Book 36 - "Lucia's Progress" by E.F. Benson

[kittiwake]

'You know how I hate all fuss, dear Padre,' she said, 'but I do think, don't you, that Tilling would wish for a little pomp and ceremony. An idea occurred to me: the Mayor and Corporation perhaps might like to escort the Bishop in procession to the church from here after lunch. If that is their wish, I should not dream of opposing it. Maces, scarlet robes; there would be a picturesqueness about it which would be suitable on such an occasion. Of course I couldn't suggest it myself, but, as Vicar, you might ascertain what they felt.'

The last-but-one of E.F. Benson's books about Lucia and Miss Mapp is just as full of social climbing, back-biting and breathtaking hypocrisy as the others, but there is quite a surprise towards the end.