Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/81



Englishman came up cautiously. But when Preston had presented him to Mrs. Varris, he seemed to dismiss or, at least, postpone further consideration of whatever had disturbed him. The four entered together into the great cathedral. The service for which the Englishman had come was about to begin, and would be over within an hour. But young Preston sighed hopelessly as they went down the long, late-Norman nave to the famous Octagon of Ely; and as he again estimated the great transepts and the carved panels of the choir, he knew it would be long after noon and well toward tea-time before he could hope to have Miss Varris to himself again.

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