“Well, my dear, I hope you enjoyed yourself. You look positively radiant.”
“I’m so happy, father. You don’t know what a dear Harry is. I’m awfully grateful to you.”
“Your father’s a wise man, darling,” he laughed.
Lionel came in, hat in hand, to see Winnie, who had arrived but half-an-hour before and gone straight to her room. He expressed his regret that a choir-practice, which he must attend, forced him to go out.
“Well, my boy, I’m sorry you can’t dine with us,” said the Canon. “I should have liked to see my family united round my table on this night of all others, but since your duty calls I have no more to say.”
At this moment Ponsonby announced that dinner was served, and at the same time handed a telegram to his master.
He opened it and gave a cry. His heart beat so violently that he was obliged to sit down.
“It’s so stupid of me, I’m quite upset. Get me a glass of sherry, Ponsonby.”
“What is it, Theodore?” asked Lady Sophia, anxiously.
He waved his family aside and would not speak till Ponsonby brought the wine. He drank a glass of sherry. A sigh of relief issued from his lips. He waited till Ponsonby had left the room, and then slowly rose to his feet.
“Sophia, you will be gratified to learn that the Government has offered me the vacant bishopric of Sheffield.”
Lionel seized his father’s hand and wrung it warmly.
“Presumably you don’t want me to persuade you to take it.”
“No, I shall accept as it is offered me, frankly--and by telegram.”
He looked upon the members of his family and took no pains to hide his intense satisfaction.
“But I’m keeping you from your duties, Lionel. You mustn’t wait a moment longer.” His son went to the door, but the Canon called him back. “One moment, I was forgetting. I think the time has now arrived to announce Winnie’s betrothal publicly. Just sit down and write out a notice; you can leave it at the News Agency as you pass.”
Lionel obediently went to the desk and took a pen. The Canon cleared his throat.
“We are authorized to announce that a marriage has been arranged between Lord Wroxham, of Castle Tanker, and Winifred, only daughter of the Honourable, (write that in full, Lionel,) of the Honourable and Reverend Canon Theodore Spratte, bishop elect of Sheffield; better known as the----”