WhenshewasaloneshesatdowninherhabitanddeclaredtoherselfthatshecertainlywouldneverbecomethewifeofMrCrosbie。Idonotknowwhysheshouldmakesuchadeclaration。ShehadpromisedhermotherandJohnEamesthatshewouldnotdoso，andthatpromisewouldcertainlyhaveboundherwithoutanyfurtherresolutionsonherpart。
But，totellthetruth，thevisionofthemanhaddisenchantedher。Whenlastshehadseenhimhehadbeenasitwereagodtoher；andthough，sincethatday，hisconducttoherhadbeenasungodlikeasitwellmightbe，stillthememoryoftheoutwardsignsofhisdivinityhadremainedwithher。Itisdifficulttoexplainhowithadcometopassthattheglimpsewhichshehadhadofhimshouldhavealteredsomuchwithinhermind；——whysheshouldsosuddenlyhavecometoregardhiminanalteredlight。Itwasnotsimplythathelookedtobeolder，andbecausehisfacewascareworn。ItwasnotonlythathehadlostthatlookofanApollowhichLilyhadonceinhermirthattributedtohim。I
thinkitwaschieflythatsheherselfwasolder，andcouldnolongerseeagodinsuchaman。ShehadneverregardedJohnEamesasbeinggiftedwithdivinity，andhadthereforealwaysbeenmakingcomparisonstohisdiscredit。Anysuchcomparisonnowwouldtendquitetheotherway。
Neverthelessshewouldadheretothetwolettersinherbook。SinceshehadseenMrCrosbieshewasaltogetheroutoflovewiththeprospectofmatrimony。
ShewasintheroomwhenMrPrattwasannounced，andsheatoncerecognisedhimasthemanwhohadbeenwithCrosbie。Andwhen，someminutesafterwards，SiphDunncameintotheroom，shecouldseethatintheirgreetingallusionwasmadetothesceneinthePark。Butstillitwasprobablethatthismanwouldnotrecogniseher，and，ifhedidso，whatwoulditmatter？Thereweretwentypeopletositdowntodinner，andthechanceswerethatshewouldnotbecalledupontoexchangeawordwithMrPratt。Shehadnowrecoveredherself，andcouldspeakfreelytoherfriendSiph，andwhenSiphcameandstoodnearhershethankedhimgraciouslyforhisescortinthePark。’Ifitwasn’tforyou，MrDunn，IreallythinkIshouldnotgetanyridingatall。BernardandMissDunstablehaveonlyonethingtothinkabout，andcertainlyI
amnottheonething。’ShethoughtitprobablethatifshecouldkeepSiphclosetoher，MrsThorne，whoalwaysmanagedthingsherself，mightapportionherouttobeledtodinnerbyhergood—naturedfriend。Butthefateswereaverse。Thetimehadnowcome，andLilywaswaitingherturn。’MrFowlerPratt，letmeintroducetoMissLilyDale，’saidMrsThorne。LilycouldperceivethatMrPrattwasstartled。Thesignhegavewastheleastpossiblesignintheworld；butstillitsufficedforLilytoperceiveit。Sheputherhanduponhisarm，andwalkeddownwithhimtothedining—roomwithoutgivinghimtheslightestcausetosupposethatsheknewwhohewas。
’IthinkIsawyouintheparkriding？’hesaid。
’Yes，Iwasthere；wegonearlyeveryday。’
’Ineverride；Iwaswalking。’
’Itseemstomethatthepeoplewhodon’tgotheretowalk，buttostandstill，’saidLily。’Icannotunderstandhowsomanypeoplecanbeartoloiteraboutinthatway——leaningontherailsanddoingnothing。’
’Itisaboutasgoodasriding，andcostslessmoney。Thatisallthatcanbesaidforit。Doyoulivechieflyintown？’
’Oh，dearno；Ilivealtogetherinthecountry。I’monlyupherebecauseacousinisgoingtobemarried。’
’CaptainDale，youmean——toMissDunstable？’saidFowlerPratt。
’Whentheyhavebeenjoinedtogetherinholymatrimony，Ishallgodowntothecountry，andnever，Isuppose，comeuptoLondonagain。’
’YoudonotlikeLondon？’
’Notasaresidence，Ithink，’saidLily。’Butofcourseone’slikingsanddislikingsonsuchamatterdependoncircumstances。Ilivewithmymother，andallmyrelativeslivenearus。OfcourseIlikethecountrybest，becausetheyarethere。’
’Youngladiessooftenhaveadifferentwayoflookingatthissubject。
Ishouldn’twonderifMissDunstable’sviewsaboutitwerealtogetherofanothersort。Youngladiesgenerallyexpecttobetakenawayfromtheirfatherandmothers，andunclesandaunts。’
’ButyouseeIexpecttobeleftwithmine，’saidLily。AfterthatsheturnedasmuchawayfromMrFowlerPrattasshecould，havingtakenanaversiontohim。Whatbusinesshadhetotalktoheraboutbeingtakenawayfromunclesandaunts？ShehadseenhimwithMrCrosbie，anditmightbepossiblethattheywereintimatefriends。ItmightbethatMrPrattwasaskingquestionsinMrCrosbie’sinterests。Letthatbeasitmight，shewouldanswernomorequestionsfromhimfurtherthanordinarygoodbreedingshouldrequireofher。
’Sheisanicegirl，certainly，’saidFowlerPratttohimself，ashewalkedhome，’andIhavenodoubtwouldmakeagood，ordinary，everydaywife。Butsheisnotsuchaparagonthatamanshouldcondescendtogrovelinthedirtforher。’
ThatnightLilytoldEmilyDunstablethewholeofMrCrosbie’shistoryasfarassheknewit，andalsoexplainedhernewaversiontoMrFowlerPratt。’Theyareverygreatfriends，’saidEmily。’Bernardhastoldmeso；andyoumaybesurethatMrPrattknewthewholehistorybeforehecamehere。Iamsosorrythatmyauntaskedhim。’
’Itdoesnotsignifyintheleast，’saidLily。’EvenifIweretomeetMrCrosbieIdon’tthinkIshouldmakesuchafoolofmyselfagain。Asitis，Icanonlyhopethathedidnotseeit。’
’Iamsurehedidnot。’
Thentherewasapause，duringwhichLilysatwithherfacerestingonbothherhands。’Itiswonderfulhowmuchhehasaltered，’shesaidatlast。
’Thinkhowmuchhehassuffered。’
’IsupposeIamalteredasmuch，onlyIdonotseeitmyself。’
’Idon’tknowwhatyouwere，butIdon’tthinkyoucanhavechangedmuch。Younodoubthavesufferedtoo，butnotashehasdone。’
’Oh，asforthat，Ihavedoneverywell。IthinkI’llgotobednow。
Theridingmakesmesosleepy。’
CHAPTERLIV
THECLERICALCOMMISSION
ItwasatlastarrangedthatthefiveclergymenselectedshouldmeetatDrTempest’shouseatSilverbridgetomakeinquiryandreporttothebishopwhetherthecircumstancesconnectedwiththechequefortwentypoundswereofsuchanatureastomakeitincumbentonhimtoinstituteproceedingsagainstMrCrawleyintheCourtofArches。DrTempesthadactedupontheletterwhichhehadreceivedfromthebishop，exactlyasthoughtherehadbeennomeetingatthepalace，noquarreltothedeathbetweenhimandMrsProudie。Hewasaprudentman，giftedwiththegreatpowerofholdinghistongue，andhadnotspokenaword，eventohiswife，ofwhathadoccurred。Aftersuchavictoryouroldfriendthearchdeaconwouldhaveblownhisowntrumpetloudlyamonghisfriends。
Plumsteadwouldhaveheardofitinstantly，andthepaeanwouldhavebeensungoutintheneighbouringparishesofEiderdown，Stogpingum，andStEwolds。TheHighStreetofBarchesterwouldhaveknownofit，andtheverybedesmeninHiram’sHospitalwouldhavetoldamongthemselvestheterriblediscomfitureofthebishopandhislady。ButDrTempestspokenowordofittoanybody。Hewroteletterstothetwoclergymennamedbythebishop，andhimselfselectedtwoothersoutofhisownruraldeanery，andsuggestedtothemalladayatwhichapreliminarymeetingshouldbeheldathisownhouse。ThetwowhowereinvitedbyhimwereMrOriel，therectorofGreshamsbury，andMrRobarts，thevicarofFramley。
Theyallassentedtotheproposition，andonthedaynamedassembledthemselvesatSilverbridge。
ItwasnowApril，andthejudgesweretocomeintoBarchesterbeforetheendofthemonth。Whatthencouldbetheuseofthisecclesiasticalinquiryexactlyatthesametime？Menandwomendeclaredthatitwasadoubleprosecution，andthatadoubleprosecutionforthesameoffencewasacourseofactionopposedtothefeelingsandthetraditionsofthecountry。MissAnnePrettymanwentsofarastosaythatitwasunconstitutional，andMaryWalkerdeclaredthatnohumanbeingexceptMrsProudiewouldeverhavebeenguiltyofsuchcruelty。’Don’ttellmeaboutthebishop，John，’shesaid，’thebishopisacypher。’’YoumaybesureDrTempestwouldnothaveahandinitifitwerenotright，’saidJohnWalker。’MydearMrJohn，’saidMissAnnePrettyman，’DrTempestisashardasabarofiron，andalwayswas。ButIamsurprisedthatMrRobartsshouldtakeapartinit。’
Inthemeantime，atthepalace，MrsProudiehadbeenreducedtolearnwhatwasgoingonfromMrThumble。ThebishophadneverspokeawordtoherrespectingMrCrawleysincethatterribledayonwhichDrTempesthadwitnessedhisimbecility——havingabsolutelydeclinedtoanswerwhenhiswifehadmentionedthesubject。’Youwon’tspeaktomeaboutit，mydear？’shehadsaidtohim，whenhehadthusdeclined，remonstratingmoreinsorrowthaninanger。’No；Iwon’t，’thebishophadreplied；
’therehasbeenagreatdealtoomuchtalkingaboutit。Ithasbrokenmyheartalready，Iknow。’Thesewereverybaddaysinthepalace。MrsProudieaffectedtobesatisfiedwithwhatwasbeingdone。ShetalkedtoMrThumbleaboutMrCrawleyandthecheque，asthougheverythingwerearrangedquitetohersatisfaction——asthougheverything，indeed，hadbeenarrangedbyherself。Buteverybodyaboutthehousecouldseethatthemannerofthewomanwasaltogetheraltered。Shewasmilderthanusualwiththeservantsandwasalmosttoogentleinherusageofherhusband。Itseemedasthoughsomethinghadhappenedtofrightenherandbreakherspirit，anditwaswhisperedaboutthroughthepalacethatshewasafraidthatthebishopwasdying。Asforhim，hehardlylefthisownsitting—roominthesedays，exceptwhenhejoinedthefamilyatbreakfastandatdinner。Andinhisstudyhedidlittleornothing。Hewouldsmilewhenhischaplainwenttohim，andgivesometriflingverbaldirections；butfordayshescarcelyevertookapeninhishands，andthoughhetookupmanybookshereadhardlyapage。Howoftenhetoldhiswifeinthosedaysthathewasbroken—hearted，noonebuthiswifeeverknew。
’Whathashappenedthatyoushouldspeaklikethat？’shesaidtohimonce。’Whathasbrokenyourheart？’
’You，’hereplied。’You；youhavedoneit。’
’Oh，Tom，’shesaid，goingbackintothememoryofveryfardistantdaysinhernomenclature，’howcanyouspeaktomesocruellyasthat！Thatitshouldcometothatbetweenyouandmeafterall！’
’WhydidyounotgoawayandleavemethatdaywhenItoldyou？’
’Didyoueverknowawomanwholikedtobeturnedoutofaroominherownhouse？’saidMrsProudie。WhenMrsProudiehadcondescendedsofarasthis，itmustbeadmittedthatinthosedaystherewasagreatdealoftroubleinthepalace。
MrThumble，onthedaybeforehewenttoSilverbridge，askedforanaudiencewiththebishopinorderthathemightreceiveinstructions。HehadbeenstrictlydesiredtodothisbyMrsProudie，andhadnotdaredtodisobeyherinjunctions——thinking，however，himself，thathisdoingsowasinexpedient。’Ihavegotnothingtosaytoyouaboutit；notaword，’saidthebishopcrossly。’IthoughtthatperhapsyoumightliketoseemebeforeIstarted，’pleadedMrThumbleveryhumbly。’Idon’twanttoseeyouatall，’saidthebishop；’youaregoingtheretoexerciseyourownjudgment——ifyouhavegotany；andyououghtnottocometome。’AfterthatMrThumblebegantothinkthatMrsProudiewasright，andthatthebishopwasneardissolution。
MrThumbleandMrQuiverfulwentovertoSilverbridgetogetherinagig，hiredfromtheDragonofWantly——astothecostofwhichtherearoseamongthemanotunnaturalapprehensionwhichamountedtodismay。’I
don’tminditsomuchforonce，’saidMrQuiverful，’butifmanysuchmeetingsarenecessary，Iforonecan’taffordit，andIwon’tdoit。A
manwithmyfamilycan’tallowhimselftobemoneyoutofpocketinthatway。’’Itishard，’saidMrThumble。’Sheoughttopayitherself，outofherownpocket，’saidMrQuiverful。HehadhadmanyconcernswiththepalacewhenMrsProudiewasinthefullswingofherdominion，andhadnotasyetbeguntosuspectthattheremightpossiblybechange。
MrOrielandMrRobartswerealreadysittingwithDrTempestwhentheothertwoclergymenwereshownintotheroom。Whenthefirstgreetingswereoverluncheonwasannounced，andwhiletheywereeatingnotawordwassaidaboutMrCrawley。Theladiesofthefamilywerenotpresent，andthefiveclergymensatroundthetablealone。Itwouldhavebeendifficulttohavegottogetherfivegentlemenlesslikelytoactwithonemindandspirit；——andperhapsitwasallthebetterforMrCrawleythatitshouldbeso。DrTempesthimselfwasamanpeculiarlycapableofexercisingthefunctionofajudgeinthematter，hadhesataloneasajudge；buthewasonewhowouldbealmostsuretodifferfromotherswhosatasequalassessorswithhim。MrOrielwasagentlemanatallpoints；
buthewasveryshy，veryreticent，andaltogetheruninstructedintheordinarydailyintercourseofmanwithman。Anyoneknowinghimmighthavepredictedofhimthathewouldbesureonsuchanoccasionasthistobefoundflounderinginaseaofdoubts。MrQuiverfulwasthefatherofalargefamily，whoselifehadbeendevotedtofightingacruelworldonbehalfofhiswifeandchildren。Thatfighthehadfoughtbravely；
butithadlefthimnoenergyforanyotherbusiness。MrThumblewasapoorcreature——sopooracreatedthat，inspiteofasmallrestlessambitiontobedoingsomething，hewasalmostcowedbythehardlinesofDrTempest’sbrow。TheRev。MrRobartswasamanoftheworld，andacleverfellow，anddidnotstandinaweofanybody——unlessitmightbe，inaverymoderatedegree，ofhispatronstheLuftons，whomhewasboundtorespect；buthisclevernesswasnotoftheclevernessneededbyajudge。Hewasessentiallyapartisan，andwouldbesuretovoteagainstthebishopinsuchamatterasthisnowbeforehim。Therewasapalacefactioninthediocese，andananti—palacefaction。MrThumbleandMrQuiverfulbelongedtoone，andMrOrielandMrRobartstotheother。MrThumblewastooweaktosticktohisfactionagainstthestrengthofsuchamanasDrTempest。MrQuiverfulwouldbetooindifferenttodoso——unlesshisinterestwasconcerned。MrOrielwouldbetooconscientioustoregardhisownsideonsuchanoccasionasthis。ButMarkRobartswouldbesuretosupporthisfriendsandopposehisenemies，letthecasebewhatitmight。’Now，gentlemen，ifyouplease，wewillgointotheotherroom，’saidDrTempest。Theywentintotheotherroom，andtheretheyfoundfivechairsarrangedforthemroundthetable。NotawordhadasyetbeensaidaboutMrCrawley，andnooneofthefourstrangersknewwhetherMrCrawleywastoappearbeforethemonthatdayornot。
’Gentlemen，’saidDrTempest，seatinghimselfatonceinanarmchairplacedatthemiddleofthetable，’Ithinkitwillbewelltoexplaintoyouatfirstwhat，asIregardthematter，istheextentoftheworkwhichwearecalledupontoperform。Itisofitsnatureverydisagreeable。Itcannotbutbeso，beiteversolimited。Hereisabrotherclergymanandagentleman，livingamongus，anddoinghisduty，aswearetold，inamostexemplarymanner；andsuddenlywehearthatheisaccusedoftheft。Thematterisbroughtbeforethemagistrates，ofwhomImyselfwasone，andhewascommittedfortrial。Thereisthereforeprimafacieevidenceofhisguilt。ButIdonotthinkthatweneedtogointothequestionofhisguiltatall。’Whenhesaidthis，theotherfouralllookedupathiminastonishment。’Ithoughtthatwehadbeensummonedhereforthatpurpose，’saidMrRobarts。’Notatall，asItakeit，’saidthedoctor。’Werewetocommenceanysuchinquiry，thejurywouldhavegiventheirverdictbeforewecouldcometoanyconclusion；anditwouldbeimpossibleforustoopposethatverdictwhetheritdeclaresthisunfortunategentlemantobeinnocentortobeguilty。Ifthejuryshallsaythatheisinnocent，thereisanendofthematteraltogether。Hewouldgobacktohisparishamidstthesympathyandcongratulationsofhisfriends。Thatiswhatweallshouldwish。’
’Ofcourseitis，’saidMrRobarts。Theyalldeclaredthatwastheirdesire，asamatterofcourse；andMrThumblesaiditlouderthananyoneelse。
’Butifheisfoundguilty，thenwillcomethatdifficultytothebishop，inwhichweareboundtogivehimanyassistancewithinourpower。’
’Ofcourseweare，’saidMrThumble，who，havingheardhisownvoiceonce，andhavinglikedthesound，thoughtthathemightcreepintoalittleimportancebyusingitonanyoccasionthatopeneditselfforhim。
’Ifyouwillallowme，sir，IwillventuretostatemyviewsshortlyasIcan，’saidDrTempest。’Thatmayperhapsbethemostexpedientcourseforusallintheend。’
’Oh，certainly，’saidMrThumble。’Ididn’tmeantointerrupt。’
’Inthecaseofhisbeingfoundguilty，’continuedthedoctor，’therewillarisethequestionwhetherthepunishmentawardedtohimbythejudgeshouldsufficeforecclesiasticalpurposes。Suppose，forinstance，thatheshouldbeimprisonedfortwomonths，shouldhebeallowedtoreturntohislivingattheexpirationofthatterm？’
’Ithinkheought，’saidMrRobarts：——’consideringallthings。’
’Idon’tseewhyheshouldn’t，’saidMrQuiverful。
MrOrielsatlisteningpatiently，andMrThumblelookeduptothedoctor，expectingtohearsomeopinionexpressedbyhimwithwhichhemightcoincide。
’Therecertainlyarereasonswhyheshouldnot，’saidDrTempest；
’thoughIbynomeanssaythatthosereasonsareconclusiveinthepresentcase。Inthefirstplace，amanwhohasstolenmoneycanhardlybeafittingpersontoteachothersnottosteal。’
’Youmustlooktothecircumstances，’saidRobarts。
’Yes，thatistrue；butjustbearwithmeforamoment。Itcannot，atanyrate，bethoughtthataclergymanshouldcomeoutofprisonandgotohislivingwithoutanynoticefromhisbishop，simplybecausehehasalreadybeenpunishedbythecommonlaw。Ifthiswereso，aclergymanmightbefinedtendaysrunningforbeingdrunkinthestreet——fiveshillingseachtime——andattheendofthattimemightsethisbishopatdefiance。Whenaclergymanhasshownhimselftobeutterlyunfitforclericalduties，hemustnotbeheldtobeprotectedfromecclesiasticalcensureorfromdeprivationbytheactionofthecommonlaw。’
’ButMrCrawleyhasnotshownhimselftobeunfit，’saidRobarts。
’Thatisbeggingthequestion，Robarts，’saidthedoctor。
’Justso，’saidMrThumble。ThenMrRobartsgavealookatMrThumble，andMrThumbleretiredintohisshoes。
’Thatisthequestionastowhichwearecalledupontoadvisethebishop，’continuedDrTempest。’AndImustsaythatIthinkthebishopisright。Ifheweretoallowthemattertopassbywithoutnotice——thatistosay，intheeventofMrCrawleybeingpronouncedguiltybyajury——hewould，Ithink，neglectinhisduty。NowIhavebeeninformedthatthebishophasrecommendedMrCrawleytodesistfromhisdutiestillthetrialbeover，andthatMrCrawleyhasdeclinedtotakethebishop’sadvice。’
’Thatistrue，’saidMrThumble。’Healtogetherdisregardedthebishop。’
’Ithinkhewasquiteright，’saidMrRobarts。
’Abishopinalmostallcasesisentitledtotheobedienceofhisclergy，’saidMrOriel。
’ImustsayIagreewithyou，sir，’saidMrThumble。
’Bethatasitmay，’continuedthedoctor，’thebishopfeelsthatitmaybehisdutytoopposethereturnofMrCrawleytohispulpit，andthathecanopposeitinnootherwaythanbyproceedingagainstMrCrawleyundertheClericalOffencesAct。Ipropose，therefore，thatweshouldinviteMrCrawleytoattendhere——’
’MrCrawleyisnotcomingheretoday，then？’saidMrRobarts。
’Ithoughtituselesstoaskforhisattendanceuntilwehadsettledonourowncourseofaction，’saidDrTempest。’Ifweareallagreed，I
willbeghimtocomehereonthisdayweek，whenwewillmeetagain。Andwewillthenaskhimwhetherhewillsubmithimselftothebishop’sdecision，intheeventofthejuryfindinghimguilty。Ifheshoulddeclinetodoso，wecanonlythenformouropinionastowhatwillbethebishop’sdutybyreferencetothefactsastheyareelicitedatthetrial。IfMrCrawleyshouldchoosetomaketousanystatementastohisowncase，ofcourseweshallbewillingtoreceiveit。Thatismyideaofwhathadbetterbedone；andnow，ifanygentlemanhasanyotherpropositiontomake，ofcourseweshallbepleasedtohearhim。’DrTempest，ashesaidthis，lookedrounduponhiscompanions，asthoughhispleasure，underthecircumstancessuggestedbyhimself，wouldbeverydoubtful。
’Idon’tsupposewecandoanythingbetter，’saidMrRobarts。’Ithinkitapity，however，thatanystepsshouldhavebeentakenbythebishopbeforethetrial。’
’Thebishophasbeenplacedinaverydelicateposition，’saidMrThumble，pleadingforhispatron。
’Idon’tknowthemeaningoftheword"delicate"，’saidRobarts。’I
thinkhisdutywasveryclear，toavoidinterferencewhilstthematteris，sotosay，beforethejudge。’
’Nobodyhasanythingelsetopropose？’saidDrTempest。’ThenIwillwritetoMrCrawleyandyou，gentlemen，willperhapsdomethehonourofmeetingmehereatoneo’clockthisdayweek。’Thenthemeetingwasover，andthefourclergymenhavingshakenhandswithDrTempestinthehall，allpromisedthattheywouldreturnonthatdayweek。Sofar，DrTempesthadcarriedhispointexactlyashemighthavedonehadthefourgentlemenbeenrepresentedbythechairsonwhichtheysat。
’Ishan’tcomeagainallthesame，unlessIknowwhereI’mtogetmyexpenses，’saidMrQuiverful，ashegotintothegig。
’Ishallcome，’saidMrThumble，’becauseIthinkitaduty。Ofcourseitisahardship。’MrThumblelikedtheideaofbeingjoinedwithsuchmenasDrTempest，andMrOriel，andMrRobarts，andwouldanydayhavepaidtheexpenseofagigfromBarchestertoSilverbridgeoutofhisownpocket，forthesakeofsittingwithsuchbenchfellowsonanyclericalinquiry。
’One’sfirstdutyistoone’sownwifeandfamily，’saidMrQuiverful。
’Well，yes；inaway，ofcourse，thatisquitetrue，MrQuiverful；andwhenweknowhowveryinadequatearetheincomesoftheworkingclergy，wecannotbutfeelourselvestobe，ifImaysosay，putupon，whenwehavetodefraytheexpensesincidentaltospecialdutiesoutofourownpockets。Ithink，youknow——Idon’tmindsayingthistoyou——thatthepalaceshouldhaveprovideduswithachaiseandpair。’ThiswasungratefulonthepartofMrThumble，whohadbeenpermittedtoridemilesuponmilestovariousoutlyingclericaldutiesuponthebishop’sworn—outcob。’Yousee，’continuedMrThumble，’youandIgospeciallytorepresentthepalace，andthepalaceoughttorememberthat。Ithinkthereoughttohavebeenachaiseandpair；Idoindeed。’
’Idon’tcaremuchwhattheconveyanceis，’saidMrQuiverful；’butI
certainlyshallpaynothingmoreoutofmyownpocket；——certainlyI
shallnot。’
’Theresultwillbethatthepalacewillbethrownoveriftheydon’ttakecare，’saidMrThumble。’Tempest，however，seemstobeprettysteady。Tempest，Ithink，issteady。Youseeheisgettingtiredofparishwork，andwouldliketogointotheclose。That’swhatheislookingoutfor。DidyoueverseesuchafellowasthatRobarts——justlookathim；——quiteindecent，wasn’the？Hethinkshecanhavehisownwayineverythingjustbecausehissisterismarriedtoalord。Idohatetoseeallthatmeanness。’
MarkRobartsandCalebOrielleftSilverbridgeinanothergigbythesameroad，andsoonpassedtheirbrethren，asMrRobartswasinthehabitofdrivingalarge，quick—steppinghorse。ThelastremarkswerebeingmadeasthedustfromthevicarofFramley’swheelssalutedthefacesofthetwoslowerclergymen。MrOrielhadpromisedtodineandsleepatFramley，andthereforereturnedinMrRobarts’sgig。
’Quiteunnecessary，allthisfuss；don’tyouthinkso？’saidMrRobarts。
’Iamnotquitesure，’saidMrOriel。’Icanunderstandthatthebishopmayhavefoundadifficulty。’
’Thebishopindeed！Thebishopdoesn’tcaretwostrawsaboutit。It’sMrsProudie！Shehasputherfingeronthepoorman’sneckbecausehehasnotputhisneckbeneathherfeet；andnowshethinksshecancrushhim——asshewouldcrushyouorme，ifitwereinherpower。That’saboutthelongandtheshortofthebishop’ssolicitude。’
’Youareveryhardonhim，’saidMrOriel。
’Iknowhim；——andamnotallhardonhim。Sheisharduponhimifyoulike。Tempestisfair。Heisveryfair，andaslongasnoonemeddleswithhimhewon’tdoamiss。Ican’tholdmytonguealways，butIoftenknowthatitisbetterthatIshould。’
DrTempestsaidnotawordtoanyoneonthesubject，noteveninhisowndefence。Andyethewassorelytempted。OntheverydayofthemeetinghedinedatMrWalker’sinSilverbridge，andtheresubmittedtobetalkedtobyalltheladiesandmostofthegentlemenpresent，withoutsayingawordinhisowndefence。Andyetawordortwowouldhavebeensoeasyandsoconclusive。
’Oh，DrTempest，’saidMaryWalker，’Iamsosorrythatyouhavejoinedthebishop。’
’Areyou，mydear？’saidhe。’Itisgenerallythoughtwellthataparishclergymanshouldagreewithhisbishop。’
’Butyouknow，MrTempest，thatyoudon’tagreewithyourbishopgenerally。’
’ThenitisthemorefortunatethatIshallbeabletoagreewithhimonthisoccasion。’
MajorGrantlywaspresentatthedinner，andventuredtoaskthedoctorinthecourseoftheeveningwhathethoughtwouldbedone。’Ishouldnotventuretoasksuchaquestion，DrTempest，’hesaid，’unlessIhadthestrongestpossiblereasontojustifymyanxiety。’
’Idon’tknowthatIcantellyouanything，MajorGrantly，’saidthedoctor。’WedidnotevenseeMrCrawleytoday。Buttherealtruthisthathemuststandorfallasthejuryshallfindhimguiltyornotguilty。Itwouldbethesameinanyprofession。Couldacaptaininthearmyholduphisheadinhisregimentafterhehadbeentriedandfoundguiltyofstealingtwentypounds？’
’Idon’tthinkhecould，’saidthemajor。
’Neithercanaclergyman，’saidthedoctor。’Thebishopcanneithermakehimnormarhim。Itisthejurythatmustdoit。’