"Rubbing it in?" suggested Cecil. "So it seemed to me."
"Who is the--er--prospective bride-groom?"
"Yes, but--will you forgive me if I speak frankly? There can't be any feeling of jealousy between us; we've both been worsted."
"That I'm afraid this marriage must not be permitted. You see, Miss Arminster isn't quite what she seems."
"If you're going to say anything against that young lady--!" began his Lordship angrily.
"You forget," said his son, "I wanted to marry her."
His father remembered; and remembering, said:
"Well, I found out, for myself I mean, that Miss Arminster had been married a number of times."
"As far as I know, none of her husbands has died."
"In America," began the Bishop, "the divorce laws are lax, and perhaps--"
"Oh, no, I'm sure she hasn't been divorced. I don't think she'd approve of it."
"Yes, that's just the point. And so another marriage with this Mr. Spotts--"
"Must be stopped at all costs!" cried his Lordship, growing very red in the face with agitation.
"I thought you'd feel so," said his son. "And that's why I ventured--"
At this moment Miss Matilda entered the room.
"What are you talking about, Josephus?" she demanded, assuming a domination of which she felt by no means sure. "Did I hear you mention that hussy's name?"
"I was speaking," said the Bishop, "of _Miss Arminster_. Cecil tells me she's to marry Mr. Spotts."
"That's impossible," snapped Miss Matilda.
"I mean what I say. While you were shamelessly gallivanting down the Channel, I went over to the little church near the ruined abbey which you visited the day you met Mr. Marchmont, and there I found a record of the marriage, in 1895, of this _person_ who calls herself _Miss_ Arminster, and I say she can't marry Mr. Spotts."
IN WHICH MISS ARMINSTER VERIFIES THE PROVERB.
The Bishop was pacing his garden. He was far from happy. It is true he had not been worsted in his encounter with his sister. There had been a drawn battle, and he had retired with dignity, conceding nothing but that he would ask Miss Arminster to come to his study at noon and explain her position. He could not believe the charges against the charming Violet, but nevertheless he felt decidedly uncomfortable: for even if she cleared herself, she was still married, and the palace lacked a mistress.