll say about it?"
"Ordinarily he would oppose it as savoring of Rome; under present circumstances my impression is that he will welcome it as giving the Church an added importance. You don't like it?"
"Of course, I don't."
"Then you had better see the King yourself. You have only a week left; and he has already begun looking at the weather-glass and wondering if it's going to be fine."
"That's just like him!" said the Prime Minister.
"Yes, and he's getting more like himself every day. My part is not a sinecure, I can assure you."