ge's.

"The _sine qua nons_," the letter went on, "are marked with red crosses,
the _desiderata_ in black."

"I'm glad," I said, "that she got one plural right. By the way, I wonder
what the plural of that phrase really is. It can't be _sines qua non_,
and yet _sine quibus_ sounds pedantic."

I said this in the hope of mitigating Thormanby's wrath by turning his
thoughts into another channel.

I failed. He merely growled again. I went on reading the letter:

"You will observe at once that the Archdeacon, whom we should all like
to have as our new bishop, possesses every requirement for the office
except one, number fifteen on the enclosed list, marked for convenience
of reference, with a violet asterisk."

"What is the missing _sine qua?_" I asked. "Don't tell me if it's
private."

"It's--it's--damn it all, look for yourself." He flung a typewritten
sheet of foolscap at me. I picked my way carefully among the red and
black crosses until I came to the violet asterisk.

"No. 15. 'A bishop must be the husband of one wife'--I Tim: III."

"That's rather a poser," I said, "if true. It seems to me to put the
Archdeacon out of the running straight off."

"No. It doesn't," said Thormanby. "That's where the girl's infernal
insolence comes in."

I read:

"This obstacle, though under the present circumstances an absolute bar,
is fortunately remedial."

"I wish Lalage would be more careful," I said, "she ought to have
written 'remediable.' However her meaning is quite plain."

"It gets plainer further on," said Thormanby grinning.

This was the first time I had seen him grin since I came into the room.
I took it for an encouraging sign.

Lalage's letter went on:

"The suggestion of the obvious remedy, must be made by some one, for
the Archdeacon has evidently not thought of it himself. It would come
particularly well from you, occupying as you do a leading position in
the diocese. Unfortunately the time at our disposal is very short,
and it will hardly do to leave the Archdeacon without some practical
suggestion for the immediate-remedying of the sad defect. What you will
have to offer him is a scheme thoroughly worked out and perfect in every
detail. The name of Miss Battersby will probably occur to you at once. I
need not remind you of her sweet and lovable disposition. You have been
long acquainted with her, and will recognize in her a lady peculiarly
well suited to share an episcopal throne."

Thormanby b