Fully conscious of the inexpediency of contests on minor ritual differences, he yet felt a sudden impulse towards a mild intellectual tournament with the eager old man--purely as an exercise of his wits in the defence of a fair girl.
'Sir, I accept your challenge to us,' said Somerset, advancing to the minister's side.
VII.
At the sound of a new voice the lady in the bower started, as he could see by her outline through the crevices of the wood-work and creepers.
The minister looked surprised.
'You will lend me your Bible, sir, to assist my memory ?' he continued.
The minister held out the Bible with some reluctance, but he allowed Somerset to take it from his hand.

The latter, stepping upon a large moss-covered stone which stood near, and laying his hat on a flat beech bough that rose and fell behind him, pointed to the minister to seat himself on the grass.

The minister looked at the grass, and looked up again at Somerset, but did not move.
Somerset for the moment was not observing him.

His new position had turned out to be exactly opposite the open side of the bower, and now for the first time he beheld the interior.

On the seat was the woman who had stood beneath his eyes in the chapel, the 'Paula' of Miss De Stancy's enthusiastic eulogies.